Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - AUGUST 17, 2022

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

Announced Re-launch of #VaxToSchool COVID-19 Vaccine Effort

24 Statewide Deaths Reported from Yesterday

 NOTE: Beginning June 24, 2022, the Vaccine data will be updated weekly on Fridays to align with CDC's updated data refresh schedule. For additional information on COVID-19 Vaccination Data provided by CDC, see https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-total-admin-rate-total.   

Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19. Earlier today, Governor Hochul also announced the re-launch of #VaxtoSchool, the multi-faceted statewide campaign aimed at increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates among school-aged New Yorkers. 

"As we continue to monitor the numbers and prepare for the approaching fall season, we must use all the tools at our disposal to address any potential surges," Governor Hochul said. "Be sure you and your loved ones are up to date on vaccine and booster doses, get tested if you experience symptoms, and if you do test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment."    

Today's data is summarized briefly below:      

• Cases Per 100k - 25.09  
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 25.60   
• Test Results Reported - 61,971  
• Total Positive - 4,903   
• Percent Positive - 7.98%**     
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.72%**   
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,509 (-29) 
• Patients Newly Admitted - 443  
• Patients in ICU - 249 (+4)   
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 96 (+4)  
• Total Discharges - 332,263 (+416) 
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 24 
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 57,399 

** 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 - 73,335     

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	Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022	Monday, Aug. 15, 2022	Tues., Aug. 16, 2022
Bronx	7.87%	7.63%	7.53%
Kings	3.12%	2.74%	2.97%
New York	5.96%	5.95%	5.77%
Queens	7.72%	7.63%	7.79%
Richmond	6.72%	6.54%	6.34%

THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES RIDE SAFETY INSPECTIONS TO KEEP NEW YORKERS SAFE AT FAIRS STATEWIDE

 

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) today announced that safety inspections of amusement rides statewide have been underway as the peak of fair season approaches. With the Great New York State Fair starting on August 24^th, NYSDOL inspectors have been on site performing pre-inspections. Commissioner Roberta Reardon and other NYSDOL staff will also be meeting with vendors prior to Opening Day to go over safety precautions.

“Fair season is a cherished tradition for family fun in every community across New York State,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “Our inspectors conduct very thorough inspections of every piece of equipment to ensure that every ride is safe for all New Yorkers. If you are wondering if your ride is safe, just keep an eye out for the NYSDOL inspection tag.”

NYSDOL inspects all rides at stationary parks outside of New York City at least once a year and inspects rides at traveling carnivals or fairs every time the rides are set up at a new location. A ride cannot legally operate without a permit from NYSDOL. Rides at the New York State Fair are inspected three times prior and during their use. In 2021, the department performed 4,532 inspections on 1,661 amusement devices and issued 1,388 orders to correct violations.

NYSDOL inspections are a three-step process:

• As rides are brought into a fair or festival location, each individual part and component of each individual ride is inspected for defects.
• The ride is assembled and inspected again to ensure that all components have been assembled and are properly secured.
• The operator of the ride is required to run the ride, and it is inspected once more while operating. The person operating the ride is also observed to ensure that he or she is operating the ride correctly.

NYSDOL places dated inspection tags on each ride after it has passed inspection. No ride that fails an inspection is permitted to operate, but these tags allow families to see plainly that the ride has been inspected and deemed safe. Information on the tag includes the name of the ride, the name of the inspector, the date it was inspected, and whether it passed or failed.

Ride safety experts have also issued a number of recommendations to make a day enjoying amusement rides as fun and safe as possible:

• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Keep hands and feet inside the ride while it is moving.
• Don't reach toward fences or barriers.
• Secure loose clothing and long hair.
• Don't drink and ride; you put yourself and others at risk.
• Don't stand or attempt to leave a ride until it comes to a complete stop.
• Check restraining devices to make sure they are properly latched. If the equipment does not work, exit the ride and immediately report the issue to industry.dosh@labor.ny.gov.
• Avoid horseplay; it's dangerous.
• Never attempt to unlock or loosen a restraining device until instructed by the operator.

A list of the events that have been inspected and the businesses that own them, broken down by region, is available online at dol.ny.gov/ride-safe-ny . Rides are inspected in the days leading up to each event, and the database is updated within two weeks of every event. If a ride is operating, it has passed inspection.

To report an unsafe ride, contact NYSDOL at 1-888-4-NYSDOL.

New York City Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking a Kilogram of Fentanyl to Syracuse

 Marvin Antonio Lantigua, age 31, of New York City, pled guilty today to possessing with intent to distribute a kilogram of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, and Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile.

As part of his guilty plea today, Lantigua admitted that in early November 2021, he was in contact with a drug dealer in Syracuse via Facebook. After discussion, Lantigua agreed to deliver 1000 bricks (50,000 bags) of fentanyl from New York City to Syracuse for $75,000.00.  On November 8, 2021, DEA Special Agents, Syracuse Police Detectives, and Syracuse Police Patrol Officers stopped two vehicles on the Court Street exit of Route 81 North, one of which was being driven by Lantigua. A subsequent search of one of the vehicles located two large bags that were found to contain 1007 bricks (50,350 bags) containing fentanyl that totaled approximately one kilogram in weight. After waiving his Miranda rights, Lantigua admitted that he was delivering the fentanyl to Syracuse from New York City as part of a drug deal. At the time of his arrest, Lantigua was on New York State parole in connection with a prior drug felony conviction.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 15, 2022, in Syracuse, at which time the defendant faces a maximum sentence of life and a minimum sentence of ten years in prison, a fine of up to ten million dollars, and a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of between five years and life.

A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. 

Battle of The Political Titans For Bronx County

By Former NYC Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz

You should know that, in the County of the Bronx, the county of Salsarengue (Translation Salsa & Merengue combined) there is a "war" among Political Titans, to determine who will be the next “Capo de Tutti Capi", the Chief of all Chiefs, in the Bronx’s Political Power.

 

Next Tuesday, August 23, when the Democratic Primaries are held, the election results will determine who the new Political Chiefs in Bronx County will be.

 

It is important for you to know that Senator Jamaal Bailey, Chairman of the Bronx Democratic Party, and the leadership of the Democratic Party have joined forces with Congressmen Adriano Espaillat and Richie Torres to replace Puerto Rican Senator Gustavo Rivera with Ms. Miguelina Camilo of Dominican descent.

 

On the other hand, Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio Cortes has placed all her resources, Reputation and Prestige in support of Senator Gustavo Rivera in opposition to the Bronx Political Machine.

 

It is important that you know that Puerto Rican Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortes has become the most influential Hispanic figure Nationally. "AOC", as she is called, has become so influential among the Progressive Wing of the Democratic Party that her name is circulating as a likely candidate for the Presidency of the United States in the not-too-distant future.

 

A victory for Senator Gustavo Rivera next Tuesday, August 28, would certify and seal the political power of AOC, here in Bronx County and Nationally.  AOC and Gustavo Rivera would become the absolute leaders of the County and even Adriano Espaillat, Richie Torres, and Jamaal Bailey would have their days numbered as Elected Officials.

 

My dear readers, if Senator Jaamal Bailey, and Congressmen Adriano Espaillat and Richie Torres, manage to unseat Gustavo Rivera and defeat AOC and her followers, the entire political future of Congresswoman AOC could suffer a Political Cataclysm. This would increase the political strength, influence, and power of Congressman Adriano Espaillat here in the Bronx.

 

You should also know that Bronx County leaders in the past created affordable housing, opportunities, and entitlement programs for Bronx residents.  In contrast, the residents of Washington Heights, in upper Manhattan, have been losing affordable housing and other benefits.   As a result, many Dominican Residents have fled and relocated to the Bronx. Washington Heights has experienced a loss in the Dominican population and political strength. In turn, this has caused the Bronx to become a Dominican stronghold.

 

Congressman Adriano Espaillat, being wise, cunning, and astute, has seen that the Dominican Hispanic force is now in the Bronx, therefore he has been moving his political cannons, and operations to the Bronx.  A win by Miguelina Camilo would seal Espaillat's leadership in the Bronx.

 

The battle among these Political Titans for the Bronx has us waiting to see who or whom will be the new "Capo de Tutti Capi" in Bronx Politics.    On Tuesday, August 28, we will know!!!!!

 

I am Reverend Ruben Diaz, and this is What You Should Know.

This has been corrected to reflect the correct date of the primary which Rev. Diaz incorrectly marked as the 28th in the second paragraph. 

Attorney General James Cracks Down on Tenant Blacklisting

 

Clipper Equity Denied Rental Applications After Obtaining Applicants’ Housing Court Records 

AG James Warns Landlords Against Using Housing Court Records to Conduct Background Checks for Tenant Applicants  

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today continued her efforts to protect New York tenants by cracking down on “tenant blacklisting,” or when landlords use housing court records as a basis to deny a potential tenant’s rental application. Tenant blacklisting was made illegal in 2019 following changes to the Real Property Law, which outlawed efforts to deny housing to renters with a history of landlord-tenant court cases. As a part of her efforts to eliminate tenant blacklisting in New York, Attorney General James took action against, and secured a settlement with, Clipper Equity, LLC (Clipper Equity), a New York City real estate company that denied applicants with past housing court records and violated city and state Human Rights Laws by requiring applicants to disclose their marital status. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has also launched an online complaint form for New Yorkers to report instances in which landlords have engaged in tenant  blacklisting.

“Fair access to housing is a human right. No one should ever be denied that right due to previous, private circumstances often beyond their control, such as an inability to pay rent during a public health and economic crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Attorney General James. “Let this be a reminder to all New York landlords — blacklisting prospective tenants because of their housing court history is an unfair and illegal practice, and it will not go unchecked. I have always stood up for tenants, and my office will continue to fight tenant discrimination and ensure lawless landlords are held accountable.” 

In 2019, the enactment of the New York Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) made it illegal for a property owner or landlord to deny a rental application based on the applicant’s housing court records. If there is documented evidence that a property owner or landlord obtained an applicant’s housing court records and subsequently denied the application, the law presumes the landlord or property owner made the decision to deny based on the applicant’s court records. The burden is on the landlord or property owner to prove the applicant was denied for other reasons. 

To remain in compliance with the law, OAG recommends landlords and property owners refrain from requesting a potential tenant’s court records and rental histories altogether and cease relationships with tenant screening bureaus who continue to provide court records. Any New Yorker who believes that they have been denied an apartment because of their rental history should submit a tenant blacklisting complaint online with OAG. 

In its investigation of Clipper Equity, OAG determined the company had improperly obtained housing court records for 25 potential tenants and then denied housing to seven of those same applicants. The OAG found that Clipper thus violated the law. Clipper also violated city and state Human Rights laws by requiring potential tenants to disclose their marital status. As part of the agreement, Clipper Equity will take the necessary steps to comply with the laws it broke and has committed to ending its discriminatory screening policies. Clipper Equity was also required to produce evidence proving its compliance to OAG, and OAG reserves the right to take further enforcement action if Clipper Equity violates the agreement. 

“Now more than ever, tenants need basic protections against efforts by landlords to deny them access to housing,” said Adriene Holder, chief attorney of civil practice, The Legal Aid Society. “With the lapse of eviction moratoria, coupled with skyrocketing rents and New York City’s exorbitant cost of living, demands for housing is at an all-time high, and government must ensure that landlords abide by the law. The Legal Aid Society thanks Attorney General James for her continued support and advocacy on behalf of tenants statewide.”

This agreement is the latest in Attorney General James’ efforts to protect tenants. Earlier this month, the Attorney General secured more than $400,000 for tenants harassed by Ink Property Group, along with up to $1.75 million for affordable housing and joined New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas in preserving an affordable housing cooperative development in Rockland County. In July 2022, she recovered nearly $300,000 of illegally withheld security deposits for Brooklyn tenants. In June 2022, Attorney General James delivered $50,000 to Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA), a tenant organizing project, from law firm Kucker, Marino, Winiarsky & Bittens LLP after they unlawfully provided improper and damaging legal advice to New York tenants and shut down a landlord for exposing children to lead paint hazards in Syracuse. In April 2022, she sued Brooklyn-based eviction lawyers for engaging in deceptive rent collection practices and initiating frivolous lawsuits against New York tenants.