Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the City will tap into its stockpile to send COVID-19 test kits, swabs, ventilators, BiPap machines, pulse oximeters, and other medical supplies to India.
“Just over a year ago, New York City was the center of the global pandemic,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Now it is our turn to step up and help India in its moment of crisis. We are sending vital medical equipment to India to send a clear message: nobody is in the fight against COVID-19 alone. Together, we can save lives and beat back the pandemic.”
“As a global city that once was considered the “epicenter” of the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be unacceptable for New York City to ignore the devastating situation in India,” said Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Melanie Hartzog. “This horrible pandemic has taken too many lives, and we cannot stand idle as it continues to wreak havoc in another city. I stand with my colleagues in City government to make sure we provide any and all support possible to our fellow citizens in India.”
“Our city, home to thousands of Indian-born New Yorkers, and our country have a moral imperative to demonstrate global solidarity in order to overcome this devastating pandemic,” said Health Commissioner Dave. A Chokshi. We applaud the Biden administration’s support for COVID-19 vaccine patent waivers and call on the White House to take further action. India needs the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. We should publicly share all research, technology, and techniques for producing the COVID-19 vaccines.”
“Indeed when NYC was the epicenter of COVID-19 in the U.S., our diplomatic community rallied behind their host city and donated critically-needed personal protective equipment,” said International Affairs Commissioner Penny Abeywardena. “The news coming out of India is devastating and so we will work with our consular corps to help with this crisis. When it comes to battling COVID-19, we are all in this together.”
“During this critical time, our locally-made test kits along with a supply of PPE from the city’s stockpile will support families in India,” said Rachel Loeb, president and CEO of New York City Economic Development Corporation. “Innovations like these helped our city recover and we’re happy to lend a helping hand to battle COVID-19 in solidarity with India.”
“As a proud Indian immigrant with generations of family currently living in India, it breaks my heart to see the ongoing COVID-19 tragedy unfold. The Mayor is a leading citizen of the world, and on behalf of the Indian community, I offer my deepest gratitude for his decision to commit life-saving resources to India,” said Kapil Longani, Counsel to the Mayor. "This pandemic highlighted our interconnectedness as a global community, and it’s imperative that we stand together in solidarity to defeat this virus.”
"When New York City was the epicenter of the pandemic one year ago, we were incredibly grateful for the generosity and support we received from people all over the country and the world. Today we are paying it forward to help ease the crisis in India," said Mersida Ibric, Deputy Commissioner for Citywide Procurement at the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. "We worked tirelessly to source the supplies and equipment our city needed to save lives and keep people safe, and now we are proud to donate some of those supplies to help the Indian people in their time of need."
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