188 Days and Counting - Protect Times Square First

 

Over the weekend there was a shooting in Times Square. That is very troubling to me, because we want our tourists to return to the city and Times square is the place people want to be. Police Commissioner Harrison will tell you what we are going to do to protect Times Square.

Mayor the police commissioner is still Commissioner Shea, you haven't appointed me yet. As for Times Square we will take police officers from the precincts to flood Times Square to make that area of the city safe again for the tourist trade.

Governor Cuomo Urges New Yorkers to Prepare for Another Round of Extreme Heat Beginning Today and Continuing Through Wednesday

 

High Temperatures and Increased Humidity Could Pose Danger to At-Risk Populations, Including Seniors and Small Children

Severe Storms to Potentially Impact State Later in the Week

 Governor Cuomo today urged New Yorkers to prepare for another extended period of high heat and humidity expected to begin today and continue through the middle of the week.  Heat index values reaching up to the mid-90s are forecast through Wednesday, while humidity levels are expected to remain high. 

In addition, the National Weather Service predicts a front moving across the State later in the week may provide favorable conditions for severe weather such as thunderstorms.  New Yorkers should monitor local weather forecasts for the most updated information.  For a complete listing of weather watches, warnings, advisories and latest forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website.

"We are expecting another round of high heat and humidity to impact most of the State and continue through the middle of the week," Governor Cuomo said.  "I strongly urge all New Yorkers to take action to prevent heat-related illnesses or injury, especially young children, seniors and those with respiratory conditions who are vulnerable to high heat.  Check on neighbors, limit outdoor activity, and stay safe." 

Heat indexes could reach up to 95 degrees or more in some locations during this stretch, and the highest heat index values will occur during the afternoon hours. Several Heat Advisories have been issued by the National Weather Service for locations across the State through Tuesday evening.  Showers and thunderstorms, some strong, are likely later in the week for much of the State as a front passes through.

This period of hot weather will result in an increased risk of heat stress and heat-related illness. People who are susceptible to heat related illnesses—including young children, the elderly, those who exercise outdoors, those involved in vigorous outdoor work, and those who have respiratory diseases such as asthma—should take necessary steps to stay cool as temperatures rise.

Heat Tips

Excessive heat is the leading cause of preventable, weather-related deaths each year, particularly among the elderly. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat causes more than 600 preventable deaths in the United States yearly. 

The following people are most at risk: 

• Elderly persons and small children are mostly affected
• Persons who are overweight/obese
• Persons on certain medications or drugs 

Be Prepared: 

• Avoid strenuous activity and exercise, especially during the sun's peak hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Exercise and activity should be done in the early morning between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.
• Drink plenty of water and noncaffeinated beverages.
• Stay out of the sun and try to cool off in an air-conditioned building for a few hours during the hottest part of the day. The sun heats the inner core of your body, resulting in dehydration. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine, or go to a public building with air conditioning
• If you must go outdoors, wear sunscreen with a high sun protector factor rating, at least SPF 15 and a hat to protect your face and head. When outdoors, wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing. Cover as much skin as possible to avoid sunburn and over-warming effects of sunlight on your body.
• Do not leave children, pets or those who require special care in a parked car or vehicle during periods of intense summer heat. Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach over 140 degrees Fahrenheit quickly. Exposure to such high temperatures can kill within a matter of minute.
• Make an effort to check on your neighbors during a heat wave, especially if they are elderly, have young children or have special needs. Make sure there is enough food and water for pets 

Know the Signs of Heat Related Illness 

Prolonged exposure to the heat can be harmful and potentially fatal. Call 911 if you or someone you know shows signs or symptoms of heat illness, including: 

• Headache
• Light headedness
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting 

For more information on how to stay safe during periods of excessive heat, click here. 

New Yorkers Urged to Conserve Electricity 

Taking smart steps to reduce energy use, particularly during periods of peak demand, not only helps to lower the state's peak load, it will save consumers money when electricity is the most expensive. To reduce energy use, particularly during peak periods, the public is encouraged to take some of the following low- or no-cost energy saving measures:

• Close drapes, windows and doors on your home's sunny side to reduce solar heat buildup.
• Turn off air conditioners, lights and other appliances when not at home and use a timer to turn on your air conditioner about a half-hour before arriving home. Use advanced power strips to centrally "turn off" all appliances and save energy.
• If purchasing an air conditioner, look for an ENERGY STAR qualified model. ENERGY STAR air conditioners use up to 25 percent less energy than a standard model.
• Fans can make rooms feel five to 10 degrees cooler and use 80 percent less energy than air conditioners.
• Set your air conditioner at 78 degrees or higher to save on your cooling costs.
• Place your air conditioner in a central window, rather than a corner window, to allow for better air movement.
• Consider placing the unit on the north, east or the best-shaded side of your home. Your air conditioner will have to work harder and use more energy if it is exposed to direct sunlight.
• Seal spaces around the air conditioner with caulking to prevent cool air from escaping.
• Clean the cooling and condenser fans plus the coils to keep your air conditioner operating efficiently and check the filter every month and replace as needed.
• Use appliances such as washing machines, dryers, dishwashers and ovens early in the morning or late at night. This will also help reduce humidity and heat in the home.
• Use energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs instead of standard incandescent light bulbs, and you can use 75 percent less energy.
• Microwave food when possible. Microwaves use approximately 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens.
• Dry clothes on a clothes line. If using a clothes dryer, remember to clean the dryer's lint trap before every load.
• Be mindful of the different ways you're consuming water throughout your home. Instead of using 30 to 40 gallons of water to take a bath, install a low-flow showerhead, which uses less than 3 gallons a minute.
• Lowering the temperature setting on your wash machine and rinsing in cold water will reduce energy use. 

Additional tips on how to conserve energy is available on NYSERDA's website here.

Attorney General James Reaches $230 Million Settlement for Treatment and Prevention of Opioid Crisis in New York, Johnson & Johnson Ends Sale of Selling Opioids

 

NYS Eligible to Receive Up to Half of all Funds Within Months if Executive Chamber Signs New Legislation Into Law Creating Opioid Settlement Fund

AG James’ Trial Against Remaining Opioid Manufacturers and Distributors Commences This Week as Part of Overall Push to Hold Opioid Industry Accountable

 New York Attorney General Letitia James announced an agreement with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) — the parent company of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — that will deliver up to $230 million to New York state, in the largest monetary settlement ever secured by Attorney General James. The agreement resolves claims made by Attorney General James for the company’s role in helping to fuel the opioid epidemic and would allocate payments over nine years, with substantial payments made upfront. The agreement also requires J&J to pay $30 million more in payments in the first year if the New York state executive chamber signs into law new legislation that creates an opioid settlement fund, and other criteria are met. If that legislation — which passed the state Legislature unanimously — becomes law and all litigating subdivisions within New York sign on to today’s settlement, New York would be eligible to receive more than half of total payments, or more than $130 million, as soon as February 2022. Today’s agreement also makes enforceable a bar stopping J&J and all of its subsidiaries, predecessors, and successors from manufacturing or selling opioids anywhere in New York, and acknowledges Johnson & Johnson’s exit from the opioid business nationally. 

“The opioid epidemic has wreaked havoc on countless communities across New York state and the rest of the nation, leaving millions still addicted to dangerous and deadly opioids,” said Attorney General James. “Johnson & Johnson helped fuel this fire, but today they’re committing to leaving the opioid business — not only in New York, but across the entire country. Opioids will no longer be manufactured or sold in the United States by J&J. We are also delivering up to $230 million to fund opioid prevention, treatment, and education efforts across New York state. While no amount of money will ever compensate for the thousands who lost their lives or became addicted to opioids across our state or provide solace to the countless families torn apart by this crisis, these funds will be used to prevent any future devastation. Our trial against the remaining defendants will commence this coming week, where we will lay bare the callous and deadly pattern of misconduct these companies perpetrated as they dealt dangerous and addictive opioids across our state. As always, our goal remains getting funds to those devastated by opioids as quickly as possible.”

In March 2019, Attorney General James filed the nation’s most extensive lawsuit to hold accountable the various manufacturers and distributors responsible for the opioid epidemic. In addition to J&J, the manufacturers named in the complaint included Purdue Pharma and its affiliates, as well as members of the Sackler Family (owners of Purdue) and trusts they control; Mallinckrodt LLC and its affiliates; Endo Health Solutions and its affiliates; Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and its affiliates; and Allergan Finance, LLC and its affiliates. The distributors named in the complaint were McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health Inc., Amerisource Bergen Drug Corporation, and Rochester Drug Cooperative Inc.

The cases against Purdue Pharma (and subsequently the Sackler family), Mallinckrodt, and Rochester Drug Cooperative are all now moving separately through U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The trial against all other defendants is currently slated to begin this coming week.

Largest Monetary Recovery in Attorney General James’ Tenure

As part of today’s agreement, J&J will pay New York state a total of up to $229,862,769.25, with payments made over the course of nine years. The schedule of those payments will depend on a number of circumstances, including how many of the state’s political subdivisions accept and choose to participate in today’s agreement, as well as whether the state’s executive chamber signs legislation — approved earlier this month — that creates an opioid settlement fund. The bill creating the opioid settlement fund is currently with the executive chamber, and would ensure payments for New York state under any opioid settlement or through litigation would be earmarked towards prevention, treatment, education, and other forms of abatement, instead of towards the state’s general fund.

Under the most aggressive schedule, where this new legislation is signed into law and all subdivisions accept the terms of the settlement, the first three years of payments — totaling $134,330,271.65, more than half of the $230 million — will be accelerated and paid as soon as February of 2022.

Johnson & Johnson’s Ends its Sale of Opioids Nationwide

In addition to negotiating the largest monetary settlement since she took office, Attorney General James negotiated substantial injunctive relief securing the end of J&J’s manufacturing of opioids and their distribution across New York and the rest of the nation. J&J has committed to ending the manufacture and sale of all opioids and opioid products for distribution in the state of New York, as well as to no longer ship these products anywhere within the United States. The company will also provide the Office of the Attorney General with details of when the last of the inventory of opioids it has already shipped expires. 

Additionally, J&J will be prohibited from promoting opioids or opioid products through sales representatives, sponsorships, financial support, or any other means; will not be allowed to provide financial incentives to its sales and marketing employees for the sale of these products; and will not, directly or indirectly, provide financial support or in-kind support to any third party that primarily engages in conduct that promotes opioids, opioid products, or products for the treatment of opioid-induced side effects.

J&J will additionally be forbidden from disciplining its sales and marketing employees for not hitting opioids sales quotas — one of the key motivators J&J and other companies had in marketing opioids so heavily to the American public — and will not be allowed to use, assist, or employ any third party to engage in any activity that J&J itself would be prohibited from engaging in pursuant to today’s agreement.

J&J will also be prohibited from lobbying federal, state, or local legislative or regulatory authorities about opioids or opioid products.

Finally, J&J will have to make additional information about opioids and opioid products more accessible to the public, including to patients, health care providers, and others. Part of how J&J will fulfill this provision is by sharing clinical trial data under the Yale University Open Data Access (YODA) Project to allow researchers qualified under the program to access the company’s propriety data under the terms of the project.

Today’s agreement would additionally resolve lawsuits against J&J by Nassau and Suffolk counties if the county legislatures approve it next month. In the meantime, Attorney General James plans to make a motion removing J&J from New York’s upcoming opioid trial slated to begin this coming week.

Today’s agreement was negotiated in coordination with a larger global settlement that remains ongoing, but that could possibly end litigation by thousands of additional entities, including all litigation pending by state attorneys general around the nation. While a global settlement still remains under negotiation, if a settlement is reached before February 15, 2022, New York will join that settlement and the terms of today’s agreement will be folded into that settlement.

Separately, but related to her work on opioids, in February, Attorney General James co-led a coalition of nearly every attorney general in the nation in delivering more than $573 million — more than $32 million of which was earmarked for New York state — toward opioid treatment and abatement in an agreement and consent judgment with McKinsey & Company. The agreement with one of the world’s largest consulting firms resolved investigations by the attorneys general into the company’s role in working for opioid companies, helping those companies promote their drugs, and profiting millions of dollars from the opioid epidemic.

It Was Billed as A Senator Gustavo Rivera Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, and Councilman Oswald Feliz event, but Feliz and Pichardo Were no Shows.

 As you can see on the flyer, this event was billed as a three elected official event, but only State Senator Gustavo Rivera was there. We can understand Assemblyman Pichardo who has been in office for years now missing one event, but Councilman Oswald Feliz was just elected, and he is telling his constituents thank you for voting for me, I will see you in two years when I am up for re-election.

Senator Gustavo Rivera by his table which gave out hand sanitizer and face masks, now that New York has reached the 70 percent mark, and COVID restrictions have been almost all but lifted. He points to us taking this photo, and asks his staff to turn around and smile. Other tables were set up, but Where was Councilman Oswald Feliz?

We can only see Senator Rivera's smile, as his staff have their masks still on.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic

 

Hospitalizations, Patients in ICU, Patients Intubated Statewide 

All At Lowest Levels Since Pandemic Began 

More Than 21 Million Shots in Arms Statewide -- 76,120 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

4 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"The vaccine is the weapon that will win us the war against the COVID-19 beast. It is safe, effective, free and readily available to New Yorkers across the state. If you haven't already, take advantage of ongoing incentive programs and get your shot today," Governor Cuomo said. "Now is the time to do so and get back to living life the way it's intended to be lived - fully and together."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 84,292
• Total Positive - 346
• Percent Positive - 0.41%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 0.38%
• Patient Hospitalization - 330 (-41)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 31
• Patients in ICU - 85 (-7)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 43 (-2)
• Total Discharges - 184,693 (+80)
• Deaths - 4
• Total Deaths - 42,961
• Total vaccine doses administered - 21,021,587
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 76,120
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 446,962
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 69.1%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 63.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 71.7%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 64.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 57.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 52.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 59.6%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 53.1%

Attorney General James Takes 79 Guns Off the Streets at Poughkeepsie Gun Buyback

 

AG James Has Taken More Than 1,100 Firearms Out of Communities Since 2019

 New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that 79 firearms were turned in to law enforcement at a gun buyback event hosted by her office and the Poughkeepsie City Police Department. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) accepts — with no questions asked — working and non-working, unloaded firearms in exchange for compensation on site. To date, Attorney General James has taken more than 1,100 firearms out of communities through gun buybacks since taking office in 2019. 

“Gun violence is an ongoing threat to our neighborhoods and it endangers New Yorkers every day,” said Attorney General James. “From taking guns off the streets, to going after those who illegally own guns and cause harm, I am taking every step possible to protect our communities from gun violence and prevent potential tragedies. My office will continue to do everything we can to preserve public safety, and I thank our partners in law enforcement for their crucial support in this effort.”

The community buyback resulted in 79 guns being collected, including 47 handguns, 26 rifles and shotguns, an assault rifle, and five non-working or antique guns. Since 2013, OAG has hosted gun buyback events throughout New York state and has successfully collected more than 3,200 firearms.

In exchange for the firearms, OAG also offered monetary compensation, in the form of prepaid gift cards, and Apple iPads when an unloaded gun was received and secured by an officer on-site.

MAYOR DE BLASIO DELIVERS REMARKS AT GAY OFFICERS ACTION LEAGUE IN MANHATTAN

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio: Brian, that was so beautiful, and I want – everyone, I wanted to say, Brian speaks from the heart in everything he does, and he has just shown his passion for the kind of change we need to make so it's truly a society that includes everybody. He's done it in word, he's done it in action, and throughout his life. Let's thank Brian. 

 

I'm going to take inspiration from Ritchie Torres, who always tells it like it is. The way to answer exclusion is not with more exclusion. If we're going to move forward, we have to bring everyone together. It's easier said than done, I know, but I have watched honestly with shock these last days. The notion that the heroes of this movement, folks who did something very, very difficult, went into the police force to make change. That was not easy. I'm preaching to the converted, but let me just say, it's not easy to be a change agent within the NYPD or any police force. It's not easy to say we are going to be here as a statement that the world can change and is changing. We're going to change the culture from within. We're going to reach a hand to the community while wearing a uniform, because that is what we aspire to – a city, a government, a police force that represents the community, honors the community, respects the community, understands the community. That could only happen if LGBT officers joined the NYPD by definition. And I want to say to all the officers present and past, God bless you, it was not easy to do, but you did it. You did it for the betterment of New York City and to try and move us forward. 

 

And I think, I do – as someone who has not experienced some of the pain, I do understand in some way that folks who have gone through pain, that folks have gone through injustice who have seen the wrongs of the NYPD as well, and the wrongs of policing in general, I understand there are real issues to be addressed. No doubt, no one is saying, I don't know anyone saying, “Oh no, we're in a state of nirvana. Everything's solved.” There are real issues to be addressed still. There've been issues from Stonewall present, way before Stonewall. We know there are issues to address, but the eight way to address them is to bring the voices, and the strength, and the community into the NYPD to fix things and move us forward. So, I have been struck in these days, and Brian, you said that you were alluding to the history we all went through together, when you and others were excluded from the St Patrick's Parade, and many of us found that intolerable and many of us did not participate in that parade for a long, long time, because we could not see our brothers and sisters left out, and today I cannot see my brothers and sisters left out again. That's why I'm here with you to thank you, to thank you for who you are and what you do.  

 

As with every moment of challenge, New York City does find a way through. I really believe this. Again, this is not happy talk. Sometimes it takes a lot of struggle. Sometimes it takes tough conversations. Sometimes it takes the world catching up a little bit, but we'll find our way through this. But what I really look to and I believe we will get to, is a day where anybody in any community in the city can look at a police officer and feel a sense of connection and understanding both ways. We're not there yet. We've got a lot to do, but I don't want to give up on that dream. I don't think we should give up on that dream. Whether it's a member of the LGBT community, whether it's a young black man, whether it's an immigrant, I want the day to come in this city where anyone who walks down the street and sees an officer coming toward them, says “that's someone here to help me,” and when the officer sees that individual walking toward them, they think “that someone might as well be a member of my family or my neighborhood, someone who I can relate to and care about because they're part of our community.” That's what we have to build. It will be ceaseless, difficult work, but that's what we have to build.  

 

And I'll only conclude with this. We have to take time to thank heroes. Anyone who said, “I'm going to go into a difficult environment and open minds, change hearts, wake people up,” anyone who said, “I'm doing that, even though it will be tough, even though it will be uncomfortable, even though sometimes there'll be painful,” that's a hero to me. And I know that every officer could tell many stories. Maybe it was a partner who happened to not understand the community previously, but through that experience, their mind was opened. Their heart was opened. Maybe it was someone you helped who before had harbored bias. But when you were the person who saved them, suddenly they saw people in a different light. Maybe it's those little, small changes that happen in someone's soul when they actually get to know another human being. But every officer here again, present and past, and everyone who's supported GOAL along the way you have changed the heart and soul of the NYPD, you've opened the door. Now let's walk through it together. All of us, let's walk through it together. Thank you, God bless you all. 

 

And all the honorees amazing work. God bless you all. Let's thank the honorees one more time as well.  

189 Days and Counting

 

I can't even get a day off, I have to go and make a speech somewhere. Tomorrow morning I have those pesky reporters bothering me with who I voted for, what am I going to do after I leave office, or some other dumb things. 

When they ask me about Charlene it is not how is she doing, but where is the money. I don't know for the ten thousandth time, it went to mental health. I want to see them try to pull that stuff on Adams, Garcia, or Wiley.