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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WPCNR CORONAVIRUS JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. December 27, 2021. UPDATED DECEMBER 28. 2021:

County Executive George Latimer announced this morning on WVOX Radio that 214 people in Westchester suffering from covid hospitlizations were hospitalized Friday as of December 24. Based on the number of covid positives two weeks ago on Friday, December 10 this means that of the 459, 53% were hospitalized. Not all of course contracted covid at the same time, Mr. Latimer said a month ago, the county had only 50 persons hospitalized.

The Westchester Covid Tracker reports unofficially that Christmas Eve Covid positive Infections hit 1,900 new infections and Christmas Day setting an all time record infections for the county, 2,900. Previously the highest was 1,300 March 25, 2020. The Westchester infection rate was 15.7% on Friday’s positives of the 7,595 tested

Mr. Latimer also said on his Tuesday morning broadcast, the county asked the state to open the Westchester County Center for testing tomorrow and that persons had to call for an appointment to take a covid test. He said the county did this to meet the overwhelming demand for tests by the public that were creating long lines at pharmacies as well as a shortage of tests.

The New York State Covid Tracker did not post Friday and Saturday results because of the Christmas Day holiday. Friday tthere were 1,189 Westchester new covid positives of 7,595 tested.

On last Thursday, December 23 the last day of New York Covid Tracker testing results,  Westchester reported 1,869 new cases of 13,655 tested persons. That is a positive rate of 13.7% –A Westchester high.

In WPCNR’s Daily Mid-Hudson Journal of covid trends, Westchester County broke its all-time highest day record December 21 reporting 1,755 new sufferers positive with Covid. The prior record was reached January 14, 2021. December 22, Wednesday the count set a new record, 2,363 infections and Thursday December 23 another 1,869 cases,

The sweep of the Red Plague is sobering.

The testing results after this past Christmas weekend show the new covid pace of self-infection through socializing and refusal to vaccinate may cause this 2,000 a day rate to soar. A grim spectre of infections in January the likes of which the county has not seen is a distinct possibility.

The 7-county Mid-Hudson region reported 3,040 new covid cases last Thursday. Westchester accounted for 2/3 of the new persons positive with Covid among the seven counties.

Nassau and Suffolk County are each averaging 16.7 per cent positives a day of those tested. Nassau reported 3,438 cases Thursday; Suffolk, 3,553. Those counties are in “Free Rise.” (Friday, Nassau and Suffolk counties reported 4,628 positives–positive infection rates of 18% of all tested. the lowest Nassau amd Suffolk have recorded in 5 days.)

New York City suffered  23,804 new cases Thursday double that of the 7-counties plus Nassau and Suffolk Counties totl, which accounted for 10,041 new positives in the  9 counties surrounding New York City. (Friday New York City reported 18,168 positives in all 5 boroughs compared to the Mid-Hudson and Nassau Suffolk Counties total of 6,639. New York City is infecting three times more people than the 9 counties surrounding it.)

The 1,869 Westchester infections Thursday the 23rd, paint a spectre of thousands of cases. Since the disease infects within 10 to 14 days. We go back to December 9 when 497 persons were tested covid positive. The 497 persons then, divided into the 1,869 infections found last Thursday means each of the 497 infected 3.76 persons.

In two weeks the 2,000 persons a day infections at that rate would deliver 8,000 new infections a day the second week in January. If Westchester covid positive persons continue at the 2,000 infections a day rate, infecting 3.76 persons each , the county will see over 50,000 infections the third week. Based on last week hospitalizations 50% may require hospitalization, (25,000 in three weeks). if the hospitalizations are lower this week say 25%, we will still see 12,000 hospitalizations of this 2,000 a day of new infections continues the next week.

(The number of hospitalizations Friday demonstrate a hospitalization rate of 50% of persons infected two weeks ago, that would mean the new Friday 1,189 new positives would produce 600 hospitalizations within a day or two of January 8. it would also show that they are getting sicker, primarily because Mr. Latimer said the majority of patients needing hospitalization are not vaccinated. At this 1,000 infections a day pace, and the spread rate of 1 infected person infecting 3 others, projects 4,200 persons needing hospital care in Westchester for their covid the week of January 8)

This is not to panic anyone but it should. It is simple math.

We now have 11,000 new infections since last Monday through Christmas Day in Westchester County. They are infecting 3 to 3.76 persons for every one of them infected. You do the math:

41,360 infections in two weeks. If only 10% of 40,000 infected need hospitalization, you still have 4,000 hospitalizations. Westchester only has 2,700 beds. If the cases are worse because they are unvaccinated, you may have a 50% hospitalization rate creating 20,000 persons needing hospitalizations.The cumulative effect of compounding infections skyrockets hospitalizations, quadrupling hospitalizations rapidly.

Such a rate of hospitalization will blow past Westchester County ability to handle hospitalizations.

This is incentive to get the vaccine, I believe. And vaccinate your children 5 to 18.

Why? The Netherlands is in lockdown right now.

The Netherlands reports that part of the reason is the large number of children in school being infected. The Netherlands article on the Op-Ed page of The New York Times this morning by Senay Boztas in Amsterdam is must reading to see how The Netherlands got to another lockdown.

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WPCNR NEWS AND COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. December 24, 2021:

WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. December 25, 2020:

It has been approximately 2,021 years since a confluence of bright stars guided three kings to the town of Bethlehem to pay respects to a “newborn king.”

This antique set which has been in my family for 75 years or so, commemorates that night (tonight) this day.

Since the day the baby, Jesus, was born in a stable, which was provided as a charity by the owner of the inn in Bethlehem, the baby’s deeds He was to achieve and His philosophy of loving your fellow man and woman that took root in a hostile world that was a world of subjugation, genocide, enslavement, and oppression — with violence.

A lot like today.

Religious beliefs aside.

Jesus may be the most influential man of all time, considering how his message of concern, respect, and kindness towards your fellow man and woman was unique at the time he lived and spread throughout the world without violence.

We would all do well, if when considering how to treat each other, make a decision, what would Jesus do?

I daresay the world would be a much better place. I also should like to point out that Jesus’s message was not follow me and you will have eternal life, though he did say that–his main message was to love one another and be compassionate, helpful, and respectful towards those less fortunate than you.

It made so much sense.

I set it up the display this year because I missed it over the years. Remember it is not what Jesus offered…it was what He did that spread his message around the world without violence

There was no CNN, No Fox News, showing live coverage, no internet, no newspapers,radio or television. No Twitter or Facebook. No Instagram,Skype, or Google.

Nevertheless the message of the man who died on Calvary (The Place of the Skull) spread around the world without mass communication.

His followers, twelve of them were so devoted to His message of love and code of behavior they became the first pacifist activists who spread a message the man they called their Lord had preached to them.

He was Jesus of Nazareth.  He had no last name.

Today He is now known all over the world for the message he delivered.

Whether you believe He is the Son of God, or not, He ranks as one of the foremost influences on mankind. More than Plato, more than Socrates, more than any leader or politician, or entertainer whoever lived.

His selfless acts of embracing lepers, the poor, those who sinned were unique.

Such compassion for the downtrodden was unheard of during the time He lived.

It was a time of slavery. No human rights. No care for the sick. When cities were razed and populations slaughtered or enslaved much like the genocides of the twentieth century.

Jesus of Nazareth introduced a new philosophy that spread throughout the world after because the community leaders of his own people thought him a threat to their power. And that fear that this simple man was a threat should be a lesson to us all.

If you live by His philosophy of forgiveness you are a person at peace with yourself. If you accept those who are different from you without  fear or prejudice, you are a force for spreading His message of peace towards others and good will.

If you help the poor and the sick because you sympathize with them, you are following His way.

If you stand up for truth, point out what is wrong as He did with the Pharisees. You are doing his will.

If you go about doing good for the sake of doing good, you are following His virtue of selflessness.

Jesus of Nazareth’s message whether divine or a code of how we conduct our lives resonated with millions and it spread.

There is no denying He is one of the great philosophers of the human experience, kin to Socrates, the other giant of antiquity thought.

Jesus of Nazareth was a human being who affects us to this day.

One of the great gifts of this man, Jesus of Nazareth, is the celebration of humanity and capacity to care and feel for others that aids persons whether they believe He was the Son of God or not. Or that you will have eternal life if you believe in him.

His philosophies of care, courage, compassion and benevolent action serve their practioners well because they leave a great personal satisfaction in the heart, the mind, and the spirit.

You do not have to second guess yourself, when you do what is right, humane, merciful, and serves the less fortunate without superiority with nothing to gain for yourself. And if you do not do what is right, if you weaken, you always regret it and remember when you failed to do right.

The peace of mind of action is the least of the  great gifts of Jesus of Nazareth whose birth is recognized worldwide this night.

If you act as Jesus did, you will be remembered by all you meet fondly and lovingly, and be comforted that you will live in memories of those you have  touched with your love and kindness and caring  for eternity to the end of the age.

His simple teachings have great power. Use them. Implement them.

They give meaning to our mystery of life.

They give meaning and purpose to anyone’s life.

For 2,021 years He in his sweet, short life made a violent world a better place.

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WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. By John F. Bailey. December 23, 2021:

Westchester continues to spread covid significantly more than all the Mid-Hudson region counties.

This evening the New York State Covid Workbook logged Westchester County with 1,755 new residents testing postive for covid of 13,949 tested an all time high infection rate of 12.6% tested. Two weeks ago there were 366 new positive cases of persons in Westcherster testing positive for Covid.

Tuesday’s 1,755 positive cases means 366 persons diagnosed with covid December 7 have infected 1,755 ratio of infectiousness of 1 new infected person two weeks spread to 4.7 other people in the 14 day infection period of the disease. If this exponential increase in spread continues, in two weeks the 1,755 persons will spread the disease to :

8,415 persons in the first week in January, 2022.

Monday the positives reported in the County was 1,400. with the 395 persons infected December with covid spreading the disease to 3.5 persons. The illness omicron variant or the old covid is not spreading, it is coming back stronger and more fierce than it was in the January of this year.

The 1,755 poor positives is the second straight day on Tuesday that Westchester set a record

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. December 22, 2021:

Dear Friends, The rising number of COVID-19 cases in both Westchester and across the state is extremely concerning. I have been in touch with the Governor’s office, advocating for the distribution of free home test kits, a return to drive-through testing facilities, and to make boosters more readily available. I know that dealing with the surge in cases is of utmost importance to the Governor (who recently announced new funding to help counties deal with their COVID-19 response), and I will continue to keep the community posted as additional pandemic-related information is made available. Meanwhile, the best way to stay safe in the face of this surge is to continue to wear a mask – especially in indoor public spaces – and to get yourself vaccinated and boosted.  If you have not yet been vaccinated, I urge you to do so right away. If you are vaccinated and eligible for a booster, please get it. The vaccine and boosters are widely available at state-run locations and through many pharmacies and health care providers. The Governor also recently announced that 40 pop-up vaccine sites have opened across the state to fight the winter surge.  For those looking for the pediatric Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11, the state has opened a pediatric site at Westchester Medical Center’s Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital (please click here to schedule an appointment).  The County will also be holding a clinic for children ages 5-11 to receive their first Pfizer pediatric dose on December 28 from 2:00-6:30 pm. Appointments are necessary and can be made here.

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. DECEMBER 21, 2021:

Happy Holidays from the WPCSD!

Yes, as you know, we are still addressing the lingering challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Still – we are winning!

We know that COVID-19 will continue to be a fact of life into the future, and we will not allow that to hinder our progress as we continue to educate our 7,000+ students.  Although as predicted, we are seeing an increase in case numbers, our students are producing excellent results and we are so proud of our school community! \

In collaboration with White Plains Hospital, we are now hosting vaccination clinics for 5-11-year-old students, family members and those in need of initial vaccination.  In fact, one of our first graders was the winner of a full scholarship to any SUNY/CUNY college/university in a statewide lottery of children who are being vaccinated! Imagine that – 1^st grade and our Tiger already has a ‘full ride’ to college!

This has been another complex year.

There can be no doubt that we live in difficult times, and in the interest of continued transparency, we want to share a message with you that we delivered to our school community recently, affecting the safety and security of our children. 

We have experienced two instances of students making threats on social media. 

Although neither of these were a credible danger to our community, we, in conjunction with the White Plains Police Department, will always take any threat seriously and we will intervene immediately. 

We urge you to help us deliver the message that the responsible use of social media is critically important.  Safety and security are our first priorities and disciplinary consequences will be severe. 

These decisions to misuse social media can impact a child’s entire lifetime. Our message to our Tigers can be found HERE. 

You may also be interested in watching a documentary, “The Social Dilemma,” on this topic.  Here’s the link:  https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224

Of course, it’s December and that means college acceptances are starting to roll in.  So far, our students have been admitted to St. John’s University, SUNY Buffalo, Yale University, SUNY Albany, Indiana University, Cornell University, Temple University, Iona College, Penn State and more.  We congratulate our seniors and look forward to learning of more acceptances as we move through the academic year.

Our student athletes are also keeping us #WPProud, with 172 students named Scholar-Athletes for the fall season at the December Board of Education Meeting.   Teams honored include Football, Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country, Field Hockey, Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer, Girls’ Tennis, Girls’ Volleyball, Girls’ Swimming & Diving and Cheerleading.  Several teams won League championships and five swimmers, one diver, and one cross-country runner represented White Plains in the State Championships.  One swimmer placed first and was named All American.  We have a whole lot to be proud of in the WPCSD!

Finally, we wish you a wonderful, safe, and healthy holiday season! As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments and/or concerns!

Respectfully,

Joseph Ricca