Story By: Juan Fenandez Mayes, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
This doctor has had her car torched with the message “infected rats leave” sprayed onto it after she was diagnosed with coronavirus.
The shocking incident took place in the CGT South neighbourhood in the provincial capital city of La Rioja in the province with the same name in northwestern Argentina.
The pictures show Argentine doctor Claudia Salguero’s Ford F-100 after it was burnt by vandals.
The car is completely ruined with the interior destroyed by the flames.
A message saying: “Chaves infected rats leave” was left on the car however the word infected was misspelt, with the word ‘infested’ written instead.
It is unclear what the message was referring to with ‘Chaves’ however Slaguero’s car was found at her ex-husband Omar Chavez’s home where her children were also staying.
The doctor is staying at another house to remain in quarantine after she was diagnosed with COVID-19.
Local media report she may have contracted the virus while treating the first confirmed patient of the virus in the city who died in March.
Salguero wrote in a statement: “I can understand you are scared. All of this is new and each of us react as best we can in any given situation. I also understand it is a very sensitive time.
“In other places they applaud their doctors! Here, they react like this! I am never going to understand it! This morning an ill-willed neighbour burnt my family vehicle! Leaving a little sign!”
La Rioja governer Ricardo Quintela said: “I want to show my total solidarity to Dr Salguero who suffered a reprehensible act of vandalism.
“I am at the family’s total disposition after they suffered violent acts and excessive discrimination and lack of empathy. I have ordered the authorities to investigate and for the full weight of the law to fall on those responsible.”
Local media report Quintela was critical of medical workers on Monday 20th April saying they were responsible for spreading COVID-19 in the region but later retracted his statement and apologised for the comment.
It is unclear if any arrests have been made.
According to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University Argentina has reported 3,288 cases and 159 deaths resulting from the virus.
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