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
- Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7: Get Answers on 2027 ChangesMedicare open enrollment ends Dec. 7. Sen. Krueger’s Nov. 16 virtual town hall covers 2027 premium, deductible and Part D changes, with a HIICAP expert’s Q&A.
- Wednesday’s PSD blotter: two medical calls, a water leak, a custody reportRIOC’s Nov. 11 PSD blotter lists 10 incidents, all on Main Street, including two medical calls at 555 Main Street, a water leak at 560 Main and a custody or visitation report.
- Six-Unit Apartment Building Planned for 10th Street in AstoriaPlans for a six-unit apartment building in Astoria call for four stories at 35-25 10th St. See proposed dimensions, apartment sizes and permit status.
- Tuesday’s PSD blotter: noise calls, a harassment reportRIOC’s Nov. 10 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents, all on Main Street, including four noise complaints, a harassment report and one hospital transport.
- Queens Public Library Ransomware Attack: Digital Services Still DisruptedThe Queens Public Library ransomware attack continues to disrupt public computers, digital books and online services, with no confirmed restoration date.
The Steam Tunnel Repair That Disappeared
Capital projects change. Costs rise, engineering evolves, funding moves and questions of ownership can complicate even urgent work. But the Roosevelt Island Steam Tunnel was not a speculative improvement that simply slipped down a priority list. RIOC’s own records describe an infrastructure problem known for decades.
