EDITORIAL
A TIME TO
CELEBRATE,
NOT HATE
Flushing’s joyous Lunar New Year parade is set
to return on Saturday, Feb. 5, for the first time
since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in
2020.
Since the last time this parade was hosted, the Flushing
community — and Queens’ Asian community as a
whole — has faced different kinds of adversities during
the ongoing pandemic, none more so than the rash of
hate crimes.
Right from the beginning of the pandemic, the Asian
population in Queens and throughout New York City
were constantly harassed, with many uninformed
citizens blaming them for bringing COVID-19 to town.
Soon, the finger-pointing led to much more.
We have published too many stories centered
around racism and hatred against our borough’s Asian
population as we try to bring attention to the alarming
increase of anti-Asian hate crimes in Queens and
around New York City.
But words alone are not enough. We hear residents
and politicians alike condemn these crimes, but actions
speak louder than words, and we need to take action and
work to put an end to this bigotry.
How can we help put an end to these types of crimes?
By standing together, supporting each other and condemning
these acts.
We have seen Queens officials host rallies around
the borough denouncing the hate crimes. And those
rallies are necessary and important — but they are not
enough. We need to see more action at the community
level, and that starts with local community boards and
the residents they serve.
Anyone who is the victim of a hate crime should report
it to authorities. Far too often these crimes are underreported,
and if victims don’t go to the police, they
should feel comfortable bringing it to the attention of
their local community boards or even their neighbors,
who can join forces and help bring attention to these incidents,
or even solve a case. After all, who knows the
people in their neighborhoods better than the person
who lives in your building, or who lives next door?
Only by reporting these crimes and making them
public can we begin to weed out the “bad eggs” and make
a difference. Saying change is necessary doesn’t make it
HOW TO REACH US
TIMESLEDGER | Q 12 NS.COM | FEB. 4 - FEB. 10, 2022
Flushing’s Lunar New Year parade is set to return for the first time since 2020 and we encourage Queens
residents to celebrate and support local Asian businesses. Photo by Dean Moses
so; acting on those words does.
GET VACCINATED NOW!
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According to a recent survey conducted by the
U.S. Census Bureau, 44,970,000 Americans —
or 18% of the 18-and-older population — say
they will either probably or definitely not get
vaccinated when given the chance to be vaccinated
against COVID-19.
Additionally, the survey revealed that nationwide,
a total of 19,860,000 people — or 8% of the eligible population
— do not trust the COVID-19 vaccinations.
I find that so very sad.
Personally, I believe in the COVID-19 vaccinations.
I am 72 years old and my wife is 68. I have a history
of asthma and my wife has asthma.
We both have had all three of the COVID-19 vaccinations,
as well as our flu shots, and I’d like to share
our experience with you.
On. Jan. 1, 2022, we both tested positive for the
omicron variant of COVID-19. The positive tests were
among 90,000 positives on that day.
However, our symptoms were mild because we
were vaccinated. Had we not been vaccinated, we
could have ended up in the hospital, or even could have
died.
There are several prominent figures who have
spoken out against the COVID-19 vaccinations. In my
opinion, these people are endangering not only their
lives, but the lives of their friends, neighbors and family,
as well. I find that to be very selfish.
So, let me ask everyone to do one simple thing and
get vaccinated against COVID-19!
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.,
Bellerose
And that brings us to the Lunar New Year. Let us
all work together and move past this dark time in our
borough’s history. Let us celebrate with our borough’s
Asian population and usher in an era of unity in the
“World’s Borough.”
According to the Flushing Chamber of Commerce,
the Lunar New Year is traditionally the most important
shopping season in Flushing, with many mom-and-pop
stores, restaurants and local businesses relying on the
celebration to boost sales and generate revenue to survive
another year.
So let’s all do our part this Lunar New Year and show
love and support to a community that can use some.
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