7 BRONX WEEKLY April 5, 2020 www.BXTimes.com
Gibson refl ects on COVID-19 and women
SNACK FOODS INDUSTRY
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
THE RIGHT CANDIDATE SHOULD HAVE EXPERTISE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
BY JASON COHEN
COVID-19 has made women’s
history month obsolete, yet on
the last day of March, elected offi
cials are honoring the female
sex.
On March 31, the City Council’s
Women’s Caucus and the
Committee for Women and Gender
Equity will hold the 14th annual
National Equal Pay Day
Virtual Rally. Typically the
event is held on the steps of city
hall.
Through video and social
media, advocates, leaders and
the public will:
Spotlight past wage inequality
for women, especially for
women of color.
Highlight how the coronavirus
crisis exposes women’s
economic vulnerability, their
critical role in creating and
maintaining a healthy society
and the lack of workplace and
government support.
Call for passage of federal
and state legislation to create
economic parity for women.
Send messages of thanks to
the low-wage women workers on
the front line of the COVID-19
crisis protecting and caring for
New Yorkers.
Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson,
who is the co-chair of the
Women’s Caucus, spoke with the
Bronx Times about the coronavirus
and its impact on women,
her constituents and herself.
“It’s been hard. It’s been really
emotionally draining,” Gibson
said.
Gibson said never has she
experienced anything like this
epidemic nor did she imagine it
would grow to be this bad.
The councilwoman explained
that COVID-19 will affect
the city budget. With much
of the funds being allocated for
medical supplies and the Department
of Health, many cuts
will likely be made, including
kids programs for the summer.
Gibson said she would be remiss
to not touch on the roles
women have played during this
crisis. They are mothers taking
care of their kids who are stuck
at home, going to work and sacrifi
cing their health or on the
front lines in hospitals trying to
save lives.
She noted that doing her
job has been quite a challenge.
While she and her staff are
working remotely, she has been
communicating non-stop, with
constituents, teachers, principals,
organizations and colleagues
all via phone, Skype or
Zoom. On Monday, she handed
out food with Fresh Direct and
later this week plans to visit a
hospital. Not being able to meet
with people is disheartening,
she said.
Seeing empty parks, lifeless
streets and shuttered schools
and stores is quite upsetting,
she remarked. The councilwoman
told the Bronx Times
many people have been calling
about the lack of access to food
and unsafe living conditions in
shelters in the wake of social
distancing.
“It’s like the twilight zone,”
she said.
But, she stressed hospitals
need beds, ventilators and
masks and anyone that isn’t
sick should stay home.
“We need to concentrate on
the people that are hospitalized
with coronavirus,” Gibson
stated. People are dying
out here and we are struggling.
This is really unbelievable.
Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson speaks about COVID-19 and women
Photo courtesy of Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson’s offi ce
Where is America’s pastime?
Baseball fans feel a sense of emptiness
BY JASON COHEN
March 26 was supposed to be one of
the most important days of the sporting
year, but the coronavirus took that from
us.
Opening day for baseball is unique,
special and means much more than the
fi rst games of NFL, NHL or NBA.
But, for the fi rst time in my life,
opening day has been delayed and no
one knows when it will be.
While the games can be long and
tedious, baseball is and always will be
America’s pastime. The commencement
of the season is something people look
forward to every year. There’s no feeling
like opening day, it’s truly incredible.
I remember years ago when I returned
from a trip to Israel on opening
day and spent all day watching baseball
with my brother and another time, the
entire day with a close friend.
It’s a day where ballparks and bars
are packed; people take off from work
and school and family and friends spend
time with one another.
New Yorkers were looking forward
to seeing the Bronx Bombers begin their
season with new ace Gerrit Cole and the
Mets with CY Young winner Jacob de-
Grom.
Now, Yankee Stadium and Citi Field
are empty. It’s a sad sight to see. It feels
weird not having games on right now.
Although, admittedly, non-baseball fans
may fi nd this diffi cult to understand.
But, not seeing ESPN, Fox and MLB
Network fl ooded with games today was
heartbreaking. Sports are always there
when things go bad. After 9/11 people
came to watch sports to recover from
what took place. In fact, there was the
memorable Mike Piazza home run in
the time immediately after the national
tragedy.
I really can’t remember in my 35
years a time when sports were put on
indefi nite hold. This country needs nine
innings of pitching, hitting and a walk
off home run.
Some of MLB’s best even shared their
thoughts on missing the fi rst game.
While the ratings have declined and
it isn’t as popular as football, there will
never be anything else like opening day
of baseball. Hopefully the coronavirus
recedes soon and allows players to return
to the diamond.
editorial
/www.BXTimes.com
/www.BXTimes.com
/www.BXTimes.com
/www.BXTimes.com