March 21, 2020 By Christian Murray New York State has conducted more coronavirus tests than any other state, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced this morning. He said the state has performed 45,000 tests to date, much higher than the states of California and Washington–each having performed 23,000 tests. He said on a per capita basis the… Read more »
March 20, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The Queens Chamber of Commerce has launched a new website to help small local businesses battle the impact coronavirus is having on trade. The new website, QueensBest.org, lists restaurants throughout the borough that are offering delivery and takeout service during the crisis. The government has already shut most businesses… Read more »
March 20, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that hair and nail salons, tattoo parlors and other personal care providers will shutter across New York state from 8 p.m. Saturday. It comes as almost 4,000 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the city with 26 fatalities, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on… Read more »
March 20, 2020 By Christian Murray State Sen. Mike Gianaris is calling for a 90-day suspension of residential and commercial rent for tenants and small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Under Gianaris’ proposal, residential and commercial tenants would have 90 days of rent forgiven if they lost their work or closed due to the… Read more »
March 20, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York City will release 40 inmates on Rikers Island who are vulnerable of complications associated with the novel coronavirus, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday. The individuals have been chosen based on specific health vulnerabilities and their low-risk status, as non-threatening and unlikely to reoffend. The NYPD and… Read more »
March 19, 2020 By Michael Dorgan The city has opened coronavirus tent testing sites outside two hospitals in Queens – NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst (better known as Elmhurst Hospital) and NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens (often called Queens General Hospital)- in response to a surge in people contracting the virus. Coronavirus cases in Queens have soared… Read more »
March 19, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A number of local leaders have condemned U.S. President Donald Trump and some media pundits–such as Tucker Carlson– for labeling the coronavirus the “China virus.” They argue that the use of the term is racist and inflaming discriminatory attacks against New York’s Asian population. Trump has repeatedly used the… Read more »
March 18, 2020, By Michel Dorgan Several local community groups are joining together to organize emergency food deliveries for homebound residents during the coronavirus pandemic. Volunteers from La Jornada, the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, Flushing Interfaith Council, and other community organizations are mobilizing volunteers to deliver food to the needy over the coming days… Read more »
March 18, 2020 By Christian Murray The Queens District Attorney’s office plans to facilitate the arraignment of defendants via video conferencing in an attempt to keep employees and alleged criminals safe from COVID-19. Melinda Katz, Queens District Attorney, announced yesterday that her office has taken a number of steps to protect defendants, victims, witnesses and… Read more »
March 18, 2020 By Christian Murray Forget about the inexpensive Uber ride-share option. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced yesterday that he has signed an executive order than bans shared rides in an effort to promote social distancing. “We want to protect drivers and we want to protect riders alike,” the Mayor said during a press… Read more »