NYS ASSEMBLY MEMBER NATHALIA FERNÁNDEZ RECOMMENDS BRONX LOCATIONS FOR MASS VACCINE DISTRIBUTION SITES

USANEWSONLINE.COM DESK, NEW YORK – NYS Assembly Member Nathalia Fernández, candidate for Bronx Borough President, responded to Mayor de Blasio’s call for large city-owned facilities to serve as mass vaccination distribution sites.

“The administration has failed to prepare for the most crucial moment of this pandemic: The mass distribution of the vaccine,” said Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernández. “It is undeniable that COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted communities of color and the working class, with The Bronx seeing the state’s highest mortality rate. We need to ensure the first round of doses are distributed to willing participants efficiently and with equal access, regardless of an individual’s occupation, income, or immigration status.”

The Assemblywoman also suggested that the administration consider facilities currently vacant to abide by City and State COVID regulations. 

“We should have been in a position to hit the ground running and do not have time to waste. We need to think outside-the-box to remain efficient and effective,” said Assemblywoman Fernández. “I urge Mayor de Blasio to consider using privately owned businesses, catering halls, middle schools, high schools, NYCHA community centers, and public libraries that meet requirements. All are currently vacant due to indoor restrictions, and many have ample space to accommodate the city’s immediate needs. To guarantee equal access to all residents, we should also examine the possibility of converting testing sites into vaccine distribution sites — like Co-op City.”

Assembly Member Fernández suggested the following locations be converted into vaccine distribution sites:

• Yankee Stadium
• Andrew Freedman Home
• Bronx Museum
• Bronx County Building
• Hostos Community College
• Lehman College
• Bronx Community College
• Riverdale YM-WHA
• Castle Hill YMCA

• Truman HS Campus
• Kennedy HS Campus
• DeWitt Clinton HS Campus
• James Monroe HS Campus
• Roosevelt HS Campus
• Taft HS Campus
• Stevenson HS Campus
• Morris HS Campus
• Columbus HS Campus
• Evander Childs HS Campus
• Maestros Catering
• Marina del Rey Catering
• Eastwood Manor
• Villa Barone Caterers
•  Roberto Clemente State Park 
• New Settlement Community Center 

Throughout the pandemic, Assemblywoman Fernández has worked hard to ensure frontline workers had the necessary supplies to safely battle the virus, locking in donations of masks, gowns, gloves, and goggles for Bronx hospitals. 

To learn more about Nathalia’s campaign to be the borough’s first female borough president — and the first Latina to hold borough-wide office in New York City history — visit www.Fernández2021.com. Press Release.