Stringer, Rozic Call on State and City to Expand Holocaust Education
Yesterday, City Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) and Assemblymember Nily Rozic (D-Queens) called on New York to expand Holocaust education and hate crime awareness in middle and high schools.
The two electeds proposed, among other things, providing additional resources for Holocaust-related curriculum, monitoring school compliance with Holocaust education, and promoting news literacy to help students identify misinformation.
“The egregious display of anti-Semitism during the attack on our nation’s Capitol and uptick in hate crimes around our city are a wake-up call that we must re-commit to educating our young people on the dangers of prejudice and bigotry,” said Stringer. “Schools are an important gateway for teaching civic values, and it is our duty to develop citizens who will stand up against discrimination and promote inclusion and acceptance. It starts in the classroom. That’s why the City should provide more outreach, resources, and training to make sure schools are equipped to effectively teach about the Holocaust, bias, and hate crimes. We cannot delay any longer to improve Holocaust education in our schools – our current students, future generations, and our society depends on it.”
Gottfried Reacts to Shocking Report on COVID-19 Nursing Home Deaths
Assemblymember Richard Gottfried (D-Chelsea, Midtown) released a statement yesterday in response to a report from New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), showing that New York State has hidden thousands of COVID-19 nursing home deaths from the public.
The report revealed that the New York State Department of Health (DOH) has undercounted nursing home deaths by as much as 50 percent. It points to several contributing factors, including noncompliance with infection control guidelines and understaffing.
“This is shocking and unconscionable but not surprising,” said Gottfried. “The Health Department refuses to release the number of nursing home patients who came down with COVID-19, were transferred to hospitals, and died there, despite six months of repeated requests by the public, press, and legislators. I and others have long believed that it was drastically undercounting nursing home deaths.
“We need legislative action, including bills I have introduced and supported, and others we are drafting: mandated safe staffing, data reporting, mandated spending levels for patient care, and to deal with for-profit nursing homes. The budget cuts proposed by Governor Cuomo will make this situation even worse.”
Jackson to Host PPE Giveaway
Today, State Senator Robert Jackson (D-Washington Heights, Inwood) will be hosting an event to distribute free masks and hand sanitizer.
Jackson is hosting the event in contribution with NYC Health + Hospitals and the New York Department of Education (DOE). In addition to PPE, Jackson’s team will also be dispensing information on COVID-19 testing and vaccination.
The event will take place today from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at P.S. 128, 560 West 169th St., and from 2-4 p.m. at P.S. 5, 3703 10th Ave.
Maloney Applauds de Blasio for Committing $284 Million To East River Esplanade
U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens), founder and Co-Chair of the East River Esplanade Task Force, released a statement yesterday after Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced that he’d be committing $284 million to East River Esplanade repairs during his State of the City address.
Over the past few years, the East River Esplanade has suffered from sinkhole collapses and other issues of disrepair; the funding, said Maloney, was long overdue.
“I applaud Mayor De Blasio for recognizing the need to repair the East River Esplanade and committing $284 million to this project,” she said. “All along the East River Esplanade, structural integrity is in disrepair. Sinkholes have prevented New Yorkers from accessing this precious green space, and forcing cyclists and pedestrians to share narrow patches of pavement — creating a dangerous bottleneck. As the Founder and Co-Chair of the East River Esplanade Task Force with Councilmember Ben Kallos, I remain committed to improving the esplanade and providing much-needed repairs. NYC Parks are integral to the well-being of our city, and we must ensure that they continue to be safe and accessible for all New Yorkers.”
