Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - OCTOBER 18, 2022

 

Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing, and Treatment

55 Statewide Deaths Reported from October 15th to October 17th

Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.          

"As the weather continues to cool, I urge New Yorkers to be responsible and be sure to use the tools that are available to keep themselves, their loved ones, and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Take advantage of the vaccine by staying up to date on doses. Test before gatherings or travel and if you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options."         

Governor Hochul continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for anyone age 12 or older and from Moderna for those 18 or older. Last week, the bivalent booster was approved by the FDA and CDC for anyone age 5 and older for the Pfizer-BioNTech and 6 and older for Moderna, and both will be available in the coming days. To schedule an appointment for a booster, New Yorkers should contact their local pharmacy, county health department, or healthcare provider; visit vaccines.gov; text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.

In addition, Governor Hochul is encouraging New Yorkers to get their annual flu vaccine as flu season is already widespread across New York State. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are both circulating, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system.  

The State Department of Health recently announced the launch of its annual public education campaign, reminding adults and parents to get both flu and COVID-19 shots for themselves and children 6 months and older. The advertisements began running, in both English and Spanish language, on Monday, October 10 and will continue through the end of November.     

For information about flu vaccine clinics, contact the local health department or visit Vaccines.gov/find-vaccines.    

Today's data is summarized briefly below:         

• Cases Per 100k - 14.98 
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 20.33   
• Test Results Reported - 36,140    
• Total Positive - 2,927 
• Percent Positive - 7.39%**    
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.53%**       
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,909 (+178) 
• Patients Newly Admitted - 1,064*   
• Patients in ICU - 293 (+19) 
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 105 (+13)  
• Total Discharges - 351,807 (+830)*    
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 55*    
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 58,483*    

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.  

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.    

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 74,675   

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.    

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:  

Borough	Saturday,   October   15, 2022	Sunday,   October   16, 2022	Monday,   October   17, 2022
Bronx	5.10%	5.02%	5.17%
Kings	3.97%	4.61%	4.52%
New York	5.52%	5.55%	5.42%
Queens	6.23%	6.27%	6.29%
Richmond	7.02%	6.82%	6.87%

DEC Reminds Homeowners and Landlords to Prioritize Safety with Home Heating this Fall and Winter

Property Owners Advised to Never Connect Occupied Structures to Wells; Inspect Oil Fuel Tanks and Equipment for Leaks and Spills

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today advised homeowners and landlords to put safety first when preparing for home heating needs this fall and winter. DEC reminded property owners to avoid connecting occupied buildings to wells producing natural gas because doing so can be dangerous and potentially deadly. In addition, DEC encouraged property owners that use oil for heat to inspect fuel storage tanks for potential leaks or spills before receiving shipments of fuel oil for the upcoming heating season.

“Prioritizing safety this heating season is critically important to protect yourself, your loved ones, and property, and our environment,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “Heating costs are expected to rise this winter and supply disruptions are possible, but the potential costs of tempting fate through risky and unsafe fuel connections, and neglecting maintenance of heating units, is incalculably higher. DEC urges homeowners and landlords to use safe practices to protect themselves and others.”

“Heating equipment, including those fueled by natural gas or oil, is among the leading causes of home fires nationally and in New York State,” State Fire Administrator James Cable said. “This is the time of year to have natural gas, fuel oil, or wood burning appliances and fireplaces inspected before the colder months arrive. Remember to keep all combustible materials such as curtains, blankets, clothing and furniture away from portable space heaters and make sure to turn off those heaters before leaving a room or going to bed. Above all, make sure you have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in your home.”

Natural Gas Safety

DEC issued today’s warning following last October’s fatal home explosion in Allegany County where natural gas piped from an unplugged “home-use well” caused an explosion and destroyed the home. Home-use wells are often located on or nearby private properties and may be connected by property owners via piping to appliances, furnaces, or other ignition sources.

The danger is that natural gas produced by a gas or oil well is odorless and difficult or impossible for a person to detect. While the primary component of natural gas is methane, other gases like propane and butane may also be present in addition to water, because the gas is raw and untreated. This may result in improper and erratic combustion in appliances. The risk of an explosion due to natural gas build-up in a home is substantially greater if that gas is not provided by a utility.

If a home-use well is connected to a house or other structure:

1. Contact a plumber licensed to work on gas lines and have the fuel source switched to utility natural gas or consider another fuel or heating appliance;
2. Natural gas directly from a well is odorless and colorless, meaning it may build up to explosive levels without detection. Install methane detection alarms in any closed space where methane may accumulate;
3. Commercial gas suppliers always add the odorant mercaptan to natural gas before it is delivered for use. Consider adding mercaptan to natural gas from a home use well so that it can be more easily detected; and
4. Contact DEC if the well is not registered in DEC’s database. Owning and operating an oil or gas well comes with regulatory responsibilities aimed at protecting the environment. New York is actively plugging oil and gas wells throughout the state for which there is no registered operator.

For questions and additional information about “home-use wells,” contact DEC at (518) 402-8056 or oilgas@dec.ny.gov. Also, visit DEC’s website for photos and additional details at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/1532.html.

Fuel Oil Safety

DEC also reminds home and property owners to inspect heating fuel oil storage tanks for leaks or spills before ordering and receiving fuel oil.

More than two million homes in New York are heated by fuel oil. Each year, the DEC Spills Hotline receives hundreds of reports of fuel oil spills from home heating oil tanks. These spills result in basement contamination, damage to basement contents, contamination of groundwater, wells, and soils, and expensive cleanups rarely covered by homeowner's insurance.

Annual inspections can prevent leaks and spills and protect property, public health, and the environment. Homeowners are advised to look for the following concerns and contact their fuel oil service provider if they see any of the items from the lists below.

For above-ground heating fuel oils storage tanks, look for:

1. Bent, rusty, or wobbly tank legs or tank located on an unstable foundation;
2. Signs of rust, weeps, wet spots, or many dents on the tank's surface;
3. Drips or any signs of leaks around the oil filter or valves;
4. Fuel oil lines not covered in a protective casing - even if under concrete;
5. Overhanging eaves where snow and ice could fall onto the tank;
6. Stains on the ground or strong oil odor around the tank;
7. Browning, dying, or loss of vegetation around the tank;
8. Silent overfill whistle while tank is being filled - ask fuel delivery person;
9. Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice, or insect nests;
10. Signs of spills around fill pipe or vent pipe;
11. Improperly sized vent pipes - ask fuel delivery person; and
12. Cracked, stuck, or frozen fuel level gauges or signs of fuel around them.

For underground heating fuel oils storage tanks, look for:

1. Water in the tank - ask fuel delivery person to check;
2. Oil or oil sheen in your basement sump or French drain;
3. Silent overfill whistle while tank is being filled - ask fuel delivery person;
4. Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice, or insect nests;
5. Signs of spills around fill pipe or vent pipe;
6. Well water has strange tastes or smells;
7. Complaints from neighbors of fuel oil smells; and
8. Using more than normal amount of fuel.

Fuel oil spills or leaks should be reported to the DEC Spills Hotline at 1-800-457-7362. For more information on home heating oil tank stewardship, visit the Underground Heating Oil Tanks: A Homeowner's Guide webpage on DEC's website.

More Help for Homeowners

Last month, Governor Hochul announced State actions to prepare New Yorkers for rising global energy costs and supply issues expected this winter. In addition, New Yorkers can take the following steps in their homes to help protect against higher energy costs, including: apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program, with applications starting on Nov. 1; be more energy efficient to lower energy usage; receive a customized list of energy-related assistance in the State; sign up for Community Solar; get a free energy audit; join a Clean Heating and Cooling Campaign; know your rights and protections regarding utility services; and consider bill payment options, among other steps. Learn more at https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-actions-prepare-new-yorkers-rising-global-energy-costs-winter.

Assembly Member Fernandez 80th Assembly E-Newsletter

80th Assembly E-Newsletter Visit Our District Office: 2018 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10461 Call Our Office: 718-409-0109 Hours: 10am-5pm HOUSING ASSISTANCE Our Office is offering free housing advocacy and  assistance every Thursday from 10am-4pm! Call Our office to schedule an appointment: 718-409-0109 NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH Mental Health is an important topic to talk about in  our communities especially as the mental health crisis  in the United States continues to grow. ONEIDA COUNTY LEGISLATIVE FARM TOUR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH HONOREES JOB FAIR I am so grateful for all of our partners who helped to  put together the Job Fair this month! We had a great  turnout!

DISTRICT OFFICE

2018 Williamsbridge Road Bronx, NY 10461
718-409-0109 Fax: 718-409-0431

NYC Schools Face Funding Shortfalls As They Step Up to Meet Needs of Migrant Students

Comptroller estimates DOE should allocate at least $34M in FSF to enroll migrant students at individual NYC schools, many of which saw budget cuts this year 

New York City School Chancellor David Banks gave an update today on the Department of Education’s efforts to welcome newly arrived immigrant children. The NYC School system has enrolled more than 5,500 new migrant students, and is working to provide transportation, food, language assistance, and mental health services to these new students.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander issued the following statement regarding the support needed for individual schools to be able to serve the new students joining their classrooms:

“In the past several months more than 19,000 migrants have arrived in New York City, including 5,500 students who entered the public school system. These children – who have little English proficiency, varying degrees of grade level readiness, possible special education needs, and extreme trauma to overcome – need extensive academic and social emotional support. Chancellor Banks, the NYC Department of Education, parent volunteers, and the dedicated education professionals in our schools deserve praise for working hard to welcome them with open arms and rising to this challenge.

“In order to meet the needs of these students and schools, my office estimates that NYC Schools need at least $34 million in Fair Student Funding.

“Yet this year, over three-quarters of public schools experienced nearly half a billion dollars in Fair Student Funding cuts that caused loss of staff and programming. Schools where enrollment exceeded DOE projections this fall are already operating at a deficit of staff, and now face even greater shortfalls as they take in new students who they were not budgeted to support.

“The Department of Education must move swiftly to provide schools with the necessary funding to support students from migrant families. We cannot wait until the mid-year budget adjustments to begin to hire the staff needed at schools that are seeing entire classes of new students arrive.

“Schools doing this critical work to embrace these new students cannot stretch their current resources until federal funding arrives. The City should immediately allocate $34 million of Fair Student Funding to enable principals to staff up to serve their new students.”

BACKGROUND:

The Comptroller’s office’s new analysis finds that DOE would need to allocate at least $34 million in Fair Student Funding (FSF) to schools to support these new students. This $34 million does not include the estimated $10 million in programmatic funding needed for Universal Pre-K and 3K seats for newly enrolled students or the funding that might be needed for children with disabilities who likely do not have IEPs, which could represent up to $5 million more once they are evaluated.

At the individual school level, PS 124 in Brooklyn, located across the street from two family shelters, budgeted for 215 students, yet has more than 35 new migrant students as of this month. We estimate PS 124 should receive at least $223,000 in additional FSF for their new students. So far the school has only received an additional temporary guidance counselor, but no new funding or bilingual teachers or staff.

PS 16 in District 11 (where the Chancellor visited today) received a psychologist intern, an ENL teacher, and district level supports, such as an extra Students in Temporary Housing (STH) coordinator, support from the Office of Food & Nutrition Services, and language access support from the Family and Community Empowerment team (FACE). PS 16 is operating out of its FY 2023 FSF budget allocated in June – which was cut nearly $90,000 from the previous fiscal year based on our analysis.

The Comptroller’s FY 2023 Schools budget analysis is available here.

New Shoprite Supermarket Opens in Pelham Where Fairway Market Was

 

Pictured above the new Shoprite Supermarket the former Fairway Supermarket which is 68,000 square feet with seventeen isles to go up and down. The store has a bakery, hot asian food, a full salad bar, fresh fish department, but did not have a good selection of sale item. Where several varieties of a sale item exists, this Shoprite had only one type or flavor. If you are shopping at the New Rochelle or Tuckahoe Road Shoprite stores you may want to go back to them after visiting this new Pelham store. 

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $51 Million Affordable Housing Development in the Bronx

 

Tremont Residences Brings 119 New Affordable Apartments to West Farms, Including 71 Residences with Support Services

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of Tremont Residences, a $50.6 million affordable housing development in the West Farms area of the Bronx. The new 119-apartment development offers onsite services for people experiencing homelessness who need support to live independently.

"The completion of this 119-unit development means that dozens of Bronx residents and families will have a safe, stable place to call home and the wraparound services they need to thrive," Governor Hochul said. "This project complements our $25 billion housing plan by not only providing high-quality affordable housing but also creating strong, vibrant, and resilient communities."

Tremont Residences complements Governor Hochul's sweeping plans to make housing more affordable, equitable, and stable. In the FY 2023 State Budget, the Governor introduced and successfully secured a new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan will increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

Tremont Residences has 95 studio, 14 one-bedroom, and 10 two-bedroom apartments that are affordable to households with incomes between 30 and 60 percent of the Area Median Income.

The developers, Camber Property Group and Slate Property Group, partnered with Westhab, Inc. to provide on-site support services for 71 households funded through an Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative award administered by the New York State Office of Mental Health. Services include case management, job readiness, placement, retention, referrals, and mental health services. Rental subsidies for the units are also included under the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative funding from the Office of Mental Health.

A vacant single-story retail building was demolished to make way for the 11-story new building. The development's amenities include a social services office suite for residents, landscaped outdoor recreational space, full-time security, a 1,300-square-foot community room, fitness center, computer lab, reading lounge, bike storage, and laundry rooms on each floor.

The ground floor houses a 6,500-square-foot commercial space that is owned by a third party and is currently available for rent. The project is in a mixed-use, transit-rich area, near medical facilities, schools, shopping, and within walking distance of Crotona Park and Bronx Park, the Botanical Garden, and Fordham University.

Tremont Residences meets Enterprise Green Communities Standards and includes Energy Star appliances, solar panels, water conserving fixtures, low-VOC finishes, and coated windows. Insulation and roof coating and materials are designed to be energy efficient.

State financing for Tremont Residences includes $8.4 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, Federal Low-Income Tax Credits that will generate $17.3 million in equity, and $20.5 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. OMH Is providing nearly $1.8 million in annual ESSHI operating funding for the supportive housing and a total of $479,544 in Program Development Grant funding.

In the last five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has invested more than $1 billion to create or preserve nearly 7,500 affordable apartments in multifamily buildings in the Bronx.

Attorney General James and Governor Hochul Release Report on the Role of Online Platforms in the Buffalo Shooting

 

Report Details Shooter’s Radicalization on Fringe Websites, Use of Mainstream Platforms to Livestream Violence 

AG James and Governor Hochul Call for Federal and State Legislative Reforms to Combat Online Extremism and Violence  

New York Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul today released a report on the role of online platforms in the tragic Buffalo mass shooting where 10 Black individuals were killed and three others were injured at the Tops grocery store. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) reviewed thousands of pages of documents and social media content to examine how the alleged shooter used online platforms to plan, prepare, and publicize his attack. This investigation and subsequent report were completed in accordance with a referral from Governor Hochul. During the course of the investigation, OAG obtained and reviewed external and internal content and policies of several of the online platforms used by the shooter. The report concludes that fringe online platforms, like 4chan, radicalized the shooter; livestreaming platforms, like Twitch, were weaponized to publicize and encourage copycat violent attacks; and a lack of oversight, transparency, and accountability of these platforms allowed hateful and extremist views to proliferate online, leading to radicalization and violence. 

In the wake of these findings, Attorney General James and Governor Hochul are calling for federal and state reforms to combat online extremism and violence, including state legislation that would criminalize graphic images or videos created by a perpetrator of a homicide and penalize individuals who reshare or repost those same images or videos. In addition, Attorney General James and Governor Hochul are recommending changes to Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act to increase accountability of online platforms and require companies take reasonable steps to prevent unlawful violent criminal content from appearing on their platforms. 

“The tragic shooting in Buffalo exposed the real dangers of unmoderated online platforms that have become breeding grounds for white supremacy,” said Attorney General James. “Today I met with the victims’ families to share the findings of this report. This report is further proof that online radicalization and extremism is a serious threat to our communities, especially communities of color. We saw this happen in Christchurch, Charlottesville, El Paso, and Buffalo, and we cannot wait for another tragedy before we take action. Online platforms should be held accountable for allowing hateful and dangerous content to spread on their platforms. Extremist content is flourishing online, and we must all work together to confront this crisis and protect our children and communities.” 

“For too long, hate and division have been spreading rampant on online platforms — and as we saw in my hometown of Buffalo, the consequences are devastating,” said Governor Hochul. “In the wake of the horrific white supremacist shooting this year, I issued a referral asking the Office of the Attorney General to study the role online platforms played in this massacre. This report offers a chilling account of factors that contributed to this incident and, importantly, a road map toward greater accountability.” 

The OAG report examined several online platforms used by the shooter, including 4chan, 8kun, Reddit, Discord, Twitch, and YouTube, and other online platforms where OAG found graphic content of the shooting or the shooter’s manifesto, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Rumble. The OAG subpoenaed these companies and reviewed thousands of pages of documents. Investigators looked at how platforms have been used to distribute and promote racist and antisemitic memes and messages and share graphic media of previous racially motivated violence, both of which contributed to the alleged shooter’s radicalization. The report also details how several more mainstream platforms were used to livestream the shooting with the goal of inciting additional violent acts, and how graphic video of the shooting proliferated online.  

In sum, the report confirms that several online platforms played an undeniable role in this racist attack, first by radicalizing the shooter as he consumed voluminous amounts of racist and violent content, helping him prepare for the attack, and finally allowing him to broadcast it. The report notes these takeaways: 

•   Fringe Platforms Fuel Radicalization: By his own account, the Buffalo shooter was radicalized by virulent racist and antisemitic content on anonymous, virtually unmoderated websites and platforms that operate outside of the mainstream internet, most notably 4chan. In the wake of the Buffalo shooting, graphic video of the shooting recorded by a viewer of the shooter’s livestream proliferated on fringe sites. The anonymity offered by 4chan and platforms like it, and their refusal to moderate content in any meaningful way, ensures that these platforms continue to be breeding grounds for racist hate speech and radicalization.
  
  
•   Livestreaming Has Become a Tool for Mass Shooters: Livestreaming has become a tool of mass shooters to instantaneously publicize their crime, further terrorizing the community targeted by the shooter and serving as a mechanism to incite and solicit additional violent acts. The Buffalo shooter was galvanized by his belief that others would be watching him commit violence in real-time. Although the platform he used to livestream his atrocities disabled the livestream within two minutes of the onset of violence, two minutes is still too much.
  
  
•   Mainstream Platforms’ Moderation Policies Are Inconsistent and Opaque: Many large, established platforms improved on their response time for identifying and removing problematic content related to the Buffalo shooting, including graphic video of the shooting and the shooter’s manifesto, as compared to past events. However, the platforms’ responses were uneven, with one platform unable to identify posts that linked to off-site copies of the shooting video even after those posts were flagged through user reports. Many platforms also do not fully disclose how they moderate hateful, extremist, or racist content.
  
  
•   Online Platforms Lack Accountability: Online platforms enjoy too much legal immunity. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act largely insulates platforms from liability for their content moderation decisions, even when a platform allows users to post and share unlawful content.

In response to the findings in the report, Attorney General James recommends a variety of reforms that are supported by Governor Hochul and would tackle online extremism and increase accountability of online platforms. These recommendations include: 

•   Create Liability for the Creation and Distribution of Videos of Homicides: New York and other states should pass legislation imposing criminal liability for the creation, by the perpetrator, of images or videos depicting a homicide. New York should explore establishing civil liability for anyone who transmits or distributes such images or videos beyond the perpetrator. In concert with appropriate revisions to Section 230, this liability would extend to online platforms, including social media and livestreaming platforms, that do not take reasonable steps to prevent such content from appearing.
  
  
•   Add Restrictions to Livestreaming: Livestreaming was used as a tool by the Buffalo shooter, like previous hate-fueled attacks, to instantaneously document and broadcast his violent acts to secure a measure of fame and radicalize others. Livestreaming on platforms should be subject to restrictions — including verification requirements and tape delays — tailored to identify first-person violence before it can be widely disseminated.
  
  
•   Reform Section 230: Currently, Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act protects online platforms from liability for third-party content that they host, regardless of those platforms’ moderation practices. Congress should rethink the ready availability of Section 230 as a complete defense for online platforms’ content moderation practices. Instead, the law should be reformed to require an online platform that wishes to retain Section 230’s protections to take reasonable steps to prevent unlawful violent criminal content from appearing on the platform. This proposal would change the default. Instead of simply being able to assert protection under Section 230, an online platform has the initial burden of establishing that its policies and practices were reasonably designed to address unlawful content.
  
  
•   Increase Transparency and Strengthen Moderation: Online platforms should provide better transparency into their content moderation policies and how those policies are applied in practice, including those that are aimed at addressing hateful, extremist, and racist content. They should also invest in improving industry-wide processes and procedures for reducing the prevalence of such content, including by expanding the types of content that can be analyzed for violations of their policies, improving detection technology, and providing even more efficient means to share information.
  
  
•   Call on Industry Service Providers to Do More: Online service providers, like domain registrars and hosting companies, stand in between fringe sites and users. These companies should take a closer look at the websites that repeatedly traffic in violent, hateful content, and refuse to service sites that perpetuate the cycle of white supremacist violence.

In May 2022, Governor Hochul provided a referral to OAG under New York Executive Law Section 63(8) to investigate the role of online platforms in the Buffalo shooting. 

The investigation and subsequent report were conducted by the Bureau of Internet and Technology and the Hate Crimes Unit of the Civil Rights Bureau, with special assistance from the Research and Analytics Division and the Division for Criminal Justice.