Religion

Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on the different COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

By DAVID GREENE
  This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the different COVID-19 vaccine mandates that are now in effect, and whether they agree with them.   “Honestly, it’s really a mixed bag because vaccines do work to an extent, but then we have heard about those who have been vaccinated getting “break out” cases, but generally, those cases that have COVID, they don’t show symptoms. Yet, they’re still a health liability because they can still transmit [the virus]. Maybe they don’t. I just think, right now, with the misinformation going on, and the weaponization of information to make the vaccine


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Real Estate Industry Group and Union Reach Agreement on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Rules

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations (RAB), the multi-employer group association representing the city‘s real estate industry, and SEIU 32BJ, the union representing 85,000 building service workers in the city, issued, on Saturday, Oct. 2, a comprehensive Memorandum of Agreement covering rules for implementing COVID-19 vaccine requirements for staff working in most city buildings.   The agreement, which would cover thousands of commercial and residential properties in the city, sets the process and safeguards which must be followed in the event a site or an employer intends to implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.   Howard Rothschild, president of the realty advisory board


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Hochul’s Plans to Curb Misinformation on Abortion

By DAVID GREENE
  This week, we asked readers for their thoughts on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plans to curb misinformation on abortion, as announced on Sept. 13.   “You know if women want to have that, they have the right to do that. I don’t agree with certain things, but I can’t comment on that really, you know what I’m saying? They should have the right to do it, but babies need to be born. Republicans always cry they’re pro-life when it comes to abortion, but it never comes up when you’re talking about gun control. Everybody has an opinion, but when babies


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UPDATE: Congress Passes 4 of AOC’s 7 Amendments to Defense Budget Bill, to Protect Human Rights

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Congress has passed four of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s seven proposed amendments to the U.S. Defense Budget Bill, which are aimed at protecting human rights.   In mid-September, ahead of the vote on the The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Bronx congresswoman who represents New York’s 14th congressional district, introduced seven amendments that collectively sought to end U.S. practices that, she said, have contributed to human rights abuses. “We must end the sale of weapons to countries that have violated human rights, and reorient our foreign policy to one of humanitarian, diplomatic, and economic engagement,” the congresswoman tweeted on Thursday,


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Bronx Elected Officials Share Messages of Goodwill on Jewish Holy Day

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx elected officials shared various messages to acknowledge the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. According to the website, hebcal.com, this year, Yom Kippur began on Wednesday, 15 Sept. and ends at nightfall on Thursday, 16 Sept.    Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish community. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on President Biden’s Decision to End the War in Afghanistan

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


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Mother of Transgender Student Seeks Bullying Prevention Measures in Schools

By SARAH HUFFMAN
  Anna Pagan is hoping the new school year will bring what she believes are some long overdue changes to the way P.S. 20 addresses bullying and LGBTQ+ awareness. Pagan’s transgender son has faced multiple forms of bullying over the last two years since he started figuring out his transition.   On May 25, the seventh grader was hit by one of his classmates after school in front of fellow students and school staff. Pagan’s son, whose name she is not disclosing, had previously been bullied by the same child. Despite this, the school had tried to get the two


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