Governor Cuomo Announces New York's COVID-19 Hospitalizations Drop to Lowest Number Since March 18

 

518 Hospitalizations Yesterday

13th Straight Day with Infection Rate Below 1 Percent—0.74 Percent of Yesterday's COVID-19 Tests were Positive

ICU Patients Match Previous Low of 120—Lowest Since March 16

5 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

SLA and State Police Task Force Observes Violations of State Requirements at 3 Establishments

Confirms 601 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 427,803; New Cases in 44 Counties

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State's COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped to 518—the lowest number since March 18. Yesterday's infection rate of 0.74 percent marked the 13th straight day with an infection rate below 1 percent. The number of COVID-19 patients in ICUs dropped to 120, matching the state's previous low since March 16. The governor also updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available at forward.ny.gov.

"Our state's continuing fight against COVID-19 has taken tremendous hard work and discipline from all New Yorkers, and we're seeing results—a new low for hospitalizations, 13 straight days of an infection rate below 1 percent and a match of a previous low for patients in ICUs," Governor Cuomo said. "I want to commend New Yorkers for practicing the basic daily behaviors—social distancing, washing hands and wearing masks—that make an enormous difference in our capacity to slow the spread, save lives and bring the state's infection rate from one of the nation's highest to one of its lowest. But now isn't the time to get complacent, and local governments must continue to enforce state guidance and New Yorkers must stay vigilant in the face of a continuing crisis throughout this country and around the world."

Yesterday, the State Liquor Authority and State Police Task Force visited 1,230 establishments in New York City and Long Island and observed 3 establishments that were not in compliance with state requirements. A county breakdown of yesterday's observed violations is below:

• Brooklyn - 1
• Manhattan - 2

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 518 (-30)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 62
• Hospital Counties - 28
• Number ICU - 120 (-11)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 62 (+2)
• Total Discharges - 74,406 (+78)
• Deaths - 5
• Total Deaths - 25,275

Governor Cuomo Signs Executive Order Extending Moratorium on COVID-Related Commercial Evictions Until September 20

 

   Builds on Governor's Actions to Protect Both Residential and Commercial Tenants from Eviction and Late Rent Fees amid COVID-19 Pandemic 

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed an executive order extending the state's moratorium on COVID-related commercial evictions and foreclosures an additional month, until September 20th. This measure extends protections already in place for commercial tenants and mortgagors in recognition of the financial toll the pandemic has taken on business owners, including retail establishments and restaurants. The extension of this protection gives commercial tenants and mortgagors additional time to get back on their feet and catch up on rent or renegotiate their leasing terms to avoid eviction proceedings and foreclosures moving forward. 

"While we have made great progress in keeping New York's infection rate low, this pandemic is not over and as we continue to fight the virus, we are continuing to protect New York businesses and residential tenants who face financial hardship due to COVID," Governor Cuomo said. "I am extending the State's moratorium on commercial evictions to ensure business owners across New York will not be forced to close as a result of the pandemic."  

Governor Cuomo first announced a State moratorium on residential and commercial evictions on March 20 to ensure no tenant was evicted during the height of the public health emergency. The commercial eviction and foreclosure moratorium was extended through August 20 by Executive Order, and the Governor signed the Tenant Safe Harbor Act and additional legislation to protect residential renters and homeowners from foreclosure or eviction due to a COVID-19 financial hardship. Governor Cuomo also ordered additional protection for residential renters from charges for late payment of rent and allowing tenants to use security deposits to pay rent for residential tenants.

Virtual Wave Hill

 

 It's been so great to have visitors back in the gardens. For those who haven't visited yet, reserve a ticket here. Weekly reservations open Monday, and the previous Friday for Wave Hill Members. And familiarize yourself with our safety guidelines before you go! To stay connected to Wave Hill virtually, check out what's new this week with our virtual programs:

Family Art Project

Saturday, August 22, 10AM

“Throw it away” they say. And we say, “where is this place, ‘away?’” It’s been 100 years since women were given the right to vote in the United States, and since then women continue to shift culture in remarkable ways. Join Family Art Project as we look forward and beyond borders to learn from ecofeminism and women like Isatou Ceesay and Wangari Maathai who have used the resources around them to claim their place on earth and bring love and care to the land. Create bags to carry your own ecofeminist toolkit from upcycled materials that would otherwise be thrown ‘away’.

Meditation in the Garden

Sundays, through November 8, 9:30AM-10:00AM

Join mindful outdoor guide Cindy Olsen or dosha healer Sara Hart for the healing practice of “sit spot” nature meditation. This experience is open to all who wish to learn simple meditation activities, nature lovers or anyone with an ongoing practice. Your “sit spot” can be anywhere—outdoors in your favorite spot, or your favorite spot at home.

This event is brought to you digitally—and onsite, we hope, one day this fall—as we move through Wave Hill’s planned phases of reopening.

Virtual Programs for Eco-Urgency Exhibition

Tuesday, August 25, NOON

Join us for our final Eco-Urgency feature! Artist Alison Moritsugu discusses two of her paintings, We are the ash (Remnant) and We are the ash (Vestige), with Curator, Eileen Jeng Lynch. Both paintings were made in response to the presence of the invasive emerald ash borer, an insect destroying North America’s ash tree forests. They will also explore some of the linguistic and logistical parallels between the invasive ash borer and the current pandemic.

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS: Special restricted hours as New York City recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic: NOON–5:30PM, Thursday–Sunday.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

MAYOR DE BLASIO, CHANCELLOR CARRANZA RELEASE REOPENING PLEDGE

 

Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza today announced the City’s Back to School Pledge. The pledge, available here, outlines the City’s safety and health commitments to students, parents, and the school community prior to the start of the school year.

 

“With our record-low infection rate, New York City is the safest major city in America,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Our plan to reopen our schools is the most rigorous in the country, and I want parents to know that we are taking absolutely every precaution to keep their children healthy and safe.”

 

Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza: “We’re a few weeks away from the first day of school, and PPE deliveries are happening every day, families are getting their schedules, and schools are organizing their classrooms. Parents deserve to know our commitment to them, and that means health, safety, and a high-quality education, no matter what.”

 

Health and safety always come first:

 

• PPE and cleaning supplies will be supplied to all schools, and DOE will have a 30-day supply on hand at all times—with a hotline for principals to call for immediate resupply for their schools
• There will be a full-time nurse in every public school building
• Any school building or room found to have inadequate ventilation will not be used by students or staff
• Students and staff will practice physical distancing in all school buildings
• Students and staff will wear face coverings throughout the school day; if they do not have them, they will be provided for free
• Students will remain in pods for as much of the day as possible
• We will place hand sanitizer in every classroom
• City-run testing sites will prioritize free COVID testing and expedited results for school staff; free testing is also available to all students, families, and New Yorkers citywide
• We are encouraging all DOE employees to be tested monthly
• NYC Department of Health and Test + Trace Corps will immediately investigate confirmed cases to prevent spread of the virus
• Schools will communicate with all students and families when there are confirmed cases in schools
• When necessary, classrooms or school buildings will temporarily close to maintain safety of school communities and prevent spread of the virus
• School buildings will close if the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests in New York City is 3% or more using a 7-day average—the most aggressive threshold in the nation

 

NYC Public Schools will be cleaned and disinfected, day and night:

 

• All school buildings will be disinfected overnight, every night
• High-touch zones will be cleaned multiple times throughout each day
• Electrostatic disinfectors will clean surfaces daily with zero physical contact

 

Students will be learning five days a week, no matter what:

 

• Whether in-person or online, students will study in supportive environments with rigorous academic standards
• Remote students will interact with their teachers every day
• Student schedules—both remote and in-person—will be preset and consistent to allow families to plan
• Academic instruction will integrate social-emotional learning and trauma-informed care to support students holistically
• Teachers will have time each day to engage one-on-one with students and families

 

ASSEMBLYMAN DINOWITZ TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION MODERNIZING UTILITY CONSUMER BILL OF RIGHTS

 

The legislation will build on existing customer protections with a focus on rights during service outages and increased transparency.

  With parts of New York State, including the Bronx, still in the process of recovering from widespread power outages after Tropical Storm Isaias on August 4, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz announced plans to introduce legislation modernizing consumer protections for utility consumers. It supplements existing legislation from Assemblyman Dinowitz to create a statewide, independent Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate (A9572) as well as legislation to reform complaint procedures against utility providers by the Public Service Commission (A10682).

 

The modernized Utility Consumer Bill of Rights will propose reforms to utility provider procedure during service outages, such as what has frequently occurred in New York City during recent storms and heat waves. The legislation is intended to be part of a broader discussion about how to better regulate power companies to serve the interests of consumers, and proposed reforms will include:

 

1.     CLAIM REIMBURSEMENTS: Establish minimum standards for utility providers statewide with respect to length or scope of an outage triggering automatic financial compensation, limiting the length of processing time before a claim is paid to the consumer, acceptable forms of documentation when filing a claim for spoiled food or medication, and more.

2.     EMERGENCY SUPPORT LOCATIONS: Strengthen requirements for utility providers to offer cold storage alternatives, battery charging capability, and other necessary support services by increasing the minimum quantity and geographic distribution of emergency support locations          during a major outage.

3.     LIFE-SUSTAINING EQUIPMENT: Codify core temporary services that utility providers must offer to people with medical equipment that relies on electricity, such as alternate living accommodations or use of a backup generator.

4.     COMMERCIAL LOSSES: Expand an outdated definition of commercial services that are eligible for claim reimbursement by codifying language that addresses people who work from home and commercial activities beyond those involving perishable merchandise.

5.     TRANSPARENCY: Ensure all utility consumers are aware of their rights and what their obligations as a consumer are, such as reminding consumers on a regular basis to register any life-sustaining equipment and promptly report any outages to their utility provider.

 

The proposed legislation is still being drafted and will incorporate feedback received at the August 20 state legislative joint hearing on “Power and communication failures from Tropical Storm Isaias.” The scope of the proposal is expected to grow as the bill is discussed among legislators in coming weeks.

 

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said: “New Yorkers should not feel powerless even if their power is out. Utility providers have gotten more than their fair share of rate increases over the years, but consumers have only gotten worse and worse service in return. It’s time we demand more from the utility providers who hold exclusive rights to profit from the provision of essential services to our communities. I look forward to discussing my proposal for a modernized Utility Consumer Bill of Rights with my colleagues and am optimistic that we will be able to make tangible and impactful change that benefits working people in New York State.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We would like to know why this was not done after Hurricane Sandy, and why did it take another major storm causing such widespread damage for this to happen?

 

Media Release Transportation Chairman Rodriguez Will Introduce Legislation To Require Shared Moped Organizations To Apply For DOT Safety Certifications

 

Transportation Chairman Rodriguez Will Introduce Legislation To Require Shared Moped Organizations To Apply For DOT Safety Certifications 

(The Moped Safety & Oversight Bill)

  

Washington Heights, NY-- Today, August 20th, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chairman of the Transportation Committee held a press conference, alongside Congress Member Adriano Espaillat, to discuss legislation that seeks to increase the regulatory framework of Moped vehicles. Amidst the moped crashes, Congress Member Espaillat called for the immediate suspension of Revel, and Chairman Rodriguez called for additional regulations. The press conference was held at 96 Wadsworth Terrace, the site of the latest e-moped related fatal crash. The proposed legislation would "Require the Department of Transportation to establish procedures by which shared moped organizations may apply for approval to operate shared moped fleets in New York City." Additionally, the bill will seek to "Prohibit the unauthorized operation of shared moped fleets, and provides for the impoundment of such unauthorized vehicles." 

 

"As I have expressed, we last had a conversation with Revel on July 21st and our request for their current users and crash data remains unaddressed. To effectively address the issues related to mopeds, I have moved to draft legislation that will mandate DOT to establish procedures by which shared moped organizations may apply for approval and would have to comply with regulation in order to operate shared moped fleets in New York City. Among safety requirements would be implementing technology to ensure riders have a helmet on at all times. Throughout these past few weeks the City has seen 3 fatal crashes related to shared e-mopeds. It is clear that we need additional regulations that will increase the safety and oversight of shared moped organizations who wish to operate in the City," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chairman of The Transportation Committee. "The tragic deaths of Francis Nunez, Jeremy Malave, and Nina Kapur should incentivize us to increase safety and moped regulations to keep riders safe. I am proud to stand alongside Congressmember Adriano Espaillat who was the first to call for the immediate suspension of Revel. I look forward to working alongside DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, City Hall, Speaker Johnson, my colleague at the Council, Revel, and advocates to ensure we have the proper safety measures in place to keep riders safe."

  

"Proud to stand with Councilman Rodriguez today to continue our collective calls to ensure street safety and the overall safety of riders and the community as a whole," said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), who was the first elected official to call for the suspension of Revel services in the City earlier this summer. "I remain encouraged by my conversations with Revel and the plans underway at the company to improve safety standards. It will take each of us - city, state, local leaders and companies - working together to ensure proper oversight and accountability measures are in place for moped operators and riders."

One Book One Bronx - Remember Your Resolution to Read More...

 

This September, One Book One Bronx returns with a diverse selection of amazing books. We’re open to the public and free to join. REGISTER TODAY! One Book One Bronx is a free adult book club that hosts weekly Zoom-based discussions and builds community around a diverse selection of books.

Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quinonez, 213 pgs

9/16, 23. 30, & 10/7, 2020

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Presented with the Casita Maria Book Club*

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander, 300 pgs

10/13, 20, 27, 11/3, & 10, 2020

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

How We Fight for Our Lives: A Memoir by Saeed Jones, 204 pgs

11/18, 25, 12/2, & 9, 2020

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Presented with the Casita Maria Book Club*

Citizen by Claudia Rankine, 160 pgs

12/15, 22, & 29, 2020

Amora: Stories by Natalia Borges Polesso, 233 pgs

1/5, 12, 19, & 26, 2021

Olio by Tyehimba Jess, 256 pgs

2/2, 9, & 16, 2021

My Sister: How One Sibling's Transition Changed Us Both by Selenis Leyva and Marizol Leyva, 276 pgs

2/24, 3/3, 10, 17, 24, & 31, 2021

Presented with the Casita Maria Book Club*

Dominicana by Angie Cruz, 336 pgs

4/7, 14, 21, 28, & 5/5, 2021

Presented with the Casita Maria Book Club*

Arrival: Poems by Cheryl Boyce Taylor, 70 pgs

5/11, 18, & 25, 2021

When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago, 278 pgs

6/2, 9, 16, 23, & 30, 2021

Presented with the Casita Maria Book Club*

During the quarantine, the 2021 discussion schedule is subject to change.

One Book One Bronx on YouTube

Our discussions can be accessed on YouTube. Here, you can watch previous and current conversations. Click here to start watching

Governor Cuomo Announces Immediate Corrective Actions for Utility Companies Following Failed Response to Tropical Storm Isaias

 

Electric Companies Face Steep Penalties and Revocation of Franchise

Initial Findings Highlight Areas in Need of Immediate Fixes Including Inadequate Staffing for Storm Event, Failure to Communicate Accurate Information to the Public and Technology Breakdowns

PSEG-LI Will Forfeit Nearly $10 Million in Incentive Compensation

Department of Financial Services Will Work with the Department of Public Service in Aiding the Ongoing Investigation

Governor Cuomo Will Also Propose Legislation to Expedite and Clarify Franchise Revocation Procedures

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Department of Public Service has completed the first phase of its investigation in record time into utility preparation and restoration efforts related to tropical storm Isaias. As a result, the Department has sent Notice of Apparent Violation letters to four electric service providers — Con Edison, Orange & Rockland, PSEG LI and Central Hudson — and telephone, cable and internet provider Altice-Optimum that they now face steep penalties and must take immediate corrective actions so that similar failures are not repeated during the remainder of hurricane season. This is the first time DPS is front-loading the investigation process with Notices of Apparent Violation, and they have tightened the investigation process from the usual 12 to 24 months to just 6 months.

DPS is still threatening to pursue franchise revocations for Con Edison and Orange & Rockland as well as termination of PSEG-LI's contract with LIPA if the investigation deems it appropriate. Governor Cuomo directed the Department of Financial Services, which has broad investigative capabilities, to work with DPS to enhance its review of these utilities and better hold them accountable. Governor Cuomo will also propose legislation to expedite and clarify franchise revocation procedures. It will address questions including the ownership and transfer of assets such as substations, cables and trucks to ensure that the ratepayers who funded them are not charged again in the event of a new operator taking them over.

"The response to tropical storm Isaias by the electric utilities was completely unacceptable. Fifteen days later and we are still hearing complaints from families and businesses," Governor Cuomo said. "With many weeks remaining in the hurricane season, we do not have the luxury of time — utilities must act immediately to fix their broken storm response apparatus, and the Department of Public Service must act more swiftly to hold utilities accountable. DFS will help DPS on this investigation because I want a faster and more thorough investigation than they've done in the past. I am also going to propose legislation to facilitate, expedite, and clarify the process for a utility to lose their franchise. These utility companies predict when we're going to have storms and when we're going to have emergencies - that's the art form of the business and what we pay them for. They need to do better and we are holding them accountable."   

Specifically, DPS cited Con Edison and Orange & Rockland for inaccurate communications, website problems, and inadequate pre-staging; PSEG LI was cited for a failure of its outage management system, inaccurate communications and problems with its call center; and Central Hudson was cited for inadequate communications capacity at its back-up data center, leading to their website becoming unavailable to customers. Altice-Optimum apparently did not follow its emergency plan pertaining to generator deployment and communications protocols, among other failures.

DPS has also called on PSEG LI to forfeit its 2020 incentive compensation of approximately $10 million as a first step and to use the proceeds toward compensating families and small businesses who lost food and medicine as a result of the extensive outages, and PSEG LI has agreed to do so.

Peak power outages in New York State due to Tropical Storm Isaias reached approximately 920,000 customers, and approximately 1.3 million New York customers experienced power outages during the event. 

The State is directing the utilities to undertake several corrective actions, including:

• Add crewing capacity via retainer contracts from private contractors or utilities located outside of New York, with a goal to be able to secure in advance of a storm double the level of internal linemen and tree crews;
• Test capabilities at all command centers, call centers and back-up command centers to ensure capability to handle an event that affects 90 percent or more of their customers in their service territory and provide confirmation back to the Department regarding the results of this test within 10 days;
• Refine coordination plans with municipalities tailored to each county (road clearing, local liaisons, etc.) and provide to the Department within 20 days a written confirmation from each county Emergency Operations Center that they understand and accept the plan; and
• Update life support equipment and critical infrastructure lists to remove or add customers as identified during Tropical Storm Isaias and file such updated lists to the Department within 10 days.

The Department also identified several potential violations related to Altice-Optimum's storm response in the lower Hudson Valley and Long Island, including a failure to coordinate emergency response with local officials, communications failures, and insufficient generator capacity for their network. The Department letter demands that Altice-Optimum promptly remedy these issues and provides notice that the investigation will include a review of whether the company is in violation of the Commission's 2016 order approving its acquisition of Cablevision.

In addition to sending out notices of violations to the aforementioned utilities and Altice-Optimum, the Department also informed the State's other major electric utilities — NYSEG, National Grid, and RG&E — to immediately secure supplemental crews that can be deployed in the event of an emergency, to test the capabilities of the utility's command center, back-up command center, and call center to ensure capability to handle a large event (more than 90 percent of customers affected) in their service territory; and to file road clearing and liaison plans with each county emergency operations center, update lists of customers who use life-saving equipment in their homes, and update critical infrastructure lists.