FAQ NYC

A (somewhat) optimistic look at what where New York goes after the virus, plus conversations with Wayne Ho of the Chinese-American Planning Council and Aaron Naparstek of the War on Cars.

State Senator Zellnor Myrie calls in to warn about the state of the census in New York in the midst of social isolation, publisher and editor-in-chief Elinor Tatum discusses the state of the 109-year-old Amsterdam News, and much more.

The strange scene in NYC now, as conveyed by Gwynne Hogan of Gothamist, looking at the city's coronavirus undercount, Nikita Stewart of the New York Times, looking at how homeless families are sheltering in place, and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, looking at the people still out on the streets in the midst of all this.

Alex Brook Lynn of FAQ.NYC interviews Sarah Dowd, a nurse at Harlem Hospital, about what healthcare workers need to pull us through this crisis. As the world watches tired healthcare workers beg for supplies on social media, Sarah Dowd, a nurse at Harlem Hospital, doesn't want to see their troubles become an accepted “horrific sob story,” Sarah wants a "counter narrative," a narrative in which our elected officials “get things done.” On Monday April 6th, Sarah and her fellow healthcare workers, along with the New York Nurses Association, will issue a list of demands to Dr. Mitchell Katz, President and CEO of Health + Hospitals, Governor Cuomo, and President Trump.

New York Times media columnist Ben Smith, documentarian Akisa Omulepu and Barron’s reporter Alexandra Scaggs call in from their respective social isolations to look over what's happening in New York in the midst of all of this.

Barron's financial journalist Alexandra Scaggs explains to Alex Brook Lynn how the stimulus bill impacts lending, what big things are changing with the federal reserve, and how the issue of municipal bonds, something that progressive economists have been on about for years, is finally entering the mainstream.

Council Health Chair Mark Levine, isolated at home with a presumed case of the coronavirus, gets on the phone with Harry to survey our transformed medical system, and explain why testing outside of hospitals is a counterproductive idea now. And CUNY Professor Heath Brown talks to Chrissy about homeschooling, as New York families are getting a crash course in it.

Alex Brook Lynn and Adam Levy talk evictions with David Brand of The Queens Daily Eagle, and assess what the city is doing (and could be doing) to help New Yorkers that face losing their home as a consequence of Coronavirus. On Thursday, March 12, Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency for New York City. He said that the city needed to brace for six months of crisis mode; gatherings of 500 people or over are now banned, Broadway is going dark, and Madison Square Garden is closing. The city is also asking restaurants, bars, and other venues to operate at 50% capacity to support "social distancing." This presents a major threat to the livelihood of millions of New Yorkers, as workforces reliant on this traffic brace to take a hit they are most likely unprepared for. The economic repercussions of these closures mixed with other job loss during the COVID-19 crisis are undeniable, and it is still unclear how far the city can and will go to block evictions in the private sector. So, in the wake of these announcements, lawmakers are scrambling to protect New Yorkers who may be facing evictions or homelessness. According to Deputy Mayor for Operations, Laura Anglin, "NYCHA is not executing any warrants of eviction right now." For the rest of New York's renters, several efforts are in motion to ensure public health and the security of working families do not have to compete. Read David Brand's most recent articles on COVID-19 and homelessness and "one shot deals," the city's rent relief for residents facing imminent eviction.