Two beautiful days in May show one reason why the Black and Hispanic communities are hit hard by Covid-19. The governor and mayor ask why the Black and Hispanic communities are hard hit by Covid-19. One answer is a simple as taking a walk through our neighborhood. Something neither will do. But those of us that live here have to and we see the reason every day. Here is a glimpse into what I saw on two beautiful Spring days.
Days In May and Covid-19
May 1st
Saturday, May 1st, was a beautiful day. With masks and gloves, I went walking with my fiancé to a family friend’s apartment. It was a 2 part venture. One to get some sun and exercise, the other to get his television working. He has gone almost two months without TV.
The day was nice and the walk nicer. The only downside was the number of people Black and Hispanic people without a mask. Take for instance the Hispanic couple heading to the bodega. She has a mask he does not and he coughs before entering the store. The owner did not deny entry without a mask.
Next, two Black women are coming down the block. Both have masks, one is wearing her’s properly the other has it pulled down pass her mouth. Really??? Why wear the thing if you’re not going to use it correctly.
And then there are the three people washing a car, no one has a mask. The car blocks the sidewalk so we cross the street to avoid crossing their path.
Protect Us From You
And so it went. It’s no wonder that Blacks and Hispanics are getting sick from this virus. All it takes is one person not taking this serious to infect us all. Not wearing a mask is not a show of being tough, it a show of arrogance and stupidity. Not to mention a lack of consideration to those around you. True the mask we wear will not protect the wearer from the virus. It protects the public from you. You, who may have the virus and contaminate us all.
When we returned home I could not get over what I had seen. The Black and Hispanic communities are getting their butts kicked by this virus. And yet, we have people acting as if things are back to normal.
Well, there was one bright spot, we did get the television working. And we both had a great walk in the warm sunlight.
Days In May And Covid-19
May 15, 2020
Another beautiful day. Another disappointing day. Once again I witness people acting as if the virus has been defeated. It has not, deaths continue and people are still being infected. Probably by people like these that I see. People who don’t care about anyone but themselves.
Walk To The Park
The school play area is locked off, no basketball here. Turn 180 degrees and see the opposite.
People sit talking without masks. On the track, it is an even split. Some with masks, some without.
As I walk through the park I see mothers with children, neither have masks. Lots of laughing and running around though. There are flimsy fencing to keep people out of certain areas. That fencing has been compromised, people are in the sealed-off area. The only upside, very few people are in this area, at least for now. But with less than nothing to stop entrance will it stay that way?
Moving On
After the last renovation, the parks department created a workout area. There are various pieces of exercise equipment. Nothing sophisticated but you can get a good sweat on here. My young granddaughter likes to go there to use the equipment. She can’t use the equipment but she tries.
The Work Out Area
Passing by the workout area there’s a useless “Closed” sign on it. The steel bar fence around the area is four feet tall. My grandchild can climb this fence with no effort. People are working out. Lots of sweat, laughing, and heavy breathing. The only social distancing dictated by the separation of the equipment. Time to move on.
The Sitting Area
At the opposite end of the park groups of people are sitting. Some at the tables. Some at the stone chess tables. During better times this area is crowded. You would see people playing chess, dominoes, and other games.
Today it is not as crowded and the people sitting here well, maybe they’re family-related, maybe not. It doesn’t matter I avoid heading in that direction. Some have masks but they are not in use. One person leaves the group and heads to the track. She adjusts her mask as she approaches the track. At least it’s something. As I said, the track is 50/50, some with masks, some without.
Who Has Next?
Passing by another school park I see lots of people playing basketball. I guess school parks don’t have to remove basketball hoops. Is it because school parks do not fall under the domain of the city’s parks department. Or that someone messed up in missing this one.
I guess they thought that the lock on the fence would keep people out. But anyone in the neighborhood knows how to get into this park. Little kids do it all the time. So games go on, as usual, the park is as filled as it always is.
Heading Home
In the final stages of my walk home, I find more disappointment. A young man passes me dressed for the warm weather. He studies his cell phone and heads for the corner bodega. He has no mask. He’s young and probably believes that he will not catch the virus.
It doesn’t matter though, there are plenty of people on the street not wearing masks.
I pass a family sitting in chairs on the sidewalk, no masks.
Someone steps out of the bodega as I approach, he has no mask. It’s like running an obstacle course out there. Time to go home. I return to my home disheartened by what I have seen.
One thought crosses my mind as I remove my scarf. There will be a lot less of us come 2021.
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