Face mask compliance among Red Bus riders improved recently, and now RIOC’s public safety department steps up enforcement. But success is limited as long as Roosevelt Island neighbors refuse to help out.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
How PSD Steps Up Its Game
Better late than never, on Monday, we found PSD adding spot checks on Red Buses, conducted by uniformed officers. On the bus we rode, an officer boarded, walked the aisle, confirming full compliance before letting the trip resume.
Meticulous, she ordered at least one passenger to raise her mask higher and cover her nose. Education plus enforcement.
While this takes pressure off drivers, the driver also pitched in. After the officer left, he handed out a face mask as a young man entered, telling him it was required.
Credit where credit’s due, Chief Kevin Brown’s department stepped up creatively. It saves lives, and if continued may get us out of pandemic restrictions sooner than later.
But then…
Even as PSD steps up enforcement, we soon saw how hard it is protecting against Red Bus riders who insist on putting their neighbors at risk.
As news of coronavirus variants increasing case loads hits front pages, stubborn resistance remains. Young people, especially those under twelve, face increasing risk while, at the same time, doctors say that the lifetime effects of long COVID are as scary as they are unknown.
PSD’s doing its part, but without good neighbors, unnecessary risks for vulnerable residents will rise.
And it’s getting near the point where you throw up your hands in frustration over the lack of cooperation. Is putting children at risk worth it for evading the minor inconvenience of wearing a face mask for a few minutes?
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
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- A Full Week Across the River: How Roosevelt Island and Queens Lives IntersectA full week across the river shows how life on Roosevelt Island connects with Queens—covering public safety, legal updates, G train disruptions, and neighborhood events.
- Roosevelt Island Weekly Recap: Community Life, Local News, and Everyday ConnectionsOur Roosevelt Island weekly recap covers local news, community events, and the threads of daily life connecting neighbors on and off the island.
- Queens News Highlights and Roosevelt Island Community ConnectionsExplore the week’s Queens news highlights and Roosevelt Island community connections, from public safety to housing, historic places, and local events.
- How Queens News Shapes Life on Roosevelt Island This WeekExplore how Queens news shapes life on Roosevelt Island, from major fire responses to local court cases and housing initiatives, reflecting the rhythms and routines of our shared city life.
“I Can Ask”
Chair Fay Christian opened the Operations Advisory Committee on February 12th, reading out member names from a prepared sheet that omitted Melissa Wade. It didn’t feel intentional, but it struck me as odd precisely because it came from something prepared. Lydia Tang gently corrected her, noting that Wade was, in fact, a member of the committee. Wade met the moment with grace, or perhaps she simply wasn’t bothered by it.
