Caribbean Life, April 17-23, 2020 3
By O’Neil A. Reid
Kingston College (KC) old boy Ian
William Wilson (a.k.a Pete and Willo) is
reportedly the first alumnus to sadly succumb
to the deadly coronavirus (COVID-
19).W
ilson lived in the Bronx and worked
as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) nurse
at Isabella Nursing Home in New York
City. He was caring for his patients on
the frontline of the coronavirus outbreak
when he contracted and eventually succumbed
to the disease on the morning
of April 1, 2020 at the St Barnabas Hospital
in the Bronx. Wilson was admitted a
week earlier on March 26 and was placed
in the ICU.
Wilson was born in Kingston on Aug.
31, 1967. He grew up with his grandmother
in the Kingston Garden community,
which is close to the KC campus
on North Street. As a student at Alpha
Primary, Wilson loved all things KC. He
looked up to the KC athletes and regularly
attended KC Manning Cup football games
and the Boys and Girls Track and Field
Championships (Champs). Impressed by
KC’s strong academic standing, Wilson
aspired to attend Kingston College.
Wilson’s dream came true in 1979
when he passed his Common Entrance
Exam to attend Kingston College. He
was placed in 7 Hardie. “I couldn’t imagine
going to any school in Jamaica other
than KC,” he would say over the years.
Wilson was an excellent student who
pursued the sciences (Physics, Chemistry
and Biology). He was a member of the
graduating class of 1984. Wilson was
successful in several subjects at the CXC
O-Levels and spent one year in 6th form
at KC.
At the end of his first year in 6th form
in 1985, Wilson gave up school and took
a job at the Passport Office in Kingston.
He worked there until he migrated to the
USA in August 1988.
In the early 1990’s, Wilson served in
the United States Marine Corp. After
serving for a few years, Wilson attended
and graduated from Iona College (1998)
with a degree in nursing. He then served
as a LPN for over 20 years until his
untimely death.
By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn Council Member Dr. Mathieu
Eugene has thanked Gov. Andrew
Cuomo and The National Guard for setting
up a free COVID-19 Testing Site at
the Sears Parking Lot at 2307 Beverley
Rd., in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
“On behalf of my constituents, I
would like to thank Gov. Cuomo for
opening this very important testing
center for COVID-19 in the 40th District,”
Eugene, who represents the 40th
Council District, told Caribbean Life on
Monday.
“I also want to commend The National
Guard and the many healthcare professionals
who are working tirelessly
to provide this critical testing in the
district I am privileged to serve,” he
added.
Dr. Eugene said testing will be
appointment only, urging the public to
call 1-888-364-3065.
“We are fighting a horrible virus,
which affects everyone, and is increasingly
dangerous for the elderly and
those with compromised immune systems,”
he said. “I want to commend the
many healthcare workers both locally
and from across the country who are
risking their own health and that of
their families to protect New Yorkers
from this pandemic.
“While several medications have been
tested, there is no approved treatment
or vaccine for COVID-19,” he added.
“That is why it is extremely important
for all of us to do our part to prevent the
spread of this virus.”
Dr. Eugene said he also appreciated
“the substantial adjustments and
sacrifices that New Yorkers have made
to protect our community during this
health scare.
“The practice of social distancing,
covering your mouth and nose when in
public, washing your hands, and staying
inside while taking care of loved
ones are not easy, but allow us to collectively
preserve and maintain the wellbeing
our city,” he said.
“I am urging everyone in the community
to call the number listed to
get tested for COVID-19,” he added. “I
appreciate your continued cooperation
during this very difficult moment, and
may God bless you and your family.”
Earlier this month, Brooklyn Sen.
Zellnor Y. Myrie led a joint letter with
23 Brooklyn elected officials in calling
on the Atlanta-based Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) and the
manufacturer of testing equipment to
allow COVID-19 testing at SUNY Downstate
Health Sciences University Hospital
in Brooklyn.
The officials wrote that “SUNY Downstate
is prepared to move forward with
on-site testing – with personnel and
certifications already in-hand – but will
require a COBAS 6800 testing machine,
which is subject to the Center for Disease
Control allocation strategy.
“This equipment is critical to the
borough’s and Downstate’s needs, and it
would allow more than 1,500 tests a day
to begin being processed in Brooklyn,”
wrote the elected officials, copying the
letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“Further, we understand that Downstate
is also prepared to develop a drive
thru testing site, which we believe is
also critically important and timely,”
they added.
By Nelson A. King
On Monday, April 13, more than 24
New York Police Department (NYPD)
vehicles from the 71st Police Precinct
in Brooklyn, in collaboration with the
Department of Investigation, blared
their sirens and gave loud applause as
they drove by NYC Health + Hospitals/
Kings County in the epicenter of the
Caribbean community in Brooklyn.
“The rainy weather did not stop
NYPD first responders from showing
their appreciation for health care workers
on the front lines of the COVID-19
pandemic,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/
Kings County in a statement.
It said doctors, nurses and other
healthcare workers gathered outside of
the hospital’s main entrance on Clarkson
Avenue “beaming with excitement
as they applauded right back.”
The hospital said NYPD officers
greeted hospital workers “with lights,
sirens and applause to thank them for
working tirelessly on the frontlines to
combat the COVID-19 pandemic.”
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
said it is “continuously committed to
defend and protect the health and safety
of our patients, staff and our NYC community
at large.
“Our Health Care Heroes are working
day and night to ensure that all our
patients receive the quality care they
need,” it said. “In the face of a frightening
pandemic and mounting uncertainty,
NYC Health + Hospitals staff is
showing remarkable courage.”
Kings County health workers acknowledge support from members of the
New York Police Department. NYC Health Hospitals/Kings County in Brooklyn
Licensed Practical Nurse Ian William
Wilson.
Heroes thank health care
heroes at Kings County Hospital
Free COVID-19 testing site at Sears Parking Lot in Flatbush
Corona claims
life of KC old boy
on the frontline