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COMMON COUNCIL PASSES SOLAR INSTALLATION REGULATIONS, ADDRESSES NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS. MAYOR ROACH DRAMATICALLY EMPHASIZES NEED FOR ENERGY SHIFT FROM FOSSIL FUELS: “IT’S TIME TO ACT.”
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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL REPORT. By John F. Bailey. August 3, 2022:
The Common Council enacted new detailed regulations on the standards and requirements of solar panel installations capable of generating over 1,000 kilowatts of electricity Monday evening unanimously. Key aspects of the legislation reflected concerns of the Havilands Manor neighborhood which objected to the installation of canopy-placed solar panels at the 1133 Westchester Avenue site.
(In a related development, the public hearing on the 1133 Westchester site was postponed, as 1133 was revising its site plan.)
Highlights were requiring green plantings to shield solar canopies/ installations from views of neighborhoods while preserving the environmental integrity of the existing adjacent properties. A second protection for the future was the fate of solar installations should the existing owners of properties go bankrupt or sell the property.
Mayor Thomas Roach in a 15 minute commentary on the legislation expressed dismay at the evidence of global warning effects this summer.
HOW IS MONKEYPOX SPREAD?
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WPCNR Your Local Epidemiologist. Reprinted with permission. August 3, 2022:
There is substantial concern about monkeypox (MPV) exposure and risk among the general public.
Some of this is warranted; some is not.
Misconceptions are taking hold given the rapidly evolving situation and scientific uncertainty.
This post triangulates historical context, lab data, and epidemiological data to show you what we do (and do not) know about MPV transmission right now.
Transmission
In 2019, researchers found that the R(t) of MPV ranges from 0-3. In other words, for every infected person, on average, that person will infect 0 to 3 other people. This was highly dependent on immunity in a population—the more people without immunity, the faster it spread. As of July 2022, the WHO estimates R(t)=1.29. This is pretty low. (For reference, the R(0) of smallpox = 3.5-6, and Omicron is higher.)
We don’t know why MPV is less contagious than other viruses: What is the virus receptor? Does the virus enter the cells more slowly? Is it less “sticky” and not latching on well?
In very broad terms, it’s clearly not as well adapted to infect humans as other viruses. In 2017/2018, MPV substantially mutated (as viruses do). It may have mutated to become more “fit” for human infection, or it may not have. We don’t know yet.
Regardless, because of the lower contagiousness, we hypothesize that we need a higher “dosage” of virus to become infected and sick.
Contact tracing data confirms this, thus far, by showing clear patterns of transmission among very close and prolonged contacts, like sexual encounters. This is consistent with data from the original 2017 outbreak in Nigeria.
There is contagious virus in open lesions. Also, yesterday, the Lancet published the first compelling evidence that replicating virus is also found in semen.
We also see fomite transmission in very heavily contaminated areas (someone’s hospital room, someone’s bedroom at home, etc.) where lots of virus has been shedding for a long time.
A recent study found high contamination in two hospital rooms in all places directly touched by MPV patients: bathroom, chairs, cell phones, and even the floor.
In a preprint, UK scientists sampled hospital rooms of isolated MPV patients and found widespread surface contamination (66 positive out of 73 samples).
But there are three things to keep in mind about surface transmission:
- MPV is hardy on surfaces, and left alone it can linger for quite a while, but it is whimpy against soap and UV light.
- The presence of virus does not mean automatic infection. The dose you’re exposed to needs to be high enough to take hold in the body.
- Even if a surface does have the virus, it does not mean it’s replicating—or infectious.
So, if someone quickly touches a doorknob in public, for example, it doesn’t mean you will be automatically infected after you touch that doorknob. And in fact, we aren’t seeing anything like that in the contact tracing data.
Preliminary data also shows droplet or aerosol transmission.
Some MPV cases have lesions in their mouth, so this could, theoretically, be a mode of transmission if you’re closely talking to someone who has an active (e.g., painful) infection for a long duration of time.
This is why people with active MPV and those caring for them are advised to wear masks.
Previous case studies in Nigeria show secondary transmission among nurses caring for MPV patients without PPE.
A preprint from the UK found positive air samples in hospital rooms of infected patients, specifically when nurses were changing bed sheets.
But, just like surface transmission, this isn’t likely to happen by passing someone at the supermarket.
There is preliminary scientific evidence of asymptomatic transmission.
A preprint from Belgium tested a bank of 224 specimens using a PCR for MPV and identified three infections in people who denied having had any symptoms in the weeks before and after the sample was taken.
This was surprising, but only one study. We need consistency across several studies to know the “true rate” of asymptomatic transmission and public health implications.
We don’t currently have a test for asymptomatic transmission, but scientists are working on it.
High risk: Right now vs. in the future
Because of the distinct transmission pattern, MPV has gained a foothold in one specific, tight-knit social network: men who have sex with men (MSM).
This means this group is most at risk *right now,* and public health outreach, policy, and resources are laser focused on this community, rightfully so.
MPV could spread to other social networks. We saw this happen with MRSA in 2008: It started in one network (gay men) and moved to other social networks (like wrestling teams).
There is considerable chatter regarding MPV spread in colleges and schools, which isn’t too far fetched given tight-knit social and sexual networks on campuses.
This doesn’t mean there should be panic, but institutions should absolutely prepare. (Here is guidance on controlling MPV in congregate settings).
Bottom line
Current data shows that MPV transmission can occur in multiple ways, but what is possible is not always probable.
Epidemiological data shows very close and prolonged exposure absolutely dominating transmission networks.
Groups *at risk* should be aware and adjust behaviors according to risk tolerance.
Trespassing Abortion Protesters at All Women’s Medical sentenced to 3 months in jail in White Plains NY USA
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Three men receive three months in jail following criminal conviction by jury; defendants disrupted medical office operations and patient services
WPCNR LAW JOURNAL. From the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. August 2, 2022:
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced that three men affiliated with the anti-abortion group Red Rose Rescue, including two that live out of state, were sentenced on August 2, 2022, to three months in jail following their criminal conviction for trespassing at All Women’s Health and Medical Services in White Plains. Judge John Collins of White Plains City Court imposed fines and court surcharges totaling $750 for each defendant due on or before February 2, 2023.
During sentencing, Judge Collins expressed his opinion that one of the defendants lied during the trial, and that the conduct of all three men during the incident was disrespectful toward law enforcement. Collins also noted that the defendants placed their personal interests above the rule of law and that their criminal conduct warranted the maximum jail sentence.
“We are pleased that in this case, the Court imposed the maximum jail sentence allowed under the law as we recommended,” DA Rocah said. “Abortion is legal in the state of New York and interfering with a patient’s right to access medical and reproductive care is a crime. I will use the full force of my office to protect patients and reproductive rights here in Westchester County,”
Following a three-day trial in March 2022, a jury found Matthew Connolly, 40, of Minnesota, William Goodman, 52, of Wisconsin, and, Christopher Moscinski, 52, of the Bronx, guilty of Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree, a misdemeanor.
On November 27, 2021, at approximately 8:40 a.m., the defendants entered All Women’s Health and Medical Services in White Plains, a private medical office, where they remained unlawfully for approximately two hours despite receiving numerous requests and warnings to leave from medical staff and the White Plains Police Department. All three defendants disrupted facility operations and patient services, with two defendants occupying the waiting room, rendering it unusable, and another using his body to create an obstacle in one of the office doorways. They were arrested by White Plains police who had to physically carry them out of the premises.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Celia Curtis of the Trials and Investigations Division.
ADDITIONAL MONKEY POX CLINICS IN WHITE PLAINS. MORE DETAILED “DON’TS” PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID THE DISEASE
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| WPCNR COUNTY HEALTH Dispatch. From County Legislator Catherine Parker, Legislative District 7. August 2, 2022: |
| en Español The County’s Department of Health will co-host Monkeypox vaccine clinics with The LOFT, located at 252 Bryant Avenue in White Plains, on Thursday, August 4th, 11th, and 18th, 2022. The clinics will run from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm and provide first dose shots to individuals 18+. Appointments can be made here. Additionally, vaccines are available at the Department of Health clinic at 134 Court Street every Monday from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm and Wednesday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. Appointments can be made at: health.westchestergov.com. NEW MONKEYPOX PREVENTION TIPS Avoid close contact (including sexual contact) with people who are sick or have a rash, and their contaminated personal items: Do not kiss, hug, or touch. Do not share eating utensils or cups. Do not touch the bedding or clothing of a sick person. Practice safe hygiene: Wash hands often with soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth; if you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean. Avoid contact with unknown or wild animals: Use extra caution when traveling to avoid animal contact. Don’t touch live or dead wild animals. Do not touch or consume products that come from wild animals. Avoid touching materials, such as bedding, that have been used by animals.If you work with animals, wear appropriate protective equipment and take additional precautions. Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DHCPP) For more information or questions, contact the County’s Monkeypox hotline: 914-995-8900 |
GOVERNOR HOCHUL TWEAKS THE STATE BUDGET TO ADJUST TO DETERIORATING STATE FORECAST ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. PERSONAL INCOME TAX STATE REVENUES DOWN
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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Governor’s Press Office. August 2, 2022:
Governor Kathy Hochul announced Monday that the first quarterly update to the FY 2023 Enacted Budget Financial Plan has been released. The elevated reserve fund deposits and balances planned since October 2021 will continue even in the face of a changing economic outlook.
“Like the rest of the country, New York State is facing substantial headwinds with a changing national economy, and our latest update to the Enacted Budget Financial Plan reflects that,” Governor Hochul said. “While the Plan incorporates future budget gaps, our commitment to fiscal discipline and planning for a rainy day remains and reserve fund deposits and balances will stay at the elevated levels we have planned.”
The Plan update reflects clear signs of economic distress in the national economy, which trickles down to the State economy.
Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased at an annual rate of 0.9 percent in the second quarter of calendar year 2022, which follows a first quarter decrease of 1.6 percent.
Consumer prices through June 2022 increased by 9.1 percent over 12 months, the largest increase since the 12 months ending November 1981.
Financial sector performance, which is an important source of tax collections in New York State, has continued to weaken in response to unfavorable economic data.
Through late July, every major stock index is down more than 10 percent, with the NASDAQ index down over 23 percent and the S&P 500 down 15.1 percent, since the start of calendar year 2022.
Starting in FY 2024, the annual estimates for personal income taxes (PITs) have been reduced substantially from the Enacted Budget in recognition of a weaker economic outlook for both the U.S. and the State.
The estimated payment component of Personal Income Tax which includes capital gains activity, is reduced by $3.1 billion in FY 2024, $5.1 billion in FY 2025, $5.7 billion in FY 2026, and $8.4 billion in FY 2027.
The reduction is partly offset by a $1 billion annual increase in the withholding component of Personal Income Taxes reflecting growth from a higher expected base in FY 2023.
The updated Financial Plan reflects an additional General Fund surplus of $2.3 billion in FY 2023 and a gap of $310 million in FY 2024, after the planned use of the FY 2023 surplus in FY 2024.
The budget gaps in the out-years are estimated at $3.6 billion in FY 2025, $3.5 billion in FY 2026, and $6.2 billion in FY 2027. The budget gaps are almost exclusively attributed to the reductions to the tax receipts forecast.
The State has continued to strengthen reserve funds that serve as a bulwark against precipitous service cuts or tax increases during an economic downturn.
At the end of FY 2022, the State’s principal reserves totaled nearly $9 billion. Over the next three years, additional deposits of $10.4 billion will bring reserves to $19.4 billion, equal to 15 percent of State Operating Funds spending, the fiscal target set by Governor Hochul in October 2021.
Reserves in FY 2025 exceed the projected budget gaps by roughly $6 billion.
The Plan update is available on the Division of the Budget website.
LOFT ANNOUNCES NEW CLINICS FOR MONKEYPOX SHOTS
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August 1: LOFT Announces 3rd & 4th Monkeypox Vaccine Clinics
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Responding to Surge in Demand, The LOFT Announces Third and Fourth, First-Dose, On-Campus Monkeypox Vaccination Clinics in Partnership with the Westchester County Department of Health for Thursday August 11th and August 18th
8/1/2022
(White Plains, NY)
The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center in partnership with the Westchester County Department of Health announces that it will be hosting third and fourth, first-dose, on-Campus Monkeypox vaccination clinics in partnership with the Westchester County Department of Health on Thursday, August 11th and August 18th. Appointments can be made from the hours of 9:30 AM-4:30 PM for adults 18 years of age and up. Information on the second dose will be given to each vaccinated person after their first dose. These clinics are strictly for first-dose inoculations only. The LOFT strongly encourages any and all members of the community who believe they are at risk to get vaccinated immediately. The vaccination is free of charge.
The addition of these first-dose clinics is in response to the surge in demand for vaccinations. The first, first-dose clinic held on July 28th had a 100% fill rate, with all available vaccines being used. The second, first-dose vaccination clinic’s appointments were filled within hours and similar fill rates are expected.
“The really good news is that our community is taking this seriously and getting inoculated. We know there are many more in the community still waiting to get vaccinated and we are working as quickly as possible to meet this demand. We are truly grateful to be partnering with the Westchester County Department of Health–they have been well organized and highly responsive in meeting our community’s needs.” says, Executive Director, Judy Troilo.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul issued an Executive Order declaring a State Disaster Emergency in response to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak. The World Health Organization, The CDC, and the New York Department of Health have all emphasized the importance of having people who are at risk be vaccinated. Monkeypox can be transmitted through simple skin contact when someone’s skin rubs/brushes against an infected person’s skin. Infection can also occur by touching infected clothing. Please note, that it can also be transmitted via genital contact but is not considered a sexually transmitted infection. Condoms, dental dams, PrEP, birth control, microbicide lubricants, and antibiotics typically used to treat STI’s will not protect a person from infection. To learn more about Monkeypox, click here.
If you are unsure whether you need the vaccine or have questions related to your health, please consult with your physician or medical practitioner.
To learn more about how the vaccine works, click here.
To make an appointment for the third, first-dose clinic at The LOFT on August 11, 2022: click here.
Appointment slots for the fourth, first-dose clinic on August 18th clinic will be released soon.
Getting to The LOFT:
The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Services Center
252 Bryant Ave
White Plains, NY 10605
Map & Driving Directions
WESTCHESTER FAILS TO CONTAIN COVID SPREAD EFFECTIVELY IN JULY: 10,298 NEW CASES
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SETS STAGE FOR POSSIBLE ACCELERATION IN FALL CASES AT THE 300 CASE A DAY RATE OF MAY.
NEW COVID INFECTIONS THRIVE IN “ANYTHING GOES” ATMOSPHERE : NO MASKING, NO SOCIAL DISTANCING, NO RESTAURANT CAPACITY LIMITATIONS, NO PUBLIC SPACE LIMITATIONS. BOTHERSOME REINFECTION RATE
WPCNR COVID BULLETIN. From the New York State Covid Tracker. Observation & Analysis by John F. Bailey.
The 9,642 persons testing positive for Covid in June contributed to spreading the disease to 10,298 persons in the month of July.
It is a 4% statistically insignificant rise from June in covid infections, but a continuation of strong infection numbers for three straight months that has sustained covid spread.
The infections in June and July combined are the highest since 300 a day new infections started up in May of this year when 13,055 cases of covid were recorded.
February of this year the county had 4,389 infections. February was the month after 5 weeks of vaccinations in the county had brought the record January infections of 51,826 to an accelerated slowdown–from the highest month of covid infections ever in January.
In March Westchester followed with 4,163 infections. April reported 7,054. May showed a strong upswing in covid infections to approximately 13,055 but that figure is an estimate since no testing information was put out over Memorial Day weekend and subsequent adjustments on those 3 days were not clearly defined by the Covid Tracker.
So in May June and July the county has been averaging 10,911 new covid infections.
It is significant to note the statewide precautions and protocols were relaxed substantially in the spring by the state legislature taking away the former Governor Cuomo’s powers over emergency measures and agreeing that restaurants, gatherings, concerts prohibitions and capacities could be eliminated which the former governor had used to put in masking, capacity limitations in restaurants and public events.
Currently the public is very relaxed about covid and each new person coming down with covid in total is spreading the disease to 1.4 persons which is a very good spread rate that shows that persons are not ignoring the impacts of covid and perhaps are quarantining themselves after becoming sick, but that is wishful thinking. I hope that is true.
Over the last 5 months from March 1 through July 31, covid infections per week have gone up in 14 of the last 23 weeks in Westchester County.
There IS strong consistent rise in the new positive covid cases beginning Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and Friday of each week in PCR (Lab confirmed positive tests), which would indicate persons are getting infected with symptoms faster over the weekend and test themselves with an antigen (at home test) find a positive, panic and go in for a lab test(or not).
The “or nots” are a problem. Since the county is no longer operating or encouraging PCR tests and depends on a testing “honor system” if you test positive on an antigen test, you have yourself tested via a PCR test, how many antigen positives without serious symptoms aren’t getting that PCR tests, or worse, not self-quarantining?
Here’s what I mean:Orange County Saturday reported 118 positives, (an 8.8%) rate, but because no one know the population of their county offhand, the significance of the 7 day average infection rate has no impact the person reading the wonderfully valuable Covid Tracker.
For example, On Saturday the Covid Tracker reported the average number of new infections per 100,000 persons of population is 30.9. Orange has a population of 3,166,857 so at 31.7 times 30.9, Orange should have had 980 positives last week, and through 8 days Orange had 984 positives. That is a significant problem for Orange County.
But, but,but…if you look at the daily covid tracker, that does not hit home. I suggest as infections spreading continues to be an obvious problem that the cumulative number of infections per week by shown as the week progresses.
It was not until I did that Orange County calculation that I realized how significant Orange infections have been increasing. Here are the total infections this week for each Mid-Hudson Region County. The figures speak for themselves
Westchester
In Westchester County the county has spread the disease at a 9.7% positive of PCR rates, far more than the 1.1% test rate needed to diminish the number of cases from spreading. Westchester has average 33 of 100,000 persons/per population a day tested positive July 24 to 31 positive for covid which with 1,004,457 population means Westchester averages 2,402 a week new covid infections. 2,473 were the Westchester infections last week, counting Sunday.
Orange County over the last week had 984 positives. (This is way up in the last week, averaging 140 new infections a day. Orange should consider this growing problem.)
Rockland County last week July 24 through Sunday tested 802 positives. Rockland was averaging 22 new positives per 100,000 in population the last 7 days. Rockland should have 502 positives (22 times 3.26 –326,225 of population) but there were 802 positives through Sunday, that means the average infections are growing daily at the rate of 60%.
Dutchess is in trouble, too. From July 24 through July 31, Dutchess reports via the New York Covid Tracker, 636 new infections. Dutchess for the last 7 days had been suffering 17.4 new infections per 100,000 population per day, and should have had (had the population been containing the disease by safe practices) 362 infections. (17 x 7 x 2.98 –297,488, the Dutchess County population. But sadly no – the number is 802. Another similar sharp increase in average infections.
Ulster County, the tracker reports today is in at 263 new cases of covid. That is 32 new infections a day. Ulster County averaged 19 new infections a day for the last 7 days on each 100,000 of population. Ulster has 181,851 population, so we do 100,000 into 181,851 and get 1.81 times 19 and we get 241 new infections at the average infection rate of 19 infections a day. Ulster is not spreading as much as the other 5 counties.
Putnam and Sullivan Counties have the smallest populations in the Mid-Hudson Region
Putnam reports in on the New York Covid Tracker at 220 new infections. They average the last 7 days 29 infections per 100,000 population or 203 for a week. Divide Putnam’s population (98,532) by 100,000 and you get .98 times 203 and you get 198 should be Putnam’s infections, but the county is in at 220, a slight .11% increase in the number of cases in Putnam
Sullivan reported 169 new cases July 24 to 31. Sullivan reported 34 new cases an average per day the last 7 days on 100,000 of population, or 238 a week. Divide Sullivan County population (78,624) by 100,000 and you get .78. Multiply.78 x 238 and you get 186.
Sullivan is the only county of 7 in the Mid-Hudson Region to suppress the spread of covid last week.
This is admirable on the surface the number of PCR tests quantities indicate a lot of people in Sullivan are not testing, compared to the positive rates across all 7 counties The 7-county average is 9.95% positive on very small test numbers.
The positive rate of 9.95% of all 7 counties From Westchester to Sullivan holding across larger testing quantities is a nightmare come true.
Weschester County averaged 5,583 PCR (LAB AUTHENTICATED TESTS) last week and averaged 10% positives. If the county administered 12,000 PCR TESTS and the 10.7% positive rate held true they might might find 1284 positives a day, that is, coincidently, 9,000 a week exactly what we are finding now for three straight months of covid lingering, mingling, and infecting.
And school starts in 5 weeks.
Reinfections are running 6% of those cured from covid for 90s in New York State
A lot to worry about.
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GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY ON MONKEYPOX REUTERS REPORTS
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The governor of the State of New York Kathy Hochul has declared an emergency in the state over the continued spread of monkeypox.
“I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront the monkeypox outbreak,” Hochul tweeted. https://bit.ly/3oFYEMB
She added that more than one in four monkeypox cases in the United States are in New York, also having a disproportionate impact on at-risk groups.
https://jac.yahoosandbox.com/1.2.0/safeframe.html
As of July 29, New York state had a total of 1,383 confirmed orthopoxvirus/monkeypox cases, according to New York Department of Health’s website.
Earlier on Friday, Brazil and Spain reported the first monkeypox-related deaths outside Africa.
The World Health Organization last week declared a global health emergency, its highest level of alert, over the monkeypox outbreak.