🌱Schools End Outdoor Masking + Study: NYC Has Worst Traffic

Hello, neighbors! Dashiell Allen here with your Saturday edition of the New York City Daily.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and cold. High: 34 Low: 28.

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Here are the top five stories in New York City today:

1. New York City school children will no longer be required to wear masks outdoors starting on March 1. The schools' indoor mask mandate remains in place, and Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to review state-wide masking rules in March. According to data, schools have consistently had a lower positivity rate than the rest of the city. (New York City Patch)
2. NYC unsurprisingly has the worst traffic of any United States cities, according to a new study. Los Angeles came in second. Globally, the Big Apple is ranked 43rd out of 404 cities looked at in 58 countries. (New York City Patch)
3. NY Governor Hochul is ready to welcome Ukrainian refugees, she said in a statement. In the past 48 hours at least 50,000 people have fled the Eastern European country. New York has the largest Ukrainian immigrant population of any state in the U.S. (New York City Patch)
4. After members of former President Trump's family appealed a court ruling forcing them to testify under oath, NY Attorney General Letitia James is standing firm in her resolve that they will, ultimately, need to comply with the law. James is investigating potential fraud by the Trump Organization. (New York City Patch)
5. Veselka, one of the East Village's oldest Ukrainian restaurants, saw lines to eat stretch around the block a day after Russia's invasion began. It's been a difficult time for the restaurant's staff, who include many Ukrainian immigrants with family back home. (New York City Patch)

Today in New York City:

• Free Soap at Clean Rite Center, Plus Learn more about Explore Schools, at 1 Putnam Ave. Brooklyn (12:00 PM)
• Stoned Laughs: Comedy, Music and More at Producers Club Theaters, 358 W 44th St. (7:00 PM)
• Screening of UPHEAVAL with Introductory Remarks by Gilad Erdan, Ambassador of Israel to the UN, at Lincoln Square Synagogue, 180 Amsterdam Ave. (7:45 PM)

From my notebook:

• There's a lot of MTA Subway service changes this weekend. Take a look at how they effect your neighborhood. (New York City Patch)
• Harlem Councilwoman Kristin Richardson Jordan drew criticism for a series of tweets she sent out Friday criticizing what she called the United States's involvement in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Jordan stands by her statement, but clarified that she denounces Russia's actions. (New York City Patch)
• Mayor Adams participated in the inauguration of a Staten Island ferry, named after Sandy Ground, one of the oldest free Black settlements in the United States. (Twitter)

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• Film Focus: Don't Look Up (February 27)
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• Workparent: A Conversation with Daisy Dowling (March 2)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!

— Dashiell Allen