COVID infection rates fall in New York City, now back to where we were in early July. But Roosevelt Island fails to come along as rates rise past 2%.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
COVID Infection Rates, New York City vs Roosevelt Island
While Department of Health statistics show the city COVID infection rates continuing a tumble to 2.19%, the Roosevelt Island community rises over the 2% threshold. It hasn’t been there for months.
Multiple factors contribute in bringing the Island to 2.01% and steadily rising, but one cause is clear. Roosevelt Island lags behind most nearby community in vaccinations.
The nearest Queens communities, Astoria South, Long Island City and Sunnyside, range from 81 to 99 percent at least partially vaccinated. But Roosevelt Island’s been stalled in the mid 70s for over a month. And lower Queens infection rates, from 1.02 to 1.61 percent, reflect that.
Another likely factor is the failure of local authorities to contribute resources or even encouragement. RIOC’s once robust response to COVID trickled down to almost nothing after the current administration moved in. Getting enforcement of mask mandates on Red Buses and the Tram took weeks of public shaming through shared photographs.
And elected officials who once spurred awareness with mask giveaways folded after primary election season.
As with so much else on Roosevelt Island, where political leadership is hard to find, lowering COVID infection rates rests in the hands of residents. A DIY initiative at helping each other with healthy practices remains our best option.
So, protect your neighbors by getting vaccinated. Free options abound, including at Duane Reade next to the subway, and Health and Hospitals announced free boosters for those eligible, available now.
Wear face masks while using indoor public spaces and when using public transit. If you’re comfortable with it, a gentle reminder to others not as conscientious helps.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
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- How City Decisions Shape Daily Life on Roosevelt IslandHow city decisions shape daily life on Roosevelt Island through budget debates, new programs, and legal shifts, impacting routines and neighborly connections.
- How Roosevelt Island Residents Navigate Citywide Issues and Everyday CautionSee how Roosevelt Island residents navigate citywide issues and everyday caution, from legal system news to community support, scams, and daily routines.
- How New York Borough Events Shape Everyday Life on Roosevelt IslandExplore how New York borough events shape everyday life on Roosevelt Island, from community initiatives to city headlines and local culture.
- Roosevelt Island and Queens: Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Community ThreadsExplore Roosevelt Island and Queens public safety updates, infrastructure efforts, and community threads shaping daily life in our neighborhoods.
AVAC: Where the Pipe Curves
This is the final installment in my notes from the December 2nd, Operations Advisory Committee meeting, following “An Emergency, Apparently” and “Rust Is Funny Until It Isn’t”.
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