The Week in Photos During a Global Pandemic

By David Greene

It’s hard to believe that it’s been less than three months since the first person was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the United States on Jan. 20, 2020, or that it’s been less than a month since New York was declared a federal disaster area. Officials reported on Apr. 10, that the daily death toll resulting from the coronavirus in New York State fell for the first time, indicating a possible sign of the long-awaited “flattening of the curve” officials had been expecting. In that one 24-hour period, 777 deaths were reported, down from the previous day’s high of 799.

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

As a steady stream of customers enters Craft Empanadas on East Gun Hill Road, the blue tape on the floor reminds them to stay six feet apart. “We are an essential business and I’m happy we can stay open,” said Ricky Rodriguez. Along with his wife, Shary, the couple prepare 188 different flavors of empanadas at the Norwood location that opened in June 2018. Although happy to stay open for business, Rodriguez acknowledges that the restrictions associated with the coronavirus have severely reduced his daily sales. “Before, we used to average about 400 empanadas a day, but now

By David Greene

Despite non-stop news coverage, an unprecedented public awareness campaign, and the enormous public health threat caused by the coronavirus pandemic, some Bronxites are still finding it difficult to get tested, locate a testing site, or even get someone on the phone to answer questions. Wakefield carpenter Bruce Bennett, 56, said he’s been calling the City’s health department and 311 for so long, he now believes that if he had the infection, it has probably gone away already. He also called an out-of-state number he had seen on TV. During a telephone interview on Wednesday, Apr. 8, Bennett said, “I’ve

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday, April 8, during his daily COVID-19 briefing that all New Yorkers would be able to apply for an absentee ballot for the June 23 primary and special elections. The governor’s still-pending executive order is expected to codify the third and final component of legislation circulated by Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), which called for expanding absentee ballot eligibility to include registered voters who are, “unable or averse to appear personally at polling places due to imminent, impending or urgent disease outbreak, including but not limited to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).” Dinowitz

Councilman Fernando Cabrera Looks to Unseat AOC

On Wednesday, Apr. 8, Council Member Fernando Cabrera issued the following statement on racial disparities in COVID-19 fatalities, with hispanic deaths highest. “The numbers released tell a disgraceful story. What we in low-income communities of color have suspected all along is finally out in the open. There is a tremendous racial disparity in the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic in New York City and throughout the United States. In New York City, Hispanics are 34% of COVID-19 fatalities but only 29% of the population. African-Americans are 28% of fatalities but only 22% of the population. Compared to whites

By Síle Moloney

Students and staff at St. Catharine Academy high school in Allerton are doing what they can to ‘flatten the curve’ and help reduce the burden on the City’s health service, as the Bronx ranks third, after Queens and Brooklyn, in the number of positive COVID-19 cases citywide. The students and staff made a short public awareness video called, “I Stay Home,” highlighting their individual reasons for adhering to the governor’s order to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kerry Schmid, dean of student life and athletic director at the Catholic high school for girls, coordinated the project. She

By David Greene

As New York City hospitals brace for a wave of further sickness and death that could overtax the entire healthcare system before the ‘flattening of the curve’ is reached in the next ten days, members of the New York City Police Benevolent Association (PBA) took time out to thank the staff of Montefiore Hospital. PBA president, Patrick Lynch joined a few dozen members of his union outside Montefiore Children’s Hospital on Bainbridge Avenue at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, April 6, to show their appreciation, delivering drinks and 1,000 sandwiches, hastily made by Panico’s Community Market in Smithstown, Long Island,

By Síle Moloney

Mount Sinai researchers are tracking COVID-19 across New York City through a program called STOP COVID NYC. The public’s participation in the program survey will help healthcare workers and government officials advise the community on how to slow COVID-19 transmission in New York City. Public participation in the ongoing survey could also help predict smaller outbreaks within neighborhoods of New York City and enable Mount Sinai to alert medical professionals in those affected areas and allocate resources accordingly. Who Can Participate? Everyone. Mount Sinai is collecting information and tracking symptom development from all New York City residents and workers. The

By Síle Moloney

New measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus were announced on April 2. NYC Parks’ playgrounds and the amenities contained within, such as basketball courts, handball courts and restrooms, are closed until further notice. The citywide enforcement effort to encourage social distancing among park-goers remains in place, involving multiple City agencies, including NYPD, OSE, the Sheriff’s Office, DEP, DSNY, DOB, and FDNY. The City will continue to monitor conditions and determine if more severe restrictions are necessary. As it stands, violators of social distancing requirements will be fined between $250-$500 per violation. The new penalties are needed