Access to Parks

I am happy that I have many parks around me. The physical environment is one of the health determinants. Access to parks can help us become physically strong by jogging and running and exercising in the fresh air. And now that because of COVID-19 people are unable to go to the gyms, a park is the best option for exercise.

-Amreen

Test, Test, Test!

COVID testing is the most important thing to do while also wearing a mask. Essential workers are more exposed to contracting the virus than anyone else. Getting tested is not only smart, it's also important for protecting yourself and others from spreading the virus. You have no idea who has it or if you have it. Sometimes there are no symptoms. I hope there is testing in my community because we have a lot of business that are essential.

-Janiya

My neighborhood is neither a food swamp or a food desert: there are healthy food choices as much as there are fast food choices. The only problem would be the pricing on the food itself, but this is more of a strength than a weakness because the large availability of food during COVID-19 fed everyone in the area with free food containers and groceries.

-Shanise

Several times during the summer I had to take a COVID-19 test. This hand sanitizer was given to me in a care package every time I did the test. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced earlier this year hand sanitizer would be available in the communities that are greatly impacted by the virus at an affordable cost to help prevent the spread of the virus and considering the financial hardship affecting the majority of the people.

-Shanel

I work at The Gap, Inc. Since we’ve opened after quarantine and the pandemic hitting there have been a lot of changes made. Good changes. We now have barriers at the register that keep both the cashier and customer safe. We also have social distancing stickers on the floor so there’s a safe distance between customers. And of course, everyone who enters the facility is required to wear a face covering; otherwise, they are not allowed in. This store tends to attract the wealthier side of Hicksville, and so they have higher standards of us and expect more, which is why unlike many other stores we have disposable masks and sanitizer to offer to anyone who needs them. All done to please the wealthy.

-Ishika

Access to a Clean & Safe Neighborhood

My neighborhood is pretty safe and clean, and that’s very important to me. I feel free to walk, run, or jog without any worries of being harmed. Having a safe neighborhood is less stressful, which leads to less clogged arteries, and a lesser chance of developing chronic illnesses. Being strong and healthy is super important for fighting the coronavirus. I hope that the elected officials invest in safe environment choices to keep residents free from illnesses.

-Hermina

There should be more outdoor testing centers in each neighborhood so that hospitals and urgent care centers can be less crowded with people waiting to take the test. There is a need for more health centers and clinics to facilitate the needs of the people, especially in less fortunate areas, whether it be more of these places being built or more certified healthcare professionals working so there is a better outcome for patients who are in need of care.

-Shanel

With many of the local schools closed, as well as many people currently unemployed due to the pandemic, a lot of people in my community do not have enough funds to provide food for their entire family. Some students went to school depending on those guaranteed two meals (breakfast and lunch). This made our community set up local food banks in our schools that are giving out food to any families that are in need. This will help many people by giving them the opportunity to make sure that their family gets the necessary meals because food is a basic necessity of life.

-LaTesha

Urgent Care facilities can be used as an opportunity to get tested for Covid-19. Hospitals are filled to the brim with sick patients. Urgent Care can help alleviate that traffic. A visit to the hospital doesn’t always guarantee same day service but a visit to Urgent Care does.

-Meera

This building has been empty since before I moved here and it’s about to be 10 years. I’m so attracted to this place even though it’s been empty. This place has so much promise. It’s beautiful, gets so much natural light. It’s big on the inside. I believe this area could become a youth center. Our area only has the Boys and Girls Club, which is located on the other side of Hicksville. A community center would benefit so many kids. The kids who sit at home and do nothing are prey to fall into the wrong hands. We pay such high taxes that we should be getting something out of it. The socioeconomic status of this area should allow this building to be utilized to it’s maximum, whether it be for the youth or to aid the community with COVID.

-Ishika

Education is also a big problem during this pandemic. The more and better education that a student gets, the better their life is going to be in the future. The people of a community have a right to make sure every student has the resources to continue their education. Whether it’s more notebooks to take notes or a borrowed laptop to attend virtual class or maybe free masks for students who are actually going into school, everyone--this includes the student--should make sure that there are resources available to continue their schooling.

-Anonymous

A very affordable supermarket came into my neighborhood called Lidl. It is very affordable--the fruits and vegetables seems of good quality and household supplies are reasonably priced. This supermarket saved a lot families because the pandemic left a lot of people looking at a bleak future. Eating healthy foods and living an active lifestyle keeps an individual healthy, which is very important in fighting off diseases. The coronavirus affects individuals with underlying health problems (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, obesity, etc.). I hope that elected officials invest in more economically friendly supermarkets so residents can stay healthy and not break the bank.

-Hermina

"Camaraderie builds on the idea that we are one community and helps to do away with the idea of individualism which is very prevalent in America. The reality is that everyone lives in a shared space so what we do together and how we treat each other matters."