Essential
Words from Workers on New York’s
Front Lines During COVID-19 Outbreak
Michael Schwarz/Redux - 4/6/20 - Abdul Chaibi, owner of Kings Deli, oversees the front counter on a afternoon of few customers.
Do you think President Trump, Governor Cuomo, and Mayor De Blasio have been proactive in their response to the epidemic?
”I don’t think they’ve been responsible - because we’ve been getting a lot of cases in New York. Especially because they [did] not even close the parks. They say they’re going to close it - they just close it for one day only. Now, when I walk to come to the store, I see the park is open already, and a lot of people there all hanging out. So how you going to cover all these people, and all the supermarkets, when they’re not even doing the space - the 6 feet - nobody’s watching them.”
Have you applied for any small business loans facilitated by the recently passed stimulus package?
”We wish if anyone could help us - but we not going to keep talking to them because this thing [is] taking a lot of time. They’re not going to do it in one, two, three, four days - na, they’re taking more than a month - so we’re not able to be waiting.”
You’ll be receiving the $1,200 direct deposit from the federal government in a few weeks - will that help? Is it enough?
Abdul: “It’s not going to be help, because not everybody get it. Not everybody pay taxes. And not everybody can wait for like two or three months.”
Employee Nick John on the register: “I’m not in the books. I’m never in the system - so I’m not getting nothing. I’m on my own.”
What can New Yorker’s do to make your job safer?
”Take the space - that’s it! Wear a mask. Get in and out.”
Name: Abdul Chaibi
Position: Owner
Business Name: King’s Deli
From: Yemen
Employees:
Employees still working:
Opened: 2014
How has been business been?
”Business has been slow. We don’t even have the income for merchandise. But the prices, we can not raise them up. Because we are here to try to help people too. Because we’re here like a family. I’m the one only open, so I’m gunna raise the price - that’s not fair - because we’re to help the community. If we need to be safe during this virus, everyone needs to help together.”
You deal with customers and product all day - are you worried about getting sick?
”No, we’re worried about other people dying, and people passing the sickness, that’s it. We’re worried for everyone’s family.”
Are you concerned about potentially passing COVID-19 on to customers?
Nick John: ”No. We go straight home. We clean every hour. Just scary for people. Ya never know what can happen, ya know?”
How long can you stay open without government support?
“We [will] stay open as long as we can - to help people - people can not even get sandwiches. And we need to serve people! So they can eat, they can get a drink, they can get milk at least.”
Have you had to lay off any employees?
”No, but you know - all my workers now, almost three weeks, no money. Because we cannot even pay rent now. [The] business is going to die. We’re almost down 75%. The first thing is - I care about all of these other people, it’s not about myself only. I care about my workers more than I care about myself.”
4/6/20 - Nick John - a cook and cashier at Kings Deli in Bushwick - helps a customer at the front counter.
*Interviews being withheld for workers in the gallery below for future publication
Michael Schwarz/Redux - 4/11/20 - Luis Azcona - Bushwick, Brooklyn
4/17/20 -Park Enforcement Officer S. Johnson stands outside his squad car while enforcing social distancing practices in Maria Hernandez Park in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
4/17/20 -Park Enforcement Officer I. Gubarev stands outside his squad car while enforcing social distancing practices in Maria Hernandez Park in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
Name: Officer S. Johnson and I. Gubarev
Position: Park Enforcement Officers
Park: Maria Hernandez
From: Queens
Do you feel safe? Has the city of New York done an adequate job outfitting you with safety equipment?
Johnson: Yeah, I mean we can’t really complain for right now. Apart from the hazard pay - that would be great. The give us PPE’s, gloves, the essentials.
Gubarev: We also use our desecration when operating in the parks - in case of a potentially dangerous situation - we have the equipment to properly engage with these individuals.
Are you still getting the same amount of hours?
Gubarev: We’re still getting the same amount of hours - since we’re essential city workers, which is nice. Our schedule has changed a little bit - to ensure we have less exposure to each other during shift changes. We do switch partners, and spend the entire day in the car together.
Are you worried about getting sick?
Johnson: I mean, not really, we’re doing our part, and wearing masks.
Gubarev: I mean that’s essentially it. We’re in the car most of the day. We also have a group chat, where if someone’s not feeling well, they stay home, and we all help to cover their shifts.
Do you think Governor Cuomo, and Mayor De Blasio have been proactive in their response to the epidemic?
Johnson: I mean I think personally, both the mayor and the governor, in terms of the entire country - they did the best job.
Gubarev: Exactly, it’s always going to be the worst just because of how big the city is. The way New Yorkers are also - you’ll see people running out and about - no one’s really going to stay home - you’re not going to have a quarantine. I just saw a guy [walking around] with a shirt that said “Fuck Corona Virus.” You’re never going to get a full-on lockdown.
Do you think Trump is doing a sufficient job responding to epidemic on a federal level?
Johnson: I think he’s been kind of hesitant, because he’s been wanting to do it, but then he didn’t do it. Had he responded a lot quicker, especially with the shutdown, a lot of stuff could have been prevented.
Gubarev: Yeah, I would agree with that. With this - he’s trying to open up certain regions because they’ve economically taken a hit. But it’s also about a rush response. And there was a little bit of a delay also with working with other countries and organizations - I feel like that could have helped. Aren’t we supposed to be working together? This is the perfect time to work together and you’re [President Trump] once again focusing on the whole “America first” “America Great Again” - but this is when we should actually be working together on this.
Is there anything that New Yorkers can do to make your jobs easier?
Gubarev: Just follow the rules. Yeah, we all want to go out. We all want to be outside - especially with the spring, it’s beautiful. But at the same time, the better the response is now - the faster we can get rid of this.
4/21/20 - Guillermo Chasijuan, of Queens, works behind the counter of his hardware store in Bushwick, Brooklyn. He has owned Los Nanos Hardware for nearly two years, and has no plans to close. “Business is good. I have no plans to close.”
4/19/20 -Officer McCray of the 73rd precinct monitors social distancing practices outside of the subway in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
4/19/20 -Officer Chacon of the 73rd precinct monitors social distancing practices outside of the subway in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
4/21/20 - New York EMT’s walk by a free food donation stand outside of Abra Cadabra on Knickerbocker Avenue in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
A stack of abandoned newspapers sits on a deserted sidewalk just outside the Wall Street Subway station in the Financial District on April 8th, 2020.
Michael Schwarz/Redux - 4/11/20 - Fausto Tineo - J and C Mini Market - Bushwick, Brooklyn
Michael Schwarz/Redux - 04/06/20 - Joyce Mayi, owner and operator of the Pal Environmental Emergency Response, stands with her team outside an apartment building in SoHo. They spent the afternoon disinfecting a high rise from top to bottom with a crew of six fully scrubbed and masked professionals. They usually respond to calls for black mold, lead, or asbestos - but since the COVID-19 outbreak, they can’t keep up with sterilization requests.
©Michael Schwarz/Redux Pictures - Officer Aaron Ayala (right) and Officer Jay Molina sit in their squad car monitoring Washington Square Park for proper social distancing practices on April 13th, 2020.
©Michael Schwarz/Redux Pictures - Kharime Phillip, a delivery driver for Amazon, pauses to check his itinerary in Lower Manhattan on April 13th, 2020.
A New Yorker enjoys an evening in Washington Square Park with his two dogs on April 13th, 2020.
©Michael Schwarz/Redux Pictures - 4/8/20 - Peter Kambitsis, of Queens, leans against the counter of his New York Bakery Cafe location.
©Michael Schwarz/Redux Pictures - 4/8/20 - Peter Kambitsis, of Queens, prepares pastries behind the counter of his New York Bakery Cafe location.
Name: Peter Kambitsis
Business Name: New York Bakery Cafe
Locations Owned: 4
Locations Operated: 11
Employees: 190
Employees still working: 40-50
From: Astoria, Queens
Opened: 2008
You deal with customers and product all day - are you worried about getting sick?
”Of course. But this is the business that I am. An essential business. I’m also sticking around and staying open for my employees. A lot of them can’t get unemployment, and can’t afford to isolate.”
How has been business been?
”I’m about to close one of my four locations. It’s been bad - business is down 75%.”
How long can you stay open without government support?
”If I don’t hear by this week from the other bank - I’m probably going to shut down. I’m not going to take the risk. You can’t survive like this.”
Have you had to lay off any employees?
”Yeah, of course. We’re down at least 50% in workforce. That’s the reason we’re keeping open most of the locations - help continue some work - so they can pay their rent - so their families can get some food.”
Are your employees going to be able to collect unemployment?
”Not most of them - no they’re not. Because they probably don’t have the proper documentations, or they probably don’t know how to apply. Or they probably don’t know they can apply - they’re scared to apply”
Have you applied for any small business loans facilitated by the recently passed stimulus package? Do you think you’ll be approved?
”I can definitely tell you I’m not because I did apply - I applied to three different banks. The small community bank [we use] just now - when I was on the phone before - basically denied me, and said “we’re not going to participate in this program.”
”They even publicly announced it. That they’re gunna help first - their business customers. Then they announce it’s gunna be first come first serve. Then they announce we’re going to help people that have loans with us already. So that means me, and every guy you see on this block is out - definitely not gunna get a loan - I can guarantee it right now.”
”I am hopeful. I’m applying. I’m giving hundreds of pages of information to the banks. But it’s red tape, and more red tape, and more red tape. Ya know, it’s hard. It’s hard to apply. Ya know, that’s why the average bodega, the average little bakery, the average mom and pop store - is not even gunna know how to apply for this - it’s bullshit.”
Do you think Governor Cuomo, and Mayor De Blasio have been proactive in their response to the epidemic?
”As a small business, no. I think there should be some type of governance to what’s happening. There’s a lot of people not staying home - breaking the rules. I think there could be a little more enforcement on that.”
What could they do for you as a New York City small business owner?
”Let me tell you - New York is not for small businesses - I’m gunna stop you right there. It’s not a small business friendly state.”
“I service close to 50 diners that I do wholesale with - most of them, I would say at least half are not gunna open after this because we’ve been kicked in the teeth way too many times. That’s why I definitely think this - what’s happening now - is gunna be the nail in the coffin.”
“A lot of small businesses - a lot of mom and pops - definitely aren’t going to open. Because those same guys are not going to get the PPP loan - and they don’t have the capital to pay the landlord above who wants his money regardless.”
Do you think Trump is doing a sufficient job responding to epidemic on a federal level?
I’ll tell you what upsets me the most. There was a lot of bickering going back and forth between the treasury and the banks. Even when “Trump came out with the task force to talk about this - they even had a question - saying there’s a problem between the treasury and the banks. Then they said they resolved it by giving them a half a point. From what I understand, the treasury was given this money to come to small business owners - and the banks were supposed to take this loan and pass it to us for half a percent.”
”So as long as the money goes to payroll, rent, or utilities - it would be possibly forgiven. At this point, I don’t really give a shit if it’s forgiven or not - I just want capital to keep going because my business is tanked 75%.”
“Now what upsets me is this. A couple years ago - 2008 - the fucking banks got bailed out - right? You fucking ask me if I wanted to bail them out? No - but you came and took it from me. We bailed out the banks. Now here’s the bank - just to be a facilitator of taking this money - and collecting half a percent by a government backed loan - and they’re stalling!”
”We bailed you out, and you didn’t want to submit my paperwork - or anybody’s paperwork - for half a point. That’s why it took so long to get where we are today.”
What can New Yorker’s do to make your job safer?
”If customers can come in wearing gloves and a mask. But they’re so hard to find now. We almost ran out ourselves. Maybe that’s one of the things the Mayor and Cuomo can work on. Supplying essential businesses with masks and gloves. You want us to stay open? Then how about supplying us with the essentials to stay safe.”
Michael Schwarz/Redux - 4/6/20 - Juan and Juanita Florenzio
Masked workers walk past the shuttered Cauldron Pub in the Financial District of New York City. Many businesses are closed for the foreseeable future while New York battles the COVID-19 virus - opting out of staying open to offer take out services.
Name: Juan and Juanita Florenzio
Business Name: Gaby’s Bakery
From: Puebla, Mexico
Opened: 2009
How has been business been?
Business has been tough. We’ve had to cut hours. We won’t make it much longer.
You deal with customers and product all day - are you worried about getting sick?
Yes, of course. I’m worried about getting my family sick.
Are you planning on staying open for the foreseeable future?
Well, it depends on business is going. We hope it gets better soon - we can’t keep going like this. Business is completely down.
How long can you stay open without government support?
Maybe two months. It’s really tough right now. When When you don’t have the providers, and you don’t get any merchandise, what are you going to sell? Business is so down, who are we going to sell the little product we have to?
Have you applied for any small business loans facilitated by the recently passed stimulus package? Do you think you’ll be approved?
We will apply if we can, why not? It would be a huge help. We really need it, but I’m not sure we will be approved. We don’t know where to apply for help.
Do you think President Trump, Governor Cuomo, and Mayor De Blasio have been proactive in their response to the epidemic?
Cuomo has been doing a great job. We really hope we can get a small business loan. We are just waiting - it’s taking so long to hear back.
What can New Yorker’s do to make your job safer?
Respect and follow the rules. Keep your distance.
4/19/20 - David Kassim, of Yemen, works behind the counter of Livoni Deli in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
Michael Schwarz/Redux - 4/6/20 - Masked New Yorkers walk in front of a recently closed down BP gas station in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. A state-wide “shelter in place” was put into affect until at least the end of the April ‘20 - severely encumbering travel for consumers, and commerce for business owners. Storefronts across the city have been closed and physically boarded up for the foreseeable future.
4/19/20 - Mutahar Emari, of Yemen, sits next to a stack of un-sold newspapers in the Livoni Deli in Brownsville, Brooklyn. He and his family have owned and managed the deli for over 30 years.
Johnathan scans his mail before delivery on Knickerbocker Avenue in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
Name: Lex Perez - Partner and Owner
Lance Diez - General Manger
Business Name: Blend Astoria
Locations Owned and Operated: 7
Employees: 250
Employees still working: 50
From: Lex - Born in Dominican Republic - Raised in Astoria, Queens
Lance - Born in Puerto Rico - Raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Opened:
How has been business been?
Lex: Surviving. We’ve just been paying the bills.
Lance: Surviving and just keeping the moral of the staff - because a lot of people think if we close, then we’re giving up. So we’re just trying to keep the moral up and stay afloat. We’re survivors right now. I don’t see any quitters on our team.
Lex: Even if we’re not making money - as long as we’re open for the community - which I feel the community needs - some restaurants, some stores to be open to survive - we will.
Lance: A lot of people, they don’t know how to cook in the community, so they need take out.
You deal with customers and product all day - are you worried about getting sick?
Lex: I’m not scared to sick because I feel that I have almost the same position as a doctor or nurse, almost, because I have to provide. I have to be out here. Someone has to be out here. And if my work staff can be out there - that means I can be out there as well.
Michael Schwarz/Redux - 4/8/20 - Workers take inventory and unload produce outside of New York Bakery Cafe.
Have you applied for any small business loans facilitated by the recently passed stimulus package? Are they readily available to you? Do you think you’ll be approved?
Lex: Until we see it, I don’t know if I’m going to believe it yet. We applied two weeks ago, and haven’t heard back from anyone yet at all.
Do you think Governor Cuomo, and Mayor De Blasio have been proactive in their response to the epidemic? Lex: I like what Cuomo has been doing. He’s taking precautions. He’s making sure we have what we need. I like that he called for the boat to come over. He called for the Javitz Center to open up. I think he’s doing a good job.
What could they do for you as a New York City small business owner staying open when people need you most?
Lex: Whoever made the decision to allow us to serve alcohol - made a great decision. If it wasn’t for that - just with the food - we would not survive. Any restaurant that just sells food, they will not survive. You need the alcohol to make some money to pay the bills. Food is so expensive, and you just can’t make it.
Are you struggling personally? You’ll be receiving the $1,200 stimulus package in a few weeks when government checks go out - will that help? Is it enough?
Lance: I’m not struggling. I always save for a rainy day. But I know a lot of people that are. Especially people in this industry. They’re surviving - that’s it. No one’s hiring right now, that’s for sure. I don’t know how long it can last.
Lex: I’m not counting on it. I’m hearing a lot of stories that it might not even come through. So I’m not even thinking about that stimulus package. I’m just focused on the business.
Do you think Trump is doing a sufficient job responding to epidemic on a federal level for small businesses? Lance: I think something like this is unpredictable, to be honest. They got people infected in China - we don’t know it’s going to come over here. So, as far as when the situation did occur, I think he did a good job. When it hit home base, I think he did a good job.
Lex: He might be playing both sides of the fence. I think he doesn’t really care about us too much, but he’s just trying to show a good face. Because we haven’t gotten anything yet at all. He’s saying he’s going to to do it, he’s going to do it - but we’re already what, two months into this epidemic, and we haven’t seen anything. Landlords want to get paid. Ya know. Vendors want to get paid. Everybody wants to get paid. So we need something to help us pay.
Have you seen a lot of positivity in the restaurant industry in the midst of the crisis - or has it become competitive and cutthroat? Lance: Na, I think the moral in the restaurant industry is very high. I think a lot of people are reaching out and helping more than ever because ideas need to be exchanged for things to stay afloat. And that’s what I see from the outside looking in. I see a lot of businesses helping each other out.
Name: Johnathan
Position: US Postal Worker
From: Brooklyn, NY
You deal with customers and product all day - are you worried about getting sick?
Not really. I think it’s about how you go about doing things. I’m careful. I got my own sanitizer in my pocket. I got everything I need. I clean everything. I don’t touch my face like they say. I’ve been good so far.
Do you think the government and USPS have been doing a sufficient job protecting you as a postal worker on the front lines of the virus?
Not really. It’s up to you at the end of the day. I don’t go out there looking for them to help - because at the end of the day, you aren’t going to get it. They’ve been providing gloves and masks, but no hazard pay.
If you’re an essential worker right now, you should be getting hazard pay.
Do you plan to continue working? Could you afford to stop working? Yeah, you gotta work. Gotta pay rent, gotta pay the bills. Like I said, I’m not as scared, because I’m extra cautious myself. Just gotta be cautious, have faith, and it’ll be alright.
Do you think President Trump, Governor Cuomo, and Mayor De Blasio have been proactive in their response to the epidemic? I think Cuomo is doing his best. Yeah, he’s doing a pretty god job. You see a lot of people playing in the park, not keeping their distance. I think the public could do a better job of staying inside. But in New York, you know it’s not gunna happen.
Michael Schwarz/Redux - 4/4/20 - A postal worker delivers mail in the Financial District of New York City.
4/9/20 - Lex Perez stands outside his restaurant Slice in Astoria, Queens.
How long can you stay open without government support?
Lex: As long as we’re able to provide alcohol, then we can stay open. If we don’t provide alcohol, then we’ll probably close down.
Have you had to lay off any employees?
Lance: I would say around 70-80% of the work staff has been laid off.
Lex: We’re planning to hire them back as soon as we open the doors again.
Lance: Yeah, it’s not going to last a second longer than it has to.
Are your employees going to be able to collect unemployment? Lance: Some of them. Not all. Ya know, some aren’t applicable. Some don’t know they can apply. And it takes a while to be approved for those benefits. People need support right now.
If you have a job right now, and you’re working outside your home, you’re putting yourself at risk for other people to provide for your family. I think we should all get a round of applause and a pat on the back for everything that everybody’s doing.
4/9/20 - Lex Perez, of Astoria, stands in his empty restaurant surrounded by to-go containers while his General Manager, Lance Diez, works to fulfill to-go orders at the bar.
Michael Schwarz/Redux - Felipe Jose, manager of D’ Elia Deli and Grocery, stands behind a handmade cellophane shield when checking out customers in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
Name: Felipe Jose
Business Name: D’ Elia Deli and Grocery
From: Dominican Republic
Owned: 7 years
You deal with customers and product all day - are you worried about getting sick?
No, I’m not worried about myself. My family doesn’t live in the US, so it’s just me to worry about.
How long can you stay open without government support?
Maybe 4-5 months. We’ve had to cut back on hours already. Business has been down, but we can make it work for now.
Michael Schwarz/Redux - A worker at Tony’s pizza looks out as an ambulance passes by on Knickerbocker Ave. in Bushwick, Brooklyn. The restaurant has seem a significant decrease in business since the start of the outbreak.
Michael Schwarz/Redux - A worker prepares a fresh slice at Justino’s Pizza in the Financial District of New York City. While the restaurant remains open, they have shortened their hours and staff significantly since the outbreak began. “It’s kind of a day to day decision when we close. It’s kind of crazy down here right now. We don’t really know what next week holds,” Justino’s manager Rob Cartigiano said.
Name: Ludin Sierra
Business Name: M&A Grocery and Deli
From: Puebla, Mexico
Worked @: 8 years
You deal with customers and product all day - are you worried about getting sick?
Yes! Haha, of course.
How has been business been?
Business has been a little bit down. I’m still getting my usual hours, but we don’t have the same amount of customers.
Do you think the president, Gov. + Mayor have been doing a good job in response to the epidemic?
He could be doing better, but it’s so bad, so I guess he’s doing okay.
You’ll be receiving the $1,200 stimulus package in a few weeks when government checks go out - will that help? Is it enough?
If they send it, of course it will help. If they don’t send it, that’s how it is. I hope they do, but I’m still waiting.
What can New Yorker’s do to make your job safer?
Everyone has been very respectful. We have good customers. Everyone is keeping their distance. So nothing really.
Michael Schwarz/Redux - 4/7/20 - Ludin Sierra stands behind a plastic protective shield at M&A Grocery.