4 THE QUEENS COURIER • MARСH 19, 2020 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
сoronavirus
Mayor signs executive order closing clubs,
theaters and limiting restaurant services
New Yorkers urged to complete 2020 U.S.
Census in spite of coronavirus outbreak
BY ROBERT POZARYCKI
rpozarycki@qns.com
@QNS
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.
Th e nonprofi t 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.
Th e 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 fi ll 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 fi ll
out the census.”
Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau
began mailing information to households
across the country informing them
of the diff erent ways they can respond to
the national population count. Th e fi nal
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.
Th ose responding to the U.S. Census
should include any living person in their
household, including preschool-aged
children and newborn babies born on or
aft er 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
Photo via Getty Images
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.
BY EMILY DAVENPORT
edavenport@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
More businesses are closing down in an
eff ort to stop the spread of coronavirus in
New York City.
Mayor de Blasio signed an executive
order that will limit restaurants,
bars and cafes to food
take-out and delivery. Th e
order also closes nightclubs,
movie theaters, small theater
houses and concert
venues.
Th e order went
into eff ect at 9 a.m. on March 17.
“Th is is not a decision I make lightly,”
said de Blasio. “Th ese places are part
of the heart and soul of our city. Th ey 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.”
Th is 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 eff ort 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. Th e WCS will honor previously
purchased zoo tickets for any future date
in 2020, and all WCS memberships will be
extended.
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