12 FEBRUARY 4, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Failing the most vulnerable
Like an iceberg, the most damning
details of Attorney General
Letitia James’ report on COVID-19
nursing home resident deaths in New
York lie below the surface of the most
notable points.
The state Health Department, as
James reported, undercounted the
COVID-19 fatalities in New York — a
subject that opponents of Governor
Andrew Cuomo have tried to weaponize
against him in recent months.
The report also found that the state’s
own guidance for admitting COVID-19
positive patients into nursing homes
may have contributed to the spread.
It may be tempting for cynical
partisans to read the report and cry
out, “I told you so,” but not so fast. The
fact that the undercounting happened
isn’t necessarily evidence of criminal
wrongdoing — at least not yet.
In many ways, the fi ndings about
the nursing homes themselves are
far more horrifi c.
Too many facilities, according to
James, did not comply with infection
protocols — which caused a rapid
EDITORIAL
THE HOT TOPIC
STORY:
‘A huge win’: Construction of protected
bike lane, pedestrian walkway on
Queensboro Bridge to begin this year
SUMMARY:
During his State of the City address,
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that
the city would begin construction to
convert the outer roadways on the
Queensboro Bridge into a two-way bike
lane and pedestrian-only walkway.
REACH:
3,054 (as of 02/01/21)
ESTABLISHED 1908
Co-Publishers
VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS
JOSHUA SCHNEPS
Editor-in-Chief
ZACHARY GEWELB
Classifi ed Manager
DEBORAH CUSICK
Assistant Classifi ed Manager
MARLENE RUIZ
Reporters
ANGELICA ACEVEDO
JACOB KAYE
CARLOTTA MOHAMED
BILL PARRY
© 2020 SCHNEPS NY MEDIA, LLC.
General Publication Offi ce: 38-15 Bell Blvd.,
Bayside, NY 11361
TELEPHONE: 1-718-260-4535
FAX: 1-718-224-5441
E-MAIL: editorial@ridgewoodtimes.com
WEB SITE: www.qns.com
ON TWITTER @ridgewoodtimes
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY
FOR 110 YEARS
COMPOSITION RESPONSIBILITY: Accuracy in receiving
ads over the telephone cannot be guaranteed. This
newspaper is responsible for only one incorrect insertion
and only for that portion of the ad in which the error
appears. It is the responsibility of the advertiser to make
sure copy does not contravene the Consumer Protection
Law or any other requirement. TIMES NEWSWEEKLY Is
Listed With The Standard Rate & Data And Is A Member
Of The New York Press Association
A report released by Attorney General Letitia James’ offi ce found that the state’s own guidance for admitting
COVID-19 positive patients into nursing homes may have contributed to the spread of the disease.
Photo by Todd Maisel
spread of the illness among staff and
patients. Workers lacked the proper
PPE and testing.
The lowest-rated nursing homes,
under U.S. Centers for Medicaid and
Medicare Services Staffi ng reviews,
had the highest number of COVID-19
deaths. The current state reimbursement
system, James noted, also allowed
unscrupulous nursing home owners
to fi nancially profi t off the pandemic
rather than focus on protecting their
clients and workers.
James’ report must propel an eff ort
to hold those responsible for this situation
to account, and to dramatically
reform the New York nursing care
industry, across the board.
State lawmakers should pursue
an independent investigation into
state COVID-19 policy as well as the
actions of nursing homes during
the pandemic. The attorney general
should continue her investigation
and, where appropriate, seek civil or
criminal legal action.
Finally, Albany lawmakers must pass
in this session comprehensive nursing
home reform that sets higher safety
standards and eliminates the ability
of unscrupulous operators to make
a quick buck off minimal standards
of care.
The COVID-19 pandemic, horrifi c as
it has been, has also proved enlightening
in exposing long-ignored societal
problems. It’s launched movements to
fi nally end societal inequality that has
been allowed to fester and strengthen
for generations.
If we’re honest with ourselves, we
would realize that New York has been
failing the most vulnerable New Yorkers
for years.
We must now confront that inconvenient
truth, and take the needed measures
to prevent future tragedies.
/WWW.QNS.COM
/www.qns.com
link
/www.qns.com
link
