UPDATE: New York City schools have been closed.
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer called for a "city shutdown" Sunday morning, saying that restaurants, bars, movie theaters and schools should be shuttered.
Shortly afterwards, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson echoed that restaurants, bars, theaters and schools should be closed, as well.
"We are in a state of emergency and we must move quickly to mitigate the impact of coronavirus/COVID-19 on our city," Johnson said. "All non-essential services must be closed, including bars and restaurants. We should keep essentials like grocery stores, bodegas, pharmacies, and banks open. And restaurants that can make deliveries should be able to stay open to provide delivery service for New Yorkers."
Johnson added, "As I have said before, schools should close. We must come up with a plan for all students, including those who rely on school for food and medical support.."
Perhaps most importantly, we need to support our healthcare workers, including by providing childcare so they can continue to work during this state of emergency.
— NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson (@NYCSpeakerCoJo) March 15, 2020
Last but certainly not least, we as New Yorkers need to come together for the common good. 9/
"The way to get out of a crisis is to act logically and strategically," Stringer said in a lengthy statement. "Logic says we need universal testing but that's sadly not happening. Strategy says we need more aggressive social distancing."He continued, "That is why today, out of an abundance of caution, I am calling for a city shutdown. Only essential services should remain open—not bars, restaurants, or movie theaters"
The way to get out of crisis is to act logically and strategically.
— Scott M. Stringer (@NYCComptroller) March 15, 2020
Logic says we need universal testing but that's sadly not happening. Strategy says we need more aggressive social distancing.
That is why today, out of an abundance of caution, I am calling for a city shutdown.
Stringer also said that the city's schools should be closed, as well."And I am again calling for New York City schools to be shut down," he said. "We cannot go on with business as usual. This is about all of us. This is about protecting our most vulnerable. Lives are at stake and there's no time to waste. We have to flatten the curve."He explained, "As Comptroller and as a public school parent, I am painfully aware of the consequences these actions will have: on families who depend on schools for critical services and on the livelihoods of New Yorkers. But the consequences of not acting will be even more devastating. We need flexible working arrangements for all workers, innovative food distribution plans, support for families with older relatives, child care for essential service workers, access to counseling, and resources for households without internet access. And we need to act now."
The way to get out of crisis is to act logically and strategically.
— Scott M. Stringer (@NYCComptroller) March 15, 2020
Logic says we need universal testing but that's sadly not happening. Strategy says we need more aggressive social distancing.
That is why today, out of an abundance of caution, I am calling for a city shutdown.
