The initiative to order the sale of essential products in the Cimex and Caribe network stores with the support of the network of Stores of Regulated Main Supplies is taken up again, in order to equitably benefit a greater number of people with such items and prevent phenomena such as hoarding and speculation. 

Las Tunas, Cuba.- The idea had already been implemented at the beginning of last April, as part of the measures to avoid crowds and with it the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

On a tour of the main establishments where these merchandises are sold, a team from 26Digital spoke with the population of Las Tunas to get their opinion on the matter. In that sense, approval prevailed in the criteria set out for this system.

In the premises of La Nueva store, for example, we exchanged with Elsa Rodríguez, who stated that "this idea has not been anything wrong, since it allows access to these foods, which otherwise, through long queues we would not have reached them."

Likewise, Rolando Cruz states that, at the age of 78, "I cannot be on the street every day watching for the chicken to arrive or stand for long hours without hope of purchase, since many people are there. For the elderly, this is a viable option."

"I love the implementation of the sale through the card of regulated main supplies, so it is safer," said Aidée Escalona, a neighbor of the Santo Domingo neighborhood, who expressed her satisfaction when buying the chicken, since she had not been able to access this food for some time. "In addition," she assured, "the organization was impeccable because through the stores of regulated main supplies they guided us on the date and the place without delay, and in the store itself, it developed with enough agility."

Yordanis Ceballo, who waits in the surroundings of the Blue House for buying, values the variant of "positive since it guarantees several basic household products. Although it does not satisfy everything, it does allow equitable access to them."

Something similar clarifies Ada Frómeta, a neighbor of the Primero neighborhood, "it is ideal because it is a safety sale, there is no chance for hoarders and resellers. Those of us who work cannot queue every day, however, with prior notice of the sale, we can make the time and buy, since the sale will be by the number given in the card of regulated main supplies, without the need of insecure queuing."

"All essential items should be sold the same for this card, so we can all reach in a regulated manner, as is done with soaps and toothpaste," suggests Yanelis de la Fe. "Although it is necessary to take into account the families that belong to the same card and live in different residences, as it is difficult to distribute food and hygiene.

"I know the experience, for example, of Cienfuegos, where through the Zone Defense councils the system is organized according to the members of each family," she said.

On this same issue, Elisa Parra told us that there are six people in her card and they live in three different houses, however, they receive the same amount of products as a family of one or two individuals, which she considers should be reviewed. On the other hand, she points out that "sometimes consumers go to the store and only chicken is available, so they have to return again for the oil and that can be avoided."

The experience motivates many, others from their responsibilities are in charge of guaranteeing that the demanded products reach more than 62 thousand families of the provincial capital.

In this sense, Luis Ramón Vázquez Gamboa, director of the Municipal Commerce Company, refers that the process is carried out with the largest possible organization to put an end, not only to the inequality of opportunities in the purchase but also to the extensive queues, many times the result of the incorporation of people from other provinces.

Vázquez Gamboa explains that "with the support of the Administration Council and the Defense Zones, the development of this modality continues, in which the products are not marked in the card, but are controlled through it and sold according to Disponibility."

Executives from Caribe and Cimex Corporations will not be in charge of attending to the order of the sale, but that it is Commerce in the exteriors of each store that will establish it, implementing hygienic measures fundamentally related to the use of the mask, physical distancing and use of solutions for cleaning hands and feet.

It is then, on our part, to ensure compliance with these regulations and, above all, to remain calm, so that the distributions are fulfilled in the best possible way.