Five years ago, New York City shut down. We lived through something unimaginable — watching our neighbors get sick, losing loved ones, facing down unemployment, and navigating a world that changed overnight.

But in the face of this massive crisis, New Yorkers did what we do best: we took care of each other.

Elmhurst Hospital, where I was born, became the national epicenter of the pandemic. And while the challenges were overwhelming, our community stepped up. We fed our neighbors, secured PPE for frontline workers, and fought for real protections — winning the first-ever Excluded Workers Fund so no one was left behind.

As we reflect, we have to plan for the future to guarantee that we never face the same trials as 2020. As Mayor, I'll do that by:

✅ Fully funding our public hospitals and ensuring healthcare workers have what they need
✅ Expanding worker protections, including paid sick leave that accounts for Long Covid
✅ Investing in public health, mental health support, and emergency food programs
✅ Strengthening small businesses, tenant protections, and economic safety nets

In New York City, it’s easy to get caught up in the rhythm of daily life. But when we take a step back and reflect — not just on our moments of joy, but on the challenges we’ve faced — we have to recognize where we fell short, and learn from it.

The past five years have shown us what’s possible when we stand together. We’ve built stronger protections, expanded support, and fought for a city that works for everyone. But there’s still more to do.

I’ve done the work and will keep doing it — because in this city, we look out for each other.

Let’s keep it that way.

— Jessica Ramos