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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Half surveyed report experiencing moderate to severe depression or anxiety.

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From the African-American Knowledge Optimized for Mindfully-Healthy Adolescent Project. August 18, 2022:

As the nation prepares to return students to full-day, in person learning, Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble, renowned psychologist and founder of The AAKOMA Project, today released the first of its kind national survey which focuses on the mental health of Youth of Color.
 
The State of Mental Health for Youth of Color (SOMHYOC) surveyed almost 3,000 young people of color ages 13 to 25 to study their current state of mental health.
 
“When I started my research 20 years ago, I knew that a study like this needed to be done,” said Dr. Breland-Noble.

“Study after study of the general population of young people did not capture what we have done with this report. We hope that with the representation of so many different cultures in this study, we can pour truth and knowledge into how we study mental health, how policy in this area is created and how we help our children grow out of what binds them to multi-generational cycles. I am so proud of the work we are presenting today and look forward to scaling and continuing my work in this area of science for years to come.”
 
The study covers four specific areas: (1) Use of Mental Health Services, (2) Exposure to Racial Trauma, (3) Impact of COVID-19, and (4) Support Circles and resilience.

Unlike many other studies, SOMHYOC made a special effort to have a relatively equal representation of races in order to equitably assess and lay some much-needed groundwork to support all youth.
 
The survey showed that at least half of Youth of Color in the sample reported experiencing moderate to severe depression or anxiety. Some Youth of Color reported significantly higher depression and anxiety severity scores. Specifically:

• Latino/e and Native American Youth had significantly higher scores of depression and anxiety severity than AAPI Youth (26% – 19%)
• Overall the most commonly reported symptom of depression was being tired and having low energy (76% – 85%)
• The most commonly reported symptom of anxiety was feeling anxious, worried and nervous (68% – 78%)
• Youth of Color also reported engaging in non-suicidal self-injurious behavior (22%), having suicidal ideation (27%), and attempting suicide at least once (18%)
• Of the Youth of Color who attempted suicide, 5% reported needing medical treatment

 
There are many factors in today’s world that affect the mental health of young people. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the future for generations to come and many experience effects in different ways.
 
The survey found that young People of Color were more likely to be affected or have a loved one with COVID-19. They are more likely to experience social, racial and climate injustice in addition to the strong stigma against seeking treatment that is common among families of color.
 
Most strikingly, the report found that 61% of Youth of Color were hopeful about their future.
 
Said Dr. Breland-Noble: “With this report, we aspire to inject truth and hope into the mental health community so that more resources can be allocated to help those who suffer in silence.”
 
Read more about the survey results behind the study here.

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WESTCHESTER COVID INFECTIONS CONTINUE IN SIGNIFICANT DECLINE. MONKEYPOX LURKING.

WPCNR EPIDEMIC SURVEILLANCE. From the New State Department of Health Monkeypox and Covid Tracker. Observations & Analysis By John F. Bailey. August 17, 2022:

In New York City the number of Monkeypox Infections of persons in exceeded the number of new Covid infections over the weekend, 2,431 TO 1,859 with Nassau and Suffolk Counties seeing double digit infections.

Westchester was reported by the New York State Department of Health to have 1,664 new persons testing positive with covid last week, and 66 cases of MonkeyPox, 15 more than the previous week.

In New York City, the Covid Tracker reported NYC having 2,340 new persons testing positive for covid Saturday the 13th,  1,670 new covid positives Sunday, the 14^th, and on Monday,  1, 859 new civid cases.

MonkeyPox infections in the five boroughs of NYC number 2,431 as of Wednesday and growing. It should be noted that Nassau and Suffolk Counties are reporting 26 monkeypox cases in Nassau and Suffolk County, 39.  

In 12 days, since Monkeypox was declared an emergency by Governor Hochul, the city has hit 2,431 cases. At this rate of spreading the city may have 5,240 cases in the city in two weeks. (or more).   Bottom line monkeypox is infecting in freefall.

In Westchester, not as much. The County  has 66 infections on the Department of Health Tracker.

It is impossible to tell what the Westchester County spread rate is, as the case count was 51 last week. Nassau County and Suffolk County long a source of steadier higher cases among the 9 counties surrounding New York City during 2-1/2 years of Covid are also seeing significant and steady rise in  Monkeypox.

Westchesterites’ terrific performance the last 4 weeks in sharply reducing covid spread to 1500 cases a week down from over 2,000 may be threatened by the monkeypox spread in NYC infecting very fast on a daily basis but that has not happened yet. But it is happening in New York City and Long Island.

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Governor Kathy Hochul today directed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to issue an updated drought watch after consulting with the State Drought Management Task Force and federal partner agencies.

New York State drought region IIA, which includes New York City and Westchester, remains in normal status due to the satisfactory storage levels and refill probability of the New York City reservoirs.

According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the City’s reservoirs are approximately nine percent below normal for this time of year, with 422 billion gallons currently in storage, compared to 469 billion gallons normally. DEC continues to work closely with DEP to monitor reservoir conditions and encourage responsible water use, especially outdoors, regardless of the hydrological conditions or season.   

The watch now includes most New York counties except those located in the Adirondack, Eastern Great Lakes, and New York Metropolitan regions. New York State is encouraging residents in affected counties, particularly those dependent on private groundwater wells, to conserve water whenever possible during the coming weeks. 

“While recent rains have helped, severe dry conditions continue to persist across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers should take steps to conserve water whenever possible in the areas now under a designated drought watch. Simple steps to reduce water consumption will be crucial to our efforts to help prevent any increased drought levels.”  

The counties under drought watch are available here. A watch is the first of four levels of State drought advisories, which are watch, warning, emergency, and disaster. No mandatory restrictions are in place under a state drought watch. 

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “This year’s below normal precipitation and above-normal temperatures continue to combine to exacerbate low stream flows, reduced groundwater levels, and ongoing wildfire risk. DEC will continue to monitor water levels and the environmental impacts of the dry conditions and encourage residents throughout the state to monitor usage and avoid wasting water.”

An increasing number of water supply challenges are being reported due to dry conditions. Below-normal precipitation during the last three months, low stream flows and low groundwater levels prompt the need for the expansion of the watch status to ensure adequate public water supplies. Local public water suppliers are urged to assess the current situation, promote voluntary conservation, and take appropriate actions to manage risk.

The drought watch is triggered by the State Drought Index, which reflects precipitation levels, reservoir/lake levels, and stream flow and groundwater levels in the nine drought regions of the state. Each of these indicators is assigned a weighted value based on its significance to various uses in a region. The State Drought Index is attuned to the specific attributes of New York and may differ moderately from some national technical drought assessments.

DEC and U.S. Geological Survey are partners in evaluating hydrologic conditions across New York State. In addition, DEC supports efforts by local governments and stakeholders to undertake water conservation measures based on specific local circumstances. Observed precipitation has been less than normal with shortfalls of two to six inches common over the last 90 days. The dry weather began in the spring and is beginning to significantly affect other metrics. Stream flows and groundwater levels are well below normal throughout much of the affected regions. Groundwater levels have been declining over the past few months and they are not expected to improve in the immediate future due to the existing precipitation deficit. 

The National Weather Service outlook for the remainder of the summer predicts above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation. By voluntarily reducing water usage, and being extra careful with fire and outdoor flames, New Yorkers can help conserve our natural resources during these dry days of summer. 

To protect water resources, homeowners are encouraged to voluntarily reduce outdoor water use and follow these tips:

• Water lawns only when necessary, choose watering methods that avoid waste, and water in the early morning to reduce evaporation and maximize soil hydration;

• Reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers, or air conditioners to water plants;

• Raise lawn mower cutting heights. Longer grass is healthier with stronger roots and needs less water;

• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks; and

• Fix leaking pipes, hoses, and faucets.

For more water saving tips, visit DEC’s webpage at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5009.html. For more information about drought in New York, go to: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5011.html

Wildlife Risk

In addition to the drought watch expansion, New York State continues to encourage New Yorkers and visitors to follow the recommendations below to reduce the risk of wildfires. The majority of New York State is currently at a high risk for fires – see map here: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/68329.html. Any outdoor fire can spread quickly, especially if the wind picks up. Campfires are among the top five causes of wildfires.

While camping in the backcountry, New Yorkers are advised to:

• Use existing campfire rings where possible;
• Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass, and leaves. Pile extra wood away from the fire;
• Clear the area around the ring of leaves, twigs, and other flammable materials;
• Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could cause the fire to spread quickly; and
• Drown the fire with water. Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks as there may be burning embers underneath.

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