BY FRANK VERNUCCIO
Throughout the nation, doctors
and nurses heroically man
the front lines in hospitals.
Grocers, truckers and other essential
workers put aside their
fears and face the danger that
each day of the Wuhan virus
brings. Members of the U.S.
armed forces remain on station
throughout the world. The
President faces an openly hostile
media almost daily to bring
his administration’s news to the
public. The Senate is debating
key strategies. And the House of
Representatives under Speaker
Nancy Pelosi was too frightened
to return to Washington.
It was an act of cowardice unprecedented
in American history.
Certainly, there is a risk,
but no greater, indeed far, far
less, than the medical personnel,
essential workers, and soldiers,
sailors, marines and airmen
face. Pelosi’s decision contrasts
sharply with Senate Majority
Leader Mitch McConnell’s belief
that the Senate would not “sit on
the sidelines.”
Despite the clear message
that Speaker Pelosi and her Majority
Leader Steny Hoyer essentially
delivered, one that told
the American people that their
Representatives were more important
than the citizenry they
are supposed to serve, very little
criticism, indeed, shockingly
little, came from most of the media.
During times of crisis, those
not up to the job, or lacking the
moral fortitude to fulfi ll their responsibilities
become exposed.
That is certainly the case with
the COVID-19 pandemic.
While some senators and representatives
have sought to enact
“clean” COVID relief bills
strictly addressing the issue
at hand, others, largely led by
Pelosi and Hoyer in the House
and Senate Minority Leader
Charles Schumer have sought
to use the opportunity to push a
partisan agenda.
The noted watchdog organization
Citizens Against Government
Waste (CCAGW) has
“launched an Action Alert campaign
targeting House and Senate
members demanding that
they protect the interests of taxpayers
as the government continues
to respond to the coronavirus
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,22 MAY 29-JUNE 4, 2020 BTR
pandemic.” The campaign
demands that all funds allocated
to address the crisis are spent
responsibly and transparently;
that money is not used to promote
a partisan political agenda;
and that spending is targeted to
only address the pandemic.
As a key example, they cite
House Majority Whip James
Clyburn “for trying to exploit the
coronavirus crisis to implement
a radical agenda.” In March, Rep.
Clyburn called the COVID-19
pandemic “a tremendous opportunity
to restructure things to fi t
our vision.” By “our vision” Rep.
Clyburn meant the House Democrats’
attempt to take advantage
of the crisis to shove frivolous
expenditures into the $2.2 trillion
CARES Act.
When he introduced the
CARES Act, Senate Majority
Leader Mitch McConnell
warned, “Any spending doesn’t
address that pandemic … should
not be considered.” Despite that
reasonable request, Rep. Clyburn
and House Democrats leveraged
the bill to include items
like a $25 million bailout for the
Kennedy Center, which subsequently
fi red its staff.
A Federalist review of
Speaker Pelosi’s actions in the
fi rst COVID legislative initiative,
which was supposed to be
bipartisan, found a stunning
level of overtly political goals.
In addition to intersectional
aims, the bill tackles lofty climate
change goals, demanding
airlines “fully offset the annual
carbon emissions for domestic
fl ights beginning in 2025”
and giving passengers information
“regarding greenhouse gas
emissions resulting from each
individual fl ight.”
Meanwhile, because of the
global pandemic this bill purports
to address, the State Department
has issued a Level
4: Do Not Travel advisory, the
highest-level warning, which
“advises U.S. citizens to avoid all
international travel due to the
global impact of COVID-19.”
While Pelosi slides Green
New Deal-like hokum into an
urgent public health bill, most
international travel has been
halted, domestic air travel has
become a “virtual shutdown,”
and many cruise lines have canceled
operations — making the
green provisions even more
impertinent. Further, the bill
pushes collective bargaining
for federal workers and
changes to the IRS code for retirement
plans for community
journalists, two irrelevant
points relative to the health
crisis at hand.”
CIVIC CENTER
Community Action
Civic Association
CIVIC CENTER
Korony Post 253
BY TONY SALIMBENE
Hope everyone took a
moment to remember our
fallen, albeit in a “new normal”
fashion.
Brief ceremonies by the
citizens of The Park of Edgewater,
Post 253 at our park,
Post 1456, Silvio at Peace
Plaza, SAL member Richie
at Van Nest and SAL member
Mike arranging flags at
Bronx Shore. I’m sure Post
156 did their best out on City
Island. We will never forget.
Many homes by me are
flying our flag more these
days, thanks neighbors.
Until next time: Why does
our Auxiliary promote those
little paper poppies? Look up
and read “In Flanders Field”
(hint: the poppies grow) a
WW1-era poem by Canadian
MD, Lt. Colonel John Mc-
Crae.
BY GEORGE HAVRANEK
HOSPITAL RESOURCES
The health concerns of
Bronx county residents have
risen during these troubling
times. However, data indicates
Bronx County was facing
a potential health crisis
prior to the appearance of
COVID-19.
In society we often consider
our young and elderly
among the most vulnerable.
Approximately 1.5 million
people reside in Bronx
County. A recent age demographic
breakdown showed
13% of our residents are
over age 65, 24% under age
18 with 8% of those being
under age 5. It is plausible
to suggest that 25% of our
population could be labeled
vulnerable.
In March 2020, for the
ninth consecutive year, the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
rated our Bronx the
unhealthiest county in New
York State. According to
2018 data released by Pro-
Publica Bronx County has
approximately 4,000 hospital
beds and an 80% average
daily capacity.
In the event of an unforeseen
crisis the “pre-pandemic”
Bronx had an estimated
800 available hospital
beds. The poor health rating
of our borough with potentially
375,000 people in the
risk category and a shortage
of hospital bed space are
reasons for concern. These
factors are justification for
studies to determine the accessibility,
adequacy, and
efficiency of hospital resources
in Bronx County.
DETOX CLOSURES
Multiple outlets, including
The City and local news
Bronx 12, previously reported
lack of use and high
costs will force the closures
of inpatient detox units in
all eleven NYC run hospitals.
Although none of the
Bronx facilities have dedicated
detox units these facilities
treated patients in
traditional hospital settings.
Opponents to these closures
believe losses of hospital
based inpatient detox
services will eventually
place additional stress on
overburdened emergency
rooms. In addition, their
discontinuations will likely
increase the number of ineffective
outpatient substance
abuse treatment facilities
in our communities.
Statistics from the World
Health Organization and
National Institute of Health
indicates the outpatient
model has an insufficient
30% success rate. Outpatient
substance abuse treatment
facilities are businesses in
which many operate under
the nonprofit umbrella.
These businesses are
part of a lucrative multibillion
dollar industry and
frequently face staunch
community resistance. Past
multiple community battles
against Miracle City and
Carnegie Hill bear witness
to this confrontational dynamic.
This begs the question:
Is a plan for consolidation,
not elimination, of inpatient
substance abuse treatment
services a practical
option? Consolidation could
defray costs while bringing
improved and increased
services to those addled by
substance abuse. Better services
could bring a better
chance of recovery to those
in situations where the odds
of positive results remain
less than a coin toss.
CIVIC CENTER
Spencer Estate Civic
Association
RISING GROUND
On May 5, 2020, Rising Ground gave out over 100 meals to families
in need. Although they had to close the Soundview Family Resource
Center because of COVID-19, they needed to let the community
know that they are still here if anyone should be in need. With
the help of Hudson Hall (a beer hall and smoke house,) they were
able to do just that. Community members received trays of food
according to how many individuals are in their household. From
left to right: Community member, Keith Shaughnessy, (Hudson
Hall) Tom McArdle, (Hudson Hall) Mrs. Maldonado, ( teacher and
program coordinator) Johana Manzueta, (director of Rising
Ground) Jack Toone, (director of volunteering at Rising Ground)
community member. Photo by Jewel Webber