Eugene Commends Cuomo for COVID-19 Guidance
Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, East Flatbush) yesterday praised Governor Andrew Cuomo for providing guidance to states facing a surge in COVID-19 infection rates.
“I want to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for extending his support and assistance on behalf ofNew York to states that are now facing a surge in COVID-19 infection rates. The novel coronavirus pandemic has had a global impact, and it has been especially harmful to the United States. In order to prevent its continued spread, the most effective solution is to partner with other states to ensure that more people are not put at risk of exposure. We know the critical steps that must be taken in areas of the country experiencing high infection rates so that medical workers have the opportunity to provide care for the sick.
“That is why the partnership and cooperation between our government leaders is so crucial to preventing the spread of this disease. This virus has shown that it does not abide by boundaries or borders and does not discriminate in its ability to infect people from all ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses. In New York, we will be safe when the rest of the country is safe, and we will be fully protected when everyone is protected from the harmful effects of this illness.
“I commend Governor Cuomo, our first responders, essential workers, and all New Yorkers who made the necessary sacrifices that dramatically decreased the infection and mortality rate in New York from when the state was the epicenter of the virus in April. It is our moral responsibility as a city, state, and country to do everything we can to protect the lives of those who are the fabric of our society, and to protect the health and well-being of our constituents. By working together and sharing resources it will be possible for our country to reemerge from this pandemic stronger than ever,” he finished.
Frontus Touts Passage of Bill Protecting Workers
Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Brighton Beach, Gravesend) “Duty to Warn” bill, requiring employers to inform employees of known health and environmental hazards and to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), passed the assembly unanimously yesterday, 141-0.
“It is not enough to value the labor of essential workers who have kept New York going through this crisis, we must also value their lives,” Frontus said.
While the bill was prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is meant to protect workers from any potentially hazardous conditions, such as janitors working in moldy buildings or farm workers whose jobs make it difficult to socially distance, Frontus said.
State Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-Queens) is sponsoring the bill in the state senate.
Rose Provisions In Annual Defense Bill Passes House
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) had provisions in the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA) that passed in the House of Reps. yesterday.
The legislation includes provisions from Rose to better support our servicemembers with toll relief and workforce development programs, as well as extending Agent Orange benefits to tens of thousands of Vietnam veterans.
“Whether deployed overseas or here at home in response to the coronavirus pandemic, our service members continue to put their lives on the line and I’m honored to help pass this legislation providing critical support to them and their families, including a much-deserved pay raise,” said Rose “I fought to include provisions to provide toll relief for military personnel, provide tens of thousands of Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange the benefits they deserve, and expand workforce development programs for Reservists and National Guard members—and am proud to get the job done. Additionally, we are finally removing Confederate traitors from our military installations, including here at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn,” said Rose.
Additionally, the legislation provides a three percent pay raise for service members and includes a bipartisan provision to rename all military bases and infrastructure named after Confederates, including streets at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn which Rose has called to be renamed.
Menchaca to Hold Mask Distribution Event
Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook, Greenwood Heights, Borough Park, Dyker Heights, Windsor Terrace) in collaboration with the Brooklyn community board 7, the Brooklyn public library, and Center for Family life will hold a face mask distribution event in Sunset Park today to rally the community to get counted in the census.
The U.S. Census Bureau will start door-to-door counts on August 11th. To ensure no federal workers come to their home, the Councilmember and advocates will remind the community that they can still fill out the census online or by phone. The self-response phase ends Oct. 31, 2020.
In a predominantly immigrant community that often gets undercounted in the census, the councilmember and community leaders will be helping residents fill out the census to get counted and also be distributing masks and PPE. Sunset Park elected officials are making an important effort to make sure New Yorkers are counted and that our communities get the critical resources and funding they need.
The event is slated to take place at 11 a.m., today, July, 22 at Community Board 7- 4201 4th Ave, entrance on 43rd in Brooklyn.
