On the solemn anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic's first confirmed death in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams and city leaders took a moment to remember the painful losses and to honor the unwavering courage of healthcare workers, first responders, and essential personnel. In the past five years, the grim toll of the virus has included over 46,000 New Yorkers dead and more than 240,000 hospitalized. As a tribute, several municipal buildings, including City Hall, were illuminated in amber last night, as reported on the city’s official website.
Mayor Adams paid homage to the collective spirit of New York City during the health crisis, saying, "More than 46,000 New Yorkers lost their lives to COVID-19 in the past five years — first responders, health care workers, teachers, essential workers, and more — but all of them left a whole were someone’s family.” Despite the heartbreak, Adams also acknowledged the city's dynamic response to mask up, test, vaccinate, and adopt social distancing measures to protect residents, according to a statement obtained by the official NYC website.
Dr. Mitchell Katz, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, highlighted the importance of a robust public health system that rose to meet the challenges: “Five years later, the lasting legacy of the pandemic for me is very clear — a strong public health system that works in lockstep with its sister agencies and that is guided by the engagement and trust of our communities is essential to the collective health of our city, and our best defense against whatever challenges we may face. Today, we are safer and stronger thanks to the extraordinary service of so many New Yorkers and the spirit of unity that defined our response,” as noted by the official NYC website.
The Adams administration's efforts did not stop at response and recovery; they also extended to groundbreaking public health strategies. DOHMH's Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse highlighted vaccination as the strongest defense against not only COVID-19 but many infectious diseases. Underlining the importance of continued vigilance, she said the city still offers free up-to-date vaccines for newer COVID-19 variants and PCR testing for the virus, ensuring residents have access to essential health services, according to the official NYC website.
New York City's public schools also demonstrated adaptability and innovation. When faced with the need to close physical classrooms, the entire school system transitioned to remote learning to ensure the continued education of over one million students, a massive undertaking that, as New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos recalled, was supported by the tireless efforts of school staff and community members alike.
The pandemic's impact also spurred initiatives making New York City stronger, such as the permanent “Dining Out NYC” program, which saved approximately 100,000 jobs. Not to be understated are the contributions of the FDNY, NYPD, and NYC Emergency Management, whose members risked their lives during the crisis, a reality echoed by their respective commissioners.
