WESTCHESTER ISSUES REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS FOR SENIOR PROGRAMS

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 Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) has issued four requests for proposal (RFP’s) from qualified agencies for services that benefit seniors. Funding comes from grants through the Older Americans Act as amended, for Title III-B.

The RFP’s:

In Home Contact and Support: This RFP consists of three (3) separate service components. Telephone Reassurance, Friendly Visiting and University Without Walls: the provision of regularly scheduled telephone contacts, scheduled visitation, continuing education and socialization via a scheduled visit or telephone conferencing opportunity geared toward supporting frail, isolated homebound seniors in Westchester County. Services and activities designed to provide support to older people who are isolated because of physical and/or cognitive limitations.

Senior Center Recreation and Education Services for The LGBTQ+ Community: This RFP consists of providing senior LGBTQ+ individuals with Senior Center Recreation and Education services concerning social, recreational, educational and cultural activities to aid in the reduction of isolationism.

Information and Assistance (for LGBTQ+ Elders):  This RFP consists of information and assistance services for the senior LGBTQ+ community.

Legal Assistance Services:  This RFP consists of legal assistance services for persons 60 years or older.

 

Information on this RFP is available at http://www.westchestercountyny.gov/rfp. Click on view/search contracts. The due date for these RFP’s is Tuesday, December 19, 2023 by 3 p.m.

All proposals must be received at:

The Department of Senior Programs and Services

Westchester County Office Building

9 South First Avenue, 10th Floor

Mount Vernon, NY 10550-3414

For information about the Department of Senior Programs and Services, call (914) 813-6300 or visit www.westchestercountyny.gov/seniors.

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HELLO LOVE! THIS IS THANKSGIVING WEEK N THE GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD

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As Pearl S. Buck who has been around says on her plaque in Grand Central Terminal (see if you can find it on your holiday trip in),

“As for New York City, it is a place apart. There is not its match in any other country in the world.”

Miss Buck said that in the 1930s, and she should see The Big Town now.

Thanksgiving Week is a week when New York City turns up the volume with sites and experiences you will find around every corner.

Saturday, Brenda Starr and I took Metro North into The Big Apple to see a play and on our trip New York City showed off. The energy makes you feel young again–always.

 

At Grand Central Terminal, we toured the Holiday Market featuring artisans from all over, which just dazzled me with the range of creativity displayed and celebrated the creativity of the human spirit.

 

A FIREGLASS PIECE: “THE DARK PLANET”

 

“EVERYBODY GOES TO VIC’S” IN NOHO..Try the “Eggs in Purgatory” for $16–IT IS SOOOO HOT NYC

AND YOU CAN HEAR YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER ACROSS THE TABLE

NEW YORK THEATRE WORKSHOP WHERE THE AVANT GARDE PLAYS OF THE FUTURE PLAY NOW!

AROUND EVERY CORNER YOU SEE SOMETHING YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE HERE THE INCREDIBLE HYDRAULIC NEW YORK CRANE THE GMK 6400 THAT LIFTS 450 TONS 450 FEET! FULLY EXTENDED! NOTHING LIKE A “NEW YORK CRANE”

 

COME ONA DOWN TO THE GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD FOR THE HOLIDAYS JUST FOR THE THRILL THAT NEVER STOPS!

 

 

 

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NEXT COUNTY BUDGET INPUT SESSION IS TONITE

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en Español

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

Last Thursday night, the Board of Legislators held the first of three opportunities for the public to engage in the 2024 budget process

at a public input session at the Warner Library in Tarrytown.  The event went from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., with close to 60 speakers

representing organizations that rely on funding from the County to implement their programs.

Three areas of advocacy and programming were consistently represented across the organizations in attendance,

including child/family advocacy, protection against homelessness, and the arts.

Among those in attendance were Childcare Council of Westchester and the Westchester Children’s Association,

focused on child/family advocacy and childcare subsidies. Mount Vernon United Tenants and the Legal Aid Society,

advocacy organizations to assist tenants in eviction protection to avoid homelessness, were also present, as well as

youth-centric organizations Safe Haven Mount Vernon and the Youth Bureau. In addition, ArtsWestchester joined,

along with individual arts and culture organizations like Bethany Arts Community and Songcatchers of New Rochelle,

the latter of which provides affordable access to music lessons for children and families.

The session was live-streamed on Facebook, as will be the next two sessions.

 

To view Thursday night’s video, go to https://www.facebook.com/westchesterlegislators/

 

The second Public Input session is tonight, November 20, at 7:00 p.m. at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center,

480 North Bedford Rd. in Chappaqua, followed by the Public Budget Hearing on December 6 at 7 p.m.

in the Board Chamber, 148 Martine Avenue, 8th Floor, White Plains. We invite you to attend in person or watch live on Facebook.

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THE ARC OF WESTCHESTER ANNOUNCES NEW LEADER

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TO PREPARE OR NOT TO PREPARE FOR VIRUSES ON THE WAY TO THANKSGIVING FROM YOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST

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Si quiere leer la versión en español, pulse aquí.


Starting today, you can order another 4 free at-home COVID tests to be delivered to your house. If you did not yet order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests. Go here to place your order.


It’s the holiday season! My favorite time of year.

We are also in “epidemic” mode for our fall and winter respiratory season. We can take small steps in the “background” to minimize sickness and maximize family time. That is, if you want to maximize time with your family. 😉

Here is an update on the latest on flu, RSV, and Covid-19.

red cherry on white surface

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

But first… is anyone taking precautions anymore?

Yes.

I was surprised by a KFF report last week: 1 in 2 Americans still take precautions for the holiday season. Some groups do more than others, but there is a little bit of everything from everyone.

Prevent getting sick leading up to the event

Getting sick and missing holiday parties is a huge bummer. There are a few things we can do to prevent this:

  • Immunity, like vaccination, helps prevent infection for flu and Covid-19.
    • We don’t have evidence on RSV vaccines yet, but we think it does too.
    • Immunity against infection doesn’t last long and is certainly imperfect. (For how long and how much it prevents infection is really hard to quantify given the mix of studies and complex population immunity.)
    • Vaccination or infection takes about 2 weeks to boost the immune system.
  • Masks work on an individual level, especially if well-fit and filtered (like an N95).
    • We have evidence for flu and Covid-19. (Again, we don’t know with RSV, but we hypothesize this is the case.)
    • Mask in public 4-5 days before the event to reduce your chances of getting sick.
  • Ventilation and filtration is one of the most powerful tools because it works passively and invisibly to prevent illnesses. However, it relies on institutional action.
    • Planes, for example, are fantastic for ventilation, but only once the wheels are up. Getting to the plane (security, boarding area, etc.) is another story.

For what it’s worth, I’m doing these, including wearing a mask at the airports.

Reduce spreading viruses at the event

two woman standing beside woman sitting in front of table

Photo by Kelsey Chance on Unsplash

It’s almost impossible to know if you’re asymptomatic and/or contagious for any virus. This is a big bummer, especially for our high-risk family members also in attendance.

  • At-home tests
    • There is one flu/Covid-19 test. The rest are for Covid-19 only. There are none for RSV.
    • Covid-19 at-home tests are expensive and false negatives at the beginning of infection are very common, especially if you’re asymptomatic.
    • Cadence testing can help increase confidence in results, like two tests within 48 hours before the event:
    • Do antigen tests expire? Expiration ranges from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the brand. The date on the box may be incorrect, as the FDA later extended dates. Here is an updated list to see if it’s still good after brushing off cobwebs.
  • Ventilation and filtration. If you’re hosting, get that air moving. Open windows. Buy an air filter. Set up your table outside, if the weather is friendly. Buy a CO2 monitor.
  • Does vaccination status matter? A recent study showed that vaccinated kids were as contagious as unvaccinated. This isn’t surprising because almost everyone has some sort of immunity (vaccine, infection, hybrid).

What am I doing? We always have Thanksgiving outside in California. I’m not doing asymptomatic testing anymore with my family, given the expense and low catch rate.

Treatment: What to do if you’re sick?

person lying on gray sofa

Photo by Rex Pickar on Unsplash

  • If you have symptoms and/or a positive test, assume you’re contagious. Do not go to the event. The duration of infectiousness depends on the virus:
    • Flu5-7 days after symptoms start.
    • RSV3-8 days after. Some infants and people with weakened immune systems can spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms, for as long as 4 weeks.
    • Covid-19: We see strong evidence (herehere) that an Omicron infection lasts, on average, 6-10 days. Children seem to be less infectious for less time.
  • Antigen tests. Positives are positives. You’re infectious. Stay in isolation for at least 5 days or until this line disappears. The faintness of a testing line can provide clues:
    • Very bold line = you’re very contagious.
    • Barely see the line = you’re at the beginning or the end of your infection window. It may be worth testing again in 24 hours to figure out which one.
  • Paxlovid. My first question to those over 65 with Covid-19 is: Did you get Paxlovid? It can help a lot.
    • Rebounding is common (i.e., turning positive once you were negative after taking Paxlovid). Rebounding can also happen without Paxlovid. Which is more common? We can’t tell from the current evidence.
    • Paxlovid is being privatized (i.e., no longer covered by government). Pfizer also announced an astronomical price: $1,400. Cost is a legitimate reason not to get it, which is devastating and ridiculous.
    • Does Paxlovid prevent long covid? There is mixed evidence at this time.

Bottom line

We can be smarter and healthier during the fall and winter. Small steps will maximize the probability of being healthy, staying healthy, reducing disruption, and enjoying the holiday season. To me, this is worth it.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Love, YLE


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TALK TO WESTCHESTER COUNTY ABOUT FOOD AVAILABILITY IN THE COUNTY–DEADLINE NOV 26

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The Westchester County Department of Planning, with the support of the Westchester County Department of Health, has launched a survey as part of its Transportation and Food Access Study.

The survey asks Westchester residents ages 18 and older to share their experiences traveling to get groceries, as well as information on the type and affordability of food available to them in the County.

The goal of the study is to develop effective strategies to increase Westchester County resident access to affordable, quality food, with the goal of decreasing food insecurity, improving health outcomes, and increasing the quality of life in Westchester.

Take the survey here by Sunday, November 26.

 

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SAINT PIO FOUNDATION DONATES 60 LAPTOPS TO THE ALCANCE LATINO TECH CENTER AT ST. BERNARD IN WHITE PLAINS NY USA

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 Sandra and Nancy, officers of the Saint Pio Foundation, delivering the sixty laptops to the Alcance Latino at  the Church of St. Bernard in White Plains, NY, on Friday, November 17, 2023.

The laptops will be used by the students enrolled in computer literacy courses offered by the Alcance Latino Technology Center at St. Bernies.

The Saint Pio Foundation in Tuckahoe, NY, announced that it has donated sixty refurbished laptops and tablets to the Alcance Latino Technology Center, to fulfill a request from the pastor of the Church of St. Bernard, Father Robert J. Morris, to provide these for the young students of the center.

The Alcance Latino’s Mission is to provide resources and services to immigrant families residing in White Plains, New York, to enhance and sustain their quality of life.

Father Robert Morris, Pastor of the Church of St. Bernard and Executive Director of Alcance Latino said “Alcance Latino at the Church of St. Bernard is so grateful to the Saint Pio Foundation for generously donating 60 laptop computers to our Technology Center.  This will allow us to offer computer literacy courses that will benefit the immigrant population in White Plains and Westchester.”

The Saint Pio Foundation intends to get more involved within our community, and to do all we possibly can to change lives, for the better, in the name of Saint Pio,” said Founder and CEO Luciano Lamonarca. “We were truly inspired by Father Morris persuasive way of supporting the parish’s community, and to the immigrant families of the city of White Plains. Being an immigrant myself, I know how it feels to adapt and to face the challenges that come from living in a new country, most of the time without family.”

About the Saint Pio Foundation

The Saint Pio Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization that promotes the knowledge of and devotion to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. It works with institutions and individuals that share the same vision to serve those in need of relief of suffering and that seek to alleviate the physical and emotional hunger of the underserved in a dignified and supportive manner. This includes providing spiritual, physical, and emotional nourishment.

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CONGESTION PRICING TAX IN NYC WON’T STOP WITH MANHATTAN;  EXPECT IT EVERYWHERE SOON AFTER, SAYS PRO-TAX POLICY EXPERT

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. November 20, 2023:

 

A senior fellow at think tank Brookings Metro is predicting that New York State’s impending congestion pricing tax will spread to cities throughout the state and nation in virtually no time, laying the groundwork for additional driving taxes all across the U.S., the group Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free today reports. 

In a controversial 1,440-word piece in Bloomberg last week, Brookings senior fellow Adie Tomer writes: “…chances are the idea will quickly spread to other cities. Residents and officials in Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Portland, Oregon are already considering congestion pricing.” He continues: “Once congestion pricing gets off the ground, it can unlock the Holy Grail of transportation pricing: vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees, which would charge for every mile driven, not just those in specific zones.” 

Mr. Tomer’s piece follows a November 7 article in The Atlantic in which environmental activist and former Transportation Alternatives leader Charles Komanoff suggests that the congestion pricing tax should eventually be raised to $100 per trip, per vehicle. “I am a total incrementalist,” he said. The current congestion pricing tax estimate has a $23 cap to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street by vehicle. 

“The public needs to know what’s about to hit them, and their pro-Congestion-Pricing-Tax legislators are doing everything in their power to keep them in the dark,” said  spokesman Joshua Bienstock. “The Congestion Pricing Tax has nothing to do with congestion, air quality, or progressivism; it’s all about sucking additional tax dollars out of already beleaguered New Yorkers. If New York’s Congestion Tax goes through, just watch how many personal transportation taxes will follow all over the state and nation.” 

Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free argues that a Congestion Pricing Tax is unfair and unnecessary. The tax would disproportionately target lower-income New Yorkers, increase dangerous particulate matter in inner city communities already struggling with some of the highest asthma rates in America, and it would slow the revival of Manhattan’s core business districts. The City and State have reported that hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues have been lost following workplace changes prompted by the Covid 19 Pandemic. 

Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free

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HEARING CHALLENGES AT-LARGE REPRESENTATION IN MT. PLEASANT

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CHALLENGE TO AT-LARGE VOTING –
PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT.
Mount Pleasant will hold a second Public Hearing at Town Hall on Monday, November 20 at 7:00 PM to consider a new method of electing its town council.
Five Hispanic Mount Pleasant residents brought the first-ever challenge under New York’s new Voting Rights Act (Election Law § 17-206) which I co-sponsored in the Assembly in 2022. They allege the present at-large voting system dilutes the voting strength of Hispanic voters and should be replaced.
Two experts hired by Mount Pleasant found the Town’s at-large system violates NYRA and the Town must act. The hearings are to determine what the action should be – council districts, cumulative voting, even-year elections, etc.
Community members should attend to support our fellow residents in challenging the unfair system. Any questions, call me (914-328-9000).
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OUTBREAK OUTLOOK — NORTHEAST. COVID DECLINES, RSV RISING — DR. CAITLIN RIVERS

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