Councilman Mark Gjonaj's NYC Moving Forward Week in Review - 2/26/2021

 

Dear Friends, I hope you and you and your families are doing well while we are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s new variants and the economic devastation that has impacted our communities. As we are intensifying our efforts for more vaccines, a simpler system and expand the eligibility categories, I am proud that two bills that I co-sponsored to require the City develop and implement a COVID-19 vaccine plan for homebound seniors who have limited mobility and access to this life saving vaccine, was voted in NYC Council. As a community we have an obligation to our most vulnerable, a commitment the Council and I affirmed by introducing and passing this bill. I am proud that my office has been helping so many constituents in the eligible categories to get appointments to get the vaccine at Jacobi Hospital, Yankee Stadium and the NYCHA developments in the District. Today we are glad to announce the winners of our Black History Month Poster Contest. Congratulations to PS 108 students Jackqueline Allinger (4th Grade) and Tuana Sadikaj (5th Grade), PS/MS 71 students Sophia Petrides (7th Grade) Sadica Anjum (8th Grade), St. Francis Xavier School student Andrew Ranieri (5th Grade), Icahn Charter School 4 Students Gabriella Almanzar (4th Grade) and Avan Cruz (Grade K). We are humbled to be serving those in need in our communities and this week we gave away over 7,300 food boxes to families and seniors in need in our District, we conducted two rapid testing sites to help stop the spread, as well as in partnership with Urband Upbound we continued In-Person Free Tax Preparation in Morris Park and City Island by appointment only. We have been with you throughout this pandemic and will continue to be with you. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any issues or concerns at 718-931-1721 or email at MGjonaj@council.nyc.gov. Sincerely, NYC Councilman Mark Gjonaj District 13, Bronx

COVID-19: Bronx Vaccine Location

Governor Cuomo Announces a Record High Over 175K Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Administered in 24 Hours

 

Over 4 Million Total Shots Administered To-date

Hotel Workers Can Be Added to Eligible Population Under 1B Prioritization Group; Local Health Departments Determine How, Where, When to Schedule Appointments in Their Jurisdictions

Following a Letter from Legislators Regarding Bronx Vaccination Disparities, the State Department of Health Will Work with the New York City Department of Health to Ensure this Inequity is Immediately Addressed

As of 1PM today, New York's Health Care Distribution Sites Have Administered 91% of First Doses

Vaccine Dashboard Will Update Daily to Provide Updates on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker; Dashboard Now Includes Demographic Data

 Governor Cuomo announced 179,038 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in 24 hours, a new record for the state. As of 1:00 PM today, New York's health care distribution sites have administered 91 percent of first doses so far delivered. The week 11 allocation from the federal government is in the process of being delivered to providers for administration.

In addition, the Governor announced expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to hotel workers. Hotels in many parts of the state serve as quarantine areas for COVID positive persons to isolate from their families. In turn, the staff at these facilities are being exposed to COVID regularly. Given the overall increase to the State's supply and the essential health care service that these hotel workers provide, the Governor is granting localities the flexibility to add hotel workers to the 1B vaccine prioritization group.

"Nearly 180,000 vaccinations in a single day is a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to ensure eligible New Yorkers, especially those in communities that were hit the hardest by COVID, have direct access to the vaccine," Governor Cuomo said. "However, we're still in a footrace to keep the infection rate down and drive vaccinations way up. While the infection rate is a function of our behavior, the rate of vaccination is tied directly to supply and right now demand for the vaccine is still far outpacing our supply. We will keep working with our federal partners and vast vaccine distribution network to dispatch doses as soon as we get them - with a focus on vulnerable and underserved communities - and get shots in arms as quickly and fairly as possible."

The Governor received a letter signed by Speaker Heastie, Senator Jamaal Bailey and other elected officials in the Bronx stating that the Bronx is not receiving an equitable share of vaccine compared to other boroughs in the City. Equity in vaccination is a priority for New York State and the Governor agrees that the allocation to the Bronx is low. The Governor believes this is especially inequitable as the Bronx has the highest COVID positivity rate in New York City. The Yankee Stadium allocation (which is a joint state and city site) should be increased and a second site in the northern Bronx should be added. The Department of Health will work with the New York City Department of Health to ensure this inequity is immediately addressed.

Approximately 10 million New Yorkers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.

The 'Am I Eligible' screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:

• Doctor's letter, or
• Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
• Signed certification

Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state's vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government's Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 1:00 PM today is as follows. Beginning week 9, allocation totals are inclusive of some excess vaccine doses that have been reallocated from the federal Long Term Care Facility program. The allocation totals below include 33 percent of the week 11 allocation which will finish being distributed to New York provider sites on Sunday.

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

First Doses Received - 2,942,765

First Doses Administered - 2,674,839; 91%

Total Doses Received - 4,761,410

Second Doses Administered - 4,170,422

Join Bronx Progressives and Concerned Citizens for Change for a "Tax the Rich" Informational Session Sat. March 6th 2 PM

Greetings Bronx Progressives Members! Governor Cuomo is convinced that the only way to solve the economic troubles facing New York State is by implementing harsh austerity measures, which entail cutting funding to our health care system, education, public programs, and other resources. But is this our only option to generate revenue?  While the wealthiest continue to amass more wealth, the working class fall deeper into economic hardship and disparity. Governor Cuomo must stop giving tax breaks to the very wealthy, and pass the "Invest in Our New York Act." Join us for an informational session on the "Tax the Rich" campaign. Learn more about the six bills comprised in the Invest in Our New York Act, which will end tax breaks to the super rich, and generate much needed revenue for education, healthcare, housing, improving our environment.     Join Us And Concerned Citizens for Change On Saturday, March 6 at 2pm Via Zoom To Learn More   HERE'S THE ZOOM INFO YOU NEED TO JOIN THE MEETING Topic: Progressive Taxation In NY  Time: Mar 6, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89415352545?pwd=am5zZnEwQSs3T3VkS25LNGRZd1NlQT09 Meeting ID: 894 1535 2545  Passcode: 678745  One tap mobile  +16468769923,,89415352545#,,,,*678745# US (New York)

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli - Covid-19 Causes Financial Hit to NYC Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Industry

 

New York City’s world-renowned arts, entertainment and recreation sector saw the largest decline among all sectors in the city’s economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as employment declined by 66 percent over a one-year period ending in December 2020, according to a report released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

This week, Comptroller DiNapoli hosted a discussion with Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer and others to discuss the financial hit to the industry. They were joined by Sade Lythcott, Chief Executive Director of the National Black Theatre; Voza Rivers, Executive Producer of the New Heritage Theatre Group and Chairman for the Harlem Arts Alliance; Aimee Todoroff, Managing Director for the League of Independent Theater; James Claffey, President of IATSE Local One; and Rebecca Damon, Executive Vice President and NY President at SAG-AFTRA. Watch a replay of the event on the Comptroller's Facebook page.

Bronx Parks Speak Up Bronx Borough President Forum

 

Going on right now, Bronx Borough President forum.

Only Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, and Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson participated. 

Where were Councilman Fernando Cabrera, State Senator Luis Sepulveda, Sammy Ravelo, and Victor Guterriez? 

Don't any of you care about Bronx Parks??? 

27th Bronx Parks Speak Up! Conference and Candidate Forums

Saturday February 27th, 2021

Live Virtual Tabling 10 AM - 11 AM Workshops 11 AM - NOON

Live Bronx Borough President Candidate Forum 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Bronx, NY - The Bronx Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces (BCPGS) is inviting the public to

their first virtual Bronx Parks Speak Up. Parks and other groups will host virtual online tabling

and workshops. BCPGS will hold a non-partisan candidate forum on parks issues for candidates

for Bronx Borough President.

308 DAYS and Counting

 

It may have taken me over seven years to find an educator from the Bronx, but my new chancellor will have 293 days to bring up Bronx student performance to the level of the other four boroughs. 

NYC Council Member Farah N. Louis With Co-Host Councilman Kevin Riley - Join Us for a Celebration of Black History

 

RSVP

Council Member Farah N. Louis represents Brooklyn's 45th Council District. Since assuming office in 2019, Council Member Louis has fought for the affordability and livability of New York City as a champion for affordable housing, small business sustainability, and equitable healthcare. She continues to tackle challenging social issues as Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino/a, and Asian Caucus while taking a stand for gender equity as the Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus. During her tenure, she has prioritized critical legislation to protect survivors of domestic violence, close the food insecurity gap, expand access to nonprofit services, education, reproductive rights, and healthcare. As the newly-appointed Chair of the Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addictions, Council Member Louis will fight tirelessly to expand access to equitable services for all New Yorkers seeking supportive services.

Governor Cuomo Announces COVID-19 Hospitalizations Drop to Lowest Level since December 12 - FEBRUARY 26, 2021

 

5,626 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

Statewide Daily Positivity Rate is 2.82% - Lowest Since November 21

Statewide 7-Day Positivity Rate is 3.22% - Lowest Since November 26

1,132 Patients in the ICU; 771 Intubated

95 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that COVID-19 hospitalizations in New York State dropped to 5,626, the lowest since December 12. The single-day positivity rate dropped to 2.82 percent, the lowest since November 21, and the 7-day average positivity rate dropped to 3.22 percent, the lowest since November 26.

"Defeating COVID-19 is front and center in New York State, and declining positivity rates and hospitalizations are aiding our efforts to vaccinate more New Yorkers, reopen the economy and get to the light at the end of the tunnel," Governor Cuomo said. "New Yorkers' resilience and willingness to follow the rules got us through the Spring and the holiday surge, and it is getting us through the winter. We're vaccinating New Yorkers at a fast clip and expanding our network of distribution sites as fast as we can, but we're going to need more vaccines to address a large enough portion of the population to defeat this pandemic once and for all. I'm confident that we will get there, but in the meantime New Yorkers need to continue social distancing, wearing masks and washing their hands. We wear masks not just to protect ourselves, but to protect each other, and that spirit will get us through the coming months as we work to beat the COVID beast."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 291,189
• Total Positive - 8,204
• Percent Positive - 2.82%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.22%
• Patient Hospitalization - 5,626 (-77)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -529
• Patients Newly Admitted - 697
• Hospital Counties - 53
• Number ICU - 1,132 (+8)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 771 (-3)
• Total Discharges - 144,991 (+669)
• Deaths - 95
• Total Deaths - 38,321