American Legion of Co-op City Commemorates Memorial Day Despite ‘PAUSE’ Order

By Síle Moloney

The American Legion of Co-op City, Post 1871 gathered at 2049 Bartow Avenue, at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, 2020 for a wreath-laying ceremony and car parade, in place of the annual Memorial Day ceremony. The event went ahead despite the statewide ‘PAUSE’ order which is still in effect in New York City and in other regions of the state, and which precludes non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason. The PAUSE order dictates that parties, celebrations or other social events are canceled or postponed at this time and that any concentration of individuals

By Síle Moloney

Traditionally, the Muslim festival of Idul-Fitr (Eid Al-Fitr) is a time of joyous celebration, one shared among friends and family to mark the end of Ramadan, a month-long period during which Muslim Americans fast during daylight hours, and offer up additional prayer and reflection. The holiday is also usually an occasion to join together in prayer as part of a congregation. Due to the prevailing statewide PAUSE order, and related social distancing restrictions, celebrations which would normally have taken place on Sunday, May 24, were markedly quieter this year. Ahead of Sunday’s holiday, the Islamic Circle of North

As New Yorkers begin to enjoy the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos is encouraging people to engage in responsible recreation close to home during the State’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. DEC recommendations incorporate guidance from the CDC and the New York State Department of Health for reducing the spread of infectious diseases. The agency encourages New Yorkers to recreate locally, practice physical distancing, show respect, and use common sense to protect themselves and others. DEC is implementing additional measures at its facilities statewide, particularly in high

Jacqueline Acevedo-Villanueva, Mary Kay Sales Director, along with her colleagues Marina Lopez and Areliz Diaz, made a special trip to North Central Bronx Hospital (NCB) on Wednesday, May 20, to donate 100 ‘Satin Hands’ care packages to front line essential workers as a pampering treat. Acevedo-Villanueva, who was born and raised in the Bronx, and who leads a team of over 50 women in her role at Mary Kay, a global beauty brand, donated the care packages as a thank you gesture to NCB nurses, and to all who she described as “the heroes on the front lines”.

By Síle Moloney

Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine announced on May 21 that they were the first sites in the nation to begin evaluating an investigational drug in two separate, FDA-approved trials: one to treat mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19, and the other to treat severely ill COVID-19 patients. Doctors are hopeful that the drug being trialled, leronlimab, may prevent an inflammatory condition that fatally damages the lungs and other organs in many COVID-19 patients. Both hospitals were also the first sites in New York State to begin trials of the drug, remdesivir, in COVID-19 patients, as

By Síle Moloney

A group of dental assistants employed by Union Community Health Center in the Bronx, who were terminated after being transferred to St. Barnabas Hospital, and reassigned to care for COVID-19 patients, abruptly cancelled a planned protest which was due to take place on Friday, May 22 at 12:30PM. The rally was planned to highlight what activists say were unjust terminations, and lack of transparency at both Union Community Health Center and at St. Barnabas Hospital. The dental assistants – members of 1199SEIU- were told they were being transferred from Union Community Health Center, then put on a

By Síle Moloney

As New York State prepares to gradually re-open, State Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, and Councilman Andrew Cohen distributed free face masks, gloves and hand sanitizers to residents on May 20, 2020 outside Lexa Bar & Grill on East 204th Street. Norwood News previously reported that although a number of free mask distribution events were held in the local area throughout May, mask supplies tended to run out in a very short space of time. So, why are masks so important? A new study from the University of Hong Kong shows that wearing a mask does

On Thursday, 21 May, at 2:00 p.m., Voices Of Community Activists & Leaders (VOCAL-NY) will be joined by members of the City Council who have pledged to advance a call for a new vision and drastic realignment in City budget priorities. VOCAL-NY are calling for the creation of a housing, public health and social services workforce. The group also wants to see a collaborative effort by the Department of Social Services, Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, and Housing Preservation and Development, to tackle issues of incarceration, homelessness, overdose, substance use and mental health. VOCAL-NY is a statewide

In response to a distinct uptick in midnight fireworks concentrated in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Council Member Andrew Cohen, and Congressman Eliot Engel have issued the following statement: “We appreciate that some of our neighbors want to show their support for essential workers and that using small firecrackers – although illegal in New York City – is a way for them to do that during the 7pm clap. However, the fireworks being set off later into the evening – even after midnight – are not firecrackers. They are massive, loud, and startling for many

Norwood News

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Health

Food & Mask Giveaway Held At Pelham Parkway as Muslim-Americans Celebrate Eid Holiday

New Yorkers Encouraged to Discover Outdoor Spaces Close to Home

Mary Kay Sales Director Donates over 100 Pampering Sets To NCB Essential Workers

Bronx Hospitals Lead Nationwide Investigative Drug Trial For Severe Lung Inflammation From COVID-19

Dental Assistants Forced to Treat COVID-19 Patients, then Terminated, Cancel Planned Protest On May 22

Elected Officials Distribute Masks, As New Study Shows They Work

Elected Officials Call To Curtail Fireworks Out of Respect For Front Line Workers