After an outcry over racial disparities in New York City's enforcement of social distancing, the mayor planned to double the ranks of non-police workers trying to persuade people to comply with the policy, AP reported.

"The number of city workers deployed as social distancing ambassadors will soon grow from around 1,000 to 2,300," Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

"More and more, the emphasis will be on a communicative” approach, the Democrat said. "The last thing we want to see is enforcement if there's any other way to get the job done."

Opinion

Editorial

Climate choices
Updated 15 Jun, 2026

Climate choices

The country is confronting increasingly volatile weather patterns with consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, public health and economic planning.
Brief opening
15 Jun, 2026

Brief opening

WE have been here before. Throughout the weekend, there was great anticipation that a tentative framework for peace...
Environmental disaster
15 Jun, 2026

Environmental disaster

IT was a heartbreaking sight. A recent news report in these pages carried a picture of a sea turtle lying half ...
Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...