That a small group of #UWS residents prefers to risk the health of hundreds of homeless New Yorkers than to see them in their neighborhood is disheartening to say the least. Here’s a thread with some facts amidst this noise. (1/)
1st: framing this as a move "so they can get services in shelters" is a bold-faced lie. The hotels are operated *by the identical nonprofits* that operate the shelters from which these individuals came. Services are available in the hotels, as they are in the shelters. (2/)
This and other lies that have been used to fire community opposition (including those regarding sex offenders) have been debunked in a well-written petition at uwsstrong.org (3/)
As I described thoroughly in another thread, many of the visible homeless people on the UWS sparking community concerns are likely to be unsheltered rather than hotel residents. (4/)
There have been several studies during the pandemic showing SARS-CoV-2 can spread very quickly (to both shelter residents and staff) in congregate homeless shelters. Here's just one study, by the CDC (5/) cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/6…
As I tweeted earlier today, when it comes to SARS-CoV-2 we are all in this together. We need to protect the most vulnerable among us to protect all of us. (6/)
While we don't have much research on it yet, so far signs point to hotels as benefiting the lives and health of people experiencing homelessness in multiple ways. To argue shelters are "better" for them is disingenuous to say the least. (7/)
You can hear that in some of the stories collected here by @HowardCenterASU. I also recommend listening to these stories to understand more deeply how hard the #COVID19 pandemic has made life for people experiencing homelessness. (8/) cronkitenews.azpbs.org/howardcenter/c…
Other arguments about why dehumanization of people experiencing homelessness must stop are presented eloquently by @Giselle_Ashley here (9/) nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-ope…
People *will* eventually be moved from hotels back to shelters (absent 1000s of units of affordable housing where else where they go?). But the decision about when to do so should be driven by science and public health considerations, not by hate or NIMBYism. (10/)
If the Mayor capitulates to a vocal minority rather than to science, health, and welfare for the city's most vulnerable residents it will set a dangerous precedent. (end)
👆ugh, typo. 2nd “where” should be “will.” This stuff really gets my blood pressure up and I just binge ate way too much Nutella.
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