Who Should Be Tested for COVID-19 in the Bronx and Where?

By David Greene

Despite non-stop news coverage, an unprecedented public awareness campaign, and the enormous public health threat caused by the coronavirus pandemic, some Bronxites are still finding it difficult to get tested, locate a testing site, or even get someone on the phone to answer questions. Wakefield carpenter Bruce Bennett, 56, said he’s been calling the City’s health department and 311 for so long, he now believes that if he had the infection, it has probably gone away already. He also called an out-of-state number he had seen on TV. During a telephone interview on Wednesday, Apr. 8, Bennett said, “I’ve

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday, April 8, during his daily COVID-19 briefing that all New Yorkers would be able to apply for an absentee ballot for the June 23 primary and special elections. The governor’s still-pending executive order is expected to codify the third and final component of legislation circulated by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), which called for expanding absentee ballot eligibility to include registered voters who are, “unable or averse to appear personally at polling places due to imminent, impending or urgent disease outbreak, including but not limited to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).” Dinowitz

Councilman Fernando Cabrera Looks to Unseat AOC

On Wednesday, Apr. 8, Council Member Fernando Cabrera issued the following statement on racial disparities in COVID-19 fatalities, with hispanic deaths highest. “The numbers released tell a disgraceful story. What we in low-income communities of color have suspected all along is finally out in the open. There is a tremendous racial disparity in the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic in New York City and throughout the United States. In New York City, Hispanics are 34% of COVID-19 fatalities but only 29% of the population. African-Americans are 28% of fatalities but only 22% of the population. Compared to whites

By Síle Moloney

Police responded to a complaint about an assault that occurred on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 7:10p.m. in front of 344 East 209th street, in Norwood within the confines of the 52nd Precinct. A 19-year-old female reported to police that while she was trying to break up a fight between two males, she sustained a laceration to her finger. She was not hospitalized as a result of this incident. The investigation continues. Meanwhile, anyone with information with regard to this incident should call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public

By Síle Moloney

Students and staff at St. Catharine Academy high school in Allerton are doing what they can to ‘flatten the curve’ and help reduce the burden on the City’s health service, as the Bronx ranks third, after Queens and Brooklyn, in the number of positive COVID-19 cases citywide. The students and staff made a short public awareness video called, “I Stay Home,” highlighting their individual reasons for adhering to the governor’s order to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kerry Schmid, dean of student life and athletic director at the Catholic high school for girls, coordinated the project. She

By David Greene

As New York City hospitals brace for a wave of further sickness and death that could overtax the entire healthcare system before the ‘flattening of the curve’ is reached in the next ten days, members of the New York City Police Benevolent Association (PBA) took time out to thank the staff of Montefiore Hospital. PBA president, Patrick Lynch joined a few dozen members of his union outside Montefiore Children’s Hospital on Bainbridge Avenue at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, April 6, to show their appreciation, delivering drinks and 1,000 sandwiches, hastily made by Panico’s Community Market in Smithstown, Long Island,

By Síle Moloney

Assemblyman, Jeffrey Dinowitz said he received more than one hundred complaints last week alone (excluding those received on social media) about mail that had not been delivered – including mail that contained paychecks, insurance reimbursements, unemployment debit cards, medications, and other essential items. Dinowitz announced on April 4, “United States Postal Service appears to have heard our frustration and have deployed additional carriers this weekend to address the package backlog at Kingsbridge Station”. He added, “I am hopeful that this big push will clear up the whole pipeline and allow the post office to resume reliable mail service in

By Síle Moloney

Reports began circulating on social media on Sunday, April 5 that a tiger at the Bronx Zoo tested positive for coronavirus, prompting people to ask why, given the City’s back-log in COVID-19 testing, the animal appeared to be given priority. Dr. Paul Calle, Bronx Zoo chief veterinarian, provided the following response via Twitter, “The COVID-19 testing that was performed on our Malayan tiger Nadia [pictured] was performed in a veterinary school laboratory and is not the same test as is used for people.” Calle added, “You cannot send human samples to the veterinary laboratory, and you cannot send

By Síle Moloney

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the 11-year-old female in the attached photo who resides in Soundview, within the confines of the 43rd precinct. Details are as follows: Missing: Cyrie Scott 11-year-old female 1715 Bruckner Blvd Bronx, NY It was reported to the police that Scott was last seen Saturday, April 4, 2020 at 10:50 p.m. at her residence. She is described as female Black, 5’3″, 110lbs, thin build, medium complexion, brown eyes with black hair. She was last seen wearing pink sweat pants and gray Ugg boots. Anyone with information with regard