A Cuban man was spotted at dawn still sleeping after spending the night on a rooftop, lying on what appears to be a mattress and covered by a mosquito net. This resourceful solution is a way to sleep amidst the unbearable and constant power outages plaguing the island.
"This is how mornings look in Cuba," wrote user Saúl Manuel on his Facebook account. Although the post does not specify where the photo was taken, the scene could occur anywhere across the Cuban landscape.
Over a thousand people commented on the post. Some mentioned they also sleep on their rooftops, while others wished they had a flat roof to do the same. "At least he has a mosquito net; many of us don't," one man noted.
"This is how my neighborhood wakes up every day, with children on the porches," another person complained.
"Anyone can get sick from the night dew. It reminded me of Hurricane Ike times. Very sad," a woman remarked.
"That person on the roof is still better off. Think about the children or bedridden people or those in casts," another lamented.
"The suffering of us Cubans is immense with 15 hours or more of power outages, mosquitoes, the heat, and crying children, while we endure so that those in power can live comfortably," a mother pointed out.
"We have to spend the night fanning our children with cardboard. It's unbearable; we can't even rest, let alone sleep," a father expressed.
"It's not by choice but by necessity. I know how it feels because during the special period, I also slept like that to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to endure the heat a little. It's a shame and embarrassment that 23 years later, nothing has improved in this country," another Cuban shared.
"This is how we have to live. They don't even let us sleep. It's maddening to spend the night with the heat and mosquitoes. The wear and tear are immense. I've lost track of how long we've been living like this," a woman emphasized.
Living Through Power Outages in Cuba
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the current situation of power outages in Cuba, and how it affects daily life.
Why are there so many power outages in Cuba?
The frequent power outages in Cuba are primarily due to the country's aging infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and economic challenges exacerbated by the socialist government.
How do Cubans cope with the power outages?
Cubans resort to various measures such as sleeping on rooftops, using mosquito nets, and fanning themselves with cardboard to stay cool during power outages.
What are the health risks associated with sleeping on rooftops?
Sleeping on rooftops can expose individuals to health risks such as respiratory issues from night dew, mosquito-borne diseases, and general discomfort due to inadequate sleeping conditions.