New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio Announces Aid for India’s Covid Battle

Above: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. The city’s Indian American Health Commissioner Dave A. Chokshi said: “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.” (Xinhua/Wang Ying photo via IANS)

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has 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, which is currently battling a devastative second wave of the pandemic.

However, de Blasio didn’t disclose the quantity and schedule about the transnational aid, reports Xinhua news agency.

“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,” the Mayor said in a statement issued May 14.

New York City Health Commissioner Dave A. Chokshi, an Indian American, said: “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.”

Chokshi appealed to the White House to take further action to waive Covid-19 vaccine patents and said that all research, technology and techniques for producing the jabs should be publicly shared.

“New York’s thousands of Indian Americans are filled with anger and helplessness as they witness the unnecessary tragedy back in the country that shaped each of us as a child,” said Harpreet Singh Toor, co-founder and president of South Asians for Global Empowerment.

Toor said it is the right time to call for a full-scale effort to donate vaccines, Covid-19 test kits, swabs, ventilators, pulse oximeters, and every other type of relief possible to India.

The U.S. has delivered six plane-loads of emergency medical supplies to India in fighting against a Covid-19 wave, according to a release by the US Agency for International Development on May 6.

As a devastating wave of infections caught India off guard, more than 10 countries have offered to help India with aid.