Monday, January 18, 2021
Representative Adriano Espaillat Urges Incoming Biden Administration to Keep Its Promise Creating Pathway to Citizenship for 11 Million Immigrants
Governor Cuomo Requests to Purchase COVID-19 Vaccines Directly from Pfizer
Vaccine Demand Dramatically Outpaces Supply from Federal Government
CDC Dramatically Expanded Eligibility for the Vaccine; More Than 7 Million New Yorkers Are Now Eligible for Small Number of Available Vaccines
Click Here to View the Letter
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today issued a letter to Pfizer Chairman and CEO Dr. Albert Bourla asking for the ability to purchase COVID-19 vaccines directly from Pfizer, as the company is not bound by commitments that Moderna made under Operation Warp Speed.
The full text of the letter is available below:
Monday, January 18, 2021
Dear Dr. Bourla:
On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to thank you and the teams at Pfizer and BioNTech for your hard work to develop a safe, effective vaccine for COVID-19. The last ten months have been exceptionally dark — but your efforts have provided a bright light at the end of the tunnel and hope for a better future. It is abundantly clear that these vaccines are the weapons that will finally win the war against COVID-19. But with hospitalizations and deaths increasing across the country this winter, we are in a footrace with the virus, and we will lose unless we dramatically increase the number of doses getting to New Yorkers. After myself and seven other governors called on the Trump Administration to release more doses, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said that relief was on the way. To date, however, the federal government has not acted on that promise — in fact, New York will receive just 250,000 doses this week, 50,000 fewer than the week prior.
Because you are not bound by commitments that Moderna made as part of Operation Warp Speed, I am requesting that the State of New York be permitted to directly purchase doses from you. The distribution of any doses obtained directly from Pfizer will follow the rigorous guidance the State has established, while enabling us to fill the dosage gap created this week by the outgoing federal administration. All of this will further our goal to vaccinate 70 to 90 percent of New Yorkers as soon as possible and reach herd immunity.
You no doubt understand the challenges New York and other states face. Shifting guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention drove the number of New Yorkers eligible and prioritized for the vaccine from 5 million to 7 million practically overnight. The federal administration essentially opened up a floodgate while cutting our supply — leading to confusion, frustration, and dashed hopes.
Pfizer is a New York company - something I am greatly proud of. The company's decision to opt out of Operation Warp Speed, which the Biden administration plans to overhaul, puts it in a unique situation that could help us save lives right here in New York. I am happy to discuss this matter further with you.
Sincerely,
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Sunday, January 17, 2021
Bronx Progressives January Virtual General Meeting
Join Fellow Progressives for our January Virtual General Meeting!
Greetings and Welcomes (2 Mins.)
Quick review of the agenda (3 Mins.)
House Rules (3 Mins.)
Introducing George Diaz (3 Mins)
George Diaz speaks (20 Mins.)
- Q&A (10 Mins.)
- New Business/Announcements
- February Annual Meeting
- Reminder to review and be ready to vote on Bylaws at TBD. Link to bylaws:
- Special Elections in CD11 and CD24. March 23. Discuss Early Voting, Absentee, Election Day
- Working Group discusses idea plans for 2021
VACCINE FOR ALL: CITY TO OFFER TRANSPORTATION FOR NYC SENIORS
Beginning this week, seniors age 65 or older who are unable to make their own arrangements and need transportation to and from a COVID-19 vaccination appointment can sign up for transportation through the City, Mayor de Blasio announced today.
"We are moving heaven and earth to get our senior neighbors vaccinated", said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "Now, seniors who need a ride to an appointment will get one, ensuring our vaccines go to those who need them most.”
“I would like to thank our network of senior centers and providers, who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic providing critical services to thousands of older adults, and are ready to mobilize transportation services and assist them in getting to their vaccination appointments. I also would like to thank the City, the Vaccine Command Center, and partners for ensuring we never forget our commitment to older adults as New York is an age inclusive city,” said Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez.
Older New Yorkers age 65 and over who make an appointment for vaccine at a City-operated site will be asked whether they have a way to get to and from their appointment. If they require transportation, they will be screened and directed to transportation options, including Access-a-Ride, ambulette services, cab service via Curb and in a few weeks, transportation by select Senior Center programs. DFTA providers will be able to reach out and link seniors to transportation through phone outreach, ensuring that every senior knows the range of available options. In total, the City will offer approximately 10,000 rides per week.
To reach all New Yorkers age 65 and over, the City will broaden its outreach in partnership with nonprofit partners and trusted community leaders. With a comprehensive outreach campaign to be spearheaded by the Vaccine Planning Workgroup for Older New Yorkers, the City is partnering with local organizations to get the word out about safe and accessible vaccinations in New York City - knocking on doors, placing direct calls and robocalls, holding virtual townhalls, delivering flyers, and partnering with local health providers and more.
On-site vaccination clinics for seniors living in NYCHA developments are also up and running, providing on-site vaccinations for residents 65 and older. Clinics at Van Dyke I & II Houses in Brooklyn, Cassidy Lafayette Houses in Staten Island, and Polo Grounds Towers in Manhattan are currently open, with plans to move to different sites across the city in the coming weeks.
Prominent Leaders Voice Strong Support for Attorney General James’ Lawsuit Against NYPD
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Saturday, January 16, 2021
Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State’s Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - JANUARY 16, 2021
Additional Case of UK Variant in Tompkins County Brings Total Cases to 17
8,888 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide
1,580 Patients in the ICU; 983 Intubated
Statewide Positivity Rate is 5.77%
157 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. An additional case of the UK variant was identified in Tompkins County. To date, there are 17 known cases of the variant in New York State.
"New York is fighting to beat back COVID as we distribute the limited vaccine available as quickly as possible," Governor Cuomo said. "We're deploying all the tools in our toolbox—making sure hospitals have enough capacity and conducting ever-higher numbers of tests—to keep New Yorkers as safe as possible. But our actions as individuals and as communities to stay socially distanced, wear masks and wash our hands are of vital importance, as is the willingness of local governments to enforce the rules. When communities decide to slow the spread, it will slow down. It's purely a function of our actions."
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
- Test Results Reported - 277,286
- Total Positive - 15,998
- Percent Positive - 5.77%
- Patient Hospitalization - 8,888 (+80)
- Patients Newly Admitted - 1,144
- Hospital Counties - 56
- Number ICU - 1,580 (+10)
- Number ICU with Intubation - 983 (+21)
- Total Discharges - 114,868 (+949)
- Deaths - 157
- Total Deaths - 32,725