Likely tied to a recent bulge in visitors on Roosevelt Island, many maskless, coronavirus infection rates again jumped dramatically. And new threats from crowds of cherry blossom lovers may sustain the trend.
With coronavirus infection rates leaping over 25% to 2.31%, this week, Roosevelt Island lags behind dozens of other communities in controlling the now yearlong outbreak. In the week ending April 13th, 9 out of 389 tests were positive.
And Roosevelt Island also showed a worrisome decrease in testing.
All statistics are provided by the New York City Department of Health.
As we reported earlier, residents complained bitterly when visitors enjoying the fresh air during spring break removed their face masks on arrival. Families donning masks required for Tram and subway riders pulled them down or removed them in public areas.
RIOC‘s Public Safety Department reportedly refused to act.
The current city rate of infections is 5.34%, and in Manhattan, it’s 2.49%.
Overall, Roosevelt Island, which for months was among the five best communities in infection rates, is no longer in the top twenty-five.
In other local news…
- MTA Launches Six-Year Signal and Track Overhaul on A and C Subway LinesThe MTA launches a six-year signal and track overhaul on A and C subway lines, bringing CBTC and major infrastructure upgrades to the Fulton and Liberty Avenue corridors through 2032.
- Long Island City Rent Overcharge Lawsuit Seeks $50 Million Against DeveloperA Long Island City rent overcharge lawsuit seeks about $50 million from Rockrose Development, raising questions about billing practices, tenant protections, and legal oversight in NYC’s fast-changing rental market.
- Astoria E-Scooter Rider Dies After Northern Boulevard Crash in Long Island CityA 22-year-old Astoria e-scooter rider died after a Northern Boulevard crash in Long Island City. Details remain under investigation, highlighting micromobility risks on busy city streets.
- Hate Crime Charges Filed After Vandalism at Fresh Meadows Kosher Bagel ShopHate crime charges have been filed after vandalism at a kosher bagel shop in Fresh Meadows, with prosecutors alleging bias-motivated acts. Hearings are set in New York’s legal process.
- Midtown Subway Shooting Leaves 26-Year-Old Dead; Queens Incidents SeparateA shooting inside a Manhattan subway station left a 26-year-old dead. Police investigate the Midtown incident and separate shootings in Queens as commuters seek safety.
The Budget Knew Before the “Emergency”
The demolition began on paper long before the City invoked emergency authority to carry it out. In RIOC’s fiscal 2013-14 budget, the Corporation set aside $7 million for fiscal 2015 for the complete demolition and cleanup of the Roosevelt Island Steam Plant. RIOC called that figure its worst-case scenario, meaning the State corporation might be left responsible for the entire cost.
