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UPDATE Montefiore/Einstein Lead Drug Trial on COVID-19 Merck Antiviral Drug, Approved in the UK

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As part of a recently launched international phase 3 clinical trial, officials at Montefiore Health System and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine announced on Monday, Nov. 8, that they are jointly investigating whether the Merck antiviral pill, molnupiravir, approved last week in Britain for treating COVID-19, can prevent COVID-19 in unvaccinated individuals living with people who have contracted the disease.   Montefiore-Einstein is the first and only New York State site for such a trial, according to officials.   U.S. drug company, Merck, recently announced that people with mild or moderate cases of COVID-19 who took molnupiravir reduced their


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Op-Ed: What to Know About COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters

By DR. DAVE A. CHOKSHI
Recently, important updates about the COVID-19 vaccine were announced – that certain people are now eligible for a “booster” dose. Since the beginning of COVID-19, our scientific understanding of the virus has constantly evolved, and many New Yorkers understandably have questions about this new development. I would like to provide the “who, why, and where” about boosters.   Who should get a booster? All three brands of booster shots are available for many New Yorkers — Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson — and “mixing and matching” of the vaccines is safe. But who is eligible for a booster depends


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UPDATE U.S. VP Kamala Harris Visits The Bronx as Immigrant New Yorkers Rally for Visa Amnesty

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
  The following is an extended version of the story that appeared in the latest print edition of the Norwood News.    U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, visited the Bronx on Friday, Oct. 22, at the invitation of Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-14). The event took place at the recently opened, state-of-the-art Edenwald YMCA center in the Northeast Bronx, which falls within Bowman’s district.   The purpose of the visit was to promote the Biden administration’s “Build Back Better” agenda, and while the mood among those in attendance, inside the venue,


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UPDATE Bronx Elected Officials Hold Various Halloween Celebrations Across the Borough

By DAVID GREENE
Bronx elected officials teamed up in various groups to co-host a number of Halloween celebrations for youngsters across the borough last weekend, ahead of Election Day.   In Pelham Bay Park in the Northeast Bronx, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio–Cortez (NY-14) and State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D 34) co-hosted a Halloween celebration for families in the area, which included face painting, mask decorating, candy, and socially distanced, family-friendly games.   Others contributing to the festivities included City Councilman Kevin Riley (C.D. 12) and, as reported, projected winner of the District 13 City Council race, Democratic candidate, Marjorie Velázquez, as well as community


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Van Nest: Car Wash Employee Shot

By DAVID GREENE
A car wash employee in the Van Nest neighborhood was hospitalized with a gun shot wound to the leg after a customer got into a verbal dispute with the employee, pulled a gun and shot the worker.   Police officials say the shooting took place inside the B&G hand carwash, located at 1243 East Tremont Avenue at Van Nest Avenue, just after 2 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 17. The NYPD is now asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individual seen in the attached video and photograph who is wanted for questioning in connection to the assault.   Police


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Norwood: Pumpkin Party at the Williamsbridge Oval

By DAVID GREENE
Children of all ages, dressed in various costumes, turned out for the annual Pumpkin Party at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, located at 3225 Reservoir Oval East, in Norwood on Saturday, Oct. 30.   Carnival games, a smaller and less scary “haunted house,” a photo booth for taking festive photos, and arts and crafts were all on offer this year at the event which was organized by Parks’ department officials. Castle Hill mom, Joanna Boala, brought along her two daughters Jasleen, 6, and Abbie, 2, to the spooky event, having learned of it from the Parks’ department website.   Boala


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Fall Festival on Jerome Avenue in Norwood Returns for 20th Anniversary

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
  The live music was loud, the food was delicious, and the children couldn’t get enough cotton candy. The 20th Annual Fall Festival, organized by the Jerome Gun Hill Business Improvement District (BID), was back in full force on Saturday, Oct. 23.   Jerome Avenue was closed for six hours from Gun Hill Road to East 208th Street in the Norwood section of the Bronx to accommodate the vendors, volunteers, and community groups.   Most of the tents set up at the festival were selling some type of goods or food, but not all. Brandon Montes, 30, is the founder


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Nine Firefighters Injured in One Bronx Fire as Vaccine Mandate Deadline Strikes at the FDNY

By DAVID GREENE
  Eleven people, including nine firefighters, suffered minor injuries arising from a two-alarm fire on the Grand Concourse at East Kingsbridge Road in Fordham Manor, less than 24 hours after a COVID-19 vaccine mandate deadline for most City employees took effect. The resistance of many within the ranks of the FDNY to get vaccinated has reportedly led to a wave of retirements, sick-leave, and closures of some fire companies.   An unnamed FDNY official said the Fordham Manor fire was reported on the third floor of a six-story building at 2664 Grand Concourse at East Kingsbridge Road, at 2:48 p.m.


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Organ & Tissue Donation

By DAVID GREENE
With roughly 8,486 people across the State waiting on an organ transplant, as reported, some will die before they receive one. In recognition of Organ Donor Enrollment Day in New York State on Oct. 7, we asked some residents if they were organ donors, and if not, if they would consider becoming donors.   “I am an organ donor. I’ve been an organ donor for over 14 years now. I think if we can give the last gift of life, that’s the greatest gift to give. I think we should follow Spain’s direction where they actually have opt-out donors. You’re automatically


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