Brooklyn pols team up for mask distribution
By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn Democratic Party
Chair Assemblymember Rodneyse
Bichotte (D-42), together
with State Sen. Kevin Parker
(D-21), Council Member Farah
Louis (D-45), District Leader
Josue Pierre (42-AD) and District
Leader Edu Hermelyn
(43-AD), on Saturday partnered
with community organizations
in distributing over 850 face
coverings and hand sanitizers
at Nostrand Playground, corner
of Nostrand and Foster Avenues,
in the Flatbush section
of Brooklyn.
“We partnered with various
community organizations to
expand our reach and increase
the impact of the distribution
while promoting social
distance,” said Bichotte, the
daughter of Haitian immigrants.
“The Flatbush community
has been devastated by the
COVID-19 pandemic.
“This distribution presented
an opportunity for residents
to get masks and meet with
vendors and officials to discuss
issues like housing and
education,” she added. “Many
of the people who came for
masks, left with much more,
including resources to address
housing issues and food insecurities
Caribbean L 8 ife, August 7, 2020
stemming from the
pandemic.”
Louis, another daughter of
Haitian immigrants said that,
“over the last several months,
we have watched Brooklyn rally
against enormous challenges.
“These efforts continue, and
none would be possible without
the continued collaboration
between public officials
and community-based organizations,”
she said.
“I am so grateful to Assemblymember
Bichotte, Sen.
Parker, District Leaders Pierre
and Hermelyn, and all of our
community partners for their
commitment to our districts’
health and wellness, as well as
their continued efforts to make
Brooklyn count in the 2020
Census,” she added. “Together,
we will ensure our communities
are stronger and fully
funded.”
Parker said: “As we have all
come to know, wearing a mask
in public is among the most
effective things we can do on
an individual level to reduce
the spread of this virus.
“We need to ensure our
constituents have access to
clean, new mask,” he added.
“This weekend’s mask giveaway
makes it easier for those
in our community to protect
themselves and others, and
I’m thankful to the community
leaders and partners who
helped make it a success.”
Pierre – who will be vying
to replace his compatriot, Haitian
born Dr. Mathieu Eugene,
when his term in office expires
next year – said that while the
coronavirus numbers in New
York City have improved, “we
are not completely out of the
woods.
“It’s critical that we help
keep local residents safe,” he
said. “Despite the significant
number of healthcare and
essential workers we have in
Flatbush, many residents find
it hard to keep a steady supply
of masks to protect themselves
and their families.”
Haitian American Hermelyn
said “it’s an honor to work with
my colleagues as we provide
face masks to our community
to ensure that measures are
taken to prevent the spread of
COVID-19.
“As we approach the end of
summer, we must take the necessary
steps to protect the children
and families we serve,”
he said.
Brooklyn elected offi cials with community advocates at mask distribution at the Nostrand
Playground. Offi ce of Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte
SUNY Downstate has ensured
safety measures at University
Hospital of Brooklyn, its
emergency room, outpatient,
primary, and specialty care
clinics at all our locations. You
have the choice to see your
healthcare provider through
telehealth or with an in-person
visit to one of our clinics.
Call us TODAY at 718-270-7207
to make an appointment or visit us at
www.downstate.edu/open
Social distancing practices, stringent hand-washing
at nothing to keep you safe!
Now taking
appointments!
we are here for you.
/open
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