Editorial
Op-ed
Some safe summer fun
The Fourth of July holiday weekend
marked the unoffi cial launch of the
season in the city.
New York City residents suffered
through a week of high heat — with temperatures
nearing triple digits — forcing
Mayor Bill de Blasio to call an offi cial “heat
emergency.” The recent blistering temperatures
led to the several outages throughout
the city as its power system struggled to
keep up with increased usage from citydwellers
using fans and air conditioners to
cool off.
But the worst seems to be over, with
temperatures dropping over the weekend,
and it’s time for residents to have some fun!
With the city emerging from the dark
days of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is
tons to do this summer!
Head to the beaches at Coney Island and
the Rockaways, or cool off at one of the
city’s several public pools!
Still not up to traveling? Not a problem!
There are plenty of family friendly hotel
pools throughout New York City that are
perfect for the ultimate staycation this
summer.
You can also spend some time outdoors
at your local parks, many of which are
offering events for people of all ages all
summer long!
And for all you thrill-seekers out there,
Coney Island’s newest roller coaster, the
68-foot high Phoenix, opened on July 1,
offering a topsy-turvy journey that’ll make
you spin!
Yes, there is so much to do this summer.
But remember — COVID-19 is still
a threat. For those who are not yet vaccinated,
we implore you to get the shot.
New York City data shows that nearly 51
percent of all residents are vaccinated and
about 56 percent have received at least one
dose of the vaccine. But 44 percent of all
NYC residents have yet to be vaccinated, a
number that must increase.
Getting vaccinated doesn’t just protect
yourself, it protects those around you —
family, friends, neighbors, co-workers,
etc. If you don’t want to get the vaccine
for yourself, do it for them. We owe it to
each other to be as safe as possible as we
try to put this pandemic behind us, once
and for all.
And with summer now here and with
few or no restrictions in the city, we have
the opportunity to do just that.
So, make an appointment, roll up your
sleeves and get the vaccine so we can all
have some fun this summer!
Publisher of The Villager, Villager Express, Chelsea Now,
Downtown Express and Manhattan Express
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Interim NYC Transit President Sarah Feinberg
MTA riders can now
access 311 if they are
in need of assistance
BY SARAH FEINBERG
At the close of last week, we were
thrilled to be able to share some
very positive news with our riders
and employees: Effective immediately, due
to the most signifi cant upgrade to the 311
system since its creation more than two
decades ago, MTA New York City Transit
subway customers can now use the 311
system to request assistance for anyone
within the subway system.
That may sound like something that
should have been happening all along, but
it wasn’t — and this important 311 upgrade
comes at a critically important moment for
our system, a time when public transit, like
the city it serves, is rolling back from the
depths of a global pandemic.
As the city continues its economic recovery,
it is important that we are doing
all we can to bring ridership back. Part of
that means allowing customers to use every
tool available when it comes to reporting
incidents in our system, so we can address
them and get people the help they need.
Until now, dialing 911 was really the only
way to access immediate and professional
assistance for someone in need. And 911
remains the best option for true emergencies
— but in reality, many situations don’t
PHOTO BY TODD MAISEL
require a police response. For example, in
cases where there’s a vulnerable individual
experiencing homelessness or a mental
health crisis, dialing 911 provides a law
enforcement response when what is needed
is a social services response. In cases where
police are not needed, it is almost always
more prudent to call 311, so the city can
connect those in need with appropriate
services and resources.
Until the update last week, subway customers
were not able to do this because the
311 system did not geographically recognize
the subway system as part of the city.
I’m thrilled that this is no longer the case.
NYC Transit has been asking for this upgrade
for a long time now andI’m grateful
to our City partners for acting to eliminate
this gap in service. The subways are a vital
part of the city and everyone in our system
should be entitled to the same support
they’d receive above ground.
So please, if you are in the subway
system and see someone who needs immediate
and professional assistance, you
can do your part to request help for them
by calling 311 or using the 311 app or web
portal. They are available 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Sarah Feinberg is interim MTA New
York City Transit president.
8 July 8, 2021 Schneps Media
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