Bronx Progressives February Annual Virtual Meeting

Join Fellow Progressives for our February Annual Virtual Meeting! Topic: Bronx Progressives February Annual Virtual Meeting  Time: Feb 24, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89063327145 Meeting ID: 890 6332 7145 Greetings Bronx Progressives Members!   We're now in February! Hope this email finds you well and that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe. And hope we're still breathing sighs of relief now that you know who is out of the White House.     Yet, we're still reliving the pain and harrowing images of what happened on January 6 on the news and in the current impeachment trial.   As we mentioned at our January meeting, the Working Group to Reactivate Bronx Progressives agreed to push our January Annual meeting (as inscribed in our bylaws that should happen in January) to February. We made this decision because we needed more time to thoughtfully plan out the Annual meeting, as we focus on revising the bylaws, and discussing ideas on issues and movements we should be involved with as a group; and once we reached consensus, we would then present them to you--our members, to collectively discuss and vote on the issues we should get involved with.   The Working Group is recommending that we focus on two or three issues for 2021. One of the idea is to join the Campaign for New York Health, and support that movement. Another idea is to join the Tax the Rich Campaign. And lastly, supporting the Homes Guarantee Movement. But we also want to hear from you, and get feedback on what other issues you think we should get involved with.    We will also be joined by Omar Suarez, Director of Partnerships and Outreach at NYC Votes, who will give us a presentation on Ranked Choice Voting. RCV is  a newly implemented electoral system that will only apply for local city elections.  Join us Wednesday, February 24 at 7pm, for our Annual Virtual General Meeting. Link below: Agenda: Greetings and Welcomes (2 Mins.) Quick review of the agenda (3 Mins.) House Rules (3 Mins.) Introducing Omar Suarez (3 Mins)  Omar Suarez gives presentation (20 Mins.) Q&A (10 Mins.) EC Roles/Priority in forming an EC (15 Mins) Working Group Proposes Issues we should focus on (20 Mins) NY Health Act Movement Tax the Rich Campaign Housing Justice for All Campaign What else? New Business/Announcements (20 Mins.) Meeting with Bronx Indivisible and Concerned Citizens Groups and Orgs that reached out to us Meeting with Our Bronx Revolution  Other? BylawsReminder https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dupzQcNBbEhBbSAZBe5GF24vAIeMMBEdYHLcTwvE_gA/edit?usp=sharing    Adjourn

 

Governor Cuomo Announces More Than 100,000 Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Administered in 24 Hours and Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic FEBRUARY 14, 2021

 

102,907 First and Second Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Administered in 24 Hours

Individuals with Comorbidities and Underlying Conditions Can Begin to Schedule Appointments at State Mass Vaccination Sites  

As of 11 AM today, New York's Health Care Distribution Sites Have Administered 89% 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 announced 102,907 first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the last 24 hours. The total week 9 federal allocation of vaccine delivery to providers will be complete today. As of 11AM today, New York's health care distribution sites have received 2,192,675 first doses and already administered 89 percent or 1,957,681 first dose vaccinations and 83 percent of first and second doses. The week 10 allocation from the federal government allocation from the federal government begins mid-week.

"We remain locked in a footrace between the infection rate and the vaccination rate, and while we are making significant progress on both fronts thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers, but can't become complacent - now is not the time to get cocky with COVID," Governor Cuomo said. "With more than 10 million New Yorkers now eligible for the vaccine, we have the infrastructure in place to get it administered quickly and fairly but continue to only be held back by the supply. Thankfully, with real leadership now in Washington, we've begun to see that supply increase and expect that trend to continue until New York is COVID-free."

The 'Am I Eligible' screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions 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. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:

• Doctor's letter, or
• Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
• Signed certification 

Approximately 10 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 100 percent of the week 9 allocation which will finish being distributed to New York provider sites today. 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 - 2,192,675

     First Doses Administered - 1,957,681; 89%

     Second Doses Received - 1,178,350

     Second Doses Administered - 842,195

6,593 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide - Down 29% From Post-Holiday Peak

1,285 Patients in the ICU; 881 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 3.54%

Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity Rate 3.83% - Lowest Since November 29

37 Consecutive Days of Decline - Down 52% from Post-Holiday Peak

107 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.

"Thanks to New Yorkers' actions — like wearing masks, maintaining distance, and making smart decisions — hospitalizations and the positivity rate continue to head down, and the holiday surge is in our rear-view mirror. This progress is a testament to New Yorkers' personal choices, and I thank the family of New York for once again putting public health first," Governor Cuomo said. "The vaccine is the weapon that will win the war against COVID, and we have the infrastructure in place to administer hundreds of thousands of more shots as soon as supply is available. Today's news shows that as long as New Yorkers remain Tough, Smart, United, Disciplined, and Loving, we can and will beat back COVID."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 234,708
• Total Positive - 8,316
• Percent Positive - 3.54%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive -
• Patient Hospitalization - 6,593 (-295)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -1056
• Patients Newly Admitted - 652
• Hospital Counties - 55
• Number ICU - 1,285 (-43)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 881 (-27)
• Total Discharges - 138,050 (+744)
• Deaths - 107
• Total Deaths - 37,118

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - Beyond the "Encuentro" Virtual Artist Talk

 

Bronx River Art Center presents: In conjunction with the exhibition Beyond the "Encuentro" Curated by Felix Angel A Virtual Artist Talk February 20th at 6:30pm Click here to RSVP for Zoom link Bronx River Art Center is pleased to present an evening of artists in conversation in response to our current exhibition Beyond the “Encuentro,” as it comes to close. This show, composed of eighteen printmaking artists from Medellín, Colombia, gives more exposure to the rich history this art form has in the country while also acting as a reflection of contemporary Colombian printmaking. This talk will be moderated by renowned New York printmaker, Luanda Lozano, and will occur on Saturday, February 20th, over zoom at 6:30 pm. The show has been extended one week to February 27th and the gallery is open for viewing at limited capacity.

Installation shot: (L to R) Álvaro Botero Gallego, Jessica Paola Sánchez Barba, Mónica Lorenza Taborda G. Luanda Lozano and participating artists will engage in conversation about their chosen style of printmaking, how Colombia has affected their work and inquire about the printmaking community in the city of Medellín.   Beyond the “Encuentro” is a substantial exhibition of Colombian printmakers curated by Felix Angel and assisted by co-sponsor Julio Valdez. This exhibition is the next step of the project, Encuentro de Artistas Grabadores de Medellín (Medellín’s Printmaking Artists Gathering) that originated in Colombia, South America. This event, which was organized by Angel in November of 2018, brought together over seventy printmakers working in the city of Medellín — a feat never before accomplished. Beyond the “Encuentro” features a selection of eighteen artists that participated in the original show. Join us for an Artist Talk February 20th at 6:30pm Click here to RSVP for Zoom link

Installation shot: (L to R) Jorge Rodriguez, Male Correa, Hernando Guerrero, Camila Maya Monsalve, Ana Fernández, Juan Ernesto Correa, Fabián Rendón About the Artists: Artists participating in the discussion are Diego Arango, Male Correa, Ana Fernández, Álvaro Botero Gallego, Hernando Guerrero, Camila Maya Monsalve, Victoria Ortiz and Jorge Rodriguez who each represent a form of printmaking that varies in age, style and technique. From the figurative to the abstract, each artist uses their own unique process to create distinctive, eye-catching work that demonstrates proficient ability, artistry and talent. About the Moderator:   Luanda Lozano is a printmaker who was born in Humpata, Angola and later raised in the Dominican Republic before moving to New York City to pursue her education and career in the arts. Earning her BFA degree in illustration at Parsons School of Design, she developed her skills and love of printmaking at the Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop facilitated by Peruvian artist, Claudio Juarez. She has taught printmaking in several institutions including the Bronx River Art Center, and her work is part of several prestigious collections across the globe.    About the Curator and Co-Sponsor:   Curator Felix Angel and co-sponsor Julio Valdez are both accomplished artists. Graduating from the School of Architecture of the National University of Colombia in 1974, Angel has received numerous awards and participated in more than 100 exhibitions internationally. He has also published multiple books about literature, art and poetry. Valdez is a graduate of the Altos de Chavόn School of Design, the Parsons School of Design affiliate in the Dominican Republic. His work has been shown internationally since 1984. Valdez received a fellowship from the Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop in 1994, after which he founded Julio Valdez Studio, which specializes in non-toxic contemporary printmaking processes. Both of these individuals are committed to giving support to underrepresented artists.

Installation shot: (L to R) Julio Sampedro Longas, Luis Fernando Uribe, Diego Arrango, Luis Fernando Mejía Jaramillo, María López, Carlos Marín  About BRAC: Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) is a culturally diverse, multi-arts, non-profit organization that provides a forum for community, artists, and youth to transform creativity into vision. Our Education, Exhibitions, Artist Studios, and Presenting programs cultivate leadership in an urban environment and stewardship of our natural resource — the Bronx River. History: Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) was founded in 1987 to bring professional arts programming to a culturally underserved population. For more than 30 years (including several years of arts programming under the umbrella of the first Bronx River Restoration project), this multi-arts center has filled the West Farms community of the Bronx with art and environmental experiences. Our programs are designed to encourage our residents to engage in creative activism towards the revitalization and future of their neighborhood.

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

321 Days and Counting

 

Yep, I still have 321 days left as your Mayor.

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.”