Page 9 - QT Edition #5 01-29-26

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2026 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 9

NYC Health + Hospitals Unveils New Biopreparedness Map Statement From Governor Hochul
to Help Clinicians Track Global Outbreaks (Continued from page 3) remain fully committed to short
(Continued from page 3) and long-term proposals to bring
In a major step toward strength- Program for transforming global outbreak, continues to lead na- high-quality service between better transit - including expanded
ening the city’s readiness for surveillance data into “action- tional efforts in infectious disease Albany and Grand Central as a Metro-North service if the demand
emerging infectious diseases, able information” for frontline readiness. The program conducts mitigation for reduced Amtrak exists - beyond Poughkeepsie and
NYC Health + Hospitals has providers. regular emergency preparedness service. With the full restora- into the rest of the Hudson Valley
launched its Special Pathogens Dr. David Silvestri, the exercises—recently focusing tion of Empire Service, Amtrak and Capital Region. New Yorkers
Biopreparedness Map, an interac- system’s Chief of Care Deliv- on H5N1, Marburg virus, and has notified New York State and rely on high quality rail transit like
tive, open-source tool designed ery, emphasized that the tool MERS—and participated in an the MTA that it will no longer no other state, and I will always
to help clinicians quickly assess reflects years of investment in international test of the nation’s sanction temporary Metro-North fight to save commuters time and
patient risk based on travel his- systemwide preparedness. “This new portable biocontainment unit service to Albany at this time. I to make service better.”
tory and global outbreak activity. work strengthens our ability to for transporting highly infectious
The map provides near re- identify risks early, protect our patients. NYC Council Committee Appointments
al-time visualization of special staff, and ensure patients receive Public health leaders across
pathogen threats worldwide, al- safe, timely care across our entire the country praised the new tool.
lowing frontline healthcare teams system,” he said. Dr. John Brownstein of Harvard
to rapidly connect a patient’s Syra Madad, DHSc, MSc, Medical School said it reflects
recent travel with current disease MCP, CHEP, the system’s Chief “what modern outbreak response
activity. Officials say this capa- Biopreparedness Officer, noted requires — real-time intelligence
bility is crucial in an era where that clinicians often rely on translated into action at the bed-
global mobility can turn distant travel history as the first clue side.” Chris Moore of the United
outbreaks into local emergencies of exposure. “This map brings Nations Foundation highlighted
within days. together outbreak intelligence its importance in a world where
The new tool builds on the and practical clinical resources “a disease spreading overseas can
public health system’s nation- in one place,” she said, helping quickly become an outbreak here
ally recognized biopreparedness teams “identify, isolate, and at home.”
infrastructure, including the re- inform” with greater speed and Experts from Brown Universi-
cent federal designation of NYC confidence. ty, Columbia University, CUNY,
Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, The accompanying webpage Georgetown University, Boston
Harlem, and Jacobi as National includes clinician fact sheets University, and the Common
Special Pathogen System Level outlining epidemiologic risk Health Coalition echoed the sen-
2 Treatment Centers. Bellevue factors, infection control guid- timent, calling the map a critical
Hospital continues to serve as the ance, and contact information resource for clinicians navigating Message from Chair Stevens: equity, equal opportunity, and real
Level 1 Regional Emerging Spe- for local health departments. The an increasingly complex global I’m honored to continue serv- public safety through meaningful
cial Pathogen Treatment Center map tracks a range of high-con- disease landscape. ing as Chair of the NYC Council’s investment in our communities.
for HHS Region 2. sequence pathogens, including NYC Health + Hospitals Committee on Children and Youth In the upcoming term, I will also
Dr. Ted Long, Senior Vice Ebola, Lassa fever, Marburg encourages those interested in and remain deeply committed to proudly serve as a general member
President for Ambulatory Care virus, MERS, H5N1 bird flu, and supporting the System Biopre- advocating for our city’s young of the following committees: Civil
and Population Health, called the Nipah virus, with data updated as paredness Program to visit its people and families. and Human Rights; Cultural Af-
map “a testament to what we’ve new cases emerge. donation page. Questions about As we move into the next fairs & Libraries; Governmental
learned about preventing special NYC Health + Hospitals’ Sys- the program or the new map can chapter, I will continue centering Operations, State & Federal Leg-
pathogen transmission,” prais- tem Biopreparedness Program, be directed to SystemBiopre- the voices of children, parents, islation; Mental Health and Addic-
ing the System Biopreparedness created after the 2014 Ebola paredness@nychhc.org. and caregivers while fighting for tion; and Contracts.

Major Victory For NYC Delivery Workers: Landmark Meeks Issues Statement on ICE
Protections Takes Effect Attempt to Enter Ecuadorian Consulat

DCWP Celebrates Expanded for both grocery and food delivery as the Mamdani Administration Representative Gregory W. only unlawful, it risks setting a
Minimum Pay Rate, Increased workers, a 3.2% increase that is ramps up efforts to crack down on Meeks, Ranking Member of the profoundly dangerous precedent
Tipping Protections, and More set to take effect on April 1, 2026. predatory delivery apps, reverse House Foreign Affairs Commit- that could put American diplo-
Pay Transparency for New York Key worker protection laws ef- worker losses through aggres- tee, issued the following statement mats, servicemembers, and their
City’s 80,000 Delivery Workers fective January 26, 2026 address: sive enforcement of the Delivery in response to an apparent attempt families abroad at risk.
• Expanded minimum pay pro- Worker Laws, and hold companies by ICE agents to enter the Ecua- “It remains clear that ICE is
The New York City Depart- tections: Grocery delivery apps and individuals accountable for dorian Consulate in Minneapolis completely out of control, oper-
ment of Consumer and Worker (including Instacart) must now ripping off the hardworking, ma- without permission and in viola- ating without rules, restraint, or
Protection (DCWP) marks a pay workers at least $21.44 an hour jority immigrant deliveristas who tion of international agreements. accountability—not to mention
workers justice milestone as key (excluding tips) with annual in- keep New Yorkers fed. Earlier “Yesterday’s attempt by ICE any agency coordination with
amendments to the City’s Delivery creases, matching the rate for food this month, Commissioner Levine agents to force their way into the Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Worker Laws go into full effect delivery workers. In 2025, the City announced a lawsuit against Ecuadorian Consulate represents on matters related to our foreign
today, January 26, 2026. Council overrode Eric Adams’ Motoclick and sent compliance yet another outrageous and unac- relations. Secretary of Homeland
The new laws strengthen rights initial veto of this legislation. warnings to over 60 companies ceptable disregard for the rule of Security Kristi Noem must resign
for contracted grocery and food • Timely payments and trans- including Instacart, DoorDash, law by the Trump Administra- immediately or face impeachment.
delivery workers. These include parency: Apps must pay workers Grubhub, Uber, and other app tion’s Department of Homeland Congressional Republicans must
Local Law 113, which increases no later than seven calendar days companies, warning them to ad- Security. join Democrats in setting guard-
delivery worker pay transparency; after the end of a pay period and here to the new laws. “Diplomatic facilities are pro- rails on ICE to provide account-
Local Laws 123 and 124, which provide detailed, itemized written The Minimum Pay Rate (MPR) tected for a reason. Any effort by ability for the American people
expand the minimum pay rate statements with compensation for app-based delivery workers U.S. law enforcement officials to and stop ICE agents from acting
(MPR) to cover third-party gro- calculations. must be adjusted for inflation each enter another country’s diplomatic with impunity before they trigger
cery delivery workers, give timely • Tipping fairness: Platforms year. The MPR will increase to facility without permission is not another international incident.”
and weekly payment rights to must offer customers a clear tip $22.13 the first pay period on or
more contracted delivery workers, option before or at checkout, after April 1, 2026. The $22.13 New York State Landmarks Glow
and improve bathroom access for including a suggested tip of at rate reflects a 3.2% adjustment for Yellow for International Holocaust
contracted delivery workers; and least 10% of the purchase price or inflation between December 2024
Local Laws 107 and 108, which re- a custom amount. This directly and December 2025. Remembrance Day
quire restaurant and grocery apps counters practices that hid or de- “Our administration has zero
to offer a tipping option at check- layed tip prompts, which a recent tolerance for corporate abuse, de- New York State paid solemn working to heal division and
out. As a DCWP report revealed, DCWP report found cost workers ceptive practices, or an economy tribute to the six million Jews polarization, and striving to root
DoorDash and Uber engineered over $550 million. that leaves working New York- murdered during the Holocaust out antisemitism in New York
design tricks in their interfaces This victory is buttressed by ers behind,” said Mayor Zohran by illuminating 16 landmarks in and beyond.”
that lowered workers’ tip earnings two recent federal court decisions. Kwame Mamdani. “These laws yellow on the evening of January The commemorative lighting
by $550 million. Those tricks are In 2025, DoorDash and Uber filed move us closer to a city delivery 27, marking International Holo- spanned iconic structures from
now illegal. a federal lawsuit against DCWP workers can afford — a city where caust Remembrance Day. New York City to the North
These reforms build on the challenging Local Laws 107 and their labor is respected, their pay Governor Kathy Hochul said Country, symbolizing unity
City’s pioneering 2023 minimum 108 (tipping), while Instacart did is fair and transparent, and they the statewide gesture served as against hatred and a shared com-
pay rate rule, which dramatically the same to challenge Local Laws can earn tips without limitations. both a memorial and a call to mitment to remembrance.
increased workers’ average hourly 123 and 124 (grocery delivery That’s what economic justice action. “On this Holocaust Re- Landmarks Illuminated in
earnings without reducing deliver- workers). On January 23, 2026, looks like in practice.” membrance Day, we remember Yellow
ies. Today DCWP also announces federal judges ruled decisively on “New York City refuses to let the lives of the six million Jews Sixteen sites participated in
a citywide inflation adjustment to the side of workers and denied the multi-billion-dollar corporations murdered by the Nazi regime the statewide tribute, including:
worker pay under the framework apps’ requests for a preliminary exploit hardworking deliveris- just over 80 years ago,” she said. • One World Trade Center
established by Local Law 115 of injunction in both cases. tas,” said DCWP Commissioner “Today, I call on New Yorkers to • Governor Mario M. Cuomo
2021. The MPR will increase from These expanded Worker join me in honoring those taken
$21.44 an hour to $22.13 an hour Protection Laws go into effect (Continued on page 10) from us by standing up to hate, (Continued on page 10)