‘There’s a kind of hush…All over the world’
Who would ever imagine
the city that never sleeps in
need of resuscitation.
Fact is New York City is
experiencing deep sleep and
a bad dream too with Mayor
Bill de Blasio describing the
entertainment capital as the
“epicenter of the coronavirus”
in America.
For New Yorkers, it’s more
like a nightmare that bars and
restaurants must close at 8
o’clock and that residents must
remain at home, practice social
distancing and enforce silence
to the boisterous voices that
livened the five boroughs and
Times Square, the acclaimed
‘crossroad of the world.’
Two months after China,
Iran, South Korea and Italy quieted,
President Donald Trump
declared a state of emergency
in the USA and like the 20th
century song released by Herman
Hermits here, there and
everywhere “there’s a Kind of
Hush All Over The World.”
With 140 countries reporting
positive cases of infection
of the COVID 19 virus a surreal
silence seems to have relented
to the global pandemic.
On the high seas, an almost
dead-silence permeated on
luxury liners and cruise ships
that carried infected passengers.
Many refused docking
permits to float aimlessly in
hopes of finding a receptive
nation to comfort boatloads on
quarantined status and once
jovial crowds masked to cover
mouths.
The stifling of nations disarmed
vacationers in the Bahamas
when the government
there imposed a curfew.
In Haiti, all commercial
flights were stopped and the
creole-speaking population
joined the region in declaring a
national state of emergency.
Barbados denied shore leave
to crews on ships moored on
homeporting cruise. The deafening
silence must have resonated
with disbelief throughout
the island.
And when Canada, Jamaica,
Guyana, Mexico, Venezuela,
Belize, South Africa, Kenya,
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.
Caribbean Life, M 16 arch 27-April 2, 2020
El Salvador, Croatia, Denmark,
Norway, Ukraine, India, Israel,
Slovakia, Colombia, France,
Germany, Spain, Japan, Hungary,
Singapore, Malta, Panama,
Guatemala, Vietnam, Russia,
Argentina, Turkey, Albania,
Angola, Algeria, Antigua and
Barbuda, Argentina, Australia,
Brazil, Costa Rica, Ghana,
Dominican Republic closed
their borders it was not a surprise
that St. Vincent would
record fatalities to the contagion
now forcing a still on the
world.
The hushed tones from fear
and uncertainty resonated with
all of America with a loud crash
on Wall Street.
Daily, downward-pointed,
red arrows registered with anxiety,
discomfort and unspoken
reactions to the Dow’s decline.
Americans held hostage
by their homes learned new
phrases — “bending the curve”
“stop the spike” and are frequently
reminded to sanitize,
‘wash your hands’ and ‘cover
your mouth.’
Many are seeking security
and comfort in hoarding toilet
paper, alcohol, hand sanitizers
and food. Some are resorting
to methods suggested by social
media to inhale steam from
boiling lemon water.
They believe applying heat
to the nasal cavity will kill the
virus.
Some maintain that applying
alcohol around ears, mouth
and nose will repel the virus
from entering the body.
Catch You On The Inside!
Times Square sleeps.
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce
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
or chat online at nyc.gov/nycwell to connect with a counselor.
*Messages and data rates may apply. Check your wireless provider plan for details.
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