FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM AUGUST 26, 2021 • THE QUEENS COURIER 19
Hochul examines COVID-19 safety precautions at Corona school
BY JULIA MORO
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
Days before being sworn in as governor,
Kathy Hochul visited P.S. 143, the
Louis Armstrong School, in Corona
on Wednesday, Aug. 18, to speak with
administrators about a safe transition for
all students returning to school amid the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Hochul, who replaced departing
Governor Andrew Cuomo on Aug. 24,
stressed the importance of vigilance in
the schools as New York continues to battle
the highly contagious delta variant of
COVID-19.
“Th ere is a tremendous amount of anxiety
among parents, teachers, administrators,
who thought what we went through
last year would be it,” Hochul said. “Th e
delta variant has changed the dynamic
considerably; we have to continue being
vigilant.”
School administrators shared that
many safety precautions have been put
in place ahead of the upcoming academic
year. On top of standard personal protective
equipment, the school has a carbon
dioxide reader that measures the carbon
dioxide levels in a room, ensuring proper
ventilation is present.
Every custodian in the school has one
to check for air fl ow in any given space.
Hochul said that there is no doubt that
children need to be back in school.
“Th is time away from school, away
from the life they used to know, has been
debilitating to our children, and we’re
going to have to help them recover,”
Hochul said.
Hochul recommended mental health
services for children and promised to
continue conversations with superintendents
and other school representatives
about how best to help students safely get
back into their routines.
“I need the time to continue interviews,
listen to people, get people’s opinions
and put together the dream team to run
the state of NY into the future,” Hochul
said.
Hochul mentioned her strong work
relationship with Mayor Bill de Blasio
will be immense in their eff orts to protect
children as they head back to school.
Richards endorses Singh in southern Queens City Council race
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Queens Borough President Donovan
Richards is putting his thumb on the
scale in the three-way race to replace
Councilman Eric Ulrich representing the
32nd Council District, which is currently
the only Republican-held seat in the borough.
Richards endorsed Felicia Singh, the
Democratic nominee in what is widely
considered to be the most competitive
race in New York City. Her opponents
are Republican nominee Joann
Ariola, the chair of the Queens County
GOP, and Community Board 9 Chairman
Kenichi Wilson, who is running on the
Community First third-party line this
November.
“We need a leader in the City Council
that will be ready on day one to fi ght to
ensure the voters of the 32nd Council
District are getting their fair share of educational
resources, getting infrastructure
upgrades and getting a just COVID
recovery,” Richards said. “I am supporting
Felicia because I know she’ll put the needs
of people over politics.”
In the 2020 Queens borough president
race, Richards defeated Ariola, who ran
unopposed as a Republican. She conceded
aft er Richards captured more than twothirds
of the vote.
“I’m proud to have the endorsement
of Queens Borough President Donovan
Richards. We share the priorities of supporting
our working-class neighbors, and
addressing root and systemic causes of
struggle and suff ering in our communities,”
Singh said. “I’m proud of the coalition
we’ve built during the primary, and I’m
excited about how it continues to grow.”
Singh is an Ozone Park educator and
daughter of working-class immigrants,
and a lifelong resident of District 32.
In addition to leading the Queens
County GOP, Ariola is a longtime civic
leader in Howard Beach and Wilson is
running as an Independent in the race
to represent the neighborhoods of Belle
Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel,
Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach,
Lindenwood, Neponsit, Ozone Park,
Rockaway Beach, Rockaway Park, South
Ozone Park and Woodhaven.
“Th e latest census data confi rms continued
growth and change in Queens, especially
in Indo-Caribbean, Latino, Punjabi
and Bangladeshi communities,” Singh said.
“If I’m elected, I would be the fi rst woman
to represent the district, the fi rst Punjabi
and Guyanese person, as well as my identities
as a Sikh and Muslim person. It’s time
for District 32 to have a Council member
who shares and truly understands the
struggles of working-class and immigrant
New Yorkers. Th is community raised me,
and I will fi ght for us in City Hall.”
Photos courtesy of campaigns
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards (l.) endorsed Felicia Singh for City Council.
Photo by David Dee Delgado/REUTERS
Kathy Hochul tours the Louis Armstrong New York City Public School 143 in Corona days before being sworn in as governor.
/WWW.QNS.COM
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