Fire Through Dry Grass Documentary About Experiences Of Roosevelt Island Coler Nursing Home Residents And Workers During Covid Pandemic National Broadcast Premier 10 PM Monday October 30 On PBS Television Series POV

Fire Through Dry Grass is a documentary film about the experience of residents and workers at the NYC Health & Hospitals Corp Coler nursing facility on Roosevelt Island during the Covid pandemic. 

Coler residents and Open Doors Reality Poets teamed with documentary filmmaker Alexis Neophytides 

to show what it was like at the Coler nursing home during the early days of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Fire Through Dry Grass makes its national broadcast premier 10 PM Monday October 30 on the award winning PBS television series POV. The film can also be viewed online at this link.

According to the Fire Through Dry Grass website:

Fire Through Dry Grass uncovers in real-time the devastation experienced by residents of a New York City nursing home during the coronavirus pandemic. Co-Directors Alexis Neophytides and Andres “Jay” Molina take viewers inside Coler, on Roosevelt Island, where Jay lives with his fellow Reality Poets, a group of mostly gun violence survivors.

Wearing snapback caps and Air Jordans, Jay and the other Reality Poets don’t look like typical nursing home residents. They used to travel around the city sharing their art and hard-earned wisdom with youth. Now, using GoPros clamped to their wheelchairs, they document their harrowing experiences on “lock down.” Covid-positive patients are moved into their bedrooms; nurses fashion PPE out of garbage bags; refrigerated-trailer morgues hum outside residents’ windows. All the while public officials deny the suffering and dying behind Coler’s brick walls.

The Reality Poets’ rhymes flow throughout the film, underscoring their feelings that their home is now as dangerous as the streets they once ran and—as summer turns to fall turns to winter—that they’re prisoners without a release date. But instead of history repeating itself on this tiny island with a dark history of institutional neglect and abandonment, Fire Through Dry Grass shows these disabled Black and brown artists refusing to be abused, confined, erased.

The NY Times review of Fire Through Dry Grass reports:

... The combination of firsthand footage with poetry makes for an intimate and raw film that gives a real sense of the confinement faced by the residents, some of whom compared the experience to previous jail stints. It’s a powerful reminder of how defining and devastating the pandemic was, and gives space to those whose voices were long ignored....

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Here's the trailer from Fire Through Dry Grass.

Do you remember what it was like?

 

Fire Through Dry Grass can be seen 10 PM tomorrow, October 30, on the PBS television series POV or at this online link.

Wearing A Mask Is Encouraged But Now Optional On The Roosevelt Island Tram And Red Bus Says RIOC - Masks Optional On NY State Public Transportation Say Governor Kathy Hochul

NY State Governor Kathy Hochul announced last Wednesday: 

 ... masking will now be optional in multiple settings where they were previously required, including on public transportation, in for-hire vehicles, at airports, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, and detention centers. Masks will continue to be required at adult care and health care facilities regulated by the state Department of Health, and in clinical settings regulated by the Office of Mental Health, Office of Addiction Services and Supports, and Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.

Starting today, masks will be optional in some places where they had previously been required, including on mass transit. pic.twitter.com/5zTT4uRB6h

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) September 7, 2022

Beginning today, masks are encouraged but optional on @NYCTSubway, @NYCTBus, @LIRR and @MetroNorth. pic.twitter.com/BMOea8nE67

— MTA (@MTA) September 7, 2022

A Roosevelt Island resident hopes:

Would be nice if RIOC gets the messaging right as this unfolds AND continues to offer masks on Red Buses & Tram if folks want them. 

Personally— I think this is terrible. But I’ll continue to wear one in close situations...

Today the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) tweeted.

Effective immediately, masks will be optional on the Roosevelt Island tram and bus.

While wearing a mask is encouraged, it is your choice. Let's respect each other's decisions. pic.twitter.com/2Y8YXm4SQm

— RIOC NYS (@RIOCny) September 9, 2022

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine And RIDA Give Out Free Covid Self Testing Kits And Hand Sanitizers At Farmers Market Last Saturday - BP President Levine Urges Roosevelt Island Residents To Protect Yourself From Covid And Get Vaccine Booster

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIOC) handed out free Covid 19 self testing kits and hand sanitizers at the Farmers Market in Good Shepherd Plaza last Saturday.

RIDA President Wendy Hersh reports that over 400 of the Covid home testing kits and hand sanitizers were distributed on Saturday.

Manhattan Borough President Levine also encouraged Roosevelt Island residents to be vaccinated and to get your Covid booster shots.

The NY Times has more information on Covid 19 booster shots.

In a sign of growing concern about the spread of new coronavirus infections, the CDC is now saying that all people 50 or older should get a second booster shot if at least four months have passed since their first booster dose. https://t.co/2G25x4QEmX

— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 21, 2022

According to a May 19, 2022 statement from the Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 

CDC is expanding eligibility of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to everyone 5 years of age and older. CDC now recommends that children ages 5 through 11 years should receive a booster shot 5 months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series. Since the pandemic began, more than 4.8 million children ages 5 through 11 have been diagnosed with COVID-19, 15,000 have been hospitalized and, tragically, over 180 have died. As cases increase across the country, a booster dose will safely help restore and enhance protection against severe disease.

In addition, today CDC is strengthening its recommendation that those 12 and older who are immunocompromised and those 50 and older should receive a second booster dose at least 4 months after their first. Over the past month we have seen steady increases in cases, with a steep and substantial increase in hospitalizations for older Americans. While older Americans have the highest coverage of any age group of first booster doses, most older Americans received their last dose (either their primary series or their first booster dose) many months ago, leaving many who are vulnerable without the protection they may need to prevent severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

Whether it is your first booster, or your second, if you haven’t had a vaccine dose since the beginning of December 2021 and you are eligible, now is the time to get one.

UPDATE 5/24:

Covid has fallen out of the news. But NYC's wave is continuing to grow, with increasing hospitalizations.

Remember Health Dept guidance: get boosted, mask indoors, test regularly, seek treatment if positive, stay home if sick.

It's as true as ever: you don't want to catch this. pic.twitter.com/h9YYQacDyG

— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) May 24, 2022

Free Covid 19 KN95 Masks And At Home Tests Will Be Distributed Friday January 14 At Roosevelt Island Food Pantry By RIDA And NYC Council Member Julie Menin - RI Covid Vaccine Booster Clinic Today Arranged By Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright Administered By Zeel

We distributed KN95 masks and at-home tests with @HolmesIsaacs + @EVANGELIST_SC today and will be on Roosevelt Island this Friday at 4pm across from Good Shepherd Plaza at 546 Main Street! pic.twitter.com/iDIRZoZCuk

— Julie Menin (@JulieMenin) January 12, 2022

Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Wendy Hersh reports:

The RIDA Food Pantry will be open this Friday. Council Member Julie Menin in collaboration with the Roosevelt Island Disabled Association will be distributing KN95 masks at the RIDA Food Pantry in the 546 Main St Lobby this Friday January 14th from 4-5pm. Let's keep our island safe!

A spokesperson for Roosevelt Island NYC Council Member Julie Menin adds:

... the Covid rapid tests are the take-home rapid tests (they come two in a kit) and we got it from Borough President Mark Levine.

Earlier today, Roosevelt Island NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawight arranged for a Moderna Covid Booster vaccination clinic 

at the Roosevelt Island Carter Burden Senior Center administered by Zeel, a health care provider.

Approximately 60 Covid vaccine booster shots were given at the Senior Center and Zeel staff members also provided at home booster shots to Roosevelt Island residents today.

According to this press release from Zeel:

"We're pleased to partner with Zeel as we continue to deliver booster shots to the fight against the COVID-19 variants," said Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, who has sponsored a total of seven vaccine or booster clinics on the Upper East Side, Yorkville, and Roosevelt Island. Seawright said that Zeel's delivery of the Moderna booster is vital in ensuring that all communities are properly protected in accordance with CDC guidelines. 

Since April 2021, New York City-based Zeel has vaccinated tens of thousands of New Yorkers, at 150 New York City public schools, at thousands of homes, and at pop-up locations from Times Square to Coney Island. 

Said Zeel Founder and CEO Samer Hamadeh,“I am particularly proud of our tireless teams of providers, who are out in the field getting boosters into the arms of those who need them the most. We are grateful to Assembly Member Seawright and organizations like the Brooklyn and Queens Chambers of Commerce, who see the urgency in this program and are doing everything they can to get as many people, especially at-risk populations and essential workers, boosted as possible.” 

Zeel’s citywide network of more than 200 nurses and 200 drivers and administrators have been working around the clock for almost a year. From the city’s most venerated museums to celebrated restaurants like East Harlem’s Rao’s, Zeel has been on-site vaccinating and boosting the essential workers that are the very lifeblood of the city....

NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright Offering Roosevelt Island Moderna Covid 19 Booster Shot Clinic Thursday January 13, Call To Make Appointment - Latest Covid Testing, Vaccination And Hospitalization Statistics Available Too

Roosevelt Island and Upper East Side NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright reports:

Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright will offer the seventh in a series of vaccine clinics for constituents this Thursday, January 13, on Roosevelt Island. 

Appointments for the COVID-19 Moderna Booster are available by calling the Assembly Member’s district office at 212-288-4607. In-home appointments are also available upon request for homebound residents. 

The service is supported by the New York City Vaccine Command with booster shots administered by Zeel, a health care provider. 

The Carter Burden Senior Citizen Center is hosting the event. 

What: Assembly Member Seawright Moderna Booster Clinic 

When: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM 

 Where: Carter Burden Senior Center 546 Main St., Roosevelt Island, N.Y. 

Contact: 212-288-4607 to schedule appointment

I spoke with Ms Seawright last month at a mobile Roosevelt Island Mobile Test van site.

According to NYC Health Department, the most recent 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 31 - January 6 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 843 people tested and 181 new Positive Cases for a rate of 21.47%.

As previously reported:

... the 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 27 - January 2 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 610 people tested and 188 new Positive Cases for a rate of 30.82.%.

... the 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 26 - January 1 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 580 people tested and 171 new Positive Cases for a rate of 29.48.%.

More Roosevelt Island Covid 19 Test Data here.

Also, according to NYC Health Department 10,536 (90.27%) Roosevelt Island residents have received at least one vaccine dose and 9,400 (80.54%) residents are full vaccinated.

There have been 11 people hospitalized from Roosevelt Island zip code 10044 with Covid 19 for the 28 day period from November 30 -December 27 for a rate of 94.2 per 100 thousand people.

There have been no Roosevelt Island Covid 19 deaths during this 28 day period. 

The Roosevelt Island 10044 Zip Code Covid 19 hospitalization data during 28 day period of November 23 - December 20 shows 7 people hospitalized for a rate of 60 per 100 Thousand people.

How Long Did It Take To Get Your Covid 19 Test Results From The Roosevelt Island Mobil Test Van At Good Shepherd Plaza Week Of Dec 20 To 24? Most Recent Roosevelt Island Covid Testing Positivity Rate At 27%, 7 People Hospitalized

How can we get the free US Department of Health and Human Services PCR COVID test site to Roosevelt Island? @RepMaloney @SeawrightForNY @SenatorSerrano @JulieMenin @BenKallos @SenSchumer https://t.co/krohEKloQY

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) December 31, 2021

It could also measure nearby availability and lack thereof

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) December 31, 2021

As reported Friday December 24:

The NYC Health & Hospitals contractor DocGo Mobile Covid Test and Vaccination Unit Van arrived for a Roosevelt Island week long stay at Good Shepherd Plaza last Monday.

The mobil Covid 19 Test van was on Roosevelt Island from December 20-24 with long 3-4 hour wait times in very cold weather.

On December 31, Roosevelt Island resident Annemarie Van Roessel reported:

Thank you for all your work to document the news on Roosevelt Island. One thing I haven’t seen mentioned in your coverage about the testing van that was at Good Shepherd Plaza last week was the delay in getting results. 

My daughter and I waited in line for 4 hrs and 24 minutes (I was keeping a stopwatch on my phone) on Dec 22nd and we are both still waiting for results today, Dec 31st. My results are still “pending”, but there’s nothing at all noted for my daughter, which suggests her test samples were totally lost (this was at the point when their printer was broken and they were hand-writing our information on labels to affix to the test swab bags.) 

Of course any results are beyond useless at this point, but I just found the whole thing to be an enormous fiasco. I have emailed the testing company twice over the last 9 days to ask when our results would be reported, but they just send an auto-reply FAQ and close my tickets. 

Is this company getting paid for tests that were never completed? That seems like a big scam to me. And maybe there are others like us who waited for hours in the cold for absolutely nothing? I’m thinking of reporting to RIOC and Ms. Seawright about my very disappointing experience.

I replied:

I have been working on a story about the test results and getting comments from residents on Roosevelt Islander Instagram page.

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Among the Roosevelt Islander Instagram comments about the December 20-24 Mobil Unit Covid 19 test results were: 

• My fiancée got hers on Monday and waited 2 hours, got results 48hrs after, 
• I got tested on Thursday 12/23 afternoon, received my results on Sunday morning 12/26, 
• 90 minutes wait time on 12/24, swabbed about 2:30pm. Rcvd results around 3am 12/27. 
• Got ours back after 50 hours,
  
• I never got my result. I was told my sample got damaged in the transit. It was such a waste of my 3.5 hours.  
• We never received our results. Waiting 3 hrs on Wednesday of last week 12-22!!! Are you kidding?,
• Got my results in 3 days
•  I stood in line for 3 hours and still haven’t gotten my results. It’s been 1 week. 
• Three days for me. Four for my husband.I got swabbed on 12/22 at exactly noon. It is 12/29 and I haven’t received any results yet, neither there’s a phone or email to contact the provider.
  👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 NYC health services at is best
•  STILL waiting on mine and took my test on 12/22   
• After 4 hours waiting in the line, we didn’t receive our result yet… we got tested on 12/22…….
• No results. No response. No nothing. That three hours in the cold was sure worth my time.
• Tested 12/22, no results.   

According to NYC Health Department, the Roosevelt Island 10044 Zip Code Covid 19 hospitalization data during most recent 28 day period of November 23 - December 20 shows 7 people hospitalized for a rate of 60 per 100 Thousand people. Will show the next 28 day period Roosevelt Island Hospitalization data when it becomes available.

There have been no Roosevelt Island Covid 19 deaths during this 28 day period. 

According to NYC Health Department, the most recent 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 25 - 31 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 560 people tested and 152 Positive Cases for a rate of 27.14%.

The 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 22 - 28 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 775 people tested and 159 Positive Cases for a rate of 20.52%.

The 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 21 - 27 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 994 people tested and 182 Positive Cases for a rate of 18.31%.
 

The 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 19 - 25 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 1159 people tested and 201 Positive Cases for a rate of 17.34%.

The 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 18 - 24 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 1030 people tested and 145 Positive Cases for a rate of 14.08%.

 As previously reported the:

... 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 13 - 19 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 980 people tested and 79 Positive Cases for a rate of 8.06%....

... 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 11 - 17, on Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 835 people tested and 51 Positive Case for a rate of 6.11%

 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 10 - 16, on Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 778 people tested and 36 Positive Case for a rate of 4.63% 

7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 7 - 13 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) - 813 people were tested and 33 Positive Case for a rate of 4.06%.  

7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 6 - 12, when the Covid Mobile Test Van was here on Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ), 973 people were tested resulting in 30 Positive Case for a rate of 3.08%. 

7 Day Covid Testing Data from November 24 - November 30  for Roosevelt Island Zip Code 10044 shows 578 people tested and 15 Positive Case for a rate of 2.6%...

#COVID testing is available for free across New York City.

Visit a Test & Trace Corps location below or find more sites at: https://t.co/wXcwBmvrSq pic.twitter.com/RPqRYDJLEs

— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) January 3, 2022

 

UPDATE 9:45 PM:

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Instagram comments included: 

• Got a message that my sample was destroyed. No thanks for the 3.5 hours I waited out in the cold. Very disappointed by this service. 
• I got the same thing today and got tested the same morning (12/22). It’s probably because their printer wasn’t working that day and they had to manually write everything down. 
• Tested 12/22. Got results today. TNP. So, no results! An utter waste of three hours. Cold hours.

UPDATE 10:40 PM - Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy adds:

TWO FRIENDS OF MINE WENT TO BELLEVUE THIS WEEKEND. BOTH HAD RESULTS WITHIN 28 HOURS. THEY COMPLEMENTED THE EXCELLENT SERVICE AND BEING IN AN INDOOR SPACE THAT IS LARGE AND WELL VENTILATED. ALL VACCINES AND BOOSTERS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE THERE FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN. 

I am distressed to hear that neighbors have not received results from PCR tests taken at the mobile unit days ago. My test at Bellevue e-mailed me results in 24 hours. Please use our municipal system that is here to serve every person, no questions asked.

TWO RELIABLE, FREE AND PERMANENT TESTING SITES ARE OUR MUNICPAL HOSPITALS. BELLEVUE HAS LARGE AND WELL ORGANIZED INDOOR WAITING AREAS FOR VACCINATONS, BOOSTERS AND TESTING.

THIS IS A MUCH BETTER IDEA THAT FREEZING ON A LONG LINE FOR POP-UP TESTING.
TAKE THE NYC FERRY AND BELLEVUE IS A QUICK WALK ON FIRST AVENUE OR METROPOLITAN IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE 96 STREET Q TRAIN(YOU CAN TAKE NYC FERRY TO 90 STREET DOCK FOR A WALK UP TO MET)

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue 462 First Avenue New York, New York 10016 212-562-5555 

NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan 1901 First Avenue New York, New York 10029

COVID-19 Testing and Antibody Testing Offered Here Monday – Friday Sunday, Walk Ins: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

NYC Health & Hospitals Corp Mobile Covid Test Van Returns To Roosevelt Island December 20 To 24 With PCR And Rapid Antigen Tests - Also, Covid Vaccination And Booster Shots - Latest Roosevelt Island Covid Testing And Vaccination Data

The NYC Health & Hospitals (HHC) Mobil Covid Test Unit was on Roosevelt Island from December 6-12 

thanks to the efforts of NYC Council Member-Elect Julie Menin and NY State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright. The Mobile Covid Test Unit is returning to Roosevelt Island tomorrow, December 20, thru December 24 and will do vaccinations as well as testing.

In speaking to City’s Test and Trace, they have confirmed that the mobile van will be back on Roosevelt Island 12/20-12/24 and do test and Vax. They will monitor RI’s 7 day positivity rate to determine future dates. I will work with @SeawrightForNY and community on more dates.

— Julie Menin (@JulieMenin) December 14, 2021

Roosevelt Island!

Starting on Monday, December 20th, and operating through Friday, December 24th, the New York City Health + Hospital (NYCHH) Mobile COVID Testing & Vaccination Unit will be located at Good Shepherd Plaza (543 Main Street).

— Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright (@SeawrightForNY) December 17, 2021

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) adds:

Roosevelt Island!

Starting on Monday, December 20th, and operating through Friday, December 24^th, the New York City Health + Hospital (NYCHH) Mobile COVID Testing & Vaccination Unit will be located at Good Shepherd Plaza (543 Main Street).

Operating Hours

• Monday, December 20^th -  Thursday, December 23^rd: 8 AM to 6 PM
• Friday, December 24^th: 8 AM to 2 PM

Testing

PCR and Rapid Antigen tests will be available. Rapid Antigen results can be expected within 20 minutes while PCR results will take longer.

Vaccines and Boosters

First and second shot vaccinations, including Pfizer 12 years+ and Johnson & Johnson 18 years+, as well as boosters will be available.

Services are offered at no cost, no insurance is needed, and appointments are not necessary as the unit operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please be sure to bring proper ID and your existing vaccination card, if you have one. Live interpretation services will be available.

According to NYC Health Department, the most recent 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 10 - 16, on Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) shows 778 people tested and 36 Positive Case for a rate of 4.63%.

As previously reported:

The 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 7 - 13 for Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ) - 813 people were tested and 33 Positive Case for a rate of 4.06%.

... The 7 Day Covid Testing Data from December 6 - 12, when the Covid Mobile Test Van was here on Roosevelt Island (Zip Code 10044 ), 973 people were tested resulting in 30 Positive Cases for a rate of 3.08%. ...

... The 7 Day Covid Testing Data from November 24 - November 30  for Roosevelt Island Zip Code 10044 shows 578 people tested and 15 Positive Case for a rate of 2.6%.... 

Also, according to NYC Health Department 10,054 Roosevelt Island residents have received at least one vaccine dose and 9,099 residents are full vaccinated.

ICYMI: Together with @nychealthy and #NYCCare, the #NYCTestandTrace Corps is distributing 500,000 rapid self-testing kits and 1 million KN95 masks to 150 participating CBOs across NYC. The time to step up our efforts to fight the pandemic is now. More: https://t.co/RLUinn6Suc pic.twitter.com/4lvoilHPNK

— NYC Health + Hospitals (@NYCHealthSystem) December 19, 2021

I asked Ms Menin:

Do you know if any Roosevelt Island Community Based Organizations will be receiving the Test & Trace Corp Kits and how they will be distributed to Roosevelt Island residents?

It's being worked on replied Ms Menin.

We’re still learning about #Omicron but we know how to fight back against #COVID19: get vaccinated, get your booster, get tested, mask up, and stay home if you feel sick.https://t.co/hnU8YAS15rhttps://t.co/cNSZQW3Wf1

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 19, 2021

“We will ensure that everything in our power as the heads of the current administration and the next administration to give New Yorkers the resources they need to stay healthy and protect each other.”

– Mayor-Elect @EricAdamsForNYC joining @NYCMayor at today’s #COVID19 briefing. pic.twitter.com/uiLv9L9831

— City of New York (@nycgov) December 19, 2021