March 25, 2020 By Allie Griffin Two Astoria advocates for small businesses have joined forces to support local restaurants, cafes and bars as the coronavirus pandemic takes hold of New York City. Neighborhood residents Jaime-Faye Bean and Jonathan Forgash launched “Astoria Together,” an initiative that updates the public on local restaurant hours, takeout and delivery… Read more »
March 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin The rate of new coronavirus cases is doubling every three days in New York State and the apex of the crisis is expected to hit in about two-to-three weeks, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today. The State has failed to slow the spread of the virus, despite a near shutdown… Read more »
March 24, 2020 By Michael Dorgan A new hotline to report hate crimes and xenophobic-based incidents has been set up in the wake of the coronavirus spread and anti-Asian rhetoric. It comes after an uptick in the number of bigoted attacks against Asian Americans, according to Attorney General Letitia James, who announced the service Monday…. Read more »
March 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin Queens has the largest number of cases of coronavirus in New York City — which has become the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S., according to New York City data released last night. There were 3,848 cases of COVID-19 in the World’s Borough as of 5 p.m. Monday…. Read more »
March 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin New York State will send hundreds of thousands of masks, gloves, gowns and face shields to New York City, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today. The incoming supplies will ensure hospital staff in New York City can adequately protect themselves– and patients–as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise…. Read more »
March 23, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday that the city is considering releasing “hundreds” more inmates to slow the spread of coronavirus at its prison facilities. The move comes after the mayor announced last week that 40 inmates from Rikers Island were set to be released on Friday. On Sunday… Read more »
March 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin The Long Island City-based nonprofit City Harvest is in need of volunteers as more New Yorkers are going hungry due to job loss related to the coronavirus. The organization — which takes leftover unused food and redistributes it to the hungry in New York City — is looking for… Read more »
March 23, 2020 By Michael Dorgan Finally some good news for New York straphangers – MTA bus trips will now be free while New York fights the coronavirus pandemic. The MTA has announced that it has suspended fare collection on all of its local and select bus routes in order to keep its drivers safe… Read more »
March 23, 2020 By Allie Griffin Transportation advocates are asking the City to close off specific streets across the city to traffic, so that pedestrians have more space to practice safe distancing from one amid the coronavirus outbreak. The calls follow a suggestion by Governor Andrew Cuomo to open New York City streets to pedestrians…. Read more »
March 22, 2020 By Christian Murray The police released a photo yesterday of a man who attempted to rob a woman while she was withdrawing money from an ATM in Astoria last month. The suspect allegedly approached a 24-year-old woman from behind while she was withdrawing money from inside the TD Bank branch at 31-04… Read more »