Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic

 

22,627 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

3 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combatting COVID-19.

"After over a year of containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now being told that COVID is now mainly a pandemic among the unvaccinated," Governor Cuomo said. "If you haven't already, I encourage you to get your shot to best protect yourself and your loved ones against the variants spreading through the nation."

 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

·         Test Results Reported - 69,665

·         Total Positive - 823
·         Percent Positive - 1.18%
·         7-Day Average Percent Positive - 1.26%
·         Patient Hospitalization - 378 (+26)
·         Patients Newly Admitted - 71
·         Patients in ICU - 79 (0)
·         Patients in ICU with Intubation - 30 (-2)
·         Total Discharges - 185,906 (+61)
·         Deaths - 3
·         Total Deaths - 43,034

·         Total vaccine doses administered - 21,812,432

·       Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 22,627

·         Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 235,134

·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 71.1%

·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 65.8%

·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 73.9%

·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 67.4%

·         Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 59.3%

· Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 54.6%

·         Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 61.7%

·         Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 56.0%

Attorney General James Announces Public Comment Period on Affinity Health Plan, Inc. Proposed Sale of its Assets to Molina Healthcare, Inc.

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James announced today that, as required by New York Law, Affinity Health Plan, Inc. submitted a Petition to the Office of the New York State Attorney General for review and approval of the sale of substantially all of the assets of Affinity to Molina Healthcare, Inc., a for-profit corporation.

Pursuant to New York Law, the Attorney General is permitted, in her discretion, to direct that notice of a petition be provided to any interested person, and Affinity’s Petition acknowledges that the Attorney General will provide such notice. Further notice, an electronic copy of the Petition and instructions for filing comments will be available at ag.ny.gov/Affinity. All public comments will be reviewed before making a final decision on the Petition. Comments to the Petition must be received on or before July 28, 2021.

Governor Cuomo Announces Crackdown on Underage Drinking During Summer Concert Season

Investigators Will Check for Fake IDs, Underage Drinking, and the Sale of Alcohol to Minors 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today that state investigators will be on patrol at popular summer concert venues to crack down on underage drinking and the use of fake IDs to purchase alcohol. Beginning this week and throughout the summer, Operation Prevent enforcement sweeps will be conducted at CMAC in Canandaigua, Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Jones Beach, and the Lakeview Amphitheater.

"New Yorkers fought hard against COVID-19, and because of their toughness, we can once again enjoy live music at the outstanding venues across this state," Governor Cuomo said. "As we continue to overcome the tragedies of the past year, I urge everyone to celebrate responsibly. Through this enforcement effort, investigators are working together to combat a dangerous problem and keep New Yorkers safe."

Operation Prevent is an ongoing effort to stop and prevent underage drinking, promote healthier choices among young New Yorkers and enhance roadway safety. Operation Prevent is supported by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and led by investigators from the Department of Motor Vehicles in cooperation with the State Liquor Authority, State Police, State Parks Police, and local law enforcement.

Mark J.F. Schroeder, DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, said, "We can finally get back to enjoying summer concerts—don't spoil the fun by using a fake ID.  Our investigators are experts at detecting fakes, and they use state-of-the-art equipment to verify fraudulent IDs. No matter how good you think yours is, they will spot it and you will be charged. Apart from the legal cost of underage drinking, you also put yourself and others at risk. It is just not worth it."

Those who are under the age of 21 found to be using fake IDs to buy alcohol can be ticketed and their licenses can be revoked for a minimum of 90 days or up to one year. In 2019, DMV investigators carried out enforcement sweeps at 127 locations statewide. A record 918 fake IDs were seized and a record of 1,016 citations were issued to people attempting to buy alcohol while underage.

According to the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports, teens who drink are more likely to:

• Be involved in car crashes, experience alcohol poisoning, commit or fall victim to murder or suicide.
• Become victims or perpetrators of physical or sexual assault, compared to peers who do not drink.
• Have run-ins with the law, face trouble in school or take part in other potentially addictive behaviors such as drug use or gambling.

State Liquor Authority Chairman Vincent Bradley said, "Thanks to our remarkable progress in beating back COVID, New Yorkers can once again get out and enjoy summer concerts, but we remind everyone to do so responsibly.  As underage drinking leads to reckless behavior that too often ends with tragic consequences, the SLA remains committed to working with our partners in law enforcement to keep alcohol out of the hands of underage youth."

New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, "The State Police will continue to work with our partners to prevent underage drinking and prevent the needless injuries and deaths it can cause. I applaud our partners in this effort. Together we are working to discourage, detect and apprehend underage users of alcohol and most importantly, are saving lives."

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, "We want all music fans to fully enjoy the wonderful concert venues at Jones Beach and Saratoga Spa State Park, but illegal alcohol use in our parks will not be tolerated. I'm grateful for the partnership from our state agency partners to help keep young people safe and ensure a positive experience for all concert-goers." 

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

168 Days and Counting

 

Twenty-Seven weeks to go with me as your Mayor. One of the things I am going to miss is the grilling by reporters. As best as my office could do to limit the questions and who was called on, The reporters questions at times alerted me to problem that I may not have been aware of.  The city has gone through a pandemic that happened one hundred years ago killing many people. It was a terrible year for people and the economy. As was done then recovery will happen again.

New York City is on the road to recovery, and we have to thank our new leaders in Washington who have turned on the printing presses to give us billions of dollars to use, to make New York City the city it once was. 

THENEWBXCC - Bronx Business News You Can Use

 

Legislative Updates, New Grants, Events and Much More Please click View/Allow Images so you don't miss a thing!

Upcoming Events

NYC SBRN + 5 Chamber of Commerce: Amazon Black Business Accelerator Webinar

Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator is dedicated to helping build sustainable equity and growth for black owned businesses that sell or wish to sell on Amazon. Register for the Network’s free webinar at https://bit.ly/3xyfvnr to learn more about this program!

Summer Sunset Networking Event

Join us at our first in-person networking event on Thursday, August 12, 2021 6pm - 8pm Enjoy a cool drink and lively conversation with fellow Bronx Businesses. RSVP at bronxchamber.org

Upcoming: Bronx Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala

Mark Your Calendars For Our 2021 Gala on September 30th: The Bronx Is Back In Business Make sure to visit our webpage for more information.  We're going to make it a night to remember!  Honoring: Ruben Diaz Jr. - Bronx Borough President Lucy McMillan - Arnold & Porter Aurelia Greene - Former Deputy Bronx Borough President (posthumously) many more to announce

Available Growth & Recovery Grants

The Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund by SIA Scotch

Starting July 13, 2021, eligible small business owners can apply to The Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund by SIA Scotch. Twenty-five recipients will each receive a $10,000 grant, plus mentorship with Carin Luna-Ostaseski, the founder of SIA Scotch Whisky and a first-generation Cuban American entrepreneur who overcame a myriad of challenges during her entrepreneurship journey. Apply and share with us how a grant would grow your business and help you achieve the unexpected. For more information click HERE

$800 Million Small Business Recovery Grant Program

Click Here for a helpful webinar on the $800 million small business recovery grant program, which will provide funding to small and micro businesses and small for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations to help them recover from the economic impact of the pandemic. Learn More & Apply

Bronx Chamber Member Spotlights

The Bronx Collab

Join our member The Bronx Collab on July 24th from 12pm - 5:30pm for “The Come Up” Business Expo located on 3866 White Plains Road, Bronx NY 10467. Check out vendors in the nail industry, music, dance and entertainment, inspirational and Christian merchandise, skin and healthcare, artistry, custom creations, soul food and healthy juices!!

Job Opportunities

The following companies are currently hiring: American Maintenance The Jewish Board

What You Should Know

Summer Restaurant Week 2021

This Monday, NYC Restaurant Week 2021 will kick off and will feature 5 Bronx restaurants. Coordinated NYCGo, the summer version of the dining program runs from Monday, July 19 through Sunday, August 22. Pricing options this year include three tiers — set meals for $21 or $39 — for lunch, dinner or both. Click here to learn more and support our local restaurants this summer.

Free Business Courses for Small Businesses

Sign up for one of these upcoming business assistance webinars. Legal REGISTER       Commercial Lease Strategies (7/19/2021) Sales and Marketing Courses REGISTER      Search Engine Optimization (SEO) (7/13/2021)  REGISTER      GO Digital! (7/15/2021)

ANYC Department of Finance

Join NYC Department of Finance and the Office of the Parking Summons Advocate (OPSA) on July 21 at 1:00pm, on a webinar “For Your Benefit” session to provide help with parking and camera violations. Registration required: http://nyc.gov/dofevents

Amazon's Black Business Accelerator

Amazon - one of our newest Bronx Chamber Corporate members - recently announced their new, multi-year, multi-million dollar initiative, the Black Business Accelerator: aimed at supporting, promoting, and growing small, Black-owned businesses. The financial grant applications open up July 1.   Amazon is committing $150 million over the next four years to help thousands of Black entrepreneurs reach hundreds of millions of customers. This program, created in partnership with Amazon’s Black Employee Network, the U.S. Black Chamber Inc., and others acknowledges that Black entrepreneurs have less access to capital, mentorship, and growth opportunities, and have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.   Amazon is optimistic about the potential for this program to help generate wealth for Black entrepreneurs, their employees, their families, and their communities. To learn more, visit sell.amazon.com/BBA

NYC Business Quick Start Program

NYC has launched NYC Business Quick Start, a concierge service for small businesses that provides sole point of contact to help navigate City regulations, as well as a public dashboard. The program guarantees a 48-hour response to all small business inquiries and will cut processing time by 50 percent. The new program will help you:  Understand key City rules and requirements to avoid fines and violations Connect to government agencies to get the permits and licenses you need for your business Learn how to resolve any violations your business has received