Businesses in virus hot spots hit for lack of COVID safety measures

October 15, 2020 Reuven Blau, THE CITY

The city placed a sign in Borough Park, Brooklyn imploring residents to follow safety guidelines during the coronavirus outbreak, Oct. 13, 2020. Photo: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

‘Flooded the Zone’

Even as the de Blasio administration said it was coming down hard on violators, officials largely declined to share some basic information, such as the locations hit.

“We don’t make the names of the establishments available for business inspections; these aren’t criminal penalties,” Schwartz said.

The city has long made that type of information, such as data about businesses fined for violating the paid sick leave law, public.

In a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus, the city has “flooded the zone” with 2,400 inspectors and health workers to warn people in areas with increased cases about the importance of wearing masks and keeping socially distant, according to District Council 37 Director Henry Garrido, whose union represents those workers.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks in New York City during the phase one reopening on Monday, June 8, 2020. Photo: Governor Cuomo’s Office

“My members are going there and doing what they do — helping the community get through this,” said Garrido, adding he was worried some still did not have the proper protective equipment.

City sheriffs separately issued summonses to 11 businesses in the Queens cluster areas, and 18 to firms in the Brooklyn hot spots from Oct. 5 to Oct. 12, according to Schwartz. Sheriffs also broke up a rave in Cunningham Park in Queens on Sunday and handed summonses to 29 people.

Additionally, city sheriffs issued 11 summonses for the maximum $15,000. Eight synagogues in Brooklyn were among those fined, Schwartz said.

Deterrence Value Questioned

The city did not break down the types of business fined. But the total figures show that it would barely represent a tiny fraction of the restaurant business, noted Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, an association representing restaurants and nightlife venues throughout the city.

“We hope that those that do not pose an immediate hazard are given a warning before a fine is levied,” he said. “Restaurants are doing an excellent job with compliance.”

One researcher thinks government officials are taking the wrong approach.

Jullian Harris-Calvin, program director at the Vera Institute of Justice, a research organization against mass incarceration, notes research shows that the kind of punishment someone receives has very little deterrent effect.

“It’s ineffective,” she said. “People are really suffering because of COVID-19 and you’re trying to address one harm by exacerbating the economic harm.”

Government officials should “address the underlying reasons” why members of the community aren’t complying, she added, urging the city to boost efforts to work with religious leaders.

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