A good dozen white tents in New York’s Central Park – no circus, no exhibition, but a field hospital with 68 beds, 10 of which are for intensive care patients. It is intended to relieve the nearby Mount Sinai Hospital in the Corona crisis. The tents were set up by the controversial evangelical aid organization Samaritan’s Purse, whose president attracted attention with anti-Islamic and homophobic statements. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said if there is no discrimination, the tents are welcome. You could use any help at the moment.
Bill de Blasio, New York Mayor
“Every medical professional – whether doctor, nurse or intensive care nurse. Everyone who is not yet fighting: We need you.”
On Twitter, De Blasio called on medical staff to help, saying that 45,000 specialists are needed in April and May to get through the Corona crisis. The US state of New York is one of the hot spots of the pandemic. On Sunday there were 113,000 known infections and around 3,600 deaths. Governor Andrew Cuomo also emphasized that the climax has not yet been reached.
Andrew Cuomo, New York State Governor
“Right now we’re in the luxury position of gathering as much equipment as we can. 1,000 ventilators from China, 140 from Oregon, and we’re going to keep buying.”
Cuomo reports that 23,000 people were tested for Corona on Friday, a new record – and important to be able to assess the extent of the epidemic. Until recently, patients were queuing in front of Elmhurst Hospital, but the city has now sent more staff and moved patients to other parts of the city. The metropolis is gearing up for tough weeks – soon with the help of the US military.
Donald Trump, US-Präsident
“On my orders, 1,000 military personnel are being transferred to New York City to help where they are needed. It is the worst hot spot. (…) The toughest week is ahead of us. There will be many deaths, unfortunately. But significantly fewer deaths than without our measures. “
New York citizens practice cohesion. Some bake pizza for hospital workers.
Pizza baker
“We want to encourage them. They help us to survive this extraordinary situation.”
And others dedicate Frank Sinatra’s famous song about their city to hospital staff.
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