Eugene Gracious to Cuomo for Free COVID-19 Testing Site
Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, East Flatbush) thanked Governor Andrew Cuomo and The National Guard for setting up a free COVID-19 Testing Site at The Sears Parking lot, located at 2307 Beverley Road in Flatbush.
“On behalf of my constituents, I would like to thank Governor Cuomo for opening this very important testing center for COVID-19 in the 40 the District. I also want to commend The National Guard and the many healthcare professionals who are working tirelessly to provide this critical testing in the District I am privileged to serve. The site is located at 2307 Beverley Road in Brooklyn and will be by appointment only by calling 1-888-364-3065.
“We are fighting a horrible virus which affects everyone, and is increasingly dangerous for the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. I want to commend the many healthcare workers both locally and from across the country who are risking their own health and that of their families to protect New Yorkers from this pandemic. While several medications have been tested, there is no approved treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. That is why it is extremely important for all of us to do our part to prevent the spread of this virus.
“I appreciate the substantial adjustments and sacrifices that New Yorkers have made to protect our community during this health scare. The practice of social distancing, covering your mouth and nose when in public, washing your hands, and staying inside while taking care of loved ones are not easy, but allow us to collectively preserve and maintain the wellbeing of our city. I am urging everyone in the community to call the number listed to get tested for COVID-19. I appreciate your continued cooperation during this very difficult moment and may God bless you and your family.”
Adams Demands DOHMH Identify Hotspots
Borough President Eric Adams stood in front of State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center on Saturday to demand the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) identify COVID-19 “hotspots” by zip code based on the geographic distribution of confirmed cases, and that the City surge resources, including mobile testing centers and culturally-sensitive outreach, to the affected areas.
The call comes after statistics released earlier this week showed that black and brown communities were bearing the brunt of this pandemic, with 62 percent of the deaths from COVID-19 captured by existing data consisting of African-American and Latino people. The concentration of many of these cases in certain communities, coupled with the fact that testing often isn’t reaching these same communities, suggests a need for more targeted outreach that prioritizes vulnerable populations.
Bichotte Sends Coronavirus Updates
Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) updated the public on Friday regarding the coronavirus pandemic and the announcement from Governor Cuomo about a new testing site – the Sears Parking Lot in Flatbush.
Governor Cuomo announced a new COVID-19 drive-through mobile testing site in Bichotte’s 42nd Assembly District.
Other Cuomo Announcements:
- Governor Cuomo announced that $200 million will go towards the Emergency Food Assistance program for low-income families enrolled in SNAP.
- Governor Cuomo is working with the Congressional delegation to create a COVID-19 Heroes Compensation Fund for essential workers and their families.
Other Updates:
- Airbnb is partnering with 1199 SIEU to provide housing to their members. Airbnb provided a $2 million donation to supply hotel rooms at no cost to frontline workers.
- The InterContinental Times Square, Yotel, and the Hudson Hotel is providing an additional 800 free hotel rooms to out of state healthcare workers who are coming to NYC.
- Billie Jean King Tennis Stadium is now accepting COVID-19 patients. The temporary hospital facility will have 470 beds and an additional 20 ICU beds.
- Mayor De Blasio is asking the federal government foranti-body testing and large-scale testing for New York City.
- Thermometers were delivered to city building, court building, 911 call centers and educational buildings. NYPD precincts, FDNY houses and sanitation garages will also receive thermometers.
Lander to Host Town Hall for Vulnerable Populations
City Councilmember Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Gowanus) is organizing a town hall this Thursday to get plugged into advocacy efforts for vulnerable populations during COVID-19 and a just recovery from the economic effects of the crisis.
“This week, we also got more data about the disproportionate toll that this virus is having on communities of color, made more vulnerable by less access to health care, greater exposure to air pollution, and existing health disparities. Latinos and African-Americans are more likely to be low-wage essential workers, more likely to be tenants at risk of losing their homes, less likely to have savings to fall back on, more likely to contract COVID-19, more likely to be hospitalized, and more likely to die.
“With that lens in mind, I’ve been reflecting on the idea of being “all in this together.” This virus has shown us how interdependent we are, and how much our actions have an impact on the collective public health. We are all trying to adjust to this impossible time of grief and anxiety and the challenges of shutdown,” wrote Lander.
The town hall is slated for 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 16. Register here.
Clarke- Petition to Pass Vote-by-Mail 2020
U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Park Slope) is asking you to join with her in signing a petition demanding Congress pass vote-by-mail for the 2020 election as soon as possible.
“I’ll come right out and say it: We need a national vote-by-mail program implemented immediately to ensure the integrity of the 2020 election. COVID-19 has upended our way of life, but we cannot let upend our democracy and the right to vote.
“New York has pushed its presidential primary to June 23rd, the same day as my Congressional primary, and is allowing all voters to vote absentee to avoid putting themselves and volunteers at an increased risk of spreading the virus. This was the right move; no one should have to choose between their health and exercising their constitutional right to vote.
“As a member of the Bipartisan Congressional Coronavirus Task Force, I can tell you that COVID-19 will have lingering impacts on marginalized communities across the country. This could have major implications at the polls, both in the primary and the general election,” wrote Clarke.
To sign the Petition click here.
