April 16, 2020 By Christian Murray New York City’s public pools will be be shut this summer. Mayor Bill de Blasio made the announcement at a press briefing this morning when he also warned that beaches may close too. The city operates more than 50 outdoor pools, including seven in Queens. The mayor said the… Read more »
April 16, 2020 By Christian Murray Gov. Andrew Cuomo has extended the state shutdown until May 15. The restrictions were originally in place through April 29 but Cuomo said they need to be extended in order to contain the virus. He said that while it appears as though the virus has peaked, it is still… Read more »
April 16, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Council Member Robert Holden wants the federal government to increase the supply of anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to New York pharmacies in order to help doctors treat people with COVID-19 from home. Holden said he supports Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plans to ask U.S. President Trump Donald Trump to raise the federal… Read more »
April 15, 2020 By Allie Griffin The Mayor is launching a $170 million initiative to feed hungry New Yorkers–many of whom have lost their jobs or income due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We’re dealing with an unprecedented challenge in terms of people needing food, so we’re going to create an unprecedented response,” Mayor Bill de… Read more »
April 15, 2020 By Michael Dorgan U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are calling on the federal government to help cover the funeral costs for low-income families who have lost a loved one to COVID-19. The legislators said that the government needs to help these families and urged FEMA to release funds immediately… Read more »
April 15, 2020 By Christian Murray New York City has set up meal hubs at schools across the five boroughs and now several Queens legislators are calling for free feminine products to be available at these locations too. Assemblywomen Cathy Nolan and Aravella Simotas—along with Congresswomen Carolyn Maloney and Grace Meng—are calling on the Department… Read more »
By Greg B. Smith, THE CITY This story was originally published on 4/15/20 by THE CITY The Special Commissioner for Investigations for city schools is probing the Department of Education’s bid to squelch coronavirus infection information in the chaotic days before schools were closed. The investigation comes in response to a report by THE CITY… Read more »
April 14, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Joe Hennessy, a Forest Hills resident and long-time Community Board 6 Chair, died from COVID-19 complications Thursday. He was 82. Hennessy chaired CB6 – which represents the areas of Forest Hills and Rego Park – up until September 2019. He was chair for about 30 years. He was president… Read more »
April 14, 2020 By Michael Dorgan New York’s transport services are coming together to salute frontline workers who have been keeping the state’s public transportation network running throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Trains, buses and ferries from various transportation bodies across the state and New York metropolitan area will take part in a simultaneous horn blast… Read more »
April 14, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Trader Joe’s is temporarily shutting some of its stores to carry out COVID-19 cleaning and sanitization work this month– including its Rego Park location where an employee raised concerns about worker safety in the face of the pandemic last month. The Rego Park location at 90-30 Metropolitan Ave. will… Read more »