Op-Ed: What to Know About the Delta Variant

By Dr. DAVE A. CHOKSHI

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our knowledge about the virus has constantly evolved, and we are now confronting a new challenge. Over the past several months, we have seen a rise in COVID-19 infections as a result of the delta variant, a new strain of the original virus causing COVID-19. As of last week, delta made up over 99% of COVID-19 cases in New York City, up from 9% in early June. Understandably, many New Yorkers have questions about what delta is and how it will impact everyday life. Here are three things to know.

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to end America’s longest war in Afghanistan. “I think it’s about time they did this. I am so happy to hear that they’re doing this. They’ve been in Afghanistan for such a long time, I think it’s about time they do pull them out. No, it wasn’t done the right way. I don’t believe so, but few wars end peacefully. I don’t believe this world learned anything from the occupation. I think it’s gotten worse. We’ve gotten very stupid.” Kendall Levine, Hunts Point “It was a

By ROXANNE DELGADO

Two months after New York State legalized e-bikes and e-scooters, the City Council passed a bill, on June 5, 2020, to create a pilot program for the operation of shared electric scooters to exist for a duration of no less than one year and no more than two years. Earlier this year, NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the East Bronx as the program’s pilot zone and selected three companies, Bird, Lime and Veo, to participate in the pilot project, starting with 3,000 e-scooters. Why NYC DOT chose an area that lacks biking infrastructure is so confusing. NYC DOT proposed 24

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Dawn Brown, 60, of 162 West Kingsbridge Road, in Kingsbridge Heights in the Bronx, who was reported missing on Wednesday, Aug. 4, in the 52nd precinct. Brown was last seen on Sunday, Aug. 1, at approximately 9.30 p.m. leaving her home. She is described as being approximately 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, has a thin build, a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing black clothing. A photo of the missing person is attached. Anyone with

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the U.S. House Select Committee that is investigating the January 6th riots and the storming of the U.S. Capitol. “I’ve been following it, and I notice the great partisanship that there is in both chambers, and it’s something that obviously needs the eyes of both parties because the interest of democracy is at stake. We notice the lack of interest that the GOP has demonstrated in these instances and it’s regrettable. It’s regrettable for our democracy, it is regrettable for the generation to come. It is regrettable for the country that our children will inherit.”

By MICHAEL HOROWITZ

For at least a decade, many educators and elected officials have been lobbying intently for the elimination of the standardized test students take to get admitted to the City’s specialized high schools, such as Bronx High School of Science, Stuyvesant High School, and Brooklyn Technical High School. The publication of admission rates to such schools, broken down by race, has fueled an ongoing debate between parents of Asian-American and White students who broadly support the use of the test as an objective, fair and, generally, unbiased way of determining admission, and some parents of Black and Latinx students who

By DAVID GREENE

Two local residents, a mother and son, have each been charged with a single count of assault after they both allegedly attempted to choke a young, female Citi Bike rider. Witnesses reported that the two claimed the Citi Bike rider scratched their ride with her bike. A video recording of the unfolding events shows that a large crowd gathered after a dispute arose between the occupants of a grey Honda Accord and one of two Citi Bike riders on Sunday, July 11 just after 4 p.m. in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx. The car driver stopped in a designated

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the new charging stations currently being installed in public areas around the City, including in Norwood, for electric vehicles (EVs). “My feeling is, basically, that it helps out the community, you know? It gets everybody into electric vehicles that are better than gas. It’s better for the environment. We all need to step up. I don’t drive, but I see a lot of these electric scooters, which I think are a bad idea. They are very hazardous, yeah. Can you charge a scooter on those things? I think it brings a brilliant

Veterans make up one of the most vital demographics within our local community. Many of us may have heard about our veterans, or know someone who is a veteran, but how much do we really know about our veteran colleagues, friends and neighbors, and the challenges they face? Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7)’s Veterans Affairs Committee dug deeper into this topic by seeking feedback from several agencies and partners, and from veterans, themselves. To date, the committee has covered quite a few important veterans’ topics, such as the importance of accessing dental care, why caregivers are important, knowing one’s