Former New York Knicks star Stephon Marbury is using his connections in China to bring much-needed masks to health care professionals in New York City after his cousin was pronounced dead from complications due to COVID-19.
Marbury, 43, told NBC New York, “I’ve lost a loved ones to this invisible monster. My cousin died yesterday due to the coronavirus. My family is in a very difficult time.”
The Brooklyn native, who coaches a professional basketball team in Beijing, said he wants to do what he can to help the city that made him.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
According to the publication, Marbury is planning to provide 10-million masks to hospital staff and first responders who are battling the highly contagious and deadly virus.
” I’m worried about New York. I’m deeply concerned, so I’m here to do what I can do to help stop the spread of this virus,” said Marbury.
Marbury is providing an assist to the Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams, to obtain the much needed protective supplies.
In fact, Marbury has a supplier that’s willing to sell the N95 mask for $2.75 each, which is 2/3 less than the suggested retail price.⠀
Adams thanked Marbury “for stepping up to offer the greatest assist” of his life. “Every piece of personal protective equipment we provide to our warriors matters immeasurably in our fight against coronavirus,” Adams wrote on his Twitter.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As of Sunday, nearly 60,000 New Yorkers have been infected with the virus, with over a thousand people dying from complications from the virus.
