Legislator Paul, Local Supporters Collect Equipment, Supplies

Press release from New City:

July 10, 2021

New City, NY (July 2, 2021) – Oxygen concentrators, ventilators, N95 masks, 3-ply masks, and other medical supplies are headed to India following a local effort to collect and ship the potentially lifesaving items to one of the countries hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As India is my homeland it remains a vital part of me, so I wanted to try to help in any way possible,” Legislator Aney Paul, the relief effort organizer, said. “So many lives have been lost and so many people are suffering, in some cases because of shortages of basic medical equipment and supplies. I am so appreciative of and grateful to my partners in this effort – the Town of Ramapo, FOKANA, Altor Safety, and Good Samaritan Hospital.”

As the number of cases and deaths dramatically increased in India, Legislator Paul, who holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and was a practicing nurse for more than 30 years, connected with several generous partners who were able to donate equipment and supplies.

“The pandemic continues to rage around the world, including India, tragically claiming lives every day and we want to do what we can to help,” Town of Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht said. “Fortunately, we had items that we felt we could donate because we no longer needed them here. It is our hope that these supplies will make a difference in the lives of those struggling with this horrific outbreak.”

The town was able to donate equipment and supplies after they were declared as surplus by the Town Board. Ramapo worked to obtain and supply hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities during the worst days of the pandemic in Rockland County – providing items that could not be otherwise be readily obtained due to the high demand. The town’s generosity extended to the region and even the state level.

Altor Safety, LLC has been manufacturing FDA-approved disposable surgical face masks at its Valley Cottage manufacturing plant since the spring of 2020 and also donated to the relief effort.

“Thankfully things have turned around in our country but in other places around the world the pandemic continues its dangerous rampage,” said Lee Mornan, Altor’s Key Account Manager. “We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the effort to bring relief to the people of India and are hoping that the situation improves as quickly as possible.”

Good Samaritan Hospital also came through, providing ventilators and other items.

All of the donations were picked up by members of FOKANA, which stands for the Federation Of Kerala Associations In North America. Kerala is a state in southern India. Among those collecting the donations was Sajimon Antony, FOKANA’s General Secretary.

“It’s very emotional for me,” Antony said. “We fought COVID here together, we got through it. As human beings it is our responsibility to show a good gesture to neighboring countries and other people who really need it.”

Paul Karukappillil, FOKANA’s National Coordinator, and Philipose Philip, FOKANA’s Board Chairman, also worked with Anthony to collect the donations. The nonprofit organization also handled all of the packaging of the equipment and supplies and transported them a freight shipper, which delivered everything to JFK International Airport in Queens. The donations are due to be flown out today, with Trivandrum in Kerala their final destination. They will be dispersed upon arriving.

“I am inspired by those so willing to help the men, women and children trying to survive the pandemic in India,” Legislator Paul said. “So many have been providing whatever needed supplies they could and together, it will make a big difference by relieving suffering and saving lives.”

India: Pandemic Fast Facts

Since the pandemic began in February 2020, India has recorded the following “official” figures, numbers experts believe are grossly understated, even by conservative estimates:

• Total reported cases in India: 30.36 million; 1 in 45 residents have been infected
• 1 in 3,429 residents have died; 398,454 total reported deaths
• On May 25, India reported its largest single-day death toll with 4,529 deaths, surpassing the previous deadliest death toll day in any country (a record held by the U.S. with 4,468 people dying in January 2021).
• An average of 47,734 new cases are currently being reported every day (down 39 percent from two weeks ago)
• Only 4 percent of India’s population is fully vaccinated; only 19 percent have had at least one dose.

This press release was produced by New City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.