Real Estate Industry Group and Union Reach Agreement on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Rules

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations (RAB), the multi-employer group association representing the city‘s real estate industry, and SEIU 32BJ, the union representing 85,000 building service workers in the city, issued, on Saturday, Oct. 2, a comprehensive Memorandum of Agreement covering rules for implementing COVID-19 vaccine requirements for staff working in most city buildings. The agreement, which would cover thousands of commercial and residential properties in the city, sets the process and safeguards which must be followed in the event a site or an employer intends to implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Howard Rothschild, president of the realty advisory board

By SÍLE MOLONEY

October marks Domestic Violence (DV) Awareness Month. Between 2017 and 2018, intimate partner homicides in the Bronx increased by 85.7 percent, from seven in 2017, to 13 in 2018, according to a 2019 report by the New York City DV Fatality Review Committee. Meanwhile, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in 2017 that one in four women, and one in seven men will be victims of DV or abuse in their lifetime. On Friday, Oct. 1, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $6.5 million in funding that will allow state-licensed service providers to offer survivors of domestic violence and

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced on Friday, Oct. 1, the beginning of New York City’s eight-month-long “heat season,” during which all residential building owners are required to maintain indoor temperatures at 68 degrees when outdoor temperatures fall below 55 degrees during the day. Indoor temperatures must also be maintained at a minimum of 62 degrees overnight, regardless of outdoor temperatures. Building owners are legally required to provide hot water at 120 degrees year-round. HPD officials said that during the last heat season, spanning from Oct. 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021, HPD

By SÍLE MOLONEY

State Senator Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), who represents parts of the Bronx, issued a statement on Wednesday, Sept. 29, on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s appointment of Mary Bassett MD, MPH, as the next State health department commissioner, following the recent resignation of Dr. Howard Zucker. “Governor Hochul’s appointment of Dr. Mary Bassett as our State’s next health commissioner is a clear indication that she wants to quickly redirect the agency’s role back to its core mission— to protect and improve the health and well-being of all New Yorkers,” Rivera said. “Dr. Bassett, who will be the first African-American to lead

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), who represents parts of the Northwest Bronx and Northern Manhattan, and Grace Meng (NY-6) who represents parts of Queens, announced on Wednesday, Sept. 22, that they have secured over $11 billion in federal relief to help New Yorkers recover from the devastation caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. “Hurricane Ida marked the second time in two months our communities were flooded as a result of the climate crisis, and New Yorkers need for our support,” said Espaillat. “While we continue to survey the economic toll this storm took on our communities, it’s clear that our people needed immediate

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Editor’s Pick The Off-Broadway in the Boros Fest is coming to the Bronx. Enjoy free, outdoor, theater performances at 1 Fordham Plaza, on Saturday, Oct. 2, from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, go to nyc.gov/OffBwayBoros. Events The Office of Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, The Office of Councilman Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11) and partners will host Bronx Skate Night in the Williamsbridge Oval Park in Norwood (tennis courts) on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call (718) 549 7300 for more information on this free event. Lehman College is marking Hispanic Heritage

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers for their thoughts on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plans to curb misinformation on abortion, as announced on Sept. 13. “You know if women want to have that, they have the right to do that. I don’t agree with certain things, but I can’t comment on that really, you know what I’m saying? They should have the right to do it, but babies need to be born. Republicans always cry they’re pro-life when it comes to abortion, but it never comes up when you’re talking about gun control. Everybody has an opinion, but when babies

Homecoming Concert Celebrates Life, Arts & Culture in “The Boogie-Down”

By JASON GONZALEZ

New York City’s “Homecoming Week” kicked off in the birthplace of Hip Hop, on Monday Aug. 16, when the first of five outdoor concerts was held in Orchard Beach in The Bronx. The music-filled week was launched as a celebration of the City’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, despite health officials warning that more people still need to be vaccinated in order for the City, and country, to advance towards the much coveted state of herd immunity. Citywide, as of Sept. 24, just 62 percent of New Yorkers are fully vaccinated, and in the Bronx, that number is 55

By SHARON ADENIYI

Influenza, or the flu, is an upper respiratory illness caused by a virus that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu is contagious and spreads through droplets from an infected person when they sneeze, cough, or talk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these droplets can travel up to 6 feet, and can land in your nose or mouth. You can also pick up the virus from touching infected surfaces or objects and then touching your eyes or nose. Symptoms of the flu can include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle or body aches,

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Real Estate Industry Group and Union Reach Agreement on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Rules

UPDATE Governor Marks Launch of Domestic Violence Awareness Month with $6.5 Million in Funding

HPD Announces Launch of “Heat Season”

Rivera Hails New State Health Commissioner, Dr. Mary Bassett, as “Exemplary”

Espaillat & Meng Secure Funding for Federal Disaster Relief in Wake of Hurricane Ida

UPDATE Out & About: Bronx Fit Fest, Off-Broadway Boros Fest, Hispanic Heritage Month & More!

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Hochul’s Plans to Curb Misinformation on Abortion

Homecoming Concert Celebrates Life, Arts & Culture in “The Boogie-Down”

Health Check: Get Your Flu Shot to Protect Yourself and Others