Today I am watching the news in horror as deaths in the United States from Covid 19 are over 130,000 and climbing, especially in the South where they rushed their reopening. Thankfully the governors of Texas and Florida are willing to reverse course to beat back the virus again, and Cuomo is seeing what’s happening and slowly reopening in New York. In other parts of the world where they thought they’d conquered the disease, it’s raging back. Mayor DeBlasio wants to push forward with reopening at all costs, but the decision about when schools can open safely in NYC is going to be made by Governor Cuomo. At Wittenstein & Wittenstein, you know us at your Queens, Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island, or Brooklyn personal injury attorney, but we want you to know that you can call us about any legal concerns you have. This includes your safety on the job, your concerns about school reopening, or any other legal issues that arise for your family. Please feel free to call us at 718-261-8114 to share your thoughts and concerns.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in 2020, it’s that indoor spaces are the most difficult to make safe. That’s why indoor dining isn’t opening in NY and so many governors are shutting down bars, gyms, and other indoor businesses. There are some ways to improve safety indoors such as installing the types of ventilation systems they use in hospitals that expel rather than recirculate air. The cost of installing these systems in public schools in NYC would be astronomical, and would probably only be feasible in the wealthiest neighborhoods where parents are known for making $10,000 donations to their school’s PTA. Even if it were possible to improve ventilation, keep kids 6 feet away from each other, make sure that everybody is wearing a mask at all times, there would still be a huge risk that teachers, janitors, and other workers could die unnecessarily. Thirty teachers died this year before the schools were finally closed, and many other school staff lost their lives. It is simply unconscionable to let this happen again. Our legal community which includes Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island car accident attorneys, personal injury attorneys, and other professionals is willing to help people through these difficult times without putting themselves or their children at risk.

Many New York City parents depend on the schools for free childcare so they can work and support their families. This is tough on everybody, but even tougher for single moms who have the impossible choice between working or caring for their school age children. The solution isn’t to place children, teachers, and staff in danger and risk losing the results of the sacrifices we’ve made during the lockdown. If we continue with the slow reopening under the guidance of our governor and mayor, we’ll be able to open our schools safely at the proper time. Meanwhile, let’s put pressure on our elected representatives to pass legislation that can help us financially through this Pandemic.

We’re not just your Queens, Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island or Brooklyn car accident attorney. For over 60 years we’ve been helping our clients with practical advice in many areas. We also handle medical malpractice, civil rights and other types of civil litigation. Please feel free to call us at 718-261-8114 for a free consultation.