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
- How Roosevelt Island’s Steady Daily Life Connects With City ChangesExplore how Roosevelt Island’s steady daily life connects with city changes, from safety incidents to neighborhood campaigns, and how island routines shape our shared urban rhythms.
- Mother’s Day Weekend on Roosevelt Island: Warming Up to CommunityCelebrate community during Mother’s Day weekend on Roosevelt Island. Discover how neighbors gather, new spots like Citarella, and the warmth of the season.
- How Queens News and Community Events Influence Roosevelt Island Daily LifeSee how Queens news and community events influence Roosevelt Island daily life, touching on public safety, housing changes, and neighborhood connections.
- June News Highlights: Roosevelt Island and Queens Community UpdatesGet the latest June news highlights from Roosevelt Island and Queens, including community updates, local safety, rent discussions, transit negotiations, and celebrations.
- Community Safety and Resilience on Roosevelt Island and BeyondCommunity safety and resilience on Roosevelt Island and beyond are reflected in how our neighbors, institutions, and leaders quietly respond to challenges and sustain local life.
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Committees are supposed to be where outcomes are shaped. They are meant to be the place where questions slow decisions down, where competing interests surface, and where public responsibility is exercised before anything reaches a formal vote.
