Saturday, September 17, 2022

THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING UNDOCUMENTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Former NYC Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz

You should know, that much has been written about the dangers and risks, that millions of undocumented immigrants take to enter America illegally.
 
Although it is true that those entering this country illegally risk their lives on their treacherous journey, little is said or written about the benefits they receive when crossing America’s borders. How this country grants them benefits and social services that are not so easily granted to many American Citizens.
 
We can all agree that the situation of the illegal immigrants is a painful one, and that we should keep them in our constant prayer. Nevertheless, we must also acknowledge the plight of the American Citizens due to these open borders and the influx of illegal crossings. Americans are all affected, the Elderly, Parents, children, and complete families are dispossessed, daily, losing their homes and apartments for not having enough to pay their debts. The homeless population among Americans and Veterans is in the thousands with many living in shelters and on the streets.   On the other hand, the undocumented, non-citizen will be accommodated in 4- and 5-star hotels in the City of New York at a cost of $400.00 per night, free of charge, and paid for by the American Taxpayer.
 
As for Health Services, many Americans, do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. When they can’t meet their health care costs, their salary is threatened with garnishment, or denied health care, or they will just have to do without. But the undocumented not only has their health care needs met without any risks, but in addition to their healthcare needs, they also have access to the nation’s social services, education, housing, jobs, and economic aid, etc. 
 
To add insult to injury, you should know that today I learned that the Republican Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, rented two planes, paid for by the State of Florida, to transport undocumented immigrants to "Martha’s Vineyard" in the State of Massachusetts.  You should also Know that Martha’s Vineyard is one of the most prestigious, exclusive, and luxurious locations in the United States. This is where millionaires reside and vacation. 
 
Martha’s Vineyard is known to be for the elites such as the Kennedys, The Obamas, The Clinton's, Onassis and celebrities like Meg Ryan, Spike Lee, Oprah Winfrey, among many others.  
 
Many American Citizens may not even know where Marthas Vineyard is, nor have they ever visited this prestigious island, nor could they ever visit Martha's Vineyard even if they wanted to.
 
It is important for you to know that this privilege of free transportation and being accommodated on Martha’s Vineyard has never been granted to any low- or middle-income American. One Night's Stay on Marthas Vineyard comes at a cost that only millionaires can afford, and it's something the rest of us can only dream of having such a privilege.   
 
So, my dear reader as you can see, the privileges that are being granted to the people of the world who cross the American borders illegally are immense. Many might risk their lives because they know that by doing so the benefits and opportunities that awaits them are innumerable, better than those of some legal residents of this State and Nation.
 
No other sovereign nation in the world would ignore the security of their nation’s borders, much less ignore the needs of its citizens, and grant more benefits to the foreigners who entered their country illegally. No other country on earth would force their citizens into a position where they must compete for the nation’s vital services and resources.

We have heard the many complaints, according to news reports, that the undocumented immigrants are being deceived in order to transport them to places like New York, Martha's Vineyard, Washington, D.C. , etc., etc.   These same people were silent and did not criticize President Biden when he was secretly transporting the illegal immigrants, in the darkness of night, to different states of the Nation, until it was exposed when these planes and buses arrived in Westchester County in New York State. 
 
What the Biden Administration did when it opened the American borders, was create a magnet for the people of the world to come, it created chaos throughout America, it put us all in danger, it has caused division among the American people and among the States. Therefore, I ask you to join me in prayer. We must unite and pray for God to Bless America and protect us from the treacherous path it is on. 
 
I Am Rev. Ruben Diaz, and This Is What You Should Know.

Friday, September 16, 2022

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

Clinical specimen testing for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) at Wadsworth Laboratory

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

15 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday


 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.    

"With the fall season almost upon us, I urge New Yorkers to remain vigilant and to use the tools that are available to keep themselves, their loved ones, and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Take advantage of the vaccine by staying up to date on doses. Test before gatherings or travel and if you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options."

Last week, Governor Hochul announced the availability of bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for anyone age 12 or older and from Moderna for those 18 or older. To schedule an appointment for a booster, New Yorkers should contact their local pharmacy, county health department, or healthcare provider; visit vaccines.gov; text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.   

Today's data is summarized briefly below:   

  • Cases Per 100k - 22.41 
  • 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 20.42  
  • Test Results Reported - 59,068  
  • Total Positive - 4,380  
  • Percent Positive - 7.47%**   
  • 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.72%**      
  • Patient Hospitalization - 2,063 (-77) 
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 338 
  • Patients in ICU - 217 (-5)  
  • Patients in ICU with Intubation - 81 (-2) 
  • Total Discharges - 341,702 (391) 
  • New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 15  
  • Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 57,906 

** 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 - 73,978  

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.      

  • Total vaccine doses administered - 40,164,502         
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 5,686
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 31,682
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 93.3%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 84.7%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 88.5%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 85.5%
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 75.0%
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 83.4%
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 75.4%
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 92.2%
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 78.6%
Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:

Borough  

Tuesday,  

September  

13, 2022 

Wednesday,  

September  

14, 2022 

Thursday,  

September  

15, 2022 

Bronx 

5.67% 

5.58% 

5.75% 

Kings 

4.47% 

4.20% 

4.29% 

New York 

5.07% 

4.97% 

5.08% 

Queens 

6.66% 

6.52% 

6.47% 

Richmond 

5.84% 

5.56% 

5.57%