Mexican Red Cross paramedics risk their lives to help the sick in Tijuana

On the front lines of the pandemic in Tijuana is the Red Cross.

TIJUANA, BAJA CALIFORNIA -- WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2020: As Sergio Garcia stands in the doorway to calmly explain the next steps after death, Georgina Barajas Rios, grieves for her mother who just passed away, Maria Ruiz Olmedo, 71, after she suffered from symptoms that match COVID-19 symptoms, at their home, in Tijuana, Mexico, on April 29, 2020. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Paramedic Sergio Garcia talks with Georgina Barajas Rios after her mother, Maria Ruiz Olmedo, died. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

May 21, 2020 11:06 PM PT

Family members look on as paramedic Sergio Garcia tries to resuscitate Maria Ruiz Olmedo, 71, in her Tijuana home. She had exhibited COVID-19 symptoms. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Federico Perez Ramirez attends to an emergency call in which a patient reportedly was having trouble breathing. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Paramedic Ivan Mora talks to a family member of a patient who wanted to be taken to a hospital. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Paramedics prepare to take Eduardo Molina, 41, to the hospital. ( Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Guillermo Molina tears up as paramedics prepare to take his brother Eduardo to the hospital. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Paramedics with Eduardo Molina on a stretcher. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Paramedic Sergio Garcia packs up his equipment after determining that he could not resuscitate an elderly man. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Alan Muro takes a moment to collect himself after his Red Cross vehicle was in an accident. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Alan Muro and Sergio Garcia respond to a call of domestic violence. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Alan Muro with a patient. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Putting a patient into an ambulance. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Paramedics Michael Zavala, left, and Ivan Mora with a patient on a Tijuana street. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Alan Muro after his car accident. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Paramedics Federico Perez Ramirez and Valeria de la Torre Beaven. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Paramedic Axel Cuevas puts on a protective suit. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Tending to a patient. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Sergio Garcia, left, and Dr. Alan Muro put on personal protective equipment. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Ivan Mora, left, and Dr. Francisco Tenorio, center, speak to a patient. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Francisco Tenorio, right, awaits an ambulance. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Alan Muro on a call. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

World & Nation

Mexican Red Cross paramedics risk their lives to help the sick in Tijuana

On the front lines of the pandemic in Tijuana is the Red Cross.

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