CARICOM GETS COVID -19 VACCINES Brooklyn Gun Buyback event
Continued from Page 1
Caribbean L 8 ife, FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021
150 Apple iPads for individuals who
turned in guns during Saturday’s buyback.
“This important contribution
helped to bring an innovative
approach to gun buybacks, whereby
individuals are further incentivized
to turn in guns in exchange for the
popular tablets,” said James, thanking
Metro by T-Mobile for this important
contribution.
“With record levels of gun violence
continuing to ravage our communities,
providing a way for New Yorkers
to turn in dangerous firearms
is a critical step in ensuring safe
streets,” she added. “Our gun buyback
program is a key component
in our ongoing efforts to keep these
weapons from falling into the wrong
hands.
“Our ‘no questions asked’ approach
also allows the ability for individuals
to turn in guns in their possession
without fear of legal retribution,”
James continued. “My office remains
committed to protecting communities
from potential tragedies, and I
thank District Attorney Gonzalez,
the NYPD, and all our partners in
government and law enforcement for
their continued work to support this
vital program.”
With today’s gun buyback, Brooklyn
District Attorney Gonzalez said:
“We didn’t just reduce the inventory
of guns that are out there and can fall
into the wrong hands.
“We also provided the community
a chance to get involved and send the
message that ending gun violence is
up to all of us,” he added. “This program
is one small part of my office’s
multi-pronged approach to reducing
the shootings and making Brooklyn
safer. I would like to thank Attorney
General Letitia James, the NYPD, and
Bethesda Healing Center for making
this buyback event a success.”
Saturday’s gun buyback was also
supported by US Rep. Yvette D. Clarke
(D-NY-09), Brooklyn Borough President
Eric Adams, State Sen. Zellnor
Myrie, Assemblymember Latrice
Walker and Council Member Alicka
Ampry-Samuel.
James said the gun buyback program
is entirely funded through
criminal forfeiture funds that were
seized from drug and gun traffickers
by her office’s Organized Crime
Task Force.
“For far too long, we have had
to endure the devastating impact
of gun violence,” said Clarke, the
daughter of Jamaican immigrants.
“Too many of our young people have
been deprived of the chance to grow
old and to lead the lives they deserve
because of gun violence.
Continued from Page 1
as yet. Barbados will get 100,000 doses,
and like fellow community members,
will concentrate on front line workers
and the elderly first. No government
in the region has attempted to make
vaccinations mandatory but most have
argued that the virus could be whipped
if large numbers of people are in fact
inoculated.
The Indian donation is being made at
a time when several countries are heading
into a second lockdown or are tightening
travel protocols especially from
countries where the virus is ravaging
the local population. These include St.
Lucia and St. Kitts as authorities fear
the number of cases could rise if tourists
are allowed to come in freely without
restrictions and obedience to COVID-19
protocols.
Tiny Montserrat, for example, which
rarely makes even regional news headlines,
this week announced plans for a
14-day lock down from the beginning of
this week to curb a recent spike in cases
on the volcano-affected island of about
5,000. Only essential workers could be
on the streets and only important places
such as pharmacies could be open during
the period. A curfew is in effect from
6 pm to 5 am officials said.
Barbados is also coming to the end of
a second lockdown even as health officials
recorded nearly 100 new cases in
the past week and two more deaths taking
the total to 20.
Meanwhile, the Indian government
said it will later on try to provide additional
supplies to the 15-nation bloc.
“I am working closely for the number
of vaccines for Guyana, Antigua, St. Kitts
and many other countries in the region,”
High Commissioner Srinivasa told the
Guyana Chronicle. “Our external supplies
which are either gifts or commercial
supplies are based on our domestic
requirements, but we continue to work
closely with our partner countries and
we are preparing a schedule whereby
in the coming weeks and months in a
phased manner, these countries will get
their vaccines.”
As the shipments begin to arrive,
influential and long serving Dominican
Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skeritt said
the region was beginning to fight back
and should see results.
“Guided by the results of the latest
studies, this vaccine will reduce the likelihood
of transmission to others. This
means that Dominica as a country will
soon be empowered to achieve a crucial
objective, which is to further minimize
and eventually stamp out the impact of
the various strains of COVID-19. The vaccine
will not be mandatory, but I would
encourage all citizens to consider the
danger of passing up such an opportunity
as this to safeguard the health of yourself
and your loved ones,” he said during
an online meeting with PM Mottley.
Continued from Page 1
Take Care to Protect Yourself and Others
From COVID-19
Safely separate at a Free, Private Hotel Room.
If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or were in contact with someone who tested positive, you can qualify for a hotel room for up to 10 days to safely separate and protect others.
Take Care Hotels are safe, comfortable and convenient. All services are free. Children are welcome.
!
treatment or preventive healthcare services related to COVID-19 will NOT be considered under the public charge rule.
The following services are provided FREE at a Take Care Hotel:
+ Round-trip transportation to and from the hotel and any necessary medical appointments
+ Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily*
+ Private rooms and bathrooms
+ Interpreter services
+ Onsite COVID-19 testing
+ Medication delivery
+ Free Wi-Fi and Cable TV
+ Onsite health care services provided by skilled doctors and nurses
+ Unlimited local phone calls to stay connected with family and friends
+ Telepsychiatry to access expert mental health providers
Book your room today.
Call 212-COVID-19 (212-268-4319)
or visit testandtrace.nyc
*Meals will be tailored to dietary needs scan here