Governor Hochul Updates COVID-19 Guidance for Schools CORONAVIRUS HEALTH EDUCATION

 

State Department of Health Releases New Guidance for K-12 Schools

Quarantine No Longer Required for Students Exposed to COVID-19

Updated Guidance and FAQs Available Here

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced updated COVID-19 guidance that aligns with new CDC recommendations as children, teachers and faculty across the state prepare to head back to school in the coming weeks. With increased access to COVID-19 information, vaccination, testing, and treatment, New York State is updating its response to ensure all students, teachers and faculty can make a safe return to the classroom next month.Read the updated guidance and frequently asked questions here.

"Since the early, uncertain days of the pandemic, New York schools, teachers and parents stepped up to ensure continued learning and a safe return to the classroom," Governor Hochul said. "Today, we are making sure that state and federal guidance is aligned so that students and educators can enter the classroom with confidence and have a safe, healthy school year. We're getting this information out to parents, into schools, and making sure that our children are where they need to be this fall. We know there's no replacement for in-classroom learning, and we're going to make sure that this year is a very different year."

New York has made significant progress in the fight against COVID-19. It is through these ongoing efforts that schools can provide safe instructional environments, increase access to COVID-19 testing and ensure that staff, students and their families have access to the resources they need to safely remain in school.

New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "Thanks to the heroic work of our educators, children across New York have been able to make a safe return to the classroom. This new guidance will give schools and districts more flexibility to continue providing in-person instruction as we head into the new school year. I thank the Governor for her leadership as we work together to keep our classrooms safe."

COVID Mitigation Strategies for the 2022-2023 School Year

Quarantine

• The CDC no longer recommends quarantine except in high-risk congregate settings.
  • The CDC recommends that all people with a known or suspected COVID-19 exposure regardless of vaccination status or history of prior COVID-19 infection follow current CDC exposure recommendations which include wearing a well-fitting mask or respirator for a full 10-day period and getting tested at least 5 days after close contact or sooner if symptoms develop.

Staying Home When Sick or Symptomatic

• The CDC continues to recommend that people stay home when sick. Any student or staff member who has symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home.
• Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin. Those who are at risk for getting very sick with COVID-19 who test positive should consult with a healthcare provider right away for possible treatment, even if their symptoms are mild.
  • If an individual tests positive for COVID-19 and do not have a regular health care provider, you can be evaluated for treatment by either calling 1-888-TREAT-NY or visiting the New York State COVID-19 ExpressCare Therapeutics Access Website.

• People who are symptomatic and awaiting COVID-19 test results or have tested positive for COVID-19 should follow CDC's Isolation Guidance.

Isolation

• People who have tested positive or are awaiting COVID-19 test results should remain home and follow the CDC's Isolation Guidance. Isolation may end based on how serious someone's COVID-19 symptoms were.

-If someone had no symptoms, isolation may end after day five.

-If someone had symptoms, isolation may end after day five if they are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and symptoms are improving.

-People should wear a mask through day 10 after ending isolation when they are feeling better (no fever without use of fever-reducing medication and symptoms improving).

-Antigen testing is not required to end isolation; however, some schools may allow use of the " test-based strategy" to potentially shorten the length of time for post-isolation mask use.

This builds upon New York's rigorous, multi-faceted approach in managing and mitigating COVID-19. Last week, Governor Hochul announced the re-launch of the #Vaxtoschool Covid-19 Vaccine Effort, including more than three dozen pop-up vaccination sites throughout the state in the coming weeks, with more being added in the near future.

In March, the Governor lifted the state mask requirement in schools. This decision was based on key COVID-19 data trends showing New York's significant progress in vaccinations and declining cases.

As New Yorkers move into the fall season, the State and Department of Health will continue to provide parents and guardians vital resources, along with continued robust testing and vaccination.

Keeping up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations continues to be a leading public health strategy to prevent severe illness. Everyone 6 months of age and older is now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

All school children who are 5 years of age or older are eligible for a booster. This includes individuals who have been fully vaccinated and have not received an additional vaccination this calendar year. Schools are encouraged to continue promoting COVID-19 vaccination in their community.

Parents and guardians can get more information about the COVID-19 vaccine by visiting our FAQ page.

In addition to vaccination as a best practice, testing provides an opportunity to connect eligible individuals who test positive with treatment. This allows schools to mitigate community spread of COVID-19. Resources continue to be made available to schools to support testing of school populations.

Following this guidance will help schools collaborate with local health departments to support safe in-person learning while providing greater flexibility to meet local community needs as COVID-19 community levels change.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NYC RECEIVES $7.25 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT TO PLAN MAJOR EXPANSION OF GREENWAY NETWORK FOCUSED ON UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

 

Administration Will Prioritize Lower-Income Communities That Lack Access to Affordable Transportation and Job Opportunities for New Greenways

 

Plan Will Envision New Green Spaces, Enhance Quality of Life, and Improve Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Along With Waterfront Access

 

Grant Builds on Mayor Adams’ Nearly $50 Million Investment in Central Queens and Southwest Brooklyn Greenway Projects

 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that the city has received a $7.25 million federal grant to plan for a major expansion of the greenway network across the five boroughs, with a focus on historically underserved, lower-income communities that lack access to affordable transportation and job opportunities. The funding comes from a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant and will be used to develop a comprehensive vision plan to fill critical gaps in the city’s greenway network, improve cyclist and pedestrian safety with improved infrastructure, and enhance quality of life with green transportation options and greater waterfront access. The grant application was prepared by the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), the New York City Parks Department (NYC Parks), and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).

 

“All New Yorkers deserve access to our beautiful greenways, and we’re making that happen thanks to millions in federal funding,” said Mayor Adams. “This grant will help us do the necessary planning to make the city greener and more bike-friendly in the communities that most need that infrastructure. Thank you to USDOT, Senator Schumer, and all our partners in New York and Washington for helping to ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers.”

 

“Thank you to the Biden administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation for this major investment as part of the RAISE grant for New York City to plan expanding our greenways, which are vital transportation and recreation spaces for all New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “New York City knows that the federal government is an important partner, as we look to improve our infrastructure for a sustainable, accessible, and equitable future citywide.”

 

“This funding will help New York City build out our world-class greenway network to support the booming cycling ridership we’ve seen during the pandemic,” said NYCDOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “This administration is committed to delivering these projects equitably across the five boroughs, because every New Yorker deserves access to safe and efficient transportation options that promote their health and the health of our environment. We thank our federal partners at USDOT, our sister agencies, and the advocacy of the Greenways Coalition for all their hard work and collective vision in securing these funds.”

 

“Greenways provide connections between parks and serve as vital resources for recreation and transportation, and this grant funding will allow us to create the comprehensive plan needed to equitably improve and expand the greenway network citywide,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “We look forward to working with sister agencies, partners, and advocates on this vision plan, as we continue to strengthen connections between neighborhoods and parks and make greenways safer and more inviting for all New Yorkers.”

 

“We are thrilled to have supported this grant application and thank our federal partners for delivering funding for the first citywide greenway vision plan that will improve equity and quality of life, especially in communities where parks are limited,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “Greenways not only offer New Yorkers a safe path to walk and bike but they also strengthen our economy by connecting New Yorkers to jobs, reducing commute times, and helping to take cars off the roads. We look forward to continuing our planning work with our city partners to create a healthier, greener, and more equitable city.”

 

With the new funding, NYCDOT, NYC Parks, and NYCEDC will together create the city’s first comprehensive greenway vision plan in 30 years to guide future projects and track cycling growth and related trends. As part of that vision plan, the city will work to identify approximately five planned “Early Action” corridors across the five boroughs — prioritizing low- and moderate-income communities outside of Manhattan — and conduct robust planning studies for each to prepare the projects for funding and implementation. These new corridors would complement NYCDOT’s network of on-street bike lanes and NYC Parks’ public open spaces by dedicating more space to walking and cycling. The vision plan and corridor studies would include robust public engagement processes and would be developed in close collaboration with communities and key stakeholders, including the NYC Greenways Coalition.

 

The new greenway vision planning process follows a $47.6 million investment by Mayor Adams to complete six projects that will improve existing greenway routes in central Queens and along Brooklyn’s southwest shoreline through NYC Parks’ “Destination: Greenways!” plan. The city is simultaneously working to fill five key gaps in the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway in Inwood, Harlem, East Harlem, and East Midtown, representing an investment of over $1 billion. The first of these projects — the East Midtown Greenway, from East 53^rd Street to East 61^st Street — is expected to be completed in 2023.

 

“The Harlem River Working Group thanks Senator Schumer and Representatives Espaillat and Torres for their support of the NYCDOT RAISE grant,” said Chauncy Young, coordinator, Harlem River Working Group. “With this funding, New York City can finally begin to develop a comprehensive greenway that includes all the boroughs, addressing decades of inequitable greenway and bicycle infrastructure development. We look forward to the new greenway plan to include a Harlem River Greenway in both the Bronx and Manhattan and a true greenway network for the city that connects each of boroughs to the Empire State Trail and with the Tristate Greenway networks.”

 

Family Fun Day at Tracy Towers

 

Family Fun Day at Tracey Towers

By Robert Press

It was a bright Saturday afternoon at the Tracey Towers complex where it was Family Fun Day. Dozens of children and their parents gathered in the Community space outside for the planned Family Fun Day. Mayor Eric Adams was scheduled to stop in so there were many Bronx elected officials on hand including Bronx Borough President Vanesa Gibson. City Council members Eric Dinowitz and Oswald Feliz, Assembly members Yudelka Tapia and Nathalia Fernandez, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, and a couple of candidates running for office.

Mayor Adams cancelled and went to another stop nearby, to which almost all of the elected officials went. There were backpacks filled with school supplies, plenty of food to eat, music, and special treats for the children at the event. There was even a Book Bus where children went into the bus to pick out a book to keep. A good time was had by all. 

The book bus was loaded with books for the children to take one for themselves. Judge candidate Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor is next to the bus giving instructions to the children and parents.

(L - R) Assemblywoman Yudelka Tapia,State Senator Jamaal Bailey, Councilman Oswald Feliz, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Senate candidate Miguelina Camilo, and Councilman Eric Dinowitz.

State Senator Gustavo was the only elected official to speak as all the others left to meet Mayor Adams at another event. Ms. Jean Hill of Tracey Towers, the event sponsor is also in the photo. 

Judge candidate Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor also spoke.

 

Early Voting Check-In - Day 8 August 20, 2022

These are the Bronx races 

Representative in Congress - 

13th Congressional District - Democrat

Manhattan and part of the Bronx

14th Congressional District - Republican

Bronx and Queens

16th Congressional District - Democrat

Westchester County part of and the Bronx

State Senator - 

31st Senatorial District - Democrat

Manhattan and part of the Bronx

33rd Senatorial District - Democrat

Entirely in the Bronx

34th Senatorial District - Democrat

The Bronx and part of Westchester County

The final number of votes for the nine days of Early voting are in from the Board of Elections. 

August 21, 2022 - Day 9

 

• New York - 36,852
• Bronx - 4,558
• Brooklyn - 23,602
• Queens - 4,900
• Staten Island - 6,423

 

Total Number of Early Voting Check-Ins 76,335

*As of Close of Polls – Unofficial and Cumulative

Almost half of the votes cast in the Bronx came from two of the eleven Early Voting polling sites. In Tech H.S. and Dress Barn in Parkchester. 

BRONX RIVER COMMUNITY CENTER ........  1619 EAST 174TH ST

DRESS BARN STOREFRONT ......  1451 METROPOLITAN AVENUE

IN TECH HIGH SCHOOL (MS/HS 368) .......2975 TIBBETT AVENUE

JUSTICE SONIA SOTOMAYOR COMM CTR...1000 ROSEDALE AVE

MONROE COLLEGE ................................      2501 JEROME AVENUE

MORRIS PARK COMM ASSOCIATION.....  1824 BRONXDALE AVE

MS 390 (PS 26).........................     1930 ANDREWS AVENUE SOUTH

MOSHOLU MONTEFIORE COMM CTR ...........  3450 DEKALB AVE

OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL.......3975 BRONXWOOD AVENUE

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL SCHL ..... 2465 BATHGATE AVE

VILLA MARIA ACADEMY ...............   3335 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD 

Tuesday August 23, 2022 is Primary Day 

your regular poll sites will be open.

Inspector General Publishes Investigative Report and Makes Public Historical Letters

 

The Offices of the New York State Inspector General earlier today published a newly issued investigative report as well as 21 previously non-public letters arising from investigations undertaken by her office.   These letters, which are sent to public officials and agencies regarding allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing, provide information on the ultimate investigative findings by the Inspector General.  Today’s published documents constitute the remainder of such investigative letters issued in 2013, and continues the Inspector General’s commitment to provide all such historical letters on a year-by-year basis.

“Today’s new report and previously unpublished historical letters bear out this office’s commitment to thorough investigations and transparent disclosure to the public of their conclusions” said Inspector General Lucy Lang. “My thanks to our staff, and all the agency and law enforcement partners who share that commitment.”

New York State Inspector General Report: Investigation of the New York State Police’s Handling of a Protective Services Unit Incident

11.04.13 – OMH Letter re: Outside Social Work Employment

11.04.13 – DOS Letter re: Handling of Protected Information

11.04.13 – NYPA Letter re: Misuse of Fuel Card

10.07.13 – OMIG Letter re: Misuse of State Resources for Tax Preparation Business

10.01.13 – DCJS Letter re: BERC Grant

09.17.13 – DMV Letter re: Employee DWI with Firearm

08.27.13 – DOL Letter re: Forgery of Official Document

08.02.13 – NYPA Letter re: Employee Misuse of Agency Generator

08.02.13 – OMIG Letter re: Misuse of State Resources for Property Mgmt. Business

07.29.13 – OPWDD Letter re: Vendor Monitoring

07.25.13 – OMIG Letter re: Disclosure of Confidential Information

07.23.13 – DOCCS Letter re: Lakeview Outside Employment

07.15.13 – DMV Letter re: Theft of Documents from Guilderland Warehouse

06.27.13 – DOB Letter re: Copyright Infringement by Agency Employee

06.19.13 – DOB Letter re: Inappropriate Images on Employee Computer

06.17.13 – OMIG Letter re: Handling of HIPAA Information

06.11.13 – OMH Letter re: Employee Theft of Food Stamp Benefits

05.20.13 – DHSES Letter re: Allegations Against Fire Safety Instructor

04.22.13 – OPWDD Letter re: Misuse of Procurement Card

03.15.13 – DMV Letter re: Misuse of State Resources for Travel Agency Business

03.15.13 – TA Letter re: Misuse of State Resources for Travel Agency Business

With Entire State Classified as a High Fire Risk, DEC Issues Campfire Safety Reminder

 

Hudson Valley Upgraded to Very High Risk

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today urged New Yorkers to practice the utmost safety when building campfires, and consider going without a campfire unless absolutely necessary.

"If you’re enjoying the backcountry these last few weeks of summer, please think about whether you really need that campfire.” Commissioner Seggos said. "It’s been a hot and dry summer, leading to a drought watch and high fire danger. If you build a campfire, keep an eye on it to make sure the wind doesn’t spread it unexpectedly and when you’re finished, make sure the fire is completely out and cold to the touch.”

The entire state is now at a high risk for fires, and the Hudson Valley at very high risk, meaning that any outdoor fire can spread quickly, especially if the wind picks up. Fires may become serious and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while small. There are currently six active fires across the state, burning 47.1 acres of land. The majority of those were started by unattended campfires. Campfires are among the top five causes of wildfires (PDF). Forest Rangers are some of the most highly trained wildland firefighters in the country. But even Rangers can have a difficult time fighting a wildfire, depending on its size and location. Ranger Quinn explains the challenges faced on a fire earlier this month in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area, https://twitter.com/NYSDEC/status/1560292956594212870?s=20&t=cAbYR11UNK838MquNvbs9A.

Interview with Commissioner Seggos is available for download, https://www.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/TempTransfer/

DEC continues to encourage New Yorkers and visitors to follow the recommendations below to reduce the risk of wildfires.

While camping in the backcountry, New Yorkers are advised to:

1. Use existing campfire rings where possible;
2. Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass, and leaves. Pile extra wood away from the fire;
3. Clear the area around the ring of leaves, twigs, and other flammable materials;
4. Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could cause the fire to spread quickly.

For information on open burning and campfire safety in New York, go to DEC's Open Burning in New York and Fire Safety When Camping webpages.

For further questions about wildfires, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS and call 911 to report a wildfire.

State Senator Gustavo Rivera Visits the Pelham Parkway Houses

 

Incumbent 33rd State Senator Gustavo Rivera's district was changed during redistricting. The bottom part of his district was put into the 32nd Senate District, and Senator Rivera picked up most of Riverdale and areas East to Williamsbridge Road above and below Pelham Parkway.  

Friday I caught up to Senator Gustavo Rivera as he went to speak to his new constituents in the Pelham Parkway Houses. many people came to help Senator Rivera get his message out to the voters of the Pelham Parkway Houses. It was get into the elevator to the top floor, look for the registered Democratic voters you needed, and try to convince them to vote for you in the primary on Tuesday August 23rd. From what I saw Senator Rivera on his experience convinced many people who said they would be voting for him. 

Senator Rivera going over who was going into which building at the Pelham Parkway Houses in his changed senate district.

Here Senator Rivera holds the door to one of the Pelham Parkway Houses for those who went with him. Others in the group visited other buildings.

Governor Hochul Announces New York State Citizen Preparedness Corps Training to Resume Ahead of National Preparedness Month in September

 

Program led by Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services and New York National Guard Paused in Early 2020 Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, Will Resume Training Courses in the Coming Weeks at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse and on Long Island

Citizen Preparedness Corps Initiative Has Trained Nearly 350,000 New Yorkers Since 2014 to Prepare for and Respond to Disasters and Emergencies in New York State

Governor Hochul Meets with Long Island Emergency Management Officials to Address Readiness Posture and Remind New Yorkers to Stay Prepared During Peak Hurricane Season

 Following a hurricane preparedness briefing with Long Island officials, Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the New York State Citizen Preparedness Corps initiative will resume offering its training courses later this month ahead of National Preparedness Month in September. Established in 2014, the Citizen's Preparedness Corps has provided nearly 350,000 New Yorkers with the training and resources necessary for not only preparing for any type of disaster, but how to respond and recover as well. Trainings paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"New York is no stranger to climate disasters and weather emergencies that require local emergency response agencies and the general public to be on alert and prepared," Governor Hochul said. "Since day one, my administration has been laser focused on keeping New Yorkers safe, and I am proud to announce the return of the Citizen Preparedness Corps training program, which empowers New Yorkers to stay informed and be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws our way."

As part of this effort, the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, in partnership with the New York National Guard, will hold five Citizen Preparedness training courses in the coming weeks with three events scheduled at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse on August 28-30 and one in Hauppauge, NY on September 13. A fifth event is in the process of being scheduled in Riverhead, NY and details will be forthcoming.

During each course, New Yorkers are taught an all-hazards approach to preparedness, giving them skills that can be utilized in any life-threatening situation and information on how to develop family emergency plans and the importance of stocking up on emergency supplies. Additionally, trainers supply information on what organizations can provide additional support; how to register for NY-Alert, the free statewide emergency alert system; and how to be aware of notifications from such sources as the Emergency ALERT System. Participants are also encouraged to get more involved in existing community-based emergency activities that may be organized through local schools, businesses or community-based organizations.

Volunteers from the American Red Cross also help teach courses, as well as staff from DHSES' Office of Emergency Management and Office of Fire Prevention and Control. During the past eight years, these officials have conducted thousands of training courses across the state and distributed more than 84,000 emergency preparedness kits to attendees.

Citizen Preparedness courses at the State Fair run from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on August 28, 29 and 30, in Daniella's Seafood and Pasta House in the Art & Home Center. Sign-in for each course begins at 10:00 a.m. Course attendees receive an emergency preparedness kit at the conclusion of the training. Each family receives one kit.

A Citizen Preparedness Corps training will be held in Suffolk County on September 13, at 7:00PM at the H. Lee Dennison Building in the Hauppauge. Residents can RSVP to this course by emailing CPCTraining@dhses.ny.gov. Details on the Riverhead event will be forthcoming.

New Yorkers can find the current training schedule and register for courses on DHSES website here.

To request a Citizen Preparedness Corps training in your area, send an email to: NY.Prepare@dhses.ny.gov

Preparedness Tips

• Sign up for emergency alerts in your area by opting-in to NY-Alert at alert.ny.gov. NY-Alert is a free service that provides critical emergency information via email, phone call or text message.
• Learn the quickest route from your home or business to a safe area, 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 your 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 during an emergency.
• 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 supplies for an emergency kit 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
• A 7-10 day supply of essential medicines
• Checkbook, cash, credit cards, etc.

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