Governor Cuomo Updated New Yorkers on State's Progress During Covid-19 Pandemic March 21, 2021

 

Hospitalizations Drop to 4,355—Lowest Since December 4, Down 53% From Post-Holiday Peak 

890 Patients in the ICU; 572 Intubated 

Statewide Positivity Rate is 3.22% 

54 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 4,355, the lowest since December 4 and down 53 percent from the post-holiday peak.

"We're fighting COVID-19 on all fronts and getting vaccines in arms across the state, but the virus is still a threat and new variants, including the Brazilian strain identified in New York City yesterday, should give New Yorkers cause for concern," Governor Cuomo said. "We're in a race to get as many New Yorkers vaccinated as possible before the variants can disrupt the progress we've made, but the infection rate is also a function of our actions. Washing hands, wearing masks and social distancing are vital tools we can use to stay safe and slow the spread. I urge New Yorkers to stay vigilant and keep making smart decisions—we're moving through the COVID-19 pandemic, but it isn't over yet."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 246,226
• Total Positive - 7,938
• Percent Positive - 3.22%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.30%
• Patient Hospitalization - 4,355 (-158)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -131
• Patients Newly Admitted - 526
• Hospital Counties - 45
• Number ICU - 890 (-19)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 572 (-3)
• Total Discharges - 156,973 (+607)
• Deaths - 54
• Total Deaths - 39,924

AOC Organizing Team - New York must move off dirty fossil fuels

 

A major energy company is trying to build a dangerous gas-fired power plant in our district.

The proposed Astoria waterfront project would replace a 50-year-old oil-burning turbine with a fracked gas power plant – maintaining our reliance on fossil fuels while further degrading air quality in neighborhoods already ridden with toxic fossil fuel power plants and elevated levels of asthma.

Alexandria and eight of her fellow New York City congressional Democrats sent a letter calling on Gov. Cuomo’s administration to stop the project, but we need to do more.¹

The best way to stop the fossil fuel lobby and pass a Green New Deal is to talk to voters, and get undecided people on our side. It’s how we win and it’s why we’re asking you today:

We’re in special need of bilingual Spanish/English speakers to phone bank. If you or someone you know is able to phone bank in Spanish, it would help ensure we reach everyone in NY-14.

We’re up against powerful interests. NRG Energy has spent over $600,000 on some of New York’s most powerful lobbying firms to get this project approved.

That’s why it will take hundreds of volunteers stepping up to counter their attacks and win from the grassroots.

New York must move off dirty fossil fuels. By law, New York must generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources, like solar and wind power, by 2030 and 100% from carbon-free sources by 2040.

In order to meet these targets, this site must be converted to renewable energy immediately – such as a renewable energy storage battery hub or other green energy production facility.

We must act now to avoid further climate disaster. Join us for a Saturday shift to talk one-on-one with NY-14 voters about the importance of the Green New Deal.

Thank you for all you do,

Team AOC

Housing Lottery Launches For 2004 Davidson Avenue In Morris Heights, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 2004 Davidson Avenue, a six-story residential building in Morris Heights, The Bronx. The 24,768-square-foot development was designed by Asher Hershkowitz Architect and yields 34 units. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 11 units for residents at 80 to 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $39,703 to $159,640.

Residences at 2004 Davidson Avenue.

Residential amenities include a shared laundry room, gym, and bike storage lockers. The building will also have parking for 10 vehicles.

Amenities at 2004 Davidson Avenue.

At 80 percent of the AMI, there is one one-bedroom with a $1,330 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $45,600 to $81,920; one one-bedroom with a $1,158 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $39,703 to $81,920; and five two-bedrooms with a $1,500 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $51,429 to $98,240.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there is one one-bedroom with a $2,245 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $76,972 to $133,120; and three two-bedrooms with a $2,700 monthly rent for incomes ranging from $92,572 to $159,640.

Kitchen and entry way at 2004 Davidson Avenue.

The Bathroom at 2004 Davidson Avenue .

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than April 19, 2021.

Bronx Night Market's HOT Surprise 🌶️

This Saturday, the first day of Spring is upon us. As the first weekend of Bronx Night Market approaches, we want our followers to get to know our team and have access to these exclusive details about the upcoming food festival. While you’re waiting for the BIGGEST street vendor gathering of the season, make sure to support your local street vendors! They have survived through one year of the pandemic but they need your help to make it to NEXT summer! TEAM MEMBER HIGHLIGHT This week, we would like to shout out our communications manager Beatriz Torres Martinez! She is a recent graduate of CCNY and a curious foodie who is super excited about trying different dishes from around the world at Bronx Night Market. The vendor she is most excited about is 2 Belize Girls  The Harlem-based '2 Belize Girls' is a catering company specializing in Caribbean food. With delicious options such as wings, salbutes, panades, or garnaches served with beans, coconut rice, or fish, the explosive flavors are available for amazing prices! BRONX STREET VENDORS SHOUTOUT Georgie’s Food Truck, located by Castle Hill, is hard to miss with the beautiful red truck. With fresh hot hero sandwiches, homemade salads, and even breakfast specials, you can order from Georgie’s for any meal of the day at a decent price. We recommend the Western Omelet on a Roll! Tacos Emmanuel, located by West Farms, has been around for almost three years! Handmade tortillas and delicious Tortas are the key ingredients to this local favorite. We recommend the chicken tacos! Share Forward Tweet Click below to secure your Bronx Night Market experience. All RSVP are automatically added to our monthly raffles for a chance to win food, drink, and cool merch. Producing the Bronx Night Market as a weekly event takes a lot of work, and we've been lucky to have an amazing community that supports our efforts for the past few years. We need volunteers - if you're interested in joining our team, engaging with the community, and enjoy some time out in Fordham this spring-summer click here. And, thank you, in advance.

This April, we are releasing our very own hot sauce brand! With four distinct flavors, you’re not going to want to leave the Bronx Night Market without a bottle. Our CARIBBEAN BLOCK PARTY infuses a sweet mango with the heat of Scotch Bonnet peppers. THE OD is for those who dare to try the fire with their food. Our HOT DAMN has the smoky habanero flavor with a kick. And our EL CHAPO combines the zesty Chipotle flavor with habanero. Try one or try them all when you come to visit Bronx Night Market starting April 3!

 

286 Days and Counting

 

I can't wait for # 9 to come forward, that was the number that did in former Governor Spitzer. Who can I ask that worked in the governor's office during the toxic era. I wonder if the governor knew a certain State Senator's grandfather?

Attorney General James Delivers $150,000 to City of Yonkers School District to Support Homeless Youth

Agreement Resolves Microsoft’s Overcharging of Sales Tax to Customers Purchasing Xbox Products Online in New York  

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today delivered $150,000 to the City of Yonkers Public Schools district to promote remote learning by homeless students. The funds will provide assistive technology to students, including iPads, laptops, Wi-Fi connectivity, and more. The payment was provided by Microsoft Corporation, as part of an agreement with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to resolve the company’s overcharging of sales tax for products being sold on the Xbox website. Prior to a recent fix implemented by Microsoft, some consumers in New York who purchased an Xbox product online — via Microsoft’s website — were charged an incorrect, higher amount of sales tax.

“We are delivering $150,000 to support homeless youth in Yonkers and provide them with the necessary tools to secure the technology they need to continue to remote learn during these unprecedented times,” said Attorney General James. “While Microsoft initially overcharged some customers for sales tax on Xbox products, we were glad to work with the company to swiftly correct this issue for our state’s consumers. No one should be forced to pay more in sales tax than they must, especially as we face a pandemic that has affected so many New Yorkers’ wallets. I look forward to seeing this money put to good use for the children of Yonkers.”

When consumers purchase a product online, they are asked to enter their zip code as part of the billing address in an effort to determine the amount of sales tax they should be charged in connection with the purchase. Some postal codes within a certain zip code may have different tax rates.

On Microsoft’s website, specifically, consumers are asked to input their entire zip code in addition to their four-digit postal code. However, if a consumer enters their zip code without the four-digit postal code, Microsoft nonetheless processes the transaction. Prior to the recent fix made by Microsoft, if a consumer entered their zip code without the four-digit postal code, Microsoft would charge the highest sales tax within that zip code, leading to an overcharge.

One locality where sales tax overcharges occurred was Bronxville, New York, which shares a zip code with a small portion of Yonkers, New York — where residents pay a higher sales tax rate. 

The total amount of sales tax overcharged by Microsoft to Bronxville consumers was approximately $150,000.

As a result of this agreement, Microsoft has implemented a new procedure for processing orders that addresses this particular issue and charges consumers the correct amount of sales tax.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has forced our schools to do even more with less, and I applaud all our teachers, faculty, and staff,” said State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “This funding is much needed by the district to better support remote learning for homeless students, 

who are bearing the brunt of this pandemic in ways we cannot even imagine. Thank you to Attorney General Letitia James for fighting for our state and helping our most economically disadvantaged students by negotiating this settlement with Microsoft. As state budget negotiations continue, the Senate Majority is focused on significantly increasing school funding and ensuring a three-year phase-in of full foundation aid, along with free broadband access to every student and school.”

“I would like to thank New York Attorney General Letitia James for her swift action with Microsoft,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “The $150,000 in funds, which has been transferred directly to the City of Yonkers School District, will serve a great need with our remote learners who are struggling. The pandemic has caused a great deal of hardship for our youth in many communities, and we know that Yonkers will greatly benefit from this grant.”

Governor Cuomo Announces Discovery of First Brazilian Variant in New York State Resident

 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the discovery of the first case of a COVID-19 P.1 variant, commonly referred to as the Brazilian variant, in a New York State resident. The case was identified by scientists at Mount Sinai hospital in New York City and verified by the Department of Health's Wadsworth Center Laboratories. The patient is a Brooklyn resident in their 90's with no travel history. DOH is working with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to learn more information about the patient and potential contacts.

"The detection of the Brazilian variant here in New York further underscores the importance of taking all the appropriate steps to continue to protect your health," Governor Cuomo said.  "While it's normal for a virus to mutate, the best way to protect yourself is to continue to wear a well-fitted mask, avoid large crowds, social distance, wash your hands and get vaccinated when it's your turn."

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, "This is a race between the vaccine and the variants, and we continue to make tremendous progress of getting shots in the arms of eligible New Yorkers. In the meantime we remind New Yorkers to do everything they can to protect themselves and their neighbors as we continue to manage this pandemic."

The P.1 variant was first detected in the United States at the end of January, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently reporting 48 cases nationwide. The P.1 variant has been designated a "variant of concern," which means there is evidence of an increase in transmissibility, more severe disease and the potential for reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines. However, while additional research is warranted, researchers at the University of Oxford recently released non-peer reviewed data that indicates the P.1 variant may be less resistant to the current vaccines than originally thought. 

Wadsworth Center is currently sequencing COVID-19 virus specimens at a rate of approximately 90 per day and has sequenced more than 8,200 virus samples statewide. Most specimens have been selected at random from throughout the state to ensure geographic representation. 

A RECOVERY FOR ALL OF US: 181st STREET BUSWAY TO LAUNCH APRIL 26, BRINGING FASTER BUSES TO 66,000 DAILY RIDERS IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS

 

Two months after launch of Flushing-Main Street busway, DOT announces speeds up 13-31%

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the 181^st Street Busway, which will bring faster bus speeds to 66,000 daily riders in Washington Heights, will launch on April 26^th, 2021. The 0.5-mile busway, which builds on the success of similar projects on Jay Street in downtown Brooklyn, 14^th Street in Manhattan, and Flushing-Main Street in Queens, is the latest promise kept in Mayor de Blasio’s transformational Better Buses initiative, announced last June. 

The Department of Transportation (DOT) also announced today that two months after its launch, the Flushing-Main Street busway is already providing faster and more reliable bus service for 155,000 daily riders in Queens. Data from MTA/New York City Transit show that bus speeds along the Main Street corridor have been significantly faster since January 19^th. Bus speeds in the northbound direction are on average 15%-24% faster during the day, and 13%- 31% faster during the PM peak.

 

“Washington Heights deserves faster, safer, more reliable bus transit. The 181^st Street busway will help this iconic neighborhood come back stronger than ever,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Busways have transformed transportation across the city – most recently in Flushing, where the new busway has dramatically increased speeds in just two months – and I look forward to bringing these changes to even more neighborhoods citywide.”

 

"We have seen across this city the benefits of faster, more reliable bus service, and the early success of the Flushing-Main Street busway is just the latest example," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Laura Anglin. "Washington Heights is up next in our continued expansion of busways, and we are looking forward to the positive impact this project will have on the more than 60,000 daily riders."

 

“Next month, DOT will continue our great Better Buses work by speeding up commutes across Washington Heights,” said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “We have already worked closely with our partners at MTA New York City Transit to deliver busways with faster and more reliable bus service, including in Flushing, downtown Brooklyn and of course on 14th Street in Manhattan. In all of these locations, busways are successfully connecting New Yorkers, including essential workers, to employment as well as to dynamic commercial hubs, where local business owners are working hard to emerge from the COVID crisis. We expect similar great results along 181st Street – and I for one cannot wait to ride.”

 

“The key to an effective bus system is well-enforced bus priority.  We’re thrilled that the Main Street Busway is improving commutes for thousands of customers with up to 31% speed increases, and are excited to bring improvements to our customers on 181st Street and in other parts of the city,” said Craig Cipriano, President of the MTA Bus Company and Senior Vice President for Buses, MTA New York City Transit.

 

181^st Street is one of the busiest and most congested corridors in Manhattan, resulting in average bus speeds of less than 4mph. These slow bus speeds create unreliable service for bus riders making connections to the A and 1 trains; any of the six MTA bus routes traveling on the north-south avenues; and the Port Authority’s George Washington Bridge bus terminal. This project will increase bus speed and reliability, calm traffic, and improve truck travel and loading and unloading, while maintaining local access to support businesses and services.

 

The busway in Washington Heights will bring transit and truck priority to 181^st St between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue in the eastbound direction, and Amsterdam Ave to Wadsworth Avenue in the westbound direction. Through traffic would be limited to buses, trucks, and emergency vehicles. Cars, taxis, and vans must make next available right turn off busway. Local access and parking are allowed, with improved truck loading and parking meter regulations.

 

NYPD will provide traffic enforcement and inform motorists about the new regulations with the launch of the busway. DOT will also install bus lane cameras, which for the first 60 days will issue warning letters to registered vehicle owners who violate the new regulations, before beginning to mail out violations with fines.

 

DOT formed a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to guide the project before, during, and after implementation. DOT also met with Community Board 12, the Washington Heights BID, local elected officials, and small businesses.

The Mayor’s record-setting Better Buses Restart plan has increased bus speeds and reliability along major corridors in all five boroughs. Since June 2020, DOT implemented 16.9 miles of new bus lanes and busways, the largest one-year effort in New York City history. Completed projects Jay Street in Brooklyn (0.8 miles), Malcolm X Blvd in Brooklyn (0.1 miles), 14th Street extension in Manhattan (0.8 miles), Hylan Boulevard (4.7 miles) on Staten Island, E.L. Grant Highway (1.2 miles), University Ave (0.1 miles) and 149th Street (2.7 miles) in the Bronx and Merrick Blvd (5.9 miles) and Main Street (0.6 miles) in Queens.