Free Tablets Treat Brooklyn Seniors' Coronavirus Isolation

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Social distancing doesn't have to mean isolation for New York City seniors, said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

A new $5 million program will give free, internet-connected tablets to 10,000 seniors living in NYCHA homes, de Blasio announced Wednesday.

The program starts next week in Brooklyn and will expand to other developments across the city, he said.

"Obviously, one of the most painful realities of this crisis, there are so many, but one of the most painful human realities has been grandparents who can't see their grandchildren or their children," he said during a Wednesday news conference. "Seniors who used to get visits of one kind another; kept their spirits up and got them help they needed, a lot of them feel particularly isolated right now. We want to make it a little bit easier and one of the ways of course is through technology."

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The city will roll out the service next week for seniors in Brownsville, according to a release. De Blasio said other early locations will be in Red Hook, Bushwick, Coney Island and East New York in Brooklyn, as well as Mott Haven in the Bronx.

Developments in Central Brooklyn, South Bronx, Eastern Queens and Upper Manhattan all will eventually receive the tablets, a release states.

De Blasio announced the free tablets as part of a wider spate of coronavirus programs at NYCHA developments, including free, walk-in testing.

He said tech-averse seniors shouldn't fear their tablets — there will be a phone helpline.

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