Mayor Bill de Blasio said that social distancing measures are helping the City fight the novel coronavirus, and that this is evidenced by three indicators. These are tracking hospital admissions for suspected COVID-19 cases, ICU occupants in NYC Health + Hospitals facilities, and the percentage of city residents testing positive for the virus.

 

The mayor made the remarks at a press conference at City Hall on Thursday Apr. 23 during which he also announced plans to significantly increase the City’s supply and distribution of halal meals during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, which begins today.

 

De Blasio praised New Yorkers for adhering to the social distancing guidelines put in place since March, acknowledging the hardship associated with these efforts. However, he cautioned against complacency saying, “We can’t let the natural desire to go back to normal life interfere with our efforts to defeat the virus. This is not a battle we can fight alone; the choices ordinary New Yorkers are making at every hour of each day hold the key to fighting COVID-19”.

 

The mayor confirmed that admissions for suspected COVID-19 cases at hospitals citywide continue to decline. On April 22, there were 227 admissions across the City. Comparatively, on March 31, there were 850 admissions for suspected COVID-19 cases citywide.

 

The daily number of people in ICUs across NYC Health + Hospitals with suspected cases of COVID-19 also continues to decline. On April 14, Health + Hospitals was at double its ICU capacity system-wide, with approximately 887 individuals being treated in ICUs. That number is now 796. To alleviate the burden on NYC Health + Hospitals, the City has added ICU beds to facilities citywide, and has also increased the number of military and volunteer personnel across the hospital system.

 

As the City continues to expand its testing capacity, the number of individuals testing positive for the virus at the City’s public health lab increased to 57 percent. The number of individuals being tested citywide in private labs decreased, however, to 33 percent. These metrics can be viewed here.

During the press conference, the mayor commended Muslim New Yorkers for uniting with the rest of the City in the fight against the coronavirus by following the required social distancing guidelines, and by staying away from group gatherings at the City’s mosques, actions which he acknowledged constitute a major disruption to the daily lives of all Muslims.

 

The mayor had previously made a commitment, along with NYC COVID-19 food czar and commissioner of the City’s sanitation department, Kathryn Garcia, that no New Yorker would go hungry during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

 

During the press conference, he explained that one of Ramadan’s most noble callings is to feed the hungry, explaining that it was common practice within the Muslim community, particularly during Ramadan, to make food available at mosques for any Muslims who needed it. “It’s a crucial part of how the holiday is celebrated, to remember to be there for those in need,” he said.

 

In recognition that this tradition would not be possible for Muslims to uphold this year, and in-keeping with his own promise of ensuring every needy New Yorker would get fed during the crisis, the mayor said that the City would help to fill that gap. To that end, the City will serve over 500,000 meals to its muslim community during Ramadan via DOE grab-and-go meals, in partnership with community-based organizations (CBOs).

 

Halal, kosher, vegetarian and other types of meals are currently available at 400+ DOE Grab & Go sites across the City. As part of its expanded efforts, the DOE is increasing the availability of halal meals by 25 percent at 32 of these sites across all five boroughs in areas with large Muslim populations throughout the month of Ramadan. This amounts to 400,000 meals. Residents can locate these sites at schools.nyc.gov/ramadanmeals.

 

The City will also distribute an additional 150,000 meals in multi-meal pantry boxes to nine community-based organizations serving Muslim New Yorkers. These CBOs will then arrange bulk pick-up or delivery for the communities they serve. The community-based organizations partnering in this effort are:

 

ICNA Relief

Apna/ICNA Relief

Al-Madinah Incorporated

Muslims Giving Back

Muslim Women’s Institute for Research and Development (MWIRD)

American Council of Minority Women

Arab American Association of New York

Council of People’s Organization

Yemeni American Merchants Association (YAMA)

 

In reference to the availability of kosher meals for Bronx residents, Council Member Andrew Cohen said in his newsletter dated Apr. 23, “While I’m grateful kosher meals are now available at these [Queens and Brooklyn] sites, we have a number of kosher-observant residents facing challenges due to Covid-19 in the Bronx and I have urged Commissioner Garcia and the Mayor to make kosher meals available in District 11 as soon as possible”.  

 

During a virtual town hall meeting also on Apr. 23, Sen. Alessandra Biaggi confirmed that she had also contacted Commissioner Garcia on the issue. Biaggi said that she would soon share more information about which exact sites in the Bronx would be offering both kosher and halal meals. The current list of food distribution sites in the Bronx can be found here.

 

A 2018 report by the group, Muslims for American Progress, found that Muslims make up 8.96 percent of the City’s population. It also shows that a large number of the City’s Muslims work in front line services. For example, Muslims make up 57.5 percent of people who work at food stands and 39.2 percent of those who work in the taxi industry, two sectors which have been severely impacted by the statewide “PAUSE” order.

 

Muslims make up 9.7 percent of those who work in the medical profession while 8.1 percent of those who work in respiratory therapy are Muslim.

 

To date, nearly 7 million meals have been distributed across multiple food programs as part of the City’s effort to feed hungry New Yorkers.