Dear John
So, I spoke a little too soon last week. My surgery went well, but I was a little over-eager in getting back to work. On the one hand, this is my third hip replacement, and you know hip replacements are like having kids— it gets easier with each one! But the truth is, after a six-hour hearing on Monday, I was exhausted and had to take this past week slower than I would have liked. If I’ve learned anything from Lupus, it’s that I need to listen to my body and take the time to heal properly. While it’ll be a few more weeks until I regain full mobility, I’ll be working from home and taking our meetings over Zoom. As I continue to recover and attend follow-up appointments, I’ll be a little slow these next few weeks and hope you all understand.
The Progressive Caucus
I was so honored this past week to be elected as one of the new Co-Chairs of the New York City Council Progressive Caucus! I am deeply humbled that my colleagues put their trust in my leadership. The caucus leadership includes myself and Council Member Lincoln Restler as Co-Chairs, as well as our Vice Co-Chairs Council Members Carmen De La Rosa and Jennifer Gutiérrez. Our vision is to build a united front that believes in a City that works for the many, not just the privileged few. We hope to build a legislative agenda and budget demands that shift power away from the rich and powerful to everyday working-class people. Our fight won’t be easy, but after New Yorkers elected the most progressive City Council in generations this past November, I think we’ll have plenty of allies.
Ukraine Resources
I’m sure, as many of you have seen, the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine has created a heartbreaking refugee crisis. Over a million people have been forced to flee their homes in the face of indiscriminate attacks on civilians. While our federal government has levied severe sanctions, we’ve heard from people across District 39 asking how they can help. There are dozens of resources flying around online, but be careful - just like the pandemic profiteers, there are scams looking to profit from this conflict. We’re sharing some verified charities and resources below, and encourage you to share them with your networks as well.
- Doctors Without Borders is one of the few organizations that operate in active war zones. They work with local volunteers, organizations, and healthcare professionals to assist with health and medication needs for people caught on the frontline.
- Voices For Children is a Ukrainian organization providing support to children since fighting began in 2015. They are providing non-stop help to children and families from all over the country and assisting in the evacuation process.
- OutRight International is on the ground in major cities providing food and support to Ukrainians caught in the conflict. They are one of many organizations specifically supporting Queer Ukrainians in this time of need.
- The Sunflower Fund is another on-the-ground organization supporting doctors and paramedics on the frontlines. They're working to provide medical equipment and supplies to those most in need.
- CARE is raising money for the Ukraine Crisis Fund to provide immediate aid, like food, water, and hygiene kits, to women, girls, families, and the elderly throughout Ukraine.
I want to also acknowledge that a number of District 39 businesses have opened their doors to collect items for families and refugees. It’s so incredible to see our community come together in a time like this and if you have more resources, both links and drives in the community, please send them our way!
COVID-19
The good news is that our City continues its downward trend on cases, deaths, and hospitalizations. Our seven-day positivity average is 1.1% and our caseload each day has been consistently under or slightly above 1,000 cases which are numbers not seen since before the Delta wave this past summer. It’s hard to know if we'll ever be “done” with the pandemic, but we have turned a very positive corner.
However, the bad news is that given this low caseload, elected officials have rushed to shed smart public health measures. Most concerning is that this Monday, March 7th, the vaccine pass will no longer be in effect. While I hope that many businesses continue to ask for vaccination, I understand it can be a burden on staff and may not continue. We are seeing Test and Trace shuttered, the school mask mandate end, and other smart, non-invasive, public health measures be tossed aside in an effort to rush back to “normal”. I’m concerned because there will likely be more variants on the horizon and COVID-19 still presents a very real threat to millions of New Yorkers, especially the immunocompromised. Like all of us, I want to move toward a world where masks aren’t necessary, but keeping one another safe is my top priority. I will continue to advocate for smart public health measures, and have my office practice them as well, but I am concerned we are declaring victory too early.
Community Bulletin
- Our Care Forward roundtable has been moved to March 16th.
- The Parks Department is hiring! New York City's greenest department has full-time, part-time, and seasonal openings waiting to be filled by nature lovers just like you.
- Creatives Rebuild New York has opened applications for their Guaranteed Income for Artists and Artist Employment project. This program will provide cash and job opportunities to artists across New York with no strings attached (we love a UBI pilot)!
- Attention movies lovers 65+! BAM Cinema is offering free tickets to our senior cinephiles every third Friday of the month. Click here for more information on BAM’s senior programming.
- Gowanus Mutual Aid is looking for a space to receive and bag produce for the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program starting in April. The space should be ground level, available on Fridays/Saturdays, and have refrigeration. Please email [email protected] with leads or suggestions.
- Starting tomorrow, there will be utility work on 6th Avenue between Park Place and Sterling Place as well as on Sterling Place between 5th and 6th Avenues. The work is slated to be completed on March 25th - but what does that mean for you? No parking at the following locations.
- The east side of 6th Avenue between Park Place and Sterling Place
- 100 feet from 6th Avenue on the south side of Sterling Place between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
Here’s to daylight savings being over in just one short week.
In Solidarity,
Shahana
ICYMI: Our first hearing was a success! We heard six hours of testimony from advocates, state electeds, and people formerly detained at Orange County Jail. Despite my surgery fatigue, it was an honor to chair this hearing and I’m excited for our next one in just a few weeks. Stay tuned for details.
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