WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES APRIL 9, 2020 3
Governor: NYC playgrounds will
close to stop coronavirus spread
BY ALEJANDRA O'CONNELLDOMENECH
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
All New York City Playgrounds
will be closed to help stop the
spread of the novel coronavirus,
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced
last week.
“I’ve talked about this for weeks,”
said Governor Cuomo during his daily
coronavirus briefi ngs. “I warned people
that if they didn’t stop the density
and the games in the playgrounds, you
can’t play basketball, you can’t come in
contact with each other, that we would
close the playgrounds.”
The governor added that the NYPD
needed to get “more aggressive” when
it comes to enforcing social distancing
in the city.
Aft er reports of New Yorkers ignoring
social distancing rules in the city,
Governor Cuomo gave on Mayor Bill
de Blasio and City Council Speaker
Corey Johnson 24 hours to come up
with a plan to curb social gatherings
in city parks.
“I am not kidding,” said Governor
Cuomo during a press conference
on Sunday, March 22, who then
called those out and about in the city
“ insensitive,” “arrogant” and “disrespectful
of other people.”
In response, de Blasio announced
that police officers and city park
agents would monitor New Yorkers’
compliance with social distancing
rules and would ramp up enforcement
eff orts by asking New Yorkers lingering
in parks to go home or separating
groups of people and stopping park
games like basketball.
The mayor also threatened to lock
up playgrounds that continued to be
overcrowded. A few days later, the
city removed 80 basketball hoops
from park courts across the city as
another way to stop gatherings larger
than 10 people from forming. On Sunday,
March 29, the mayor announced
that the NYPD would begin fi ning
people up to $500 for violating social
distancing rules.
Playgrounds in parks outside of the
city will remain open, the governor
said.
“We don’t have the same density issue
at playgrounds upstate,” Cuomo
said. If overcrowding becomes in an
issue in playgrounds outside of the
city though, the governor will call for
state-wide playground closures.
The governor did not say when the
playgrounds would close.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo provides a coronavirus update during a
press conference in the Red Room at the State Capitol.
Mike Groll/Offi ce of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
NEW YORKERS:
STAY HOME TO STOP THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS
New Yorkers working together and staying home can slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)
in New York City. When you go out for essential needs, work or to get fresh air, keep distance
between yourself and others and take the following precautions.
Text COVID to 692-692 for real-time updates or visit nyc.gov/coronavirus.
Call 311 to report harassment or discrimination. Call 888-NYC-WELL, text "WELL" to 65173
or chat online at nyc.gov/nycwell to connect with a counselor.
*Messages and data rates may apply. Check your wireless provider plan for details.
Bill de Blasio
Mayor
Oxiris Barbot, MD
Commissioner
PROTECT YOURSELF
AND OTHERS
• Keep at least 6 feet between
yourself and others.
• Wash your hands with soap
and water often.
• Cover your nose and mouth
with a tissue or sleeve when
sneezing or coughing.
• Do not touch your face with
unwashed hands.
• Monitor your health more
closely than usual for cold or
flu symptoms.
IF YOU ARE SICK
• Stay home.
• If you have a cough,
shortness of breath, fever,
sore throat and do not feel
better after 3-4 days,
consult with your doctor.
• If you need help getting
medical care, call 311.
• NYC will provide care
regardless of immigration
status or ability to pay.
REDUCE
OVERCROWDING
• Stay home.
• Telecommute if possible.
If you do go out:
• Stagger work hours away
from peak travel times.
• Walk or bike.
• Do not gather in crowds.
PROTECT THE
MOST VULNERABLE
• Stay home if you have
lung disease, heart disease,
diabetes, cancer or a
weakened immune system.
• Stay home and call, video
chat or text with family or
friends who have one of
these conditions.
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/nycwell
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