This column, from the weekly opinion piece MATTER OF FACT, first appeared on BrooklynReporter.com, the Home Reporter and Spectator dated April 15, 2022
Tuesday, March 12 saw a frightening attack on the Manhattan-bound N train as it approached the 36th Street station in Sunset Park. There have been times the past two decades, when a seemingly pre-meditated attack that was clearly not some random act of violence has had New Yorkers flashing back to how they felt on 9/11. That remains a singular day in our history, and it stands alone, but those of us who lived through it, certainly experienced the foreboding we had on 9/11 as we first heard reports of what had occurred.
Fortunately, despite at least 33 rounds being fired in a smoke-filled subway car, there was no loss of life. Ten riders were shot and, although five were in critical condition upon reaching area hospitals, none were considered to have life-threatening injuries.
Among the dozens of people transported to local hospitals from the gunfire, shrapnel, smoke or resulting panic, were several young people. A 12-year-old, 13-year-old, and 15-year-old were treated at hospitals and released the same day. A 16-year-old and an 18-year-old with serious injuries needed to remain hospitalized to receive further care.
As with any of these scary days we have experienced as New Yorkers, our first responders acted immediately and were on the scene aiding victims and securing the area to ensure everyone’s safety. Besides the quick-reacting NYPD, FDNY, and EMS that we always see springing into action, the first to respond in the moments immediately following the attack were MTA workers and ordinary New Yorkers.
Cell phone video from the moment the train car doors opened at the station, show some passengers quickly fleeing, but you also see injured passengers hobbling out to the platform, with many fellow riders assisting them, staying with hem, and providing care.
Leaders from government and city agencies were on the scene quickly and within a few hours, still during the morning, they held a press conference to provide the public with updates. Receiving information from those in charge was what was important, but it was notable that the people in leadership providing the briefing were women.
“As Adams has just marked his one-hundredth day in office, he is in quarantine, after having potentially exposed hundreds with behavior that is careless, bordering on reckless.”
Citation….
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, acting FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, Governor Kathy Hochul, and First Deputy Mayor Lorraine Grillo provided what details could be made available at the time and reassured the public that the victims were being cared for and the area had been secured. While the other leaders at the press conference were there because they currently hold the top position in their chain of command, the First Deputy Mayor attended because Mayor Adams was isolating after having tested positive for COVID two days earlier.
The Mayor provided updates and did television appearances from his residence, but being there in-person during an emergency is important. During his short tenure in office, he has quickly been on the scene when emergencies arise. Obviously, nobody plans to get COVID, but Adams’ actions during the prior week almost seemed to make it inevitable he would contract the virus and be sidelined.
Two weeks ago, Adams attended the Gridiron Club dinner in Washington. The event became notorious within a few days, as it was apparent it was a super-spreader event. To date, over 70 attendees have since tested positive for COVID and many more who were subsequently near attendees, have also been infected. The outbreak has hit scores of high-profile government officials from the capital.
In the week following that event, Adams attended a film festival honoring people with disabilities, where he mingled indoors, unmasked with some of the most vulnerable among us. In the days preceding his positive COVID test, foregoing a mask, he also joined hundreds of city kids at a showing of Hamilton, visited public schools, and attended numerous Albany events during Caucus Week, which is also turning out to have been a super-spreader.
As Adams has just marked his one-hundredth day in office, he is in quarantine, after having potentially exposed hundreds with behavior that is careless, bordering on reckless. It is understandable that our leaders want to show us we can get back to a new normal, but refusing to ever consider any precautions, despite the current situation, is not what New York has ever been about during difficult times.
