The NYPD is investigating a disturbing string of incidents that occurred in Williamsburg on Thursday morning. Sources tell YWN that at approximately 12:00PM, a man assaulted at least five women in the area of Sanford Street near Willoughby Ave. Some of the women were in other locations, and the victims may have been inappropriately touched by the suspect. The victims contacted 911 and Williamsburg Shomrim, who responded in seconds and began canvassing the area for the suspect. He is described as a black male in his 20’s, was wearing a black shirt, grey-white jeans, red sneakers, grey hoodie, has a goatee, ‘braids in a bun (hair)’ and may have a tattoo on his left forearm. He was last seen running east on Nostrand Avenue towards Flushing Avenue.

New research shows New York City was the primary source of coronavirus infections across the United States. Thousands of people who left the city earlier this year helped spread the virus to places like Louisiana, Ohio, Arizona and even Alaska, according to a report in the New York Times. Research shows Tri-State outbreaks in Connecticut and New Jersey can also be traced back to the city. Other outbreaks were fueled by cases in Washington state, the research shows, but even the majority of cases in California and Oregon now have viral genetic signatures related to New York City. Researchers tracked the virus’ mutations, as well as outbreak models and individual travel histories to determine New York City “seeded” other outbreaks in the country.

A rare and out-of-season blast of Arctic air is approaching the tri-state area and the area could see record cold, as well as some snow, in the beginning of May. Winds will begin to pick up and temperatures will start to drop into Friday. Along with the approaching arctic air, most of the area will see freezing rain and snow is more likely north and west of New York City. There’s about a one in three chance that a polar vortex will sprinkle flurries of snow on New York City Friday night, according to the National Weather Service. Skies clear by Shabbos morning with near record lows in the 20s-30s but it will feel like the teens and 20s due to gusty winds. The opportunity to set some record-lows will come again Sunday. THE FULL FORECAST: Thursday Sunny, with a high near 65.

The great majority of people newly hospitalized with the coronavirus in New York are either retired or unemployed and were avoiding public transit, according to a new state survey, the first such look at people still getting seriously ill despite six weeks of severe social distancing. The survey of 1,269 patients admitted to 113 hospitals over three recent days confounded expectations that new cases would be dominated by essential workers, especially those regularly traveling on subways and buses. Retirees accounted for 37% of the people hospitalized. Another 46% were unemployed. Almost three-quarters were 51 years or older. Only 17% were working.

As if Hatzolah Air has not been busy enough lately….. It all started just before Purim when Rabbi Zarchi, the famous Chabad Shalich from Boston was introduced to Eli Rowe of Hatzolah Air by Avromie Lieberman (a Chasdei Lev Founder and Director) at a fund-raising event for Chasdei Lev in Manhattan. Avromie could be heard telling Rabbi Zarchi “Hatzolah Air might be the purest most incredible tzedakah in Klal Yisroel’s history. They literally fly patients for free anywhere in the world. It’s mamish unbelievable”. A short 2 months later, as Hatzolah Air teams were working 24/7 flying patients in their specialized COVID-19 airplane capsule, building field hospitals and flying bodies for Kevura in Israel, a family from Israel frantically called Rabbi Zarchi crying, begging for his help.

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Reb Yossi Borenstein Z”L. He was 73 and a victim of COVID-19. The Niftar was the longtime President of the Sfardishe Shul in Boro Park (14th Avenue and 45th Street), and an einikel of the Alexsander Chassidic dynasty. He was the only son-in-law of HaRav Rachmiel Zelcer ZT”L who was the mechaber of the seforim series Ner L’Meah. Reb Yossel was the son of the long-serving shamas in Shomer Shabbos Shul. He is survived by his almana, 2 daughters, son Ari and many grandchildren. Boruch Dayan HaEmmes… (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Officials said on Wednesday that the number of children who have been hospitalized in New York City with symptoms consistent with a rare disease possibly linked to the coronavirus has nearly quadrupled to 64. Health officials said the illness has features of Kawasaki disease, a serious illness previously noted in children with COVID-19 in the United Kingdom. “Thankfully most children with COVID-19 only experience mild symptoms, but in some, a dangerous inflammatory syndrome can develop,” New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said.

Der YWN, Last week, YWN published a letter from the father of a Kallah regarding the insane spending on Chasunos. Please publish the following from the mother of a Kallah: When I first read about the Simcha Initiative, I found myself nodding along in mutual agreement with the project’s ambition to minimize the unnecessary extravagance and expense that so often accompanies our community’s Simchos. Naturally, I would add my name to the hundreds of others who have already joined the movement. Who wouldn’t? The idea of going over the top, and over the budget for some is by no measure a way to continue marrying off our children. Allow me to preface by saying that I have a daughter who is B”H engaged and am in the midst of the typical wedding preparations.

Health care workers that came to New York to help fight the coronavirus pandemic at its epicenter will have to pay state taxes, according to NY Governor Cuomo. Even though the state government asked thousands of people to come to New York from out of state to help fight coronavirus, they will have to pay New York state taxes, even on income they might make from their home states that they’re paid while in New York. Cuomo said he needs help from Washington in order to cover budget deficits from COVID-19, let alone subsidize state income tax for essential workers that flocked to New York’s aid. READ MORE: PIX11

After weeks of adamantly refusing to allow any properly-trained volunteers into hospitals – including those who have official hospital-issued ID’s – a group of New York Congressmen call on hospitals to create a “Compassionate Companion Volunteer Program”. What following is a text of the letter: Dear New York Hospital CEOs and Chief Administrators, We write to urge that your hospitals create new Compassionate Companion Volunteer Programs to connect patients with their loved ones while they are hospitalized and to provide companionship for those patients without family members available. We stand with our colleagues in the New York State Assembly and Senate, and the New York City Council in supporting this proposal.