I still have 322 days to go in office.
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Friday, February 12, 2021
Councilman Mark Gjonaj's NYC Moving Forward Week in Review - 2/12/2021
Dear Friends,
As we enter this Valentine’s Day weekend, this pandemic-era holiday reminds us that through thick and thin, obstacles, hardships and uncertainties - love still prevails and has kept us together during these difficult times.
We are glad that just in time for Valentine’s Day, indoor dining is back in NYC at 25%, a step in the right direction to cautiously bring back this industry, but obviously not enough to save them.
While more than ever businesses are struggling to keep their doors open and their employees on the books, I am glad that as Chair of NYC Council Committee on Small Business, I co-sponsored a bill that passed NYC Council, to extend the moratorium on the City enforcing storefront signage rules for another two years. The midst of a global health pandemic, is not the time to saddle our city’s mom-and-pop shops with additional fees and burdens.
The COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help us get back to normal, but the shortage and difficulty to get an appointment and navigate the system is creating problems for seniors and other categories who are eligible. It is great to see that
Montefiore-Einstein is now offering eligible individuals appointments for the vaccine. by calling 1-844-444-CV19 to schedule an appointment. Yankee Stadium continues to be a mass vaccination site open for Bronx residents by appointment only by calling 1.833.SOMOSNY or visiting somosvaccinations.
The submission deadline to apply for NYC Council discretionary funding for not-for-profit community organizations is on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 and you can still apply at: https://council.nyc.gov/
Remember we have been with you throughout this pandemic and you can count on us with your issues, needs and concerns. We are proud that we have been able to assist so many in need in District 13 as we have given out over 81,000 food boxes, 66,000 masks and so much more.
Although this Valentine Day, testing, taking the vaccine, masking and social distancing are all love language, please find ways to connect with your loved ones by calling and checking on them, support your local restaurants, your local flower shop or your bakery.
Happy Valentine’s Day and do not hesitate to contact my office at 718-931-1721 or email at MGjonaj@council.nyc.gov.
Sincerely,
NYC Councilman Mark Gjonaj
District 13, Bronx
VACCINE FOR ALL: CITY EXPANDS VACCINATION EFFORT FOR SENIORS
Two on-site senior vaccination clinics to launch week of February 15th
Mayor de Blasio today announced a three-pronged plan to vaccinate homebound seniors and the essential frontline home care workers who care for them. Beginning next week, the City will launch on-site senior vaccination clinics and, with the arrival of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in March, stand up a vaccination drive for homebound seniors. To minimize risk for homebound seniors throughout the month of February, the City will aim to vaccinate 25,000 home health aides over the next month, offering dedicated appointments in the areas where they live and work.
"We are moving heaven and earth to get our senior neighbors vaccinated", said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "Now, we are bringing vaccines to seniors right in their communities, ensuring our vaccines go to those who need them most.”
“Throughout the pandemic, we have worked to safeguard and protect our homebound older adults, one of the most vulnerable populations to COVID-19. This plan safeguards their health in a comprehensive manner – vaccinating them close to home and vaccinating homecare workers, who throughout the pandemic have continued visiting and caring for older adults in their home. We are grateful to all homecare workers , who are among New York’s heroes and grateful to our City agency partners and community-based partners who are working together to protect our homebound older adults,” said Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez.
To meet seniors where they are, the City will set up vaccine clinics at DFTA retirement communities and HPD Senior Buildings. Two on-site vaccination clinics will launch the week of February 15th, with additional locations to be identified and prioritized in the coming weeks:
- Warbasse Cares Program (2844 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn)
- Morningside Retirement & Health Services (100 LaSalle Street, Morningside Heights)
The City will also ramp up vaccination for homecare aides, home health aides, and personal care aides. These aides will receive priority appointments at City vaccine sites, as well as increased access to five City workforce hubs. The City will also launch new sites dedicated to serving this population.
Given the instability of the mRNA vaccine, the City will begin using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine when it is available to provide in-home vaccination for homebound seniors. With the help of City agencies, such as FDNY, and our home health care partners, the City aims to provide in-home vaccinations for thousands of homebound seniors.
"Vaccinating vulnerable seniors is a key component of our City's recovery effort and equity plans," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Melanie Harztog. "From opening dedicated vaccine sites for older adults to developing plans to deliver Johnson & Johnson vaccine directly to them at home, these creative strategies will help ensure we reach and protect NYC residents most at risk."
“Vaccinating homebound older adults where they live is crucial to protecting their health and safety,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “Our seniors are among the most vulnerable to this virus, and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to protect them.”
New York City Man Charged With Threatening To Kill Current And Former Elected Officials
Audrey Strauss, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and New York Police Department Commissioner Dermot Shea, announced that RICKEY JOHNSON, a/k/a “Nigel Dawn Defarren,” was arrested last night based on a criminal Complaint filed in Manhattan federal court charging JOHNSON with making threatening interstate communications and threatening United States officials. JOHNSON allegedly posted public videos on Instagram in which he threatened to kill a United States Senator, a member of the United States House of Representatives, other current and former elected officials, and several cable news broadcasters. JOHNSON will be presented before United States Magistrate Gabriel W. Gorenstein in Manhattan federal court today.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Rickey Johnson allegedly threatened to kill several cable news broadcasters and current and former U.S. Senators and members of the House in rage-fueled posts on Instagram and in chilling private messages. Among the many great freedoms Americans enjoy is the right to engage in political discourse, and disagreements are natural and healthy; but when invective metastasizes into threats of harm or even death, law enforcement will act swiftly to bring the person responsible to justice.”
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said: “Rickey Johnson, as alleged in this federal complaint, took aim at the foundations of our shared democracy and way of life, threatening not only elected United States officials but several working journalists. From the earliest stages of this investigation, the NYPD Intelligence Bureau and our partners in the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York worked closely to make sure this individual would be brought to justice.”
As alleged in the Complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court[1]:
On January 30, 2021, JOHNSON sent a private message to a cable news broadcaster that threatened, “you will all be held accountable . . . you will be killed.” JOHNSON’s message threatened by name two additional broadcasters. On February 3, 2021, JOHNSON posted public messages in which he stated that he intended to “kill” two of the same broadcasters.
On February 4, 2021, JOHNSON posted public messages threatening, among others, a United States Senator, a member of the United States House of Representatives, a former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and a governor. For example, JOHNSON declared that the Senator was “dead” and would be “executed,” that JOHNSON was “going to kill” the Representative, and that the governor “will be executed” and “will be killed.” In a public post directed principally at the former Speaker, JOHNSON stated: “I am going to kill you. I’m gonna kill all of you.”
* * *
RICKEY JOHNSON, 47, of New York, New York, is charged with making threatening interstate communications, which carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, and threatening United States officials, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment. The maximum potential penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.
Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD, the NYPD’s Intelligence Bureau, Leads Investigation Unit, and the NYPD’s 23rd Precinct Field Intelligence Team.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew J. DeFilippis and Patrick R. Moroney are in charge of the prosecution.
The charge contained in the Complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.
Assemblymember Nathalia Fernandez - Tax Prep and Financial Counseling Discussion
Hello: On Tuesday, February 16th, our office will be co-hosting a discussion about Free Tax Preparation and Financial Counseling. The discussion will be held between 5:30pm - 6:30pm. Please follow this link to be directed to the zoom discussion. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ We invite you to join and listen in on this discussion as we are joined by:
Best Regards, New York State Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez |
Governor Cuomo Feb. 12, 2021 COVID-19 Indicators and Announces Restaurant and Bar Closing Times to be Extended to 11 P.M. Statewide Beginning Sunday, February 14
7,068 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide - Lowest Since Christmas Day - Hospitalizations down 869 in Past Week
1,358 Patients in the ICU; 941 Intubated
Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity Rate is 4.04% - Lowest Since November 30 - 35 Consecutive Days of Decline
NYC 7-Day Average Positivity Rate is 4.75% - Lowest Since December 26, Down 26% from Early January Peak
Statewide Daily Positivity Rate is 3.54%
NYC Daily Positivity Rate is 3.91% - Lowest Since December 19
135 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that given the continued decline in hospitalization and infection rates throughout New York, closing times for restaurants and bars will be extended from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. statewide beginning Sunday, February 14.
"Our decisions are based on science and data and we adjust as the virus adjusts. The infection rate and hospitalizations have continued to significantly decline," Governor Cuomo said. "Accordingly, we have adjusted with arena and catering hall openings with rigorous testing and limited capacity indoor dining openings in New York City. We will also move the restaurant and bar closing hour from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. statewide on Sunday. We will continue to follow the science and react accordingly. If we keep the infections down and vaccinations up, we will continue to stay ahead in the footrace against this invisible enemy."
Today's data is summarized briefly below:
- Test Results Reported - 237,134
- Total Positive - 8,404
- Percent Positive - 3.54%
- 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.04%
- Patient Hospitalization - 7,068 (-274)
- Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -869
- Patients Newly Admitted - 760
- Hospital Counties - 56
- Number ICU - 1,358 (-44)
- Number ICU with Intubation - 941 (+0)
- Total Discharges - 136,491 (+834)
- Deaths - 135
- Total Deaths - 36,882
NYC PUBLIC PUBLIC ADVOCATE RESPONDS TO CUOMO ADMINISTRATION CONCEALING NURSING HOME DEATH DATA
Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams released the following statement in response to revelations that the Cuomo administration deliberately withheld information about the true toll of COVID-19 in nursing homes in order to avoid an investigation by the Department of Justice.
"The new revelations about both the facts and motivations behind covering up the true toll of the state's mismanagement of nursing homes amid this pandemic are appalling. In trying to avoid Donald Trump's wrath, the Governor instead imitated him.
"In the face of the pandemic, Governor Cuomo asked for and received unprecedented powers to make complex decisions, and he has used them to sideline health advisers, subvert oversight, and shield himself from liability for decisions that have cost New Yorkers' lives. Not only has he skirted accountability, he has avoided even an apology to those who have lost family members as a result of decisions he made. His current rush to reopen amid emerging variants and disparate vaccination distribution- combined with past errors at the onset of the pandemic that made New York the epicenter of the epicenter- further demonstrates the consequences of his unchecked, unrepentant authority.
"Many months ago, I joined Borough President Eric Adams and a coalition of elected officials from across the country in calling for a Department of Justice investigation of city and state responses to the COVID-19 pandemic-- because justice must be pursued, regardless of party. I repeat that call now, under a new federal administration but out of the same moral obligation and with renewed moral outrage at the arrogance the Governor continues to show in making dangerous, misguided decisions and refusing to face the consequences."
info@ocasiocortez.com - If there were ever an emergency
Alexandria just reintroduced a bill in Congress with Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Earl Blumenauer to require President Biden to declare a national climate emergency.
If Congress demands a climate emergency, Biden can redirect billions of dollars of funding toward the production of renewable energy, create millions of high-wage jobs, and upgrade the public infrastructure to expand access to clean and affordable transportation, high-speed broadband, and water.
In 2019, Alexandria and her colleagues introduced a similar resolution and received support from 100+ representatives. Now we have a chance to get majority support with Democrats in control of the House and Senate.
If we’re going to pass this bill and unlock more than 100 presidential powers to tackle the climate crisis, we need to mobilize.
We need to start calling this moment what it is: a national emergency. We are out of time and excuses. Even Majority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed that Biden should declare a climate emergency.
Congress has the power to do it, and they must act. Alexandria is helping lead the way, but she needs the support of a grassroots movement fighting alongside her.
Team AOC has trained hundreds of volunteers who make calls every Saturday during our Green New Deal deep canvassing phone banks to talk with everyday people in our district and beyond about the importance of building back our economy fossil free. All of your support helps us mobilize more volunteers, make more calls, and grow our power for climate justice.
If we want to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, ensure that our nation has an equitable economic recovery, and prevent yet another life-altering crisis – then we need to stand up to the fossil fuel industry and invest in building a just and fair fossil free future.
Team AOC