NEW YORK — Anthony Rizzi is concerned to hear Tottenville is seeing a spike in coronavirus cases.
It is where Villa Monte Pizzeria is located and he's the manager there.
What You Need To Know
- City data shows an alarming spike in Tottenville on Staten Island, with a roughly 6.5% positivity rate
- Anthony Rizzi of Villa Monte Pizzeria worries this could mean fewer customers feel comfortable dining out
- The mayor announced a “Day of Action” on Staten Island on Tuesday which will include outreach efforts and mask distributions
The business has already been struggling through the pandemic. Rizzi fears the rise in cases could scare off customers.
“To start this up all up again...it’s hard, it’s hard,” he said. “And with the holidays coming, when you'd expect to do a little bit better, it’s a very tough situation.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio warned New Yorkers on Monday that COVID-19 rates are rising in the city, but data for Tottenville’s zip code shows a roughly 6.5% positivity rate — the highest in the five boroughs.
“Since we live here, it’s a little nerve-wracking. I do all my shopping around here. I have four little kids,” said one resident.
“Honestly, I know more people who have died of heart attacks, ailments, strokes, other ailments than this COVID thing,” said another.
De Blasio also announced a "Day of Action" on Staten Island on Tuesday when there will be outreach efforts at the Ferry Terminal and other locations around the borough. People will promote testing and distribute masks.
But some residents NY1 talked to questioned the mayor's leadership.
“I didn’t know it was bad here, I don’t even know anybody who had it,” said one Tottenville resident.
Rizzi just hopes his business won’t be hit with additional restrictions. He continues to navigate a new normal at the pizzeria to keep the doors open.
“You do your best. You know, you wear your mask. You wash your hands constantly. You’re sanitizing,” he said.
You can see positivity levels by ZIP code by visiting nyc.gov/health/coronavirus
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