Roosevelt Island COVID rates for infections remain under 1% but a rise is likely. Cooler weather brings us indoors, giving the Delta variant more chances for spreading. Good news, though – our vaccination rate is decent and boosters are here.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
For Now, Roosevelt Island COVID Rates Are Under Control
Recently, the Department of Health reports only one positive test for COVID for Zip Code 10044, on average. You can see why.
Roosevelt Island’s relative remoteness gives us a buffer against infection similar to what we get with crime. Because we’re still part of a crowded city, our protection’s not complete, but it’s always a plus.
But a good part of it is a credit to a community that looks out for each other. Without a word from drivers, for example, Red Buses cruise Main Street routinely with every passenger, even children, masked. Late in the summer, RIOC’s Public Safety Department stepped up its presence on buses and in Tram cabins. Enforcement increased awareness, good enough for good neighbors.
That’s not saying we can’t do better, though.
Where Do We Stand on Vaccines?
Although Roosevelt Island is doing well fighting off COVID infections, our vaccination rates lag behind every nearby community. Our community vaccination rate is 79.1% for first does, not enough for herd immunity, but every neighboring community in Queens reports from 85 to 100%. We can do better.
And last week, the Food and Drug Administration okayed vaccine booster shots for all adults. You can even mix and match between Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, although a six month wait after your second shot is required. Johnson & Johnson’s single shot vaccine requires only a two-month wait.
Getting fully vaccinated and seeking a booster will improve Roosevelt Island COVID rates and make everyone safer. The City’s helping with websites that indicate regular locations for getting shots and where pop up vaccine sites are open daily. (Duane Reade/Walgreens, the only Roosevelt Island resource, is Moderna only.)
- Click here for vaccine mobile and pop up sites, updated daily.
- Or just enter your Zip Code at the City’s Vaccine Finder website.
Let’s push Roosevelt Island COVID rates even lower on our way back to normal.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- A Week Rooted in Community: Daily Life and Neighbor Connections on Roosevelt IslandThis week, daily life and neighbor connections on Roosevelt Island come into focus with stories of parks, transit, public safety, and community rhythms shaping the summer.
- NYC Health + Hospitals Data Breach Lawsuit: What Roosevelt Island Readers Should KnowA proposed class action says millions of NYC Health + Hospitals patients, staff and family members may have had deeply sensitive information exposed. Here is what Roosevelt Island readers should know.
- Queens Community News and Events: How Local Stories Echo on Roosevelt IslandQueens community news and events shape daily life on Roosevelt Island and beyond. From park reopening and fundraisers to public safety and local transit, catch up on the stories echoing across both neighborhoods.
- How Roosevelt Island Connects with Queens This Week: Community, Safety, and Neighborhood CelebrationsHow Roosevelt Island connects with Queens is clear in this week’s stories of community, public safety, celebrations, and neighborhood life in both boroughs.
- Connecting Roosevelt Island Community Life with Local Transit, Safety, and Business InitiativesConnecting Roosevelt Island community life with local transit, safety, and business initiatives, this week’s Beat explores how citywide stories shape our days and routines.
You Can FOIL* It
On April 15, at the Steam Plant Demolition Town Hall, a simple exchange revealed something far more consequential than anything formally presented that evening.
