Thursday, September 24, 2020
Virtual Wave Hill
Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
0.94 Percent of Yesterday's COVID-19 Tests were Positive
5 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday
SLA and State Police Task Force Visits 1,077 Establishments; Observes 5 Establishments Not in Compliance
Confirms 665 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 451,892; New Cases in 43 Counties
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today 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.
"New York's most powerful tools in the fight against COVID-19 are the actions each of us take to slow the spread. When you wear a mask, socially distance and wash your hands, you're protecting other New Yorkers, not just yourself," Governor Cuomo said. "Local governments have critical roles to play enforcing state guidance and I urge them to keep doing so. We'll closely monitor the data here as the pandemic continues to spread across the country, and we'll get through this together by staying New York Tough."
Yesterday, the State Liquor Authority and State Police Task Force visited 1,077 establishments in New York City and Long Island and observed 5 establishments that were not in compliance with state requirements. A county breakdown of yesterday's observed violations is below:
- Manhattan - 1
- Suffolk - 4
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
- Patient Hospitalization - 490 (+20)
- Patients Newly Admitted - 83
- Hospital Counties - 34
- Number ICU - 141 (+8)
- Number ICU with Intubation - 68 (+1)
- Total Discharges - 76,306 (+60)
- Deaths - 5
- Total Deaths - 25,437
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Macy’s And The City Of New York Announce Plan For Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® Celebration
The iconic holiday event will be reimagined safely for a national television presentation
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air nationwide on NBC-TV Thursday, November 26 from 9 a.m. – Noon, in all time zones
Macy’s and the City of New York announced details of the reimagined plan for the safe production of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® celebration. For the first time in its more than 90-year history, the annual Macy’s Parade will be modified to safely bring the magic to more than 50 million viewers nationwide on Thanksgiving Day, while maintaining all of the spectacle and wonder of this cherished holiday tradition. This year the celebration will shift to a television only special presentation, showcasing the Macy’s Parade’s signature mix of giant character helium balloons, fantastic floats, street performers, clowns and heralding the arrival of the holiday season with the one-and-only Santa Claus.
“New York City is always proud to join Macy's to ring in the holiday season with New Yorkers and viewers around the world. We’ve worked closely with the Macy’s team on a safe and creative plan this year, and we look forward to keeping this tradition going on Thanksgiving Day,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“Macy’s believes in celebration and the joy of marking milestone moments with family and friends. The Macy’s Parade is our love letter and gift to the City of New York and the nation. Under the unique challenges of these unparalleled times, we felt it was important to continue this cherished holiday tradition that has been the opening act to the holiday season for generations of families,” said Susan Tercero, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “While it will certainly look different in execution, this year’s Macy’s Parade celebration will once again serve its historical purpose – to bring joy into the hearts of millions across the nation.”
For nearly 100 years, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been synonymous with the official start of the holiday season in the United States. Growing from a two block-long collection of Macy’s colleagues dressed in whimsical clown outfits, playing instruments and adorning floats in 1924, to the world-famous spectacle we know today, at the core of the Macy’s Parade has been the warm memories that fill the hearts and minds of generations of American families.
To safely produce this icon of American culture during this unprecedented time, Macy’s partnered with the City of New York to create a safe plan that would keep the tradition alive. Following the success of this summer’s reimagined Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® show, the Macy’s team meticulously reviewed every area of the Thanksgiving Day playbook to put in place enhanced health and safety practices that align with CDC guidelines, as well as local and state government protocols.
The safety of participants and spectators is Macy’s number one priority and this year’s 94th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade celebration will be produced solely as a television event allowing millions of New Yorkers and the nation to safely experience it from the comforts of home.
As part of Macy’s comprehensive health and wellness plan a number of changes will be implemented in order to execute this event safely. These changes include, but are not limited to the following:
- Reducing the overall number of participants by approximately 75%, and splitting the remaining participants over two days
- All participants will be appropriately socially distanced during performances and be required to wear face coverings and additional personal protective equipment depending on their role
- Shifting to a television-broadcast-only production with staging for Parade elements focused solely in/ around the Herald Square area of Midtown Manhattan
- The traditional 2.5-mile Parade route will not be utilized this year
- No participant in the Parade will be under 18 years of age
- Previously selected regional High School and College Marching Bands performances will be deferred to the 2021 Macy’s Parade, with locally based professional marching and musical ensembles taking musical duties in the lineup
- Macy’s traditional Giant Balloon Inflation public event on Wednesday will not take place
- Macy’s signature giant character balloons will be flown without the traditional 80-100 handlers and instead employ an innovative, specially rigged anchor vehicle framework of five specialty vehicles tested and approved by the NYCDOT and NYPD
The 94th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air nationwide on NBC-TV, Thursday, November 26, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, in all time zones. For more information visit macys.com/parade. To follow and participate in the excitement, check out @macys on various social platforms and follow #MacysParade.
MAYOR DE BLASIO EXTENDS EXECUTIVE ORDER 148 AND ANNOUNCES ALTERNATE CELEBRATIONS FOR SIGNATURE EVENTS
State Senator Gustavo Rivera Honors Evonne Capers as the 2020 Woman of Distinction for the 33rd Senate District
Held at the New York Botanical Gardens, the ceremony recognized Ms. Capers long-standing leadership in Senator Rivera's district
"I am proud to present Ms.Evonne Capers with this year's New York State Senate Woman of Distinction award for the 33rd Senate District. Ms. Capers has vocally advocated to protect affordable housing in our neighborhoods while fighting for tenants' rights, and as Community Board 6 's current Chairperson, she continues to selflessly build bridges to solve the most pressing issues impacting our communtiy. Ms. Capers is an integral member of my district and I am incredibly grateful to count with her leadership and support. The Bronx is a better place because of her hard work," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Calls for Increased Funding for Schools and Childcare Across New York
Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez released a statement advocating for additional school funding, as schools begin to re-open despite parent and teacher concerns around COVID-19 safety protocols and staffing in many of our cities schools.
Staff at NYC schools have worked tirelessly since the start of the pandemic to provide the best education they can with very few resources. They deserve all of our gratitude and appreciation, but they also deserve the resources they need to succeed. Our kids and communities deserve for us to get this right."
EDITOR'S NOTE:
In a time of deep budget cuts due to a great loss of revenue, we have to ask Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez this question.
Where do you expect the mayor and governor to find the extra money needed when every area in the budgets of the city and state are being asked to cut spending?
Perhaps the needed monies can come from the federal government in any one of the many funding streams already available?
Bronx Progressives Virtual Meeting - Wednesday, September 330th 2020 at 6:00pm
MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES EXPANDED FURLOUGHS FOR CITY EMPLOYEES
Mayor de Blasio today announced the City will expand furloughs to all managerial and non-represented City employees. This announcement expands on the announcement made last week of a week of furloughs for Mayor’s Office employees between October and March. These expanded furloughs will impact nine thousand employees and save $21 million.
“I know this is difficult news for the dedicated public servants of our City,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “But we are forced to make these difficult decisions as we face a massive budget shortfall with no help in sight. We need Washington and Albany to step up. We need a federal stimulus and we need long term borrowing.”
The City is facing an enormous budget challenge, a $9 billion toll on City revenue, and has already cut $7 billion from the budget between February and the Fiscal Year 2021 Adopted Budget announced in June. The City continues to work with labor groups to find savings and prevent layoffs.
The Administration has made historic moves to make the City fiscally responsible and prepared for adversity, including:
- Increased reserve levels every year and increased general reserve to record levels
- Created first ever Capital Stabilization Reserve
- Achieved billions of dollars in savings every year, even when revenue was strong
- At the height of the pandemic, achieved the largest savings plan of this Administration ($5.8 billion in FY20 and FY21 and $1.7 billion recurring)
- Saw our bond rating increased last year due to strong fiscal management
- Created New York City’s first-ever Rainy Day Fund.