November 13th
Dear ones,
Once again, we have achieved Friday. The long lines for coronavirus testing are back, and folks are experiencing hours-long waits at CityMD. If you need a test, check here for locations where you can make an appointment.
The public schools may not be open much longer, since the rate of positive virus tests continues to climb. The daily rate hit 2.6% yesterday. The mayor is sticking to the plan to close schools — temporarily — when the citywide 7-day average hits 3%, although there are parents who are resisting this plan to suspend in-person classes. I am aware of at least one school planning to go all-remote after the Thanksgiving holiday; having already contended with the confusion of a short-term Covid-based shutdown this fall and the challenge of keeping students warm on the very few cold days we’ve had, they are seeking a more viable plan for the winter months. Add this to the list of school troubles: as school enrollment dips, many schools are on track to lose part of their budget. This is a regular feature of school funding, which is amplified by the pandemic.
Inadequate funding is just one of the not-new problems for NYC’s schools; a pattern of segregation, curriculum and policies that are not always inclusive or culturally-responsive, and the school-to-prison pipeline are also persistent problems. I encourage you to join New Yorkers for Racially Just Public Schools. Earlier this week, I expressed interest in signing Work from Home for Justice on as an organizational member; the small amount of feedback has been positive AND I would love to hear from more of you. Please let me know what you think in an email with the subject line: RJPS coalition.
Last week, the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) announced in a report that it can only give out less than $40 million of that $100 million slated for statewide emergency rent relief — because too few people met the program’s strict eligibility requirements by the August application deadline.
That’s why I’m reminding you again to write a letter to your state legislators, urging them to pass the Emergency Housing Stability and Displacement Prevention Act, a comprehensive and much-needed eviction moratorium. Really…it takes only a minute.
And now for a little good news: the NYPD has settled a lawsuit with Linda Dominguez, a transgender woman who made allegations of discrimination and harassment against officers in the 44th Precinct. In addition to paying Dominguez $30,000, the Department will retrain officers in the precinct and send out fresh copies of the enumerated rights of transgender people to every officer in the city. These include freedom from disrespectful remarks as well as searches designed to ascertain a person’s sex; in addition, officers are instructed to use each person’s preferred name and pronouns.
Your treat this week is a yoga class (not for beginners, IMHO) in honor of Kamala Harris from the amazing Sarah Selig:
Kamala means “lotus." This is a 1-hour class to prepare the body for Lotus Pose, or Kamalasana. The flow includes both seated and standing poses to open the hips and find flexibility within the ankle joint. Accessible variations on Kamalasana are presented for this intricate pose. Blocks and blankets are always helpful.
Also, a reminder that there’s a Post-Election Community Meditation for Racial Justice at Columbus Circle, tomorrow, from 10 AM until noon. Bring your own cushion. Have a great weekend!
with love,
L