EDITORIAL
SHAME ON US
As we begin the new year, we all must look at ourselves
in the mirror and decide how we want
2021 to go.
Last year was filled with tragedy due to
COVID-19, but there was hope that we are ending the
fight with the disease as Queens hospitals — and hospitals
around the city — began administering a vaccine
to healthcare workers.
We have to be patient, but we will all have access
to the vaccine at some point this year, and we should
all take it so we can finally put this disease behind us
and move on. Until then, it is up to us to remain vigilant
and do everything we can to stop the disease from
spreading.
That means wearing masks, thoroughly washing
our hands and practicing social distancing. Following
these simple rules can help save lives, yet we have seen
in Queens and beyond that people still do not want to
take them seriously.
In our borough, the Whitestone Republican Club
came under fire after a video surfaced online of attendees,
including City Council candidate Vickie Paladino,
making their way through a conga line without masks
or social distancing during a holiday party at Il Bacco
in Little Neck. The State Liquor Authority confirmed
the accuracy of the video and took action. Il Bacco, the
Little Neck restaurant that hosted the party, had its
liquor license revoked for breaking COVID-19 protocols,
and making matters worse, the Republican club’s
party may have resulted in the spread of COVID-19,
with at least three attendees testing positive. The holiday
party garnered condemnation from the governor,
mayor and a slew of others earlier this month.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, the New York City
Sheriff’s Office busted an illegal New Year’s party at a
Maspeth bar that attracted hundreds of people.
Four individuals were arrested at the illegal rave
for various violations of health and safety codes, as
well as emergency orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The location also lacked a proper license to serve
and store liquor, as well as an obstructed egress and
various other health code violations, according to the
sheriff’s office. The owner faces fines of up to $15,000.
We cannot continue acting this way. We understand
that it’s been a long fight. But if we want to avoid
a similar scene as last year, when the city essentially
shut down for a time, we must be responsible.
If you must go out with friends and family, be smart
about it. Wear masks. Practice social distancing. We
are so close to the end of this pandemic. There is no
reason to prolong it by making irresponsible
decisions.
HOW TO REACH US
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.16 COM | JAN. 8-JAN. 14, 2021
I read that mostly young congressional
staffers are getting
the COVID-19 vaccine before
most Americans. That means
seniors and first responders —
people who need these vaccines
now — are being ripped off!
I find this disturbing and appalling.
I myself am over 70 years
old and I have seen this virus
take the lives of many senior citizens.
The best protection we have
against the disease is the vaccine.
It seems like decision makers
when it comes to the distribution
of the vaccine do not care
too much about senior citizens
because many of us are retired
and offer little to society and we
are going to die of old age anyway.
This nefarious reasoning is just
wrong.
I am still working to this day
and do charity work in my community
as grand knight of St. Anastasia
Knights of Columbus in
Douglaston. Many other seniors
I know also are committed to
works of charity.
We seniors do count and are
not happy that there are others
stepping in front of us on the vaccine
line. So, please tell me, what’s
wrong with that picture?
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Bellerose
SENIORS ARE BEING
OVERLOOKED WHEN IT COMES
TO VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
PROUD MEMBER OF NEW YORK PRESS ASSOCIATION
PUBLISHER
Brian Rice
EDITOR
Zach Gewelb
V.P. OF ADVERTISING
Ralph D’onofrio
CIRCULATION
Robert Palacios
CLASSIFIED
Classified Director:
Celeste Alamin
Classified Sales
Manager:
Eugena Pechenaya
EDITORIAL STAFF
Reporters: Bill Parry, Angelica
Acevedo, Carlotta Mohamed,
Jenna Bagcal, Jacob Kaye
Copy Editor: Katrina Medoff
Contributing Writers/Columnists:
Tammy Scileppi
ART & PRODUCTION
Production Manager:
Deborah Cusick
Art Director: Nirmal Singh
Layout: Zach Gewelb
ADVERTISING
Senior Account Executive:
Kathy Wenk
Account Executives:
David Strauss
Sherri Rossi
MAIL: 38-15 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361
PHONE: Display Advertising: (718) 260-4537
Editorial: (718) 260-4549
WEBSITE: Visit www.qns.com
E-MAIL: Editorial: timesledgernews@schnepsmedia.com
Display Advertising: brice@schnepsmedia.com
Classified: classified@schnepsmedia.com
TO SUBSCRIBE: Call (718) 260-2515
Copyright©2019 Queens CNG LLC.
NYC Sheriff’s officers busted an illegal New Year’s party at the Maspeth Bar/Lounge on 58th Street on Jan. 1,
2021. Photo courtesy of NYC Sheriff’s Offi ce
/www.qns.com
link
link
link
/www.qns.com
link
link
link
