Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

 

Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing, and Treatment

23 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday

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

"As the weather gets colder and brings us back indoors, I urge New Yorkers to use the tools that are available to keep themselves, their loved ones, and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Take advantage of the vaccine by staying up to date on doses. Test before gatherings or travel and if you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options."

Governor Hochul continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for anyone age 12 or older and from Moderna for those 18 or older. To schedule an appointment for a booster, New Yorkers should contact their local pharmacy, county health department, or healthcare provider; visit vaccines.gov; text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations. 

In addition, Governor Hochul is encouraging New Yorkers to get their annual flu vaccine as flu season approaches. The flu vaccine is recommended for almost everyone 6 months and older. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 may simultaneously spread this fall and winter, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system.  

For information about flu vaccine clinics, contact the local health department or visit https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Cases Per 100k - 26.51
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 22.23
• Test Results Reported - 68,310 
• Total Positive - 5,181 
• Percent Positive - 7.47%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.79%**   
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,266 (-10)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 418
• Patients in ICU - 225 (+7)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 88 (+1)
• Total Discharges - 345,612 (+393)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 23
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 58,104

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

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.      

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 74,242

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.   

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:  

Borough	Monday,   September   26, 2022	Tuesday,   September   27, 2022	Wednesday,   September   28, 2022
Bronx	5.84%	5.68%	5.51%
Kings	3.49%	3.74%	3.93%
New York	5.42%	5.33%	5.37%
Queens	6.12%	6.14%	6.13%
Richmond	5.92%	6.22%	6.64%

Georgia Men Charged With Trafficking Dozens of Handguns Into New York

Defendants Purchased and Illegally Transported Approximately 27 Handguns from Georgia to Long Island and Surrounding Areas 

 Patrick Polidore was arraigned by United States Magistrate Judge Steven I. Locke on charges that he and co-defendant Dennis Wolfolk conspired to purchase and illegally transport into New York more than two dozen handguns.  Wolfolk is in federal custody at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Facility located in Lovejoy, Georgia, and will be removed to the Eastern District of New York for arraignment on the charges at a later date.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John B. Devito, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), and Anne T. Donnelly, Nassau District Attorney announced the charges.

“As alleged, these defendants illegally trafficked over two dozen guns across state lines, distributing them to street-level buyers in New York where at least 11 were then used in numerous violent crimes, including multiple shootings across Long Island,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This office and our law enforcement partners will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute those who exploit state and federal gun laws directly leading to deadly gun violence in our communities.”

Mr. Peace thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the ATF’s Atlanta Field Division, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, the Nassau County Police Department, and the Hempstead Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.

“Straw purchasers undermine federal laws and enable violent criminals to obtain firearms that destroy lives and devastate communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge DeVito. “This investigation was initiated by the ATF Long Island Firearms Task Force after a 2020 murder in Hempstead, NY. Evidence recovered by ATF led to Polidore. As alleged, further investigation revealed he conspired to illegally traffic approximately 27 firearms from Georgia to Long Island. ATF is on the frontline in the fight against firearms trafficking alongside our partners. We will use every resource to save lives and stop the flow of illegal guns into our communities. Thank you to our law enforcement partners, including: Nassau County Police Department’s Gang Investigation Squad, Nassau County District Attorney and Hempstead Police Department for all their work and effort.”

“The arraignment of defendant Patrick Polidore and continued investigation into defendant Dennis Wolfolk is a clear example how law enforcement working together continues to arrest and prosecute these criminals to ensure the safety of our neighborhoods.  The defendants illegally transported dozens of handguns to Long Island and surrounding areas.  Some of these weapons were used in the commission of multiple shootings and other violent crimes.  We will continue to investigate all who break the law in order to reduce gun violence in all communities.  Lastly, I would like to thank all of the investigators who assisted with this investigation for their commitment and dedication to suppressing crime,” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder.

Nassau District Attorney Donnelly said: “Illegal firearms are flooding into Long Island every day and causing untold destruction. To date, our county law enforcement partners have seized 272 weapons in 2022. As of this date last year, that number was 193. Patrick Polidore and Dennis Wolfolk are part of that problem. These defendants allegedly conspired to purchase firearms in Georgia and trafficked those weapons to Long Island, where at least 11 of them have already been recovered at crime scenes. Stemming the flow of illegal weapons into Long Island requires great partners and I thank U.S. Attorney Breon Peace; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and the Nassau County Police Department for their work in bringing these alleged gun runners to justice.”

As alleged in an 11-count Indictment and detailed at Polidore’s arraignment, between October 2020 and January 2021, Polidore visited numerous federally licensed retailers and acted as the straw purchaser for approximately 27 handguns, many of which were purchased in rapid succession on the same date.  For example, as alleged, on November 4, 2020, Polidore purchased six handguns at multiple locations in Georgia; on November 18, 2020, and November 23, 2020, he purchased a total of ten handguns.  On federal records that document firearms transactions, Polidore falsely affirmed that he was the actual purchaser of the weapons when, in actuality, he had conspired with Wolfolk, who, as a convicted felon, was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm, to traffic the handguns to New York, where they were distributed to street-level buyers. 

At least 11 of the handguns Wolfolk transported to New York have been recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes in and around Long Island.  For example, shortly after Polidore’s November 4, 2020 purchase of six handguns from different retailers in Georgia, Wolfolk traveled to Long Island with the weapons. Within months, three of the firearms purchased by Polidore were recovered by police on Long Island:

• On January 13, 2021, during a traffic stop in Hempstead, New York—where Wolfolk had previously resided—three individuals, including a juvenile, were found in possession of a 9mm Ruger handgun purchased by Polidore. This gun was linked to an earlier shooting in Uniondale on November 25, 2020, in which unknown individuals fired shots at a vehicle.  The shell casings from that shooting incident matched the firearm purchased by Polidore just two days earlier.
• On May 28, 2021, during a traffic stop in Patchogue, New York, police arrested an individual in possession of a .22-caliber Walther handgun purchased by Polidore. 
• On October 3, 2021, police arrested an individual fleeing the scene of an armed robbery in Bethpage, New York, who was in possession of a .40-caliber Smith & Wessen handgun purchased by Polidore. This same firearm was subsequently linked to a shooting incident in Hempstead on December 16, 2020

Additionally, on December 22, 2020, police investigating the scene of a homicide in Hempstead, New York, located a gun box that had been purchased along with a .40-caliber Glock handgun by Polidore.

To date, the whereabouts of at least 16 firearms purchased by Polidore are still unknown.

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) will host an Open House & Registration Day on Saturday, October 1st, from 11:30am to 4:00pm. The event is an open invitation to the community to join the program and creatively celebrate our local talent. The Open House consists of FREE Art Workshops, music and gallery visit to initiate BRAC’s Fall 2022 Education Program.

Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) is celebrating its 35th anniversary with the opening of the exhibition CONVERGENCE: Artists & Community now on view through October 22nd. This Saturday, October 1st, BRAC will host an Open House & Registration Day from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm. The event is an open invitation to the community of West Farms and beyond to visit our facilities. Parents, children, youth, and adults are welcome to participate in the art making workshops led by local artist / muralist Tony Cruz aka RAM 2 and Brooklyn based artist / painter Mathamatics Patterson. Selection of urban and latin beats by Bronx native DJ Joker will animate the event.  BRAC’s Fall 2022 classes begin on Monday, October 3rd and run until December 17th. In addition to the regular classes in Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media, Printmaking, Ceramics, and Digital Media courses in Animation, Photography and Illustration, this semester BRAC is offering the Afro-Brazilian dance Capoeira and Introduction to Web Design. In addition, interested participants can apply for admissions to the FREE program, Teen Project Studio, TPS (ages 15 to 23), to work on a Art & Nature Design Project.  Details of days, times, and description of the classes available in BRAC’s Education Web Page: www.bronxriverart.org/educacion. For more information call (718) 589-5819 XT17.

Governor Hochul Announces Unprecedented $150 Million in Capital Funding Opportunities to Open for Arts and Culture Organizations

 Includes Additional $100 Million in New Funding for Large Capital Projects

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a record $150 million in capital funding will be available for arts and culture organizations through the New York State Council on the Arts' Capital Projects Fund. The Fund has two grant categories: Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants and Large Capital Improvement Grants. This unprecedented investment includes $100 million in new, multi-year funding to facilitate large-scale capital projects that prioritize community development and placemaking. It is the State's largest ever commitment to NYSCA for capital projects for the arts, following on already record-level funding for the arts in the FY 2023 Budget. Governor Hochul will further discuss her commitment to supporting the arts at the Carnegie Hall 2022-2023 Season Opening later this evening.

"New York's arts and cultural organizations strengthen our economic well-being, nourish our diversity and identity, and support our communities," Governor Hochul said. "This record State funding to NYSCA will allow a wide range of organizations to undertake much needed improvement projects, so they can continue to provide New Yorkers with enriching cultural experiences and further their role as economic and community anchors."

NYSCA's Capital Projects Fund will focus on supporting cultural institutions seeking State funding for investments in capital improvements that allow organizations to sustain and expand cultural programming for diverse audiences, promote accessibility and environmental sustainability, preserve and create jobs, and ultimately contribute to the growth of New York's arts and tourism sectors.

The two opportunities are:

• Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants for Arts and Culture: This opportunity funds projects of any size, with grants of up to $2 million that prioritize accessibility, artistry, cultural development, sustainability, health and safety, and structural and historical improvements. Strong projects combine excellence in design with informed decisions about organizational capacity and community needs that will positively affect the future of arts and cultural organizations across New York.
• Large Capital Improvement Grants for Arts and Culture: This multiyear opportunity will support arts and cultural institutions across the state that are undertaking impactful, large-scale capital improvements. Grants will range from $2 million to $10 million for projects that have a total cost of $4 million or more. This funding will support investments to allow organizations to thrive by expanding cultural programming, reaching new and diverse audiences, and promoting accessibility. These grants will also help advance the State's goals around diversity, equity and inclusion and will require all applicants to commit to social equity initiatives and access plans that serve all New Yorkers.

The application portal for these opportunities will open on Friday, Sept 30, 2022 and can be accessed on NYSCA's website, arts.ny.gov. All eligible New York State nonprofit arts and culture organizations are encouraged to apply for NYSCA's Capital Projects Fund. NYSCA will also conduct webinars about the application process and host multiple virtual office sessions for applicants to receive one-on-one assistance before the January 12, 2023 deadline.

Since 2018, NYSCA has awarded 204 capital grants, totaling $50 million, across all 10 state regions through the support of the Governor and Legislature. These projects increase employment capacity and advance cultural venues as tourism destinations, strengthening New York's hospitality, food and beverage, and retail sectors.

In addition to the Capital Projects Fund, NYSCA will award $90 million in non-capital grants to arts organizations and artists. These grant recipients will be announced by the end of the calendar year.

New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Mara Manus said, "New York's powerful creative economy is a crucial driver in our state's recovery as a global cultural leader. We are immensely grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature's unprecedented $150 million in FY2023 capital funding for NYSCA, recognizing the critical role these projects play in our economy, our local ecologies, and the health  of all New Yorkers."

Statement on NYC Public Schools Admissions Announcement

 

Following the announcement this morning by New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks on changes to admissions for middle and high schools, Comptroller Brad Lander issued the following statement:  

“Sorting children into pathways that have immense power to determine their futures, based on their grades when they are eight- or nine-years-old, is inconsistent with a vision for a city where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. 

“Restoring middle-school screens will reinforce segregation in our schools. It elevates the notion that some children deserve “good schools” while the vast majority do not. The Chancellor said this morning, ‘If you’re working hard and you’re making the grade you should not be thrown into a lottery with just everybody.’ But we are talking here about eight- and nine-year-old kids. Every single one deserves the best education we can provide.  

“In many efforts, Chancellor David Banks has shown his dedication to inclusion – welcoming students from migrant families into our schools, expanding access to PSAL teams to any student, celebrating the incorporation of AAPI history into the social studies curriculum. But replicating programs that create barriers, such as the proposed accelerated learning academies, does not eliminate the barriers most students face and does not significantly move the needle on scarcity.  

“The work that the Department of Education has done in recent years to reduce school segregation – after decades of ignoring it – has been some of the most hopeful work in our schools. The District 15 Diversity Plan, developed through a deeply thoughtful and inclusive planning process, holds promise for what we can do when we are committed to the values of inclusive multiracial democracy. Earlier this month, I had the chance to visit Arts & Letters 305 United in District 13, created by a merger of two segregated schools, where they are creating a far-better whole.  

“Initiatives that advance integration and inclusion and are centered around strong community engagement increase high quality educational options for all families. So I was relieved to learn today that the District 15 Diversity Plan, the voluntary diversity-in-admission program, and the end to the use of attendance as a screen will continue.   Unfortunately, today’s announcement walks back the commitment to move forward across the city toward that vision – despite local law that requires more districts to engage in diversity planning.  

“At most, restoring middle school screens will enable a very small percentage of New York City’s students to access schools with high expectations, while the vast majority will wind up with schools with fewer high-achieving students, a greater percentage of students experiencing poverty, lower expectations, and less attention to enrichment in their learning. Meanwhile, data released just yesterday shows that only 38% of NYC students in grades 3-8 show proficiency when assessed on the state math test, and most of them attend schools that had their budgets cut this year. And it’s worth remembering that all of these kids are still emerging from the trauma of the pandemic. This should be a year that’s about helping our students heal and grow together – not about competition to divide them. 

“Only by working to make our schools more inclusive of children of all backgrounds and abilities do we truly create a system where every school is a good school, and all children can have an enriching academic experience that allows them to reach their full potential.” 

Defendant Charged with Blocking Access to Planned Parenthood Health Center on Long Island

 

Defendant Allegedly Padlocked the Clinic’s Entrance Gate and Blocked Access to the Clinic with His Body

 In federal court in Central Islip, a criminal complaint was unsealed charging Christopher Moscinski with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (the “FACE Act”) for blocking access to a Planned Parenthood of Greater New York health center in Hempstead, New York that provides reproductive health services.  Moscinski was arrested today and will make his initial court appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Steven I. Locke.

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 arrest and charge.

“The defendant attempted to prevent women from accessing their legal right to vital reproductive and pregnancy services,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This Office will enforce federal law to protect clinics and staff that provide reproductive health services while safeguarding the rights of their patients.  I commend the local police, firefighters and bystanders who came to the health center’s aid to ensure that it could continue serving the community.”

“As alleged, the defendant made repeated attempts to disrupt and deny access to a Planned Parenthood facility in violation of the FACE act.  These attempts interfered with the community’s ability to seek reproductive and pregnancy health services, and today’s action should serve as a reminder of the FBI’s commitment to protecting the civil rights of all,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.

As alleged in the complaint, at 6:22 a.m. on July 7, 2022, Moscinski, a Franciscan friar, arrived at the health center wearing civilian garb.  He fastened several padlocks and bicycle locks to the gated entrance of the health center, rendering the entrance impassable.  Some of the locks had glue poured into them.  After police and fire department personnel arrived at the health center and cut the padlocks, Moscinski returned to the scene wearing a religious robe, and laid his body in front of the gate, blocking vehicles from entering the health center’s parking lot until he was arrested by officers from the Hempstead Police Department.    

The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

In 1994, Congress passed the FACE Act in response to an increase in violence toward patients and providers of reproductive health services.  The FACE Act prohibits violent, threatening, damaging and obstructive conduct intended to injure, intimidate or interfere with an individual’s right to seek, obtain or provide reproductive health services.  First-time convictions of the FACE Act are misdemeanor violations punishable by up to one year in federal prison.  Subsequent convictions are a felony.

Suspected violations of the FACE Act can be reported to the FBI by calling 1-800-225-5324 (1-800-CALL-FBI) or by visiting tips.fbi.gov.  If you or someone you know is in danger, call 911.