Johnson, De Blasio Announce Plans to Implement Street Safety Measures
Yesterday, Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen) and Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced plans to implement up to 100 miles of street closures, sidewalk widening, and additional bike lanes over the next month.
The plan’s purpose is to allow New Yorkers to socially distance in public; thus, it focuses on the neighborhoods that the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the hardest.
“The Council is thrilled our calls for open streets have been answered and looks forward to working with the administration to give New Yorkers the space they need to socially distance properly,” said Johnson. “As the weather gets nicer and this unprecedented crisis stretches on longer, we need to do everything in our power to keep our neighbors safe and healthy. This announcement is a great starting point for the ongoing conversation about how we share our public spaces during this pandemic and in a post-coronavirus future.”
Espaillat Shares Good News About Paycheck Protection Program
U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-Washington Heights, Sugar Hill) released a statement yesterday afternoon, sharing several important updates about the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
The PPP is a federal loan program created to help business owners keep employees on their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last Friday, Congress approved an additional $310 billion in funding for the program; today the Small Business Administration (SBA) began accepting applications.
“The Small Business Administration will begin accepting PPP applications today, and I encourage all minority and small businesses in my district to apply,” said Espaillat. “The impact of COVID-19 to the Latino and African American owned businesses in my district has been devastating and I’m calling for immediate relief and funding for these companies to ensure our communities are not left behind in our fight to combat this virus and its impact.”
Brewer, Velázquez, Bishop to Speak at Small Business Webinar
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer (D), U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-LES, Brooklyn, Queens) and Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Gregg Bishop will be speaking today at a webinar entitled “Small Business Perspective on Coronavirus Pandemic”.
The event, which is part of City & State New York’s webinar series, will summarize the aid provided to small businesses as part of the $2 trillion stimulus package passed last month. Small business owners are encouraged to attend, as they’ll get the opportunity to exchange information and learn about the benefits they’re entitled to.
The meeting will take place today from 2-3 p.m. To register, click here.
De Blasio, McCray: Coronavirus Makes Inequality Even Deadlier
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) and First Lady Chirlane McCray wrote an op-ed for Buzzfeed News yesterday, in which they outline their plan to address the COVID-19 crisis in communities of color.
The article begins by disputing the idea of the coronavirus being “the great equalizer”. Although people of all races and socioeconomic classes have contracted the virus, the pandemic has disproportionately harmed communities of color. This is because people of color make up a large percentage of frontline workers, and they’re more likely to live in multigenerational homes, where social distancing is more difficult.
The article then goes into a multi-step solution to the crisis. It includes continuing to fund our public hospitals, launching a massive public awareness campaign, and expanding their phone-a-clinician program that facilitates easier access to medical care.
“Someday, this crisis will end — in New York City and across the world. When it does, it’s on us to build something even better. It’s on us to continue the mission we’ve devoted ourselves to for six years — to keep tearing down every wall of inequality, and bringing opportunity and fairness to every single New Yorker. That’s the only way forward. And it’s exactly what we’ll do.”
