NYC Council Member Julie Menin Distributing Free Covid Adult And Child K95 Masks And Hand Sanitizers Wednesday January 5 At Good Shepherd Plaza, But No Community Covid Take Home Tests Which NY State Sending Only To Schools

Roosevelt Island and Upper East Side NYC District 5 Council Member Julie Menin announced today:

With the rising cases of Covid-19 and the spread of the Omicron variant in New York City, Council Member Julie Menin procured 2,100 adult KN95 masks, 400 Child masks and 96 8-oz hand sanitizers bottles from NYC Test & Trace Corps to distribute to local community organizations on Wednesday, January 5th and Thursday, January 6th in New York City Council District 5.

As of Tuesday, New York State hospitalizations had risen above 10,000 for the first time since May 2020. In the past week, nearly 34 percent of all tests came back positive for New York City residents.  

The schedule for distribution is as follows:

• January 5th at 2:00 pm - 79th Street and York Avenue with the East 86th Street Association
• January 5th at 4:30 pm - Good Shepherd Plaza (543 Main St, Roosevelt Island)
• January 6th at 2:00 pm - Holmes Towers with Holmes Towers Tenants Association (1st Avenue between 92nd and 93rd)
• January 6th at 3:15 pm - Isaac Houses with Stanley Isaacs Resident Association (93rd St and 1st Avenue)
• January 6th at 5:00 pm- Lexington Houses with Lexington Houses Tenants Association (Lexington Avenue and 99th Street)

“As we continue to battle Covid-19, our office has partnered with NYC Test & Trace Corps to ensure New Yorkers have ready access to the testing, protective equipment, and cleaning supplies needed to stay safe and protected,” said Council Member Julie Menin. 

Staff from Council Member Julie Menin’s office along with members of community-based organizations will be present at each location for distribution to the general public.

I asked Ms Menin's office:

Any info on distribution of home COVID tests? 

That’s what is needed most.

 A spokesperson for Ms Menin replied:

We are advocating for take-home test kits to be distributed in our community, but the state has paused the distribution program. Read this form for more info. Essentially, the state is allocating the test kits for the schools.

More info on Roosevelt Island Covid statistics here.

UPDATE 1/5/22:

Thank you! Roosevelt Island needs a dedicated COVID testing location!!!!

— Lauren Rennée 🚠 (@lbrennee) January 5, 2022

And kids masks too! Our team is distributing over 2500 masks today and tomorrow throughout the district. 😷😷😷 pic.twitter.com/rA62njKnt0

— Julie Menin (@JulieMenin) January 5, 2022

UPDATE 1/6 : 

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney Meeting And Listening To Roosevelt Island Coler Nursing Home Residents And Supporters Seeking Solutions To Ending Year Long Isolation, Quarantine & Infection Risk From Covid 19 Pandemic

Roosevelt Island's Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney met with and listened to Coler Nursing Home residents today 

seeking solutions to end their year long isolation, quarantine and infection risk from the Covid 19 Pandemic.

 

Roosevelt Island Coler Nursing Home resident @opendoorsnyc poet Peter Yearwood closes meeting today with Congresswoman @RepMaloney by reciting his poem about recent #Nursinghomelivesmatter vigil at Coler. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/oBblbKrqVA

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) March 29, 2021

Stay tuned for more. 

UPDATE 9;30 PM - According to a Coler source:

March 5th - 12th - 1 newly diagnosed positive resident, 1 newly diagnosed positive staff,

March 13th - 19th - 1 newly diagnosed positive resident, 1 newly diagnosed positive staff

March 20 - 26th - 0 newly diagnosed positive residents, 13 newly diagnosed positive staff 

Closed for visitation until April 4th

TOTAL COVID CASES SINCE JANUARY 3RD:

• 13 RESIDENTS
• 66 STAFF

GRAND TOTAL: 79 positive cases since January 3rd. 

Many of the units remain quarantined because of exposure to positive staff. 

375 days of confinement so far.

Also, during tonight's meeting, Roosevelt Island resident and Coler Auxiliary Volunteer Judy Berdy describes efforts to make life better for Coler Nursing Home residents.

UPDATE 3/30 - A Coler source reports:

Coler is now OPEN for outdoor visits! Indoor visits will resume on April 14th. Appointments need to be made with Social Work department. I'm sure there are caveats (such as quarantined residents) but at least it's a start!

You're Invited To Virtual Covid 19 Mental Health, Equity & Resilience Community Conversation February 24 Presented By NYPL Roosevelt Island Branch And NYC Health Department - Sign Up Now, Space Is Limited

The New York Public Library Roosevelt Island branch is hosting a virtual Covid 19 Mental Health Community Conversation in partnership with the NYC Health Department tomorrow, February 24 beginning at 9;30 AM. Please sign up here to attend.  According to the Roosevelt Island branch library:

COVID-19 Community Conversations: Mental Health, Equity & Resilience 

Wednesday, February 24, 2021, 9:30 - 11 a.m. End times are approximate. Events may end early or late. 

In partnership with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Roosevelt Island library is proud to present COVID-19 Community Conversations: Mental Health, Equity, & Resilience.  

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global shared traumatic experience that disrupts and affects our families, friends, and communities.  

In NYC and nationally, people of color are disproportionally affected by COVID-19. To address the mental health challenges brought by the pandemic and structural racism in our City, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will provide a free virtual presentation on topics including grief, trauma, coping, and resilience, in addition to mental health tips. Patrons will enter a safe space to discuss the effects of the pandemic and learn about coping skills and relevant resources.  

Please register online at the following link: https://nypl_rooseveltisland.timetap.com. If you have any difficulty registering, please call (646) 874- 4653. Registration is limited and spots will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis. This program will be hosted on Webex and can be accessed using a computer, tablet, or phone. Please contact sashajones@nypl.org with any questions regarding the program. 

More info on mental health access during the Covid 19 Pandemic from this Thrive NYC video. 

As previously reported, the Roosevelt Island branch library is now open for Grab and Go service and

Download audiobooks onto your phone, computer, or e-reader—all you need is your library card. https://t.co/PrkS3r14F5

— NY Public Library (@nypl) February 21, 2021

Roosevelt Island Coler Residents Demand Nursing Home Lives Matter - Organizing Virtual And Live Protest Saturday December 19 To Stop NYC From Moving Covid 19 Patients Into Their Coler Nursing Facility Home

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Open Doors NYC (@opendoorsnyc)

The Open Doors Reality Poets at Roosevelt Island Coler Nursing Facility report:

Coler Rehabilitation & Nursing Care Center is making contingency plans to re-open the emergency Covid hospital inside Coler. Coler is not a hospital—it is home to over 500 vulnerable residents with disabilities who are at high risk of serious illness and death from Covid.

Saturday December 19th at 2pm, Nursing Home Lives Matter (NHLM)—Coler residents and concerned neighbors will gather to present a letter of objection to the reopening of the Covid hospital within Coler and hear testimonials from inside the nursing home. This event will be simultaneously staged inside 

Coler’s courtyard. Outside allies will be separated from residents by a fence that has kept them/us locked inside the home for over 270 days. Please wear a mask and maintain social distance.  

Read more »

RIDA President Wendy Hersh Thanks C&C Management Roosevelt Landings Staff And Evangel Church Food Pantry For Delivering Food To Roosevelt Island Elderly, Disabled And Homebound Neighbors

Reported earlier this month on a group of Roosevelt Island Heroes:

Volunteers, led by Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Wendy Hersh, together with the Long Island City based Evangel Church Food Pantry and the NYC Emergency Management Department (NYCEM) Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members are delivering free meals to Roosevelt Island elderly and homebound residents during the Coronavirus Pandemic...

RIDA President Wendy Hersh updates us on the volunteers helping to feed our Roosevelt Island neighbors which includes the staff at Roosevelt Landings C&C Management:

During a week of appreciation, it is only fitting to shout out Doryne Isley , Chuck Abdul and the maintenance staff at C & C Management. In the midst of their day of working with a diminished staff, they are always there to pickup the meals,, unload the trucks

and help us deliver food to our neighbors and residents in need during this pandemic



Always willing to help with a smile on their face.

Love u guys!! We are so appreciative of all you do....now delivering 3 meals a day...


The Super's name is Chuck, not Frank.

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Roosevelt Island Heroes In Action - RIDA, NYCEM CERT & Evangel Food Pantry Volunteers Deliver Free Meals To Roosevelt Island Elderly And Homebound During Coronavirus Pandemic - We Want To Help Our Neighbors, That's What Roosevelt island Is All About Says RIDA President Wendy Hersh

Volunteers, led by Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Wendy Hersh, together with the Long Island City based Evangel Church Food Pantry and the NYC Emergency Management Department (NYCEM) Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members are delivering free meals to Roosevelt Island elderly and homebound residents during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Image Of RIDA, Evangel and NYC CERT Members Prior To Delivering Food Saturday May 2

Ms Hersh reports providing meals to between 170 and 200 people daily including:

320 meals a day Monday thru Friday (breakfasts and lunches). 550 bags of groceries each week (dairy, canned food, pasta, cereal, other nonperishables, fresh veggies and fruit, juice and sometimes meat). as well as 185 small grocery boxes on Saturdays.

200 catered dinner meals last Saturday and Sunday.

Last Saturday before beginning their food distribution, I spoke with

• RIDA's Wendy Hersh,
• Carolyn Marko, Executive Director of Evangel Church,
• Frank Farance, Roosevelt Island Resident and CERT Incident Commander
• Paul Curiale, CERT Operations Chief and
• Terese Flores, CERT Operations Deputy Chief

about what they are doing. Here's what they said.



Ms Hersh expressed great thanks to Carolyn Marko of the Evangel Church Food Pantry, noting::

People think Roosevelt Island is Timbuktu. We could not get any food. I called Carolyn up Twelve o'clock one day and by 4 o'clock she delivered five hundred fifty bags to us....

... We just want to help our neighbors. That's what Roosevelt Island is all about...

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Virtual Art History Lessons For Roosevelt Island Students And Families During Coronavirus School Shutdown, 4th Lesson The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough, Take The Challenge To Create Your Own Version Of Painting - More Virtual RI Activities Too

Earlier this month we began a Roosevelt Island Art History Lesson Program developed by Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Children, Youth & Education Committee Chair Adib Mansour:

• Lesson 1 focused on the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. 
• Lesson 2 focusing on the Delphic Sibyl, Michelangelo Buonarroti.
• Lesson 3 focusing on A View of Toledo, by El Greco 1604 -14

Lesson 4 this week will be on The Blue Boy, Thomas Gainsborough, 1770

According to Mr Mansour:

I believe the students on the island as well as their parents /caretakers, are searching for activities to share with their children at home.

My idea is to provide parents / caretakers and the youth of this beautiful island educational outlets with fun activities. These consist of easy to learn facts, easy for the youth to learn on their own or with the help of the families / caretakers.

I know how difficult it is for the islanders to be quarantined and hope that these lessons / fun activities would give them a physical and emotional relief. At this time, I will concentrate on Art History which will include: Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, El Greco, Gainsborough, Fragonard, Goya, Sir Edward Burns-Jones, Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet, Paul Cézanne, Thomas Eakins, Pierre-August Renoir, and Auguste Rodin.

The objective of Art History Lessons is to invite the students of all ages to create their own versions of numerous great paintings.

By end of class, participants will be able to identify several famous paintings as well as learn some historical, cultural, and artistic information.The students will learn about the artist’s life and achievements. The caretakers will have 15 minutes discussions on each painting, looking at details and personal interpretations.

Click to download Art History Lesson 4 The Blue Boy, Thomas Gainsborough, 1770 prepared by RIRA's Adib Manosur.

Read more »

Any Hand Sanitizer, Cleaning Supplies, Fresh Fruit/Vegetables, Meat, Favorite Beer and Other Essential Items In Stock At Roosevelt Island Stores Right Now - Try Out New OurStreets Supplies Crowdsourcing App To Help Yourself And Neighbors Find Available Store Products

Neighbors are sharing what they find at store with neighbors across the country with OurStreets. But what if no one using the app in your community? Here's a guide to get you started https://t.co/YS8zEuN7eg

— OurStreets (@OurStreetsApp) April 27, 2020

A new crowdsourcing app from OurStreets may help Roosevelt Island residents know when items like hand sanitizers (available today from Foodtown)

fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, toilet paper, disinfectant wipes and other essential items are available at our local Roosevelt Island stores - Foodtown Supermarket, Wholesome Market, Duane Reade and Bread & Butter Deli during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Or, nearby such as Costco in Long Island City among others.  OurStreets CEO Mark Sussman explains the basic concept for the free Supplies app:

When you go to the store to get the essentials you need during COVID-19, you report to the app what you were able to find.

Others are then able to find the OurStreets report you made either in the app or on our online map that helps them figure out which store they should visit to get the supplies they need, while helping everyone social distance

and watch this video to learn more.

Read more »

RIRA Youth Committee Chair Develops Art History Lessons For Roosevelt Island Students And Families During Coronavirus School Shutdown, 3rd Lesson A View Of Toledo By El Greco - Cornell Tech Computer Science, Beacon Virtual Classroom, Music Play Station & Island Om Yoga Programs Available Too

Earlier this month we began a Roosevelt Island Art History Lesson Program developed by Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Children, Youth & Education Committee Chair Adib Mansour:

• Lesson 1 focused on the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. 
• Lesson 2 focusing on the Delphic Sibyl, Michelangelo Buonarroti.

Lesson 3 this week will be on A View of Toledo, by El Greco 1604 -14. 

According to Mr Mansour:

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Main Street Makes Some Noise Yesterday Afternoon In Appreciation For Retiring Woody And Other Essential Workers - I Nearly Jumped Out Of My Skin From Sirens And Honking Says Unknowing Resident

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse asked yesterday about all the noise on Main Street yesterday afternoon.

It was an effort by residents to "Make Some Noise" to thank Roosevelt Island essential employees and specifically a long time worker at Roosevelt Landings who is retiring.

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) April 24, 2020

pic.twitter.com/M0rKBs2SYY

— FinnYorker (@NYTTYTTYY) April 24, 2020

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) reports the reason for the noise

!!! Make Some Noise, Roosevelt Island! - Friday, April 24th @ Noon!!!!

Raise your windows, clap and beat on pots to show your appreciation to Woody Morgan for thirty-eight years of service to C & C Apartment Management and all of our Roosevelt Island Essential Employees, such as Building Maintenance Staffers, Public Safety, RIOC Staff, Carter Burden Senior Center Staff, Roosevelt Island Disabled Association, and Food Delivery Volunteers.

Roosevelt Island resident Nakita Hines shares this video of



the Main Street Appreciation Celebration for Woody Morgan and other essential workers, adding:

Mr.Woody is really gonna be missed I hope he enjoys his retirement!!

And a family member of Woody Morgan shares this view from inside the parade of vehicles.



Every night at 8 PM, Roosevelt Island residents stand on their balcony or by their window and Make Some Noise banging pots and pans together

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Rent Relief May Be Coming For Roosevelt Island Main Street Retail Stores From RIOC And Master Leaseholder Hudson Related But What About The Residential Tenants? RIOC Videoconference Board Meeting April 23 To Discuss Deferring Commercial Lease Payments Among Other Items On Agenda

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board Directors will hold a meeting tomorrow, April 23, not in person but by videoconference due to the Coronavirus Pandemic social distancing protocols.

Image From RIOC

According to RIOC:

TO VIEW THE RIOC BOARD MEETING ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE OR COMPUTER, CLICK HERE:

TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO BE READ DURING THE PUBLIC SESSION OF THE BOARD MEETING:

http://rioc.ny.gov/FormCenter/Meetings-4/Speakup-43

* Please keep all comments to below 500 words.

**This is the same form that is used for registering to speak at a RIOC Board Meeting. It has been changed to accept comments from the public.

Among the items on the April 23 RIOC Board Meeting Agenda are:

• 4. Authorization to Amend the Master Sublease Agreement for Main Street Retail Space with Hudson Related Realty LLC (Board Action Required)
• 6. Authorization to Amend the License Agreement with Roosevelt Island Racquet Club Associates (Board Action Required)

What is the Main Street Retail Lease and Tennis Club License amendment about?

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Resident And NYC Emergency Management Dep't CERT Volunteer Frank Farance Reports On Food Bagging Mission Which Became Rescue Mission Of Almost Quarter Million Pounds Of Food During Coronavirus Pandemic

Roosevelt Island resident Frank Farance is a long time volunteer with the NYC Emergency Management Department (NYCEM) Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). According to NYCEM

NYC CERT members are dedicated volunteers who undergo a training program that provides basic response skills needed for fire safety, light search and rescue, community disaster support, disaster medical operations, and traffic control.

The volunteer commitment is for at least one year of service following graduation....

Mr Farance shown in photo below on right with other CERT members shares these photos and reports on a recent CERT Food Bagging mission which turned into a Food Saving mission during the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic. According to Mr Farance:

This Originally Started as a "Food Bagging" Operation

There are almost a dozen CDP (Commodity Distribution Point) operations around the City, which involve trucks/pallets of food (of various menu/packaging types) and an on-site partnership of the City's Parks Department, National Guard,

other City Agencies, and CERTs. This operation is different. The deployment request called it a Food Bagging operation, including separating food into compost, tossing stale food, and salvaging what we could from the boxes.

The operation was at Pier 36 (downtown on South Street) at Basketball City, which abuts the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) facility.

After scavenging for items in the 27,400 boxes (or as much as we could get through that day), the 274 pallets

Read more »

RIRA Youth Committee Chair Develops Art History Lessons For Roosevelt Island Students And Families During Coronavirus School Shutdown, 2nd Lesson On Delphic Sibyl By Michelangelo - Cornell Tech Computer Science, Beacon Virtual Classroom, Music Play Station & Island Om Yoga Programs Available Too

Last week we began a Roosevelt Island Art History Lesson Program developed by Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Children, Youth & Education Committee Chair Adib Mansour. The first lesson focused on the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci. This week will be Lesson 2 focusing on the Delphic Sibyl, Michelangelo Buonarroti.

According to Mr Mansour:

I believe the students on the island as well as their parents /caretakers, are searching for activities to share with their children at home.

My idea is to provide parents / caretakers and the youth of this beautiful island educational outlets with fun activities. These consist of easy to learn facts, easy for the youth to learn on their own or with the help of the families / caretakers.

Read more »

Who Are The People At Coler, Our Roosevelt Island Neighbors Who Need Help - We Will Not Let Coronavirus Win Says Coler Resident

Reported last Thursday that Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and Roosevelt Island Friends Of Coler delivered much needed Face shields, N95 respirators, surgical masks, and gloves to protect our neighbors at the Coler Nursing Facility from the Coronavirus.

Andrew Oliver, the Executive Director of Do For One organization, introduces us to some of are neighbors who make Coler their home. According to Mr. Oliver:

Valuable Lives in the Shadow of COVID-19

I may have never stepped foot on Roosevelt Island had I not met Ralph. He was talking to people on Fulton Street, in Brooklyn, and asking for money. I assumed he was homeless. I asked, “Where do you live?” His eyes lit up: “Roosevelt Island. You take the F train to get there!” He was eager to jot down the directions for me on a torn piece of paper. I felt stuck. Was I to visit him?

So I was. A few days later I exited the island’s F train station and took the red bus toward the lighthouse. Next to it was Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility, where Ralph lived. His gratitude of having a visitor overflowed into a spontaneous prayer, “Lord, thank you for my friend who came to visit me!”

I now call Roosevelt Island home and lead a small program called Do For One. We build supportive and lasting relationships for people with developmental disabilities. One of the first relationships was when I invited Luis to become Ralph’s helper and friend. Luis visited Ralph regularly. Together they built a community of Coler residents who played dominoes around a table in one of the day rooms. Luis says, “I consider myself a no nonsense kind of guy and I feel like he was the same way. It made me feel comfortable. It was a simple relationship, and even out of that simplicity a lot was being exchanged.”

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Friends Of Coler And Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright Donate And Deliver Vital Supplies And Personal Protective Equipment To Coler Nursing Facility Today Including 3d Printed Visors From Cornell Tech - Adjacent Roosevelt Medical Facility Seeking Food And Equipment Support Too

As reported April 9

... the Friends Of Coler are a group of Roosevelt Island residents organizing to help the patients and staff of NYC Health & Hospitals Corp (HHC) Coler Facility during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Friends Of Coler are responding to calls for help from highly vulnerable patients and staff like this plea for N 95 masks by a Coler nurse



... Roosevelt Islanders remain very worried for friends, family, neighbors living and working at Coler Rehab and Nursing Care Center. We are continuing efforts to get detailed oversight to provide the safest medical practices available and get supplies to Coler staff and residents.

Friends of Coler is coordinating with Assembly Member Seawright’s office to donate supplies early next week to Coler. Gloves, masks, sanitizer, disinfectant wipes are all welcome at this time, especially N95 masks. Please email friendsofcoler@gmail.com to give supplies to Coler.

Friends of Coler has connected Seawright’s office with Cornell Tech’s MakerLAB and they are making 50 face shields to be finished over the weekend and donated to Coler....

This morning, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright

and Roosevelt Island Friends Of Coler delivered Face shields, N95 respirators, surgical masks, and gloves

to Coler Nursing Facility.Director Robert Hughes and Director of Nursing Care Yves-Rose Pascal.



According to Ms Seawright:

Read more »

NYC Schools Closed For The Year Due To Coronavirus, RIRA Youth Committee Chair Develops Art History Lessons For Roosevelt Island Students And Families During Quarantine - Cornell Tech Computer Science And Beacon Virtual Classroom Programs Available Too

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio reported that NYC schools will be closed for the rest of the year.

We closed school buildings to protect our kids.

So how do we keep our students learning? We’ve got the answer to that and more of your questions. #AskMyMayor. pic.twitter.com/oifkgS0VNY

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 13, 2020

Check out @NYCMayor de Blasio & @DOEChancellor Carranza’s letter to families announcing that @NYCschools buildings will not reopen for instruction this school year. Students will continue with Remote Learning for the rest of the 2019-20 school year: https://t.co/L6zMxSc69v

— NYC Public Schools (@NYCSchools) April 11, 2020

What additional educational options are available for Roosevelt Island students and their families until the schools re-open. One option is a program developed by Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Children, Youth & Education Committee Chair Adib Mansour. According to Mr Mansour:

I believe the students on the island as well as their parents /caretakers, are searching for activities to share with their children at home.

My idea is to provide parents / caretakers and the youth of this beautiful island educational outlets with fun activities. These consist of easy to learn facts, easy for the youth to learn on their own or with the help of the families / caretakers.

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Resident Khadijah Abduraham Hosting April 12 Science On Sunday Zoom Show On Coler Hospital And The Chronopolitics Of The Pandemic - Join The Discussion In Honor Of Deceased Resident Roy Watson And Learn About Current Coronavirus Conditions At Coler

As previously reported, Roosevelt Island residents have organized to help the patients and staff at the Coler Rehab & Nursing Care Center facility obtain personal protective equipment needed to stay safe that they are not receiving during the Coronavirus Pandemic.



Roosevelt Island resident J. Khadijah Abdurahman is hosting an April 12 Zoom Science On Sundays 8 PM to 9:15 PM discussion focusing on the conditions at Coler.

Coler Hospital and the Chronopolitics of the Pandemic Sunday April 12th 8-9:15pm (EST)

This episode is dedicated to Roy Watson, my friend, devout Muslim, activist, ⁦@opendoorsnyc⁩ member and Coler hospital resident who died of COVID-19 https://t.co/qnaZjiYy0k

— Khadijah (@UpFromTheCracks) April 9, 2020

According to the We Be Imagining Science On Sundays web page:

Coler and the Chronopolitics of the Pandemic

Coler Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center is located on Roosevelt Island.

Host: J. Khadijah Abdurahman

Just click the Zoom link here to join the show:

This episode of SOS is dedicated in memory of Roy Watson, a devout Muslim, activist, OPEN DOORS member and Coler resident who died on Tuesday, April 6th of COVID-19

Featuring Professor Gabriel Winant discussing his recently published piece in n+1 magazine, Coronavirus and Chronopolitics

Vince Pierce, member of OPEN DOORS and resident of Coler Hospital sharing his experience on the frontlines of PPE shortages and the spread of COVID-19 at Coler.

Jennilie Brewster, project lead of OPEN DOORS sharing the challenges faced by community supporters in advocating on behalf of Coler residents as COVID-19 patients are being transferred to Coler and mixed in with the 500 residents who already lived there

Niti Parikh, Creative Lead of the MakerLAB @ Cornell Tech discussing her efforts to develop face shields and distribute them to hospitals who need them

More on the The American Assembly Columbia University We Be Imagining program here.

Roosevelt Island Volunteers Led By RIDA President Wendy Hersh Deliver Groceries And Meals Daily To Our Seniors And Homebound During Coronavirus Pandemic

Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Wendy Hersh shares these photos and reports:

So it's been quite a few weeks...working remotely from home non stop. 8hrs a day...

and at the same time making sure those in need and those unable to come out in my community receive their breakfast and lunch every day as well as making sure our weekly grocery donations are distributed along with that.

Read more »

Friends Of Coler Organizing On Roosevelt Island To Help Coler Rehab & Nursing Care Center Patients & Staff During Coronavirus Pandemic - Seeking Donation Of Personal Protective Supplies And Volunteers To Pick Up And Sanitize 3D Printed Face Shields From Cornell Tech Makers Lab This Weekend, Can You Help?

As previously reported, the Friends Of Coler are a group of Roosevelt Island residents organizing to help the patients and staff of NYC Health & Hospitals Corp (HHC) Coler Facility during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Friends Of Coler are responding to calls for help from highly vulnerable patients and staff like this plea for N 95 masks by a Coler nurse



and this response submitted by a Coler resident to an online suggestion box set up by the Friends Of Coler:

I'm a resident of Coler Hospital. Last week they brought a patient from Elmhurst hospital and put him in my room. A 3 bed room right between me and my other roomate. Within days this patient developed a fever and couldn't breathe. He would cough the whole night, and was given a breathing machine that wasn't helping him to much. 2 days ago he was sent back to the Hospital. Then last night, Hospital workers came and took the bed he was on away. When i asked why they said they had to disinfected. What does that tell you? That my life was put in danger by administration being irresponsible and careless.

Here's an update today from Friends Of Coler.

Friends of Coler are coordinating together on Roosevelt Island to help Coler Rehab & Nursing Care Center during the COVID-19 crisis.

Roosevelt Islanders remain very worried for friends, family, neighbors living and working at Coler Rehab and Nursing Care Center. We are continuing efforts to get detailed oversight to provide the safest medical practices available and get supplies to Coler staff and residents.

Read more »

Coronavirus Patients Being Transferred To New Roosevelt Island Medical Center In Same Building But Separate Area Of Coler Nursing Facility Says NYC Health & Hospitals Corp - Adds Every HHC Health Care Worker Who Needs Protective Equipment Is Able To Receive What They Require, But Coler Nurses Say Not So

NYC Health & Hospitals Corp (NYC HHC) President Mitch Katz tweeted today:

That's great but patients and staff at Roosevelt Island Coler Facility in same building are pleading for N95 masks and other protective equipment. RI residents are organizing to help them but NYC needs to step up. @BenKallos @SeawrightForNY @SenatorSerrano https://t.co/1kHik9fmsM https://t.co/kUDn4Y267F

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) April 7, 2020

I asked NYC HHC:

Roosevelt island Coler Staff are pleading to be supplied with N 95 Masks and Personal Protective Equipment to treat Coronavirus patients.

I'm told that the Staff was advised they will not get the equipment because Coler is considered a Nursing Home and not a Hospital. Will Coler Staff be supplied with N 95 Masks and PPE? If not, why?

Also, I'm being told that Coronavirus patients are being transferred to Coler which the Mayor said would not happen. Are Coronavirus patients now being transferred to Coler.

NYC HHC spokesperson replied tonight:

To address the need for ICU space in our hospitals, NYC Health + Hospitals has moved covid-19 patients to the Roosevelt Island Medical Center. The Medical Center is separate from the post-acute, nursing facility known as NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler. Roosevelt Island Medical Center is in a separate area with no overlap or shared space. No covid-19 patients were moved into the nursing facility.

​NYC Health + Hospitals facilities are on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic and our dedicated employees are working day and night to ensure that all our patients receive the individual care they need. We’re doing everything we can to keep our employees protected with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Every health care worker in our system who needs PPE is able to receive what they require.

Read more »