Summer programs for young people bring coronavirus back, says De Blasio

NEW YORK CITY – Mayor Bill de Blasio launched his daily newspaper with the return of a theme in two words: “young people”.They have been locked up, hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and deprived of traditional outlets such as swimming pools, community centers and summer programs, de Blasio said repeatedly in recent weeks – and Friday did no exception.

De Blasio said on Friday that the coronavirus count was stable as the city could bring back some programs that have long shaped summers for the city’s youth.

“If our young people see that we believe, they will believe,” he said.

The Summer Youth Employment Bridge program begins next week for 35,000 young people, de Blasio said.

The program was threatened first by the coronavirus and then in the midst of budget discussions. But now that will give 14-24-year-olds a chance to stay busy over the summer, get their first job and pull a paycheck for themselves, de Blasio said.

The city is also launching “Play Streets” which will offer a range of sports, activities and crafts, he said. They will be extended with an additional 1.5 miles of open streets across the city, he said.