COVID causing sad times for New Haven residents

Residents of New Haven Avenue in St Andrew are left worried and distressed - all because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of the residents say they have been sitting helplessly as bills continue to pile up because they are not able to find the money during this crisis.

Ama Borlan, a 44-year-old father of two, told THE STAR that he hasn't been able to pay any bills for April because priority spending has been placed on food.

The painter's brushes are dry - there has been no flow of money since March and he has had to lean on savings.

"Yuh afi talk bout food more than bills. Me have two daughters and me woman fi take care of. Me have me bills fi pay. Tru me did a gwane save from before the virus. A dat me a gwane work wid until better come. Me nuh pay nuh bill last month, and di pressure deh pon me now. The kids dem a eat more than when dem deh a school ... dem deh home now, and dem a eat right through like a white fowl," he said.

"It is stressing. I am a painter ... I used to do painting work and nobody nah call fi nuh painting now. Nothing nah gwane! Is a drought right yah now! Me afi just give thanks because me nuh have the virus," he said.

Karen has a similar story. She sits outside her home on a bucket beside her friend's stall as there is nothing else to do after being laid off from work.

"I used to work at YMCA. Now, it's hard because I'm not working. Me caa get fi pay me bills. Me no pay no bills last month, and me know seh this month bill dem soon come, and a same thing. Me worried! Me have light bill and water bill fi pay. There's no other way to get any source of income," she said disconsolately.

Devon Allen, 46, sat on a wall contemplating his next move. He told THE STAR that since COVID-19 reached Jamaica, "there is no work".

"I used to do construction work and me get lay off. Now, things rough. Me have a family fi take care of. Me have children, and I can't provide for them now. Me afi just depend pon family," he said.