Former Cuban judoka faces coronavirus in Puerto Rico

April 6, 2020

The former Cuban judoka Yurisel Laborde "Yuyú", double world champion in judo and Olympic bronze medalist in Athens 2004, is living with worry, stress, and uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic, which she faces from her current job as a Federal Police officer in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

She wishes she could be at home, taking care of her children, but she has to fulfill her responsibility as a police officer, now when the population needs her the most, says Laborde, who lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

She has to expose herself every day on the streets, maintain a rigorous routine to avoid getting infected and even less infecting her family; she asks all Cubans and Puerto Ricans to take care of themselves to the maximum and take extreme precautions.

From the moment she leaves the house, she uses a mask and gloves, maintaining at least one meter of distance from her colleagues. When getting into the patrol car, she disinfects the entire area with the alcohol she always carries in her wallet, and requires her partner to use his mask.

When she has to intervene with a citizen, she maintains a prudent distance and, if they approach, she indicates that they should keep the space marked by health authorities. During her work hours, she washes her hands several times and disinfects them, going to the police station, notes the former judoka.

When her shift ends she goes to pick up her children from her mother's care; the saddest part is not being able to kiss and hug them, although they understand.

When she gets home she takes off her boots outside and disinfects them with bleach and her uniform goes straight to the washing machine, then she showers, and only then can she hug her little ones, she recounts.

It's hard! but it's the way to protect them. Particularly her life is always hectic, but in these times, even more so. So she gets up at half past six in the morning to make breakfast and prepare lunch. At eight thirty, she sits down to teach her children since the schools are closed, and at eleven thirty she already leaves to work from twelve noon until eight at night.

Thanks to her mother she has been able to continue with all her responsibilities. She is the one who takes care of her grandchildren so she can work.

My recommendation for all people is: stay at home! it's the only way we're going to win the battle against the virus, she concludes.