Author: EVERYBODY'S "Caribbean" Magazine

Mobile COVID-19 Testing in Caribbean-Brooklyn

     A Mobile COVID-19 Testing Site is in Caribbean-Brooklyn. It is located in the Sears Parking Lot in Flatbush. The Site opened at 12:30pm on Saturday, April 11, a mere two days after Governor Andrew Cuomo made the decision. The site will be opened everyday until the pandemic eases.

     A reason the site is in one of the major neighborhoods of Caribbean-Brooklyn and the immigrant community is to deflect criticisms of insufficient COVID-19 services in minority communities in the City of New York.

     The Mobile COVID-19 center is available to everyone by appointment only. To make an appointment contact the NYS Department of Health at 888-364-3065.

     Since the Sears Parking Lot is in the 42nd Assembly District, local residents may contact the District’s representatives. They are:

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke – Dem.

State Senator Kevin Parker – Dem.

Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte – Dem

CouncilmanMathieu Eugene – Dem

District Leader Rodneyse Bichotte – Dem

District Leader Joshu Pierre – Dem

District Leader Trisha Alleyne – Rep

District Leader Herman Hall – Rep

ROY HASTICK, CACCI PASSES

Although only yesterday EVERYBODY’S, the Caribbean-American magazine, said it is no longer announcing Caribbean-American deaths, we are making an exception to the rule. Prominent NY-Caribbean, Roy Hastick has passed. He was a Grenadian. He established the Caribbean-American Chambers of commerce. For his public service, he was bestowed an honorary doctorate a decade or two ago. Roy did not die from the coronavirus but from other medical issues. Presently in NYC anyone who is stricken with non-coronavirus may not get immediate and adequate treatment. However, his wife, a national of Saint Kitts, is hospitalized stricken with the killer virus. As of yesterday, Wed., April 8, EVERYBODY’S is projecting that between 750-900 NY-Anglophone Caribbeans have perished due to Corona including longtime subscribers of EVERYBODY’S from various islands, Guyana and Belize.

Caribbean-American Concerns

Many readers of EVERYBODY’S Magazine have been asking why we are not providing information of Caribbean-American losses due to COVID-19. Most inquiries are from people in the NY area who believe EVERYBODY’S is obligated to provide the statistics based on the consistent public service EVERYBODY’S has provided especially during 9/11.

It is too early to give accurate data but EVERYBODY’S Magazine after consulting with experts in New York City believe that approximately 950-1000 Caribbean-New Yorkers have perished so far. The statewide count Governor Andrew Cuomo provides daily of all New Yorkers is based on laboratory test. EVERYBODY’S approximation includes Caribbean people who died at home of suspected COVID-19 but not officially listed.

For example, an ambulance picked up a Caribbean woman who died in her apartment in Flatbush, Brooklyn, last Saturday. Frontline responders said cause of death was COVID – chances are she may not have been counted in the statistics since she did not die in a hospital. The next day all three persons in her apartment came down with COVID.

  1. While we are not listing deaths, one can find up-to date and detailed information on our website – www.everybodysmag.com
  2. After we listed the passing of a prominent Trinidadian, several persons from other islands asked why was he listed and not others. That’s a reason we discontinue. Since then, a number of active Caribbean-New Yorkers from the fields of education, sports, health and culture passed – victims of COVID. Five of the departed subscribed for this magazine for years and we are sure there are others.
  3. As a Caribbean-American publication, we provide features and articles relevant to the immigrant population and their offspring. It is impossible to provide COVID death data of nationals from each island, Belize and Guyana who were permanent residents or citizens of the U.S.
  4. We have readers in most major cities from Boston and Hartford to Miami, Los Angeles, Toronto and Montreal. They may want us to focus on deaths in their respective cities.
  5. The information Caribbean nationals in the U.S. are asking EVERYBODY’S to give is a service each Caribbean consulate should be providing. We urge you to seek information from your respective consulate and embassy.

According to Governor Andrew Cuomo, “in New York City, 34% of deaths from coronavirus are Hispanic while 28% of deaths are black.” The black population includes people of Caribbean ancestry. Of the 28% of blacks who passed, EVERYBODY’S Magazine believes approximately 50 to 60% are of Anglophone origin.

We are preparing our May edition. USPS has been slow in delivering our April issue due to COVID. As a result, we are making our May edition available online at no cost. Check our website in late April for the digital link.

COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING COMMUNITIES

Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams joined with Council of Peoples Organizations (COPO), the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), faith leaders, and community advocates representing diverse communities throughout the city to demand the City’s outreach regarding the COVID-19 pandemic reflect the diversity of New York, taking into account those who do not access traditional forms of media, those whose first language is not English, and others.

Borough President Adams and participants called on the City to invest a portion of its outreach funding in ethnic media outlets serving communities throughout the city. They also urged the City to make its real-time updates via NotifyNYC available in languages other than Spanish and English, to ensure all New Yorkers are being reached during this unprecedented public health emergency. 

“We can’t communicate with people where we want them to be, we have to communicate with them where they are,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “As I speak with people throughout the five boroughs, I am continually struck by how frequently crucial information about the COVID-19 pandemic is not reaching certain communities. We have to ensure that our outreach is available to all New Yorkers. That’s why we are calling on the City to broaden its outreach, offering updates on the spread of the virus and basic tips on how to keep people and their loved ones safe in a variety of different languages, and engaging ethnic media as partners in this effort to keep everyone informed. We will beat this virus only by coming together. Our diversity is our strength, and it is needed more than ever at this challenging time.”

“In times of such uncertainty, it is imperative that together, we remain united. Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams has assured ethnic communities across New York City that they will be recognized during this crisis. In solidarity, we will reach out to these communities by supporting ethnic media and outreach, as well as recognizing the diverse languages throughout our city. We will continually work together to support all communities impacted by COVID-19, and we forever remain dedicated to making Brooklyn strong,” said Mohammad Razvi, Chief Executive Officer of COPO.

“The Melquain Jatelle Anderson Foundation would like to thank all the first responders and essential workers across the city for showing great strength and courage during this pandemic. We acknowledge your fear while admiring your selflessness and commitment to keeping our community safe while doing your best to help those who fall victim to the COVID-19 virus. We ask that our communities do their part by practicing social distancing and not leaving their homes if they can avoid doing so. We must protect one another by following the conditions put in place to keep all of us safe. In efforts to ensure individuals internalize the severity of this pandemic, we must have information disseminated throughout ALL communities in all languages. NYC is a diverse community and English is not always the first language. We must provide information that can be read and comprehended by ALL,” said Xenia Barnes, Chief Communication Officer of the Melquain Jatelle Anderson Foundation.

“These days I am working so hard as volunteer to ensure that people who don’t speak English in our community understand in the law, directions, and how to get support if they need. It works well, but I think it is not enough to reach more people with different ethnicities and language. New York is a city made up of multiple languages and ethnicity. And NOW, we need the ethnic media so New Yorkers get the proper information about COVID-19, along with the support they need, especially in this time,” said Yasmeen Atef, President of the Yemeni Women’s Association of the United States of America.

“During this pandemic, we must stay safe, but we must also make sure that all our communities are taken into account. I was proud to join Borough President Adams today to send the message that we all must get the support and information we deserve,” said Anthony Beckford, Flatbush and East Flatbush Community Advocate.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state’s presidential primary election will be postponed from April 28 until June 23 amid coronavirus fears.

“I don’t think it’s wise to be bringing a lot of people to one location to vote,” Cuomo, a Democrat, said Saturday during a news conference. He also extended the state’s tax filing deadline to July 15.

Over 52,000 people have been confirmed to have Covid-19 across New York, Cuomo said. The state has tested a total of 155, 934 people.

The US surpassed Italy and China this week to become the country with the most coronavirus cases in the world with more than 102,963 known cases, according to CNN’s tally. At least 1,590 people have died in the US, with at least 402 of those deaths reported on Friday alone.

MIGHTY SPARROW SAYS STAY HOME

     The Mighty Sparrow, one of the Caribbean’s greatest living icons, sends his regards to fans around the world and extends his condolences to everyone losing loved ones. “I pray to God to save the lives of people in all countries of the world,” he said. “And, I encourage everybody to remain positive.”

    The call to Dr. Slinger Francisco was made by EVERYBODY’S Magazine on behalf of fans who have been calling the magazine daily concerned about the health and whereabouts of their beloved Sparrow.

    He assures fans that he is adhering to preventive measures recommended and urges everybody to do likewise in order to curtail the spread of Novel Coronavirus. “Stay home, listen to the news, watch TV and read a book,” he recommends. Sparrow regrets not getting his daily newspaper since home delivery is suspended. He is an avowed reader.

     Sparrow was witty and chatty as usual. Born with the talent to compose and sing, he readily recited a few impromptu lines for EVERYBODY’S to share.  

      “Father save us all …

        Coronavirus is making us itch

        You wicked son of a witch

         Coronavirus go!

         How you bad so!

STEELPAN PLAYER – VICTIM COVID-19

The steelband fraternity in Brooklyn, NY is mourning the passing of Hansel Leon, a victim of COVID-19. “Hanny” as he was popularly called promoted steelpan music in the U.S. for almost four decades. He was once married to popular Jean Leon, well known Trinbagonian-New Yorker and former Director of Nursing at Kings County Medical Center.

     Mr. Leon made his annual pilgrimage to Trinidad & Tobago carnival on February 5; he remained in his birth country to avoid wintry New York. He fell ill on March 13 and admitted at Couva Hospital, Trinidad. He expired on March 25 at the age of 77. Based on his early departure from NY, he may have contracted the deadly virus in Trinidad & Tobago.

     He beat the iron in the rhythm section of several steelband orchestras in Brooklyn as they rehearsed for Brooklyn’s panorama at the Brooklyn Museum grounds every Labor Day weekend and added “riddim” in most soca/calypso parties and concerts.

     A diehard fan of calypso, steelpan, carnival and other events that promoted the culture of Trinidad & Tobago, “Hanny” was a regular or “limer” at Sesame Flyers, the popular cultural and educational organization on Church Ave., Brooklyn. He attended calypso tents and shows presented by EVERYBODY’S Magazine.

Rihanna $800,000 to Barbados COVID-19

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley is praising Barbadians and the business community for their commitment to helping in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barbadian superstar Rihanna is among those who offered to purchase medical supplies to assist victims of COVID-19. Mottley, in a presentation to Parliament, said Rihanna offered BDS$1.4 million, approximately US$800,000, to purchase ventilators. Others also offered to purchase items.

Sagicor offered two temperature scanners for the airport and one for the seaport.

As the prime minister thanked sponsors, Mottley said this support made her proud to be a Bajan. She outlined initiatives such as the Adopt A Family program and a million-dollar Household Survival Program to assist those affected by COVID-19.

The national count of confirmed COVID-19 in Barbados is six as of Friday, March 20.,

The two new cases are Barbadians: a male in his 20s and a female in her 60s, both of whom recently returned to the nation from the United States.

COVID-19 In Haiti

Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise declared a state of health emergency, following the confirmation of two cases of COVID-19.

Moise said the country’s ports, airports and borders would be closed to people although they would remain open for goods traffic.

Schools, universities, places of worship and industrial parks are closed, and a curfew would be in force from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as of Friday, March 20.

The president said schools, voodoo temples, churches and all other places of worship will remain closed until further notice.

He said the government will also make the appropriate arrangements to provide hospitals with masks, gloves, medicines, fluids and all other necessary medical supplies.

Citizens are asked to stay home or limit their trips only to what is necessary and Individuals coming from risk areas will be automatically placed in quarantine for a period of 14 days.

One of the last Caribbean nations to remain free of COVID-19, Haiti has suspended flights from Europe, Latin America and Canada and imposed major restrictions on the border with the neighboring Dominican Republic earlier this week in a bid to prevent the disease’s entry. It is expected more people will contract the dreadful disease in Créole speaking nation

NO US CITIZENS, GRENADA

Effective March 21, 11:59pm, U.S. citizens cannot enter Grenada due to COVID-19.

According to Grenada’s government, there are no coronavirus cases in Grenada.  

In its updated travel advisory, the government says Grenadian nationals and residents will be allowed to enter the country but must be self-quarantined for 14 days upon arrival in Grenada. 

Effective March 20 at 11.59 pm, if you are not a Grenadian national and in the last 14 days you have been to Iran, South Korea, China or anywhere in Europe (including the United Kingdom), you will be refused entry into the country.  

Included in the travel restrictions, Grenadian nationals and non-nationals alike arriving from any other destination outside of the stated list will be screened upon entry and self-quarantined for 14 days.  

The government says this action is necessary as widespread respiratory illnesses caused by COVID-19 have been reported in Iran, South Korea, China, the USA, and Europe.  

Meanwhile, Grenada’s Ministry of Health says before disembarking passengers must complete a declaration form on their health status.  

Passengers are also required to check in daily with the Ministry of Health regardless of their point of origin.  

Individuals will also be quarantined or isolated if they become asymptomatic during their stay in Grenada.  

Several Caribbean countries have tightened up on visitor arrivals with travel restrictions in a bid to combat the spread of COVID-19.  

Cricket Lovely Cricket on Hold

Cricket, one of the most popular sports in England and countries once colonized by England, is on hold due to COVID-19. India, Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and other nations have suspended league and test matches. The West Indies Test team was scheduled to tour England and Whales in summer and Australia in late 2020.