China News Service, New York, May 16 Question: The United States under the epidemic: The Chinese News Agency helps each other at the epicenter of the epidemic

  China News Agency reporter Ma Delin

  In the past few weeks, the first thing Zhang Baoli, the chairman of the New York-Beijing Association, got up at 7 a.m. every day, was to collect the latest information about the new pneumonia outbreak around New York and send it to more than a dozen WeChat groups.

  Zhang Baoli has been assisting the Chinese consulate in New York to help foreign students. "There are more than a dozen of the 500 people in my WeChat, and more than 6,000 people have been added." After sending the message, Zhang Baoli generally sorted out the clubs during the epidemic. Information about the work done, and respond to all kinds of help or inquiries through telephone and WeChat.

  After the first new case of pneumonia was diagnosed in New York on March 1, the epidemic quickly spread and quickly became the epicenter of the epidemic in the United States. According to Johns Hopkins University data, as of the evening of May 16, more than 348,000 people were diagnosed with New Coronavirus infection in New York State, accounting for nearly a quarter of the total number in the United States.

Near mid-May, the temperature in New York gradually increased. The recent outbreak of New Coronary Pneumonia in New York has continued to ease, and there have been significantly more cars on the road. On May 12, a man wearing a mask passed by piles of rice outside the supermarket in Chinatown, Manhattan, New York City. China News Agency reporter Ma Delin

  Afternoon is relatively easy, Zhang Baoli will be busy with his work. He runs a day care center for the elderly in New York. Affected by the epidemic, the day-care center cannot be opened, but he and his staff deliver food to more than 300 elderly people registered with the center every week. "We first check with the city government about the amount of food distributed by each elderly person, and then 6 people are scheduled to send the elderly to home." Each elderly person's food amount varies from two to three days or one week. Zhang Baoli arranged four You can run 50 to 70 cars every day.

  "In addition to food, we also have some courses online, using video to teach old people to use computers, iPads and other devices." Zhang Baoli said that many elderly people are bored at home and often call him to talk about the day, "I take classes in video You can see them when you are. "

  Wang Yibing, president of the Taishan Overseas Chinese Women's Federation in New York, is currently preparing medicines for the elderly in the community. Earlier, the Federation had distributed 500 packages of Chinese medicine and 500 boxes of proprietary Chinese medicine to the Chinese community in Brooklyn. She said that the mild patients in New York are all isolated at home. Without medical or psychological services to follow up, they are prone to panic, and psychological problems are more serious than diseases. "The medicines we send out are not necessarily 100% effective, but to ensure that mild patients can have one or two courses of medicines, they can provide a good relief for their symptoms and emotions."

On May 12th, local time, in Chinatown, Manhattan, New York, a roasted meat shop that was open for business provided people with takeaway services. China News Agency reporter Liao Panshe

  Chen Shanzhuang, president of the American Federation of Asian Societies, told reporters that after the outbreak, the Asian General Association donated materials worth more than US $ 100,000 to overseas Chinese, medical staff, and police in the community. "We have been running for more than two months to support the fight against the epidemic." Chen Shanzhuang said that despite the improvement in the New York epidemic, people must not take it lightly and must take protective measures.

  In addition to the epidemic itself, business is now a big concern for Chen Shanzhuang. He has been operating catering in New York for many years and has some influence, but the epidemic is severe and the restaurant has to suspend dine-in business.

  New York State began implementing a home-based epidemic avoidance policy on March 22, and non-essential industries are not allowed to concentrate on office work. Although the restaurant is a necessary industry, it is only for take-out or delivery. Chen Shanzhuang said that small-scale restaurants can still be maintained by take-out service, but large restaurants are very difficult. "There are more than 20,000 restaurants in New York City. If you go on like this, it is estimated that 15% to 20% may go out of business, most of them are big restaurants."

  Because he cannot go to the restaurant to eat, the president of the New York China Peaceful Reunification Promotion Association recently picked up the cooking skills of the international student era, and from time to time dries his dishes in the WeChat circle of friends. In addition to organizing and donating to the community and helping overseas students, Ma Yue, who works in the financial industry, is very concerned about the impact of the epidemic on the economy. "The Chinese are mainly engaged in the service industry of catering and other small businesses in the United States, and the pressure on capital and other aspects is already great." Ma Yue said that the Chinese shops were directly affected by the epidemic, and the lack of financial institutions' support for small businesses is A common problem, so he was worried that the impact of the epidemic on Chinese Americans would be particularly serious.

On May 12, a "fully armed" woman was crossing the street in Chinatown, Manhattan, New York City. China News Agency reporter Ma Delin

  "I am afraid that we can do very little for these stores during the epidemic." Ma Yue said that after the epidemic, I hope that all Chinese associations will give more voices to enterprises and win public support; various industry associations, chambers of commerce and other associations can use collective Actions for policy, financial and other help.

  Chen Shanzhuang told reporters that the New York restaurant industry is already communicating with the relevant departments of New York State and New York City for further support. "We also hope that the government can issue clear guidelines for resumption of work as soon as possible to help the industry overcome the difficulties." (End)