De Blasio Accosts Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) released a statement on Sunday in response to White House Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett, who claimed that New York City may not need a phase four stimulus.
“Well, let me tell you something, Kevin; why don’t you come to New York City?” asked de Blasio. “Why don’t you go to Elmhurst Hospital? Why don’t you talk to the families who have lost their loved ones? Or go to the ICUs where hundreds of people are still fighting for their lives? So, I hope President Trump will renounce these comments immediately. I don’t know why this guy is his economic advisor, if he could say something like that. The President needs to speak up and say that’s absolutely unacceptable.
“Right now we know that, in Congress, intense effort is going on to create a stimulus. Why? Because what’s happening in cities and states all over the country right now – red states and blue states, red cities and blue states – is that mayors and governors are unfortunately having to cut back more and more, and it’s soon going to affect the basic services we all depend on.”
Espaillat Talks on MSNBC About When to Open Up the Country
U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan, Bronx) appeared on MSNBC last Sunday to discuss the prospect of reopening the country.
As Espaillat explained, the issue is particularly pertinent to his district; 16,000 people in his district alone have tested positive for COVID-19. Thus, he said, it will be especially dangerous to his constituents if we open up prematurely.
“It’s the smallest district geographically in the country,” said Espaillat. “People literally live on top of each other. And it will be extremely dangerous to open up irresponsibly, prematurely. It could set up a spike in the number of cases.”
Williams Reprimands NYPD for Inequities in Social Distancing Enforcement
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (D) released the following statement yesterday, following a wave of arrests over the weekend for violations of social distancing mandates.
Two weeks prior, Williams had requested the release of demographic data related to arrests for social distancing violations. In today’s statement, he said that last weekend confirmed his worst fears – namely, a trend of selective enforcement that punishes communities of color.
“The incidents we saw this past weekend in our parks and on our streets and social media feeds have made it abundantly clear that the same historical disparities in police enforcement are reflected in and magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic response,” said Williams. This inequity is made clear when some violating social distancing receive a mask while others receive a summons, when some are warned and others violently arrested.
“Social distancing and mask mandates are about public health and public safety; but public safety does not equate with over-policing.”
Rivera Calls on Hospitals to Establish “Compassionate Helper” Volunteer Corps
Yesterday, Councilmember Carlina Rivera (D-East Village, Gramercy Park) lead 35 of her colleagues in calling for a “Compassionate Helper” Volunteer Program to sustain communication between hospitalized COVID-19 patients and their family members.
Rivera explained her idea in a letter to New York City Health + Hospitals and the Greater New York Hospital Association. Compassionate Helpers would provide patients with the companionship they need during their hospitalization; they would also communicate directly with each patients’ loved ones, providing updates on the patients’ condition. The helpers would come from a corps of volunteers who have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies.
“One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this pandemic is the loneliness that results from necessary safety protocols and isolation to contain it,” wrote Rivera. “To try and prevent further distress for families of patients who are currently suffering or dying alone, we ask that you implement this type of program as quickly and safely as possible.”
