Good afternoon,

I hope this email finds you well, even in the face of the rise in COVID infections. We aren’t yet at the levels we saw in the spring, but there are similarities. I hope I am wrong about the implications of the Governor's slow-walking arbitrary restrictions. Specifically, starting tomorrow, all bars, restaurants, and gyms will be required to close at, or before, 10 PM. Beware of the virus at 10:01 PM. Along with those changes, private gatherings, whether indoors or outdoors, are limited to 10 people. 

To our community’s credit and good fortune, the infection rates are low in CB6. However, we don’t live in closed-off zip codes or districts; we live in and share a city with millions of people. Citywide, the percentage of positive tests has risen to 2.60%, and at the rate, it’s been rising, close to .10 percent a day; we will hit 3 percent early next week.

If we do hit 3 percent, all city schools would then shift to remote learning. It would likely lead to more restrictions on dining and other businesses, and with it, more job losses and more pain for those that can least afford it. It is a no-brainer that we need federal aid on the scale of the Heroes Act and state legislation such as Assemblymember Carroll’s Business Interruption Insurance bill. 

Let me hop off my soapbox for now and get more CB6  centric. One week from tonight, the Department of City Planning will present on proposed plans for the Public Place/Gowanus Green site beginning at 6 PM. We are “co-sponsoring” the meeting, but it is not a committee or full board meeting. We are serving as a “Zoom Conduit” to enable the community to participate as much as possible at this pre-certification stage. 

With that, I recommend that you keep scrolling so you can find some exciting items and happenings this week and next. 

Stay safe and enjoy the rest of your Thursday.
Michael Racioppo, District Manager
Brooklyn Community Board 6
 
t. 718.643.3027, ext. 205

P.S Please forgive any typos or brain freezes in the text as I get these updates out in haste at the end of the day, and if there is a community-centric item you think I should know about please reach out.
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