12 MARCH 19, 2020 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Giving distance to save New Yorkers
Study after study, report after
report, about the coronavirus
epidemic shows that there are
two eff ective means toward “fl attening
the curve” of infection: expanded
testing and “social distancing.”
Whether or not we like it, this is the
way forward for New York City. This
will be the way we can help spare
thousands from suff ering and tragedy
in intensive care wards across the fi ve
boroughs.
It seems ironic that, in an era where
we talk about the importance of social
networking, our way out of this public
health emergency is to distance ourselves
from each other. It seems like
madness to some that entire cities
in France and Italy are completely
shut down, families isolated in their
homes, while riding out this biological
storm.
But this is where we are.
We don’t yet have a vaccine to prevent
coronavirus infection. We know
that it easily spreads from person to
person, and that people infected with
the virus — even if they’re not symptomatic
— can still carry this illness
to someone who may wind up sick, or
worse.
Social distancing is the best measure
we can take at this moment to stop
the rapid spread of coronavirus and
keep people vulnerable to this illness
away from infection. Thank goodness
we live in an era of history where we
can work, interact with friends or
relatives, and order food at the touch
of our fi ngertips, without ever leaving
home.
Aft er it was widely reported this
past weekend that there were plenty
of people crowding into bars and
restaurants all over the city, looking
for a good time away from all the bad
news, the mayor signed an executive
EDITORIAL
order eff ectively putting an end to
that, a measure we applaud.
There is simply too much risk in
interacting in that matter. It matters
not if the partygoers become infected
and never show symptoms. But these
revelers can carry their hidden illness
unwillingly to someone they care
about — and potentially make them
seriously ill.
We are all in uncharted territory
here; it’s an incredibly diffi cult time
for us all. Better days are ahead;
we will eventually overcome this
outbreak if we stand together.
Those better days will come more
quickly if we sacrifi ce ourselves now,
distance ourselves from each other,
and help keep all New Yorkers safe.
Let’s not wait for a city ordinance to
make that happen.
THE HOT TOPIC
STORY:
‘Pizza man’ turned bagel maker opens
Bagel Parlor in Whitestone
SUMMARY:
Gerardo “Jerry” Natale recalled growing
up in the pizza business, “annoying
customers” at his father’s pizzeria. But
the third-generation baker is branching
out and has entered a tasty new
enterprise in Whitestone: bagels.
REACH:
22,645 (as of March 16)
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
MAX PARROTT
BILL PARRY
© 2019 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 nearly empty street in Manhattan in the middle of the day on March 15. Photo courtesy of Reuters/Jeenah Moon
/WWW.QNS.COM
/www.qns.com
link
/www.qns.com
link
