Wednesday, October 28, 2020

49th Precinct Community Council Meeting

 

As he opened the meeting 49th Precinct Community Council President Joe Thompson said that he hoped that he could continue with live meetings to inform the public about what was going on in the 49th Precinct.

Captain Natiw said that he was nearing the close of his second year as the commanding officer of the 49th Precinct. He went over the CompStat report for the previous twenty-eight days saying there was a total decrease in crime by over ten percent. He added that GLA (Grand Theft Auto) is higher than last year with a major cause being people are double parking to run into a store and leave their car running. A person will jump into the car to use it to go where they would have had to pay for a ride. 

Captain Natiw gave the Cop of the Month award to Police Officer Germaine Peart for his excellent work on a case involving a couple and a gun that was recovered, and found to be used in a robbery. The pair are now in jail. Crime Prevention Officer Tyrone Mederos spoke, warning of new scams that are targeting senior citizens. He said calls, text messages, or emails are being used to say a loved one is in jail, and thousands of dollars in cash cards need to be sent to a certain location or the pin numbers via text or email. He said no government agency will ask for cash cards in lieu of payment. 

After some community organization and elected official reports, having no more business the meeting was adjourned by President Thompson. The captain, and his community affairs officers remained to answer any private questions. 



Above - (L - R) 49th Pct. CC Treasurer Hazel Miura, P,O, Mederos, Captain Natiw, 49 PCT. CC President Joe Thompson, P.O. Graham, 49 Pct.CC Secretary Gene De Francis.

Below - Captain Natiw going over the CompStat report.





The Cop of the Month Award to P.O. Peart.

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Governor Cuomo Announces Travel Advisory Requiring 14-Day Quarantine - OCTOBER 27, 2020

 

California Added to NY's COVID-19 Travel Advisory; No Areas Are Removed

Non-Essential Interstate Travel To And From Massachusetts Discouraged

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 3.65 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 1.53 Percent      

Statewide Positivity Rate is 1.78 Percent 

15 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that California has been added to New York State's COVID-19 travel advisory. No areas have been removed. The advisory requires individuals who have traveled to New York from areas with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days. The quarantine applies to any person arriving from an area with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or an area with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

Neighboring state Massachusetts now meets the criteria for the travel advisory, in addition to Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania - however, given the interconnected nature of the region and mode of transport between the states, a quarantine on these states is not practically viable. That said, New York State highly discourages, to the extent practical, non-essential travel between Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania while they meet the travel advisory criteria. 

"We know COVID is spreading at increased rates in other states and New York State is not in a hermetically sealed bubble. The numbers are a reminder that COVID is still here and continues to spread in communities across the state, particularly when people choose not to follow the safety protocols in place to control the virus. We continue to see outbreaks linked to mass gatherings at houses of worship, at weddings and funerals, and other events where the virus can quickly spread," Governor Cuomo said. "Now, 45 states and territories meet the requirements for our travel advisory. We cannot let our guard down and risk going backwards in New York. It's going to take the work of all of us to remain vigilant. Stay NY Smart - wear a mask, socially distance and follow the public health guidance. It's there to save lives."

Since Guam and Puerto Rico are on the list the only six states that travel is not restricted from are Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 3.65 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 1.53 percent. Within the focus areas, 13,205 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 482 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 98,413 test results were reported, yielding 1,509 positives.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

  • Patient Hospitalization - 1,083 (+24)
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 110
  • Hospital Counties - 47
  • Number ICU - 233 (-4)
  • Number ICU with Intubation - 120 (+2) 
  • Total Discharges - 79,230 (+68)
  • Deaths - 15 
  • Total Deaths - 25,758

BETTER BUSES RESTART: NEW YORK CITY ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF HYLAN BOULEVARD BUS LANES TO PROVIDE FASTER, MORE RELIABLE SERVICE FOR STATEN ISLANDERS

 

Another ‘Better Buses Restart’ project completed this year already improving bus speeds and inter-borough connections for 33,000 daily riders
 
To date, 9.1 miles of bus priority projects completed in 2020

 Mayor de Blasio today announced the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) has completed its extension of the Hylan Boulevard bus lanes, providing faster, more reliable bus service for 33,000 Staten Islanders every day and improving inter-borough connections between Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. This reallocated street space to buses permanently maintains and builds upon the faster bus speeds experienced during the COVID crisis, with speeds up 71% during the afternoon rush over the pre-COVID period. The bus lane is one of four ‘Better Buses Restart’ projects, totaling 9.1 miles, completed so far this year.
 
DOT installed 4.7 miles of new curbside bus lane, extending the northbound lane from Nelson Avenue to Lincoln Avenue, and the southbound bus lane from Lincoln Avenue to Guyon Avenue. The Hylan Boulevard corridor serves the S79 Select Bus Service, the S57 and S78 local routes, and eight express bus routes.
 
“Staten Island needs faster and more reliable buses, and these bus lane extensions mean easier commutes for tens of thousands of riders every day,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Rebuilding a fairer and better city means doubling down on public transportation, I look forward to continuing to improve car-free options in every borough.”
 
“Throughout this pandemic it’s become even more apparent how much of a critical role buses play in New York City and the extension of bus lanes on Hylan Boulevard benefits tens of thousands of Staten Islanders,” said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin. “Every borough will continue to see further innovations and investments in public transportation, as that continues to remain the future of mobility for this City.”
 
“Buses have played a vital role during the COVID-19 crisis, keeping our frontline workers moving during the shutdown, and now helping more and more New Yorkers get around the five boroughs during recovery,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “We thank Mayor de Blasio for making the Hylan Boulevard project a key component of the Better Buses Restart, so we could move quickly to extend the bus lanes to cover what Staten Islanders know is the busiest part of the corridor.”
 
Average northbound bus speeds are now at 11.8 mph during the AM rush, a 28% increase over the pre-COVID-era speed of 9.2 mph, while southbound buses are now averaging 14.9 mph during the PM rush, up 71% from pre-COVID-era speeds of 8.7 mph for southbound buses during the PM rush.
 
DOT continues to deliver on the mayor’s record-setting Better Buses Restart plan, which aims to increase bus speeds and reliability along major corridors in all five boroughs. The agency has also continued implementing bus priority projects throughout the city, including the Jay Street Busway Pilot and Malcolm X Blvd in Brooklyn, 149th Street in the Bronx, and the 14th Street bus lane extension in Manhattan.
 
Hylan Boulevard Project Details:
  • Northbound bus lane: Nelson Avenue to Lincoln Avenue Hours in effect: 6 AM – 9 AM, M-F
  • Southbound bus lane: Lincoln Avenue to Guyon Avenue Hours in effect: 3 PM – 7 PM, M-F
  • Emergency vehicles are permitted to access the bus lane, and vehicles may use the bus lane to make a right turn
 
NYC DOT created a Community Advisory Board (CAB) made up of bus riders, community members, and elected officials, who met to discuss and advise on the project. DOT will continue to provide feedback to the CAB in the coming months. All presentations to the CAB are available at http://nyc.gov/busprojects.
 
NYC DOT will monitor traffic and bus speeds to study the impacts of the new bus lanes and continue to provide public updates on progress.
 
“Dedicated bus lanes on Staten Island such as these are needed to speed up what is already one of the lengthiest commutes in the country, and to get people out of their cars government has to incentivize people to take mass transit. I hope to see the improved bus speeds experienced during the pandemic by our SIM Express Bus commuters, particularly along this Hylan Boulevard corridor, maintained as a result to this Better Buses Restart project,” said Borough President Jimmy Oddo.

The De Blasio Morning Chat with the Usual Limit of Eight Reporters Asking Questions

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Good morning, everybody. Well, we, as New Yorkers – we know we're all connected to each other. We pride ourselves in being a place that really feels a deep sense, an amazing sense of connection to people not only in our own neighborhood, our own city, but all over the world. That's been one of the great blessings of New York City. But in the pandemic, it's also clear that being connected to each other all over the country, all over the world, creates a real challenge. We know that as New Yorkers we've worked together to overcome this virus, to fight it back. We also know we have to be really careful and vigilant to protect ourselves, to protect our loved ones, to protect our city going forward. And so that question of being interconnected comes into play in a big way. In this city there's been a clear understanding of how important it is to wear masks, practice social distancing, take those smart precautions. We know in a lot of the rest of the country and a lot of the rest of the world, that hasn't been the case. And we see skyrocketing levels of coronavirus in so many other places. So, now comes a big challenge ahead – the season of the year when people travel the most. And it's a time we cherish. The holiday season is such a special time for all of us. It's going to be very different this year. We all know that. And yet we're going to feel that pull to want to be with our family, want to be with our loved ones. We're going to feel that pull to do what we would do in a normal year, but it's not a normal year. So, the holidays would normally be a time to go see people in other places. But this year we have to think differently. This year, when we, ironically and painfully, we want to see family the most, we want to see loved ones and friends the most, we're feeling that lack of connection, but this is the year where we have to do things differently because we do see the level of infection rising all over the country, all over the world. We have a real threat of a second wave here in New York City, and we've been fighting it back, but we can't take it lightly. So, most importantly, I want to recommend to all New Yorkers, it's not business as usual. I hate to say it, but I have to urge all New Yorkers, do not travel out of state for the holidays. Do not travel to a state with a high infection rate, do not travel to a country with a high infection rate. Realize that by doing that, unfortunately, you could be putting yourself and your family in danger and also the risk of bringing the disease back here.  

  

Everyone's going to make their own decision. And I know there are painful choices, especially if you haven't seen family in a long time, and you're worried about older relatives in other places, I get it. There's going to be tough choices to make, and everyone has to make their own choice. But my recommendation based on the information I've received from our health care leadership is to avoid travel this holiday season, to stay safe, to keep us all safe. And for those who do travel, recognize how important it is to get tested and recognize there's a very strict quarantine in New York State. And if you go elsewhere, you will have to observe a two-week quarantine coming back. There's a few states that's not true for, but only a few states. The vast majority of American states now are on the New York State quarantine list. Obviously, we see what's happening in a lot of the countries in the world. If you travel, the overwhelming likelihood is you need to quarantine for two weeks upon return. And we've got to take that seriously. Now, that's what I'm urging all New Yorkers to consider. And it's tough and it's painful. But hopefully what we know about this virus is, it is only for a brief period of time, more and more good news coming, it looks like, about a vaccine soon. This hopefully will be the only holiday season that gets affected by this horrible disease. But that's my advice to everyday New Yorkers.   

  

But now let me urge the federal government to act as well because what's been shocking is the inaction of the federal government throughout this crisis. But here's an opportunity right now for the federal government to finally get it right – growing coronavirus crisis around the country and around the world, holiday season coming, lots of travel planned. Guess what? This is a moment for the federal government to take a decisive act and actually make sure that if people do travel, they are safe. This is a moment for the federal government to create a mandate that anyone who gets on an airplane has had a negative coronavirus test within the previous 72 hours. A simple, common sense standard. You have to have proof of a negative result to get on an airplane. This is so smart for everyone who travels to protect each other as travelers. It's so smart to reduce the potential spread of the disease from place to place. I remind you, you can expect airplanes to be very full going into the holidays. A number of airlines are now talking about, they want people in the middle seats to make the most money possible. You've got people all the time in Washington talking about bailing out the airline industry. Guess what? It's not about the airline industry. It's about your health, your family's health, this city's health and safety, the country. That's where we should be thinking about. A federal mandate that says no one gets to go on that airplane unless they can prove they've had a recent negative test result will keep us all safe. So, this is what we will be fighting for. And this is for both international and domestic flights, because we see challenges from many, many places. Further, we need to build upon some really great efforts that have started to have testing available right in the airports for folks coming off planes in New York City at LaGuardia and JFK. Those projects have started. It's a great initiative. We want to go farther. We want to make it easy and clear that anyone coming off a plane should immediately get tested as well. We know testing has made all the difference. Why don't we use that tool that we know works to protect people who travel and protect all of us? I know New Yorkers believe in being tough and rigorous in fighting this disease. This is the kind of thing that would help us so much.   

  

All right, now, talk about our health and safety. We have another challenge. We focus constantly on the coronavirus. We can't take our eye off the ball when there are other problems developing, and one of the painful side effects of the coronavirus has been that the blood supply for New York City has been reduced greatly. There just aren't the blood drives that used to happen in companies and government offices, and civic groups around the city used to do these blood drives and make sure that there was a blood supply to protect New Yorkers in hospitals, protect people having operations. The blood supply has continued to go down in this crisis. So, it is so important that New Yorkers step up. We've asked a lot of you throughout this crisis, but I'm going to ask again, anyone who can donate blood, we need you to do it now. And I always hear from New Yorkers saying how can I help, what can I do to help this city, what can I do to contribute? Here's a way – for those who can, here's a way to help by donating blood. So, to fight back this shortage, we turn to our friends at the New York Blood Center who are always there for the people in this city. And all they're doing is asking you to lend a hand, or more accurately an arm, and provide that blood that will make such a difference that literally could save a life. So, to make a blood donation, they have locations all over the city and extended hours, the New York Blood Center, reach them nybc.org. It can make such a difference. It can be literally a lifesaver.   

  

Okay, let's go over our daily indicators. Number one, daily number of people admitted to New York City hospitals for a suspected COVID-19. That threshold is 200 patients. Today's report is 60 patients with a confirmed positivity for COVID, level of 21.6 percent. Number two, new reported cases on a seven-day average, threshold is 550 cases. Today's report, 528 cases. And number three, the percentage of people testing positive citywide for COVID-19, threshold is five percent. Today's report, 2.48 percent. And that's obviously a number we're watching carefully. That's a number that would obviously cause us all concern, but then let's look at the more essential number, the seven-day rolling average, that comes in at 1.66 percent. That is very much the range we've been in in the last few weeks. That's a number that is fairly stable. We want to keep it that way and then push it back down. 


EDITOR'S NOTE:


We do not put the questions from the eight reporters the mayor chooses to call on and chat with. They are allowed to ask two questions rather than have eight more reporters ask the mayor real questions.


We congratulate Errol Lewis for calling Mayor Bill de Blasio a LAME DUCK MAYOR. There should be a count down pad of the number of days he has left in office, like the ones he used for the census, and is using for election day.


Consumer Alert: New York State Division of Consumer Protection Offers Fire Safety Tips During Fire Prevention Month

 

October is Fire Prevention Month and the Perfect Time to Review and Practice Fire Safety; Winter Months are the Peak Time for Fire-Related Deaths

 The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP), in partnership with the United States Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC), advises New Yorkers to “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen” during Fire Prevention Month. 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported 499,000 structure fires in the United States in 2018. In New York State alone, 126 civilian home fire fatalities were reported in 2019.  According to NFPA, the top causes of fires include gas leaks, smoking, candles, and electrical problems. Cooking continues to be the number one cause of home fires and home injuries, but it is also highly preventable. 

“As we hunker down this winter and approach a holiday season full of home traditions, it is more important than ever that we secure our homes inside and out,” said New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado. “I encourage all New Yorkers to follow simple tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable season.”

“Fire is the most likely disaster anyone will face,” said State Fire Administrator Francis Nerney. “The good news is that unlike other natural disasters, fire deaths are almost totally preventable. One death is too many if it could have been prevented. With good fire prevention practices and fire safety planning almost all fire fatalities can be eliminated.” 

Be alert and use these tips to protect your family and home:

 Cooking Safely

  • Never leave cooking unattended. Always “stand by your pan” and avoid being distracted while cooking.
  • Make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it.
  • Keep your smoke alarm connected while cooking.
  • If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check on it regularly and use a timer or your virtual assistant to remind you that you are cooking.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, towels or food packaging away from your stove top.
  • Once a child is able to, let them help in the kitchen. It’s a great way to learn about cooking safety. Make sure to have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove.

Alarms

  • Have a smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside each sleeping room, and outside each separate sleeping area. Interconnect the alarms so when one sounds, they all sound.
  • Install smoke alarms and alert devices to help family members who are deaf or hard of hearing.
    • Alert devices, such as strobe lights, flash when the smoke alarm sounds.
    • Pillow or bed shakers may be useful to wake a person who is sleeping.
  • Test your alarms at least once a month. Press each test button to make sure it is working. 

Safety Plans

  • Plan and practice your home fire safety plan, including two exits from each room. Share the plan with all family members and guests.
  • Have a plan specifically for children, older adults, and people with disabilities. They may need more assistance than others in the household.
  • Remove clutter to prevent trips and falls and allow for a quick escape.
  • Make sure your home has bright lighting in stairways to prevent falls.
  • Install handrails along the full length of both sides of the stairs.
  • If there is a fire, get outside quickly and stay outside. Then call 9-1-1.
  • If you can’t get outside, call 9-1-1 and let the fire department know. Wave a light-colored cloth or a flashlight from the window.
  • Avoid smoke if you can. If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist and empower the State’s consumers. The Division’s Consumer Helpline, 800-697-1220, is available Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Consumer complaints can be filed anytime online at the Division website, www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. You can also request a presentation at, www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection/informing/request_presentation.htm. Follow the Division on Twitter at @NYSConsumer or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Our Member AARP Reach invites you to join COVID-19 Roundtable

 

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - OCTOBER 26, 2020

 

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 3.25 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 1.18 Percent      

Statewide Positivity Rate is 1.45 Percent 

12 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday 

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

"New York flattened the curve and we continue to control this virus," Governor Cuomo said. "The data shows that our micro-cluster strategy is working, by stopping small spreads before they become larger. The strategy relies on government being quick, competent and effective - and this is how we are going to control spread through the vaccination period. New York had the highest infection rate in the country, if not on the globe, but New Yorkers came together like no other community and were able to control the virus and flatten the curve."

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 3.25 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 1.18 percent. Within the focus areas, 10,452 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 340 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 71,665 test results were reported, yielding 851 positives. 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

  • Patient Hospitalization - 1,059 (+44) 
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 116  
  • Hospital Counties - 44 
  • Number ICU - 237 (+10) 
  • Number ICU with Intubation - 118 (+0) 
  • Total Discharges - 79,162 (+70)
  • Deaths - 12 
  • Total Deaths - 25,742  

Governor Cuomo and Mariah Kennedy Cuomo Announce New York State to Partner with The Realreal to Launch "Mask Up" Campaign

 

To Benefit COVID-19 Relief Efforts and Build Awareness of Need to Wear Masks

Limited-Edition "New York Tough" Mask Designed By Public School Will Raise Funds for New Yorkers in Need 

Mask Profits to be Donated to COVID-19 Relief Charities Feeding America, Nurse Heroes and the New York COVID Relief Fund to Help Food Insecurity and Support Nurses 

 Governor Andrew Cuomo and his daughter Mariah Kennedy Cuomo announced New York State is partnering with The RealReal and dozens of New York fashion designers to launch "Mask Up", a campaign to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts and remind the public of the need to wear masks.  The "Mask Up" campaign will raise funds for communities impacted by COVID-19 by donating mask profits to three charities working in New York and across the country to help people in need - Feeding America, Nurse Heroes and the New York COVID Relief Fund. New York State and The RealReal will release a limited-edition "New York Tough" mask designed by acclaimed New York fashion label Public School as part of a five-week campaign featuring themed weekly mask drops. 

"As we continue the fight against COVID-19, one fact is clear - masks help stop the spread and save lives. But it's also clear that COVID fatigue is setting in and that presents its own challenge," Governor Cuomo said. "We need to find creative ways to encourage people to wear masks. The Mask Up campaign leverages the creativity of the New York fashion community to help solve this public health challenge, while simultaneously raising funds for communities impacted by COVID-19. Take a look at the NY Tough masks and mask up. Together, we will beat this virus." 

"At a time when so many are looking for a way to make a difference, wearing a mask has the power to save lives, and is a statement about who you are," Mariah Kennedy Cuomo said. "The Mask Up campaign unites incredible designers who are deeply connected to New York, the fashion capital of our country. The RealReal and New York State are partnering to harness the power of the fashion community to convey a very simple, but critically important message: Mask Up. Stop the Spread. Save Lives! Our country is still battling COVID-19, and this campaign demonstrates that we can find fun, creative ways to make an impact."