How is a Caribbean surfer experiencing quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic?
Monster Energy Drink presents the note of the day.
Mike Castro tells us about what quarantine is like in the Caribbean.
Our country is experiencing a situation that few, if any, have ever faced before. Costa Rica is battling a pandemic that requires extreme caution.
COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus, has claimed the lives of hundreds of people worldwide. In this country, the number of infected individuals continues to rise, and the Ministry of Health has requested a quarantine to combat further spread.
But how does a Caribbean surfer, who normally spends most of his time in the sea, experience quarantine?
We spoke with Mike Castro, a surfer and resident of Playa Cieneguita, and he told us about the measures he has observed in Limón. 
What measures have you observed on the beach and in the town to counteract the impact of COVID-19?
Personally, my children, and all the children and young people in the Waves and Smiles project, understand the importance of this pandemic alert we are experiencing. For this reason, we are not going to the beach, and I have urged their parents to take care of them. I work in the health sector in nursing, and with a great deal of effort in providing promotional materials, information on prevention, handwashing, and staying home, we are preventing the spread of the virus. 
Have you seen any measures to close beach areas to bathers?
Here in Limón, the order hasn't been given, but we've seen that in other parts of the country it has been, so it's common sense to know that going surfing or swimming is exposing yourself, and even worse, exposing your family. 
How have they managed to keep up with their training schedule?
It's a time for reflection, for obedience, for living in the moment. For now, there are more important things than maintaining a training routine. Even so, in Axel's case, who is the active competitor in the house, there are times when I see him doing gymnastics and watching videos. I think that's all he's doing for now, since he can't leave the house to do other things, so there's no pressure. But these are his dreams; he knows he has to train. As for me, I get to enjoy my family after work, optimistic that this will pass soon, obviously if we all do our part by taking all the necessary health precautions. 
What message would you give to people regarding COVID-19?
I would like you to read about what the virus is, what effects it has on people, and why we must take this pandemic seriously, because if we don't, we also expose our loved ones.
I encourage you to follow the instructions of the authorities, I urge you to wash your hands properly, to read all the hygiene guidelines we need to follow, but most importantly, that we stay home and not waste this opportunity. We have the example of the brave healthcare workers who, even though they would like to go home, cannot because they have to take care of everyone's health. There's a saying that goes, "Let's survive today to fight tomorrow," I would modify it to, "Let's survive at home today so we can surf tomorrow." It's real, people are dying. Just think of the many contacts who are potentially carriers of the virus, so please, let's stay home. Nothing is more important than our health and the health of our families.
