100PercentBronx

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Governor Cuomo Announces COVID-19 7-Day Average Positivity Rate Drops Below 4% for First Time Since November 30

7-Day Average Positivity Drops to 3.90%, Down 51% from Post-Holiday Peak in Early January & 36 Consecutive Days of Decline

Hospitalizations Drop to 6,888—Lowest Since Christmas Day, Down 916 Past Week, 26% Decline from Post-Holiday Peak in Mid-January

Statewide Daily Positivity Rate Drops to 3.46% —Lowest Since November 25

New York City 7-Day Average Positivity Rate Drops to 4.63%—Lowest Since Christmas Day, Down 28% from Post-Holiday Peak in Early January

1,328 Patients in the ICU; 908 Intubated

125 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

11 New UK Strain Cases in New York State

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State's 7-day average COVID positivity rate dropped to 3.90 percent, the lowest since November 29. The 7-day average positivity rate is down 51 percent from the post-holiday peak in early January and it has declined for 36 consecutive days. Hospitalizations dropped to 6,888, the lowest number since Christmas Day. Hospitalizations are down by 916 this week, a 26 percent decline from the post-holiday peak. The statewide positivity rate dropped to 3.46 percent, the lowest since November 25. New York City's 7-day average positivity rate dropped to 4.63 percent, the lowest since Christmas Day and a decrease of 28 percent from the post-holiday peak.

Eleven additional cases of the UK variant were identified in New York State. Eight were in New York City, two were in Suffolk County and one was in Rockland County, that county's first case. To date, there are 70 known cases of the variant in New York City and in the following counties: Saratoga, Warren, Onondaga, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Ulster, Essex, Jefferson, Tompkins, Allegany and Niagara.

"Hospitalization and infection rates are continuing to fall statewide and New Yorkers should be commended for all their hard work and sacrifice which helped make this a reality," Governor Cuomo said. "If we are to win this war against COVID once and for all, we must keep driving down these rates, as well as to get as many shots into arms as possible. New York has the determination, toughness and vaccination infrastructure to make all of this happen, but our success will ultimately be determined by our willingness to keep making the right decisions and I have every confidence that New Yorkers will continue to do just that."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

Test Results Reported - 253,563
Total Positive - 8,763
Percent Positive - 3.46%
7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.90%
Patient Hospitalization - 6,888 (-180)
Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -916
Patients Newly Admitted - 766
Hospital Counties - 56
Number ICU - 1,328 (-30)
Number ICU with Intubation - 908 (-33)
Total Discharges - 137,276 (+785)
Deaths - 125
Total Deaths - 37,009

Attorney General James Announces $800,000 Grant to Further Combat NYC Deed Theft

AG James Partners with New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Center for NYC Neighborhoods, and Enterprise Community Partners to Expand OAG’s “Protect Our Homes” Initiative

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced an $800,000 grant to the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Center for New York City Neighborhoods (Center) as part of an anti-displacement program aimed at increasing awareness of scams and deed theft in vulnerable neighborhoods. The program uses settlement funds obtained by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and includes a Homeowner Help Desk and a grassroots “support your neighbor” outreach campaign.

The OAG’s expansion of its “Protect Our Homes” initiative is a part of the New York State Anti-Displacement Learning Network, a $10 million program from Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise) that works to preserve community stabilization and allows residents to remain in their homes in 10 municipalities and counties across the state.

“COVID-19 has exposed and expanded the economic pressures New Yorkers were already under, and homeowners in gentrified areas throughout New York City continue to be targeted in schemes designed to steal their homes,” said Attorney General James. “Deed theft is a crime that threatens to rip away homeownership and perpetuates a terrible cycle of displacement. This initiative is critical to helping New Yorkers stay in their homes, and my office will continue to work alongside our government and community partners to combat these predatory and heartless crimes.”

The anti-displacement network grant is a dual-track program aimed at protecting homeowners at risk of financial distress, foreclosure, and displacement in South/Central Brooklyn, Southeast Queens, and the Northeastern Bronx. Using data analysis, the program will identify individual owners at higher risk of becoming the target of scammers and provide targeted outreach to these homeowners. Further, the anti-displacement network grant will support the expansion of the Homeowner Help Desk, which will be staffed by nonprofit housing experts. In addition to individual outreach, the program also includes a comprehensive outreach campaign to provide communities with the information and resources needed to protect themselves and their neighbors against scams. The Homeowner Help Desk will tailor its outreach and services to the most at-risk communities of color, focusing on the specific need to disrupt patterns of fraud, speculation, and displacement, as well as protect home equity built over decades.

“New York City takes the threat of deed theft and scams seriously, and we want to make sure struggling homeowners get the help they need to keep their homes, maintain safe, quality housing, and build equity that can be passed on to the next generation,” said HPD Commissioner Louise Carroll. “Especially in light of the economic effects of COVID-19, we are glad to have the support of Attorney General Letitia James as we work with the Center and so many others to actively reach out to vulnerable homeowners.”

“We are thrilled to work in partnership with the OAG, HPD, and Enterprise to deploy our Homeowner Help Desk so that New Yorkers can protect their homes, assets, and hard earned equity from scams and displacement,” said Christie Peale, CEO/Executive Director of Center for NYC Neighborhoods. “The Help Desk is an especially critical tool for supporting and stabilizing communities of color, reducing the racial wealth gap, and empowering homeowners and their neighbors.”

“Enterprise is pleased to fund this important strategy to ensure that homeowners have the assistance and resources to stay in their homes,” said Elizabeth Zeldin, Director of Enterprise Community Partners. “The ‘Protect our Homes’ expansion is a critical strategy to prevent deed theft and scams and to promote stable homeownership in key NYC neighborhoods.”

Deed theft has become a common tool of career criminals and unscrupulous real estate developers to illegally obtain real estate so they can sell it at a huge profit in high-demand housing markets, like Brooklyn. This illegal scheme especially affects people of color, the elderly, and other vulnerable homeowners who are scammed into signing over the deeds to their homes to con artists. Deed theft usually happens when scammers forge deeds to look like they purchased the home, or when homeowners are tricked into signing their homes over to a scammer without knowing what they are doing. Scammers then seek to evict the homeowner and sell the house to a third party at a significant profit.

In January 2020, Attorney General James launched the office’s “Protect Our Homes” initiative, a program that uses prevention and enforcement actions to combat deed theft in New York City. The OAG also formed an interagency deed theft taskforce with members including the district attorneys from all five boroughs in New York City and the Office of the Sheriff of the City of New York. The anti-displacement program builds off these efforts by focusing on the neighborhoods most at-risk of deed fraud, enlisting community members to talk about deed theft with their neighbors, and educating community members about how to spot deed fraud scams.

Those who believe they have experienced deed theft are encouraged to contact the OAG by calling the help line at 1-800-771-7755, emailing deedtheft@ag.ny.gov, or filling out the online complaint form.

322 Days and Counting

I still have 322 days to go in office.

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/budget/fiscal-year-2022-discretionary-funding-expense-application-filing-period/.

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/81124408605#success

We invite you to join and listen in on this discussion as we are joined by:

NYC Consumer and Worker Protection
NYC Free Tax Prep
Financial Empowerment Center

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."