Domestic V Life in the time iolence in the
of COVID-19
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
Caribbean Life, April 3-9, 2020 11
ing, and the Centers for Disease Control
is anticipating a death toll between
100,000 to 200,000 in the United States
alone before all is said and done (and
that too no one knows for sure is
when).
Dr. Ryan says that “predictions are
extremely unhelpful at the moment…
there is no accurate way to predict
the future…we have to deal with what
we see now in the coming weeks and
plan for the situation deteriorating in a
number of countries, which it has”.
Considering the plague-like conditions
decimating the health care infrastructure
and services in developed,
affluent first world countries like in the
US., Italy, Spain, U.K. amongst others,
one shudders to imagine the horrors
that will be visited upon densely populated
countries with less robust healthcare,
such as in the continent of Africa,
Asia or Central and South America.
Millions of lives are at risk and
according to epidemiologists, we would
be lucky if a successful vaccine is developed
within two years. In the meantime,
the genie is out of the bottle and
here to stay with us homo sapiens,
potentially infecting victims year on
year till a proven vaccine is developed
by the pharmaceutical industry – i.e.
“out of the thirty candidate vaccines
currently under trial” according to Dr
Ryan.
In the meantime, definitive, adequately
resourced public health interventions
“with contact tracing, isolation
and quarantine” along with surveillance,
nationwide lockdowns, social
distancing and proper hygiene — with
regular, 20 second hand washing with
soap and water in particular — are
what is most urgently needed to flatten
the curve and halt the rapid spread of
COVID-19 (though not getting rid of
the virus).
The most vulnerable of all are hundreds
of thousands of refugees and
irregular migrants hemmed in highly
congested camps with poor hygiene,
sanitation, water, food and shelter. This
is a ticking time bomb and COVID-19
could wreak untold havoc that could
spiral the pandemic out of control,
unless and until special attention is
given to the redress the plight of these
unfortunate souls including tens of
thousands of children.
Quo Vadis Homo Sapiens?
The bell is tolling on account of the
COVID-19 coronavirus global pandemic
and UN Secretary-General Guterres has
called for ceasefires in ongoing conflicts
in fragile, deeply divided societies
and warring parties to stand down —
in order to enable robust public health
interventions to be implemented. Not
everyone however appears to have heeded
this call for ceasefire.
Continued from Page 10
to the ER due to fear around catching
COVID-19.”
So what can be done?
Safety tips to people who are at
risk, including keeping mobile phones
charged and, if a partner becomes violent,
try to avoid the kitchen, garage
or anywhere that might have potential
weapons.
For victims who don’t have access
to websites, the phone or other people,
friends, coworkers or neighbors should
reach out to them and advocate on their
behalf. Print out resources. Call a hotline.
If they are co-workers, seek them
out under the guise of a work matter
and ask how they’re doing. Listen rather
than responding right away.
Activists groups such as the UK’s
Women’s Aid are advocating that safety
advice and planning for those experiencing
domestic abuse should be included
in the national government recommendations
on COVID-19. The emergency
restrictions set out in the U.K.’s Health
Protection Regulations 2020 state that
no person may leave the place they are
living except under certain circumstances,
including to “avoid injury or illness or
to escape the risk of harm.” This means
that people fleeing violent or coercive
domestic situations, will not be targeted
by the police. At a minimum this allowance
needs to be global.
The United Nations Women has also
called for governments to provide packages
for paid sick leave and unpaid care
work, in order to allow women facing
domestic violence to maintain financial
independence from their abusers. This is
certainly a measure that should be given
global consideration.
Domestic violence advocates say that
victims who are not yet in quarantine
status should seek help now. Meanwhile,
domestic violence organizations like the
US NDVH are developing new strategies
to support victims under lockdown. Ray-
Jones says digital contact with victims
will be very important during this time
but that it will be difficult for victims to
call while at home with their abusers.
The hotline does offer services via online
chat or texting, making it easier for
victims to seek out help while at home.
In fact digital contact is an option for
all victims and potential victims with
online access.
The US National Coalition Against
Domestic Violence has advocated that
survivors be included as a vulnerable
population in federal coronavirus stimulus
legislation. Other nations should
consider doing so as well. The YWCA
in the US, meanwhile, is urging Americans
who can afford it to donate to its
emergency fund as well as to local shelters,
whether that’s money or in-kind
donations. In fact wherever shelters and
emergency funds exist citizens are urged
to give what they can.
Continued from Page 10
NEW YORKERS:
between yourself and others and take the following precautions.
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
