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VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS CAN’T FEED ALL OF WESTCHESTER’S HUNGRY PEOPLE THEY NEED HELP YOUR HELP

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WPCNR NEWS AND COMMENT. By John F. Bailey April 21,2024:

 

THIS IS A BREADLINE IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY I PHOTOGRAPHED IT IN FEBRUARY. THIS IS THE ONLY PHOTOGRAPH OF THIS KIND I HAVE EVER SEEN IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY USA.

A TRUCK FROM FEEDING WESTCHESTER WAS UNLOADING PALLETS OF FOODSTUFFS, ONE AFTER THE OTHER, AND PERSONS WERE COMING IN TO PICK UP BAGS OF NEEDED FOOD.

WITH HORROR I REALIZED THIS WAS A BREADLINE.

AT THIS TIME, 9:45 IN THE MORNING, fEBRUARY 22,  I COUNTED 75 PEOPLE: MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN IN THAT LINE.

THE TEMPERATURE WAS 35 HARD EDGE COLD DEGREES.

UP CLOSE AND VERY PERSONAL QUESTION TO CITIES,  TOWNS AND COUNTY  HOW OFTEN DO THE POOR AND HUNGRY HAVE TO DO THIS? THESE PEOPLE  ARE THE REFUGEES OF WESTCHESTER, NO ONE, NO MEDIA, NO PUBLIC OFFICIAL TALKS ABOUT: CITIZENS NOT IMMIGRANTS BUT RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY FOR THE MOST PART. 

 

YOU DIDN’T WANT TO BE OUT THERE THAT MORNING IN FEBRUARY WHEN I TOOK THIS PICTURE,  FOR A SHORT WALK LET ALONE 2 HOURS WITH A SMALL CHILD IN YOUR ARMS.

THE ONLY THING MISSING WAS TRASHCANS WITH FIRES LIT TO WARM HANDS OF THE FREEZING AND WAITING.

IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE AND HAVE FOOD AND A HOME, YOU ARE NOT AFFLICTED BY THE COLD.

IF YOU HAVE A JOB YOU PROBABLY ARE NOT AFFLICTED BY THE COLD UNLESS YOUR OUTSIDE WAITING FOR TICKETS TO A PERFORMANCE OR GAME.

THIS BREADLINE, AND I IMAGINE THERE ARE OTHERS LIKE THEM AT FEEDING WESTCHESTER PICKUPS ALL OVER THE COUNTY ARE A DISGRACE TO THE COUNTY.

IT IS AN ACT OF HUMANITY THAT FEEDING WESTCHESTER AND THE OTHER FOOD PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOING THIS.

THEY ARE THE HEROES.

NOT THE POLITICIANS FROM THE GOVERNOR ON DOWN.

THE PEOPLE ON THIS LINE AND THOSE ON THIS WEEK’S LINES ARE A WESTCHESTER FAILURE. COUNTIES FAILURE ACROSS THE STATE AND THE GOVERNOR’S FAILURE.

THE COUNTY AND COUNTY BUSINESSES HAVE TO LOOK HARD AND DO BETTER AND FORGET ABOUT BEING POLITICALLY CORRECT.

YOU CANNOT WASH YOUR HANDS.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BREADLINE CULTURE BEFORE IN MY ADULT LIVING IN THIS COUNTY.

THE NON-PROFITS OF WESTCHESTER, MOST NOTABLY, FEEDING WESTCHESTER ARE DOING THEIR BEST, BUT  IT SHOULDN’T BE THEM DOING ALL THE WORK AND  RAISING MOST OF THE MONEY RAISING WHEN BUSINESS IS IGNORING MR. MRS. AND MS. WESTCHESTER DOWN ON THEIR LUCK.

BUSINESSES I AM SURE WOULD BE GLAD TO HELP IF THEY KNEW. BUT THIS IS NOT A PLEASANT STORY. IT IS ABOUT FAILURE, INDIFFERENCE, BLAMING.

BREADLINES IN WESTCHESTER ARE AN UNCOVERED STORY. MEDIA DO NOT COVER. IT IS SUCH AN UNPLEASANT REALITY. IT HURTS RATINGS IF YOU MAKE YOUR AUDIENCE TOO SAD.

THE GOVERNMENTS: STATE, COUNTIES AND TOWNS CITIES SHOULD CARE AND PAY AND PROVIDE INDOOR FACILITIES TO WAIT IN LINE FOR THEIR FOOD.

THIS SCENE  I TOOK SHOULD NOT BE THEY SHOULD BE INDOORS WAITING.

THOSE 100 PEOPLE OR WHO KNOWS HOW MANY IN THAT PHOTO I TOOK.. GET FROSTBITE IN THIS WEATHER.

HUNGER, BREADLINES IN THE OPEN, LACK OF CHILDCARE, IT IS ALL BEING COMPOUNDED IN EXPONENTIAL MISERY IN PERSONS WHO ARE LAID OFF, SICK, AND HUNGRY ALL THE TIME, AND NO MATTER THEY ARE NOT EATING RIGHT.

THEY ARE TIRED ALL THE TIME. DISCIPLINE SLOWLY DISAPPEARS DAILY. HUNGER DOES NOT GO AWAY. AND DESPAIR INTENSIFIES, JUST DETERIORATING THEIR LIVES AND THE CHILDREN CANNOT LEARN WHEN HUNGRY.

IF THIS IS PREVALENT ALL OVER THE COUNTY, THE COUNTY MUST PAY MORE ATTENTION TO IT.  NO TALK. ACTION THESE PEOPLE CAN’T PAY FOR THE HIGH COST OF FOOD.

NEITHER CAN ORGANIZATIONS LIKE FEEDING WESTCHESTER.

THEY NEED $200,000 JUST TO COVER THE COST OF FOOD NOW  OVER THE NEXT 9 MONTHS AND ARE ASKING THE PUBLIC, BUSINESS, AND THOSE WHO CARE TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE WITH THE GENEROSITY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. THE MOST CHARITABLE PEOPLE ON EARTH.

IF YOU WANT TO HELP HELP FEEDING WESTCHESTER AND THE FOOD PROVIDING CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE.

 THE RICHEST STATE GOVERNMENT AND COUNTY CAN’T FEED THEM?

 BUT IT IS HARDWORKING PEOPLE TOO WHO ARE HUNGRY GO LOOK AT A WESTCHESTER BREADLINE AND YOU WILL SEE FOR YOURSELF.

THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF YOUR EMPLOYER GO YOU.

THE PEOPLE ON THAT BREADLINE ARE NOT MAKING MONEY ENOUGH TO GO TO THE SUPERMARKET.

MEANTIME, THE ROOT CAUSE OF HUNGER IS NOT HAVING JOBS. AS FEEDING WESTCHESTER POINTS OUT. 

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FAILING TO SAY THAT WORK WITHOUT VISA AWAITING ADJUDICATION WAS OK IS PLAYING BOTH ENDS AGAINST THE MIDDLE.   THIS ADMINISTRATION WILL BE IN THE VESTIBULE OF DANTE’S INFERNO THE PLACE WHERE THOSE WHO CANNOT TAKE A STAND FOLLOW A WHITE FLAG FOR ETERNITY.

I ALSO THINK THAT FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS HAVE TO ESTABLISH DISTRIBUTION POINTS INSIDE.

WESTCHESTER WINTER HAS BEEN A CRUEL COLD IN THE 20S AND MID-30S DURING THE DAY.

IN SUMMER THE MISERY WILL CONTINUE:  THE POOR, THE HUNGRY, THE SWEATING MASSES WILL BE FACED WITH SWELTERING, DEHYDRATING HEAT. MORE HEALTH PROBLEMS

DISTRIBUTION POINTS SHOULD BE LOCATED AT PLACES TO SHELTER THE 100 OR SO COMING FOR THE FEEDING WESTCHESTER AND OTHER PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS DISTRIBUTIONS: THE COUNTY CENTER, URGENT CARE CENTERS (WHICH CAN CHECK THE WAITERS IN LINE FOR SYMPTOMS AND OVERALL HEALTH), GYMNASIUMS IN SCHOOLS, WAREHOUSES.

BREADLINES–INDOOR FACILITIES. WE CAN’T DO THAT?. WHY NOT?

THE SILENCE OF STATE AND COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS IS DEAFENING ON THE HIDDEN HUNGRY IN WESTCHESTER.

 

THE LAST OFFICIAL WHO CARED  WAS ANDREW CUOMO.

I LOOK AT THAT BREADLINE AND I AM REMINDED HOW CLOSE YOU AND I CAN BE TO BEING JUST LIKE THOSE POOR SOULS.

IF WE HAVE AN ACCIDENT, GET FIRED, GET SICK, OR COMPANIES KEEP MAKING MONEY AT OUR EXPENSE AND MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO FOR YOU TO AFFORD THE PRODUCTS WE NEED TO SURVIVE BECAUSE THE COMPANIES WANT TO MAKE MONEY. THAT’S THE REAL CAUSE OF THE INFLATION THE FED IS FEEDING INFLATION AND KILLING THE ECONOMY BY NOT LOWERING INTEREST RATES.

THERE ARE SEVERAL WOMEN WHO COME TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD ON RECYCLING DAYS TO COLLECT DISCARDED DEPOSIT RETURN CANS, THAT IS HOW POOR THEY ARE

BREADLINES..

IN 2024.

THIS IS AMERICA IN THE 1930S, NOT THE 2020S.

THOSE WHO WOULD BE LEADERS IN ALBANY IN BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, ALL RESTAURANTS MAKING UNCONSUMED FOOD AVAILABLE NEXT DAY MAYBE– SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON THIS  SPREADING HUNGER .

SOME ARE. ALL SHOULD

THERE’S SOMETHING BROKEN AND CRUEL HERE IN THIS COUNTY AND IN NEW YORK CITY, LONG ISLAND.

TOO MANY HUNGRY WITH NO WAY TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN UNLESS WE THE CITIZENS BUY IT AND SUPPLIERS CONTRIBUTE.

IN ALBANY IN THE HOCHUL BUDGET THERE IS NO MENTION OF HUNGER IN HER PRESS RELEASE WHEN SHE TALKS ABOUT HELPING FARMERS.

NONE.  

THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN. NOT JUST A MENTION BUT ACTION.

ACTION, ANYONE?

ONE LOOK AT THAT BREADLINE IS INCENTIVE ENOUGH.

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MY VOTE FOR UKRAINE

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Yesterday, my colleagues and I voted to protect democracy abroad by sending much-needed aid to Ukraine.

The over $60 billion in aid for Ukraine included in the bill will help them continue to stand against Putin, and I am proud to support them. War should never be our goal, but leaving Ukraine to fend for itself is not an option. They are in a fight for democracy, survival, and human rights. I am glad that we were able to secure the assistance they need and be consistent with our defense of human rights across the globe.

I have been calling for weeks to separate the multiple foreign aid bills being considered by Congress so that we can register our unwavering support for Ukraine in a stand-alone vote on the floor.

The decision to send weapons abroad should never be taken lightly, and each instance deserves careful thought and consideration.

Our government has a moral obligation to fight for peace, dignity, and our shared humanity in everything we do.

I was proud to take this vote in support of Ukraine as they fight their ongoing war with Russia. This is about standing up for our values on the global stage. The larger implications of their success are critical for the very foundation of democratic systems worldwide.

Peace and love,
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Congressman Jamaal Bo
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FUTURE OF COVID VACCINES FROM YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST

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WPCNR EDITOR’S LOCAL  NOTES:  LOCALLY, COVID INFECTIONS ARE A LURKING FACTOR IN WESTCHESTER. HOSPITALIZATIONS IN THE MID HUDSON REGION WERE 63 COMPARED TO 81 LAST YEAR ON APRIL. WESTCHESTER COUNTY  HAD  THE MAJORITY OF THOSE CASES .

FROM  APRIL 9 TO APRIL 17, WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL SAW  50 PERSONS ADMITTED AND 15  OF THEM POSITIVE FOR COVID, 30%. THAT WAS  UP A LITTLE FROM 25%  OF ADMISSIONS FOUND WITH COVID LAST WEEK WHEN 9 OF 36 ADMISSIONS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.

THE COUNTY AVERAGE  2.8 INFECTIONS A DAY FROM APRIL 7 TO 13,  196 IN A WEEK WHICH LAST WEEK ACTUALLY REACHED 216.

IF WE CONTINUE THAT PACE APRIL WOULD HAVE 868 FOR THE MONTH. IN 2023, APRIL SAW 895 COVID CASES SO WESTCHESTER HAD ONLY 4% OR 27 INFECTIONS DOWN  LAST APRIL WHEN INFECTIONS STARTED TO REBOUND UPWARDS INTO JUNE.

THE PASSOVER OBSERVANCE HAPPENING LAST YEAR IN WESTCHESTER  COMBINED WITH THE RELIEF OF COVID RESTRICTIONS PRODUCED 814 COVID CASES IN MAY, 796 IN JUNE, RESULTING IN AN EXPLOSION OF CASES IN JULY 2023  1,064 AND 1,962 IN AUGUST.  WHAT WILL  MAY AND JUNE SOCIALIZATION DO?

THE NUMBER OF CASES NOW IS CLIMBING BACK TO 1,000 CASES A WEEK.

WILL COVID COME BACK? 

AT 860 CASES NOW IT MIGHT COME BACK FOR A 7TH WAVE AND LAUNCH ANOTHER MISERABLE COVID SURGE.

PLEASE SOCIALIZE RESPONSIBLY. FOR THE RECORD  LAST WEEK WAS THE 10TH  IN 11 WEEKS IN THE LAST 2-1/2 MONTHS WE LOWERED THE CASES (  BUT ONLY 1 LESS THAN LAST WEEK. NOW TO DR. KATELYN JETELINA’S LATEST EDITION OF YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST:

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WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE APRIL 19 REPORT: MONDAY AT 7: JOHN BAILEY ON WESTCHESTER HUNGER — APRIL 19 REPORT COUNTYWIDE ON FIOS CH 45, WHITE PLAINS OPTIMUM CH76 AND www.wpcommunitymedia.org

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PEOPLE NEEDING FOOD ASSISTANCE INCREASE. BREADLINES IN WESTCHESTER IN 2024

 

MARTINE CAMPOLI ON THE SWIFT RISE OF PEOPLE WHO NEED FOOD ASSISTANCE THIS YEAR

 

GOVERNOR HOCHUL GETS HER BUDGET. AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM, RESTORES SCHOOL AID

LEGISLATURE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS: WE’LL RESTORE SCHOOL AID BUT YOU CAN’T USE IT FOR THIS YEAR’S BUDGET IN WHITE PLAINS

RAT FLU RISING IN NEW YORK CITY. CROWDED HOUSING, RAT INFESTED APARTMENTS AT RISK

JOHN BAILEY’S CANDID ESSAY ON THE HUNGER CRISIS IN WESTCHESTER–WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN  

REQUIEM FOR RMS TITANIC 112 YEARS AGO

THE LAST DODGER: “EOISK” THE MONEY PITCHER

THE BIG VOICE: JOHN STERLING LEAVES THE YANKEE BROADCAST BOOTH

JOHN BAILEY AND THE NEWS

THIS WEEK EVERY WEEK

ON WHITE PLAINS WEEK

FOUNDED 2001 A.D. 

THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

23RD YEAR ON THE YEAR

 

 

 

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SATURDAY AT 7 : ON WPTVS “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD” THE GROWING HUNGRY IN WESTCHESTER ON FIOS CH 45 COUNTYWIDE, IN WHITE PLAINS OPTIMUM 76 & www.wpcommunitymedia.org

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JOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS MARTINE CAMPOLI OF FEEDING WESTCHESTER ON THE GROWING HUNGRY IN WESTCHESTER TODAY–TONIGHT! 8 PM 

MARTINE CAMPOLI ON THE NEED FOR MORE DONATIONS TO COVER THE COST OF PURCHASING FOOD FOR THE COUNTY HUNGRY

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FEEDING WESTCHESTER IS FEEDING WEEKLY.

HOW COVID THOUGH DECLINING HAS INCREASED THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES THAT CANNOT FEED THEMSELVES

THE  MEDIAN INCOME FAMILY INCOME RESTRICTIONS THAT ARE TOO HIGH FOR REAL FAMILIES TO QUALIFY

THE RAPID INCREASES IN THE COST OF FOOD REQUIRING FEEDING WESTCHESTER EMERGENCY FUND RAISING THIS MONTH TO COVER COSTS OF FOOD FOR THIS YEAR;

THE COOPERATION OF FEEDING ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY (IT’S GOOD!)

THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE FEEDING WESTCHESTER PROGRAM–AND SCHOOLS

HOW YOU CAN APPLY FOR FEEDING WESTCHESTER MEALS. NO BACKGROUND CHECKS NECESSARY

WPTV’S “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD”

 

10TH YEAR

THE PROGRAM WHERE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOMETHING THAT MUST BE SAID

SAY IT

FOUNDED 2014 A.D.

 

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2024 ARTSWESTCHESTER AWARDS HONOR 8 ARTISTS AND ARTIST ORGANIZATIONS

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Honorees Represent Diverse Array of Talents and Contributions:

 2024 Arts Award honorees (l to r): Elizabeth Diaz (Larry Salley Photography Award); Theresa Kump Leghorn, representing New Rochelle Council on the Arts (Community Award); Lee Balter (President’s Award); Galit Messman, representing Arc Stages (Sophia Abeles Education Award); Andromeda Turre (Advancing Equity Individual Award); Ridvan Idara, representing New Era Creative Space (Advancing Equity Organization Award); Jorge Otero-Pailos (Artist Award); Tracy Fitzpatrick, representing Neuberger Museum of Art (Arts Organization Award); Ray Wilcox, representing Yonkers Arts (Advancing Equity Organization Award). (Photo by Susan Nagib)

 More than 300 people, including many dignitaries, were on hand April 10 to salute individuals and organizations that are winners of this year’s ArtsWestchester Arts Awards.

“Our region’s outstanding quality of life would not be possible without the inspired work of these honorees,” said ArtsWestchester CEO Janet Langsam. “These honorees motivate all of us to continue to support excellent creative work by Westchester artists and arts organizations.”

Since its inception in 1976, the Arts Awards have celebrated vision, commitment, and leadership in the arts community. This year’s winners represent a diverse array of talents and contributions:

Artist Award: George Otero-Pailos of Rye is recognized for his pioneering artwork and experimental preservation practices.

Arts Organization Award: The Neuberger Museum of Art, in Purchase is a world-class museum and cornerstone of arts education and engagement since 1974.

Sophia Abeles Education Award: Arc Stages, in Pleasantville has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to providing contemporary theater programming and arts education to local communities.

Community Award: The New Rochelle Council on the Arts has been a catalyst for cultural enrichment in New Rochelle for nearly five decades.

President’s Award: Lee Balter of Tarrytown is honored for his extraordinary support of the arts in the Hudson Valley and his tireless advocacy for arts education and access to the arts.

Larry Salley Photography Award: Elizabeth Diaz of Yonkers is recognized for her powerful photographic work and a portrait series celebrating the transgender community.

Advancing Equity Organization Award: Ray Wilcox representing Yonkers Arts and Ridvan Idara representing New Era Creative Space are acknowledged for their commitment to promoting equity and inclusion through the arts.

Advancing Equity Individual Award: Andromeda Turre of Katonah is honored for her groundbreaking work in using jazz as a tool for social change.

Among the many dignitaries attending the luncheon held at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, were Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, NYS Senator Shelley Mayer, Assemblyman Steve Otis, Assemblyman Chris Burdick, Assemblywoman MaryJane Shimsky, County Legislature Chair Vedat Gashi County Legislator Ben Boykin, County Legislator Nancy Barr, White Plains Mayor Tom Roach and New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert . WCBS-TV’s Tony Aiello was the emcee.

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RESTORED SCHOOL AID WILL NOT BE USED IN 2024-25 WHITE PLAINS SCHOOL BUDGET: DR. RICCA

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F.. Bailey. April 16, 2024:

Governor Kathy Hochul’s Monday announcement  school aid cuts would be restored when the 2024 State Budget is passed by the legislature will not be used in the White Plains City School 2024-25 Budget.

White Plains Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Ricca explained to WPCNR the 2024-25 budget had already been prepared “with no cuts” in spending.

He said the district has not been told when the $489,000 owed the district by the agreement to restore the funds struck by the Governor with the leaders of the State legislature.  When it arrived he said, due to restrictions on how school aid from the stat could be used,  the $489,000 would go into the general fund and it would be considered how to be used in the 2025-26 budget.

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GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES 2024 BUDGET AGREEMENT. SCHOOL AID FULLY FUNDED

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Governor Kathy Hochul Tuesday announced an agreement to address key priorities in the Fiscal Year 2024 New York State Budget. This bold and fiscally responsible plan makes historic investments in communities across the state and makes New York more affordable, more livable and safer.

“I promised New Yorkers we’d make our state more affordable, more livable and safer, and this budget delivers on that promise,” Governor Hochul said. “I am pleased to have reached an agreement with Speaker Heastie and Leader Stewart-Cousins on a transformative budget that improves public safety, transforms our mental health care system, protects our climate and invests in our children’s future.”

Highlights of the budget include:

  • Improving public safety by providing judges greater discretion to set bail for serious crimes; investing $347 million in evidence-based gun violence prevention initiatives; $170 million to support the implementation of discovery reform for prosecutors and defenders, including $50 million in capital for discovery technology improvements in New York City; $92 million in aid for prosecution and defense funding across the state; and more than $66 million to increase the number of State Police academy classes and number of troopers dedicated to addressing serious crime
  • Investing $1 billion in mental health – the largest investment in comprehensive mental health care in a generation – and transforming the continuum of care by increasing inpatient psychiatric treatment capacity, dramatically expanding outpatient services, and boosting insurance coverage
  • Creating a stronger health care system for the future through an additional $1 billion in health care capital funding and expanded Medicaid coverage for more than 7.8 million low-income New Yorkers
  • Protecting reproductive health care by investing $100.7 million to fund abortion providers, expanding access to abortion care for SUNY and CUNY students, providing access to over-the-counter contraception at pharmacies, enacting additional data protections for patients seeking reproductive health care, and increasing the Medicaid reimbursement rate for abortion care
  • Record funding for P-12 schools and higher education, including the largest annual School Aid amount of $34.5 billion, full funding of Foundation Aid for the first time in history, reauthorizing 22 charters, including 14 in New York City, and $2.4 billion for new capital projects for SUNY andCUNY
  • Implementing new comprehensive programs to ensure high-quality, affordable child care, including $500 million towards a Workforce Retention Grant Program and $25 million to support the Employer Child Care Tax Credit, and an expansion of the Child Tax Credit to include children under four years old
  • Increasing the minimum wage for three years, after which the State’s minimum wage would increase at a rate determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), giving hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who earn minimum wage a pay increase to keep with rising costs of living
  • Supporting tenants, including residents of public and subsidized housing with rental arrears through a major investment in rental assistance for New York City Housing Authority and other public housing residents, as well as Section 8 voucher recipients and other subsidized housing residents through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
  • Saving the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) from the “fiscal cliff” and securing long-term stability through adjusting the Payroll Mobility Tax for the largest businesses within New York City to 0.6 percent, generating approx. $1.1 billion; $300 million in one-time State aid; requiring New York City to contribute $165 million for paratransit services funding; $65 million to reduce the proposed fare increase on the MTA; expanding service frequencies on the subway and launching a pilot program providing five free bus routes in New York City to enhance the customer experience
  • Combating climate change and investing in energy affordability by implementing first-in-the-nation zero-emission requirements for new building construction, and expanding the New York Power Authority’s ability to support New York’s climate goals
  • Making New York a more competitive place to grow jobs and drive economic growth by expanding and enhancing the New York Film Tax Credit – one of the most stable film production incentive programs in the nation – which will provide a boost to New York’s film industry, one of the largest union employers in the state
  • Building infrastructure and capital projects across the State, including $1.7 billion for a new Department of Health research laboratory, $2.4 billion for transformation, maintenance and preservation projects at SUNY and CUNY campuses across the state, $446 million for Phase Three of the Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvement Project, $105 million to upgrade the State Emergency Operations Center, $51 million for Hudson Valley Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacements, and much more
  • Supporting New Yorkers with disabilities by expanding the Medicaid Buy-In Program for working people with disabilities, funding and reinvigorating the Interagency Coordinating Council for Services to Persons who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing and increasing the number of Civil Service Section 55-B positions to grow the representation of those with disabilities in the State workforce
  • Expanding access and boosting demand for New York food and products while supporting farmers by increasing food manufacturing capabilities in the state; $10 million to support the establishment of farm markets, supermarkets and food cooperatives in underserved communities; and $50 million over five years to local school districts to support New York State farm products in meals for K-12 school children
  • Expanding the enforcement powers of the Office of Cannabis Management and Department of Taxation and Finance to further grow the legal marketplace for cannabis, including levying fines on illegal retail operations and closing those shops down
  • Supporting New York Seniors by funding programs statewide to support aging in place and to fight financial exploitation, elder abuse, and isolation of the aging, and increasing funding for the Master Plan for Aging (MPA), a comprehensive, interagency vision for seniors living in New York State

I promised New Yorkers we’d make our state more affordable, more livable and safer, and this budget delivers on that promise.”

Governor Hochul

With a conceptual agreement in place the legislative houses are expected to pass bills that will enact these priorities. The total budget for FY 2024 is currently estimated at $229 billion, based on a preliminary assessment of the negotiated changes to the Executive proposal. The Enacted Budget will hold State Operating Funds spending under 3 percent in FY 2024 and will increase the State’s reserves to a record level of 15 percent, as proposed by the Governor in the first months of her administration.

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LEPTOSPIROSIS (NEW OUTBREAK IN NYC) COULD BE LINKED TO RAINFALL UNSANITARY CONDITIONS. RAT PRESENCE

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LeptospirosiS

This article has been published in the peer-reviewed journal WikiJournal of Medicine (2022). Click to view the published version.
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leptospirosis is a blood infection caused by the bacteria Leptospira[8] that can infect humans, dogs, rodents and many other wild and domesticated animals.[8] Signs and symptoms can range from none to mild (headachesmuscle pains, and fevers) to severe (bleeding in the lungs or meningitis).[5] Weil’s disease (/ˈvlz/ VILES),[12] the acute, severe form of leptospirosis, causes the infected individual to become jaundiced (skin and eyes become yellow), develop kidney failure, and bleed.[6] Bleeding from the lungs associated with leptospirosis is known as severe pulmonary haemorrhage syndrome.[5]

More than ten genetic types of Leptospira cause disease in humans.[13] Both wild and domestic animals can spread the disease, most commonly rodents.[8] The bacteria are spread to humans through animal urine or feces, or water or soil contaminated with animal urine and feces, coming into contact with the eyes, mouth, nose or breaks in the skin.[8] In developing countries, the disease occurs most commonly in pest control, farmers and low-income people who live in areas with poor sanitation.[5]

In developed countries, it occurs during heavy downpours and is a risk to pest controllers, sewage workers[14] and those involved in outdoor activities in warm and wet areas.[5] Diagnosis is typically by testing for antibodies against the bacteria or finding bacterial DNA in the blood.[5]

Efforts to prevent the disease include protective equipment to block contact when working with potentially infected animals, washing after contact, and reducing rodents in areas where people live and work.[7] The antibiotic doxycycline is effective in preventing leptospirosis infection.[7] Human vaccines are of limited usefulness;[15] vaccines for other animals are more widely available.[16] Treatment when infected is with antibiotics such as doxycycline, penicillin, or ceftriaxone.[8] The overall risk of death is 5–10%.[10] However, when the lungs are involved, the risk of death increases to the range of 50–70%.[8]

It is estimated that one million severe cases of leptospirosis in humans occur every year, causing about 58,900 deaths.[11] The disease is most common in tropical areas of the world but may occur anywhere.[7] Outbreaks may arise after heavy rainfall.[7] The disease was first described by physician Adolf Weil in 1886 in Germany.[17][18] Infected animals may have no, mild or severe symptoms.[19] These may vary by the type of animal.[16][19] In some animals Leptospira live in the reproductive tract, leading to transmission during mating.[16]

Signs and symptoms[edit]

A schematic of the human body showing the symptoms and signs of leptospirosis
Schematic depiction of the symptoms and signs of leptospirosis[20]
Human eye showing symptomatic red and yellow patches on the white of the eye
Conjunctival suffusion (red conjunctiva) together with jaundice is a specific feature of leptospirosis.[20]

The symptoms of leptospirosis usually appear one to two weeks after infection,[7] but the incubation period can be as long as a month.[21] The illness is biphasic in a majority of symptomatic cases. Symptoms of the first phase (acute or leptospiremic phase) last five to seven days. In the second phase (immune phase), the symptoms resolve as antibodies against the bacteria are produced.[8] Additional symptoms develop in the second phase.[22] The phases of illness may not be distinct, especially in patients with severe illness.[23] 90% of those infected experience mild symptoms while 10% experience severe leptospirosis.[24]

Leptospiral infection in humans causes a range of symptoms, though some infected persons may have none. The disease begins suddenly with fever accompanied by chills, intense headache, severe muscle aches and abdominal pain.[5][21] A headache brought on by leptospirosis causes throbbing pain and is characteristically located at the head’s bilateral temporal or frontal regions. The person could also have pain behind the eyes and a sensitivity to light. Muscle pain usually involves the calf muscle and the lower back.

The most characteristic feature of leptospirosis is the conjunctival suffusion (conjunctivitis without exudate) which is rarely found in other febrile illnesses. Other characteristic findings on the eye include subconjunctival bleeding and jaundice. A rash is rarely found in leptospirosis. When one is found alternative diagnoses such as dengue fever and chikungunya fever should be considered. Dry cough is observed in 20–57% of people with leptospirosis. Thus, this clinical feature can mislead a doctor to diagnose the disease as a respiratory illness. Additionally, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea frequently occur. Vomiting and diarrhea may contribute to dehydration. The abdominal pain can be due to acalculous cholecystitis or inflammation of the pancreas.[21] Rarely, the lymph nodesliver, and spleen may be enlarged and palpable.[8]

There will be a resolution of symptoms for one to three days.[7] The immune phase starts after this and can last from four to 30 days and can be anything from brain to kidney complications.[25] The hallmark of the second phase is inflammation of the membranes covering the brain.[7] Signs and symptoms of meningitis include severe headache and neck stiffness.[7] Kidney involvement is associated with reduced or absent urine output.[7]

The classic form of severe leptospirosis, known as Weil’s disease, is characterised by liver damage (causing jaundice), kidney failure, and bleeding, which happens in 5–10% of those infected.[7] Lung and brain damage can also occur. For those with signs of inflammation of membranes covering the brain and the brain itselfaltered level of consciousness can happen.

A variety of neurological problems such as paralysis of half of the bodycomplete inflammation of a whole horizontal section of spinal cord, and muscle weakness due to immune damage of the nerves supplying the muscles are the complications. Signs of bleeding such as non-traumatic bruises at 1 mm (0.039 in)non-traumatic bruises more than 1 cm (0.39 in)nose bleedingblackish stools due to bleeding in the stomachvomiting blood and bleeding from the lungs can also be found. Prolongation of prothrombin time in coagulation testing is associated with severe bleeding manifestation. However, low platelet count is not associated with severe bleeding.[21] Pulmonary haemorrhage is alveolar haemorrhage (bleeding into the alveoli of the lungs) leading to massive coughing up of blood, and causing acute respiratory distress syndrome, where the risk of death is more than 50%.[21] Rarely, inflammation of the heart musclesinflammation of membranes covering the heartabnormalities in the heart’s natural pacemaker and abnormal heart rhythms may occur.[8]

The bacteria can be found in ponds, rivers, puddles, sewers, agricultural fields and moist soil.[7] Pathogenic Leptospira have been found in the form of aquatic biofilms, which may aid survival in the environment.[29]

The number of cases of leptospirosis is directly related to the amount of rainfall, making the disease seasonal in temperate climates and year-round in tropical climates.[7] The risk of contracting leptospirosis depends upon the risk of disease carriage in the community and the frequency of exposure.[21] In rural areas, farming and animal husbandry are the major risk factors for contracting leptospirosis.[5] Poor housing and inadequate sanitation also increase the risk of infection.[21] In tropical and semi-tropical areas, the disease often becomes widespread after heavy rains or after flooding.[7]

 

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