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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PLUS COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER’S VETERANS DAY MESSAGE

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We are seeing a tsunami of respiratory illnesses and, in its wake, severe disease and overcrowded hospitals. This is mainly driven by RSV, with flu picking up steam. COVID-19 infections have yet to start rising, but we still expect these to uptick soon.(Source: CDC) Children are getting hit particularly hard. Emergency department visits for 0 to 4 year-olds, for example, are the highest they’ve been throughout the pandemic—including the first Omicron wave last winter—with numbers continuing to rise.(Source: Dr. Jay Varma) This, of course, is impacting parents across the country. The latest Department of Labor data found absences from work due to childcare problems hit a record high last month—higher than during the past two years of the pandemic. If you’re home with a sick kid right now, you’re not alone.(Source: Diane Swonk) With a wave of RSV infections comes a wave of questions. Here is what we do (and do not) know about RSV. What is RSV? RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. It’s an RNA virus, so it mutates quickly. Historically, RSV hit during the winter. However, the pandemic really threw off viral dynamics. During the first two years of the pandemic, RSV increased during the summer months although at lower than typical rates. It appears RSV is back on track, although it is earlier compared to pre-pandemic years.(Source: CDC RSV-NET)On average, one infected person will infect three other people (R0=3; which is far less contagious than COVID-19 but more contagious than flu). People are typically infected 4 to 6 days after exposure and are usually contagious for about a week. People can be contagious a day or two before they start showing signs.RSV infects cells within our airways. After entering our cells, our immune system sends fighter cells, which cause inflammation and thus symptoms. We have two main airways that can be infected:Upper airway, where infection causes cold-like symptoms, like a runny nose.Lower airway (like lungs), where infection causes difficulty breathing. How is RSV transmitted? There are really two main transmission routes: Respiratory droplets: droplets from coughs and sneezes that contain the virus, but can fall to the ground after a couple feet of travel. Fomites: viral particles that can survive many hours on hard surfaces such as crib rails and toys.With the pandemic, we (scientists, parents, everyone) can’t help but think that aerosols (droplets that stay in the air) are also a main driver. More research is needed, as the latest data was from the 1980s. There is also quite a bit of debate regarding the main mode of transmission. Who is at risk? Anyone can be infected with RSV, and it is very common. In fact, 1 in 4 adults will be infected each year. By the age of 32 months, 100% of children have antibodies. This means that without a vaccine, it’s very likely that your child will get RSV in the first few years of life. The majority of people have mild symptoms that typically mimic a common cold. Some people (but not all) get a fever. RSV can cause severe disease, though, mainly among two groups: Young children. 5 out of 1000 children under 5 years of age will be hospitalized. This is a higher rate than for flu or COVID-19. The younger the child, the more likely hospitalization is. This is because their airways are just so tiny and can’t let air flow through when inflamed. When a child is hospitalized, the average hospitalization stay is 5 days and ~7% require ICU admission. Among those hospitalized, most children were previously healthy. Before the pandemic, RSV killed 100 to 500 U.S. children under age 5 each year.(Source: CDC RSV-NET) Older adults. Each year, between 60,000 to 120,000 older adults in the United States are hospitalized, and 6,000 to 10,000 of them die due to RSV infection. Just like COVID-19, RSV is rough on older adults because their immune systems are weaker and they are more likely to have underlying health conditions, like heart or lung disease. Is there an RSV test? Yes, there are PCR and antigen tests for RSV. (Antigen tests work best on kids compared to adults.) But the tests require a laboratory to process results.There is one at home test that can differentiate between flu, RSV, and COVID19. But, you need to mail it to a lab for results. Is there treatment? There is no medication specifically to combat RSV. The only treatment is to help alleviate symptoms (for example, using oxygen in the hospital).We are working on antivirals, but just like with COVID-19, they are very difficult to make. There is a drug called nirsevimab made by AstraZeneca, though, that had very promising Phase III clinical trial results for infants. The FDA may approve this soon. We do have monoclonal antibodies, called Synagis. This is not a vaccine, but an injection given once a month throughout RSV season. By proactively injecting antibodies, the risk of serious lung infections decreases. This medication is super expensive and in limited supply, so it’s saved for people with the highest risk. How long is someone protected after infection?Unfortunately, not long. RSV is fantastic at evading immunity. This means children and adults can get RSV multiple times, even during a single season. One study found that when scientists followed kids over time, the severity of infection didn’t decline until the children had RSV at least three times. After initial exposures, though, repeat infections are less severe in adulthood (before older age). Why don’t we have a vaccine? Two reasons: We had a vaccine trial back in the 1960s that was a disaster. Kids who got vaccinated were at higher risk for severe disease than those who didn’t. Two kids died. Scientists have since figured out the problem (called antibody-dependent enhancement). The viruses key into our cells has been historically tricky to target with a vaccine. But there is good news on vaccine development In 2013, there was a scientific breakthrough and we figured out how to create an effective and safe vaccine. This past month, we got results from Pfizer’s clinical trials of a bivalent (targets two variants) protein-based (not mRNA) RSV vaccine tested pregnant women. The vaccine was safe and effectively made antibodies that moved across the placenta. Pfizer found high efficacy against severe disease in infants from birth through the first 90 days (81.8%) and 6 months (69.4%) of life. Pfizer plans to submit for FDA approval by end of the year. If approved, this will be the first RSV vaccine, and it will be a game changer. We also got great news about a RSV vaccine for older adults from two manufacturers (GSK and Pfizer): 82% efficacy rate for GSK and 86% for Pfizer. Immune debt? These two words have been floating around parent groups causing a ton of emotional debates on the heels of the pandemic. To be clear, “immune debt” has no official definition and means many things to many people. Here is my epidemiological perspective. The pandemic delayed first infections of common viruses, like RSV, due to shut downs, social distancing, masking, etc. We saved thousands of lives doing this until we could get a COVID-19 vaccine. This was the right call. However, that phenomenon pushed a larger population-level effect of the common viruses that we are seeing now. We always expected a resurgence.But there are things we don’t know yet. Could previous COVID-19 infections impact children’s immune systems? Maybe, but we don’t have evidence on this either way. This needs to be carefully studied. Bottom line The situation right now isn’t great for kids or older adults. It’s not great for hospitals. It’s not great for caregivers. You can help people around you. Do the same things you do with COVID-19—stay home while sick and mask in public. Wash hands and toys—this will help with RSV. Also, don’t let people kiss your baby. This RSV surge reinforces the need to reduce the burden of common viruses, too, which take an enormous toll on our society. Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE)” is written by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD—an epidemiologist, data scientist, wife, and MOM. During the day she works at a nonpartisan health policy think tank, and at night she writes this newsletter. Her main goal is to “translate” the ever-evolving public health science so that people will be well equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members.

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Remnants of Nicole Are Expected To Begin Impacting the State Friday Night and Continue Through Saturday

2-3 Inches of Rain Expected in Central New York, Finger Lakes, Western New York and North Country Regions with Minor Flooding Possible in Flood-Prone Areas

New Yorkers Urged To Monitor Local Weather Forecasts and Pay Attention to National Weather Service Alerts

Governor Kathy Hochul Friday directed state agencies to prepare emergency response assets as the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole are expected to impact New York as early as Friday evening, bringing the potential for heavy rain and flooding.

The largest rainfall totals of two to three inches, with some localized higher totals, are expected in the Central New York, Finger Lakes and Western New York regions, as well as areas in the Tug Hill plateau in the North Country region. Minor flooding in flood-prone areas is likely and maximum wind gusts up to 40 mph are possible, with higher windspeeds expected downstate.

Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers to closely monitor local forecasts over the next few days for weather conditions, and to follow any potential emergency orders issued before or during extreme weather events. New York State agencies and authorities have already engaged local government partners throughout the state and stand at the ready to respond, as needed.

“Starting Friday night, a late-season weather system has the potential to dump three inches or more of rain in some locations, and I urge all New Yorkers to prepare in the event of a flooding situation,” Governor Hochul said. “If you are planning to travel Friday and Saturday, please use caution and check local weather conditions before heading out.”

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Nicole is moving north and there is the potential for heavy rains and wind gusts over the next few days in parts of the state. Governor Hochul and I are asking New Yorkers to prepare in advance, pay attention to local forecasts, make a plan if your area will be affected, and remember to check on your vulnerable neighbors and loved ones this weekend.”

State Agency Preparations

Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation is prepared to respond with more than 3,280 supervisors and operators. All field staff are available to fully engage and respond. Staff can be configured into any type of response crews that are needed (flood response, chipper, load & haul, sewer jet, cut & toss, traffic signal, etc.). In preparation, crews are checking and clearing drainage structures to make sure they are free of debris and clogs. Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

• 1,516 large dump trucks
• 333 large loaders
• 79 tracked and wheeled excavators
• 72 chippers
• 18 graders
• 14 vacuum trucks with sewer jets
• 14 tree crew bucket trucks

Thruway Authority

The Thruway Authority is closely monitoring the weather for the upcoming storm and has 651 operators and supervisors prepared to respond to any wind or flood related issues across the state. There are excavators, plow/dump trucks, large loaders, portable VMS boards, portable light towers, generators, pumps and equipment hauling trailers as well as signage and other traffic control devices available for deployment for any detours or closures. Variable Message Signs and social media are utilized to alert motorists of weather conditions on the 570-mile Thruway.

Statewide available equipment numbers are as follows:

• 349 Large and Small Dump Trucks
• 63 Loaders
• 30 Trailers
• 7 Vac Trucks
• 14 Excavators
• 8 Brush Chippers
• 100 Chainsaws
• 21 Aerial Trucks
• 22 Skid Steers
• 84 Portable Generators
• 65 Portable Light Units

The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to live traffic cameras, real-time traffic information and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert emails which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway.

Follow @ThruwayTraffic on Twitter and visit thruway.ny.gov to see an interactive map showing traffic conditions for the Thruway and other New York State roadways.

Department of Environmental Conservation

DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, Emergency Management staff, and regional staff are on alert and monitoring the developing situation and actively patrolling areas and infrastructure likely to be impacted by severe weather. All available assets, including swift water rescue teams, are positioned to assist with any emergency response.

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

New York State Park Police and park personnel are on alert and closely monitoring weather conditions and impacts. Park visitors should check parks.ny.gov or call their local park office for the latest updates regarding park hours, openings, and closings.

Department of Public Service

New York’s utilities have approximately 7,125 workers available to engage in damage assessment, response, repair, and restoration efforts across New York State for this event. This includes an additional 1,500 workers secured by Con Edison and Orange & Rockland and an additional 125 workers secured by National Grid’s upstate division. Agency staff will track utilities’ work throughout the event and ensure utilities shift appropriate staffing to regions that experience the greatest impact.

New York State Police

State Police are prepared to deploy additional Troopers, as needed, to affected areas. All State Police specialized vehicles, including four-wheel drive vehicles and Utility Task Vehicles, are staged and ready for immediate response. All Troop emergency power and communications equipment has been tested.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Metropolitan Transportation Authority is closely monitoring weather conditions to ensure safe, reliable service. MTA employees will be poised to respond to any weather-related issues and remove any downed trees that may fall across tracks.

During periods of peak winds, MTA Bridges and Tunnels anticipates implementing a ban on empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks. Pedestrian walkways on bridges may also be closed due to the forecasted high winds.

Customers are encouraged to check new.mta.info for the latest service updates, and to use caution while navigating the system. Customers should also sign up for real-time service alerts via text or email. These alerts are also available via the MTA’s apps: MYmta and TrainTime.

Port Authority

The Port Authority is monitoring weather conditions. Speed restrictions may be in effect at the bridges, as well as along roadways to and from the crossings. Passengers through the Port Authority’s facilities are encouraged to reach out to carriers and airlines directly for the latest information on delays and cancelations. For the latest information about Port Authority facilities, please check social media, sign up for PA alerts or download one of the PA mobile apps, including RidePATH which provides real-time updates and alerts for PATH service.

Safety Tips

1. Prepare for severe weather:
2. Know the county in which you live and the names of nearby cities. Severe weather warnings are issued on a county basis.
3. Learn the safest route from your home or business to high, safe ground should you have to leave in a hurry.
4. Develop and practice a ‘family escape’ plan and identify a meeting place if family members become separated.
5. Make an itemized list of all valuables including furnishings, clothing and other personal property. Keep the list in a safe place.
6. Stockpile emergency supplies of canned food, medicine and first aid supplies and drinking water. Store drinking water in clean, closed containers.
7. Plan what to do with your pets.
8. Have a portable radio, flashlights, extra batteries and emergency cooking equipment available.
9. Keep your automobile fueled. If electric power is cut off, gasoline stations may not be able to pump fuel for several days. Have a small disaster supply kit in the trunk of your car.
10. Have disaster supplies on hand, including:

1. Flashlight and extra batteries
2. Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
3. First aid kit and manual
4. Emergency food and water
5. Non-electric can opener
6. Essential medicines
7. Checkbook, cash, credit cards, ATM cards

For more safety tips, visit the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Safety Tips web page at www.dhses.ny.gov/oem/safety-info/index.cfm.

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WESTCHHESTER STATE SENATORS SHELLEY MAYER, ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS RETAIN SEATS. CONGRESSMAN JAMAAL BOWMAN WINS 16^TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

FLASH! LAWLER COMES BACK IN THE 17TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT!

SEAN MALONEY LOSES IN 17^TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, FADES. CONCEDES RACE TO REPUBLICAN MIKE LAWLER AT 12:15 P.M TODAY. LAWLER SCHEDULES VICTORY ADDRESS AT 2 PM

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2022, November 8  11:55 P.M. UPDATED 12:17 A.M. EST. November 9, 2022. UPDATED 12:37 A.M. with Nassau Suffolk results. Amplified at 12:51 A.M. UPDATED NOVEMBER 9 8:15 A.M. UPDATED 12:35 PM.

Governor Kathy Hochul with 87% of votes AS OF 1:00 A.M. was leading Lee Zeldin, her Republican Challenger. Her margin of 6% (335,631 votes) held up through the night.

In a “Victory Statement,” at her Manhattan headquarters, Hochul pledged to protect reproductive rights, make the state a more affordable place to live, and make streets and subways safe.

“You made me the first woman ever elected as governor in New York,” she said, “But I’m not here to make history. I’m here to make a difference.”

Mr. Zeldin declined to concede, saying he would wait until all votes were counted.

The margin is 335,631 votes between the two contenders. Governor Hochul as of 1 A.M. EST. had received 2,885,204 votes to Lee Zeldin’s 2,519,573.. Governor Hochul had a 6% lead.

In Nassau County, an expected Zeldin stronghold, Mr. Zeldin with 87% of the votes counted polled 248,631 votes to Governor Hochul’s 208,214. Zeldin with 50% of Suffolk County reporting AT 1 A.M. has gathered 202,569 votes to the Governor’s 155,605 (in Suffolk County)..

Mr Zeldin received 451,260 votes from Nassau and Suffolk as of 12:30 A.M. this morning and the Governor 363,819.

The differential on Long Island’s two counties between the two candidates was 87,441 for Mr, Zeldin. Governor Hochul held her own and limited the damage.

The Governor piled up votes in New York City:

Ms. Hochul has picked up 82% of Manhattan, 72% of the Bronx vote; 72% of Brooklyn and 63% of Queens which presently is her sustaining margin at this hour (1 A.M.)

With 72% of the votes in, 378,897 Brooklyn voters went Hochul; 347,606 Manhattan residents voted for her. Those two boroughs account for her winning margin. Bronx residents contributed 148,877 votes and Queens, 259,748. Staten Island was the only Borough Mr. Zeldin won with 45,930 votes.

Attorney General Letitia James is leading Michael Henry 55% to 42% in the Attorney General contest. Thomas DiNapoli is leading Paul Rodriguez  55% to 42% for the Comptroller office. Senator Charles Schumer  is leading his challenger Paul Rodriguez by 60% to 40%.

The Westchester County results, usually fully counted after 11 P.M. are lagging this year  because of heavy turnout. A fine courteous job by election personnel at District 1 in White Plains in one of the heaviest turnouts I have witnessed. You were checked in promptly, courteously in one of the smoothest operations at the high school polling station ever. It was a non-stop never ending stream of voters from 6 AM into the night.

Results so far show Jamaal Bowman defeating Miriam Flisser by 58% to 39% for the White Plains-Scarsdale-Harrison-portion of Yonkers District 16.

In the 17^th Congressional District, 64% of districts reporting, Democrat Sean Maloney with 64% of districts reporting, had a  5,210 vote lead over Michael Lawler, 25,970 votes to 20,760  56% to 44% which he has built in the last hour from midnight to 1 A.M. As of 1:30 PM no updated totals have beenposted to the Westchester County Board of Elections website since 1:15 A.M. (added at 1:28 PM today)

Overnight Mr. Maloney’s lead evaproated, and was scheduled to concede to Mr. Lawler at 12:15 this afternoon. Returns on the Board of Elections site have not been updated to reflect the final numbers this turnaround victory.

Mr. Lawler is holding a Victory announcement at 2 PM today

In Assembly District matchups, Chris Burdick at this hour has a 60% to 40% margin over Gary Lipson in the Assembly District 93. Amy Paulin has a commanding lead in the 88^th Assembly district over Thomas Fix 62% to 38%.

Nader Sayegh  Democrat incumbent in the 90^th Assembly District with 50% of the vote in  of the votes counted is trailing Michael Breen the Republican-Consertive by 341 votes, Breen has 5,492 votes, Sayegh, 5,151. Hezi Aris of the Yonkers Tribune reports Sayegh has come back and appears to have retained his seat

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WPCNR YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST By Dr. Katelyn Jetelina. November 7, 2022. Reprinted with permission.

Public health touches on all aspects of our lives, not just during a pandemic. Thanks to your feedback, this newsletter will continue with COVID updates but will start touching on other epidemiological topics, too.

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Last week 5 new studies provided a first look into Dobbs v. Jackson’s impact on access to abortion care. This was largely thanks to JAMA Network that published a special issue on this topic. This is the story that data is telling.

Shift in location of abortions

Just like with COVID-19, data fragmentation touches nearly every other public health problem, including abortion. The Society of Family Planning anticipated this problem and started counting clinical abortions (i.e. at a physical location) beginning in 2022. They coin this effort #WeCount.

They just released their first report:

• Two months post-Dobbs, 10,600 fewer people had clinical abortions—a 6% decrease on a national level.
  • Among states that banned or severely restricted abortion, there was a 95% decrease.
• States with the largest percent increases in abortions included North Carolina (37%), Kansas (36%), Colorado (33%), and Illinois (28%). California experienced virtually no change (1%), although still had the most abortions.
  • This was an interesting pattern. Some states with restrictions in place (like North Carolina) experienced a surge because they were just closer in distance to states that banned abortion altogether, such as Indiana and Georgia. States on the East and West coasts, though, experienced little to no change.

A JAMA Network publication looked solely at Texas (remember Texas passed a highly restrictive before Dobbs in September 2021 called SB8). Specifically, scientists counted all abortions in the state of Texas from September 1, 2020 to February 28, 2022 and evaluated whether abortions increased, decreased, or stayed the same after SB8:

• Over the entire time period, there were 68,820 Texas facility–based abortions and 11,287 out-of-state abortions among Texas residents.
• After SB8, documented abortions among Texas residents decreased 33%.
• After SB8, out-of-state abortions among Texas residents increased from 17% to 31%. In other words, out-of-state abortions did not fully offset the overall decrease in facility abortions post-SB8.

Requests for medication abortion increase

Clinical abortion is not the only option for women. There is a very safe and effective alternative that people can access online and take at home—medication abortion. Another JAMA Network study looked at requests for medication before Dobbs, after Dobbs leaked, and after the Dobbs formal announcement. They found:

• More than 42,000 requests for abortion medications across 30 states.
• Requests in every state, regardless of policy, increased after the leak and the formal announcement.
• States with total bans had the highest increase in requests. Louisiana had the most medication requests followed by Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, and Oklahoma.

Travel time increases

Clinics closed, which increased travel times for people seeking in-person abortion care. A study in JAMA Network assessed exactly how much:

• Travel times to abortion facilities, on average, increased by three times.
• The largest increases were across the South (see figure below). In Texas, for example, the new travel time to the nearest abortion facility increased by almost a full workday.
• American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic populations experienced large absolute increases in travel time to abortion facilities.

Travel Time to Nearest US Abortion Facility Before and After Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health US Supreme Court Decision. FromRader et al., JAMA Network. Source here.

Pregnancies among young girls are risky

A news story post-Dobbs went viral after an Indiana doctor provided abortion services to a 10-year-old Ohio rape victim. A recent study published the risks of pregnancy to the youngest of girls. The scientists looked at the negative impact (morbidity, mortality, and delivery outcomes) of over 90,000 pregnancy hospitalizations among the youngest of girls (under age 13 years) compared to older females. They found that compared to other pregnancies, pregnancies among 10-13 year olds led to:

• More preterm births
• More C-sections
• More preeclampsia cases
• More ICU admissions
• No difference in stillbirths

It’s clear the youngest girls who give birth face significant medical risks.

Bottom line

Early data shows Dobbs significantly changed the way in which people access abortion care in the U.S.: where to go, how to get it, what barriers they’ll face, and who can get it (health inequities). In just four short months post-Dobbs, thousands of women’s lives were impacted. This is just the beginning of the story, but we have the power to decide how medical care for women, and this map, look going forward. Go vote.

Abortion Laws by State (Source: Center for Reproductive Rights)