Brooklyn Coronavirus Update and Open Thread: Elections, Density, Food (4/28/20)

We’re in the seventh week of sheltering in place and the 26th day of home schooling for New York City schools.

The number of people admitted to hospitals with coronavirus in New York State has fallen 70 percent, Governor Cuomo said today. He also said the presence of homeless people in the New York City subways is “disgusting” and “disrespectful” to essential workers who use the subways to go to work.

The New York State Board of Elections on Monday cancelled the New York State Democratic presidential primary election — but, as previously announced, elections for most other races in New York City will go on, albeit by absentee ballot (which voters have to specially request — they will not be mailed automatically).

There’s nothing wrong with density, despite the pandemic, says architect Vishaan Chakrabarti, who helped design Williamsburg’s Domino development and is known for a book advocating denser cities. (Open House New York will have a virtual conversation with Chakrabarti Wednesday, if you’d like to know more.)

Untapped Cities has released its latest interactive map of official COVID-19 cases by zip code.

Bushwick’s MayDay Space has been assembling and delivering hundreds of bags of groceries to Bushwick families in need every Wednesday.

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Renter advocate groups NYC Right to Counsel NYC Coalition and Housing Justice for All have released a rent strike guide. The groups are calling for
suspension of rents, mortgages and utilities for the duration of the crisis.

Parents who are trying to work from home and homeschool their children may appreciate this alternately funny and sad New York Times story about parents doing just that in Brooklyn and beyond.

How are you weathering the shutdown, and what are your concerns and thoughts? What do you think should be done in Brooklyn to combat the spread of the virus and save local businesses and jobs? Please feel free to comment in a respectful manner (please, no personal attacks, nothing libelous). If you are not already logged in, go up to the top right hand side of the page and log in to be able to comment.