“At night you only hear the gloomy echo of the sirens, which break the fearful silence that New York never had.” In this way, Juan David Coronado Díaz describes part of the confinement he faces, due to the devastating passage of the new coronavirus through the Big Apple.
From his window on the third floor of a building in Brooklyn, he watches ambulances come and go on Havemeyer Street, on a journey that does not allow time for pain, but rather to increase uncertainty.
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This Bogota-born, Business Administrator of the Universidad de los Andes, says that fortunately he has not gotten sick, but, faced with the magnitude of a tragedy that he never expected to live at the age of 27, he confesses in dialogue with EL TIEMPO that he does not see light end of tunnel and what the only thing I would like is to return the time for a few months, so that I wish the city authorities and the people had taken seriously what was happening in other countries, so that everyone was better prepared.
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For 15 days, Juan David Coronado, from Bogotá, has remained at home.
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––How did this all start?
It was a surprise, because nobody expected a situation of this magnitude, so much so that at first, the stories of racism in Chinatown and the risks that were announced were taken as an exaggeration by opponents of the government. Only when people started losing their jobs, neighbors got sick, did the problem become tangible, as something that could affect everyone equally. There the anxiety began to grow, the subways were empty and the supermarkets without food. All very fast, despite the fact that the alarms had been on since February.
What did the people believe?
At first, we all thought that this was going to be just another disaster, something like an earthquake, a hurricane or an attack and that it would soon disappear and be forgotten. But nevertheless, This began to grow, as did the anguish and the worst thing is that very late we realized that we were not prepared to face such an event.
What do you see through your window?
What I see is very sad, but what I do not see much more. The running of the ambulances and the police cars, remind every moment that this tragedy is greater. But the frustration of not being able to do anything for people who are sick from this Covid-19 is only part of it, because it is also appreciated the helplessness of many people on the street with addiction problems, among others, who do not receive care, because the authorities are focused against a greater enemy. Nobody would imagine a city like this.
What is New York like today?
Living here is getting used to being between chaos, music, diversity, density, but this is something else. It is strange to start movement from a city that seems to be dying slowly. There are hours of the day when no one is seen and unfortunately, those who still walk around it are the most vulnerable, such as immigrants, people without resources and those who have to search every day.
Since when has he been locked up?
15 days ago, since the company decided that the management team entered the ‘furlough’ (unpaid leave), although it was not a surprise, because for days there had been job cancellations. The truth, everything done in recent years in this company disappeared in a matter of weeks. But the decision seemed to me the most responsible.
Do you have any known patients?
I have friends with doctors and nurses infected with the coronavirus and they are disabled. Most of my acquaintances have had to return to their parents’ homes, others to their countries and we do not know if we will see them again. I know closely people who work in research on treatments and vaccines and who have not been able to do their work, because they fear that they will infect others. This has affected everyone and although we will have to rebuild life, I am realistic and I think it will never be like two months ago.
Who are dying?
Many times it was said that the coronavirus mainly affected older people, but I know of cases of those under 30 who have died or are tied to a respirator. However, there are two groups that have been seriously impacted: elderly homes and ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities.
Are supplies, medicines and protection items available?
The first days of the pandemic were difficult, because panic caused wealthy people to empty supermarkets and drug stores. Lately, when we got used to the idea that we are going to live like this for months, a call was made to respect the products of the basic basket and avoid hoarding. The offer has improved. With social distancing measures, some supermarkets allow a maximum number of people, causing lines to stretch across blocks. It is dramatic.
How do you cope with the confinement?
I work remotely for the Empathy Territorial Foundation, which does research on urban problems and we provide free services to various organizations that provide emergency services. I occupy the day in processes to disseminate through smart maps, the places where students from public schools can get their snacks, Because many of them have sick or dead relatives, due to their vulnerable condition. We help these families to survive. I cook at home and only go out to the supermarket, when necessary.
Are there mandatory measures such as quarantine?
All non-essential businesses were closed, but informal jobs continue, of people who cannot benefit from government financial aid, such as unemployment insurance and other aid, which is only for people who pay taxes. It has been ordered until April 30 that all people stay at home with hygiene measures as in our country, but it can be extended, until the authorities say.
What about those who do not want to lock up?
Against offenders, who are mostly the most vulnerable people, there are no concrete actions. Many feel the anguish of knowing that if they stay at home, they run out of resources and prefer to get sick, rather than run out of sustenance. Of course, there are also people who do not believe that the situation deserves attention.
How do you see young people?
Many think that the rebuilding of society’s economy will fall on their shoulders after the virus. There are young people who question the factors that triggered this reality and have decided to turn to helping those most in need and others who see in the situation an opportunity to rethink what is most important as a society. Of course, there are also others who seem not to be interested, what happens.
What do the authorities say?
The situation is discouraging, as long as the dead and the sick do not stop growing, you cannot think what comes next, although this is a progressive and idealistic city and that has made the sense of empathy and solidarity encouraging, but the government of the city, this has gotten out of hand and federal support is urgently required.
Are you scared?
To say that it would not be a lie, but in reality what I have is concern for uncertainty, for not being clear about the factors that allow us to see the world in a forward perspective. It is terrifying to watch the news and find that the numbers are higher every day, so there is no clear thinking. One would like to fall asleep and wake up when this has happened. For now, the hope is that the numbers begin to drop, because one will never get used to the fact that the dead are counted by the thousands a day. That is devastating.
What is your message for Colombians?
Here we are reaching the point where doctors and health personnel have to decide to whom they give or deny the hospital resources available. Colombia cannot get there and they have to stop that trend, with strong, decisive and effective government actions. Here you can not hesitate, or play trial and error. The coronavirus is not joking and all people must understand, that we must act together, to stop it. They have to abide by the measures judiciously, because their lives and theirs depend on them. In that they do not have to doubt it.
Anything else?
To my parents who are in Colombia, who take good care of themselves and hopefully they do not see what I am seeing and less that they live, what I am living.
CARLOS FRANCISCO FERNÁNDEZ
EDITOR OF THE HEALTH UNIT
TIME
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