Image by Will Brown ()Give_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

With warmer weather approaching, worries about proper social distancing protocols have increasedGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Images of New Yorkers not adhering to social distancing measures have gone viral, causing concern that perhaps some city residents are not taking the steps to fight COVID-19 as seriously as othersGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Council Member Constantinides has announced a solution to this issue: let Queens pedestrianize its four public golf coursesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

The Council Member wrote the following in a series of tweets: “We should be focused on creating more space for people to social distance, like we did with Shore Blvd at Astoria ParkGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. That’s why the City should use the four public golf courses in Queens to allow for more pedestrian spaceGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Instead of targeting black and brown communities, we should be focused on creating space for people to social distance in a safe wayGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. This would unlock acres upon acres of land that’s right now sitting dormantGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Hope the City hears our call and leads the way hereGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. We could lead the way on how Cities adapt to this crisisGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Land is hard to come byGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. It’s on us in government to make sure what land we have is used for the benefit of the ENTIRE public”Give_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Golf courses throughout Queens have been shut down since March, in response to the statewide shutdown in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19Give_Me_Astoria_image_00028. The four golf courses located in Queens are Clearview Park Gold Course, Douglaston Golf Course, Forest Park Golf Course, and Kissena Golf CourseGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.