Abronhill ex-pat tells of virus crisis in New York City

Colin McLear (47) who is a former pupil of Abronhill High School has made a new life for himself in New York where he is the owner of a football business -NY Co-Ed Soccer

He lives in Manhattan with Argentinian wife Clara and their sons Charlie (2) and nine-month old George on the 22nd floor of an apartment block.

Colin said: “We are in lockdown. Charlie has not been outside for nearly a month. George is teething and beginning to crawl - it’s a busy place!

“My wife and I take turns every few days to nip out to the shops, complete with mask and gloves.

“When we return, it’s a case of stripping at the door, clothes directly into a hot machine wash, and straight into the shower.

“Management advised that we have cases of COVID-19 in our building so extra caution is required.”

When asked as to the reaction from New Yorkers he said: “It’s disbelief, frustration, concern for how long this will last and the impact upon the economy.

“The city was ill-prepared and reacted poorly.

“As a big tourist destination and with a significant international population, it should have been aware how the story was developing.

“Instead there was complacency and questionable decision-making.

“Mixed messages suggest no one knows when there will be an end. I expect this to continue through the summer. It will be hard to keep people indoors during the heat.”