Queens News - Local News

Ruth Caballero, RN, VNSNY By Chandra Wilson During Black History Month, in addition to celebrating the remarkable achievements of African Americans throughout history, it is important to think about how race and ethnicity affect health and quality of life.  Health disparities can be particularly dangerous when people are not aware or don’t understand that they’re at risk. Creating awareness, both within the medical community and among individuals whose lives are impacted by disparities, is a critical step toward better health for all. We hear a lot these days about how social determinants of health—or the economic and social conditions that influence individual or group health status—are responsible for health disparities among different populations. Closing those gaps in care is what the not-for-profit Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY) has been doing for more than 129 years—ever since founder Lillian Wald first cared for vulnerable New Yorkers on Manhattan’s Lower E...

Gov. Kathy Hochul met virtually on Tuesday with education leaders from across the state as debate ratchets up over mask mandates in schools. Mike Groll / Office of Governor Kathy Hochul By Christina Veiga, Chalkbeat New York New York’s health commissioner told lawmakers on Tuesday that there is no date set for lifting the state’s mask mandate in schools, as the governor met with education leaders to map out next steps when it comes to pandemic safety protocols.  Mask requirements in schools have been a flashpoint throughout the pandemic . The debate has ratcheted up recently with governors in nearby states including New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut announcing sunsets to such mandates. There is surprisingly little rigorous evidence about the effectiveness – or the harms – of masking students. But polls have consistently shown that most parents and a majority of adults support masking in classrooms , so withdrawing mandates might discourage families from sending their c...