Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - DECEMBER 13, 2021

62,934 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours    

46 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

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

"The vaccine is the first and best line of defense we have against this virus," Governor Hochul said. "With the holiday travel season upon us and friends and family gathering together indoors, it's more important than ever that we stay vigilant and take the necessary precautions to keep ourselves and each other safe. Get the vaccine if you haven't already, get the booster if you have, and make sure your loved ones do the same." 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Test Results Reported - 179,704
• Total Positive - 8,993
• Percent Positive - 5.00%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.62%
• Patient Hospitalization - 3,683 (+109)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 445
• Patients in ICU - 736 (+43)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 399 (+11)
• Total Discharges - 220,524 (+330)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 46
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 47,183 
  
  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 - 59,990 
  
  
  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 - 31,361,706
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 62,934
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 846,658
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 86.8% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 79.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 93.4%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 82.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 75.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 67.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 81.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 70.4%

MAYOR DE BLASIO UNVEILS SECOND MONTHLY UPDATE ON NEW BLUEPRINT TO COMBAT EXTREME WEATHER IN NEW YORK CITY

 

New York City continues to put into action new strategies to guard against severe weather

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today released the second monthly update to “The New Normal: Combatting Storm-Related Extreme Weather in New York City,” a landmark report that provides New York City with a new blueprint to prepare for and respond to extreme weather. The report details the City’s efforts to assist New Yorkers still recovering from Ida, launch new infrastructure improvements, and protect residents in basement units.

A copy of the monthly update can be found here.  

 

“New York City is now on the path toward a safe, sustainable, resilient future for all,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We have the blueprint we need to plan for severe weather and we have the structures in place to immediately respond. We look forward to building on this progress to keep our city prepared for whatever comes next.” 

 

“We promised New Yorkers that we would protect them from the threat of severe weather and we’re delivering on that promise,” said Extreme Weather Coordinator, Deputy Mayor for Administration, and Chief of Staff Emma Wolfe. “Through targeted investments, better storm tracking, and new ways to get information to the public, we’re ensuring our residents are safe as we face this new reality and the impacts of climate change.” 

 

Key progress made in November includes relief sewer installation in Queens, which adds sewer capacity to existing sewer systems. Department of Environmental Protection has also begun a project to install 1,365 linear feet of storm sewer and 1,180 linear feet of water main in Jamaica at Hendrickson Place, 166^th St., and 108^th Ave. This relief sewer alongside the existing under-capacity storm sewer will alleviate flooding conditions and protect New Yorkers.

 

The City has also continued to help New Yorkers impacted by Hurricane Ida and repair Ida-affected homes. This support includes working with each homeowner to navigate the FEMA financial assistance applications, and connecting homeowners to a dedicated list of New York City plumbers and electricians who are prioritizing Ida-affected repairs. In some cases, when FEMA financial assistance has not covered the full cost of damages, the City is working on reimbursing homeowners for necessary repairs.  

 

Key progress in November also includes:

• $39 million of expense funding allocated as part of the November Financial plan to implement commitments in the New Normal report such as an expanded sensor network, a database of basement apartments, green infrastructure maintenance, and wetlands management staffing, which builds on $2.4 billion in funding that was included in the FY22 Capital Commitment Plan.

• 2 Community Driveways done, with 38 more planned in the next six months

• 10 new flood warning signs installed

• City agencies, led by the Department of Transportation, distributed more than 7,200 sandbags in 5 days

 

The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIAJ) also allocates unprecedented federal funding to resiliency work nationwide, and the Administration expects these funds will advance numerous local adaptation needs. While the Administration continues to determine the level of funding available to New York City, we expect this funding to be available for projects including:

 

• Neighborhood cloudburst projects

• Tree planting

• Coastal protection

• Wetlands acquisition and restoration

• Neighborhood planning

• Climate science

• Transportation and transit projects

• Household weatherization improvements

• Lead water distribution service line replacement

 

“By prioritizing sustainability and resiliency efforts across every City agency, borough and neighborhood, New York City has been able to protect our city from the threat of extreme weather and the climate change crisis,” said Jainey Bavishi, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate Resiliency. “New York City is a global leader when it comes to planning for a future that involves living with the direct impacts of global warming. We’ve invested in our infrastructure, ramped up emergency communications plans, and launched new resiliency projects. We’re ready for what the future holds.” 

 

“Continuing to transform the city so it can withstand extreme weather requires a sustained commitment across all levels of government and following the steps laid out in this blueprint has put us in a more resilient position,” said NYC Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “Upgrading our sewer infrastructure where feasible and continuing to diversify our drainage toolbox, most recently with plans for large green medians, will help to prevent flooding and property damage while also improving the environment.”

 

“Our agency is steadfast in its commitment to making New York City a prepared and resilient city for all,” said NYC Emergency Management Acting Commissioner Andrew D’Amora. “We have updated the City’s flash flood emergency plan to align with other City planning efforts and continue to share messaging to warn New Yorkers of potential storm conditions. We are proud of the progress we have made with our partners to combat the dangers of extreme weather through these new programs and initiatives, and will continue to coordinate these efforts to ensure every community across the five boroughs is ready for any emergency that comes our way.”

 

20 Days and Counting

 

The days are counting down to where those pesky reporters won't be able to ask me if I am running for governor. Today for example no one asked me if I thought my chances of getting elected were any better before Letitia James dropped out of the governor's race. 

So, as we prepare to conclude this administration, we're focusing on finishing strong, fighting COVID every day, getting this city strong for its recovery. But we're also looking at all the things that have been done over the last eight years and providing a final summary to New Yorkers of what's been achieved, particularly how we acted on a vision. The vision from the beginning was clear in every way we could stop the tail of two cities. We knew it was a longstanding reality. The inequality gripping our society was intense eight years ago. I'm happy to tell you that some of the things we've put into place over these last eight years have had a real impact and I'm also really happy to tell you that we've actually gotten some of the real help we needed from the federal government and more is coming. 

Major Cocaine Supplier Of Violent Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that JOSE MARTINEZ-DIAZ, a/k/a “Tony Zinc,” who supplied over 5,000 kilograms of cocaine to the Puerto-Rico-based drug alliance, La Organización de Narcotraficantes Unidos (“La ONU”), was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman to 20 years in prison.  MARTINEZ-DIAZ previously pled guilty to participating in a racketeering conspiracy.  

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Jose Martinez-Diaz supplied a staggering quantity of cocaine, a dangerous and addictive drug, to a violent drug trafficking organization.  Some of the cocaine he supplied came to New York, where it was distributed out of, among other places, a daycare center in the Bronx.  To ensure his drug business flourished, Martinez-Diaz brokered violence and even used corrupt law enforcement officials.  Today Jose Martinez-Diaz was rightly sentenced to a lengthy prison term for his horrific crimes.”

According to the Indictment, other filings in this case, and statements during court proceedings:

MARTINEZ-DIAZ was a high-volume cocaine trafficker who supplied over 5,000 kilograms of cocaine to La ONU, a criminal enterprise involved in shipping thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to New York.  Cocaine from La ONU was then distributed in New York City, including out of a daycare center in the Bronx, New York.  Members and associates of La ONU also engaged in acts of violence, including murder, to protect and expand the enterprise’s criminal operations and in connection with rivalries with other criminal organizations.  In particular, members of the enterprise were ordered to shoot and kill suspected rival drug trafficking members.

MARTINEZ-DIAZ, or those working on his behalf, smuggled cocaine from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico, usually by boat.  The shipments often occurred as frequently as once per week, with such shipments containing 130 to 160 kilograms of cocaine.  MARTINEZ-DIAZ would then parcel out the shipments to La ONU members.

MARTINEZ-DIAZ used the machinery of La ONU to protect his narcotics trade.  For example, MARTINEZ-DIAZ arranged for corrupt members of the Puerto Rico Police Department (“PRPD”) to locate rival drug dealers and effect unwarranted traffic stops to control their movements or to isolate them until others from La ONU could attack them. 

In or about 2007, MARTINEZ-DIAZ ordered a shooting on Avenue Monserrate in Carolina, Puerto Rico.  The target was shot, but survived.

On another occasion, MARTINEZ-DIAZ paid a police officer $5,000 in connection with the attempted murder of a rival drug dealer known as “Taliban.”  The intended victim was shot, but survived.

MARTINEZ-DIAZ funded and assisted La ONU in its fight against its rival, La Rompe ONU.  For example, MARTINEZ-DIAZ provided money to La ONU members to purchase firearms.  In addition, MARTINEZ-DIAZ and others created a fake PRPD patrol car.  Members of La ONU used the fake patrol car to harass and intimidate members of La Rompe ONU, and to conduct shootings. 

MARTINEZ-DIAZ also worked with a corrupt Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) agent, who helped MARTINEZ-DIAZ and others in the narcotics conspiracy evade detection by law enforcement. 

In addition to the prison term, Judge Furman sentenced MARTINEZ-DIAZ, 48, of Puerto Rico, to three years of supervised release, and ordered him to forfeit $6.875 million.

Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New York City Police Department.  Mr. Williams also thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Police Department for their support in this ongoing investigation.

Alliance of Yemeni American Businesses Grand Opening

 

The Alliance of Yemeni American Businesses was created by the owners of the convenience stores in many neighborhoods across the city. Mr. Yahay Obeid a leader in the Yemen-American community, and whose family owned a store was one of six people who founded the Alliance of Yemini American businesses, and Mr. Obeid serves as President of the organization. 

The AYAB will help the individual Yemeni-American business owners, and others in many ways offering management advice, product availability, store set up or renovation of current stores, and are working on making available a different much more cost efficient non cash system. AYAB is located at 1626 Bronxdale Avenue in the Morris Park section of the Bronx.   

Mr. Yahay Obeid Speaking is flanked L - R by the Community Board 11 Chair, A representative of the Bronx District Attorney's Office, The head of the Allerton International Merchants Association, Leaders of the Yemini-American community and others behind him. 

Bronx Community Board 11 Chair Mr. Al D'Angelo welcomes the new AYAB office to his community board area, where Mr. Yahay Obeid is also the Vice-Chair of CB 11. He also thanked the Yemini community for their help in Morris Park Columbus Day Parade.

Bronx Borough Elect Vanessa Gibson pledged her support to AYAB in helping the many store owners throughout the Bronx who are struggling to make a living for their families.

Shabbir Gul President of the Bronx Community Council, and a leader in the Bronx Muslim community wishes AYAB good luck in the new venture to aid Muslim small businesses.

Mr. Gene De Francis President of the Allerton Avenue International Merchants congratulates ATAB and Mr. Yahay Obeid on this venture to help small businesses.

Outgoing Councilman Mark Gjonaj, Chair of the City Council Small Business Committee, congratulates the Yemeni community in this venture.

Dr. Hamkd Al Silwi, Iman of the Bronx Muslim Center say a prayer before the ribbon is cut to open the Alliance of Yemeni American Businesses. 

 Holding scissors on the left are Mr. Fathi Alyla, President of the Yemen Community, the Yemen Ambassador to the United Nations, and Councilman Mark Gjonaj. On the right, Bronx Borough President Elect Vanessa Gibson and Camelia Tepelus Executive Director of the Morris Park BID.

ICYMI: Governor Hochul Announces Mask Protocol Now in Effect, New FAQ Resource Available

Masks Now Required in All Indoor Public Places Unless Businesses or Venues Implement a Vaccine Requirement

See Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the New Requirements Here

See Mask and Vaccine Posters Available for Businesses Here and Here

Read Health Commissioner's Determination Here 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the mask protocol for all indoor public places announced Friday is now in effect, as well as a new Frequently Asked Questions resource for business owners and the general public.

Masks are now required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement. As noted on the Frequently Asked Questions webpage, an indoor public place is defined as any indoor space that is not a private residence -- businesses and venues New Yorkers frequent that are publicly owned or owned by private business. These entities include indoor entertainment venues, concert halls, indoor sports stadiums, recreational spaces, restaurants, office buildings, shopping centers, grocery stores, pharmacies, houses of worship and common areas in residential buildings. Posters encouraging people to wear masks and get vaccinated are available for businesses to use here and here.

"As Governor, my top priority is to protect the health of New Yorkers and the health of our economy, and these temporary measures will help us get through the holiday season safely," Governor Hochul said. "I share everyone's frustration that we have gotten to this point, especially with the vaccine at our disposal. I want to thank the millions of New Yorkers who have done the right thing to get fully vaccinated. We are all in this together and if others will follow suit, these measures will no longer be necessary."   

This major action to address the winter surge and concern over upcoming holiday gatherings comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise statewide to be in alignment with the CDC's recommendations for communities with substantial and high transmission. The State Health Commissioner issued a determination solidifying the requirement. 

This measure is effective until Jan. 15, 2022, after which the State will re-evaluate based on current conditions, and brings added layers of mitigation during the holiday season when more time is spent indoors shopping, gathering and visiting holiday-themed destinations.     

Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "Taking this action now is critical to slowing the COVID-19 winter surge during the holidays. Each of you can contribute: get vaccinated, get boosted if you are already vaccinated and wear a mask. We urge the public to support these new requirements in indoor public places by cooperating with the venues. We need everyone to do their part to get through this together."

For information how businesses and venues can implement a proof of vaccination requirement or a mask wearing requirement, see the Frequently Asked Questions here.

COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses are free and widely available statewide. New Yorkers can visit vaccines.gov, text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations. To schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site, New Yorkers can visit the Am-I-Eligible site. New Yorkers can also contact their health care provider, county health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural health centers, or pharmacies. 

New Yorkers can retrieve their Excelsior Pass or Excelsior Pass Plus here. Businesses and venues can download the Excelsior Pass Scanner app—free for any business nationwide and available in more than ten languages—here.      

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES NYC POVERTY RATE, NEAR POVERTY RATE FOR 2019 REACHED HISTORIC LOW, WITH 521,000 FEWER NEW YORKERS IN POVERTY OR NEAR-POVERTY COMPARED TO 2013

 

Mayor also releases “Tale of a More Equal City,” highlighting progressive policies that have uplifted working families and redistributed wealth over the past eight years

 Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity today released the annual New York City Government Poverty Measure Report, which shows that both the poverty rate and the near-poverty rate reached historic lows in 2019. The 2019 poverty rate and near poverty rates are the lowest since the NYCgov poverty measure series began in 2005. In 2019 there were about 521,000 fewer New Yorkers in poverty or near-poverty than there would have been if the poverty rate had remained at the 2013 level.  The report shows a drop in the near-poverty rate to 40.8 percent in 2019 from 2013’s rate of 47.2 percent, a 13.6 percent decline. The report also demonstrates that the rate of New Yorkers in actual poverty has declined from 20.5 in 2013 to 17.9 in 2019, a decline of 12.7 percent.

 

The low poverty rate in 2019 coincides with the first year the minimum wage reached $15 in New York City, gradually rising from $7.25 per hour in 2013. The report also highlights the City’s many initiatives aimed at increasing equity and fairness. These programs include Pre-K for All; paid family leave and paid sick leave; increased units of affordable housing and tenant protection measures; and educational and job training initiatives.

 

These initiatives are further highlighted in “The Tale of a More Equal City” report, which details the impact of the Mayor’s policies to redistribute wealth and decrease income inequality over two terms.

 

"My mission for the past eight years has been to make our city a fairer place to live for those who had been left behind for too long," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "These reports reveal that progressive policies from the $15 minimum wage to Paid Sick Leave to Universal Pre-K are actually working to redistribute wealth, cut poverty and uplift low-income New Yorkers across our city."

"Reducing poverty has been a central priority of this Administration, and the progress achieved reflects a citywide commitment and structural policy change," said Matthew Klein, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity.  "There is always more work to do, but this historically low poverty rate represents an important milestone in the effort to make upward mobility more broadly available to all." 

“The historic low of the NYCgov poverty measure is an important milestone. It shows the importance of a measure that can track multiple aspects of New Yorkers’ progress towards security and economic well-being,” said Christine D’Onofrio, Director of Poverty Research, Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity.

The Poverty Report data reflects conditions before the COVID-19 pandemic. As New York City recovers from the pandemic related damage to the city’s economy there is every indication that federal COVID relief polices are averting a poverty crisis. Stimulus payments, extended unemployment and SNAP benefits and the expanded Child Tax Credit payments have assisted New Yorkers as the City moves towards a recovery.

 

About the NYCgov Poverty Measure

The City’s NYCgov poverty measure is updated annually. This year’s report uses the most recent available information from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and is augmented by the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity.  The NYCgov poverty measure was developed to provide a more precise portrait of poverty in New York City than the official U.S. poverty measure. It takes into account the cost of living in New York City, including the higher cost of housing, and counts as income those programs that supplement New Yorker’s income, such as tax credits and SNAP benefits – elements that are not taken into account in the federal poverty measure. Additionally, the calculation of the U.S. official poverty measure has remained largely unchanged for over 50 years. New York City is the only U.S. city that calculates its own poverty rate using this more precise measure.

  

New Yorkers for Parks - 1M Daffodils Planted: Thank You!

 That's a Wrap! 1,000,000 Daffodils Planted

Twenty years ago, we launched the Daffodil Project as a living memorial in remembrance of the victims of September 11th.

As New York City continues to heal from another devastating crisis resulting from Covid-19, New Yorkers for Parks is grateful for the thousands of neighbors who helped plant 1 million daffodil bulbs across the city this fall to honor the lives we’ve lost.

We look forward to next spring when daffodils begin to bloom throughout the five boroughs as New York recovers stronger together.

Already looking forward to the 2022 season?

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