COVID-19 update: Social distancing app reveals number of people on MTA bus in real time
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 MTA on Tuesday unveiled a brand-new capacity tracking feature on the MYmta app and MTA website that allows customers to track in real time the number of passengers on an arriving bus, empowering customers to maximize social distancing on public transit in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. “With this MYmta pilot, bus customers can choose to space themselves out a bit more where capacity allows,” said Sarah Feinberg, interim president of New York City Transit. The app will also be available at the Google Play Store next month.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Sanitation Commissioner and COVID-19 Food Czar Kathryn Garcia on Tuesday announced that New York City has distributed an astounding 100 million meals to New Yorkers in need since March. De Blasio also called on the federal government to increase funding. “No New Yorker should ever go a day without being able to put food on the table,” said de Blasio. Anyone in need of food can connect to services via 311 or at nyc.gov/getfood.
Brooklyn Boro
View MoreNew York City’s most populous borough, Brooklyn, is home to nearly 2.6 million residents. If Brooklyn were an independent city it would be the fourth largest city in the United States. While Brooklyn has become the epitome of ‘cool and hip’ in recent years, for those that were born here, raised families here and improved communities over the years, Brooklyn has never been ‘uncool’.