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Sunday, February 14, 2021
Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - Beyond the "Encuentro" Virtual Artist Talk
Governor Cuomo Signs Executive Order Extending Restaurants, Bars & Other SLA-Licensed Entities Closing Times to 11 P.M. Statewide FEBRUARY 14, 2021
11 P.M. Closing Time Extended to Gyms and Fitness Centers, Casinos, Billiards Halls, Takes Effect Today
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that, given the continued decline in hospitalization and infection rates throughout New York State, he has signed Executive Order 202.94 extending closing times for bars, restaurants, gyms and fitness centers, casinos, billiards halls, as well as other State Liquor Authority-licensed establishments, from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. statewide beginning today.
"Hospitalizations and the positivity rate continue to decline, and with the holiday surge now in our rear-view mirror, we must keep taking steps to further re-open the economy safely and responsibly," Governor Cuomo said. "Accordingly, I have already signed an Executive Order to move the closing times for restaurants and bars to 11 p.m. statewide, and now we will do the same for gyms and fitness centers, casinos, billiards halls and any other location with an SLA license. As we move forward, we will continue to follow the science and data and take these kinds of steps to help us finally return to normal."
On Friday, the Governor announced closing times for restaurants and bars would be extended from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. statewide, and this executive order extends that closing time for gyms or fitness centers, casinos, billiards halls, as well as any State Liquor Authority-licensed establishment.
E X E C U T I V E O R D E R No. 202.94
Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency
WHEREAS, on March 7, 2020, I issued Executive Order Number 202, declaring a State disaster emergency for the entire State of New York; and
WHEREAS, both travel-related cases and community contact transmission of COVID-19 have been documented in New York State and are expected to continue;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 29-a of Article 2-B of the Executive Law to temporarily suspend or modify any statute, local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation, or parts thereof, of any agency during a State disaster emergency, if compliance with such statute, local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation would prevent, hinder, or delay action necessary to cope with the disaster emergency or if necessary to assist or aid in coping with such disaster, do hereby continue the suspensions and modifications of law and any directives, unless superseded, modified or otherwise expired, made by Executive Order 202 and each successor Executive Order to 202, for thirty days until March 16, 2021, and do hereby temporarily suspend or modify the following from the date of this Executive Order through March 16, 2021:
- Sections 201, 202, and 203 of the Eminent Domain Procedure Law, to the extent necessary to permit the MTA or subsidiary entities to hold public hearings remotely and through use of telephone conference, video conference, and/or other means of transmission, provided that public comments must be permitted electronically or by mail, and to permit all required documentation and records to be available electronically upon request; and
- Subdivision 3 of section 5-304 of the Election Law, only to the extent necessary to provide that for the calendar year 2021, the deadline for a change of enrollment, or a new enrollment, of a registered voter shall be accepted by the Board of Elections through the next business day following February 14th, and any such change of enrollment received by the Board of Elections shall be processed until February 16, 2021, whether or not transmitted prior to February 14th.
IN ADDITION, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 29-a of Article 2-B of the Executive Law to issue any directive during a disaster emergency necessary to cope with the disaster, I hereby issue the following directives for the period from the date of this Executive Order through March 16, 2021:
- The directive contained in Executive Order 202.74 that required all businesses that are licensed by the State Liquor Authority under sections 63 and 79 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law (“liquor stores” and “wine stores”) to cease all off premises sales and close at or before 10:00PM, is modified only to the extent that all such businesses shall cease off premises sales and close at or before at 11:00PM;
- The directive contained in Executive Order 202.74 that required all restaurants, irrespective of whether such restaurant is licensed by the State Liquor Authority, to cease in-person dining at 10:00PM, is hereby modified only to the extent that all such restaurants shall cease in-person dining at or before 11:00PM;
- The directive contained in Executive Order 202.74 that required all businesses that are licensed by the State Liquor Authority for on premises service of alcoholic beverages, to cease all on premises service and consumption of food and beverages (including alcoholic beverages), inside or outside, at or before 10:00PM is hereby modified only to the extent that all such businesses shall cease all on premises service and consumption of food and beverages (including alcoholic beverages), inside or outside, at or before 11:00PM; and provided further licensees operating bowling alleys or casinos shall cease all operations at or before 11:00PM.
- The directive contained in Executive Order 202.74 that required any gym or fitness center to cease operation and close to the public at 10:00PM is hereby modified only to the extent that any such business shall cease operation and close to the public at 11:00PM.
G I V E N under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State in the City of Albany this fourteenth day of February the year two thousand twenty-one.
BY THE GOVERNOR
Secretary to the Governor
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Governor Cuomo Announces Mass Vaccination Sites to Increase Capacity for Individuals with Comorbidities and Underlying Conditions, Who Can Begin to Schedule Appointments Sunday Morning
Appointments Coming Online on Sunday and Throughout the Following Weeks at State Mass Vaccination Sites
As of 11 AM today, New York's Health Care Distribution Sites Have Administered 90% of the Total First Doses Received from Federal Government
Vaccine Dashboard Will Update Daily to Provide Updates on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker; Dashboard Now Includes Demographic Data
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's vaccination program and announced that individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions can use the 'Am I Eligible' website starting tomorrow morning. As of 11AM today, New York's health care distribution sites have received 2,129,135 first doses and already administered 90 percent or 1,923,259 first dose vaccinations and 83 percent of first and second doses. The week 9 allocation from the federal government continues being delivered to providers for administration.
"Our vaccine supply is going up, the positivity rate is going down and we're getting one step closer to winning the war against COVID each day," Governor Cuomo said. "The numbers show that we're moving in the right direction, and to maintain this trajectory we must win the footrace between vaccinating New Yorkers as quickly and fairly as possible and keeping the infection rate down. We have the infrastructure in place to get shots in arms as quickly as possible - we just need the supply to do it - and with a new leader in Washington we're finally beginning to get more supply, allowing us to open vaccination appointments up to New Yorkers with comorbidities starting next week. We can almost see the light at the end of this dark tunnel, and it is critical that all New Yorkers continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing and act responsibly so that we can defeat this beast once and for all."
The 'Am I Eligible' screening tool will be updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions at 8AM on Sunday, with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. Starting next week, local health departments will also receive vaccine allocations for these individuals. People can use the following to show they are eligible:
- Doctor's letter, or
- Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
- Signed certification
Approximately 7 million New Yorkers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. The federal government has increased the weekly supply by more than 20 percent over the next three weeks, but New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.
Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state's vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government's Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11AM today is as follows. The allocation totals below include 80 percent of the week 9 allocation which will finish being distributed to New York provider sites on Sunday. The total week 9 allocation is also inclusive of some excess vaccine doses that have been reallocated from the federal Long Term Care Facility program.
STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN
First Doses Received - 2,129,135
First Doses Administered - 1,923,259; 90%
Second Doses Received - 1,129,450
Second Doses Administered - 772,510
NYPD Announces Citywide Crime Statistics for January 2021
For the month of January 2021, New York City saw reductions in every major index crime with the exception of grand larceny auto (GLA). Overall index crime fell 21% compared with January 2020, driven by a 32% reduction in grand larceny (2546 v. 3788). There were also fewer murders in January 2021 compared to the previous year (25 v. 27). Shooting incidents, however, increased to 77 v. 66 in January 2020 (+16.7%).
The NYPD remains fully committed to curtailing gun violence on the streets of New York City. To that end, our officers continue to make increasing numbers of gun arrests across the five boroughs. For the month of January 2021, there were 486 gun arrests. This is an increase of 61.5% compared to January 2020, or +185 arrests – marking the greatest number of gun arrests for any January in the CompStat-era. Patrol Borough Brooklyn North and Patrol Borough Bronx are leading the way with 138 and 104 arrests, respectively. The NYPD continually monitors and analyzes trends in violence, shifting officers to areas experiencing upticks in shootings – addressing conditions in real time. There is a very small number of criminals who are the persistent drivers of violence, and the NYPD’s best investigators are continually working to build strong cases against these individuals and their associates.
“As we move into 2021, I remain very optimistic about the continuing work of the NYPD to improve both public safety and trust across New York City,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “All New Yorkers have weathered a great deal during 2020, but your NYPD cops remain undaunted in their vital work – not only driving down crime – but also engaging with our many community partners in order to build trust in every borough, in every neighborhood.”
Statistics on Index Crimes
| YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 | +/- | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 25 | 27 | -2 | -7.4% |
| Rape | 105 | 134 | -29 | -21.6% |
| Robbery | 921 | 1298 | -377 | -29.0% |
| Fel. Assault | 1514 | 1639 | -125 | -7.6% |
| Burglary | 1068 | 1181 | -113 | -9.6% |
| Grand Larceny | 2546 | 3788 | -1242 | -32.8% |
| G.L.A. | 643 | 570 | +73 | +12.8% |
| TOTAL | 6822 | 8637 | -1815 | -21.0% |
Attorney General James Highlights Amazon’s Unsafe Working Conditions
New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement in response to a legal action filed by Amazon:
“Throughout this pandemic, Amazon employees have been forced to work in unsafe conditions, all while the company and its CEO made billions off of their backs. This action by Amazon is nothing more than a sad attempt to distract from the facts and shirk accountability for its failures to protect hardworking employees from a deadly virus. Let me be clear: We will not be intimidated by anyone, especially corporate bullies that put profits over the health and safety of working people. We remain undeterred in our efforts to protect workers from exploitation and will continue to review all of our legal options.”
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.