Passang Sherpa, a New York resident and a community first responder during the COVID-19 pandemic, has written a powerful 449-page memoir titled “Behind the Mask.” The book is now available for purchase on Amazon in multiple formats: Kindle for $9.99, paperback for $17.99, and hardcover for $24.99. Sherpa previously published a Nepali version, making his poignant reflections accessible to Nepali-speaking readers ahead of its English debut.
This book offers a vivid, real-time account of New York City during the pandemic, blending personal experiences with historical context. It powerfully captures the community’s resilience and the emotional landscape of a city that faced unprecedented challenges.
The evocative work is divided into five chapters: The World Before COVID-19, Locked Down at Home, The Universe of Relief, Life After the Lockdown, and At the End. The memoir highlights the struggles, pain, and profound impact of the global health crisis on everyday life, particularly in New York City—the pandemic’s U.S. epicenter.
It recounts the story of battling the coronavirus outbreak, offering a precise and powerful reflection on the challenges and experiences endured. According to Sherpa, the book also weaves in social issues and the lived realities of people as they grappled with the pandemic’s effects.
In the book’s preface, Passang recalls his early efforts:
“Those days were tragic and horrible. Life outside had come to a standstill, and we were confined to our home, moving between rooms as our minds moved at the same slow pace. After fifteen days of isolation, I ventured out to do some shopping. My neighbor didn’t have a vehicle, so I bought groceries for him and delivered them to his door. Despite the long lines and hours spent shopping, I also bought essentials for other COVID victims and delivered them as well. I soon became involved with a group of Nepali expatriates in New York City, working to raise awareness about COVID-19 and provide relief. My days were spent delivering relief materials. Preparing this book was a challenge. I stayed up late many nights and still managed my daily responsibilities, even after sleepless nights. Despite the hardships, writing brought me immense satisfaction. Slowly but surely, the book took shape through determination and hard work.”
Peter Gill, who helped edit and translate the book with Mahesh Paudel, also wrote in his foreword:
“In 2020, as New York City became the world’s COVID-19 epicenter, Jackson Heights and the nearby Elmhurst Hospital became known as the ‘epicenter of the epicenter.’ The densely populated neighborhood saw its hospitals overwhelmed as infection rates among residents—many of them essential workers—soared. Jackson Heights’ streets, once bustling with food and clothing vendors, grew eerily quiet, save for the wail of ambulance sirens. Passang closed his salon in early 2020 and joined a group of Nepali expatriates who risked their lives to deliver essential supplies and medicines to their neighbors. Months later, after reopening his business, Passang’s customers began to trickle back in, telling him their stories of loss and survival, terror and hope.”
“This book is about the people of Jackson Heights before, during, and after the darkest days of the pandemic—told by a man who can tell the story like no one else can. It contains the tales of patients and doctors who survived the COVID-19 wards of Elmhurst Hospital and other vulnerable community members whom Passang encountered at his barbershop, while delivering aid, or while standing in line to get vaccinated. There are also Passang’s own personal stories of battling the boredom of lockdown with his wife and two teenage sons, as well as the search for meaning and community across cultures. I believe this book is an essential historical document, describing globally important events from a unique and thoughtful perspective.”
Sherpa, a well-known lyricist and hairstylist who runs Passang Striking Style in Jackson Heights, sprang into action as soon as the pandemic struck. A steadfast supporter of the Nepali community, he worked tirelessly in the field, delivering medicine, masks, and thermometers to the sick and vulnerable, and groceries and other essentials to those in need. His commitment to service, however, extends beyond the pandemic.
Sherpa considers helping others a fundamental human duty, a principle he has lived by without seeking recognition or fanfare. From cutting hair for free at senior homes to lending a helping hand to struggling individuals from Nepal to the United States, he has consistently supported those in distress.
During an interview amid the crisis, Sherpa reflected on his efforts: “I didn’t get involved in social work in a planned way. Whenever there was a need, I went into the field. Initially, I stayed home for 10 days in self-isolation because a colleague at my workplace tested positive. After that, I couldn’t stay indoors—I felt a strong urge to help those in trouble.”
He began by delivering groceries, later joining a volunteer group focused on COVID-19 awareness and support. “From then on,” he explained, “whenever needed, I went out to deliver medicine, thermometers, and masks to the sick, groceries to those struggling, and even distributed supplies to students.”
One striking memory from his fieldwork underscores the fear that gripped New York: “I went to deliver groceries to a house. When I called the person to come down to the lobby, they were too scared to leave their room and asked me to bring it upstairs. I didn’t mind—I took it up. But looking back, I wonder if I was foolish to take such risks.”
Sherpa viewed his contributions as a moral calling, emphasizing the unity of his team: “We rose above caste, religion, and politics to help each other. Our team distributed food and supplies to students six times. Being part of that felt like fulfilling my responsibility.”
“Behind the Mask” covers a broad spectrum of experiences: life before the coronavirus, the confinement of lockdown, the relief efforts that emerged, and the transition to a post-lockdown world. The memoir serves as both a personal account and a broader message of hope and resilience, making it a meaningful read for many. It lays bare the fears, sorrows, and stories of the pandemic, shedding light on its deep influence on daily life and society.
Beyond his literary and volunteer work, Passang Sherpa has a rich creative history. Before “Behind the Mask,” he gained recognition as a lyricist. His songs have made their mark in the music industry, with at least six released to date and nearly a half dozen more either recorded and awaiting release or in the process of being recorded. His first song, sung by Lakpa Sherpa, was recorded more than two decades ago and became widely popular.
Sherpa’s journey to the United States began in December 2004. After enduring the struggles of an immigrant, he took up hairdressing, opening Passang Striking Style in 2012. Today, it’s a well-established brand, and Sherpa is a celebrated Nepali hairstylist in New York.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
