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 data is continuing to show a decline in active COVID cases in in White Plains. There are currently an estimated 388 active cases in our City, down 102 from our call last week.   Over the past 7 days we have averaged 30 new cases per day.  

The number of COVID patients at White Plains hospital has declined; patients are encouraged to come to the hospital if they are in need of care.  

We appear to have moved past the post holiday surge, our next challenge is to guard against mutations of the virus known as variants, some of which appear to make the virus easier to transmit between people.

The CDC has provided additional guidance on the most effective masks and the most effective ways to make use of them to protect yourself and others. Please go to the City of White Plains website cityofwhiteplains.com for more information.

The number of persons authorized to obtain a vaccination has expanded but the demand continues to far exceed the supply and as a result appointments remain difficult to secure.

Eligible residents should continue to check the state website (at https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/) or call the state Hotline to check for new openings. You can also sign up for alerts about vaccine eligibility from the Westchester County Department of Health. Further information is available on the city’s website.

This week is Winter Break for the White Plains School District and our beloved  Ebersole Ice Rink is open for special White Plains Resident only sessions Wednesday 2/17 and Thursday 2/18 from 1:30-3:30. Skate rentals are available come out and join us! 

 Our next call is on Monday, February 22nd. Until then remember, we’re standing together by staying apart.

Las estadísticas indican que los casos activos de COVID en White Plains están disminuyendo. Actualmente hay un estimado de 388 casos activos en nuestra ciudad, 102 menos que la última vez que lo llamamos la semana pasada. Durante los últimos 7 días, ha habido un promedio de 30 casos nuevos por día. El número de pacientes con COVID en el hospital de White Plains ha disminuido. Animamos a  los pacientes a que acudan al hospital si necesitan atención.

Al parecer estamos pasando la oleada de infecciones posterior a los feriados y ahora debemos protegernos contra las variaciones del virus que lo hacen más infeccioso. La CDC ha dado nuevas recomendaciones sobre las mascarillas más efectivas que lo proporcionen mayor protección. Por favor visite la página web de la ciudad para más información. 

Aunque puede que califique para la vacuna, la demanda supera con creces la cantidad de vacunas disponibles y, como resultado, las citas siguen siendo difíciles de conseguir. Los residentes que cumplan con los requisitos deben seguir visitando el sitio web del estado: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ o llame a la línea directa del estado para verificar si hay nuevas vacantes. También puede inscribirse para recibir alertas del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Westchester. Vaya a cityofwhiteplains.com para obtener más información.

¡Esta semana son las vacaciones de invierno para el distrito escolar de White Plains! La pista de hielo de Ebersole está abierta para sesiones públicas de residentes de WP el miércoles 17 de febrero y el jueves 18 de febrero de 1:30 a 3:30. ¡Vaya y disfrute de esta entretenida actividad!
Nuestra próxima llamada es el lunes 22 de febrero. Hasta entonces, y recuerde que estamos más juntos manteniéndonos más separados.

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Following the New York State Department of Health “Master Guidance for Sports and Recreation” updated January 22, 2021 NYS Master Guidance on Sports and Athletics, the Westchester County Department of Health has approved the resumption of higher risk recreational and club sports activities participating in competitions and tournaments in the county, effective February 1, 2021.

In doing so, Westchester County acknowledges that these activities come with safety concerns and potential risks, and this document is intended to provide additional guidance and assistance in avoiding the risks and potential dangers for players, families, coaches and program staff.

The following guidance, as well as the included Code of Conduct, set the minimum standards which are required for Higher Risk Recreational and Club Sports to hold games and tournaments.

 Participation in sports is voluntary. Players and/or partial or entire programs may opt out of any or all sports as they choose; particularly if they believe the guidance from NYS, the region and/or the Westchester County Health Departments cannot be fully met.

 Parents/guardians, athletes, coaches and staff must be especially diligent in their awareness of social distancing requirements as practicable, potential safety concerns, and adverse health symptoms and COVID-19 protocols for everyone participating, and all those who attend athletic activities, if spectator participation is allowable.

 In order to ensure the health and safety of athletes, team members, staff and team family members, parents/guardians must be required to sign the Westchester County COVID-19 “Recreational Athlete Code of Conduct,” which acknowledges that they will properly social distance as practicable, wear masks as appropriate and required, and will comply with social gathering requirements, not just while participating in athletics, but in their everyday activities.

 In Addition to NYS Master Guidance on Sports and Athletics the following guidelines are to be adhered to, in a collective effort to reduce the potential for transmission of COVID-19, and to ensure these athletic activities are kept as safe and COVID-19 free as possible.
Guidelines:

1. Athletes and coaches must be offered, and adhere closely to a daily attestation regarding COVID-19 symptoms and potential exposure, including the exposure/symptom questionnaire and temperature prior to any practice, game or tournament day. The symptom and temperature check must occur with all coaches, staff and players before each practice and/or athletic contest.
   Anyone who is sick, or has been exposed, or who is pending COVID-19 diagnostic test results (not part of routine surveillance) must be excluded from activities and contests.
2. Attendance logs for all practices and contests, including visiting team players and coaches and any spectators, must be kept. Such log, at a minimum, must include Name, Address, and phone number. This is will allow proper contact tracing and notification if a COVID-19 exposure occurs.
3. Social distancing and reduced contact is important. Locker rooms can only be used with strict social distancing practices in place. Players must have dedicated water bottles. Players must refrain from unnecessary physical contact, sharing equipment and other routine behaviors that could potentially transmit the virus. This includes mask wearing when not actually participating in the game or sporting event.
4. Spectators are permitted for the home team only and must be kept to a maximum of 2 per athlete. Social distancing and mask protocols remain in place.
5. Participation in tournaments outside of the Section 1 scholastic catchment area is not recommended at this time.
6. In the event of a positive exposure, Recreational and Club athletic programs are responsible for:
   A) Immediately providing notice of quarantine to all athletes, coaches and staff who participated in the event from their organization, and notifying the administrative contact for any/all other teams/programs who participated and were exposed.
   B) Immediately — Same day — reporting the known positive case, with a copy of the attendance log, in EXCEL spreadsheet format, to the Westchester County Department of Health, by email to: DOH-COVIDReporting@westchestergov.com
   C) Programs/Coaches must be aware and have contact information, including off-hours, for the school and/or school district’s designated COVID-19 coordinator for athletes in their programs. They must immediately inform the school officials if there is an exposure.
7. Beyond the mandatory assessment protocols, recreational and club athletic programs may wish to develop their own protocols for COVID-19 testing. Currently, Westchester County is unable to provide testing services in this fashion.
8. Pursuant to the “Master Guidance” and the “New York Forward” reopening guidance, leagues must comply with the requirements of producing a “New York Forward Plan.” The plan must be maintained and followed, and made available for review any time a question, concern or complaint arises in reference to a potential COVID-19 exposure.
9. Historically, athletic league teams have traveled out-of-state for games and tournaments. Nothing in this guidance supersedes the various NYS travel guidance, and any and all team travel out of state must comply with the travel guidance NY FORWARD travel guidance. As per the “Master Guidance on Sports and Athletics”, practice or play is prohibited outside of the region or contiguous counties/regions. Interstate travel for practice or play is strongly discouraged and, if undertaken, must strictly adhere to the requirements of the State’s travel advisory.
10. Recreational/Club athletic programs must have their athletes and parents read and sign the COVID-19 “Athletics Code of Conduct”, or a similar with the same guidance and requirements.
    Please note that Westchester County is bound by the Executive Orders of Governor Cuomo, and all guidance and directives emanating therefrom. Therefore, it is possible that this guidance will change over time as we all work together to defeat COVID-19. Further, higher risk sports in Westchester County may be suspended, in whole or in part, if public health concerns so require.

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WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. From the New York State Covid-19 Tracker. February 13, 2021:

The results of coronavirus testing in Westchester County for the last three days are solid.

For the first time in weeks, the county infection rate of new cases trended down for 4 consecutive days with the Westchester County infection rate coming in at 4.6% on February 9 and 10, dipping nicely to 4.2% on Thursday, then down to 4% on Friday. Way to go.

A total of 39,819 were tested in the county on last three days and 1,706 were positive, carrying the coronavirus, over the three days.

But with higher numbers tested, it should be remembered that at a 5% hospitalization rate, this could mean 853 of those cases could start being admitted to hospitals by February 22.

The infection rate is trending down, yes, but the rate of 500 new cases a day has potential to keep those serious hospitalizations coming into hospitals within 10 days.

As the county now experiences the thrill of winter vacations around the county from school, Valentines Day romances and the later hours for restaurants, the coronavirus could strike back and elevate infections and hospitalizations.

It would be a great achievement if Westchester got their infection rate down to 3% in a week with social distancing, avoiding large get togethers and appropriate precautions in the restaurants.

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 WPCNR GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO NIGHT CORONAVIRUS REPORT. February 12, 2021:

Defeating COVID once and for all ultimately comes down to vaccinating New Yorkers as quickly and fairly as possible, and continuing to do all we can to drive down infection and hospitalization rates while doing so.

We’re continuing to make great progress in our vaccination distribution and have administered 132,057 first and second doses in just the last 24 hours. There have been over two million first doses administered to date.

We must keep up that momentum and as we receive supply we are striving to get shots in arms as quickly, efficiently and fairly as possible. PROGRAMMING NOTE: The Coronavirus Newsletter will not publish on Monday, February 15th, in recognition of Presidents’ Day. We will resume on Tuesday, February 16th. 

Photo of the Day: Guidance Counselor Lissette Gonzalez received the 10,000th vaccine dose administered at the Yankee Stadium vaccination site today (Photo by Kevin Coughlin) Here’s what else you need to know tonight: 

1. Indoor dining in New York City reopens today at 25 percent capacity. The reopening was previously scheduled for Valentine’s Day, but restaurants requested an earlier reopening date to allow staff to prepare and the request has been granted. The reopening is subject to strict state guidance, which can be found here.  

2. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 7,068. Of the 237,134 tests reported yesterday, 8,404, or 3.54 percent, were positive. There were 1,358 patients in ICU yesterday, down 44 from the previous day. Of them, 941 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 135 New Yorkers to the virus.  

3. As of 11am this morning, 90 percent of first doses allocated to the state have been administered. This represents 1,860,196 first doses administered of the 2,065,595 first dose allocations received from the federal government. So far, 719,133 second doses have been administered out of the 1,080,550 second doses received. See data by region on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.  

4. Closing times at restaurants and bars will be extended. Given the continued decline in hospitalization and infection rates throughout New York, closing times for restaurants and bars will be extended from 10pm to 11pm statewide beginning Sunday, February 14th. 

 5. I met with President Biden and Vice President Harris and a bipartisan group of governors and mayors today to discuss COVID relief. 

Governors from across the country and the political spectrum have said for months that flexible and direct aid to state and local governments is essential for our continued front-line response to the COVID-19 crisis and our national economic recovery.

Today the President and his team made clear that they recognize and appreciate how critical this targeted relief is for our ability to recover from this pandemic. Read my full statement with National Governors Association Co-Chair Asa Hutchinson.  

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Black history is American history and in recognition of Black History Month, Niagara Falls will be illuminated in red, black and green tomorrow, February 13th from 6pm to 11pm with the falls lit up at the top of each hour. If you are able to see the lighting in person, mask up, social distance and dress warmly.  If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here. 

Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. February 12, 2021:

Assemblymembers and Senators of Westchester County’s Delegation to New York State – it is a pleasure to be here with you today, albeit virtually, because of the times we are living in. Thank you for including us in these ongoing deliberations and the important work you do on behalf of the great State of New York. Having served in the State Legislature, I understand the difficult task you have ahead of you.

As we continue our work to get through this pandemic, our patience and strength has been tested – as New Yorkers and as neighbors living in Westchester County.

Last March, Westchester County became the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost a year later, nearly two thousand people have died in our County and the role of local government has become more critical than ever before.

This crisis has forced us all to step up to the plate and become more responsible for each other and our children. Demand for food programs have more than tripled. I attended a food distribution earlier this week and more than 100 people, many with babies asleep in carriages, were lined up 4 hours before they could fill their grocery bags with produce and necessities.

The food was gone within 45 minutes. An 8 year old girl, named Jocelyn, was thrilled to get bread and chips along with a small bottle of hair spray. You could see her smile through her eyes, she was wearing a yellow emoji mask. Her neighbors, grateful for diapers and warm coats. I was there, handing out masks, reminding people…we are going to get through this, but it’s not over yet.

The damage to our economy has been severe – devastating the small businesses and restaurants which are the lifeblood of this County.

New York State’s current 15 billion dollar budget gap, is drastic, and creates issues for ALL of us. We want to work side-by-side with you, as an advocate, to help leverage the Federal Government to make New York fiscally whole.

We are more than cognizant of the budgetary issues of New York and through this time the County is suffering severe financial distress.

There are essential workers, nurses, care-takers who relied on our Bee-Line Bus System for transportation. We decided they didn’t have to pay to take the bus anymore, we knew they needed to get to work or a doctor’s appointment, so we just stopped charging them. Everyone entered through the back of the bus, not only to keep everyone socially distant…but help stop people from getting sick.

We want to partner with you in finding ways to support new revenues so we can get our economy moving again.

This includes the expansion of mobile sports betting and downstate gaming licenses, which would greatly benefit our County.

We would like to respectfully request New York State lift the moratorium which currently bars the creation of new commercial casino licenses, prior to 2023.

We support Senator Mayer’s efforts to earmark funding for school districts throughout the region from any new arrangement.

Lifting this moratorium and developing one such casino in Westchester County would increase tourism revenue, create jobs, provide crucial education funding and provide new opportunities for minority, women and veteran owned businesses.

I want to direct you to our County’s largest city, Yonkers, the City of Hills, and home to Empire City Casino, the sixth largest casino in the country.

Before COVID, the casino would see more than 9 million guests a year with an average of 15 thousand visitors during the week. With restricted hours and 25% capacity, Empire City can have about 3600 guests and employees on the floor at any given time.

The health and safety protocols around games has limited gaming capacity significantly.

Pre-COVID, revenue was roughly 307 million dollars with an average 25 million going toward schools monthly. Needless to say, it is now considerably less. We want to help boost our schools, get people back to work and we want people to be able to have some sort of entertainment again.

Westchester County has proudly supported “Raise the Age” and our implementation has been extremely successful.

Over the last few years, we have become a regional hub for juvenile offenders from surrounding counties like Rockland and Nassau and helping people turn their lives around.

New York State allocated funding to cover these costs. New York State similarly designated funding to cover the costs of Westchester’s patrol of state parkways within the County as well as dozens of critical programs at the Department of Health and the Department of Social Services. I can’t emphasize enough these programs which are more critical now than ever before.

The State allocated 60 million dollars to cover the cost of these vital programs, unfortunately over the last six months, we’ve received only 10 million dollars of that 60 million, leaving an outstanding balance of 50 million dollars. We ask the delegation advocate to ensure New York State delivers this funding to us.

Sales tax is one of the things driving funding here in County.

If it is part of your strategy, we’d like to support Governor Cuomo’s measures to make County sales tax permanent.

If you plan to take action and support the Governor’s initiative to legalize marijuana, we would like to respectfully request Westchester County is included in the sales tax benefit of it. We would like to call on you – and ask New York State not shift AIM funding to Westchester County’s sales tax.

I’ve been having regular meeting with leaders of other municipalities, using our time as an opportunity to coordinate and cooperate where we can save costs and work toward the interest of the County taxpayers. The revenue from sales tax can help repair and boost our economy that has been on pause for too long. 

In closing, I want to thank you again for this opportunity and I would be remiss not to mention our appreciation over the last year for your assistance in removing the referendum requirement on all capital projects above 10 million dollars.

Because of its success, we were able to do some work on Memorial Field. This is close to my heart, my hometown of Mount Vernon will soon see a renaissance of sorts in Memorial Field. Last year, the County made a commitment to invest in revamping the field which will have an eight lane track, tennis courts and skate park. It was once the jewel of the city’s recreation system, and with your help, it can become that once again, for a new generation.

As we reflect on how this past year has impacted our lives, our health and our faith – we must remember we are New Yorkers, and we are resilient.