April 22, 2020 By Christian Murray A federal loan program designed to help small businesses stay afloat is likely to get a $310 billion injection in cash in coming days—but critics argue that it will not do much to save Queens businesses. The Payment Protection Program, which essentially provides business owners with a forgivable loan… Read more »
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 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 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 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 Christian Murray Mayor Bill de Blasio is calling on New Yorkers to report business owners and fellow residents who are not adhering to the social distancing guidelines. The mayor said Saturday that this was not snitching but was needed to save lives. “I’m sorry this is not snitching, this is about… Read more »
April 18, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The MTA has launched a new campaign to remind riders that masks are required to be worn by law while using its services. The agency started rolling out the “Keep them Covered” campaign Saturday and signage is going up at MTA stations and on trains telling straphangers to cover… Read more »
April 17, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The city has joined forces with a prominent foundation to create a new COVID-19 relief program for undocumented immigrants that will see some families receive up to $1,000, Mayor Bill De Blasio has announced. The Open Society, a progressive philanthropic foundation, has donated $20 million to the city and… Read more »
April 17, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Several Queens officials are backing legislation that would ban vehicles on up to 75 miles of city streets to create space for pedestrians. Council Members Costa Constantinides, Daniel Dromm and Peter Koo are supporting legislation that would block vehicles from certain roads so that the public can use them… Read more »