LATINOS DECLARE WAR ON THE CORONAVIRUS

It’s March 14th, 2020, and I go to my Facebook page, which is always the first thing I do in the morning. I had meetings and events to attend, but I find out, thanks to Facebook, that most, if not all, were cancelled due to the Coronavirus. The Women of Color and the Citizen Action organization’s protest and event were canceled.  I was completely surprised to also find out, again, thanks to Facebook, that a chain of other social events, schools, and public places, were all cancelled and closed as well.

It’s now a few weeks and yet, another social event, has been CANCELED.

I’ve spoken to relatives, family members, colleagues, as well as following social media, realizing that this Coronavirus must be taken very seriously, and one must stay home.

However, as for myself, as an active community person, especially in the lower West Side, I had this question to ask myself: How long will this last? How will my community be affected?

I had to go out, find out how my community was reacting to the virus. Who was out there helping my community? I was very concerned. As I drove through the community, I found a ghost town, very few people out, some with masks and gloves, some without either and without a worry in the world. I kept driving around, looking for some sign of normality, but none.

I parked the car and went into Price Rite to find it had a few customers, and everyone was keeping their distance from each other, the right thing to do; made a lot of sense. However, I noticed people walking around without masks and gloves.

At that moment, I prayed this virus will pass and leave us alone. I then decided to take a ride and cruise through the downtown area.  I found the same thing – limited number of people, keeping their distance, and no masks and gloves. Next stop, I drove to Family Dollar, I found the same scenario, then I drove to the Harbor, and I found a ghost town. Everything was at a standstill.

On April 3rd, my publisher, Alberto O. Cappas, called me and told me he needed my help in putting Coronavirus informational/educational posters on Niagara Street and other parts of the lower West Side community. (see photos). When my publisher calls, I respond, and I delivered. By the time I was finished, we had signs all over the lower West Side, with three or four different messages on the posters.

On April 16, Cappas called a meeting with several people already involved in working with the Latino community, especially in handling-out masks and delivering food to the elderly, a project started by Christian Parra, a young activist who works with the Citizen Action Organization. The initial meeting also included: Gioraira Hernandez, Luz Velez, Adam Bojak, Dennis Matos, and yours truly, Dinah Aponte.

While Cappas and Aponte were already distributing a limited amount of masks and putting up posters (thanks to Roberto Quintana, who donated the funds for the posters and masks), the group worked on organizing a complete strategy to cover communities beyond the lower West Side, like BMHA, Sedita Apartments, and other senior citizen centers or homes.

Limited in funds, the group reached out to several groups, like the PUSH organization which also contributed $1,000 for masks and posters, and Jose C. Pizarro who contributed $100. Lillian Orsini, a former founder of the Hispanic Women’s League who now lives in Florida, and who writes a monthly column for the Latino Village. We also received masks from Buffalo Resilience, and Ellen Davis (from Florida).

We will keep our readers and community posted and informed of our community activity. Please stay home until this virus blows over and the quarantine is lifted. Wear your mask, wash your hands thoroughly, and please  STAY HOME, until all this blows over and even after this quarantine is lifted. Still wear your mask, wash your hands thoroughly, even if you don’t have a low immune system. This virus does not discriminate.

Good luck, prayers, and stay home, safe, and healthy. God be with you and family. Peace, Dinah Aponte.