Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on Efforts to Address the Opioid Epidemic

 

FY 2023 Enacted Budget Provides Historic Funding for Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services  

Opioid Settlement Advisory Board Members Appointed and Scheduled to Meet  

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers regarding ongoing efforts to address the opioid epidemic. In response to the newly released information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that more than 107,000 Americans died of overdoses last year, the Governor is reinforcing ongoing investments and her continued commitment to addressing this critical issue.      

“The figures released by the CDC are staggering, showing precious lives continue to be taken by the opioid epidemic, devastating families and communities across New York State and beyond,” Governor Hochul said. “Make no mistake: my Administration will fight every day to provide New Yorkers with further access to life-saving resources, services, and care. We will do everything we can to empower New Yorkers with the information they need to protect themselves and their loved ones from this public health crisis.”   

One of the Governor’s first actions upon taking office was appointing a new Commissioner of the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). Since her appointment, Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, a physician and expert in treating substance use disorder, has been working to expand and enhance the State’s addiction services system.      

Commissioner of the Office of Addiction Services and Supports Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “I am proud to have been appointed by Governor Hochul to help implement an agenda of ensuring a comprehensive system of prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction in New York State. Ensuring equitable access to these critical services is essential to helping us save more lives and support more families.”    

OASAS oversees one of the nation’s largest Substance Use Disorder systems of care with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery programs serving over 680,000 individuals per year. OASAS is the state agency designated to provide the coordination of state-federal relations in the area of addiction services; is the State Opioid Treatment Authority; and the agency charged with the responsibility to monitor the use of the opioid settlement funds and ensure that the funds appropriated in the budget are expended for their designated purpose.  

Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett and the State’s Department of Health continue to advance a variety of harm reduction initiatives to reduce the burden of opioid abuse and dependency statewide. This includes robust data collection and reporting as well as supporting the work of partners in all corners of the State to build on the community basis for compassionate care. 

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, “The Department continues the critical work of providing and expanding access to evidence-based treatment and care for New Yorkers struggling with substance use. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, increased funding and the establishment of a diverse, experienced Advisory Board will enable us to further these efforts and help save lives.” 

To provide OASAS and the State Department of Health the support they need to carry out this important work, the Governor’s first State Budget included historic investments to support the workforce and provider system and ensure equitable access to life-saving services across the State. Specifically, this year’s Budget is helping to expand access to medication through mobile methadone services, which includes adding vehicles and telehealth equipment, and developing harm-reduction services and evidence-based community interventions to engage more individuals in services.   

The FY 2023 Enacted Budget invests $184.5 million of Opioid Settlement Funds in initiatives to address the opioid epidemic. These initiatives expand access to treatment services across the State by expanding system capacity and improving pathways for individuals to enter treatment. The Budget would also make critical investments in harm reduction, community-based prevention, and recovery programs. 

In addition, the Budget invests $200 million over five years from the Opioid Stewardship Fund, to fight the opioid epidemic using a public health approach. This inter-agency effort will be coordinated by OASAS and DOH and focus on harm reduction programs designed to serve individuals at highest risk of overdose, as well as initiatives to help uninsured New Yorkers afford the cost of opioid treatment.  

Commissioner Cunningham, under the Governor’s leadership, has also significantly ramped up efforts to make federal funding awards available to the provider system.  To date, over $78 million in federal Supplemental SAPT Block Grant funds have been made available to support efforts such as strengthening the addiction workforce, stabilizing the provider system, developing a prevention infrastructure, expanding access to medication for opioid use disorder services, enhancing recovery programming, creating transitional housing units, and promoting regional collaborations to provide more comprehensive, patient-centered care.    

The State is also in the second year of the second round of State Opioid Response Grants.  A total of $56 million has been made available to expand evidence-based prevention services in high-need communities; provide street outreach services to engage those not currently in treatment; support Health Hubs to provide access to an array of primary and behavioral health services; develop public awareness campaigns; and fund Recovery Community Outreach Centers to support individuals in their efforts to live a healthy lifestyle.  

To reduce the burden of opioid use and dependency statewide, the Department of Health collects and publishes county-level data to identify and respond to local needs, including through its quarterly reporting. The Department of Health also supports numerous partners and organizations that are providing quality treatment, training, and care. This includes New York MATTERS, an electronic referral system for connecting persons with opioid use disorder to local treatment and harm reduction services, the Local Health Department Initiative, which provides funding for 24 county health departments with the highest overdose rates outside of New York City, and over 900 registered Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs, which host training for non-medical individuals to recognize opioid overdoses and respond appropriately by calling 911 and administering naloxone, provided at no-cost. Through the Department’s Naloxone Co-payment Assistance Program (N-CAP), participants with prescription drug coverage have co-payments of up to $40 covered as part of their health insurance, resulting in no or lower out-of-pocket expenses. On the forefront of innovation in addressing the needs of New Yorkers who use drugs and lead in the distribution of naloxone to New Yorkers vulnerable to overdose, the State has worked to establish 25 Syringe Exchange Programs (SEPs) with over 81 sites statewide. These centers focus on reducing overdose by providing easy access to buprenorphine, building safety plans, and equipping participants with naloxone. 

The Governor’s latest efforts aimed at addressing the opioid epidemic include announcing that the Opioid Settlement Advisory Board has been constituted and the members have been selected. The first meetings of the Advisory Board have been scheduled for June 14 and 28 in Albany. The Advisory Board will soon meet to provide recommendations related to how the Opioid Settlement Funds should be allocated. These meetings will be available to the public in accordance with Public Meetings Law. The 21-member Advisory Board includes representation from OASAS, the Office of Mental Health, the State Department of Health, the Division of Budget, and 17 community members. The named community members include:  

Lawrence S. Brown, MD      

Anne Constantino      

Stephen Giordano, PhD   

Avi Israel  

Suzanne G. Lavigne            

Ashley Livingston      

Joshua J. Lynch  

Stephanie Marquesano  

Cheryll Moore  

Debra Pantin  

Carmen Rivera  

Joyce Rivera   

Tisha M. Smith, EdD            

Dr. Ashwin Vasan      

Justine Waldman, MD          

Kevin Watkins           

An additional appointment is pending and will be announced in the near future.  

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).   

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.     

New Yorkers can learn more about the State Department of Health’s latest efforts to combat the opioid effort and review county-level data at the page here. People with questions or requests for additional information should contact opioidprevention@health.ny.gov.   

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.  

Hacker and Ransomware Designer Charged for Use and Sale of Ransomware, and Profit Sharing Arrangements with Cybercriminals

 

Defendant, a Doctor, Designed Software With “Doomsday Counter,” Shared in Profits from Ransomware Attacks, and Bragged about Use by Iranian State-Sponsored Hacking Group

A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charging Moises Luis Zagala Gonzalez (Zagala), also known as “Nosophoros,” “Aesculapius” and “Nebuchadnezzar,” a citizen of France and Venezuela who resides in Venezuela, with attempted computer intrusions and conspiracy to commit computer intrusions.  The charges stem from Zagala’s use and sale of ransomware, as well as his extensive support of, and profit sharing arrangements with, the cybercriminals who used his ransomware programs.  

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges.

“As alleged, the multi-tasking doctor treated patients, created and named his cyber tool after death, profited from a global ransomware ecosystem in which he sold the tools for conducting ransomware attacks, trained the attackers about how to extort victims, and then boasted about successful attacks, including by malicious actors associated with the government of Iran,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Combating ransomware is a top priority of the Department of Justice and of this Office.  If you profit from ransomware, we will find you and disrupt your malicious operations.”

"We allege Zagala not only created and sold ransomware products to hackers, but also trained them in their use. Our actions today will prevent Zagala from further victimizing users. However, many other malicious criminals are searching for businesses and organizations that haven't taken steps to protect their systems - which is an incredibly vital step in stopping the next ransomware attack," stated Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.

As charged in the criminal complaint, Zagala, a 55-year-old cardiologist who resides in Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela, has designed multiple ransomware tools—malicious software that cybercriminals use to extort money from companies, nonprofits and other institutions, by encrypting those files and then demanding a ransom for the decryption keys.  Zagala sold or rented out his software to hackers who used it to attack computer networks. 

One of Zagala’s early products, a ransomware tool called “Jigsaw v. 2,” had, in Zagala’s description, a “Doomsday” counter that kept track of how many times the user had attempted to eradicate the ransomware.  Zagala wrote: “If the user kills the ransomware too many times, then its clear he won’t pay so better erase the whole hard drive.”

Beginning in late 2019, Zagala began advertising a new tool online—a “Private Ransomware Builder” he called “Thanos.”  The name of the software appears to be a reference to a fictional cartoon villain named Thanos, who is responsible for destroying half of all life in the universe, as well as a reference to the figure “Thanatos” from Greek mythology, who is associated with death.  The Thanos software allowed its users to create their own unique ransomware software, which they could then use or rent for use by other cybercriminals.  The user interface for the Thanos software is shown below:[1]

The screenshot shows, on the right-hand side, an area for “Recovery Information,” in which the user can create a customized ransom note.  Other options include a “data stealer” that specifies the types of files that the ransomware program should steal from the victim computer, an “anti-VM” option to defeat the testing enviornments used by security researchers, and an option, as advertised, to make the ransomware program “self-delete.” 

Rather than simply sell the Thanos software, Zagala allowed individuals to pay for it in two ways.  First, a criminal could buy a “license” to use the software for a certain period of time.  The Thanos software was designed to make periodic contact with a server in Charlotte, North Carolina that Zagala controlled for the purpose of confirming that the user had an active license.[2]  Alternatively, a Thanos customer could join what Zagala called an “affiliate program,” in which he provided a user access to the Thanos builder in exchange for a share of the profits from Ransomware attacks.  Zagala received payment both in fiat currency and cryptocurrency, including Monero and Bitcoin.

Zagala advertised the Thanos software on various online forums frequented by cybercriminals, using screennames that referred to Greek mythology.  His two preferred nicknames were “Aesculapius,” referring to the ancient Greek god of medicine, and “Nosophoros,” meaning “disease-bearing” in Greek.  In public advertisements for the program, Zagala bragged that ransomware made using Thanos was nearly undetectable by antivirus programs, and that “once encryption is done,” the ransomware would “delete itself,” making detection and recovery “almost impossible” for the victim. 

In private chats with customers, Zagala explained to them how to deploy his ransomware products—how to design a ransom note, steal passwords from victim computers, and set a Bitcoin address for ransom payments.  As Zagala explained to one customer, discussing Jigsaw: “Victim 1 pays at the given btc [Bitcoin] address and decrypts his files.”  Zagala also noted that “there is a punishment… [i]f user reboots.  For every rerun it will punish you with 1000 files deleted.”  After Zagala explained all the features of the software, the customer replied: “Sir, I really need to say this . . . You are the best developer ever.”  Zagala responded: “Thank you that is nice to hear[.]  Im very flattered and proud.”  Zagala had only one request: “If you have time and its not too much trouble to you please describe your experience with me” in an online review.

On or about May 1, 2020, a confidential human source of the FBI (CHS-1) discussed joining Zagala’s “affiliate program.”  Zagala responded: “Not for now.  Don’t have spots.”  But Zagala offered to license the software to CHS-1 for $500 a month with “basic options,” or $800 with “full options.” 

On or about October 7, 2020, CHS-1 asked Zagala how to establish an affiliate program of his own using Thanos.  Zagala responded with a short tutorial on how to set up a ransomware crew.  He explained that CHS-1 should find people “versed…in LAN hacking” and supply them with a version of the Thanos ransomware that was programmed to expire after a given period of time.[3]  Zagala said that he personally had “a maximum of between 10-20” affiliates at a given time, and “sometimes only 5.”  He added that hackers approached him for his software after they had gained access to a victim network:  “they come with access to [b]ig LAN, I check and then I accept[.]  they lock several big networks and we wait…If you lock networks without tape or cloud (backups)[,] almost all pay[.]” 

Zagala further explained that, sometimes, a victim network turned out to have an unexpected backup: “so no point in locking because they have backups, so in that case we only exfiltrate data,” referring to stealing victim information.  Zagala further added that he had an associate who “knows how to corrupt tapes,” meaning backups, and how to “disable[] AV,” meaning antivirus software.  Finally, Zagala offered to give CHS-1 an additional two weeks free after CHS-1’s one-month license expired, explaining “because 1 month is too little for this business…sometimes you need to work a lot to get good profit.”

Zagala’s customers favorably reviewed his products.  One individual posted a message praising Thanos in July 2020, writing “i bought the ransomware from nosophoros and it is very powerful,” and claiming that he had used Zagala’s ransomware to infect a network of approximately 3000 computers.  And, in December 2020, another user wrote a post in Russian: “We have been working with this product for over a month now, we have a good profit!  Best support I’ve met.”  Zagala has publicly discussed his knowledge that his clients used his software to commit ransomware attacks, including by linking to a news story about an Iranian state-sponsored hacking group’s use of Thanos to attack Israeli companies.

In or around November 2021, Zagala began using a third screenname – “Nebuchadnezzar.”  In chats with a second confidential source of the FBI (CHS-2), Zagala stated that he had switched aliases to preserve “OPSEC… operational security” because “malware analysts are all over me.” 

On or about May 3, 2022, law enforcement agents conducted a voluntary interview of a relative of Zagala who resides in Florida and whose PayPal account was used by Zagala to receive illicit proceeds.  The individual confirmed that Zagala resides in Venezuela and had taught himself computer programming.  The individual also showed agents contact information for Zagala in his phone that matched the registered email for malicious infrastructure associated with the Thanos malware.

If convicted, the defendant faces up to five years’ imprisonment for attempted computer intrusion, and five years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit computer intrusions. 

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEX TRAFFICKING OF WOMAN AND TEENAGE GIRL

 

Defendant Beat and Choked Victims 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the sex-trafficking of a 28-year-old New Jersey woman and 15-year-old Brooklyn girl.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant pleaded guilty in two separate cases in which he assaulted a woman and a teenage girl and forced them into selling themselves for sex. No one deserves to be treated in such a despicable way. Today’s sentence shows people will not get away with sex trafficking crimes, and that we are here to help the traumatized victims as best we can to seek justice and provide resources so they can move on.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Reginald Cooke AKA Reggie, 33, last of 1051 Anderson Avenue, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Laurence Busching. Final orders of protection for the victims were issued and the defendant must register as a sex offender. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Sex Trafficking on each of the two indictments he was charged with, one involving a 28-year-old woman and another involving a 15-year-old girl.

 According to the investigation, between August 21, 2020 and October 8, 2020, the defendant told the 28-year-old victim that she could have a better life and convinced her to stay with her two children in his Bronx home. Cooke took photos of the victim and posted them as ads on sex websites. The victim performed sexual acts with approximately 10-15 Johns per day in Cooke’s apartment, or at an apartment nearby. When the victim did not abide by Cooke’s rules, he would slap, punch, choke her and pull her hair. He also plied her with PCP.

 On October 8, 2020, the victim told the defendant that she did not want to work for him anymore and Cooke yelled and hit her in front of her two children. The victim called the police and left for New Jersey. An investigation began by the Bronx DA’s Human Trafficking Unit and the NYPD Human Trafficking Unit.

 On August 2020, the 15-year-old victim was sold to Cooke for $300 and he took the victim to his home and refused to let her leave. During that time, the victim engaged in sexual intercourse with Cooke. The defendant beat the teen to instill fear: punching, slapping, and choking her. He coordinated meetings with Johns and managed prices and payments. As with the other victim, Cooke took pictures of her and uploaded them as ads on sex websites.

 The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children saw her photos online and notified the NYPD. On August 21, 2020, the girl was rescued by the Human Trafficking Major Case Team after an undercover detective set up a date with the victim.

 Cooke was indicted on the first case in October 2020 and bail was set at $350,00 cash/$350,00 bond/ $350,000 partially secured bond. After a surety hearing, a judge determined bail was from legal sources and the defendant posted bail. On January 21, 2021, Cooke was released from Rikers Island and immediately contacted the New Jersey complainant and attempted to traffic her again. He was indicted on February 5, 2021, on the case involving that victim.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked Human Trafficking Major Case Team of NYPD Vice Enforcement Division Detective Mark Shackel, Detective Judith Moreno, and Lieutenant Amy Capogna for their work in the investigation.

Governor Hochul Urges New Yorkers to Prepare for Severe Weather Expected to Impact Parts of State Through Monday Evening

 

Parts of Southern Tier, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, Capital Region, Mid-Hudson, and North Country Regions at Enhanced Risk for Severe Storms Monday

High Winds from Storms Could Cause Power Outages, Downed Tree Limbs, and Power Lines; Additional Impacts Could Include Heavy Rain, Large Hail, Dangerous Lightning, and Possible Isolated Tornadoes

New Yorkers Urged to Use Caution and Stay Alert to Rapidly Changing Weather Conditions

 Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to take precautions as a severe weather system is forecast to sweep across parts of the Southern Tier, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, Capital, Mid-Hudson, and North Country regions today, with an enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms. These storms could begin as early as late morning in western parts of the state and are expected to move across the central and eastern parts of the state through this evening. The primary threat from these storms is high winds with gusts up to 60 mph which can cause power outages and other hazardous conditions as a result of downed trees and power lines. Additional impacts from the storm could include heavy rain and flash flooding, large hail, dangerous lightning, and isolated tornadoes. Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers to use caution and stay alert throughout the day in areas expected to be impacted by severe weather for rapidly changing conditions.

“It is critical that New Yorkers use caution today and stay prepared as severe weather is likely to impact many parts of the State,” Governor Hochul said. “The storm system moving through New York has the potential to cause power outages and downed tree limbs and power lines, and I am urging anyone in the path of these storms to keep a close eye on the weather and be prepared to act quickly if severe weather strikes.”

For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website at https://alerts.weather.gov.

New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert at alert.ny.gov, a free service providing critical emergency information to your cell phone or computer.

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "We are actively monitoring any and all severe weather impacts that these storms may bring our way and coordinating any necessary response with our State agency partners and local officials. New Yorkers need to stay alert and be prepared to act, if necessary, in the event of severe weather. Be sure to check on your loved ones and neighbors, when possible, to ensure their safety.”

Severe Weather Safety Tips

Preparedness

• Know the county in which you live and the names of nearby cities. Severe weather warnings are issued on a county basis.
• Learn the safest route from your home or business to high, safe ground should you have to leave in a hurry.
• Develop and practice a 'family escape' plan and identify a meeting place if family members become separated.
• Make an itemized list of all valuables including furnishings, clothing and other personal property. Keep the list in a safe place.
• Stockpile emergency supplies of canned food, medicine and first aid supplies and drinking water. Store drinking water in clean, closed containers.
• Plan what to do with your pets.
• Have a portable radio, flashlights, extra batteries, and emergency cooking equipment available.
• Keep your vehicle fueled or charged. If electric power is cut off, gasoline stations may not be able to pump fuel for several days. Have a small disaster supply kit in the trunk of your car.
• Have disaster supplies on hand, including:
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
  • First aid kit and manual
  • Emergency food and water
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Essential medicines
  • Checkbook, cash, credit cards, ATM cards

Flash Flooding

• Never attempt to drive on a flooded road. Turn around and go another way.
• If water begins to rise rapidly around you in your car, abandon the vehicle immediately.
• Do not underestimate the power of fast-moving water. Two feet of fast-moving flood water will float your car, and water moving at two miles per hour can sweep cars off a road or bridge.

Lightning

• Follow the 30-30 rule: If the time between when you see a flash of lightning and hear thunder is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is close enough to hit you. Seek shelter immediately. After the last flash of lightning, wait 30 minutes before leaving your shelter.
• Lightning hits the tallest object. If you are above a tree line, quickly get below it and crouch down if you are in an exposed area.
• If you can’t get to a shelter, stay away from trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall.

Tornado

• If outdoors and a Tornado Warning is issued, seek shelter immediately. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head.
• If at home or in a small building, go to the basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of the building. Stay away from windows. Closets, bathrooms, and other interior rooms offer the best protection. Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with a mattress.
• If in a school, hospital, or shopping center, go to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from large open areas and windows. Do not go outside to your car.
• If in a high-rise building, go to an interior small room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Do not use elevators – use stairs instead.

For more safety tips, visit the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Safety Tips web page at www.dhses.ny.gov/safety.

MAYOR ADAMS BOLSTERS NYC’S COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS, FURTHER EXPANDING COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTION NETWORK AND PROTECTING NEW YORKERS

 

Mayor Adams to Distribute 16.5 Million Additional At-Home Covid-19 Tests, 1 Million High-Quality Masks This Month Alone at Schools, Libraries, Cultural Institutions, Community Organizations Across Five Boroughs

 

City Has Already Distributed 20 Million Tests to Date, Bringing Total Tests to Be Distributed to Over 36 Million

 

As New York City Expects to Enter High COVID-19 Alert Level, City Strongly Recommends Masks in All Public Indoor Settings

 

City Urges New Yorkers to Take Advantage of Widely Available COVID-19 Treatments That Have Helped Over 35,000 New Yorkers, Preventing Nearly 2,000 Hospitalizations

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today took action to bolster New York City’s COVID-19 preparedness and prepare New Yorkers for any future waves. Mayor Adams, the NYC Test & Trace Corps (Test & Trace), the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) announced the distribution of an additional 16.5 million at-home COVID-19 tests and 1 million high-quality masks that will take place over the next month to 1,600 New York City public schools and the over 1,000 community organizations, libraries, cultural institutions, houses of worship, and elected offices participating in the city’s At-Home Test Distribution Program. The distribution effort joins other measures to blunt the worst impacts of the current wave, including the distribution of 35,000 COVID-19 courses of treatment to date, which have prevented nearly 2,000 hospitalizations in the city so far.

 

The city has also distributed 20 million at-home tests to schools and participating community organizations to date — meaning this additional surge of tests will bring the total distributed at-home tests to over 36 million as the city prepares to potentially hit a high-alert level in the coming days — ensuring free at-home testing is widely accessible to New Yorkers across the five boroughs. Additionally, eligible New Yorkers are encouraged to take advantage of free, at-home delivery of COVID-19 treatments.

 

“It’s never been easier for New Yorkers to get a free at-home test, a high-quality mask, or access COVID-19 treatments in New York City,” said Mayor Adams. “At-home tests and masks provide reliable and convenient ways for New Yorkers to confidently and safely protect themselves and others and allow them to enjoy our city. I encourage all New Yorkers to go out and pick up a free at-home test as soon as they can to remain prepared, to mask up in indoor public settings, and to take advantage of the life-saving treatments we now have readily available to fight this virus. These combined tools not only are a blessing that we previously did not have access to, but also will allow us to combat this disease in the future, instead of in the past.”

 

“We now have the ability to test ourselves in the comfort of our own home, before deciding whether to dine out with friends, head out for work, or attend a family gathering with grandparents and little ones,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Along with getting vaccinated and boosted, high-quality masks and at-home tests provide additional tools to stay safe and healthy. Thank you to all the community-based organizations and faith-based institutions working to get at home tests and masks in the hands of every New Yorker that needs them.” 

 

“Regular home testing and wearing masks indoors, especially while cases rise, is the best way to keep yourself, those around you, and your community safe,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “I advise all New Yorkers to mask up indoors, even if you have a negative test and especially if you are unvaccinated, have not had your booster, or are in a high-risk category. Masks offer strong protection against getting and transmitting COVID-19. We don’t anticipate that this wave will last much longer, so hang in there, New York City. If we all do our part, we can bring case numbers down in the coming weeks and get ready for a wonderful summer.” 

 

“If you test positive for COVID-19, get treatment right away — it might help you stay out of the hospital,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz. “You can call 212-COVID19 to talk to one of our medical providers and get treatment delivered right to your door. If you need to go to the hospital, our facilities are always open no matter your immigration status, ability to pay, or how long you have lived in New York City.”

 

“We are firmly committed to making testing resources and life-saving COVID treatments available to all New Yorkers, without exception,” said Dr. Ted Long, executive director, NYC Test & Trace Corps; and senior vice president for Ambulatory Care and Population Health, NYC Health + Hospitals. “As a primary care doctor, I know that for every 18 New Yorkers we treat, we can prevent one New Yorker from getting so sick they need to be admitted to the hospital. This variant is more contagious, but our treatments are extremely effective and have already prevented nearly 2,000 hospitalizations. These new therapeutics are the tool we’ve been waiting for to help us win the war against COVID, and they are just a phone call away.”  

 

New York City is preparing to potentially enter a high COVID-19 alert level in the coming days and strongly recommends that all New Yorkers mask up in public indoor settings to protect themselves and others. Through widely available tools — including at-home tests, COVID-19 treatments, masks, vaccinations, and boosters — New Yorkers have more tools at their fingertips than ever before to stay safe and healthy.  

 

Through community partnerships alone, Test & Trace has distributed 2.3 million tests and currently maintains a stockpile of tens of millions of tests that can be rapidly distributed if needed. Making at-home testing widely available has ensured New Yorkers can test themselves immediately if they have symptoms, so they can safely head to work, to school, or to other gatherings with family and friends, or quickly receive treatment if needed.

 

At-home test distribution through Test & Trace’s network of 192 prominent cultural sites and library branches brings critical self-testing resources to areas of need at familiar locations in all five boroughs. Test & Trace makes weekly deliveries of at-home tests to participating cultural sites and libraries, where they are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, over 850 community and faith-based organizations — including 243 houses of worship — have signed up to regularly distribute at-home tests. Any New York City-based community organization that would like to participate as an at-home test distribution partner is encouraged to sign up online. 

 

New Yorkers can find an at-home test distribution pick up location most convenient to them and their hours of operation by visiting the city’s COVID-19 testing page: nyc.gov/covidtest. New Yorkers with a disability who need assistance or have questions regarding at home test kits should call 311. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing and use American Sign Language can call via video phone at 646-396-5830.  

New Yorkers who test positive using an at-home test can call 212-COVID19 to be connected to resources like free meal and care package delivery. Care packages contain personal protection equipment (PPE) for a household of three to quarantine, two rapid antigen at-home tests, and other necessities to help New Yorkers safely isolate.  

 

Multiple COVID-19 treatments are available for people ages 12 and older, and can be delivered to New Yorkers’ homes for free. For more information on COVID-19 treatments, please call 212-COVID19 and press 9 or visit nyc.gov/health/covidtreatments. Calling 212-COVID19 provides New Yorkers an immediate connection to a clinician who can refer them to monoclonal antibody treatment or prescribe antiviral medications, like Paxlovid, and arrange to have it delivered to their home that same day for free. 

 

DOHMH will, today, also put out a Health Advisory that urges all residents to use high-quality masks — such as KN95 and KF94 masks and N95 respirators — when indoors and in a public setting, including at grocery stores, building lobbies, offices, stores, and other common or shared spaces where individuals may interact, such as restrooms, hallways, elevators, and meeting rooms. The advisory notes particular importance for people who are at high risk of severe illness and death, namely those who are over 65 or who are unvaccinated.

 

DOHMH advises people at high risk of severe illness due to an underlying medical condition, older adults and people who are unvaccinated, including children under the age of five who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, to  avoid crowded settings and non-essential gatherings, particularly indoors. In addition, the DOHMH advisory notes that the impact of COVID-19 transmission is higher in settings with a high number of unvaccinated people. 

 

Governor Hochul can’t stand up to the scrutiny

 

My opponent, Governor Hochul, is once again following the model of disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

After previously committing to meet the public and answer questions at “multiple debates” throughout this election, Governor Hochul has finally exposed what she really meant. She committed to the bare minimum, rejecting numerous offers from multiple major media outlets to participate in statewide syndicated debates beginning as soon as two weeks from now.

Instead, my opponent agreed to only two debates, both held at the latest possible moments right before Election Day, because she knows her administration can’t stand up to the public scrutiny.

Debates are a critical part of reaching voters, connecting with the community, and sharing our vision for the future. Without these critical public forums, our campaign is robbed of valuable access to sharing our message for change with voters and that’s exactly what Governor Hochul is counting on.

Governor Hochul fears if New Yorkers hear the message of our campaign for change that it will hurt her campaign -- and, on that, I will agree, she’s right.

New Yorker’s want a leader who will fight for them in Albany, not Wall Street billionaires and special interests. They want a fighter for workers, not a lapdog for corporations.

My opponent knows that when voters learn my track record of success and vision for the future -- tackling the housing crisis, building a working people’s economy, reforming policing, and fighting big money to deliver real results for New Yorkers everywhere -- we win.

Working together, we will not let our voices be silenced. We will make sure voters statewide hear our vision for New York. And we’ll win, because we have you.

Thank you for making a difference today.

-Jumaane

DEC URGES NEW YORKERS TO LEAVE FAWNS AND OTHER YOUNG WILDLIFE IN THE WILD

 

Human Interactions Do More Harm than Good to Wild Animals

 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos is reminding New Yorkers to appreciate wildlife from a distance and resist the urge to pick up newborn fawns and other young wildlife.

“When young wildlife venture into the world, they may have a brief inability to walk or fly on their own, making some people believe they might need help,” Commissioner Seggos said. “However, young wildlife belongs in the wild and in nearly all cases, interaction with people does more harm than good to the animals.”

If You Care, Leave it There

When people encounter young wildlife, they likely not lost or abandoned, but purposely left there by their parents to keep them hidden from predators while the adult animal is nearby collecting food for the newborn.

White-tailed deer fawns are a good example of how human interaction with young wildlife can be problematic. Fawns are born during late May and early June, and although they can walk shortly after birth, they spend most of their first several days lying still in tall grass, leaf litter, or sometimes relatively unconcealed. During this period, a fawn is usually left alone by the adult female (doe), except when nursing. People occasionally find a lone fawn and mistakenly assume it has been abandoned, which is rare. A fawn’s best chance to survive is to be raised by the adult doe. If human presence is detected by the doe, the doe may delay its next visit to nurse.

Fawns should never be picked up. A fawn’s protective coloration and ability to remain motionless help it to avoid detection by predators and people. By the end of a fawn’s second week of life, it begins to move about, spend more time with the doe, and eat on its own. At about 10 weeks of age, fawns are no longer dependent on milk, although they continue to nurse occasionally into the fall.

The more serious cases of animals being abandoned are due to injury. Anyone that encounters a young wild animal that is obviously injured or orphaned may wish to call a wildlife rehabilitator. Wildlife rehabilitators are trained volunteers licensed by DEC. They are the only people legally allowed to receive and treat distressed wildlife because they have the experience, expertise, and facilities to successfully treat and release wild animals once rehabilitated.

Additionally, DEC reminds the public that young wildlife are not pets. Keeping wildlife in captivity is illegal and harmful to the animal. Wild animals are not well-suited to life in captivity and may carry diseases that can be harmful to humans. DEC also advises New Yorkers to keep pets indoors when young wild animals are present. Many fledgling birds cannot fly when they first leave the nest and are easy prey for a domestic cat.

Anyone who observes wildlife that appears to be sick or behaving abnormally should contact their DEC regional wildlife office.

For more information and answers to frequently asked questions about young wildlife, visit DEC’s website.

MAYOR ADAMS REDUCES BURDENS ON NYC SMALL BUSINESSES, JUMPSTARTS CITY’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY BY REFORMING 118 BUSINESS VIOLATIONS

 

30 Violations Will be Eliminated Altogether, Fines Will be Reduced for 49 Violations, and Cure Periods and First-Time Warnings Will Be Introduced for 39 Violations 

 

Reforms Will Save New York City Small Businesses Approximately $8.9 Million Annually, Far Surpassing Previous Administration Efforts to Cut Red Tape 

  New York City Mayor Eric Adams today took major steps to reduce burdens on and cut red tape for the city’s small businesses by announcing reforms to 118 city regulations. The 118 reforms stem from Executive Order 2 (EO2) “Small Business Forward”  — signed in January 2022 — that requires city agencies to review existing business regulations and ensure local businesses face fewer needless fines and penalties without jeopardizing public health or safety. The reforms include the repeal of 30 provisions, the reduction of civil penalties associated with 49 provisions, and amendments to 39 provisions to include a first-time warning or cure period or to extend an existing cure period.   

 

Executing on Small Business Forward was a critical first step to fundamentally overhauling how the city engages with small business, ensuring a more seamless and supportive interaction on every front. The Small Business Advisory Commission — which was established by Executive Order 15 signed earlier this month — will partner with the city to continue this crucial work of cutting red tape, reducing fines, and introducing more cure periods and first-time warnings. The interagency working group that carried out EO2, meanwhile, will begin its work of streamlining and accelerating business processes and openings in order to launch the city’s one-stop-shop online business portal. 

 

"From the earliest days of my administration, I made clear that the city would be a partner to the small business community, which is the backbone of our economy,” said Mayor Adams. “The reforms we are outlining are a direct result of us listening to nearly 1,000 small business owners and putting in place a plan of action to help fill their needs. Today, we are cutting red tape, reducing burdensome regulations, and saving our small businesses approximately $8.9 million — supercharging our recovery and paving the way for an equitable, five-borough economy.”  

 

“Today, we are following through on our promise that New York City means business. We are making it clear that small businesses will be prioritized and supported because they create jobs and keep our neighborhoods and commercial corridors dynamic and vibrant,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “I am proud of the work our city agencies have done to advance these reforms and confident they will manifest into more jobs, more tax revenue, and more economic activity to spur our economic recovery.”  

 

The reforms are expected to be implemented by December 31, 2022, and they are projected to save New York City small businesses approximately $8.9 million annually. Once implemented, these efforts will represent the most successful, comprehensive citywide overhaul of small business regulations in New York City’s history. 

 

Examples of the reforms being announced today and their corresponding agencies include:  

• Introducing a cure period when a business fails to prominently and conspicuously display its price list – New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP); 
• Introducing a universal 60-day cure period across all Class 2 “Major Violations” and Class 3 “Lesser Violations” related to small businesses – New York City Department of Buildings (DOB); 
• Removing the penalty for failure to maintain required bins for disposal of compostable straws in restaurants –  New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY);  
• Increasing time for restaurants to address maintenance and replacement issues with grease interceptors – New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP);  
• Reducing maximum fines for violations of time/temperature control for preparing foods safely –  New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH); 
• Eliminating violations for picture tubes (older TVs with cathode ray tubes) sold or offered for sale without proper label –  DCWP; and  
• Eliminating the violation for a failure to conspicuously post electrical work permit while work is in progress – DOB; among others. 

“Today’s announcement is another shining example of a top priority for this administration - close interagency collaboration,” said Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “These recommendations make the message from City Hall crystal clear: we are here to uplift small businesses, not punish them. Thank you to our sister agencies for their partnership in this important effort, and to Mayor Adams for his unwavering support of small businesses at every turn.” 

“As businesses recover from COVID-19, it is critical to create an environment where consumers and businesses alike can thrive,” said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “Thanks to the mayor’s leadership, we’re reducing fines and helping businesses across New York City succeed while ensuring consumers are protected.”  

“Who’s going to be a better partner in the work of keeping a neighborhood clean — a thriving small business with a vested interest in the success of our city or a vacant storefront left unoccupied and uncleaned because red tape drove a hardworking New Yorker out of business?” said DSNY Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “It’s obvious that small businesses are the key to clean streets, and these reforms mean businesses, and DSNY, can spend less time worrying about fines for things like misplaced refuse bin stickers and more time working on what really matters: Building healthy, safe, and clean neighborhoods.” 

“Small Business Forward is bringing common sense back to New York City government by getting rid of outdated regulations and overly punitive violations,” said DOB Commissioner Eric Ulrich. “Mayor Adams understands that these stores and restaurants are cornerstones of their communities, and I am proud to be a part of this undertaking to support our small businesses. By giving New Yorkers the opportunity to correct more violations without incurring additional penalties, we are sending a strong message that New York is open for business again.” 

On January 4, 2022, Mayor Adams signed Executive Order 2, calling on DOB, DEP, DSNY, the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), DCWP, and DOHMH to review business regulations, with the goal of reducing fine schedules and allowing for cure periods or warnings for first-time violations. 

Small Business Forward required the six regulatory agencies to evaluate the 25 provisions of law or rules that are most frequently enforced through the issuance of notices of violations. In total, 227 violations were evaluated by the six participating agencies. Additionally, Small Business Forward required agencies to do a review of the systems used to enforce the provisions, including inspector training, administration, and the process for tracking warnings and cure periods.    

Feedback on violations and the city’s enforcement practices was solicited from over 980 small business owners through an online survey. Other stakeholders provided feedback through virtual listening sessions.   

The full report is available online.