George Diaz - A Ten Point Olan for Pandemic Mitigation

 

New variants are threatening economic recovery and prolonging the pandemic. 

Bronx Assembly Candidate George Diaz Jr. Proposes 10 Point Plan of Action

It was not unforseeable that another surge in COVID 19 infections would again burden public health facilities at record levels.  However, it seems that New York City has been caught off guard once again.  Reminiscent of the critical shortage of personal protective equipment for the public and for health care workers early in the pandemic, we are currently experiencing a critical shortage of COVID testing facilities.  Additionally, this is having a greater effect on communities like ours, where many have to commute on buses and trains to get to work. George Diaz, Jr. is running for State Assembly to represent the Bronx's 81st District and he shared his thoughts regarding the lack of contingency plans for future outbreaks and surges.  Diaz explained that in his view, "the narrow focus on vaccination requirements and roll-out has put my community at a disadvantage once again.  It's a major fail.  In New York City, our leadership continues to over  emphasize vaccination as an end to the pandemic and we relaxed social distancing measures too soon. Our leadership needs to take action to be more prepared and have a long-term vision for mitigating the effects of this pandemic."   The candidate's initiatives are listed below.

1. Support indoor mask requirements.

2. Emphasize a multi-faceted approach to COVID Protocols:  social distancing and sanitary measures to ensure that we don't return to a lock-down situation.

3. Provide more access to sanitary facilities (hand washing stations, public restrooms).

4. Create stronger contingency plans for A. In person learning that implements social distance B. hybrid learning and C. emergency remote learning situations D. Strengthen alternatives for students with special needs

5. Allocate funding for the development of community based child care centers and support for childcare facilities and workers’ COVID protocols. 

6. Re-examine effectiveness of vaccine requirements in the workplace and prioritize minimizing the effect on workers. A. Employer sponsored COVID protocols-  employer pays for testing and vaccination (Access to on-site testing, PTO for vaccination appointments and if necessary, aftercare). B. When the government institutes a mandate they must compensate government employees for the time and cost of testing, Access to on-site testing, PTO for vaccination appointments and if necessary, aftercare). C. When a employer makes a policy because of government mandates or rules, the governing body that instituted the policy must compensate the employers who in turn must compensate the employees: Access to on-site testing, PTO for vaccination appointments and if necessary, aftercare).

7. Extend unemployment benefits  for displaced workers and expand support services for displaced workers. 

8. Increased public access to testing.

9. City and state websites need to list all available testing and vaccination sites, not just the city’s Health and Hospital website (should also includes places where people can obtain take home rapid tests).

10.Providing support to small businesses to enforce COVID protocols. A. Create plan for outdoor heating options that are safe and sustainable. B. Support "to-go" alcohol policy for restaurants

Rhode Island Man Charged In Manhattan For Trafficking ‘Ghost’ Guns

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, John B. DeVito, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and Johnathan Carson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office, announced that ROBERT ALCANTARA was charged in a criminal complaint unsealed today with conspiring to traffic firearms and with making false statements.  ALCANTARA was arrested today and presented in the District of Rhode Island.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Untraceable ‘ghost guns’ pose a serious threat to public safety.  As alleged, the defendant agreed with others to buy the parts for these firearms, put them together at his home, and then unlawfully sold or attempted to sell over 100 of them.  Thanks to our law enforcement partners, the defendant has been arrested, and his deadly ghost gun business has been shut down.”

John B. DeVito, ATF New York Special Agent-in-Charge said:  “As alleged, Robert Alcantara engaged in trafficking untraceable, Privately Made Firearms (PMF’s), commonly called ghost guns.  Stopping the flow of these firearms is a top priority of ATF, and we will rigorously pursue those who illegally sell these firearms.  I applaud the NYSP who initiated this investigation through superb investigative actions, as well as our partners at the US Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement and the NYPD for their vital and continued contributions to the investigations.”    

US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement New York Field Office Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson said:  “As is alleged to have happened here, the trafficking of Privately Made Firearms poses a danger to our communities. The Office of Export Enforcement will continue to partner with other law enforcement agencies to combat the illegal smuggling of firearms, including ‘ghost guns’ that are difficult to trace.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

From September 2019 up to November 2021, ALCANTARA and others entered an agreement in which ALCANTARA purchased the parts for more than 100 “ghost guns,” machined the ghost guns at his house in Providence, Rhode Island, and then illegally sold the working and completed ghost guns.  On November 20, 2021, law enforcement recovered parts for 45 ghost guns from ALCANTARA’s car.  When interviewed by law enforcement, ALCANTARA falsely told them that he had never sold or transferred ownership of a firearm to any other individual, and that he had never transported a firearm to the Dominican Republic.

Below are photographs of the 45 “ghost guns” seized from ALCANTARA’s house, as well as photographs of firearms ALCANTARA intended to sell to buyers:          

ALCANTARA, 34, of Providence, Rhode Island, is charged with: (1) conspiracy to traffic firearms, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and (2) making false statements, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the ATF and the Department of Commerce.  Mr. Williams also thanked the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police Department, the Providence Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island for their assistance in the case.

The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the descriptions of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. 

Governor Hochul Advises New Yorkers to Avoid Unnecessary Travel as Heavy Snow and High Winds May Cause Dangerous Road Conditions in Several Regions Across the State

 

Areas Within the New York City, Long Island and Mid-Hudson Region Could Receive Up To Six Inches of Snow with Rates of One Inch or More per Hour at Times

Western New York and North Country Regions Forecast to Receive a Foot or More of Lake Effect Snow Through Friday Morning; Buffalo Skyway Currently Closed Due to Low Visibility

 Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to use caution and avoid unnecessary travel in several parts of the state as two weather systems are expected to produce snow and gusting winds in multiple regions, causing snow and ice-covered roads, low visibility, and potentially dangerous travel conditions through Friday morning. Western New York and the North Country are expected to receive more than a foot of lake effect snow through Friday, with wind gusts up to 40 mph, causing whiteout conditions at times. In the New York City, Long Island, and the Mid-Hudson Regions, up to six inches or more of snow is expected in some locations with winds gusting up to 40 mph. Given the forecast, New Yorkers, especially those in downstate regions, are being encouraged to utilize mass transit for commutes.

"With more heavy snow and high winds in the forecast, I'm encouraging New Yorkers to stay off the roads and be prepared for dangerous travel conditions" said Governor Hochul. "Areas in Western New York and the North Country are already experiencing lake effect snow and we're anticipating up to six inches of snow in Downstate regions between tonight and tomorrow morning. Please avoid any unnecessary travel to keep yourself safe and to help our maintenance crews out on the roads clear our highways and bridges quickly and safely."

Governor Hochul directed state agencies earlier this week to prepare emergency response assets in anticipation of storm-related impacts in several regions. On Thursday morning, the State Department of Transportation closed the Buffalo Skyway (State Route 5) from Ridge Road to Church Street in the City of Buffalo due to poor visibility as a lake effect band delivered several inches of snow per hour.

For areas in Western New York and the North Country, lake effect snow will continue Thursday through Friday night with snow totals reaching a foot or more in some locations. Areas in New York City, Long Island and the Mid-Hudson valley will see up to six inches of snow and high winds at times through Friday morning, causing dangerous travel conditions especially during the Friday morning commute.

Multiple weather warnings and advisories have been issued across the state for heavy snow and high winds, as well as lakeshore flooding for Jefferson and Oswego until Friday afternoon. For a complete listing of weather advisories in your area, visit the National Weather Service website.

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 7

 

Winter Weather Advisory in effect from 12 a.m. through 12 p.m. Friday; 3 to 5 inches of snow is predicted

 

Alternate Side Parking Regulations are suspended through Saturday, January 8

 The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Friday, January 7. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for New York City in effect from 12 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday. According to the latest forecast, light snow is expected in the area beginning around midnight with heavier and steadier snowfall likely between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., which may cause significant disruption to the morning commute. Lingering light snow may then continue until 10 a.m. A total accumulation of 3 to 5 inches of snow is forecast, with upwards of 6 inches possible.

  

“With potential snow arriving in New York City Friday morning, New Yorkers should prepare for slippery road conditions,” said NYC Emergency Management First Deputy Commissioner Christina Farrell. “We urge New Yorkers to exercise caution. If you must travel, we encourage the use of mass transit and please allow for extra travel time.”

   

“Long before the first flake falls, the men and women of the Department of Sanitation are preparing for snow. We train for this, and we are ready. We ask all New Yorkers to be cautious, careful, and patient as we work to clear the streets,” said Edward Grayson, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation.

 

The City’s Sanitation Department is pre-deploying over 700 salt spreaders to pretreat roadways ahead of the first snowflake and will dispatch more than 1,600 plows when more than two inches of snow accumulates. 

  

  

Safety Tips

  

• Allow for extra travel time. New Yorkers are urged to use public transportation. 
• If you must drive, drive slowly. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible. 
• Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
• Pedestrians should exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible. Wear sturdy boots that provide traction to reduce slipping. Use handrails when using stairs. 
• Take care when walking on snow and ice, especially if you are an older adult. Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls. 
• Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.  

  

For more safety tips, visit NYC.gov/SevereWeather. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system, to stay informed about the latest weather updates and other emergencies. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or download the free app for your Android or Apple device. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

  

Bowman Statement on One Year Anniversary of January 6 Attack on Democracy

 

 “There was not much that could have prepared me for January 6, 2021 — a devastating display of the cracks in our democracy caused by white nationalism, misinformation, and egregious abuses of trust by the previous occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman. “Just 3 days before insurrectionists stormed the Capitol intent on finding and killing Vice President Pence and harming many of my colleagues, I stood on the House Floor for my swearing in, motivated to heal our country and better the lives of my neighbors. Just 3 days before a noose was erected and confederate flags made their way onto and into the Capitol, I stood on the House Floor and took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. Now we know that at the very moment when me and my colleagues were being sworn in, insurrectionists were well on their way to try and overturn the election results at the orders of Donald Trump. January 6 is one of the most disturbing and simultaneously telling events in our nation’s history — and we have to reconcile with the path that led us to that moment and to the moment we find ourselves in right now.”

 

“For too long, we have moved on from traumatic events in our nation’s history without accountability, action, reparations, and without establishing a baseline of facts — of the truth,” added Congressman Bowman. “Take slavery and redlining. Take the Tulsa Race Massacre and the War on Poverty. Take Systemic Racism which permeates every system in present day America. January 6 cannot be another moment in which we fail to address the root causes,  pain inflicted, and trauma incurred in this country. As we reflect on January 6, let us also reflect on the actions we must take to ensure that an attempt to overthrow and destroy our democracy never succeeds. The reality is that right now, our democracy and people across our country are in need of healing. Healing requires action, it requires accountability, and it requires an unwavering commitment to telling the truth at all costs. It requires passing voting rights, protecting our democracy, reckoning with our nation’s dark history of racism, addressing inequities, and providing people the resources they need to believe in a future in which we respect and honor the truth, science, and one another.”

 

“On January 6, maintenance and hospitality staff, congressional aides, capitol workers, and Members of Congress were victims not only of a horrific security failure but of an insurrection carried out by people radicalized by lies and a President who loves himself more than our democracy,” said Congressman Bowman. “It is incumbent on every single one of us in Congress and in our communities to defend our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness by honoring the truth. Together, we must work to create accountability and heal. A better and safer future is not promised, it is won.”

 

Following the January 6 attack on the Capitol, Congressman Jamaal Bowman introduced H.R. 276, the Congressional Oversight of Unjust Policing Act — or the COUP Act — to establish a national commission to investigate the attack, address the systemic failures in the United States Capitol security apparatus, and investigate ties between members of U.S. Capitol Police and white supremacist movements.

 

Congressman Jamaal Bowman recently urged President Joe Biden to issue a proclamation making January 6th a National Day of Healing to encourage accountability, action, and advocate for resources to address the complex traumas millions of Americans are grappling with.

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ERIC ADAMS ON ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. CAPITOL ATTACK

 

 Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Capitol attack:

 

“One year ago today we witnessed a terror attack on our Capitol. Let’s call it what it was. A violent mob tried to topple American democracy. And too many of those involved have yet to experience any real consequence for their actions.

 

I’ve worn a badge to protect my city. That day still haunts me. Our system demands a shared, foundational belief that our institutions matter, whether you win or lose. Progress starts with shared values. Healing starts with accountability. We owe it to the officers we lost and who were injured that day to bring those who planned this attack to justice.”

 

Attorney General James’ Statement on One Year Anniversary of January 6th Insurrection

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement as the nation marks one year since the January 6^th insurrection:

“As public servants, we must be committed to protecting this country from all enemies, foreign and domestic. But, one year ago today, the former president of the United States and his supporters in Congress led hundreds of American citizens to a violent assault on our democracy.

“On January 6^th, we all watched in horror as our nation’s capital was attacked, as law enforcement officers were beaten, and as an angry mob tried to overturn the results of a lawful election.

“After a year, we need to see every person involved in this assault on our nation brought to justice, with punishments that fit their crimes. We need to see the House of Representatives and the Department of Justice bring the full weight of their legal power down on attempts to obstruct their investigations. And we need our leaders in Congress to act with urgency to pass strong laws that protect the right to vote, and erect legal barriers to prevent any future president from taking unlawful steps to overturn a legitimate election.

“To be clear, our democracy can only work if we all play by the same rules, so it’s time that we finally pursue justice against those involved in this attempted coup, without fear or favor.”

Italian Citizen Arrested In Online Impersonation Scheme To Fraudulently Obtain Prepublication Manuscripts Of Novels And Other Books

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of an indictment charging FILIPPO BERNARDINI with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in connection with a multi-year scheme to impersonate individuals involved in the publishing industry in order to fraudulently obtain hundreds of prepublication manuscripts of novels and other forthcoming books.  BERNARDINI was arrested this afternoon when he arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport.  He will be presented tomorrow before United States Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in Manhattan federal court.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Filippo Bernardini allegedly impersonated publishing industry individuals in order to have authors, including a Pulitzer prize winner, send him prepublication manuscripts for his own benefit. This real-life storyline now reads as a cautionary tale, with the plot twist of Barnardini facing federal criminal charges for his misdeeds.”  

Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll said: “Unpublished manuscripts are works of art to the writers who spend the time and energy creating them. Publishers do all they can to protect those unpublished pieces because of their value. We allege Mr. Bernardini used his insider knowledge of the industry to get authors to send him their unpublished books and texts by posing as agents, publishing houses, and literary scouts. Mr. Bernardini was allegedly trying to steal other people's literary ideas for himself, but in the end he wasn't creative enough to get away with it."

According to the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

Beginning in at least August 2016, BERNARDINI, who was based in London and worked in the publishing industry, began impersonating agents, editors, and other individuals involved in publishing to fraudulently obtain prepublication manuscripts.  These prepublication manuscripts are valuable, and the unauthorized release of a manuscript can dramatically undermine the economics of publishing, and publishing houses generally work to identify and stop the release of pirated, prepublication, manuscripts.  Such pirating can also undermine the secondary markets for published work, such as film and television, and can harm an author’s reputation where an early draft of written material is distributed in a working form that is not in a finished state. 

In carrying out this scheme, BERNARDINI created fake email accounts that were designed to impersonate real people employed in the publishing industry, including literary talent agencies, publishing houses, literary scouts, and others.  BERNARDINI created these accounts by registering more than 160 internet domains that were crafted to be confusingly similar to the real entities that they were impersonating, including only minor typographical errors that would be difficult for the average recipient to identity during a cursory review.  Among other things, BERNARDINI often replaced the lower-case letter <m> with the lower-case letters <r> and <n>, which, when placed together as <rn>, resemble an <m>.   For example, in or about September 2020, BERNARDINI utilized a fraudulent email address impersonating a well-known editor and publisher (“Editor-1”) who worked for an imprint of a U.S. publishing house (“Publisher-1”).  Impersonating Editor-1, BERNARDINI emailed a Pulitzer Prize winning author (“Author-1”) and requested a copy of a word version of Author-1’s forthcoming manuscript, which Author-1 sent to BERARDINI, believing him to be Editor-1.  Over the course of this scheme, BERNARDINI impersonated hundreds of distinct people and engaged in hundreds of unique efforts to fraudulently obtain electronic copies of manuscripts that he was not entitled to.

In addition, BERNARDINI engaged in a phishing scheme to surreptitiously gain access to a database maintained by a New York City-based literary scouting company (“Scouting Company-1”).  BERNARDINI created a webpage that impersonated Scouting Company-1’s website.  Then, in or about July 2020, BERNARDINI impersonated a Scouting Company-1 employee and emailed two individuals, directing them to BERNARDINI’s look-alike webpage and prompting the users to provide their usernames and passwords.  BERNARDINI’s webpage was programmed to automatically forward the input usernames and passwords to an email account controlled by BERNARDINI. 

FILIPPO BERNARDINI, 29, of London, United Kingdom is charged with (1) wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and (2) aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of 2 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the FBI.  Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for its assistance in this investigation.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.