WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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The dreaded and much anticipated triple-demic is finally here—for the first time RSV, flu, and COVID-19 are rising together. And it’s not looking pretty. Here is the current state of affairs.

Overall

Last Friday Twitter covered my reaction to the latest data pretty clearly: Holy crap. There are a lot of sick people in the United States right now.

(Source: CDC)

This level is truly unprecedented; we’ve never seen such high levels of ILI activity at this time of year. The map above is typically green (see below for this time in previous years). In fact, notice that before 2019, we didn’t even have the dark red/purple colors.

ILI Map by Year (Source: CDC) Note: You will notice that 2020-2021 are very green (although COVID-19 was high). There are many epidemiological reasons for this, including people avoiding doctors offices at the time.

Yesterday, the CDC Director said: “hospitalizations are the highest now than they have been in the past decade.” This is truly concerning given a backdrop of burnt out healthcare workers and low staff levels.

While ILI surveillance gives us a picture of symptoms overall, we do have some (imperfect) surveillance for specific diseases.

RSV

RSV continues to rise. We may be seeing the first signs of peaking on a national level (bottom right graph). This is expected given that test positivity rates have already clearly peaked (bottom left graph). There are certainly regional differences, as the South has clearly peaked (at least so far—Thanksgiving activity may change this) and West hasn’t slowed down yet.

U.S. RSV positivity rates and cases (Source: CDC)

Flu

Flu cases are increasing and increasing fast. Flu hospitalizations are lagged (much like COVID-19) but increasing. Flu season outbreaks typically start in schools (hitting healthy children). Then the virus takes time to get to older adults. We expect hospitalizations to continue to rise in weeks to come.

In Canada, hospitalizations by age are clearly tracked. The highest risk for hospitalization is in those under 4 years old and those over 65 years. This likely reflects U.S. patterns, too.

Influenza related hospitalizations in Canada, by age group. Source here.

As Inside Medicine reported, for the first time during the pandemic, flu hospitalizations overtook COVID-19 hospitalizations last week. This may be a one-off occurrence since COVID-19 hospitalizations are increasing now, too, but it is noteworthy.

Image: Benjy Renton for Inside Medicine. Source here.

We don’t know if this will be the “worst flu season we’ve ever seen.” The Southern Hemisphere (Australia specifically) had a high number of flu cases but moderate levels of hospitalizations. Epidemiologists are crossing our fingers that this is what the Northern Hemisphere will see, too.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is on the rise across the globe due to the combination of seasonal changes, behaviors changes, and the variant soup. In the U.S., all signs point to the beginning of a wave. For example, SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater is rapidly increasing across all regions.

SARS-CoV-2 National Wastewater Trends, over time. Dark blue= wastewater; Light blue/green= Reported cases (Source: Biobot Analytics)

One major concern is the rapid rise in hospitalizations among older adults, which has exponentially increased 28% in the past two weeks. In many states, like California, the rate of hospitalizations is higher than the BA.5 wave, BA.2 wave, and/or Delta wave.

New Hospital Admissions, over time (CDC)

This is partly (or wholly) due to abysmal vaccination rates—only 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65+ have their fall COVID-19 booster. A public health failure. Without a recent booster, many people are technically vaccinated but not protected. I appreciated a recent U.K. public health campaign displaying the best messaging I’ve seen thus far.

(Source: Sean Kennedy)

Thanksgiving was 1.5 weeks ago, and because of it, many social networks expanded, providing new opportunities for viruses to spread. For COVID-19, it takes about ~2 weeks to see the epidemiological impact of holidays. The recent COVID-19 uptick may be partially explained by a “Thanksgiving effect,” although we are seeing an uptick in other countries that don’t celebrate Thanksgiving.

I expect Thanksgiving will springboard us into more RSV and flu, too, but this surveillance is delayed.

Bottom line

This viral season is like no other. I’m running out of adjectives to describe it. (Unprecedented. Worrisome. A pain. Exhausting.) 

Unfortunately, we don’t know how long this will last or how bad it will get. I’m especially concerned for hospital systems, kids under 5, and adults over the age of 65, as they are at highest risk.

There’s a lot we can do: mask, test before seeing loved ones, get that airflow moving, stay home when you’re sick.

The least you can do for a healthy season is get a flu and fall COVID-19 booster. If you haven’t gotten one yet, it’s never too late.

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PLANNING BOARD MEETING
Farrell Estates at Ridgeway

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The Planning Board Work Session tonight is canceled.  The application for subdivision of the former Ridgeway Country Club property will be discussed at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Board on December 20, 2022.

Planning Board Meeting for Farrell Estates at Ridgeway
Date: December 20, 2022
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Address:
White Plains City Hall
255 Main Street- Common Council Chamber
White Plains, NY 10601
Contact: Planning Department 914.422.1300

For questions/comments regarding the proposed Farrell subdivision, please email Eileen McClain, Planning Board Secretary, at emcclain@whiteplainsny.gov – emails will be forwarded to all Planning Board members. Please note that your questions/comments will not be part of the official record for the subdivision. Only comments submitted during the public comment period become part of the official record. 

You can also mail your questions/comments to: 
WP Planning Board
City Hall, 255 Main Street
White Plains, NY 10601

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RXR and The Cappelli Organization to Join with City and County Officials for Groundbreaking of Hamilton Green

RXR and The Cappelli Organization will break ground on Phase I of their inaugural mall-to-housing conversion project currently referred to as Hamilton Green. The state-of-the-art residential project will replace the shuttered White Plains Mall with four mixed-income multifamily buildings totaling 860 rental units, including 78 on-site affordable units, accessible open space, underground parking, as well as a variety of dining, retail, and commercial spaces. Phase I of Hamilton Green includes the creation of two residential buildings: 7 Cottage – a 12-story, 162-unit building, and 240 Hamilton – a 25-story, 308-unit tower. 

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WPCNR FBI WIRE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. December 2, 2022:

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 a 10-Count Indictment charging 14 members of the Young Gunnaz Gang (“YG”), including the gang’s high-ranking street leaders, with committing various racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas.

The Indictment charges several YG members and associates with acts of violence. 

This includes KASHAD SAMPSON, a/k/a “Shoca,” a YG leader who is charged with participating in multiple assaults with a dangerous weapon in Poughkeepsie and Newburgh, New York. 

In addition to serious acts of violence, the gang was also responsible for trafficking large amounts of narcotics across the City of Newburgh and New York State and perpetrating fraud schemes to enrich members of the gang. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:

“When I was sworn in as U.S. Attorney, I promised that this Office would be relentless in rooting out violent crime, in every corner of this District.  That’s a promise I am determined to keep.  Today, we’re announcing a sweeping RICO indictment charging 14 members and associates of a violent gang that we allege was up to no good:  Running open air drug markets, engaging in shootouts in the broad daylight, and doing whatever it took to control the streets and do their dirt.  Well, not anymore.  Let today’s massive takedown be a warning to all gang members.  The feds are watching.  And you better believe we don’t quit.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll said:

“Many communities are seeing a dramatic increase in violent crime, putting people on edge.  The FBI, and our law enforcement partners, are doing all we can to search out and stop these gangs from terrorizing towns in the Hudson Valley.  This investigation should be viewed as a warning to others – we will hold you accountable.”

As alleged in public court filings and the Indictment unsealed today in White Plains federal court:[1]

KASHAD SAMPSON, a/k/a “Shoca,” GEORGE DELGADO, a/k/a “Groc,” GABRIEL ROMAN, a/k/a “Gabe,” DALLAS ARCHER, a/k/a “Muggas,” JASIAH WOOTEN, a/k/a “Hov,” BRUCE ALLEN, a/k/a “Bam,” SYNCERE TATUM, a/k/a “Syn,” JOHN LALANNE, a/k/a “JJ,” RAEKWON JACKSON, a/k/a Tree,” BASHIR MALLORY, a/k/a “BG,” a/k/a “Bear,” MEKHI MCDONALD, a/k/a “Khi,” CHRISTOPHER TATE, a/k/a “Bag,” KRISTOPHER BURGESS CUNNINGHAM, a/k/a “KG,” and DEJON SCOTT, a/k/a “Red Dot,” are members and associates of a racketeering conspiracy known as YG.

On August 15, 2020, KASHAD SAMPSON, DALLAS ARCHER, JOHN LALANNE, and RAEKWON JACKSON, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, participated in and facilitated the attempted murder of rival gang members in Poughkeepsie, New York.

On April 27, 2021, SYNCERE TATUM, GABRIEL ROMAN, and CHRISTOPHER TATE, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, attempted to rob and shot at a rival drug dealer in Newburgh, New York.

On November 17, 2021, KASHAD SAMPSON, GEORGE DELGADO, JASIAH WOOTEN, and BRUCE ALLEN, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing their positions in the YG enterprise, shot at four rival gang members in Newburgh, New York.

On November 10, 2020, JOHN LALANNE robbed a narcotics dealer at gunpoint and discharged his firearm in Newburgh, New York.

From at least 2019 to the present, KASHAD SAMPSON, GEORGE DELGADO, GABRIEL ROMAN, JASIAH WOOTEN, BRUCE ALLEN, SYNCERE TATUM, JOHN LALANNE, RAEKWON JACKSON, BASHIR MALLORY, MEKHI MCDONALD, CHRISTOPHER TATE, KRISTOPHER BURGESS CUNNINGHAM, and DEJON SCOTT participated in a conspiracy to distribute a substantial amount of narcotics, including crack cocaine, heroin, Oxycodone, marijuana, and Promethazine HCL mixed with Codeine, commonly known as “lean.”  These individuals also possessed numerous firearms in connection with this narcotics conspiracy.

*                *                *

SAMPSON, 23, DELGADO, 23, ROMAN, 23, ARCHER, 25, ALLEN, 24, TATUM, 22, LALANNE, 23, MALLORY, 19, MCDONALD, 19, TATE, 19, and CUNNINGHAM, 28, were all arrested yesterday, and presented today before United States Magistrate Judges Judith C. McCarthy and Andrew E. Krause.  WOOTEN, 24, JACKSON, 22, and SCOTT, 27, have not been arrested at this time.

Charts containing the names, charges, and minimum and maximum penalties for the defendants are set forth below.  The minimum and 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 FBI’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, New York State Police, Town of New Windsor Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, City of Newburgh Police Department, Town of Newburgh Police Department, and Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, the New York City Department of Correction, Correction Intelligence Bureau, Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, the Poughkeepsie Police Department, and the New York City Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer N. Ong, Nicholas S. Bradley, and Ryan W. Allison are in charge of the prosecution.

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

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THE SHARPLY RISING COST OF DIABETIC MEDICINE AND WHY. WHAT CAN BE DONE.

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