The Heroes Of Coronavirus: How New Yorkers Are Helping Each Other

NEW YORK, NY – School closures, layoffs, sickness and lockdowns. New Yorkers are facing unprecedented restrictions and hardships, uncertainty and frustration – yet they keep setting inspirational examples.

As is so often the case in times of crisis, the stories of everyday folks doing extraordinary things to help their communities aren't rare. Here, Patch highlights examples of people who didn't hesitate to help.

The Retired Cavalry

Faced with a medical system bracing to be overwhelmed, New York's leaders put a plea for help. Within a day, it was answered by 2,000 retired health care professionals more than willing to step up to help treat New Yorkers.

"I think that's so inspiring, so many people are coming forward to help, and that's how we're going to beat this back," Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

High Fashion Turns To Medical Care

Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned that the state's nurses and doctors could soon be going to work unprotected as the number of surgical masks dwindled dangerously low.

Immediately, famed fashion designer Christian Siriano stepped in.

"If [Gov. Andrew Cuomo] says we need masks my team will help make some," he tweeted Friday.
"I have a full sewing team still on staff working from home that can help."

Within minutes, the designer's offer was snapped up.

Siriano's was just one of many offers that flooded into hotlines set up to field offers of unused supplies or from representatives of companies that might be able to help, Cuomo said.

Paying Their Neighbors' Wages

In Hell's Kitchen, in a depressing scene reminiscent of businesses across the city, the Upright Citizens Bridgade theater had to lay off its staff after the improv theater shut down to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus in the city.

In days, a crowdfunding effort raised more than $50,000 to help them survive.

Chores For The Vulnerable

On the Upper West Side, 200 volunteers offered to shop, walk pets and chat on the phone with their elderly neighbors who are in need of help, thanks to a crowdsourcing page created by a Trinity School seventh-grader Rian Julka and his mom, Kamal.

Check out the sign-up sheet here.

Senior Companionship

A 72-year-old Upper East Sider created a singles group for seniors who live alone and do not have family in the city to help them with day-to-day tasks that have become even more difficult in light of new restrictions. Her goal is for the group to become a place where people can recommend doctors or lawyers, ask for favors such as picking up items from neighborhood stores or arranging pickups from the hospital, share news stories and feel connected to a community.

Group organizer Carol Shusterman told Patch that seniors — and young people who want to help — can reach out to her at CShusterman@msn.com to discuss the group.

Give What You Can

In Washington Heights and Inwood, neighbors have set up a "give what you can or take what you need" box at Hilltop Pharmacy to help residents trade supplies while practicing social distancing. Those who visit the pharmacy can drop off household items, canned foods or supplies and take items that others have left as donations.

Replacing Lost Wages

For low-income New Yorkers in The Bronx who may have lost their jobs, former presidential candidate Andrew Yang has committed $1 million from his nonprofit Humanity Forward, which has set up a "Coronavirus Relief Fund" that will give one-time and recurring cash payments to those who have been most affected financially.

Turning Liquor Into Soap

As pharmacies and grocery stores run out of supplies, especially hand sanitizer, an unexpected industry is providing relief. According to Eater New York, distilleries are now legally allowed to produce hand sanitizer, and New York's distilleries are jumping on board. As of last Friday, according to Eater New York, Greenhook Ginsmiths already had two orders from hospitals; St. Agrestis Spirits had begun including a bottle of hand sanitizer with every order and had partnered with Greenhook Ginsmiths on deliveries; and several other distilleries in the city were trying their hand at creating and distributing hand sanitizer.

Entertaining While Social Distancing

While finding the humor in social distancing or self-isolation may be difficult, one member of the MTA press office has provided some much-needed comedy to those who watch Cuomo's news conferences for updates by sharing to Twitter videos of his roommate dancing to the music that is played before it begins.

"When you’re waiting for @NYGovCuomo’s presser to begin, but also living with a dancer," Twitter user @kevinjcall posted March 16. He has since posted five such videos.