The meeting was held virtually in an online video conference. Thirty-two city officials favored the package and 17 disapproved.  But the package falls short a few billion from the anticipated $95.3 billion before COVID-19.

“With all these challenges we still found a way to get to a budget that again focuses on your health, your safety, putting food on your table, making sure you have a roof over your head,” de Blasio said. 

The budget was announced as demonstrators camped in City Hall Park for the past week. They demanded the defunding of police after weeks of protests over the death of George Floyds and others killed in the hands of law enforcement. And demonstrators were not happy with the approved package.

.@NYCMayor + @CoreyinNYC‘s budget proposal is a loss and LIE to the people of NYC.

These proposed “cuts” to NYPD’s budget are an illusion. @NYCCouncil, your sham is NOT good enough. We are watching. #DefundTheNYPD

— Maya (@politicalmaya) June 30, 2020

According to De Blasio, the budget focused on values and placed $37.5 million in the expansion of healthcare, $113 million in Covid-19 clinics and $450 million towards feeding New Yorkers. 

“It’s also about change,it’s also about progress. It is about ensuring  that we act in the spirit of social justice. I hear the voices all over the city calling for justice,” de Blasio said.

The police cut included canceling July’s officer recruitment of 1163 officers, $296 million dollar overtime reductions and a reduction in contracts and non-personnel expenses. Crossing guards and homeless outreach will no longer be part of NYPD responsibilities. The next recruitment of officers is scheduled for October.

“We have to keep the city safe, we have to protect the levels of patrol strength throughout our communities and we have to make sure that we are really doing something to refocus resources on young people and communities hardest hit,” de Blasio said.

Approximately $430 million in cuts to policing was set to be moved towards summer youth programing, education and family and social services. $537 million from the NYPD Capital program will be shifted to NYCHA broadband expansion and youth recreation centers. 

“This is real distribution, this is taking resources and putting them where they’re needed most with particular focus on young people,” de Blasio said.

New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson was one of the votes in favor of the package. 

The Mayor and I started this process FAR apart on shrinking the NYPD’s budget and footprint and bringing transformational change to the department.

The Council fought hard to get where we are, but I know this is just a starting point, not an ending point. We need to go farther. https://t.co/aW8TmiBe42

— NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson (@NYCSpeakerCoJo) July 1, 2020

But some  New Yorkers were disappointed by his vote and the decisions made. 

Corey the people of your city asked, called, occupied, & pleaded with you to firmly cut $1 billion from the NYPD budget. You simply did not. You cowered. This was a budget meeting. We asked you to cut NYPD’s budget. We did not ask for “transformational change”. You failed us. https://t.co/rOyRWslxtD

— MJ (@themaicy) July 1, 2020

The speaker just lost my vote. This is not a real measure to defund the NYPD. No headcount reduction, bullshit promises on overtime, and a funding transfer. Did you even try? https://t.co/GRHF8fRYZD

— Eric Buth (@ericbuth) July 1, 2020

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The decision was  a close 5 to 4 vote. Chief Justice John J. Roberts was the swing vote and wrote the majority opinion.

“We do not decide whether DACA or its rescission are sound policies,” Chief Justice Roberts wrote. “We address only whether the agency complied with the procedural requirement that it provide a reasoned explanation for its action.”

The decision states the Trump Administration did not provide sufficient reasons to terminate the program. The administration did not follow the proper procedures required and did not thoroughly assess how the ending of DACA would affect those whore relied on it.

“Here the agency failed to consider the conspicuous issues of whether to retain forbearance and what if anything to do about the hardship to DACA recipients,” Roberts wrote. “That dual failure raises doubts about whether the agency appreciated the scope of its discretion or exercised that discretion in a reasonable manner.”

Along with  Roberts, the majority opinion included liberal justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor.

President Donald Trump tweeted his disfavor and urged the public to  reelect him.

These horrible & politically charged decisions coming out of the Supreme Court are shotgun blasts into the face of people that are proud to call themselves Republicans or Conservatives. We need more Justices or we will lose our 2nd. Amendment & everything else. Vote Trump 2020!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2020

Giovana Banuelos is a Dreamer and a student at California State University San Bernardino. She shared on twitter how relieved she was shortly after hearing DACA will continue.

I have been so anxious ever since this month started because of this big decision that was to be made. This could’ve changed my life forever and destroyed the future I have been working so hard on BUT WOW.. this was amazing news. GREAT WAY to start my day. I am in tears #DREAMER https://t.co/tZCAXwGelP

— Giovana Banuelos (@Banuelos_gio) June 18, 2020

DACA was first announced by former President Barack Obama in 2012. But in 2017 the Trump administration announced its plan to end it. The immigration policy allowed people who were brought to the United States as children to apply for temporary status. This status prevents deportation and grants permission to work for two years.  When it expires  it can be renewed by recipients. Former President Barack Obama also responded to the decisions via Twitter.

Eight years ago this week, we protected young people who were raised as part of our American family from deportation. Today, I’m happy for them, their families, and all of us. We may look different and come from everywhere, but what makes us American are our shared ideals…

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 18, 2020

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A practicing Catholic for 29 years, Vacacela, always thought something was missing from her religion. A key part of her new church liturgy is close reading of the Bible, unlike the Catholic practice. She reads the Bible daily and interprets the readings to help her with everyday life. 

“I feel like I get the knowledge about things that I don’t know to make decisions. Like using a GPS when you are driving to an uncertain place,” said Vacacela, a human resources manager. 

Finding a sense of meaning  has been especially true with the onset of the coronavirus which she believes was predicted in the Bible, especially by the use of the word “pestilence.” Vacacela refers to Bible passage on Mathew 24:7,

“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” 

Another passage is Luke 21:11, 

“and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.” 

These passages and others hold deep meaning for Vacacel and thousands of others who turn to the Bible for solace and answers during the pandemic. Americans seem almost evenly divided about Bible predictions of this pandemic. About 44 percent of Americans who said they believe the coronavirus is a wakeup call to turn back to faith in God and the signs of coming judgment, according to a survey by The Joshua Fund, an education organization. However, the same survey found that 47 percent of Americans believe the coronavirus has nothing to do with the Bible or God’s prophecy.  

Leslier Uribe, 21, a human resource assistant, also believes the coronavirus was predicted in the Bible. She attends the same church in Jackson Heights as Vacacela. She too refers to the Bible’s use of  the word “pestilence,” and says it’s a sign of the end of times.  She cites the book of Revelation chapter 22 verse 12,

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 

What does give her hope is the increase in the number of people who have joined  her church for online services, including some non-believers. “I don’t know if after this happens if people will continue with the same enthusiasm, desire, and the same need if seeking God,” said Uribe. 

The coronavirus can change people’s behavior, although sometimes only on a temporary basis.  It’ll be like a sugar high,” says  Juan Hernadez, a professor of Biblical Studies at Bethel University, “It’ll change it for a while and go back to normal. But others will learn lessons from it and perhaps plan better.” 

Professor Hernandez does not believe the coronavirus was predicted in the Bible. He said that for centuries people have turned to the Bible to make connections to current events. “If there was a candidate for a physical fulfillment, it might be the Black Plague where one-third of the world population was devastated; this doesn’t compare.” said Hernandez. 

He explains that the Bible can be read as a historical narrative or as a prophecy. While the coronavirus can be linked to the use of “pestilence,”  it’s important to read the full passage. “The descriptions are so vague that they have multiple applications,” said Hernandez.

Herandez recently hosted a live screening online with a pastor where both answered questions from people who believe the pandemic is a reflection of God’s judgment. “Irrespective of whether it is judgment or not, it is an opportunity to reflect and recalibrate who we are and what we’re doing,” he said. 

Some other Christians wonder whether the pandemic is a sign of the return of Jesus Christ. In a study made a decade ago, Pew Research surveyed that forty-one percent of Americans expect Jesus to return by 2050 while forty-six percent disagree. 

Mayte Felix, 22,  doesn’t believe  the pandemic is a sign yet of Jesus’ imminent return,  “Before Jesus returns there are going to be all kinds of things that are going to happen but no one knows,” said Felix. “It’s going to be like a thief in the night, so it can be one of the signs or not. We don’t know exactly when to expect God.”  

Felix attends  “Sobre La Roca,” a Pentecostal church in San Diego, California where her parents are pastors. Although she sometimes feels a little discouraged she prays and has faith  that everything will be alright. After losing two jobs because of Covid-related layoffs, she has sought God more through prayer.  

Mayte’s mom, Maythe Felix, is among those who  believe the coronavirus was predicted in the Bible. “I definitely don’t believe the end of the world is right now, but I do believe we are seeing the last signs of  the end of times,” said  Felix, a pastor at a Pentecostal church. “After this pandemic, the world will never be the same, it will be harder for humanity.” 

Because of social distancing the church closed and now offers online service three times a week.  About 75 homes are tuning in to their online services reaching more than one person per home. “I believe we have grown as a church. People tell us, I’ve shared the link to my dad, I’ve shared it with my brother, with my friend,” said Felix. 

The people have been asking Felix and her husband, Carlos also a pastor, about the last signs and our thoughts. “We responded by saying we must prepare because nobody knows the day or time he will come, but we must be ready.” However, now going into the sixth week people have calmed down and have been praying more. 

During the service she and her parishioners have been studying the Bible more and reviewing the prophecies of Christ’s return.

“We are praying more, asking God to restore our hearts, clean us, and prepare us because the Bible says without holiness no one will see him,” said Pastor Felix. Hernandez agrees with that approach. “The bottom line with the Bible is not so much when but to persevere, to be faithful, irrespective of the circumstances,” he said.   

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“Where we are today is basically, with the number of new cases, is basically right where we were when we started. It has been a painful period of time between March 20 to May 9,” said Cuomo.

There are 521 new cases of coronavirus reported on Saturday and 207 deaths, said Cuomo. Today, the same amount of deaths are seen since the number of deaths began to go up on March 27.

One of the top priorities is to protect nursing homes and seniors. The state will implement additional steps to protect nursing home residents. 

“This is where this virus feeds, it’s where the virus started,” said Cuomo . “The most vulnerable population deserves the highest level of care.”

He said a nursing home can only serve a resident if they are fully capable of providing the level of individual care. Nursing homes must contact the New York State Department of Health to transfer residents if the nursing home does not have the staff, facilities or equipment to treat them. Also, all nursing home staff must now be tested twice a week for the coronavirus. 

“That is not just a temperature text, that is a diagnostic test,” said Cuomo. “We have the tests available, we have brought them online.”

Hospitals cannot discharge a patient to a nursing home unless the patient tests negative for coronavirus.

“We have alternative facilities for nursing home patients, COVID or non-COVID,” said Cuomo. “If a nursing home can not take care of a person, we have facilities that can.”

If the nursing home operator will lose their license if it fails to follow these procedures.

“Having someone’s parent, mother or brother in a situation where they are in a facility where they can’t even get a visitor, they’re isolated, they feel alone, and they’re not getting the appropriate care, that is what is harsh.” said Cuomo. “If that’s what happens, then that facility operator should lose their license.”

Some of the safety measures that have previously been implemented are restricting visitation, PPE for staff, and requiring all staff to be checked for symptoms. Facilities have also been required to notify all residents and family members within 24 hours of a positive test or death.

“This virus uses nursing homes, they are ground zero, they are the vulnerable population in the vulnerable location,” said Cuomo .

New York has the highest population of nursing home residents of any state in the country with 101,518 residents. Despite New York having the most nursing home residents, it is rated the 34th state on nursing homes deaths. 

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But not for the class of 2020.

The coronavirus killed that dream for high schoolers across the country. And the seniors of Bayfront Charter High School are mourning all the memories lost.

“After 12 years of hard work, I almost made it to the finish line,” said Damarys Felix, a senior at Bayfront Charter High School. “But no, it took a different turn to where there’s no promise that I will be able to experience walking on the stage to receive my diploma.”

Graduating from high school is meaningful to many families, but for Felix’s family it’s more special, she described it as the “American Dream.”  

“Being able to accomplish their goal, giving my siblings and I a better future,” said Felix. “It can be kind of discouraging to carry a positive mentality and then not being able to have that moment to celebrate my accomplishment.”

Ezra Martinez, 18, said the senior traditions are important.

 “It’s just something all seniors do, it’s part of your life,” said Martinez. “Mostly everyone goes through it, so it really wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t.”

Graduation was the last high school memory he’d been looking forward to.

“It hurts to think that,‘Wow I probably really won’t be able to walk on the stage and get my name called out,’” said Martinez. 

Adriana Ezpinoza, 18, believed she would be returning to school shortly after the lockdown. She regrets not saying goodbye to her friends.

“I miss hugging them and joking around with them,” said Espinoza. “I didn’t really get to say goodbye properly thinking I was going to return to school.”

Anthony Garcia, 18, also did not believe the school closures will last. He said these last minute changes have affected him emotionally.  

“We’re all used to seeing each other daily and having that change very drastically is kind of hard for us,” said Gacia. “It makes me emotional because I don’t get to experience it like everybody else did.”

Sara Lim, 18, is part of the school’s graduation committee. Along with other students and teachers they discussed possibilities to make sure they have a ceremony. 

“They’re expecting to celebrate us eventually once this is over and it’s safe,” said Lim. “But as of right now, we’re trying to find ways for us to be celebrated following the social distancing rules.”  

Looking forward to attending graduation and prom was helping students through this pandemic, she said. These seniors were supposed to have prom on April 25th.

“I was really considering just wearing my dress at home and like being sad in it,” said Espinoza. 

Although Espinoza did not wear her dress, Felix did. Her sisters took photos of her in different dresses. They later walked upstairs to the rooftop and surprised her with a small prom.

“I kind of cried you know because it’s such a memorable day that you expect it to actually happen and be around your friends,” said Felix. “But having my sisters and my family do it for me was very special.” 

Grad night, which was a trip to Disneyland, was canceled too. “I was really looking forward to spending the night at Disney with my friends, it just sounded like a really great experience with them before we left high school,” said Ezpinoza.

But these seniors are still at the start of their lives.

“Hold on for the ride, because it doesn’t end here for sure,” said Garcia. “There’s still a lot more ahead of us.”

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