Health

Biaggi Issues Statement Explaining her Vote on Health Care Facilities’ Immunity

By Síle Moloney
State Senator Alessandra Biaggi issued the following statement explaining why she voted against bill S8835 which passed in the State Senate on July 23. The bill amends the public health law, in relation to amending provisions regarding health care facilities and professionals during the COVID-19 emergency. The purpose of the bill is to limit immunity granted in the 2020-21 adopted budget to health care professionals that are providing diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 directly to confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients.   “More than 6,500 New Yorkers have died in nursing homes and adult care facilities from COVID-19 – almost 800


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Espaillat Calls on Hispanic Caucus to Condemn Yoho’s Verbal Attack on AOC

By SÍLE MOLONEY
On July 24, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), who serves as Whip of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), called on the Leadership of Congress to urge formal action be taken to condemn Congressman Ted Yoho (FL-03) for what he called Yoho’s unacceptable conduct directed at Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) while on the steps of the United States Capitol on Tuesday, as reported by The Hill.   Espaillat and CHC members have called for the censure of Rep. Yoho to allow all House members to formally vote on a resolution disapproving of Rep. Yoho’s reprehensible behavior. Yoho said he regretted and attempted


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NYC BID Association Calls on New York’s Leaders to Save Businesses and Preserve Commercial Corridors

Merchant Spotlight: A Family Business Grows at JGHBID 
By Síle Moloney
Citing the devastating effects of the pandemic and ongoing civil unrest, the New York City Business Improvement District Association called on Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson on Tuesday, July 21 to implement a nine-point plan aimed at ensuring the vitality of New York businesses and the areas they serve.   “The City and State must find ways to stimulate commercial activity or we will continue to lose businesses and jobs at an alarming rate,” said Robert J. Benfatto, co-chair of the Association. “Our action plan offers a set of steps


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Senate Majority Passes Legislation Banning ICE Agents From Making Arrests In New York’s Courthouses

By Síle Moloney
The New York State Senate Democratic Majority today passed legislation to ban Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents from making arrests in New York courthouses. The bill S.425A, sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman, protects New Yorkers from civil arrests while going to court and conducting or returning from a court proceeding.   “No New Yorker should fear participating in the justice system, regardless of their documentation,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “The Protect Our Courts Act will give undocumented New Yorkers the peace of mind and sense of safety they deserve while visiting a court, and I commend Senator Hoylman for sponsoring this


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NY GOP Statement on Gov. Cuomo’s Trip to Georgia and “Refusal to Quarantine Upon Return”

Bronx Teen First Vaping-Related Death in New York State
By Síle Moloney
The NY GOP issued a statement on July 21 regarding Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s recent trip to Georgia, and what the party referred to as the governor’s “refusal to quarantine upon return”.  “Once again, New Yorkers are witnessing the ‘do as I say, not as I do’ arrogance of King Cuomo who always has one set of rules for himself and another for everyone else,” the statement from NY GOP Chairman, Nick Langworthy, read.   “Instead of taking vanity trips and auditioning on the presidential stage, he should be testifying on the hearing stage for his disastrous nursing home mandate that


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Bronx Community Board 8 Special Committee Meeting on Racial Equity on July 21

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A Special Committee Meeting on Racial Equity will be hosted by Bronx Community Board 8 on Tuesday, July 21, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held via ZOOM. The link is as follows: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87110342110. Participants can also call in on 1( 646) 558- 8656. The Pin is 87110342110#.   The agenda will cover the following topics:   1. Establish meeting cadence for the summer 2. Establish outline for September report to Executive Committee and assignments 3. Review proposed frameworks put forth by committee members Jyll Townes and Margaret Della  

Cabrera to Host Food and Mask Giveaway July 21 at University Avenue & W. Burnside Avenue

Councilman Fernando Cabrera Looks to Unseat AOC
By SÍLE MOLONEY
Councilman Fernando Cabrera and the Bronx Parent Housing Network community residents are hosting a free food and mask event on Tuesday, July 21, 2020  at 12:30 p.m., at University Avenue & W. Burnside Avenue Bronx, NY 10453   “This community was one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cabrera said. “We have many essential workers here who risked their lives to keep the rest of us going. We’re all happy about the progress we’ve made as a community and a city, in stopping the community spread of COVID-19, but we still have work to do. People still need help and


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Six Bronx Schools Close, Late Night BBQs Rage, and Shelter Residents Move to Times Square: The Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out Now!

By Síle Moloney
Dear Readers, I hope you’re all safe, and surviving the current heatwave! On July 19, it reached 98 degrees in parts of the City. With the hot weather set to continue through the rest of the week, it’s really important for everyone, especially our elderly residents to stay cool and hydrated. Check out some of the tips we published from the American Heart Association on how to manage the heat and protect hearts.   With my sincere apologies for the delay, I confirm that this year’s eighth and latest edition of the Norwood News is out now. Our cover story


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Dinowitz: Vote By Mail Legislation Gathering Pace This Week, as Presidential Election Beckons

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As COVID-19 surges around the United States, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz has been pushing for legislation that would expand New York voters’ ability to vote by mail in upcoming elections. Building on efforts to authorize absentee voting following the latest primary elections on June 23, it appears that legislation from Dinowitz will be passed in a flurry of Albany activity this week.   The legislation would temporarily alter the definition of illness with respect to absentee voting eligibility to include “risk of contracting or spreading a disease that may cause illness to the voter or to other members of the public”.


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