Jacobs stuck in New York

West Indies ‘ A’ leg-spinner Damion Jacobs has been left stranded in the United States.

It’s been just over a month since he left St Kitts after wrapping up his participation for the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the West Indies Championships.

Jacobs was one of many Jamaicans who were trying to return to the island before the borders were shut down by the Government due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but his transit from St Kitts via New York to Jamaica ended with the 35-year-old being stuck in the United States for the past three weeks.

“I left St Kitts on March 21 and flew to New York to do some shopping and stuff. I was scheduled to return to Jamaica on March 25, but by then the travel agency told me that the Jamaican borders were closed and there were no flights,” said Jacobs.

The right arm leg-spinner said he initially thought that he would just spend a few more days before he would be able to return home, but those few days have now turned into a month, and the Melbourne CC player says the hardest part about the ordeal is missing his three young sons, ages 11, seven and four.

“The hardest part about all of this is when my sons ask me when I am coming home and I can’t give them an answer, I got a chance to see them briefly when the Leewards played Jamaica down in Trelawny in February, and the last time I saw them before that was July of last year. I miss them and I know we would be having a lot of fun being at home, but I am hoping I will be able to come home soon.”

The West Indies ‘A’ team player said that he has been utilising the video-calling platform WhatsApp to speak with his boys daily, and he has gone as far as to help them with their homeschooling via the video call.

Jacobs, who is currently with family members in the Bronx, says he has been staying indoors for the most part as that borough has recorded the most number of positive cases in New York City, with just over 32,000 infections.

Jacobs, who played three games for the Leewards while bagging six wickets this season, says he is amazed at the number of people still on the road despite the outbreak.

He says he only leaves the house to get food, and he has been keeping himself occupied in his driveway by doing physical workouts sent to him by the Hurricanes trainer.

“People are still going about their business up here like nothing is happening. The only thing you notice different is that they are wearing masks and gloves, but the road is still full of people.”

Jacobs says he has been keeping close tabs on Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ updates via Twitter, and he is hoping that the controlled re-entry situation will be remedied soon.

“When I heard that they will be further extending the border closure I felt like someone just hit my ball out of the stadium. I was deflated, but I understand the seriousness of the pandemic, and all I can do is just hope for the best.”