Eichenstein, Yeger Demands School Parks Open
Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein (D-Borough Park, Midwood) and New York City Councilman Kalman Yeger (D-Borough Park, Bensonhurst, Midwood) sent a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio demanding that the city’s public schoolyards be opened so children will have plenty of space to play.
“Now the situation has changed, it is time for us to revisit some of our original decisions. Parks and playgrounds are open. Restaurants and bars are open. Salons are open. Retail stores are open. And sports will make a comeback. Why not our schoolyards? It’s a no-brainer,” they wrote in the letter.
Back on April 1, Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered all playgrounds statewide to be shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But on June 11, as the state began to reopen, the Governor authorized local governments to open playgrounds at their discretion.
Still, de Blasio was determined to keep the city’s playgrounds closed, causing Senator Simcha Felder, Eichenstein, and Yeger to demand that the Mayor take action. Accordingly, Eichenstein and Yeger have reached out to the Mayor demanding that the schoolyards, as well as the playgrounds, be reopened for all the city’s children. This will greatly enhance their options for outdoor fun as they look forward to a warm, relaxing, and enjoyable summer.
Myrie Sends Some Updates
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) wants to update people that this upcoming July he will have Senator Myrie’s Community Day of Healing.
Other Coronavirus Updates:
Tracking:
- 46,428 tests were performed yesterday with 391 tests coming back positive (0.84% of total). Hospitalizations fell to 853, and tragically, 7 more people died after testing positive for the virus.
Re-opening:
- As cases surge around the country, the pace of reopening here at home remains uncertain. Although we are scheduled to enter Phase 3 of reopening next Monday, the governor and mayor announced today that they have not yet made a final decision on indoor dining, and we do not yet know when schools will be allowed to reopen, though the state’s deadline to make a decision is due in two days.
Rose Helps Pass Protection to Lower Healthcare Costs
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (South Brooklyn, Staten Island) helped pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, of which he is a cosponsor, to lower health costs and prescription drug prices for all Americans.
“Anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock for the past few months knows that right now, we need to be strengthening our health care systems, not cutting coverage and jacking up costs,” Rose said. “By expanding coverage and lowering costs for my constituents, Congress is finally putting the health and economic security of the American people first, instead of Big Pharma.”
The bill negotiates for lower prescription drug prices, delivering the power to negotiate lower drug prices so that Americans no longer have to pay more for our medicines than Big Pharma charges for the same drugs overseas. According to a new report from Patients for Affordable Drugs, from January to June, 245 drugs were subject to an average price increase of more than 20 percent. Of these drugs with price hikes by Big Pharma, more than 75 percent directly relate to the COVID-19 crisis, including 30 drugs that are currently in clinical trials for their effect against the virus.
Cornegy to Give Out Care Packages Today
Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. (D-Bedford Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) will partner with Walgreens to distribute essential supplies. Joining the effort will be community volunteers.
the 79th Police Precinct will also assist with the supply distribution. Community care packages may include personal protective equipment like gloves, masks, hand sanitizer, and other household items donated to support the Bed-Stuy community.
This event is slated to take place at 2 p.m., today, June 30 at the Restoration Plaza, Amphitheater, 1368 Fulton Street in Bed-Stuy.
Colton Speaks about Community Problems at Event
Assemblyman William Colton (Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) recently spoke at a socially distanced community meeting held at the Chinese American Social Service Center with Captain Rubin, Executive Officer of the 62nd Police Precinct and other officers in attendance.
The 62nd Precinct is scheduling a series of meetings to reach out to the community to get the input on keeping good community relations. The Captain has reported the good news that crime in the precinct jurisdiction continues to be very low., as the speaker.
“Let me make it clear I do not support “defunding the police”, and I urge we give all these dedicated men and women police officers a big round of applause for going out every day, risking their lives to protect all of us,” Colton said.
The problem of fireworks and the need to reduce them were raised at the meeting. The Captain acknowledged there has been a large number of fireworks incidents in our neighborhood. The captain pointed out that under NYC policy NYPD will be one of several city agencies in a multi-agency task force to focus on cutting off the suppliers and people should call 311 to report incidents and he promised officers will be sent out.
“I strongly believe the support our community shows the police is an important reason our neighborhood continues to enjoy a low crime rate. We will continue to work to unite all people, fight all forms of hate and racism and work to create a safe and secure neighborhood,” Colton added.
