Senator Biaggi's Back to School Event 09/03/2021 / Evento Regreso a Clases de la Senadora Biaggi 03/09/21

 

Dear Community, 

Hope you are well. Unfortunately, due to poor weather conditions this past weekend, my office had to cancel our annual Backpack Giveaway. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. Today, I am excited to announce we have rescheduled our back to school event for this week! 

Please join me for a Backpack Giveaway at 894 Garrison Ave Bronx, NY 10474 this Friday, September 3rd from 2PM to 4PM, while supplies last. Our event will be held rain or shine!

As we are approaching the end of summer and the start of school, it is important that our community is well equipped to return back to school safely. I look forward to hosting my annual Back to School event for the 34th Senate District that will honor our shared community and the progress we have made this year, especially after the difficult year it has been for students, teachers and families.  Our teams have worked hard throughout the past year to provide for our communities, and this year's back to school event is a prime example of our continued work. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me and my team at biaggi@nysenate.gov or by calling our office at 718-822-2049. 

With Gratitude, 

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

Governor Hochul Announces New Measures to Combat COVID-19 Delta Variant

 

Announces Plan for New Statewide Weekly Testing Requirement for Unvaccinated School Staff 

  

Decentralizes Booster Shot Distribution to Local Health Departments, Announces $65 Million Available to Local Health Departments to Support These Efforts 

State Exploring Vaccine Mandate for All Staff in All State Regulated Facilities 

New Measures Build on Governor's Comprehensive Plan to Help Ensure a Safe, Productive Return to Schools This Fall 

  

Follows Universal Mask Requirement in All Schools Enacted on Governor's First Day in Office and $585 Million School Testing Program Using $585 Million in Federal Funds

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new measures to combat the COVID-19 Delta variant and updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating the virus.

Speaking at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine, the Governor announced she will be working with localities, the state health department and the Public Health and Health Planning Council in the days ahead to put in place mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated public and charter school employees, and to establish a vaccination requirement for all staff at state-regulated facilities and congregate settings. The governor announced $65 million will be available to local health departments across the state to support the quick and reliable distribution of booster shots.

"Last year every community across the state came together in a profound way to say, 'we can do this'," Governor Hochul said. "This war is not over and the Delta variant is a serious threat, especially for people who are still unvaccinated. We all need to remain vigilant to protect each other - and that means coming in to get your shot and booster shot, wearing masks in indoor spaces, and exercising basic safety measures that we are all familiar with by now."

Getting children back to school where they can learn most effectively and protecting the students, teachers and staff are top priorities for Governor Hochul. Building on the state department of health's directive requiring universal masking for anyone entering schools, the governor will be working with localities, the department of health and the Public Health and Health Planning Council in the days ahead to implement a mandatory weekly COVID testing for school staff who are not vaccinated.

Following the department of health's announcement last week that all staff in health care facilities need to be vaccinated, the state is exploring how to expand this requirement to include staff at all state-regulated facilities.Local health departments will be supporting the distribution of booster shots in New York, enabling them to use their knowledge and workforce to quickly deliver booster shots to their communities. The governor is making $65 million available to local health departments to build the infrastructure for these efforts.

COVID-19 Numbers for New York as of August 30: 

• Test Results Reported - 95,579  
• Total Positive - 3,789  
• Percent Positive - 3.96% 
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.35%  
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,234 (+48) 
• Patients Newly Admitted - 232 
• Patients in ICU - 484 (+16) 
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 247 (+18) 
• Total Discharges - 192,839 (+185) 
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 22 
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 43,573 
• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 55,602 

COVID-19 Vaccination Data for New York as of August 31, 11 a.m.: 

• Total vaccine doses administered - 23,665,694 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 46,143 
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 367,128 
• Ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 77.0% 
• Ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 69.9% 
• Ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 79.7% 
• Ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 71.6% 
• New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 64.9% 
• New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 58.5% 
• New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 67.3% 
• New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 60.0% 

AOC Book Bag Giveaway in Parkchester

 

There were about one thousand book bags waiting for Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to give them out to the children of Parkchester. In the parking lot at the corner of Westchester Avenue and White Plains Road the Mujumder Foundation had finished giving out awards to outstanding students going into high school, and community leaders. 

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez arrived shortly afterwards to say a few words on the stage, greeted the next Bronx Borough President, current Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, and then went over to her booth, set up by her team to give out all the book bags that were there. As you will see in the photos everyone loved Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez.

There is talk that during redistricting next year Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez could pick up Coop-City, while giving up some of her Queens part of the district. That could make it a  50/50 district between queens and the Bronx.

Congresswoman Ocasio Cortez, is with Councilwoman Vanesz Gibson, the presumed next Bronx Borough President

The Ocasio-Cortez booth is all ready, the only thing missing is Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez.

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez asked this young girl, 'Which book bag would you like'?

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez suggests this book bag to this young girl.

Having such a wonderful way with children, the young girl takes the book bag the congresswoman suggested. 

It wasn't only the girls, but also the boys, as this young man was happy to get this book bag from the congresswoman.

The congresswoman poses with this young girl, as her mother takes the picture.

Affordable Housing Lottery Launches For Muller Residences At 555 Nereid Avenue In Wakefield, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for Muller Apartments, a four-story residential building at 555 Nereid Avenue in Wakefield, The Bronx. Designed by MHG Architects and developed by The Doe Fund as supportive housing for veterans, the structure yields 90 residences with 54 of the units allocated for formerly homeless military veterans. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 35 units for residents at 60 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $30,583 to $57,300

Amenities include an on-site resident manager, elevator, bike storage lockers, a shared laundry room, gym, green space, and a community center with a 123-seat auditorium. On-site supportive services for tenants include comprehensive case management, health care support, job preparedness, employment training, and drug and alcohol abuse prevention.

At 60 percent of the AMI, there are 35 studios with a monthly rent of $892 for incomes ranging from $30,583 to $57,300.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than October 25, 2021.

State Senator Gustavo Rivera on Sunday's Police Involved Shooting in his District

 

 State Senator Gustavo Rivera on Sunday's Police Involved Shooting in his District

"It is disheartening that a 24-year-old father lost his life in my district early Sunday morning. As police officers were involved in the shooting, the Attorney General will be tasked with investigating the incident, which is a policy I fought to implement in an effort to bring transparency and accountability to such devastating incidents. It is my hope that the investigation will bring clarity and justice to our community."

Rep. Jamaal Bowman Statement on Withdrawal of Last U.S. Troops from Afghanistan

 

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) issued the following statement Monday after the last U.S. troops left Afghanistan:

 

“We never should have begun America's longest war in the first place — a war of endless suffering and needless death. Let us now envision a future that is based on peace, security, dignity, diplomacy, and human rights, not destruction and profiteering by military contractors. A top priority right now must be raising the refugee cap and assisting as many Afghans as possible with resettlement. My office stands ready to help, and we will be working with the State Department to help ensure all those still trying to leave Afghanistan can safely leave. We are praying for the active service members and veterans who are dealing with the trauma of this war, and hope they know they are not alone and help is available to them.”

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - AUGUST 30, 2021

 

36,132 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours  

18 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday   

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

"While we have come so far in containing COVID, the virus is still a threat to our communities - it is up to us to prevent it from spreading any further," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "Wear a mask, wash your hands and, if you haven't already, get vaccinated today. The vaccine is effective, it's safe, and it's available free of charge. It is the best protection we have against COVID."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 107,325
• Total Positive - 4,147
• Percent Positive - 3.86%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.31%
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,186 (+38)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 235
• Patients in ICU - 468 (+23)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 229 (+7)
• Total Discharges - 192,654 (+201)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 18
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 43,551

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 55,533

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 23,619,551
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 36,132
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 356,922
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 76.8%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 69.7%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 79.6%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 71.5%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 64.8%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 58.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 67.2%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 59.9%

PPNA and Open Hands Book Bag School Supply and More Giveaway

 

The Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association and The Albanian Open Hands Association joined with Councilman Mark Gjonaj, Assemblywoman Nathelia Fernandez, and State Senator Alessandra Biaggi for a book bag, school supplies, and more giveaway inside the new Destination Tomorrow building on Lydig Avenue. 

A line of tables were set up so when children walked in they first received a new book bag from the hundreds that were on hand. The children would then walk down the line of tables with their parents, who would choose which schools supplies their child/children would need. When the book bags were full as they went outside, Councilman Mark Gjonaj was there with a cooler full of delicious fruit bars, and other snacks for the children to enjoy.

Louis Lutnick, Jacqueline Lutnick, Steve Glosser (V-P), Lance Zavin, Edith Blitzer (President), and Elio Morales of the PPNA.

Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez Joins members of the Albanian Open Hands Association to give out book bags. 

Tables filled with all the school supplies a student would need are lined up waiting for the students and their parents.

Councilman Mark Gjonaj was outside with a large cooler filled with delicious fruit bars, also gave out face masks, and had hand sanitizer on hand. 

Councilman Gjonaj stands between two of his favorite women. Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez on his right, and PPNA President Edith Blitzer on his left.

Being in different parts of the state legislature, State Senator Alessandra Biaggi and Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez chat at the PPNA Open Hands  event.

The line of children and their parents stretched all the way down the block.

A father with new book bags and lots of school supplies for his children.