Sunday, February 28, 2021

307 Days and Counting

 


There are about 20 people looking to replace me as your next mayor, and a couple of them worked for me. I must have done something right, wouldn't you agree?

Saturday, February 27, 2021

#africansforericadams Will Endorse Eric Adams For Mayor Sunday Feb. 28th

 

On Sunday, February 28, 2021, 2-3 pm in front of the Harlem State Office Building, over 20 African leaders representing various African nationalities in New York City and on the continent will be formally endorsing Eric Adams for mayor.  Africans in New York deem public safety as their number one constituent concern and will be launching “Eric Adams, The Public Safety Mayor” campaign tomorrow after the endorsement. 

They believe that all the socioeconomic challenges the city is facing now can best be addressed when its deteriorating public safety concerns are addressed first.  This is why they are supporting Eric Adams whom they deemed is uniquely positioned to provide the most effective police-community public safety policies that would address both the rising crimes and the deteriorated relationships between law enforcement and the residents they serve.  We look forward to seeing you there, rain, snow or shine.  Thank you! 

#africansforericadams

Contact: Sheikh Musa Drammeh, 718-822-5555



Permits Filed For 2074 Walton Avenue In Fordham Heights, The Bronx

 

2074 Walton Avenue in Fordham Heights, The Bronx via Google Maps

Permits have been filed for an eight-story residential building at 2074 Walton Avenue in Fordham Heights, The Bronx. Located between East Burnside Avenue and East 181st Street, the lot is one block from the Burnside Avenue subway station, serviced by the 4 train. Michael Hunt under the 2074 Walton Realty LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 74-foot-tall development will yield 45,083 square feet, with 40,508 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 67 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 604 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar and a 30-foot-long rear yard.

Max Disla Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - FEBRUARY 27, 2021

 

5,445 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide - Lowest Since December 12

1,121 Patients in the ICU; 753 Intubated

Statewide Daily Positivity Rate is 2.85%

Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity Rate is 3.18% - Lowest Since November 26

85 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. Hospitalizations dropped to 5,445, the lowest since December 12. The 7-day average positivity rate dropped to 3.18 percent, the lowest since November 26.

"New Yorkers have shown strength and resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we're going to need more of it as we work to get everyone vaccinated across the state," Governor Cuomo said. "The footrace between the positivity rate and the vaccination rate is progressing in our favor and we've been able to reopen different sectors of our economy, but we still need more vaccines to propel us over the finish line. We have continuously opened more vaccination sites as our supply allows, and we're ready to get shots in arms as quickly and fairly as possible as our allocations increase. We can get to the light at the end of the tunnel, but we're going to need to stay safe and vigilant and care for our fellow New Yorkers."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

  • Test Results Reported - 285,307
  • Total Positive - 8,141
  • Percent Positive - 2.85%
  • 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.18%
  • Patient Hospitalization - 5,445 (-181)
  • Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -532
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 615
  • Hospital Counties - 53
  • Number ICU - 1,121 (-11)
  • Number ICU with Intubation - 753 (-18)
  • Total Discharges - 145,672 (+681)
  • Deaths - 85
  • Total Deaths - 38,407

Councilman Mark Gjonaj's NYC Moving Forward Week in Review - 2/26/2021

 

Dear Friends,

I hope you and you and your families are doing well while we are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s new variants and the economic devastation that has impacted our communities.

As we are intensifying our efforts for more vaccines, a simpler system and expand the eligibility categories, I am proud that two bills that I co-sponsored to require the City develop and implement a COVID-19 vaccine plan for homebound seniors who have limited mobility and access to this life saving vaccine, was voted in NYC Council. As a community we have an obligation to our most vulnerable, a commitment the Council and I affirmed by introducing and passing this bill.

I am proud that my office has been helping so many constituents in the eligible categories to get appointments to get the vaccine at Jacobi Hospital, Yankee Stadium and the NYCHA developments in the District.

Today we are glad to announce the winners of our Black History Month Poster Contest. Congratulations to PS 108 students Jackqueline Allinger (4th Grade) and Tuana Sadikaj (5th Grade), PS/MS 71 students Sophia Petrides (7th Grade) Sadica Anjum (8th Grade), St. Francis Xavier School student Andrew Ranieri (5th Grade), Icahn Charter School 4 Students Gabriella Almanzar (4th Grade) and Avan Cruz (Grade K).

We are humbled to be serving those in need in our communities and this week we gave away over 7,300 food boxes to families and seniors in need in our District, we conducted two rapid testing sites to help stop the spread, as well as in partnership with Urband Upbound we continued In-Person Free Tax Preparation in Morris Park and City Island by appointment only.

We have been with you throughout this pandemic and will continue to be with you. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any issues or concerns at 718-931-1721 or email at MGjonaj@council.nyc.gov.

Sincerely,

NYC Councilman Mark Gjonaj
District 13, Bronx






Governor Cuomo Announces a Record High Over 175K Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Administered in 24 Hours

 

Over 4 Million Total Shots Administered To-date

Hotel Workers Can Be Added to Eligible Population Under 1B Prioritization Group; Local Health Departments Determine How, Where, When to Schedule Appointments in Their Jurisdictions

Following a Letter from Legislators Regarding Bronx Vaccination Disparities, the State Department of Health Will Work with the New York City Department of Health to Ensure this Inequity is Immediately Addressed

As of 1PM today, New York's Health Care Distribution Sites Have Administered 91% of First Doses

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 Cuomo announced 179,038 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in 24 hours, a new record for the state. As of 1:00 PM today, New York's health care distribution sites have administered 91 percent of first doses so far delivered. The week 11 allocation from the federal government is in the process of being delivered to providers for administration.

In addition, the Governor announced expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to hotel workers. Hotels in many parts of the state serve as quarantine areas for COVID positive persons to isolate from their families. In turn, the staff at these facilities are being exposed to COVID regularly. Given the overall increase to the State's supply and the essential health care service that these hotel workers provide, the Governor is granting localities the flexibility to add hotel workers to the 1B vaccine prioritization group.

"Nearly 180,000 vaccinations in a single day is a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to ensure eligible New Yorkers, especially those in communities that were hit the hardest by COVID, have direct access to the vaccine," Governor Cuomo said. "However, we're still in a footrace to keep the infection rate down and drive vaccinations way up. While the infection rate is a function of our behavior, the rate of vaccination is tied directly to supply and right now demand for the vaccine is still far outpacing our supply. We will keep working with our federal partners and vast vaccine distribution network to dispatch doses as soon as we get them - with a focus on vulnerable and underserved communities - and get shots in arms as quickly and fairly as possible."

The Governor received a letter signed by Speaker Heastie, Senator Jamaal Bailey and other elected officials in the Bronx stating that the Bronx is not receiving an equitable share of vaccine compared to other boroughs in the City. Equity in vaccination is a priority for New York State and the Governor agrees that the allocation to the Bronx is low. The Governor believes this is especially inequitable as the Bronx has the highest COVID positivity rate in New York City. The Yankee Stadium allocation (which is a joint state and city site) should be increased and a second site in the northern Bronx should be added. The Department of Health will work with the New York City Department of Health to ensure this inequity is immediately addressed.

Approximately 10 million New Yorkers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. 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.

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. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:

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

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 1:00 PM today is as follows. Beginning week 9, allocation totals are inclusive of some excess vaccine doses that have been reallocated from the federal Long Term Care Facility program. The allocation totals below include 33 percent of the week 11 allocation which will finish being distributed to New York provider sites on Sunday.

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

First Doses Received - 2,942,765

First Doses Administered - 2,674,839; 91%

Total Doses Received - 4,761,410

Second Doses Administered - 4,170,422

Join Bronx Progressives and Concerned Citizens for Change for a "Tax the Rich" Informational Session Sat. March 6th 2 PM



Greetings Bronx Progressives Members!

Governor Cuomo is convinced that the only way to solve the economic troubles facing New York State is by implementing harsh austerity measures, which entail cutting funding to our health care system, education, public programs, and other resources. But is this our only option to generate revenue? 

While the wealthiest continue to amass more wealth, the working class fall deeper into economic hardship and disparity. Governor Cuomo must stop giving tax breaks to the very wealthy, and pass the "Invest in Our New York Act."

Join us for an informational session on the "Tax the Rich" campaign. Learn more about the six bills comprised in the Invest in Our New York Act, which will end tax breaks to the super rich, and generate much needed revenue for education, healthcare, housing, improving our environment.  
 

Join Us And Concerned Citizens for Change

On Saturday, March 6 at 2pm Via Zoom To Learn More

 

HERE'S THE ZOOM INFO

YOU NEED TO JOIN THE MEETING


Topic: Progressive Taxation In NY 
Time: Mar 6, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting 

Meeting ID: 894 1535 2545 
Passcode: 678745 
One tap mobile 
+16468769923,,89415352545#,,,,*678745# US (New York)

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli - Covid-19 Causes Financial Hit to NYC Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Industry

 

New York City’s world-renowned arts, entertainment and recreation sector saw the largest decline among all sectors in the city’s economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as employment declined by 66 percent over a one-year period ending in December 2020, according to a report released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.



This week, Comptroller DiNapoli hosted a discussion with Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer and others to discuss the financial hit to the industry. They were joined by Sade Lythcott, Chief Executive Director of the National Black Theatre; Voza Rivers, Executive Producer of the New Heritage Theatre Group and Chairman for the Harlem Arts Alliance; Aimee Todoroff, Managing Director for the League of Independent Theater; James Claffey, President of IATSE Local One; and Rebecca Damon, Executive Vice President and NY President at SAG-AFTRA. Watch a replay of the event on the Comptroller's Facebook page.