Mexico's President Greets El Chapo's Mom And Lawyer, Ignoring Coronavirus Rules

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador told his countrymen this weekend, in video announcements , "Don't go out into the streets unless it's for something absolutely necessary." But the president, who's been slow to acknowledge the new coronavirus threat, drew sharp criticism for failing to model good social distancing. As recently as eight days ago, López Obrador urged Mexicans to go out to eat in restaurants, out of concern over an economic fallout from the virus. On Saturday, however, Mexican health officials warned time was running short to stave off a spike in coronavirus cases. Mexico has reported nearly 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and at least 20 deaths. "This is the last chance we have, we can't lose it," said Hugo López-Gatell, undersecretary of health, urging Mexicans to stay inside. But López Obrador was not by his health official's side. He was out in the countryside inspecting construction projects, which he deems "essential" work exempt from stay-at-home orders.