Queens Lawmakers Join Airport Workers for Healthy Terminals Act
Aravella Simotas
State Assemblymembers Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria, parts of Long Island City) and Catalina Cruz (D-Corona, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights), State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, parts of Astoria, Woodside) and City Council Member Francisco Moya (D-East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, LaGuardia Airport) are set today to announce a resolution supporting frontline airport workers getting quality, affordable health insurance.
The announcement comes as 32BJ SEIU airport member leaders will meet near LaGuardia airtport to discuss their fight for health care and to pass the Healthy Terminals Act (S6266/A8142), which could provide immediate access to quality, affordable health insurance for tens of thousands of New York airport workers.
The lawmakers will hold a press conference to shed further light on the issue at 12:30 p.m., today, March 12 at the Hampton Inn, 102-40 Ditmars Blvd. in East Elmhurst near LaGuardia Airport.
Queens Lawmakers Announce Cancellation of Greek Independence Celebration
Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, parts of Woodside, Maspeth, Ridgewood, Woodhaven), acting Borough President Sharon Lee, Assembly Member Aravella Simotas, and City Council Member Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, parts of Long Island City, Woodside) announced yesterday that the annual Queens Greek Independence Celebration, scheduled for tomorrow March 13 has been canceled to prevent further spread of the Coronavirus.
“Protecting public health must be our top priority and while we do not believe there is any direct threat to the community from hosting this event, the prudent choice is to avoid large public gatherings at this time,” said Gianaris.
“While we haven’t received word of a direct impact to our community, we want to minimize any risk of spreading the coronavirus and take precautionary measures. As elected officials, we can’t take any chances with the health of our residents. Out of an abundance of caution, we are postponing Friday’s event,” said Simotas.
“We must ensure our neighbors our safe at this time, which means remaining calm yet vigilant. Though we must cancel this Friday’s festivities, we must still celebrate the Greek values of civic virtue by watching out for our neighbors,” said Constantinides.
A date to reschedule has not yet been chosen.
Addabbo Bill Requires Schools to Carry and Train Staff on Opioid Antagonists
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) yesterday saw the Senate Education Committee pass his bill (S.3772) requiring NYS high schools to possess an opioid antagonist and have trained staff present during all school activities.
“Many schools open their doors to the community for programs or often serve as civic spaces beyond normal classroom hours. With the opioid crisis at critical levels, we must add an extra layer of protection for our students,” said Addabbo, a member of the committee since being elected to the Senate.
Addabbo sponsored free a Narcan training event in September at Atlas Park. The purpose of Opioid antagonist training is to teach individuals how to recognize an overdose, what to do during an overdose and how to administer Narcan, a medication used to block the effects of opioids.
Narcan is a safe medication that can save someone’s life by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose. It only works on opioids, such as heroin, prescription painkillers and fentanyl, but it is safe to use even if opioids are not present. Individuals interested in additional Narcan training opportunities can contact my office or call the NYC Health Department.
The next step for Addabbo’s Senate bill would be a vote before the full Senate.
Kim Celebrates Women’s History Month
Assemblymember Ron Kim (D-Whitestone, Flushing, College Point, Murray Hill) today will celebrate Women’s History Month by hosting a celebratory event honoring seven remarkable New Yorkers and their achievements.
Each of these women will be receiving the “Unsung Sheroe Award” for their extraordinary work and the positive impact they have had on their communities in New York. Due to the ongoing global health crisis, there will not be a live audience for this celebration. It will be video streamed online for all members of the community.
Awardees include Karina Aybar, Yiatin Chu, Sahira Durrani, Brennan Gang, Isabel Hocevar, Joann Hsieh, Monica Rodriguez and Yang Zeng.
The event is slated for 6 p.m., today, March 12 at the Queens Public Library, 41-17 Main Street in Flushing.
