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 Allie Griffin Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that he plans to slash billions of dollars from the city’s budget for the 2021 fiscal year that begins July 1. He has proposed cutting $2.7 billion in funding to ease a loss of tax revenue that the city estimates to be $7.4… Read more »
April 16, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City will offer 11,000 free hotel rooms to New Yorkers who live in overcrowded households in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19, Mayor Bill de Blasio said today. The initiative, which begins next Wednesday, is targeted toward hard-hit communities where many impoverished families live in… 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 Allie Griffin All New Yorkers must wear a mask or face covering while in public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today. Cuomo will sign an executive order today to mandate the face covering requirement in places across the state where people aren’t able to keep six… 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 »
April 15, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City grocery stores should require customers to wear a face covering or mask while shopping amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Bill de Blasio said today. “I’m giving the guidance to all supermarkets and groceries — require customers, require customers to wear face coverings when they come… Read more »