Mayor’s executive order closes clubs,
theaters and limits restaurant services
New Yorkers still urged to complete 2020 Census
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | MARCH 20-MARCH 26, 2020 3
BY ROBERT POZARYCKI
Since many New Yorkers
are now social distancing at
home amid the coronavirus
crisis, they’ve got plenty of
time to complete their 2020
U.S. Census forms, according
to the Citizens Union.
The nonprofit good government
group’s executive director,
Betsy Gotbaum, reminded
New Yorkers of the importance
of completing the U.S. Census
to ensure the most accurate
count possible. The population
total tallied from the census determines
factors such as each
state’s political representation
and amount of federal funding
they are eligible to receive.
“As New York and the entire
world deal with an unprecedented
situation, Citizens
Union encourages all New
Yorkers to take all necessary
precautions to limit the spread
of the coronavirus. One way
you can help your community
while practicing social distancing
is by checking your
mailbox, and following the
instructions to fill out your
census form online or over the
phone,” Gotbaum said. “While
people are at home spending
time with their families and
roommates, there has never
been a better time to fill out
the census.”
Last week, the U.S. Census
Bureau began mailing information
to households across
the country informing them
of the different ways they can
respond to the national population
count. The final tally
will determine federal funding
rates and the number of congressional
seats and electoral
college votes each state will receive
over the next 10 years.
Gotbaum said the ongoing
pandemic underscores the U.S.
Census’ importance, as an accurate
count would ensure
that New York state receives
the most federal assistance
possible for local hospitals, as
it determines the number of
hospital beds communities require.
Those responding to the
U.S. Census should include any
living person in their household,
including preschool-aged
children and newborn babies
born on or after April 1.
“While the coronavirus
outbreak merits a serious response
from all levels of government,
it is important that
we not lose sight of how critical
the census is to our city and
state. We need all New Yorkers
to be counted to ensure that
we get our fair share of federal
funding,” Gotbaum added.
“Young children are one of the
most undercounted groups
when it comes to the census, so
please make sure you count all
people in your household when
completing your form.”
For more information,
visit 2020census.gov or citizensunion.
org.
Reach reporter Robert Pozarycki
by e-mail at rpozarycki@
qns.com or by phone at
(718) 260-4549.
BY EMILY DAVENPORT
More businesses are closing
down in an effort to stop
the spread of coronavirus in
New York City.
Mayor de Blasio is signing
an executive order that
will limit restaurants, bars
and cafes to food take-out and
delivery. The order will also
close nightclubs, movie theaters,
small theater houses
and concert venues.
The order will go into effect
at 9 a.m. on March 17.
“This is not a decision I
make lightly,” said de Blasio.
“These places are part
of the heart and soul of our
city. They are part of what
it means to be a New Yorker.
But our city is facing an unprecedented
threat, and we
must respond with a wartime
mentality.”
This decision comes in
the wake of the mayor’s announcement
to close down
New York City public schools,
which are expected to stay
closed until at least April 20.
“Our lives are all changing
in ways that were unimaginable
just a week ago,”
said de Blasio. “We are taking
a series of actions that
we never would have taken
otherwise in an effort to save
the lives of loved ones and our
neighbors.”
The Wildlife Conservation
Society also announced
that as of March 16, they will
be temporarily closing the
Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo,
Prospect Park Zoo, Queens
Zoo and New York Aquarium.
All education and public programs
will be canceled until
further notice.
“We are committed to the
safety of our staff, volunteers,
guests and community. We
will provide updates and information
on when we will
reopen the parks and resume
normal operations,” said WCS
in a statement.
While the parks are closed,
essential animal care and operations
staff will continue to
provide care for our animals
and make sure all essential
life support and other vital
systems continue to operate
without disruption. The
WCS will honor previously
purchased zoo tickets for any
future date in 2020, and all
WCS memberships will be extended.
Reach reporter Emily Davenport
by e-mail at edavenport@
qns.com or by phone at
(718) 260-2567.
Photo via Flickr/nycmayorsoffi ce
Photo via Getty Images
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