Queens residents urged to get vaccinated to safely
return to beaches and public pools this summer
With Rockaway Beach reopening to the public for the summer swimming season in time for Memorial Day weekend, officials are urging
Queens residents to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Photo by Bill Parry
NOMINATE NOW!
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | MAY 28-JUNE 3, 2021 29
BY BILL PARRY
Queens residents are heading
back to the beaches this
Memorial Day weekend following
the long COVID-19 winter
as the city is set to reopen
all 14 miles of public surf. The
public pools will follow beginning
after the last day of school
on Saturday, June 26.
“Summer is right around
the corner, and we’re gearing
up for an on-time pool and
beach season,” Mayor Bill de
Blasio said. “These beautiful
spaces mean so much to New
Yorkers, especially after the
year we’ve all had. We’ll continue
to follow health guidance
to ensure the safety of
everyone. Stay cool, stay safe
and have fun.”
Councilman Peter Koo, the
chairman of the Committee on
Parks and Recreation, hailed
the reopening.
“Our pools and public
beaches are hallmarks of the
summer in the city,” Koo said.
“Reopening these cherished
spaces will give New Yorkers
a long-awaited opportunity to
enjoy the great outdoors and
public facilities of our city.”
In order for Queens residents
to enjoy the beaches,
pools and other community
events, there is a push for
them to be fully vaccinated.
Senate Majority Leader
Charles Schumer stood with
some of the city’s most savvy
and trusted health content
and tech creators on Sunday,
May 23, to help combat myths
and rumors that have played
a role in a recent reduction in
vaccinations across the five
boroughs.
“Right now, both data and
social media influencers are
sounding the alarm to say:
Misinformation is spreading
across the various social media
platforms and it’s keeping
too many young people
from getting the very, very
effective and safe COVID vaccine,”
Schumer said. “We see
these myths on postings, news
feeds, and then it manifests to
spur vaccine hesitation. That
is why we are here to urge
the feds to hatch a plan to use
trusted social media and tech
influencers, to help bust the
most vexing myths standing
between young people and
their vaccine.”
Schumer was joined by Astoria
resident Huge Ma, who
created Turbo Vax Twitter bot,
and other influencers to form
a new kind of social media
collaboration, one that goes
beyond mainstream media
to reach the platforms of You-
Tube, Twitter, Instagram and
more, which they said is what’s
needed to overcome misinformation
about the vaccines and
the science behind them.
“Look, a public health challenge
like none other requires
social media collaborations
with more trusted influencers,”
Schumer said. “The feds
are doing some of this, but
they need to do much more.
Misinformation and these vaccine
myths can spread as fast
as COVID itself, and the medicine
to beat them are facts being
pumped into the social media
bloodstream.”
Once fully vaccinated,
Queens residents can gather
more safely, particularly outdoors
on city beaches and at
public pools, without masks or
physical distancing, according
to the latest guidance from the
Centers for Disease Control.
In neighborhoods that were
most impacted during the
height of the COVID-19 pandemic,
the idea of a day on the
beach or relaxing by the pool
will be a fine remedy for those
who were pent up in their
apartments during the winter.
“After an unprecedented
2020 summer in New York
City, we have a bright season
ahead for families to come together
safely with loved ones,”
Councilman Francisco Moya
said. “Access to Fisher Pool in
East Elmhurst and other outdoor
pools and public beaches
starting Memorial Day weekend
will support families in
adjusting to a new normal
while staying active and cool
on hot summer days.”
Starting Memorial Day
weekend lifeguards on Rockaway
Beach will be on duty
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every
day. Swimming is unsafe and
strictly prohibited at all other
times.
“Get ready to make a splash
this summer, New York! After
last summer’s unprecedented
challenges, we are so excited
to announce that our outdoor
pools and beaches will be
opening on time this season,”
NYC Parks Commissioner
Mitchell Silver said. “We want
all New Yorkers to stay cool
while keeping safety first. Remember
to only enter the water
in designated areas during
lifeguard hours and continue
to follow health and safety
guidelines.”
For information regarding
the COVID-19 vaccines and to
find appointments near you,
visit the city’s website at vaccinefinder.
nyc.gov and the
state’s website at covid19vaccine.
health.ny.gov.
Reach reporter Bill Parry
by e-mail at bparry@schneps
media.com or by phone at (718)
260–4538.
2022
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