InChapala1

Was everyone (staff and patients) wearing a mask at Chapala's Centro de Salud? And anyone know if the flu vaccine offered here is the quadrivalent or the trivalent formulation? normal year I’d take either, but during a pandemic, would prefer optimal coverage.

Are you saying that in jest or is it actually available? I’m aware PCR at-home test kits are available in some countries. A few months ago, the U.S. FDA ‘emergency’ approved one from LabCorp (https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/at-home-test-kits/covid-19-test), but I think they subsequently pulled the emergency approval. To which lab would one send the nasal swab sample for results?

I’m required to have negative results from a COVID-19 PCR test for my upcoming flight. Specifically, the RESULTS need to within 72-hours of my flight. 1. What’s been your experience with getting the PCR test at these labs: Salud Digna (preferred due to lower price) and Chopo in Guadalajara, and locally at Laboratorio Clinico El Lago in Chapala? (The Guadalajara Reporter mentioned Laboratorio Clinico El Lago in Chapala offers the test locally.) 2. Any other labs besides Laboratorio Clinico El Lago that offers the test locally? 3. How many days prior do you recommend I get the test, so that the results are within 72-hours of my flight and did you experience any delays getting the results on time? 4. Did the lab email the results to you? If I drive to Salud Digna or Chopo in Guad for the test, I’d prefer not to do a second trip just to pick-up the results.

Does Magnolias have a regular menu or just a daily special?

Thanks for the info and correct name: Cugini's. The Ajijic "dollar" store is the one on the Plaza, a few doors from BBVA Bancomer and Farmacia Homeopatica, correct?

Where can I buy ladies scarves with a Mexican design/motif? And is it correct that Eugini's Boutique (about a block up from Maria Isabel's restaurant on Ajijic malecon) is permanently closed? Thanks.

Thanks. I will reach out to Chapala Tree Service. I have a guy who trims my palm trees and he offered to treat the trees, if I could figure out what insecticide to use. I'm guessing Chapala Tree Service's treatment is proprietary and not something I can buy at a store?

Salud Digna is advertising the test for 950 pesos (https://salud-digna.org/covid-19/estudio-covid-19/). Any idea why the big difference in price between Salud Digna and Chopo?

Is there an insecticide or treatment I can apply to prevent the South American palm tree weevil from attacking palm trees? A neighbor lost a couple of palm trees to this beetle and would like to prevent infestation on my property.

Thanks, I will look at this option as well.

Thanks for the info. I will look in to the SIM specifically for banking. Concerned that it can be fussy at times, since my bank will no longer offer the email option. Received this message from my bank: "As part of our commitment to your security, we're removing the email option in the coming weeks because our team has identified a trend of fraudsters attempting to take advantage of security codes delivered to email."

Has anyone successfully used OneSIM card (https://www.onesimcard.com/international-sim-card/) to receive SMS security codes from a U.S. bank? Starting next month, my U.S. bank will stop sending SMS security codes to email addresses and previously stopped sending codes to VoIP numbers. So, I need U.S. phone # to access my bank online. Yes, I could get a U.S. number from Consumer Cellular (or another U.S. pre-pay company), but I’d like the option to use the phone while traveling in other countries for calls, texts and data. Consumer Cellular and other U.S. pre-pay companies don’t seem to offer good travel options. An internet search came up with OneSIM card, but would like to hear other’s experience before trying this.

I checked my last bank statement and noticed that the ISR deduction was 42% of interest earned for last month. Using some simple calculations, no compound interest etc., here’s what I determined. Assume a balance of 10,000 MXN, earned annual interest rate of 3.0%. Annual interest = 10,000*3.0% = 300 MXN, so monthly interest earned approx. = 300/12 = 25.00 MXN. ISR tax of 1.45% on the principal amount = 10,000*1.45% = 145 MXN annual, so monthly is approx. = 145/12 = 12.08 MXN As a percentage, ISR withholding = 12.08 / 25.00 = 48.33% (close to the 49% you’re getting). Not a math expert, so correct me if I’m wrong. The fluctuations you see are likely due to interest rates falling each month in Mexico and all over the world due to the pandemic. If rates fall next month, the ISR % will be higher than 49%. As Spencer mentions, “They withhold on the principal amount, not off of any earnings so it is possible to lose money.” I believe if bank interest falls below 1.45%, you lose money on your account. Given high inflation here, it’s even worse. Not a good time to have cash in Mexican accounts, especially if earning less than 1.5% in interest. But, NOB isn't doing much better either.

Does the city offer geological reports for the entire Chapala municipality? Do I get these at the Palacio Municipal de Chapala or are they available online on the http://www.chapala.gob.mx/ website?

Thank you oregontochapala and barrbower. I will try visiting Eduardo's vivero or calling after 7pm.

I’m trying to reach landscaper Eduardo Galindo. Tried 376-766-5528 multiple times, but no answer or v-mail available. Does anyone have a different number for him? Also, is Martin Galindo at Vivero Rancho del Oro (a couple of doors east of Muebles UOU in W. Ajijic) connected to Eduardo? I was recommended Eduardo Galindo and Martin Galindo, but unsure if they are connected. Thanks.

I currently use a surge protector/surge strip for my computer, TV, etc. This thread has folks recommending voltage regulators, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), and power conditioners. I have limited knowledge of these different products, but would like to know if a surge protector/surge strip is adequate to protect from the voltage changes, brownouts and other electricity issues we experience here? Or, do I need a different product? Or, is there such a thing as an "all-in-one" (i.e., a combined surge protector voltage regulator, UPS and power conditioner)?

Was it one transaction or two? I thought the limit at CI Banco at Laguna mall was 10,000 pesos.

Be careful with this vaccine. In the U.S., it is not approved for use in individuals not previously infected by any dengue virus. The CDC link utilitus provided has the warnings: The vaccine manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, announced in 2017 that people who receive the vaccine and have not been previously infected with a dengue virus may be at risk of developing severe dengue if they get dengue after being vaccinated.

Thanks for this info. What type of fees does Xoom charge? Or do they make their fees off the exchange rate?

An update to this post from a month ago. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now lists not just the 8 hand sanitizers manufactured by Eskbiochem, but 77 hand sanitizers that contain toxic wood methanol. Note that EVERY single product on the warning list is manufactured in Mexico. The list includes brands sold at Walmart. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same brands are sold at Soriana and local pharmacies. I read the news story here: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/toxic-hand-sanitizer-75-brands-fda-warning/ (as of 6:46AM on 7/24/20, list contains 75 products). Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is adding products they test to the list, might be better to check the FDA site for the updated list, which as of 4:00pm on 7/24/20 contains 77 products: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-methanol See Jackie's original post above for risks associated with toxic wood methanol. I’ve been gladly using the hand sanitizer that’s dispensed by the attendants at Walmart’s entrance, but from now on will either ask to check the brand (if I could possibly remember 77 brand names) or more likely decline. Now, if I decline, will Walmart (or any other store) let me in?

I'm looking to hire a gardener and received estimates from three. One said 1x per week for 4 hrs. total, another 2x per week for 3 hrs. each day (6 hrs. total per week) and the third said 2x per week for 4 hrs. each day (8 hrs. total per week). I understand estimate can vary due to many factors, but was wondering if there's some way to determine the amount of work based on garden size, number/type of plants, etc. The garden is about 200 SQM in size.

Several entry points to the trails. Are the ejido groups planning to have someone at each entry point to collect fees?

now that restrictions are easing with safety protocols such as masks and appropriate distancing, anyone know if the following are open or when they might open: 1. hiking trails in upper Ajijic, up the hill from Restaurant Min Wah? 2. activities at LCS? 3. parque cristiania in Chapala?

Your response got me interested in learning about vaccine types. Any idea why drug companies are focused on experimental methods (mRNA and DNA methods) that are yet to be proven, instead of attempting to create a vaccine with weakened, dead or inactivated forms of the virus? According to my limited reading, no RNA or DNA vaccines are currently approved for human use, but some DNA vaccines are available for veterinary use.