In Mexico, free ‘COVID-19 survivor’ tattoos

Mexican tattoo artist Omi Debua is giving away free tattoos to those who have beaten the novel coronavirus, etching a “COVID-19 survivor” logo on people whose lives have been marked by the disease, an unforgettable reminder for some to better take care of themselves and those around them. AFP PHOTO

A Mexican tattooist is offering free “COVID-19 survivor” tattoos to people who have beaten the coronavirus as an indelible reminder of the pandemic that has swept through the country.

“In a few years they can tell their grandchildren and their children ‘look, I remember when back in 2020 I got Covid… a super deadly disease and I was a survivor, here’s my tattoo,'” Omi Debua told AFP.

Oscar Morales went to get his first tattoo after seeing the offer by the artist in the northern city of Monterrey on social media.

The 20-year-old tested positive for the virus and was asymptomatic, but worries that he was the one who infected his father, sister and grandfather, who was hospitalized.

“I work a lot in the street. Maybe I infected them. Unfortunately many people don’t survive. Thank God, and all my family and I are fine,” he said.

Mexico has registered more than 64,000 deaths from the coronavirus — one of the world’s highest tolls.

Morales admits that he underestimated the risks at first and did not take precautions even though his work involved going from one factory to another in the industrial hub.

“Since I tested positive I’m really careful, always wearing a mask and disinfecting my hands,” he said.

CFC