FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRONX, NY – Council Member Eric Dinowitz called on the New York City Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dr. Dave A. Chokshi, MD, and the Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez to immediately move to reopen NYC Senior Centers. 

In his letter, the Council Member wrote: 

“These centers have long been the only place for many of our older adults to receive food, to interact with others, and to maintain some level of routine in their lives. While these centers have remained closed since the onset of the pandemic, we have seen many other facilities across NYC start to open in a safe and calculated way.”

Senior Centers have been shut down since the COVID outbreak. Many have been able to provide some services remotely, like wellness checks and food distribution. The recent order to partially open has allowed for grab and go meals.

“The partial reopening that provides grab and go meals has been a good start but there are other needs that our neighbors are losing out on. The in-person interactions that have been missing for over a year have certainly taken its toll on our older adult residents, many who have been home bound and isolated,” argued Dinowitz.

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