April 21, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The organizers of the Queens Pride Parade have announced that they are canceling the popular June celebration in compliance with the Mayor’s decision Monday to suspend all June events. The annual event was expected to take place in Jackson Heights on June 7 but organizers have confirmed that plans… Read more »
April 21, 2020 By Allie Griffin The inmate population in New York City jails has dropped below 4,000 for the first time since 1946, following the release of approximately 2,000 prisoners as a result of COVID-19. Mayor Bill de Blasio and City officials have released inmates who are the most vulnerable to COVID-19 complications —… Read more »
April 21, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Nursing home providers will soon be required to notify the families of patients within 12 hours if a staff member or a resident at a home tests positive or dies from COVID-19. The announcement made by the Trump administration on Sunday follows calls from Congresswoman Grace Meng urging the… Read more »
April 21, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City will honor the healthcare workers and first responders fighting the coronavirus with a ticker-tape parade once the pandemic is defeated, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today. “When that day comes that we can restart the vibrant, beautiful life of this city again, the first thing we… Read more »
April 21, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Trader Joe’s has confirmed that five of its staff at the Rego Park store have tested positive for COVID-19 – just weeks after a worker there raised concerns that the company was not doing enough to keep its staff and customers safe in the face of the pandemic. The… Read more »
April 20, 2020 By Allie Griffin Two Queens lawmakers are demanding that essential workers receive hazard pay for their work during the coronavirus pandemic. Assembly Member Aravella Simotas and State Sen. Jessica Ramos sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo and other state leaders on April 14 urging them to use a portion of the… Read more »
April 20, 2020 By Christian Murray The Queens Public Library and Queens College have come together to document people’s experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic–and are calling on residents to share their stories. Queens Memory, a community archiving program supported by the Queens Library and Queens College, has launched the COVID-19 Project that aims to create… Read more »
April 20, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Queens elected officials and local religious figures from various faiths are coming together to host a virtual vigil Tuesday to honor residents who have died due to COVID-19 and the borough’s frontline and essential workers battling the pandemic. The Queens Virtual Interfaith Vigil will be hosted by Acting Queens… Read more »
April 20, 2020 By Allie Griffin Three Queens Council Members have called on the governor to close New York City’s mass transit system for at least a week, only to have the suggestion quickly shot down by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). Council Member Robert Holden penned a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo and MTA… Read more »
April 20, 2020 By Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio has canceled all parades, concerts, festivals and events in New York City scheduled for June as the coronavirus pandemic continues to change daily life. De Blasio announced the cancellations at a press briefing from City Hall today– just a week after cancelling all city-permitted May… Read more »