West Africans in New York City worry about Ebola stigma
- 10 years ago
A world away from West Africa, an enclave in New York City is living in the shadow of Ebola.
On Staten Island, where storefronts advertise calling cards for the region, live more than 6,000 immigrants from Liberia -- one of the countries hardest hit by the worst outbreak of the virus on record.
Residents here say, it's impossible to escape the tragedy's impact.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AYA FOFANA, LITTLE LIBERIA RESIDENT, SAYING:
"I feel very bad, because anyhow it's my family, so we just pray for all over the world, we pray for them. Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, because we're brothers, so we just pray for everybody."
The virus has killed nearly 5,000 people, of more than 13,500 infected in eight countries.
Some Liberians on Staten Island say they're worried about being stigmatized.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JAMES BESTMAN, PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF THE LIBERIAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION, SAYING:
"We're still having problems with all the people recei
On Staten Island, where storefronts advertise calling cards for the region, live more than 6,000 immigrants from Liberia -- one of the countries hardest hit by the worst outbreak of the virus on record.
Residents here say, it's impossible to escape the tragedy's impact.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AYA FOFANA, LITTLE LIBERIA RESIDENT, SAYING:
"I feel very bad, because anyhow it's my family, so we just pray for all over the world, we pray for them. Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, because we're brothers, so we just pray for everybody."
The virus has killed nearly 5,000 people, of more than 13,500 infected in eight countries.
Some Liberians on Staten Island say they're worried about being stigmatized.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JAMES BESTMAN, PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF THE LIBERIAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION, SAYING:
"We're still having problems with all the people recei