New York City Receives Needed COVID Vaccine Shipment, As Restrictions Ease This Week
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Monday kicks off a big week on the road to reopening in New York City, as several coronavirus restrictions are eased.
This comes as more vaccine supply arrives, just as sites were almost forced to shut down again.
"We literately got down to a point we had fewer than 1,000 first doses available," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday. "Finally, the supply that we expected last week is arriving today. That means we've basically lost a full week in our vaccination efforts. But it will not stop us."
Last week's snow delayed the shipments, but a major delivery Monday and Tuesday is keeping sites up and running.
"We can get to five million New Yorkers fully vaccinated by June," the mayor said.
Watch Mayor de Blasio's 2/22 Coronavirus Update --
"We're getting about 170,000 first doses per week, and that's our expected supply for the next two to three weeks. We expect that that number will modestly increase through March," added New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi.
Just in time for 84-year-old Josephine Mazuer to get her shot at the Jacob Javits Center, saying she would be devastated if her appointment was canceled.
"I don't do apps or texting. It took me three and a half weeks to finally get this appointment," she told CBS2's John Dias.
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This comes as the Big Apple hits major milestones, starting with the subway system. Overnight service will now only be shutdown for two hours for cleaning from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.
"The two hours that we restored accounted for about nearly 70% of the ridership during the 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. closure period," MTA Chairman Pat Foye said.
Sports and entertainment events at major stadiums and arenas, like the Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden, can reopen Tuesday will limited spectators.
On the education front, middle schoolers will return to in-person learning Thursday.
Then on Friday, New York City indoor dining can expand to 35% capacity.
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Some New Yorkers see this as a great sign of a comeback.
"I think it's going to be take a little bit at a time, but New York will get there for sure," said Marci Wessels, of Murray Hill.
On Monday, the mayor also appointed a new senior advisor, calling Lorraine Grillo his "recovery czar," to help build back the city.
"I'll make sure that we recover quickly and fairly," Grillo said.
Meanwhile, City Councilman Mark Levine, who chairs the health committee, says by May there will likely be enough supply so every adult who wants a vaccine can get one, and the city may be at herd immunity by July.
"I'm always optimistic, so I think we are going to meet it," Upper West Side resident Roy Lewis said.
"That sounds reasonable to me," Greenwich Village resident Wayne Sheppard said.
Some leaders believe this will be the biggest week for vaccinations in the city.
