On Thursday, Governor Andrew Cuomo released all of New York from its coronavirus State of Emergency. Farewell, facemasks, I thought. And then, I thought again.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
I looked at my face mask bowl, one bit of nostalgia I can live without…
My face mask bowl started because I needed a place to store them that would remind me to put one on every time I went out. Habitually absent minded, I’d traipse off the the AVAC chute naked-faced.
Over time, it filled up with face masks we bought, masks distributed by politicians and masks donated by our concierges when I got as far as the lobby without one.
They all had one thing in common. I disliked wearing them. I was almost never comfortable, and I couldn’t breath while climbing stairs. Especially subway stairs.
So…
Farewell, face masks!
As if released from captivity, our lovely blue on white bowl returned to its rightful place at the center of our table.
But then, I headed out for Rivercross — still requiring face masks — and there was that NYC Ferry ride to the Brooklyn Navy Yard…
Well, Governor Cuomo couldn’t free us from everything. There are still conditions where the CDC and building managers say we must mask up.
As on odd coincidence, just a couple of weeks ago, on Roosevelt Island Day, courtesy of State Senator José Serrano, I got the first really comfortable face masks since the pandemic began.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily News
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- Mother’s Day Weekend on Roosevelt Island: Warming Up to CommunityCelebrate community during Mother’s Day weekend on Roosevelt Island. Discover how neighbors gather, new spots like Citarella, and the warmth of the season.
- How Queens News and Community Events Influence Roosevelt Island Daily LifeSee how Queens news and community events influence Roosevelt Island daily life, touching on public safety, housing changes, and neighborhood connections.
- June News Highlights: Roosevelt Island and Queens Community UpdatesGet the latest June news highlights from Roosevelt Island and Queens, including community updates, local safety, rent discussions, transit negotiations, and celebrations.
Rivercross and the Quiet Green Light
Rivercross privatization was enabled in 2010. This matters now because the same governance structures that allowed Rivercross to privatize without formal conflict controls are still in place. The same public authority oversees land leases, settlements, and redevelopment decisions that affect every resident on Roosevelt Island today.
