A view of tasty Delicious Bakery and Restaurant, 9001-03 Remsen Ave.,
Brooklyn, on a recent Friday afternoon. Photo by Nelson A. King
Caribbean Life, April 10-16, 2020 3
By Nelson A. King
In response to an outpouring of
generosity by the community to donate
critical medical supplies, SUNY Downstate
Health Sciences University – University
Hospital of Brooklyn President
Dr. Wayne J. Riley says the hospital in
the epicenter of the Caribbean community
in Brooklyn has established a
special email that be contacted by anyone
interested in making donations.
He said SUNY Downstate will
accept donations of the following critical
medical supplies: personal protect
equipment (PPE), N95 masks, surgical
masks, goggles, face shields, gowns
and any medical respiratory equipment.
“Anyone interested in donating
should send an email to Donations@
downstate.edu,” said Dr. Riley in a
statement. “Please include information
about the organization making the
donation, the origin of the supplies,
the type and quantity of supplies you
would like to donate, and information
about whether those supplies can be
delivered or be picked up by SUNY
Downstate, as well as a contact telephone
number and email address.”
He noted that SUNY Downstate –
University Hospital of Brooklyn had
been designated by Gov. Andrew
Cuomo as COVID-19 only facility.
“We appreciate the generosity of our
community in supporting our mission
to provide the highest level of care that
our patients, their families and the
community needs and expects,” Dr.
Riley said. “It is exactly the type of
unity and coming together that Gov.
Cuomo is calling for, and a hallmark of
our community here in Brooklyn and
the people of New York.”
He said that SUNY Downstate is
“working closely with neighboring
hospitals to transfer patients and continue
the highest level of care that our
patients, their families and the community
expect.
By Nelson A. King
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
spreads throughout the world,
many big and small businesses in the
Caribbean community in New York have
been hit especially hard.
Some businesses have closed their
doors completely, while others have
remained opened, offering limited or
staggered services under severe constraints.
Many small businesses in the Caribbean
community that have been
adversely affected include hair, nail, barber
and beauty salons, and bakeries and
restaurants.
For bakeries and restaurants, takehome
services are provided, but the
number of customers allowed inside, at
any time, are very limited.
For instance, on a recent Friday afternoon,
Caribbean Life, observed that only
four patrons were allowed to enter, at
any time at the popular Jamaican eatery,
Tasty Delicious Bakery and Restaurant,
9001-03 Remsen Ave., Canarsie,
Brooklyn.
A sign in three places at the restaurant,
at the corner of Avenue A and
Remsen Avenue, reads: “Due to health
precautions, only four customers are
allowed in the store at a time.”
A server at the restaurant — which
specializes in mouth-watering Caribbean
dishes, such as curry goat, oxtail,
fried chicken, and rice and peas —
declined to speak with a reporter, but
referred him to an unidentified lady,
who, he said, was the manager.
She refused to comment on the
impact COVID-19 was having on her
business, claiming that she was very
busy and had other businesses to take
care of, urging the reporter to return at
another time.
Customers queuing up, feet apart,
outside seemingly were more preoccupied
with getting inside to purchase
their delicacies that speaking with a
reporter.
New York’s Center for an Urban
Future (CUF) – an independent, nonpartisan
policy organization, which claims
that it is “a catalyst for smart and sustainable
policies that reduce inequality,
increase economic mobility, and grow
the economy in New York City – said
that New York’s small businesses are
facing “an existential threat” from the
novel coronavirus.
“With all gatherings cancelled, nonessential
businesses closed, and residents
largely confined to their homes,
retail stores, restaurants, bars, arts venues,
nail salons, barber shops and many
other local businesses are confronting
huge revenue losses,” it said in a statement.
“Many small businesses run on
extremely narrow margins, and thousands
have already been forced to shut
down,” it added. “Countless more are
teetering on the brink. The livelihoods
of owners and staff alike are at risk,
threatening catastrophic consequences
for neighborhoods all over the city.”
CUF noted that New York City and
State officials have already taken important
steps to support small businesses,
but added that, “undoubtedly more will
need to be done to help these vital businesses
survive this unprecedented economic
crisis.”
To get a better sense of what should
be done, CUF said it asked two dozen
small business owners and small business
experts for specific recommendations
on how city and state policymakers
could help small businesses in the
extant climate.
CUF said it received input from the
founders of iconic New York companies,
like Brooklyn Brewery, Bareburger, and
UncommonGoods; the individuals who
led the city’s economic development
agencies during the Great Recession;
and the leaders of several small business
assistance organizations, from the Long
Island City Partnership and Hot Bread
Kitchen to the Freelancers Union.
Altogether, CUF said it received more
than 50 concrete ideas, with responses
reinforcing how small businesses today
face urgent cash flow challenges and
need support in the form of grants and
loans to stabilize their finances, support
their workforces, and be in a position to
reopen on the other side of this crisis.
Many contributors urge policymakers
to consider deferring taxes, fees,
and other costs that are within their
control.
Throughout, CUF said respondents
agree that the city and state’s top priority
should be delivering aid quickly and
effectively, with centralized resources
that are easy for businesses to navigate,
and that can be accessed in days, not
months.
Steve Hindy, founder of the Brooklyn
Brewery, said that possible measures to
assist small businesses should include
no-interest loans to provide short-term
relief for rent, etc; government subsidies
for part-time work; government support
for employee health care; and expedited
unemployment benefits.
Andrew Rigie, executive director of
NYC Hospitality Alliance, said his alliance
has published a “Restaurant Rescue
and Save Nightlife Plan” in response
to COVID-19.
The recommendations, according to
CUF, include: Cap delivery fees to support
continued food supply; suspend fair
work week law during crisis period; suspend
fines, taxes, penalties, utility bills
and insurance premiums; and automatically
renew liquor licenses and permits
and allow temporary licenses.
Last month, Mayor Bill de Blasio said
the city was providing relief for small
businesses across the City that was seeing
a reduction in revenue because of
COVID-19.
He said businesses with fewer than
100 employees who have seen sales
decreases of 25 percent or more will be
eligible for zero interest loans of up to
$75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit.
The Mayor said the City was also
offering small businesses with fewer
than five employees a grant to cover 40
percent of payroll costs for two months
(an average of $6,000) to help retain
employees.
Suny Downstate President, Dr.
Wayne J. Riley.
SUNY Downstate Hospital
Caribbean small businesses
in NY hit hard by COVID-19
SUNY Downstate
accepting
critical medical
donations
/downstate.edu