COVID-19 update: ‘Foundations to our community’: Rose introduces relief for youth sports and working families

May 19, 2020 Editorial Staff

Youth sports and activities groups have seen at least $8.5 billion in losses nationwide due to COVID-19, according to U.S. Rep. Max Rose. Photo: Susan Walsh/AP

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On the front lines of the war on COVID-19, there are many civilian heroes going out of their way, as volunteers and contributors. Also, many who are elected to serve are going the extra mile. In this column the Eagle hopes to give our readers an ongoing update on those fighting in the front lines.

U.S. Rep. Max Rose has introduced the COVID-19 Youth Sports and Working Families Relief Act, which would equip working families with the financial tools to bounce back from economic turmoil and youth sports and activities groups who are faced with economic uncertainty. These groups have seen at least $8.5 billion in losses nationwide due to COVID-19, according to Rose. “Little league, youth soccer, dance and all our youth sports organizations and activities are so much more than a chance for our kids to play — they serve as foundations to our community,” Rose said. “They need our help and I’m proud to fight to get them the relief they so desperately need.”

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University has established a dedicated outpatient clinic to care for discharged patients at SUNY Downstate for COVID-19. The clinic is especially important, considering that many of these patients have pre-existing conditions that likely contributed to their illness. “Even though these patients are considered ‘recovered,’ there is still much we don’t know about the lingering effects of COVID-19,” said Mafuzur Rahman, M.D., vice chair of medicine. “Whether it is addressing the potential side-effects of medications they received during their treatment, ongoing respiratory or cardiac issues that have been reported following COVID-19, or the potential for these patients to continue to infect others, this clinic provides all the care they need during their ongoing recovery.”

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer on Monday sent a letter to MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye urging the MTA to ensure that contractors cleaning and disinfecting the subway are paying their employees prevailing wages and benefits. Stringer’s office has determined that building service employee prevailing wage rates apply to these cleaning contracts and that the contracts do not appear to currently require the payment of prevailing wages and benefits. “The COVID-19 pandemic is putting tremendous economic strain on New York City’s workforce and vulnerable communities,” said Stringer. “These workers are risking their own health and that of their families to ensure that New Yorkers — especially our frontline workforce — can use our transit system safely.”

The nonprofit St. Nicks Alliance — an organization supporting low- to moderate-income residents in North Brooklyn — has spearheaded a Senior Wellness Campaign staffed by 30 volunteers to deliver meals and provide services to the most vulnerable population affected by the virus. Developers Rubenstein Partners will be matching all donations up to $10,000 in order to meet and exceed a total goal of $20,000. Readers can contribute here.

On Sunday, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams joined doctors and lawmakers to urge the Department of Education to implement policies that use remote learning to educate and update parents and students, particularly those in underserved communities, about a condition detected in a growing number of children across the city and state that may be related to COVID-19. “While we are still learning about Pediatric Multi-Inflammatory Syndrome and its potential connection to COVID-19, we must arm parents with the knowledge we have available to keep children safe and healthy, particularly if they have tested positive for antibodies,” said Adams.

Councilmember Mark Treyger was joined by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Community Board 11 member Priscilla Consolo to facilitate the delivery of 400 meals and 100 PPE face shields to medical staff at five nursing and rehabilitation facilities across Southern Brooklyn. “I want to thank our community partners for stepping up to help alleviate the worry of basic needs while our frontline healthcare workers are fighting to combat this pandemic,” said Treyger. “Southern Brooklyn is a resilient community that comes together to assist others in a time of need.”