Op Ed Editorial

Queens Borough President Calls for Access to COVID 19 Vaccines

By Howard Giske

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards is concerned with the Covid-19 situation and the need for vaccines in all community in Queens particularly minority communities. He has sponsored emergency food pop-up events in the back parking lot of Queens Borough hall.

Opening Citifield as a vaccination site has been a home run for Queens. For the health of those who live in Queens, it cannot become a vaccination desert; there needs to be access. Donovan Richards has been on a series called “Queens Town Hall on the Vaccine” that have been broadcast on Youtube.com. He says that in terms of infection rates, Flushing is leading now, and rates have also been high in Richmond Hill, where testing ramped up recently. “Richmond Hill will have a vaccination site now… We are ensuring that we don’t have to travel a mile out of your community,” said the Borough President. His general advice was “Social distance outside your home, wash hands, and wear a mask… Get tested. Schedule an appointment to get the vaccine if you are currently eligible. Health and Hospitals have an app to give you testing results. It is good to hear the Mayor talking about providing additional vaccinations for our underserved communities. We are also working on our airports, to get testing.”

“We want you to know that this vaccine is safe. In communities of color, we have a history of experimentation in this country, the Tuskegee experiment… But this is not experimentation. We are leading from the front, and when I am eligible, I will get vaccinated.” Currently, people have to be either be 65 years old or older, working in jobs where they are exposed to the public, or have health co-factors that make COVID-19 more dangerous.

Council member Karen Koslowitz already got her first vaccine shot. In her area, many are having problems finding vaccine sites. She says, “Hopefully, everyone will get vaccinated and we will be able to go back to a normal life.” Council member Adrienne Adams stated that “I lost my dad due to COVID-19 complications. He was COVID-19 positive when he passed… This is totally the antithesis of ‘that experiment’. This vaccine is meant to cure you and keep you from getting sick. We want you to live… If I were eligible, I would take this vaccine tomorrow.”

Also speaking on this Town Hall series is Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Torian Easterling. “Infection rates are going down, but there are variants and things can change. We have to continue to …. wear the mask properly.” Dr. Easterling said that vaccine sites have been set up on NYCHA sites. The next vaccine, from Johnson & Johnson is a one-shot vaccine and it will be easier to do outreach with this. Already over 1 million people in NYC will soon have received their first dose of either the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccines. Please check Youtube. com, Queens Borough President channel -for Town Halls on “COVID-19 and the Vaccine.” Vaccination appointments can be made at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov and by calling 877-VAX4NYC

QUEENS UPCOMING EVENTS

Now Until February 28 8:00-4:30pm

Lunar New Year Celebration at the Garden

This year we are safely celebrating Lunar New Year at the Garden throughout the month of February! Enjoy festive décor, pick up one of the Garden’s FREE monthly seasonal craft activity kits, and take part in their Plant Sale to bring home a lucky plant for the Year of the Ox! QBG. 4350 Main Street FREE with Garden Admission.

February 25 7:00pm

Health Committee

Meeting

Please join Queens Community Board 12 for their Health Committee meeting. Featuring Community Activist Bonnie Weaver, NYRR Open Run Youth and Community Runner Engagement, Manager Michael Scher and more. Online at queensbp. org. FREE.

February 25 6:00-7:30pm

Black History Month Celebration

Please join the Queens Borough President and the African American Heritage Committee for their annual Black History Month Celebration, awarding student scholars and honoring outstanding community leaders. Featuring Keynote Speaker Attorney General Letitia James. Stream live at queensbp.org FREE.

February 26

Queens Small

Business Grant Program

The City has partnered with several community-based organizations to offer grants to Queens businesses with 20 or fewer employees. The program aims to support businesses that are minority-owned or those located in low-moderate-income communities or a community hardest hit by COVID-19. FREE to apply at jamaica311.org

February 26

Paul Mooney

The Iconic Paul Mooney, hot on the heels of the release of his book, “Black is the New White” dishes biting commentary on America, in this major concert. Watch online at blackspectrum.com

February 26 7:00pm

André De Shields is Frederick Douglass: Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory

Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner and Hadestown star André De Shields concludes the Trilogy with a performance of an excerpt from his self-crafted solo work “Frederick Douglass: Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.” The one-man show explores the life and achievements of the great emancipator Frederick Douglass. Flushingtownhall.org FREE.

February 27 7:00pm

Fanike African Dance Troupe

Fanike African Dance Troupe embraces and respects the dance, rhythm, historic and growing culture tied to African movement. Their mission is to perpetuate the survival of African/ African Diaspora culture and arts through dance and percussion presentation. Directed by Patricia Ghizamboule Robinson, JCAL will stream Fanike’s signature libation, drumming and dance performance honoring the ancestors of the African Diaspora. Watch on their Youtube page. FREE.

February 27 1:00-2:00pm

Virtual Family Workshop: Self Care Meets Art

The Queens Museum invites families to take part in their weekly virtual Drop-in Family Art Workshops. These fun, educational workshops offer families the opportunity to reflect on artworks that are on display at the Museum and to work collaboratively to create unique works of art. The activities are as wildly diverse as the Queens Museum’s dynamic permanent and changing exhibitions. Join for a soothing art session at queensmuseum. org for FREE.

February 28 12:00-1:00pm

Greenhouse Gossip: Common Tropicals

Join QBG for their Greenhouse Gossip series where they focus on tropical houseplants through plant care demonstrations, activities, and discussions. Come ready with your own questions! Online at queensbotanical.org $10

March 2 6:00-8:00pm

Introduction to Drawing: A New New Yorkers Workshop

Introduction to drawing is a workshop where you will learn how to approach visual problems related to representation. Emphasize the analysis and exploration of basic drawing techniques in the visual interpretation of forms. Participants in this online workshop will be introduced to a variety of drawing media. Join online at queensmuseum.org for FREE.

March 2 6:00-7:15pm

A Talk by Jeffrey Kroessler: A Tale of Two Waterworks

In conjunction with the current Community Partnership Exhibition Ridgewood Black History Month Celebration (Feb 25)

Reservoir for the 21st Century situated around the historic Watershed Model at the Queens Museum, please join the event, A Tale of Two Waterworks, talk by Jeffrey Kroessler presented by NYC H20. The presentation will be followed by Q&A with attendees. RSVP at queensmuseum.org for FREE.