BY JASON COHEN
Thousands of people are
risking their lives every day
during the COVID-19 epidemic.
One of those heroes is
Miguel Garcia.
Garcia, 58 has owned Big
Deal Foodtown, 1018 Morris
Park Ave, for 20 years with
his wife Gretty, father Sal
and brother Aurelio and has
never experienced anything
like this.
The New Rochelle resident
worked post 9/11, after Hurricane
Sandy and the recession,
but this is something
else. With a skeleton crew and
being one of the only stores
open in the area, things have
not been easy, Garcia said.
“Nothing compares to
what we’re going through now
as a community,” Garcia said.
“It’s just insane. We don’t see
a light at the end of the tunnel.
People are scared.”
Garcia explained closing
was an option, but realized
there are too many people
that rely on his services and
who don’t have the luxury of
being able to order food every
day.
He noted that many seniors
in Morris Park come there on
a daily basis, so he had to be
there for them. With many
employees home, he and his
wife have been working seven
days. In this case, the end justifi
es the means, he said.
“I could never do what
nurses and doctors are doing,”
he said. “I am very nervous.”
STAY HOME TO STOP THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS
New Yorkers working together and staying home can slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)
in New York City. When you go out for essential needs, work or to get fresh air, keep distance
between yourself and others and take the following precautions.
BRONX TIMES R 4 EPORTER, APR. 10-16, 2020 BTR
A few of his employees
were quarantined for two
weeks and he told a couple
of his cashiers who are over
50 to stay home until the crisis
ends. Garcia has less than
half of his staff working and
changed the hours from 7 a.m.
to 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The inside of the store is
marked with cones for social
distancing and there is
a newly installed sink and
paper towel dispenser in the
front for customers. Additionally,
the entire store is sanitized
once a week.
“I consider myself lucky
that we still have a staff,” he
said. “We have taken all the
precautions.”
Garcia sees the shuttered
stores in town and it hurts
him. While he understands
why the stores are closed, he
isn’t sure they will reopen.
According to Garcia, while
he is doing some business, all
Owners of the supermarket, Sal Garcia and his sons, Aurelio and Miguel
Photo courtesy Miguel Garcia
of his neighbors rely on each
other. Garcia said places like
Morris Park Flooring, 1008
Morris Park Ave., is closed
and wonders how it survives.
“How does someone like
that turn around and make
any revenue without any
sales,” Garcia commented.
Fortunately, his customers
have stayed loyal and continued
to come.
“They’re very thankful for
the fact that we’re still here,”
he said. “You need to let them
shop and buy food.”
HERO OF THE WEEK:
Big Deal Foodtown Owner Steps
Up During Crisis
NEW YORKERS:
Text COVID to 692-692 for real-time updates or visit nyc.gov/coronavirus.
Call 311 to report harassment or discrimination. Call 888-NYC-WELL, text "WELL" to 65173
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Bill de Blasio
Mayor
Oxiris Barbot, MD
Commissioner
PROTECT YOURSELF
AND OTHERS
• Keep at least 6 feet between
yourself and others.
• Wash your hands with soap
and water often.
• Cover your nose and mouth
with a tissue or sleeve when
sneezing or coughing.
• Do not touch your face with
unwashed hands.
• Monitor your health more
closely than usual for cold or
flu symptoms.
IF YOU ARE SICK
• Stay home.
• If you have a cough,
shortness of breath, fever,
sore throat and do not feel
better after 3-4 days,
consult with your doctor.
• If you need help getting
medical care, call 311.
• NYC will provide care
regardless of immigration
status or ability to pay.
REDUCE
OVERCROWDING
• Stay home.
• Telecommute if possible.
If you do go out:
• Stagger work hours away
from peak travel times.
• Walk or bike.
• Do not gather in crowds.
PROTECT THE
MOST VULNERABLE
• Stay home if you have
lung disease, heart disease,
diabetes, cancer or a
weakened immune system.
• Stay home and call, video
chat or text with family or
friends who have one of
these conditions.
/coronavirus
/nycwell