Health

HPD Announces Launch of “Heat Season”

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


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

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


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

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


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

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


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

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


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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


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

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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Espaillat leads Effort to Eliminate Barriers to Federal Disaster Relief in Wake of Hurricane Ida

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 that they are leading an effort to eliminate barriers to federal disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Ida.   Espaillat and Meng took the lead in writing a letter, calling on U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Chairman Peter DeFazio, who chairs the congressional committee on transportation and infrastructure, to include Espaillat’s bill, H.R. 3037 – the Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2021 in upcoming emergency disaster supplemental funding.   Espaillat said


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UPDATE Williamsbridge: Search for Missing 15-Year-Old

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 15-year-old boy reported missing in the  47th precinct.   Police reported, on Sept. 17, that Elijah Pratt Johnson of 3638 Holland Avenue (Williamsbridge), 3rd Floor, The Bronx, NY 10467, was last seen at his home on Tuesday Sept. 14, at 10.30 p.m. He is described as male, 15 years old, 5 foot, 6 inches tall, Black, weighs 110 pounds, has brown eyes, black hair and was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, gray sweatpants and black sneakers.   A photograph of Elijah is attached.   Anyone


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