Health

Food Giveaways Made Thanksgiving Possible During a Once-in-a-Lifetime Pandemic

By DAVID GREENE
With food insecurity never as widespread as it has been throughout 2020, elected officials across the borough were out in force, once again, a few weeks ago handing out frozen turkeys so that Bronxites could enjoy a regular, traditional Thanksgiving dinner, despite the abnormal atmosphere amid the pandemic.   On Monday, Nov. 16, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. joined representatives from FreshDirect and City Harvest at the corner of East 137th Street and Alexander Avenue in Mott Haven, to distribute 700 turkeys with all the trimmings, as well as PPE to local residents. In a press release ahead of the


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Cuomo, De Blasio, NY Officials Unite in Urging Congressional Reps to Provide Fair Stimulus Funding to NY

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Mayor Bill de Blasio, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and New York labor leaders sent a letter to the New York congressional delegation on Wednesday, Dec. 9, outlining the critical need for state and local funding in any stimulus bill in order to prevent massive damage to the State of New York.   The letter was addressed to U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer, Kirstin Gillibrand and members of the New York congressional delegation. In it, officials talked about the desperate circumstances New York suffered at the outset of the COVID-19 crisis that continue today. 


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Cuomo: Additional Restrictions for Indoor Dining if Hospitalization Rates Continue to Rise

Savor the Bronx Aims to Satisfy Taste Buds
By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned on Monday, Dec. 7, that additional restrictions will be applied to indoor dining if hospitalization rates don’t stabilize in the next five days. Currently, bars, restaurants and gyms, as well as any State Liquor Authority-licensed establishment, must close in-person service from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily, and in New York City, eateries are operating at 25 percent capacity. The governor warned that if the hospitalization rate does not stabilize in New York City in the next five days, indoor dining will be suspended.   In regions outside New York City, if the rate does


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NYC Health + Hospitals Continue to Urge New Yorkers To Get Flu Vaccine

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In observation of National Influenza Vaccination Week, NYC Health + Hospitals continues to urge New Yorkers to get a flu vaccine, available at more than 60 patient care sites across the five boroughs.   The CDC recommends everyone aged six months and older get a vaccination to protect against the flu. Protection against the flu is not fully effective for up to two weeks after getting vaccinated, so delaying vaccination may put individuals and those around them at risk of serious illness.   Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the flu shot is critical to get this year to help reduce


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Montefiore Encourages Kids & Families to Join Free Monthly Virtual Dance Parties With DJ Spazo

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Local youth and their families are invited to participate in a series of free Virtual Dance Parties, hosted by Hot 97 FM DJ Spazo. The dance parties are held monthly and are a collaboration between the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore B’N Fit program, the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, Wellness in the Schools, and PS/MS-95.   The goal of the dance parties is to encourage youth to get moving, decompress and connect with peers, while learning some health tips.   The next session will be held on December 17 at 6 p.m.   Prizes of gift cards are awarded for the best


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“Jashawn’s Law” Passed After 18 Years; Honors 8-Year-Old Tragically Killed in 2002 Fire

By DAVID GREENE
A pair of local, elected officials joined housing advocates and attorneys in taking a bow during a recent virtual discussion, following the passage of “Jashawn’s Law,” which establishes deadlines for landlords to make court-ordered repairs to buildings.   State Sen. Robert Jackson joined Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz in a Zoom conference call on Monday, Nov. 16, along with officials from the Legal Aid Society and housing advocacy groups, Take Root Justice and the Fordham-Bedford Housing Corporation.   The bill was put forward by Dinowitz in 2003 in response to the Aug. 6, 2002 blaze at 3569 DeKalb Avenue in Norwood that


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Health Check: Stay Healthy in 2021, Enroll in Insurance Today

By MELISSA CEBOLLERO
The COVID-19 pandemic brought healthcare into the spotlight this year. If you haven’t already done so, take time to enroll in a 2021 health plan through New York State of Health, the state’s official marketplace. Open Enrollment is happening now. You can enroll until Dec. 15 for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2021.   If we talk to our friends, family and neighbors, we can help families get the coverage they need to take care of their health.   Why use NY State of Health? The digital marketplace allows anyone to shop and compare quality affordable health plans. Once you


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Presidential Pardons

By DAVID GREENE
This week, we asked readers if they agree that presidential pardons should be given when a president leaves office. Is it right and just?   “That’s a good question. I believe that if you have a lot of proof, proof like they have on this person, Michael Flynn, there’s so much proof that this guy didn’t do anything wrong, so yeah, I believe in the pardons, even if the president is leaving office. Hey, he still has the ability. He’s still the president, yeah.”   Dawn Marie, Indian Village   “That’s a very interesting question. I don’t know if it’s


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Williamsbridge: Noise Complaints Soar as Police Monitor House Parties to Stop COVID Spread

By GABRIEL POBLETE
Amid the ongoing, opening hour restrictions imposed on clubs, bars and restaurants, currently subject to a 10 p.m. closure, one Bronx district is experiencing skyrocketing, loud music complaints. Since moving to Williamsbridge in the upper Bronx, Venus Carey has had to endure unbearably loud music from neighbors’ parties. She said it has gotten so bad, at times she and her roommate have resorted to booking a hotel to get some respite.   “It’s affecting my productivity,” said Carey, 38. “It’s affecting my mood. It’s affecting my sleep,” she added. “If it happens on a weekend, even on a Saturday, I


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