In Midtown Manhattan, where businessmen in suits and suits rush through the skyscraper canyons, Renee Corbett is standing in front of a red semi-trailer truck full of mobile showers for the homeless – and seems a bit surprised that the epicenter of the corona pandemic in the USA is right here now is: “I’m in the middle of Manhattan, the epicenter of the Covid outbreak in the United States.”
Misery in the midst of wealth
The young woman is usually on the road for “Doctors Without Borders” in Africa. Her last assignment was in South Sudan. And now Manhattan, where otherwise wealth and abundance are displayed. Perhaps that is why the misery of the many homeless people is all the more noticeable here.
In the past, these people might still be able to shower in fitness centers or other facilities, says Renee Corbett. But they are closed now. Doctors Without Borders tries to close this gap – with health care before people get sick.
A shower in the truck
The homeless can shower and wash their clothes in the red trucks, says the doctor. They also get fresh underwear and socks.
“Many have told us that they are wearing fresh laundry for the first time in weeks. Such a seemingly minor thing can make a big difference in these times. We also hand out masks, because without them you can neither go to a store nor use Use the train. ” Renee Corbett, doctor
More and more New Yorkers end up on the streets
The number of homeless people in the city has already risen dramatically. And that could just be the beginning. Because more than a million New Yorkers have lost their jobs – that’s roughly one in eight out of a population of around 8.4 million in New York City. Many can no longer pay their rent and threaten to end up on the street as well.
“Many of those who come to us have only just become homeless. But many no longer want to go to the emergency shelters because they are afraid of being infected. They feel safer on the street.” Renee Corbett, doctor
Eviction from the subway
So far, many of them have been able to stay overnight in subway trains and train stations. But for a few weeks now, the homeless have been evicted here at night to thoroughly clean the wagons and stops.
“I just want to sleep. But the governor decided to close the subway at night.” Homeless man in New York
After the shower, back on the park bench
A woman does not want to be taken to an emergency shelter in one of the waiting buses. “I don’t want to go there. They’re full now. I’d rather sleep in a park,” says the homeless New Yorker.
Like Ted Day, who has just showered and climbed out of the Doctors Without Borders truck. “That was good and the water was really warm,” he says. “These people are so nice. It’s a bit like coming home.”
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