Coronavirus News: NYC Asian American community donates thousands of medical supplies

Saturday, April 11, 2020
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- From Flushing Hospital to Elmhurst, from local police precincts to post offices, many local front line workers are wearing face masks thanks to donations made by a group of local Asian American business owners and non-profit groups.

The groups and business owners from the New York City area came together even before the government pleaded for help, to help make a difference.

"We had to do something and we did," said Robin Mui, CEO of Sing Tao Newspapers. "Imagine if they didn't have the masks available."

Mui and close to a dozen others watched closely as the virus started taking the lives of people in Asia in January and sent critical supplies abroad. But they quickly switched gears when they saw the virus was spreading home to New York.

"We learned from China, that's why we know the first responders are so important to our community," Mui said.

They began sending supplies to first responders a month ago, when they were even harder to find.

Fifty local hospitals started receiving donations before the virus reached its peak, and they've donated more than 200,000 face masks and close to $1 million in donations.

"It feels good because we want to make New York safe," Mui said. "We work together as a family."

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE





See how our communities are making a difference

Free educational resources for parents and children
How you can help victims of coronavirus

Coronavirus news and live updates in New York
Coronavirus news and live updates in New Jersey
Coronavirus news and live updates in Connecticut
New York City updates
Long Island updates



How coronavirus is leaving ghost towns in its path
Coronavirus prevention: how clean are your hands?
Social distancing: What is it and how does it stop the spread of coronavirus?
Coronavirus closures and cancelations
Coronavirus tips: What Americans need to know

Related Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus
Total count of COVID-19 cases based on patient address
Copyright © 2024 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.