por la libre

English translation: On their own decision

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:por la libre
English translation:On their own decision
Entered by: Leda Roche

19:04 Apr 4, 2020
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Spanish term or phrase: por la libre
The phrase is from a headline in an online newspaper in Puerto Rico. I'm unsure what it means, because my understanding of the headline contradicts the information in the news item. Here's the headline:

Por la libre alcaldes con las pruebas rápidas de coronavirus

My initial idea was to translate as "Green Light for Mayors on Fast Tests for COVID-19."

However, there is a subhead:

El Secretario de Salud alertó que las pruebas a utilizar deberían ser controladas por la agencia.

And in the text of the article, I read:

El secretario de Salud Lorenzo González alertó a los alcaldes a no comprar pruebas rápidas para detectar el coronavirus a menos que estén controladas por el Departamento de Salud ante el alto potencial que tienen de detectar resultados falsos.

The story continues with warnings that fast tests should be used only by qualified medical personnel (nurses, doctors, or lab technicians) and in accordance with federal (USA) regulations.

So...what does "por la libre" mean in the headline?

I am not actually translating the article but am considering using it as an exercise in a translation class.

Thank you so much for your help.
JaneTranslates
Puerto Rico
Local time: 12:12
On their own decision
Explanation:
In Río de la Plata, "por la libre" would mean "on their own will". I think this is about the decision and not about the tests.
Selected response from:

Leda Roche
Uruguay
Local time: 13:12
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2free-for-all
Lydia De Jorge
3 +2On their own decision
Leda Roche
4go it alone
Lester Tattersall
Summary of reference entries provided
Here the source
Toni Castano

Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
free-for-all


Explanation:

free-for-all
/ˈˌfrē fə ˈˌrôl/
noun
noun: free-for-all; plural noun: free-for-alls
a disorganized or unrestricted situation or event in which everyone may take part, especially a fight, discussion, or trading market.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2020-04-04 20:19:30 GMT)
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Según yo lo entiendo, los alcaldes están al garete con las máscaras y por eso la intervención del secretario de salud.


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2020-04-04 20:23:58 GMT)
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Parece ser que van cada uno por su cuenta y el S.de Salud pide que se organicen.

Lydia De Jorge
United States
Local time: 11:12
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 187
Notes to answerer
Asker: Well, you would know, Lydia. But it doesn't make sense to me. Why would you announce a "free-for-all" in the headline of an article cautioning mayors that usage is restricted?


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Toni Castano: Yes, unrestricted, out of control, this is also my reading.
25 mins
  -> Thanks you, Toni. Hope you're indoors and safe.

agree  neilmac: That was my first take as well (2 steps from a "desmadre")...
13 hrs
  -> I love the word 'desmadre'... thanks!
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
On their own decision


Explanation:
In Río de la Plata, "por la libre" would mean "on their own will". I think this is about the decision and not about the tests.

Example sentence(s):
  • People, for instance, take drugs on their own decision and later regret what they did under their influence.
Leda Roche
Uruguay
Local time: 13:12
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Juan Jacob: Es lo que entiendo, sí.
2 hrs

agree  Muriel Vasconcellos: Mayors on their own with/to decide about
4 hrs

neutral  Lester Tattersall: I agree with the meaning, but this isn't a standard English expression
1 day 11 hrs
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1 day 13 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
go it alone


Explanation:
Mayors Go It Alone with Covid-19 Fast Tests.
Go-It-Alone Mayors Acquiring Covid-19 Fast Tests



Lester Tattersall
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:12
Native speaker of: English
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Reference comments


14 hrs
Reference: Here the source

Reference information:
It is always helpful to see things in context for a better understanding and judgement, so here is the source:

https://www.metro.pr/pr/noticias/2020/04/04/la-libre-alcalde...
Por la libre alcaldes con las pruebas rápidas de coronavirus
El Secretario de Salud alertó que las pruebas a utilizar deberían ser controladas por la agencia.
El secretario de Salud XXXXX alertó a los alcaldes a no comprar pruebas rápidas para detectar el coronavirus a menos que estén controladas por el Departamento de Salud ante el alto potencial que tienen de detectar resultados falsos.
“Sabemos que hay venta de pruebas en la periferia a los alcaldes sin el control del Departamento de Salud ustedes lo saben y nosotros lo sabemos”, declaró hoy en rueda de prensa en la que actualizó los datos sobre el avance de la enfermedad en la Isla.
Sin embargo, no mencionó ningún ejecutivo municipal en particular.
“Cada vez que se anuncian pruebas en supermercado, eso nos puede traer problemas. Estoy diciendo: ‘ tengamos prudencia que no produzcamos una prueba errónea”, agregó.

Toni Castano
Spain
Native speaker of: Spanish
PRO pts in category: 8
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