The local paper for the Upper East Side
MEET A MASTERPIECE ◄CITY ARTS, P.12
MANAGING THE UNKNOWN
PUBLIC HEALTH
New York’s elected officials take on a crisis that has shredded the fabric of everyday life BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM
The Archdiocese of New York is encouraging Catholics to attend mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral “virtually” by watching the live stream of the service on the church’s website. Photo: Bro. Jeffrey Pioquinto SJ via Flickr
WITH FAITH AND CAUTION COMMUNITY
How Manhattan’s religious centers are responding to the coronavirus BY JENNIFER DOHERTY
Last Thursday, as Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency across New York, business carried on more or less as usual at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York at Third Avenue and 96th Street. While attendance at many houses of worship has fallen off amid fears about community transmission of the coronavirus, the pandemic respiratory virus that can be
fatal to seniors and individuals with pre-existing health issues, the faithful are still coming to pray, Sheikh Saad Jalloh, imam of the Islamic Cultural Center, told Straus News. The center had canceled its Islamic Seminar, an annual conference that draws approximately 1,000 people, just days ahead of its scheduled start date, but regular worshippers trickled in and out of the masjid, pausing to leave their shoes at the door or slide them back on. A few men with disabilities lingered near the center’s north gate seeking zakat, the practice of charity to the
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At a press conference Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo likened our world to a snow globe. Like a child, the coronavirus pandemic has shaken our world and turned it upside down. “It’s all chaotic and things are flying all over,” Cuomo said. “There’s new information and there’s mixed information, and people don’t know what to do when businesses are closing and the
I think the President was 100 percent sincere in saying that he wanted to work together. Right now, you need to see government at its best.” -Governor Andrew Cuomo rules change every minute.” As of Tuesday morning, 1,374 positive cases of coronavirus had been confirmed in New York, with 644 of those in New York City. From those cases, 12 deaths have been reported. And 19 percent of those cases, the governor
Working with the President
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As for expanding the state’s health care capacity, Cuomo said New York needs help from the federal government to build temporary hospital infrastructure and to obtain medical equipment such as ventilators and beds. “I am telling you, this [state] government cannot meet this crisis without the resources and capacity of the federal government,” said Cuomo. “We need their help, especially on the hospital capacity issue. We need FEMA.” The governor added that earlier in the morning he spoke with President Donald
Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday, March 16, 2020, when he announced a series of steps to reduce the curve of coronavirus infections, including a partnership with New Jersey and Connecticut. Photo: Darren McGee- Office of Governor via Flickr WEEK OF AUGUST
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said, have resulted in hospitalization, which is four percent higher than the typical average. Cuomo said expert projections show the expected peak of coronavirus in New York will occur in 45 days, on May 1. He also said the growth rate of the virus is currently unsustainable for the state’s health care system. New York will need 55,000 to 110,000 hospital beds and 18,600 to 37,200 ICU beds at projected peak, he said, and the state currently has 53,000 hospital beds and 3,000 ICU beds. He said this suggests that the state will need to make more efforts to reduce the curve as well as efforts to expand health care capacity.
Crime Watch Voices NYC Now City Arts
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Restaurant Ratings 14 Business 16 Real Estate 17 15 Minutes 21
2019
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has seen a surge Five years in, NYC and uctuating in cyclist deaths – and motorist numbers of pedestrian fatalities BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM
year that saw 299 In 2014, after a traffic-related incipeople killed in Mayor Bill de Bladents in the city, eliminate all traffic sio set out to
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AT LAST
WOODSTOCK SOJOURN an NYPD judge recommend at City Hall after Photography Office holds a press conference Appleton/Mayoral Mayor Bill de Blasio 2019. Photo: Michael Friday, August 2,
firing Officer Daniel
Pantaleo on
THE BILLY AND GILLY SHOW
Kamala HarWarren, Cory Booker, and Bernie debates,” longris, Amy Klobuchar for the September Pete strategist George Sanders, South Bend Mayor time Democratic doesn’t have former Texas Rep. Artz says. “De Blasioare way down Buttigieg and both Beto O’Rourke. the donors, and close, but none of A few others are in the polls.” Hank Sheinde Blasio or GilliPolitical consultant that either them are named kopf says it’s “50-50” “Any- brand. returned reBY STUART MARQUES will make the next round: Neither campaign but they’re not quests for comment. thing can happen, agree that Warde Blasio faced to qualify.” Pundits generally When Mayor Bill held off the more Gillibrand – likely a minimum of Candidates need to ren and Sanderson the first night. off with Sen. Kirsten Democratic presi- 130,000 unique donors and have moderate field and eight other in four qualigot high marks on – on July 31, it Booker and Yang and hit at least 2 percent dential hopefuls the last Billy candidates have the second night, but Biden a might have marked presidential fying polls. Eight the polls. and are assured at the are still ahead in hit those marks and Gilly Show largely igon Sept. 12 Harris Gillibrand Houston and in De Blasio debates. ei- spot onstage Presiawful tough for are former Vice 18 “It’s going to be and and 13. They Senators Elizabeth CONTINUED ON PAGE get the donors dent Joe Biden, ther of them to needed to qualify polling numbers”
POLITICS
dim for Presidential prospects Democratic New Yorkers on the debate stage
C i e Watch
CITY SAYS ‘OUI’ TO FRENCH LESSONS FOR PRE-K Teaching the third most common language spoken on the Upper East Side to the youngest students has been a longtime of goal parents, educators and officials. p. 2
BREAKING THE CORONAVIRUS CHAIN Infographic: How to prevent the virus from spreading. p. 6
PORTRAIT OF NEW YORKERS IN A CRISIS The novel coronavirus is greeted with a classic mix of anxiety, gallows humor and a rolling series of adaptations. p. 7
Jewish women and girls light up the world by lighting the Shabbat candles every Friday evening 18 minutes before sunset. Friday, March 20 – 6:51 pm. For more information visit www.chabbaduppereastside.com.
◄ 15 MINUTES,
INSIDE
SAFETY
INSIDE
Eastsider just For East Side residents, major having access is a accomplishment. p.5
IS VISION ZERO WORKING?
19-25 2020
‘MY HANDS ARE OUTSTRETCHED’ P. 19
f d h e s, p gs ng st ts alng ish ass eel
SUTTON PARK,
chair of the City Ydanis Rodriguez, committee, Council’s transportation street s afety on speaks at a rally for steps of City Hall legislation on the McCarten/NYC May 8. Photo: John Council
WEEK OF MARCH
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14 Restaurant Ratings 16
day Jon Friedman on a 8 love and music. p.
of peace,
SURVIVNG YOUR SUMMER COLD
seasonal How to deal with thefeel worse virus that makes usp. 2 than a winter bug.
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