COVID-19 update: A new normal: The Brooklyn Hospital Center welcomes public with ‘COVID-safe’ precautions

June 9, 2020 Editorial Staff

The Brooklyn Hospital Center. Photo courtesy of The Brooklyn Hospital Center

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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.

The Brooklyn Hospital Center, while continuing to treat those who have contracted COVID-19, has announced that it is taking special precautions to be able to treat patients for non-coronavirus related conditions. For instance, the Center has created a “COVID-safe” environment by organizing the hospital into separate areas with distinct access points, designated waiting areas, staff, nursing units and equipment. “As COVID-19 remains in the community until a vaccine is created, we want the community to know that TBHC is open and well-prepared to deliver safe, effective and compassionate care,” said Gary Terrinoni, president and CEO.

New York federal lawmakers are calling on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to revise how it allocates funds in its next disbursement of Community Development Block Grant funding, which Congress approved in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter to HUD Secretary Carson, U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Sen. Chuck Schumer, U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand argue that New York state was shortchanged in the most recent round of funding. “The formula HUD developed for Round 2 funding failed to include the most pertinent metrics and the best available data. As a result, the State of New York was denied critical funding resources that are still desperately needed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in our state,” the lawmakers wrote.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced the launch of the It’s Up to Us, New York campaign on MTA buses and trains, and billboards across the region to remind New Yorkers to do their part to continue fighting the COVID-19 virus. He also said the MTA is continuing to take unprecedented steps to keep riders and workers safe, including cleaning and disinfecting trains and buses daily. Since May 6th, the MTA has performed 30,000 station cleanings and disinfections and 500,000 subway car cleanings and disinfections. The MTA is also piloting the use of proven UV light technology to clean subway cars and crew facilities.

The MTA on Sunday announced that officials at New York City Transit surveyed mask usage and found that approximately 92 percent of subway riders are complying with the MTA’s requirement that all customers and employees wear a face covering on public transit. “I want to thank the 92 percent of our riders who are wearing masks while riding public transit, said New York City Transit Interim President Sarah Feinberg. “The goal is to see 100 percent of our customers wearing face coverings. It is the single most important thing that riders can do to protect themselves, their fellow commuters and our employees.”