MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES VACCINE MANDATE FOR PRIVATE SECTOR WORKERS, AND MAJOR EXPANSIONS TO NATION-LEADING “KEY TO NYC” PROGRAM

 

Vaccine proof for indoor dining, fitness, and entertainment required for children aged 5-11

 

Program now requires two vaccine doses for New Yorkers over age 12, up from one

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced major expansions to the “Key to NYC” program, the first-in-nation vaccination mandate for workers and customers at indoor dining, fitness, entertainment and performance venues. Starting December 14^th, the program will require children aged 5-11 to show proof of one vaccination dose for those venues. Starting December 27^th, New Yorkers aged 12 and older will be required to show proof of two vaccine doses, instead of one, except for those who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

 

The mayor also announced a first-in-the-nation vaccine mandate for private-sector workers. The mandate, which will take effect on December 27^th, will apply to roughly 184,000 businesses.

 

Finally, the mayor announced 5-11-year-old children will be required to get vaccinated to participate in high-risk extracurricular activities. These activities include sports, band, orchestra, and dance. This requirement for the initial vaccine dose will take effect on December 14^th.

 

“New York City will not give a single inch in the fight against COVID-19. Vaccination is the way out of this pandemic, and these are bold, first-in-the-nation measures to encourage New Yorkers to keep themselves and their communities safe,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “From workplace mandates, to $100 incentives, to mobile and at-home vaccination offerings, no place in the nation has done more to end the COVID era. And if you have not taken this step yet: there’s no better day than today to stand up for your city.”

 

“There’s no higher priority than keeping New Yorkers healthy and ending this pandemic once and for all. The most important step we can all take is to take the free, safe, and effective COVID-19 vaccine,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Melanie Hartzog. “With these bold new measures, New York City will continue to lead the way in moving past this virus and building a recovery for all of us.”

 

“Vaccination is the best tool we have to keep New Yorkers healthy and ensure a robust economic recovery for all. These important measures will help to broaden the coverage of the vaccines even further,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been.

 

“New York City has led the nation when it comes to decisive action on COVID-19,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “We have to be more relentless than the virus, and I know that our vaccine policies will save lives and help prevent unnecessary suffering.”

 

The City will issue additional enforcement and reasonable accommodation guidance on December 15^th, along with additional resources to support small businesses with implementation.

 

Acceptable proof of vaccination includes a CDC issued vaccination card, the New York State Excelsior Pass, the Clear Health Pass, and the NYC COVID Safe App.

 

Today’s expansions follow recently announced vaccination mandates for City employees, childcare providers, and non-public school employees. Ninety-four percent of the City workforce is vaccinated.

 

New York City has administered over 12.5 million vaccination doses. Nearly 6.5 million New Yorkers – including 89% of adults – have received at least one dose. More than 125,000 children aged 5-11 have already received at least one dose.

 

Van Nest Christmas Tree Lighting

 

The weather was cool, but not chilly Monday night at the Big White Cross at the intersection of Van Nest Avenue and Unionport Road. The Van Nest Community Alliance had cookies and hot chocolate for the parents and children as they gathered to see the traditional lighting of the Van Nest Christmas Tree and Nativity scene,

As they waited for the lighting, Christmas songs were sung. The tree and Nativity Scene then were lit, and the only thing left was for Santa Claus to come to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and empty his sack of toys to the children on hand. 

VNNA President Bernadette Ferrara stands behind dozens of assorted cookies as Cristina Tina Liannto pours a cup of hot chocolate for the woman in orange.

Father Robert Badillo of Saint Dominick's Parish welcomes everyone, and says a few words about the Christmas Holiday.

Christmas Songs were sung, as everyone waited for the Christmas tree and Nativity lighting. 

The Christmas tree and Nativity Scene was lit, then it was time for a group photo, and to wait for Santa.

A group photo of everyone but Santa.

Santa was spotted around the corner where he parked his reindeer, and had his bag of toys over his shoulder.

Santa had time to pose with the Executive Board of the VNNA, as his Reindeer Marion is next to VNNA President Ferrara, who is next to 80th Assembly District Female District Leader Irene Estrada. Next the children came up to receive a Christmas gift from Santa provided by the VNNA.

27 Days and Counting

Doctor Chokshi you know that you already gave me COVID shot, booster shot, and flu shot, so don't jab me this time. I just want to make it look like you are giving me a shot so we can get more people who have not gotten vaccinated yet, get vaccinated now. I also want to go down in history as the mayor who saved New York City from COVID the one-hundred year pandemic. 

It will also be a boost for my campaign for governor. The Mayor who saved New York City. None of my other opponent will be able to say that. David Patterson, I mean Kathy Hochul won't be able to say that or Letitia James, Tom Suozzi, or Jumaane Williams who agreed with my full vaccine mandate. Is there something you can do for me as to why I keep calling Kathy Hochul, David Patterson. What's that I keep doing that because both were never elected governor. 

28 Days and Counting

 

We are going to make New Years Eve this year a celebration you won't forget, especially if you come down to Times Square. We expect tens of thousands of people to watch the ball drop live in person. All we ask is that you have your COVID vaccination proof, as our security force will be checking for proof of vaccination. 

Dropping the ball on New Year's Eve should be my last act as your mayor, and I want everyone to know that I have a lot of positions to appoint at the last minute of my term in office for those who want to contribute to my candidacy for Governor, now I am not saying if someone contributes to my candidacy for governor that they will get one of those positions, but anything is possible in New York City. 

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - DECEMBER 5, 2021

 

122,518 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours     

40 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

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

"With a new variant circulating in New York, the best way to stay safe this holiday season is by getting vaccinated and boosted," Governor Hochul said. "With holiday gatherings just weeks away, you can protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated and encouraging everyone in your life to do the same."   

Today's data is summarized briefly below:   

• Test Results Reported - 234,516   
• Total Positive - 10,411
• Percent Positive - 4.44% 
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.84%
• Patient Hospitalization - 3,236 (+38)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 443
• Patients in ICU - 619 (+3)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 333 (+5)
• Total Discharges - 217,387 (+407)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 40
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS -  46,756 

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.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 57,212

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.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 30,435,388
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 122,518
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 809,136
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 86.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 78.6%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 91.6%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 81.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 74.7%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 67.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 79.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 68.9%

Allerton Avenue Menorah Lighting

 

Rabbi Pewzner of the Bronx Jewish Center stopped by the Allerton Triangle where Allerton Avenue, Bronxwood Avenue, and Boston Road intersect to light the Allerton Menorah Saturday night. Before going up the ladder to light seven oil lamps for the seventh of eight nights of the holiday of Chanukah the history of Chanukah was explained by the Rabbi. 

Gene De Francis president of the Allerton International Merchants Association lit the middle light that is used to light the other lamps (or in this case a propane torch was used). Rabbi Pewzner then went up the ladder to light the other seven oil lamps. 

AIM President Gene De Francis lights the middle oil lamp.

Rabbi Pewzner finishes lighting seven other oil lamps, leaving the far left and eighth oil lamp for the next night when all eight oil lamp are lit with the middle one.

Afterwards it was time to celebrate with potato latkes and jelly donuts, then dance as you see the photo. Community Board 11 member Kenneth Gelnick, Rabbi Pewzner, Gene De Francis, Steve Glosser, and others dance. 

  Most of the crowd who came to see the lighting of the Allerton Triangle Menorah. 

United States Attorney Damian Williams Announces Investigation Of The Mount Vernon Police Department

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), along with Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, announced that the Justice Department has opened a pattern or practice investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department (MVPD).  The investigation will assess whether MVPD engages in a pattern or practice of discriminatory policing.  The investigation will also assess MVPD’s use of force, strip and body cavity searches, and how it handles evidence.  As part of the investigation, SDNY and the Civil Rights Division will conduct a comprehensive review of MVPD’s systems of accountability, including complaint intake, investigation, review, disposition, and discipline.  SDNY and the Civil Rights Division will also reach out to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with the MVPD.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Police officers have tough jobs, and so many do their work honorably, lawfully, and with distinction, respecting the rights of the citizens they have sworn to protect.  But when officers break the law, they violate their oath and undermine a community’s trust.  We ask anyone who has information relevant to the investigation into the Mount Vernon Police Department to contact the Department of Justice via email at community.mvpd@usdoj.gov or to call (866) 985-1378.”

Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Kristen Clarke said: “An effective and accountable police department is a hallmark of a healthy and well-functioning democracy.  The Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring that law enforcement agencies across our country use their authority in a manner that is constitutional, transparent, and free from discrimination.”

This morning, SDNY and Civil Rights Division officials informed Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, MVPD Chief Marcel Olifiers, City Council President Marcus A. Griffith, Commissioner of Public Safety Glenn Scott, and Corporation Counsel Brian Johnson of the investigation.

The investigation is being conducted pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits state and local governments from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives individuals of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law.  The Act allows the Department of Justice to remedy such misconduct through civil litigation.  SDNY and the Civil Rights Division will be assessing law enforcement practices under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as well as under the Safe Streets Act of 1968 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Civil Rights Unit in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division, in Washington, D.C., are jointly conducting this investigation.  Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Department of Justice via email at community.mvpd@usdoj.gov or by phone at (866) 985-1378.  Individuals can also report civil rights violations regarding this or other matters using the Civil Rights Division’s reporting portal, available at civilrights.justice.gov.

Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is available on its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny.  Additional information about the Civil Rights Division and the Division’s Police Reform Work is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt and at https://www.justice.gov/crt/file/922421/download. 

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of Dynamic LED Lighting at Empire State Plaza

 

New Energy-Efficient Lighting System Unveiled at Holiday Tree Lighting, Illuminating Empire State Plaza in Holiday Colors

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of a LED lighting project throughout the buildings at Empire State Plaza that will allow the plaza to be dynamically colored on special occasions. The New York State Office of General Services (OGS) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) have partnered to complete the installation of more than 360 exterior LED lights with new color-changing technology that will transform the plaza's unique architecture into visual celebrations throughout the year. The new energy efficient lighting will debut for the public later today at the Empire State Plaza annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at 5:15 p.m.

"I am happy to announce the completion of this exciting lighting display in the heart of our state capital, just in time for the tree lighting," Governor Hochul said. "The tree lighting and the larger completed lighting project are symbols of hope and optimism after a rough year and a half, and reflect our state's commitment to a greener, more efficient future."

The exterior lighting is part of a nearly $16 million comprehensive LED lighting project at the plaza scheduled to complete in 2023. NYPA, which is financing and implementing the project, is coordinating with OGS on the replacement of more than 95,000 lights throughout the buildings in the plaza with new LED fixtures. The initiative directly supports the state's commitment to a green Empire State Plaza and the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act by increasing energy efficiency and annually reducing electricity demand by three percent—equivalent to 1.8 million New York households—by 2025.

OGS Acting Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, "This annual holiday festival at the Empire State Plaza is the perfect opportunity to unveil a new LED outdoor lighting system. It will reduce energy usage by at least 85 percent and illuminate the architecturally unique buildings at the Plaza in spectacular colors. The new lights will be a striking addition to the Albany skyline for this event and future special occasions. I am proud of what OGS and NYPA are accomplishing together to build a greener, more sustainable New York State."

NYPA Interim President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, "NYPA and OGS are implementing a comprehensive energy transformation at Empire State Plaza through the development of significant remote solar generation, energy efficiency and resiliency projects for the benefit of the complex and we are very pleased to complete the new LED lighting system in time for the annual tree lighting and holiday season. The lights have the capability of dynamically illuminating the buildings within the plaza to correspond with the variety of celebrations throughout the year."

In September 2019, NYPA and OGS completed an evaluation of energy options for Empire State Plaza through a series of technical reviews, community listening sessions, and meetings with neighborhood associations. The developed comprehensive plan, which includes the LED lighting upgrade, comprises these additional initiatives:

• Development is underway on a more than 30-megawatt remote solar array in Oriskany that will provide up to half of the plaza's energy needs.
• Construction is underway on a nearly $30 million electrification upgrade to one of the on-site steam-driven chillers to reduce local gas use and emissions by 18 percent. The project is expected to be completed next year.
• Implementation is in progress on the $60 million replacement of the existing on-site emergency generators with state-of-the-art efficient, low-emission and low-noise units. The project is expected to complete within the next two years.
• The old, out-of-use steel smokestack at the former ANSWERS plant has been demolished.
• In addition, OGS and NYPA have plans to begin a comprehensive energy audit of the plaza to determine what further actions and projects should be pursued.