April 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin State Senator Joseph Addabbo is searching for a solution to get farmers’ excess food to hungry New Yorkers. U.S. farmers have been forced to destroy millions of pounds of crops and produce that they would have sold to now shuttered restaurants, hotels and schools, reports show. Meanwhile, thousands of… Read more »
April 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin State Sen. Leroy Comrie is leading an effort to deliver food to frontline healthcare workers at Queens Hospital Center and residents in need in Jamaica. Queens Hospital Center, located at 82-68 164th St., is one of 11 public hospitals that has faced the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic in… Read more »
April 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin The city is about to provide nursing homes with more staff and protective equipment. The city is sending an additional 210 clinical workers to 40 nursing homes this week, doubling the number of clinical workers it has already sent to nursing home facilities across the city. In addition, the… Read more »
April 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin The number of Queens residents killed by the coronavirus is inching towards 4,000, according to city data released today. In total, 3,915 people have died from the virus in the World’s Borough as of yesterday evening, according to the city’s Department of Health. The figures consist of 3,002 people… Read more »
April 22, 2020 By Allie Griffin A new COVID-19 testing facility opened at a pediatric urgent care center in Forest Hills on Monday. PM Pediatrics at 70-20 Austin St. is offering testing to adults and children through appointments booked in advance. Anyone interested in a test must be evaluated in advance to determine whether it… 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 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 Allie Griffin A Long Island City-based company is producing 3,000 “bridge” ventilators for New York City hospitals, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today. Boyce Technologies, a high-tech engineering manufacturer located at 47-22 Pearson Pl., is producing the machines that are being used to treat patients with less severe respiratory symptoms. Critically… 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 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 »