From Covid to Cookies in Forest Hills

 Apparently, the pandemic is so yesterday -- at least when it comes to Forest Hills cookie-lovers. 

Of course, during my trip to get some lunch today I assumed the line stretching several blocks down Austin Street was another one for Covid tests....

Yes, Chip City's grand opening is today, apparently worth braving the bitter cold, howling winds, and a little virus. 

Covid-19 Response Update: White House Partners with the State of New York to Build Two New Major Community Vaccination Centers in Brooklyn and Queens

 Today, the White House announced that the Administration will be partnering with the State of New York to build two new major Community Vaccination Centers (CVCs) in Brooklyn and Queens.

 

The CVCs will be at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn and York College in Queens. Together, these sites will be capable of administering thousands of shots in arms a day.

 

The White House is deploying federal teams immediately to work hand-in-hand with the state and local jurisdictions, and expects these sites to start getting shots in arms in the coming weeks. These CVCs will utilize primarily federal staff in support of state and local governments.

 

These sites were identified using a range of criteria, most central to those is the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index. This tool was created to help emergency response planners and public health officials identify and map communities that will most likely need support before, during, and after a hazardous event. The index takes into consideration critical data points, including socioeconomic status, household composition, minority status, languages, housing type and transportation.

 

The goal of establishing these joint federal pilot centers is to continue to expand the rate of vaccinations in an efficient, effective and equitable manner, with an explicit focus on making sure that communities with a high risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection are not left behind.

 

Hard-Hit New York Communities:

• Brooklyn is home 2.6 million people, the New York City’s most populous borough.
  • Brooklyn currently has a 7.62% COVID-19 positivity rate (7-day average).
  • According to the CDC SVI data, Brooklyn has a .82 ranking.
  • In Brooklyn, 21.1% of the population live below the poverty line.
  • The borough is home to minority communities, including a large Black community (32.6%) and a sizeable elderly community (16.3%).
  • 12% of Brooklyn has a limited English proficiency. 
    
    
• Queens is the largest New York City borough by area, and trails only Brooklyn in population – making it the city’s second most populous borough with 2.3 million people.
  • Queens currently has a 9.56 % COVID-19 positivity rate (7-day average).
  • According to the CDC SVI data, Queens has a .62 ranking.
  • Queens is home to several minority communities, including large Black (18.3%), Asian (25.3%), and Hispanic (28%) communities.
  • 15% of Queens has a limited English proficiency.

Forest Hills Restaurants During the Pandemic

Local restaurants have been struggling through the past few months and now some have some welcomed relief in the form of outdoor seating. Some local favorites, unfortunately, have not made it through the hard times. If you have any additional local restaurant updates, feel free to put them in the comments section below or email them to edgeofthecity@gmail.com.

Restaurant Row has expanded its always-popular outdoor dining further out into the street.

It's cool to see local restaurants really doing nice things with their new outdoor seating during the pandemic. Such as this cozy little spot for T-Bone Diner along Queens Blvd.

The always excellent Banter has recently reopened thanks to its outdoor seating area. 

A crowd waits in line to get some of La Boulangerie's delicacies. 

The excellent Nick's Pizza advertising curbside pickup and home delivery.

Portofino's outdoor seating area along Ascan Ave.

The amazing Italian restaurant Tuscan Hills, one of the best local restaurants in Forest Hills, has set up outdoor seating along Queens Blvd.

Unfortunately, the recently-opened RenWen Noodle Factory had to close its doors. It was one of the finest new additions to Forest Hills' thriving culinary scene and I hope it finds a way to return.

The fine little restaurant Jack & Nellie's also had to shutter on Ascan.