Governor Cuomo Announces New Data-Driven Guidance for Reopening Schools

 Schools in Regions in Phase IV Can Reopen if Daily Infection Rate Remains Below 5 Percent Using a 14-Day Average

Schools Will Close if Regional Infection Rate Rises Over 9 Percent After August 1

Finalized DOH and Reimagine Education Advisory Council Guidance and Guiding Principles Available Here

1.08 Percent of Yesterday's COVID-19 Tests were Positive

10 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

Confirms 557 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 402,263; New Cases in 38 Counties

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new, data-driven guidance for reopening schools in New York State. Schools in a region can reopen if that region is in Phase IV of reopening and if its daily infection rate remains below 5 percent or lower using a 14-day average since unPAUSE was lifted. Schools will close if the regional infection rate rises above 9 percent, using a 7-day average, after August 1. New York State will make the formula determination during the week of August 1 to 7. New York State, the Reimagine Education Advisory Council and the Department of Health released finalized guidance and guiding principles for reopening schools today, which are available here. The DOH and Governor's Reimagine Council are working closely with the Department of Education as it releases education guidance. Plans to reopen schools are due on July 31.

Topics addressed by state guidance include:

• Masks/PPE
• Social Distancing
• Cohort Structures
• Restructuring Space to Maximize In-Class Instruction
• Transportation
• Food Service
• Aftercare and Extracurriculars
• Screening
• Tracing
• Cleaning and Disinfecting

Governor Cuomo also updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available at forward.ny.gov.

"Everybody wants to reopen schools, but you only reopen if it's safe to reopen, and that's determined by the data. You don't hold your finger up and feel the wind, you don't have an inspiration, you don't have a dream, you don't have an emotion--look at the data," Governor Cuomo said. "We test more and we have more data than any state. If you have the virus under control, reopen. If you don't have the virus under control, then you can't reopen. We're not going to use our children as the litmus test and we're not going to going to put our children in a place where their health is endangered. It's that simple. Common sense and intelligence can still determine what we do, even in this crazy environment. We're not going to use our children as guinea pigs. What I say to the experts is very simple. I'm making the determination as to whether or not I would send my daughter to school. If it's safe, I'll send her. If it's not safe, I'm not going to send her. And you can determine that by science."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 792 (-9)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 60 (-15)
• Hospital Counties - 31
• Number ICU - 175 (+1)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 103 (+1)
• Total Discharges - 71,643 (+78)
• Deaths - 10
• Total Deaths - 24,989

WILLIAMS RESPONDS TO GUN VIOLENCE SPIKES IN NEW YORK CITY

  Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams issued the following statement after another spike in gun violence in New York City this weekend, including the killing of a one year old child in Brooklyn.

"The violence and loss that our city has seen in the last several weeks, in the last several hours, is devastating, and can leave us at a loss ourselves for how to respond and advance peace. I pray for the victims of this epidemic of gun violence, and for the families facing unimaginable pain in this moment, but I know that prayers alone are not sufficient without action.

"We cannot grow numb to the headlines on our screens or the violence in our streets. This cannot be considered normal, in our city or anywhere. It must shock us, and shock us into action that stems both the supply of guns into our communities and the many factors that lead to violence. To the people who say law enforcement is the only solution - you are wrong. To the people who say law enforcement has no role - you are wrong. We need to come together with increased commitment to the community-driven strategies we know can work and are essential to ending this senseless violence and heartbreaking loss." 

NYC Council Candidate Jessica Haller Raises over $55,000

NYC Council Candidate Jessica Haller Raises over $55,000 from over 425 donors, securing a $220,000+ budget for June 2021 Democratic Primary   BRONX, NY (July 13, 2020) – Jessica Haller, a Democratic candidate for the City’s 11th Council District in the Bronx, announced that her campaign has raised more than $55,000 from over 425 donors in her first filing period. With anticipated matching funds, will have over $220,000 for the June 2021 Democratic Primary.   “I am honored to have the support of so many people, specifically in the district, in the midst of unprecedented public-health, economic, and social-justice crises,” said Haller. “With the pandemic hitting shortly after our campaign was launched, I am proud that we were able to quickly devise an online strategy that mobilized hundreds of donors and volunteers committed to a sustainable, resilient, and equitable New York. We also spent our time talking to people one on one. Our campaign now has the financial resources and grassroots support to share our message and engage with voters over the next 11 months. We accomplished this without parties or events.” Haller’s NYC Campaign Finance Board filing, due on July 15, 2020, will report an estimated:   Actual funds raised  $55,827 Anticipated matching funds of $168,888 428 individual contributors Over 189 in-district contributions  Haller is the only female candidate to enter the District 11 Council race and is an active member of 21 in ’21, which was launched in response to the alarmingly low number of women serving on the New York City Council. Today, only 12 out of 51 Council members are women, down from 18 in 2009. “As someone who strongly believes in equality I find it more than troubling that in 2020 none of my New York City elected representatives — from the Mayor to the Public Advocate to the Comptroller to my City Council member — is a woman,” said Haller. “I believe that a diverse Council will do a better job bringing people of all backgrounds together to address the serious inequities, economic challenges and life-threatening crises facing New Yorkers.” ### About Jessica Jessica Haller, a climate activist, tech entrepreneur, and working mother of four, is a candidate to represent the 11th District in the New York City Council, which includes the Bronx neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Riverdale, Van Cortlandt Village, Wakefield, and Woodlawn. Jessica has spent her life living along the 1 train and is raising her children in the Bronx, where she has lived for more than two decades. She has been shattering glass ceilings throughout her career and left a corporate career to pursue her passion for the environment and to understand how to create a thriving future for all people. As a life-long New Yorker, Jessica will use her environmental experience, justice centered service, and technical know-how to build sustainable neighborhoods in the Bronx. She will work to modernize public transit, make our buildings energy efficient and resilient, bring 21st century skills to our public-school children, strengthen community for seniors, and promote economic opportunity for all. Learn more about Jessica’s campaign at https://www.jessicahaller.com.

Ruben Diaz Sr. to Call it Quits at the End of His City Council Term December 31, 2021. Joining Mayor Bill de Blasio who will be Term-Limited out of Office.

Here is the official statement from current City Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. 

What You Should Know

By Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz

District 18, Bronx County

 

Everything Has Its End

You should know that "Everything Has Its End" is a (Salsa) tune, made famous and sung by the late, great, Puerto Rican salsa singer Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez, better known as Héctor Lavoe. This song hints at the fact that all things, good or bad, do not last forever. Everything has its end!

My beloved reader, I have taken this famous tune, not only because it’s fantastic lyrics, but because it is true to life, that everything has its finality.  So, I chose it’s theme to inform you of my official decision.  

After an in-depth analysis of my life as a public servant for many years, I perused through those years and my trajectory of accomplishments on behalf of serving my community and they are as follows:

1. When the Bronx was burning and everything was in ruins, abandoned, when hopelessness seemed to be the norm, and the Bronx was compared to post 2nd world war Germany, I remained and decided to make a difference. Here is a list of some of those projects that helped in the revitalization of the Bronx.

a) The Rev. Ruben Diaz Plaza Housing Complex located at the corner of 163rd Street and James Polite.

b) Rev. Ruben Diaz Apartments located on Westchester Avenue, between Intervale Ave. and Kelly street.

c) The first transportation program for the frail elderly and people with disabilities: The South Bronx Senior Transportation Network, located at 910 East 172^nd Street.

d) Three (3) Centers serving various vital programs for the elderly: Casa Boricua, located at 172nd Street, corner of Southern Boulevard, The Millbrook and Betances Senior Citizen Centers, both located on St. Ann’s Avenue.

e) The creation of the Home Attendant program, The Christian Community In Action Inc. This program provided 1,300 jobs. It employed a large immigrant population from the Dominican and Honduran communities. This was at a time, when they were not well received in New York.  This program served more than 1,400 disabled and frail elderly people. This program also employed 28 people in administrative positions.

f) The Christian Community Ambulette Transportation Program. Located at 910 East 172^nd Street, Bronx. This program served the sick and disabled transporting them to and from their medical appointments.

g) Also, the establishment of The Christian Community Neighborhood Church: Located at 1437 Longfellow Avenue between Jennings and Freeman Streets in the Bronx. Serving the spiritual and social needs of Bronx residents as their Pastor for 28 years.

h) The New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, which was founded to educate the Christian Evangelical Community in the political process, while also providing humanitarian aid in the natural disasters like, hurricanes, earthquakes of the world.

          

           

i) I have faithfully served Bronx residents as their State Senator for sixteen (16) years creating legislation that would defend and improve the quality of life for the district I was elected to  serve. It goes without saying that all the while leaving my wife to fend for herself at home, while duty called me to session in Albany, N.Y.

j) The last (3) years I have served as a Member of the City Council where I have had to defend my principles, values ​​and faith, while being a "Punching bag" by friends and foes alike.  I dare say that I was used by some as the “Hen that laid the Golden Eggs” to help them raise funds for their campaigns. Nonetheless I remained focused and continued to work for the betterment of my district and on improving the quality of life of those I was elected to represent.  

I remained steadfast and brought many projects and programs.  I did so, with my head held high, defending those in need regardless of race, sexual orientation, political orientation, nationality or religion, regardless if they resided in my district or not, my office welcomed and served all.

After serious analysis, of which I spent in prayer with God, family, ministers and after a political analysis, I have made the decision to follow the example of my two sons. My biological son Ruben Diaz Jr., and my political son Marcos Crespo.

    

                

I will forever be grateful to all those that have stood by me.  My children, Damaris, Samuel and Ruben Jr., my staff, all the wonderful volunteers, supporters, friends, ministers, taxi drivers, members and leaders of the Christian Community Neighborhood Church and especially to my wife Leslie who has been the most affected and who silently suffered through it all.

I have been blessed to have served with honor and I am grateful to God for having allowed me this privilege. With the help of God and my Lord Jesus Christ, I intend to finish out this term as a Member of the City Council which comes to an end on December 31, 2021.  

And then in the words of the Apostle Paul I will say: 

 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” ( 2 Timothy 4:7-8 )

I am NYC Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is What You Should Know.

EDITOR"S NOTE:

It would appear that Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. already knows that he will not win the 15th Congressional seat, that he will not be able to win the city council seat again, and that Rank Choice Voting will provide the manner in which he would lose.

We say to Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. step down immediately, rather than be a lame duck who is waiting his time out. 

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - July 12,2020

New York's Numbers Remain Low and Stable with 1.08% of Yesterday's COVID-19 Testing Positive

COVID-19 Deaths Match Previous Low with 5 Reported in New York State Yesterday

New York State Closely Monitoring Uptick in COVID-19 Cases in Rensselaer County

Confirms 677 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 401,706; New Cases in 40 Counties

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available at forward.ny.gov.

"New York State continues to move forward combatting COVID-19 with its phased, data-driven reopening in the face of alarming increases in cases throughout the country and in the nationwide death rate," Governor Cuomo said. "What's happening elsewhere in the United States is very concerning to us here at home, and our ability to avoid the same fate rests on New Yorkers' willingness to wear masks, socially distance and wash their hands, and local governments' willingness to enforce state guidelines. Today's numbers remain low and stable, but it is up to us to keep it that way. Being New York Tough isn't easy, but New Yorkers have shown the nation that we can effectively fight the virus when we all come together, and I urge them not to give up any ground now."

New York State is closely monitoring an uptick in COVID-19 cases in Rensselaer County, a number of which are being investigated as being linked to several individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling back to New York from Georgia. They are in isolation and the New York State Department of Health and Rensselaer County Health Department are conducting contact tracing.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 801 (+2)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 75 (+0)
• Hospital Counties - 28
• Number ICU - 174 (-3)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 102 (+2)
• Total Discharges - 71,565 (+88)
• Deaths - 5
• Total Deaths - 24,979

Of the 62,418 tests conducted in New York State yesterday, 677, or 1.08 percent, were positive. Each region's percentage of positive tests over the last three days is as follows:

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic

Hospitalizations Drop Below 800 -- Lowest Since March 18

6 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

Lowest Three-Day Average Death Toll Since March 16

1.05% of Yesterday's COVID-19 Tests were Positive

Confirms 730 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitalizations dropped below 800 for the first time since March 18, and the three-day average death toll—7—is the lowest since March 16. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available at forward.ny.gov.

"Throughout this pandemic, we've made progress by recognizing that state and local governments can't fight the virus on their own—the efforts of everyday New Yorkers to socially distance, wear masks and wash their hands are central to our ability to slow the spread and save lives," Governor Cuomo said. "As we allow ourselves to celebrate some good news—that hospitalizations have dropped below 800 for the first time since March 18 and the three-day average death toll is at its lowest since March 16—I urge residents to stay New York Tough and not give up the ground we've worked so hard to gain together, particularly in the face of rising cases throughout the country and compliance issues here at home."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 799 (-27)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 75 (-12)
• Hospital Counties - 28
• Number ICU - 177 (-1)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 100 (+8)
• Total Discharges - 71,477 (+106)
• Deaths - 6
• Total Deaths - 24,974

Governor Cuomo Announces New York State to Send COVID-19 Medication Remdesivir to Florida

Medication to Help Florida Care for 280 COVID-19 Patients and Will be Delivered Tomorrow

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State will send the COVID-19 medication Remdesivir to Florida as the state struggles with a resurgence of cases. Florida is waiting for a further supply from the federal government and New York will provide enough Remdesivir to help the state care for 280 COVID-19 patients until the federal shipment arrives. New York's shipment of the medication will arrive in Florida tomorrow.

"When New York was climbing the COVID mountain with no end in sight and resources were scarce, we were incredibly moved by the generosity of states around the country that stepped up to provide supplies and medical personnel in our time of need," Governor Cuomo said. "Thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of the people of New York - and the assistance of those states - we bent the curve.  With continued discipline of wearing masks and social distancing, along with a phased, data-driven reopening, New York's numbers have remained low and steady. I said at the time that we would return the favor if and when other states needed help.  Today, on behalf of all New Yorkers, we will deploy Remdesivir to help Florida care for patients as it waits for further supply from the federal government.  We will stand by our fellow Americans every step of the way as our nation fights COVID-19 together." 

The supply New York State is providing will allow Florida to care for patients through tomorrow. 

Bail Reform - NYPD

July 10, 2020

For the last six and a half years, the NYPD has transformed how it polices through precision policing and Neighborhood Policing.

By continuing to focus on the small numbers of individuals who are perpetrating most of the crime, we are best able to protect the public.

Over these years, the NYPD has led in embracing critical reforms to the criminal justice system. Yet meaningful change must be balanced carefully.

This is not a comprehensive analysis of all the factors contributing to the increase in violence that we are now experiencing.

It is a vigorous examination of the data around those no longer bail eligible and their rates of rearrest — extremely important, but one piece of a far more complex set of factors confronting all of us who live and work in New York City.

• The following analysis is related specifically to some of the impacts of bail reform, one of many factors that have contributed to the rise in index crime that started mid-year in 2019.
• The provisions of bail reform were law on January 1st of this year. In practice, some judges and DA’s appear to have started following its provisions in the Fall of 2019.
• Overall index crime spiked in January and did not start to fall until the middle of March when COVID-19 lockdowns started.
• The Department has made 41,107 fewer arrests this year compared to last year (i.e. 75,866 arrests in 2020 vs 116,973 last year).

Non-Bail Eligible Felony Arrestees

• All of the recidivism statistics are based on arrests for ‘new’ offenses that were committed after the original arrest.
• In spite of a drop in arrests year to date, we’ve witnessed non-bail eligible felony arrestees get arrested more frequently and for more serious crimes,
• Looking at this particular subset of people who benefit from bail reform, i.e. those who committed felonies that were no longer eligible for bail (but were in 2019), we found that:
  • 19.5% were re-arrested at least once after an initial non-bail eligible felony arrest, 1,798 of 9,227 individuals were re-arrested.
  • In 2019, 17.3% were re-arrested (2,188 of 12,640).
  • The 2020 group was re-arrested 4,207 times (2.3 arrests per arrestee) and the 2019 group was re-arrested 4,056 times (1.9 re-arrests per arrestee).
  • 34.5% of the 2020 re-arrests were 7 majors crimes.
  • 16.8% of the 2019 re-arrests were 7 majors crimes.
  • That is, 2020 recidivism resulted in 1,452 7 majors arrests vs 681 in 2019, resulting in 771 more arrests for 7 majors offenses.
  • This is against a backdrop of 41,107 fewer arrests or a drop of 35.1% YTD in a 7 month period.
• Looking specifically at burglaries, we found that 26% of people arrested for burglary in 2020 were re-arrested within 30 days for an offense committed after their initial arrest ( vs 10% in 2019).

Focus on Robbery and Burglary Arrestees

• Looking specifically at the robbery and burglary arrests that benefit from bail reform provisions, we find:
• In 2020, 580 of the 2,417 (24%) unique people arrested for these charges were re-arrested. In 2019, 292 of 1,444 (20.2%) were re-arrested:
  • This subset of non-bail eligible arrestees generated 954 more arrests in 2020 than in 2019 (i.e. 1,560 in 2020 vs. 606 in 2019).
• 44.1% of the 2020 re-arrests were for 7 majors. In 2019, 26.4% of the re-arrests were for 7 majors.
  • This subset of non-bail eligible arrestees generated 528 more 7 majors arrests in 2020 than in 2019 (i.e. 688 in 2020 vs. 160 in 2019).
• This group of arrestees were re-arrested more frequently and for more serious offenses than in previous years.

Bail Eligible Felony Arrests

• In 2020, bail was set in 20.8% of bail-eligible arrests vs. 30% in 2019.
• Even when bail is set, the court must select “the least restrictive alternative and condition or condition that will reasonably assure the principal’s return to court.” Also, judges must now explicitly consider the individual’s ability to pay bail without undue hardship.
• There were fewer of these arrests in 2020, 9,802 vs 12,060 (excluding declined prosecutions).
• In 2020, 14% were re-arrested. In 2019, 15.6% were re-arrested.
• The 2020 group was arrested slightly more frequently 1.9 arrests per re-arrestee vs 1.7 arrests per arrestee from 2019.
• 21.8% of the re-arrests in 2020 were for index crimes and 15.4% of the re-arrests in 2019 were for index crimes (562 arrests in 2020 vs 500 in 2019).

DAT Arrests

• Bail reform expanded Desk Appearance Ticket criteria where arrestees are released pre-arraignment from the station house,
• Looking at those who received DAT’s in 2020:
  • 14.2% have been re-arrests at least once since their DAT vs 9.9% in 2019. (2,314 re-arrestees vs 1,482 re-arrestees in 2019.)
  • 27% of those re-arrests were for 7 majors vs. 11.9% in 2019. (1,339 7 majors arrests vs 296 in 2019.)
• Some of the new felony Desk Appearance Categories have higher failure to appear rates for court:
  • From January 1-April 30, 22% of Grand Larceny Auto arrestees that received a DAT failed to appear for arraignment.
  • For the same time period, 19.8% of felony drug arrestees that received a DAT failed to appear for arraignment.
  • So far this year, the Department has issued desk appearance tickets to 130 arrestees who committed Grand Larceny Auto versus none last year.

Discovery

• The new discovery provisions have had an impact on declined prosecutions and pattern arrests not covered here.