BY CHRISTINE BERTHET, CO-FOUNDER OF CHEKPEDS | The COVID-19 quarantine has made us all aware of how wonderful New York can be: How clean and fresh the air has been, how quiet without gridlock blocking EMS, and without too many cars! Most significantly, there were no pedestrian fatalities in the last two months in Manhattan[1]. […]
BY DONATHAN SALKALN | For those who didn’t flee New York City, the last eight weeks of COVID-19 lockdown has been inspiring in how Chelsea locals have sprung together in helping those in need. Elected officials and staff, community leaders, EMS, police, tenant associations, non-profits, churches, neighbors, and local volunteers have done their part in […]
BY RANIA RICHARDSON | Ben G. has been teaching first grade students at a public school in Brooklyn for two years, but he has 19 years of experience in the field. In March, COVID-19 precautionary protocols compelled educators to leave the classroom and teach children remotely. Chelsea Community News spoke to Ben about how things […]
BY SCOTT STIFFLER | Hey, in times like these? You work with what you got. In a world devoid of COVID-19, one might well imagine New York State Senator Brad Hoylman, when not busy championing pro-active, progressive passion projects, might be sponsoring a Cutest Dog Costume Contest. But his current competition speaks to our social […]
BY SCOTT STIFFLER | It’s the tactile things you miss the most—like picking up the many handouts from community groups and elected officials sprawled out along a long table in the back of the room; or putting pen to paper, to sign up for the public comment session; or hugging a person from the community […]
Problem-Solver, Kind Spirit, Calming Influence BY CHIP DEFFAA | Damn! Too many losses, of late. I’m sorry to note the passing (due to COVID-19) of John Holmsen, who for decades was a valuable member of our 13th Street Repertory Theater family. He was a sweet, gentle man, who helped out in various ways on many […]
BY DONATHAN SALKALN Parental Guidance | My parents are approaching their 90s and live amidst forested property marked by “No Hunting” and “No Trespassing” signs. Although they live in the boonies, they both told me they had gotten COVID-19. My dad said he had the disease in early March and recovered. My mom said that […]
BY MICHAEL MUSTO | The health crisis has brought out the best in medical workers, who have stepped up to the plate with courage and honor, but others haven’t fared quite so well. In fact, the pandemic-generated combination of fear, anger, grief, and isolation has brought out the worst in these people, as they recklessly […]
Life in the Plague Year Touching your face is dangerous. Eyes, nose, mouth: portals for the virus to barge in, hijack your cells. Eating in restaurants is dangerous. Glasses toasting, diners laughing. These are the sounds of death. Shopping is dangerous. Milk, bread, veggies. Staples for the last meal. Children are dangerous. […]
BY SCOTT STIFFLER | The COVID-19 precautions of sheltering in place and social distancing bring with them both the burdens of entropy and the opportunity for evolution. Either way, it’s not business as usual—and once we return to the days when sit-down trumps take-out, and browsing in a store is a viable choice to rival […]