In this March 17, 2020 photo, Omar walks on the beach clutching his thermos and "mate," in Montevideo, Uruguay. In Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina, drinking and sharing the herb "mate" is a tradition among family members, office colleagues and schoolmates, who share the straw as they pass the drink around. Today, however, the new coronavirus outbreak has made people quit sharing, to prevent spreading COVID-19. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
March 20, 2020
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March 20, 2020 1:47 p.m.
Virus fears curb old mate custom in parts of South America
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Sharing the mate beverage is an old tradition in parts of South America. The new coronavirus is changing that.