Coronavirus infections soar, fueled by the Delta variant, but one small group has absolute immunity. Immunity from responsibility, that is, as RIOC keeps failing at enforcing mask mandates on Red Buses.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Note: all photos submitted by readers
The only plausible excuse for RIOC’s dereliction at enforcing mandates issued by Governor Cuomo is their immunity from responsibility. Having evaded accountability for numerous recent fails, protected by a feckless board and see-no-evil electeds, the state agency apparently rolls along without guardrails.
A little over a year ago, Susan Rosenthal at the helm, RIOC lead the way in the fight against spreading the coronavirus. But now, their efforts fall near the bottom of the heap.
Coronavirus infections soar while RIOC naps
Yesterday, I took a Red Bus ride, hopeful I’d see better than what readers posted on Facebook, but I saw worse.
A woman boarded, wearing a mask, but pulled it down, in full view of the driver, as soon as she was seated. Then, a man boarded without a mask at all and rode to his stop, also in full view of the driver.
It’d be easy saying the driver did nothing, but in fact, he did less than nothing.
Steering the bus through the middle of town, he passed a PSD officer idling at the curb outside RIOC’s new offices. A quick stop could’ve resolved the problem of maskless passengers, helping the majority of passengers stay safe. As a bonus, it might serve as an example, reminding the reluctant that privileges come with responsibilities.
But, of course, the driver rolled on, clearly unaware of any focus on public safety.
Mask up or walk? Too much for RIOC as coronavirus infections soar.
When will anyone in authority ever get a handle on this indifferent public operation?
For the record, RIOC collects in excess of $20 million annually from residents. And $4 million of it goes to public safety.
For what?
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- Fall Prevention for Seniors: Make Your Apartment Safer, Nov. 20Fall prevention for seniors: Sen. Krueger’s Nov. 20 virtual roundtable tours a typical NYC apartment, with tips on landlord changes and balance. RSVP on Zoom.
- Thursday’s PSD blotter: two hospital runs, a trespass summons at 888 MainRIOC’s Nov. 12 PSD blotter lists 15 incidents: six medical calls, two alarms at 546 Main Street, and a late-night trespass at 888 Main Street that ended with a summons.
- Queens Home Prices and Rents Rise in October 2026 as Long Island City Condos Draw BuyersQueens home prices and rents rose in October 2026. See StreetEasy’s housing figures and Long Island City condo contract activity at Radiant and Vesta.
- 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.
Can You Hear Us?
In earlier meetings, a bright light behind Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Vice President and General Counsel Gretchen Robinson had left her face nearly invisible. On July 2, 2020, with Susan Rosenthal gone and a new administration forming, Gretchen appeared fully lit.
