FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM FEBRUARY 13, 2020 • THE QUEENS COURIER 3
Flushing senior center receives face
mask donations amid coronavirus scare
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Th e demand and price of a face
mask has increased as fear continues
Cuomo confi rms 22 negative test results
for novel coronavirus in New York state
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday
announced the additional negative results
for the novel coronavirus in New York
state.
Th e New York State Department of
Health just learned of another negative
test result, which brings the statewide
total of samples that have come back
negative up to 22. As of Feb. 10, samples
Photo via Flickr
from 23 New Yorkers have been
sent to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention for testing, according to
Cuomo.
One sample from New York City is still
pending; there are no pending samples in
New York outside of New York City. Th ere
are still no confi rmed cases of novel coronavirus
in New York state.
Th ough the results are negative, Cuomo
said they’re continuing to take “every necessary
precaution to protect New Yorkers
from the virus.”
“While there are still no confi rmed
cases of the virus in New York state, I
urge everyone to continue to take
common sense precautions,
such as regular hand washing
and avoiding close
contact with people who
are sick,” Cuomo said.
The Department
of Health is working
closely with its
partners at the federal,
state and local level
constantly evolving public
health emergencies. Now
that the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration has authorized
the state to use the CDC’s diagnostic
test, New York State Department of
Health’s Wadsworth Center is working to
implement the coronavirus testing.
Th e Wadsworth Center, which has been
at the forefront of numerous public health
emergencies such as vaping-associated illnesses,
SARS and synthetic cannabinoids,
must complete the proper verifi cation
protocols before testing can begin.
While there is currently no vaccine
for the novel coronavirus,
there are preventative
actions that can help stop
the spread of the virus
and other respiratory
viruses.
Offi cials are urging
people to wash their
hands oft en with soap
and water for at least 20
seconds. If soap and water
are not available, use an alcohol
based hand sanitizer.
Additionally, avoid touching
your eyes, nose and mouth with
unwashed hands; avoid close contact with
people who are sick; stay home when
you’re sick; cover your cough or sneeze
with a tissue, then throw the tissue in
the trash; clean and disinfect frequently
touched objects and surfaces.
Individuals who are experiencing
symptoms and may have traveled to areas
of concern or have been in contact with
somebody who has traveled to these areas
should call ahead to their healthcare provider
before presenting for treatment.
Additionally, the department has a dedicated
website which was created as a
resource with updated information for
New Yorkers.
New Yorkers can call the State hotline
at 888-364-3065, where experts from
the Department of Health can answer
questions regarding the novel coronavirus.
In addition, the Department has
a dedicated website which was created
as a resource with updated information
for New Yorkers. Th e Department
has also launched two public service
announcements (PSAs) on the novel
coronavirus, one featuring State Health
Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker and
another with general information, that
are running statewide in multiple languages.
to linger amongst senior
citizens in Flushing since the
coronavirus outbreak.
In lieu of mask shortages, Steve
Lee, a candidate for District
Assembly 40, purchased a total of
5,000 N95 masks to donate to
seniors in Flushing on Saturday,
Feb. 8, at the Self Help Benjamin
Rosenthal Senior Center, located
at 42-25 Kissena Blvd.
“Given that this virus has
resulted in racial discrimination
and hostility towards Asians
and Asian-Americans, we hope
this act of kindness will remind
the community that we should
remain united regardless of age,
ethnicity or social class in these
trying times,” said Sophie Hsu,
Lee’s campaign director.
Lee’s donation comes amid
the surging prices of face masks
both locally and worldwide.
According to reports, in Hong
Kong, the price for a box of
20 N95 respirator masks were
sold for HK$700 ($90 USD). Th e
price for a box of 50 masks now
costs HK$2,500 ($321 USD). At
TESO’s in Flushing on Union
Street, the cost for a 20-pack supply
of face masks is $120.
Th e N95 mask is used for
sanding, sweeping, woodworking
and working with fi berglass
insulating particles. It also helps
to protect against particles such
as mold, granular pesticides,
allergens and dust.
Amid the coronavirus scare,
the Flushing Self Help Center
placed a bulk order of the
sought-aft er face masks on
Amazon two weeks ago, and is
still awaiting the delivery, said
Jane Qui, program director.
According to Qui, because there
is no mask available for the volunteers
and cafeteria workers,
senior attendance since Jan. 27 has
decreased by about 100 per day.
“We used to have 350 Friday
participants and today we’re
down to 250,” Quid said.
“Although the CDC, governor
and mayor said there are no confi
rmed cases of novel coronavirus
in the city, there’s still panic
and fear,” Qui added. “Th e donation
from Mr. Steven Lee for the
seniors is very much welcomed
and appreciated.”
Although the center remains
open and group classes are canceled,
Qui said she had received
a message from a client saying it
should be shut down.
“Th ey had said, ‘If my mother
has something I will take you
to court,’” Qui said. “Our number
one task here is safety. We
don’t want any seniors becoming
sick at our center and we are
very careful.”
According to Qui, the Self Help
Center has taken strict precaution
by sanitizing the facility and providing
seniors with a daily update
from city offi cials on the coronavirus.
She has reiterated the importance
of seniors washing their
hands with warm water and soap,
covering their mouth while coughing
and using hand sanitizer.
“I’ve heard there are also other
senior centers that are experiencing
a decrease in senior
attendance,” Qui said. “Th e fl u
epidemic is much more severe
than the novel coronavirus.”
For more information about
the coronavirus, visit the Health
Department website at nyc.gov/
health.
Photo courtesy of Sophie Hsu
Following the coronavirus outbreak, the prices of face masks have skyrocketed. In Flushing, at TESO, a 20-pack of face
masks on display costs $120.
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