The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 + Cuomo and de Blasio Spar Over School Closures

Local News

• New data shows that Black and Hispanic New Yorkers have died disproportionately of COVID-19. 
• Garbage pickups in Manhattan and Queens are revealing the divergent ways different neighborhoods have been impacted by the coronavirus crisis.
• The New York Times explored the slow and ineffective response to coronavirus from Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio. The paper also looked at the neighborhoods in Queens that has been hardest hit by Covid-19, including Jackson Heights, Cornoa, Elmhurst, and East Elmhurst.
• After Mayor De Blasio announced that New York City schools would be shifting to remote learning for the remainder of the school year, Governor Cuomo appeared to overrule him, calling the Mayor’s announcement “an opinion.” (The Mayor has the authority to close City schools.)
• A surge in the number of New Yorkers dying at home suggests that the City had been undercounting Covid-19 fatalities. The City is now counting those deaths in its reporting on the disease.
• Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that New York will send an additional $600 per week to unemployed New Yorkers.
• Amid concerns that the MTA is not protecting its workers from the virus, the agency has reported a 20-fold increase in confirmed cases.
• Although the New York State Senate was sent home indefinitely after it passed the budget last week, multiple senators are floating plans to address the crisis facing renters throughout the state. Sen. Brian Kavanaugh (D-Lower Manhattan) introduced a plan for rental vouchers, while Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) wants to waive rent for affected tenants for the duration of the emergency. It is unclear if or when the Senate will be able to vote on any such proposal.
• Nursing homes around the City are suffering from major shortages of staff and supplies, resulting in the rushed hiring and training of new nurses.
• Subway ridership is down 92% due to coronavirus, with many essential workers still relying on public transit voicing concerns for their safety.
• Mayor Bill de Blasio is proposing major cuts in the New York City budget, including eliminating the Summer Youth Employment Program, cancelling the expansion of the city’s free 3K program, and cuts to Vision Zero, a program to streets and sidewalks safe for pedestrians and bikers.

Elections

• Since Sen. Bernie Sanders has suspended his presidential campaign, New York may cancel its presidential primary.
• New York state will allow all voters to vote via absentee ballot in the June 23 primary. Voters will still need to apply for an absentee ballot.