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WPCNR THE SUNDAY  BAILEY. By John F. Bailey. Republished from The CitizeNetReporter of June 17, 2007:

This week celebrates a great American Father.

Charles F. Bailey.

He is my father. He was born November 17, 1918.

My father gave me four pieces of advice in life: Always drive an air-conditioned car. Always centrally air-condition your home. Stay out of court.

And, oh yes, don’t sit in traffic. Take the next exit and wing it.

Always take the service road on the Long Island Expressway. (He would have loved a Garmin.)

In retrospect, his advice has served me well.  I am always comfortable. I sit out traffic delays in comfort. I have not made lawyers rich.

He was not an emotional man. He was a banker and always wore suits to work. I have fond memories of going to meet him in the days of steam engines in Pleasantville – when train tracks were at grade with Manville Road at the old stone station.

I was most impressed as a young child by how he always smelled of coal cinders when he got off the train – like commuter’s cologne.

Sadly on today’s electric trains you do not get that. And you always heard those steam engines coming. Chuffing doing serious work.

You could see them: Clouds of very busy, inspiring industrious black smoke streaming at the horizon down the line. He’d get off the train.

My mother would move over and he’d drive the old Hudson Hornet home. He always spoke quietly. Never raised his voice. Drank scotch and soda in the winter. “G & T’s” in the summer, martinis with George and Howard two close friends. He smoked Chesterfield, Philip Morris, Marlboros, Kents with the micronite filter.

He set up a Lionel train set in our basement – perhaps our unspoken connection. When I was sent in by train for the first time to meet him at the office during Christmas time, He’d have his secretary Margie greet me at Grand Central Terminal which still is a very big and scary place to me .

He would take me to lunch at Jack’s Monte Rosa Restaurant on 49th Street – which I thought was a very great place. Hub bub, tinkling glasses. Sharp-dressed waitersin white jackets black bow ties.

When I first went to it with him, I was a little disappointed that it was not more glamorous but I was really impressed that Jack the owner greeted him by name. I thought that was great that my Dad was greeted with respect.

When I first started working in Washington, D.C. in 1968 I ate regularly at a restaurant below the television station WMAL-TV where I worked, it was called Marty’s Italian Village.  Marty, the owner (who looked like Humphrey Bogart, the only thing missing was the white sport coat) started calling me when I came in around 7 PM, ‘Hi John, how are you?” People would look at me. They thought I was big.  I liked that. Feeling big in my small world.

When my father came to visit me in Washington where I worked. I took him around town. I told him when he got off the plane. “Hi, Dad, welcome to my town.” I wanted to impress him. We’re always trying to impress our fathers. At least I was.

Another Father time was when my Dad came out for Dad’s Day at college. I mean this was a big thing to me. He watched me do play-by-play of a football game from atop the press box in 15 degree weather. It was cold. But he watched. Acted impressed. He hated cold weather. No watching from the warm press box for him.

Another time he impressed was when I lost a job where I was working at the television station that I was being considered for. I told him how unfair it was, he put things in perspective:

“Puggy, he said,  “The film manager wasn’t going to put you in as his Assistant if you were going to be bucking him all the time.” It put things in perspective. No false sentiment. No making me feel better, he was tough enough to teach by being realistic while telling me not to feel sorry for myself.

Then later in my career, I was fired out of a job completely blindsided. He again intervened, saying to me he thought what the agency head had done was a terrible thing. I needed that at the time.

He also, in a very supportive move, told me if I could make $1,000 a night writing a free lance direct mail package, I should keep trying to do that.

Dads are there to say the right things to you at the right time. Sometimes it is not always the right thing, but they try. Often, if you’re lucky, as I was, they say the right thing. Always — when you really really need it. Not the wrong thing.

With my father, who was not really my father, since I was an adopted child, it was never all about him, it was all about you. Making me better, even when it hurt him to say things that were the truth.

When I bought my first house in White Plains. He never criticized the house. But when I sold it, he complimented me, “I think it’s great how you came out of it (the crummy first house).” He was a personal trainer.

The good ones  train you to run a race. If you stumble, no one hurts more than they do. When you succeed, no one is prouder. The good ones push you in front of the cameras, they say interview her or him. They did it.

They know what you should do, but they can’t tell you, because you won’t do it if you’re a kid.

But the more subtler of them tell you any way in hopes it will sink into the rebellious offspring mind. My dad was subtle.

Another fond memory: My father took me camping once at a friend’s cabin in Pennsylvania. Funny thing was there was such a great comic collection we wound up sleeping in sleeping bags on the porch of the cabin. That was funny.

Another time when I was being threatened in college over a position at the radio station, I asked him if I should just abdicate and assign a play-by-play position to the person who was being forced on me. He advised me to “stick to your guns,” so I reported the threat to the Dean.

The position was compromised, but I was never threatened again.  He never shared my love for baseball and sports. In fact he never played catch with me all that well or that often.

I mean I could have made the big leagues (pipe dream) if he played catch with me more. But that’s a small criticism.  I wish I had more of his financial acumen. But I do not.

As you grow into your 30s and 40s, little things they say to you you begin to understand. My father never struck me, but always disciplined me with quiet words. I have not always been that way as a parent myself, being somewhat volatile. I wish I had his even temperament. He always asked me to take care of my mother. And the only time he really got mad at me was when I had made my mother upset with me.

He was a little like Humphrey Bogart in movie roles in the way he disciplined, I remember he would say admonitions quietly. Such as when I got an F in an English course at college. He told me, that was the last F I would get at Ohio Wesleyan, because the next one he would stop paying my tuition.

That had an effect. And that was when tuition was only $3,000 a year.

I have taken to, after my children have grown, telling them always “Be careful,” “Don’t do anything stupid because someone suggests it,” “Do not go anywhere alone without telling people where you are going,” “Don’t lose your temper,” “Don’t tailgate.” In hopes that when I am not with them, they will remember it when they need it.

I think of him every day of my life. I become more like him every day. He is always lingering in the background of my thoughts. I do not know what he would think of what I am doing now.  But, he’d say — “If that’s what you want to do. Do it.” He also would say, “You have to make yourself happy.”

I also think, even today of what advice (laconic as always) he’d give me in a situation. I wish I could discuss property taxes with him. Banking today and how it has become a predator system.

I especially have to salute him, because I am an adopted child.

That alone makes me appreciate his love and acceptance with a sense of awe to this day. He loved me like his own son. Because in his mind, I was. He took responsibility.

You never outgrow your need for Dad. The good ones are immortal, alive and with you in your head when you need them. They are ghosts that comfort always.

Immortality is leaving a good memory of you with the ones who knew you.

Because what you give them, lives on for generations.

Your children will talk of you because of the good things and behaviors you gave them when you needed them and you never lose those tools Dad gave you.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From the White Plains Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Joseph Ricca, June 16, 2021 :

As you know, Governor Cuomo announced additional changes to the New York State Department of Health’s COVID-19 Guidelines for large scale events (this is the guidance that covers Highlands Move-Up Day and WPHS Commencement).

The text of the guidance is included below this message. We recognize and respect that everyone feels differently with regard to NYSDOH health/safety standards and the WPCSD will continue to do our very best to serve all members within our community and make everyone as comfortable as possible.

Accordingly, there are some important adjustments to the requirements for both Highlands Move-Up and WPHS Commencement.

Please review the following:

1. Masks are strongly encouraged, but not required, for vaccinated individuals.

2. Unvaccinated individuals (adults and children) must wear a mask throughout the event(s).

3. Proof of vaccination/negative test result are no longer required upon entry to the event(s).

4. Physical distancing (seating) will be observed at both Highlands Move-Up and WPHS Commencement.

5. Contact tracing cards are no longer required.

Please note that official updates/reminders/communications from both Highlands and WPHS will be forthcoming via the district’s K12 Alerts System.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s school (Highlands and/or WPHS). Please be reminded that the New York State Department of Health guidelines for PreK-12 school operations has not been modified at this time.

The new guidelines (from the New York State Department of Health) issued today to the White Plains School District:

·     The June 7, 2021 update to the Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency does not apply to end of academic year celebration events, such as graduations and moving-up ceremonies, which are large, public events that occur outside the scope of in-person academic instruction, scholastic, and extracurricular activities.

·     As announced by Governor Cuomo on June 15, 2021, MOST COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted as 70 percent of New Yorkers aged 18 or older have received the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccination series. As New York surpassed that threshold, the State’s health guidelines—including social gathering limits, capacity restrictions, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, health screening, and contact information for tracing—will become optional for most industries, including pre-K-12 education end of year events, provided however there are two exceptions that continue to apply to end of academic year celebrations:

o   Masks are still required for unvaccinated individuals, pursuant to federal CDC guidelines.

o   Large-scale indoor event venues — defined as venues that have an indoor capacity of greater than 5,000 —will still follow the State’s existing health guidance for large events. Specifically, consistent with the State’s implementation of the CDC guidelines, proof of vaccination can be used to eliminate social distancing and remove masks for fully vaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status individuals who are over the age of four must continue to present proof of a recent negative diagnostic COVID-19 test result and wear masks within the venue. However, social distancing can be reduced or eliminated between tested attendees, allowing venues to reach 100 percent capacity in all sections. (See below and linked materials for additional guidance.)

·     Please again note that, notwithstanding that 70 percent of New Yorkers aged 18 or older have received the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccination series, the Department of Health’s Interim Guidance for In-Person Instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 Schools During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency remains in effect.

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WPCNR GOVERNOR CUOMO’S CORONAVIRUS REPORT. From the Governor’s Press Office. June 16, 2021:

Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity is 0.40%, Lowest in the Country–Record Low for 18 Consecutive Days, Has Declined for 71 Consecutive Days

Additional State-Run Drive Through Testing Sites –including Glen Island in New Rochelle to Close Beginning Friday, June 18

9 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday
    

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday afternoon updated New Yorkers on the state’s progress combatting COVID-19.  

The Governor announced the demobilizing of additional state-run drive-through COVID-19 testing sites across New York State beginning Friday, June 18. These testing site closures follow historically low positivity rates and an 88 percent decrease in drive-through testing demand from January to May 2021.

“COVID-19 has been the most trying and difficult time in our lives, but New York State is finally moving forward into the future. Vaccination rates are up and COVID numbers are down, and we’re reducing restrictions across the board,” Governor Cuomo said. “We need New Yorkers to continue getting vaccinated, and that’s why we’ve launched a variety of incentives across the state. The pandemic is on the decline, but vaccination is the key to our success and I encourage any New Yorkers who haven’t taken the shot yet to do so right away.”

The state-run drive-through test sites will close as follows:

Friday, June 18

Binghamton – Binghamton University

Binghamton University

Lot ZZ South

Binghamton, NY

Rockland County – Anthony Wayne Rec Area

Anthony Wayne Rec Area

Exit 17 Palisades Parkway

Bear Mountain, New York

Suffolk County – Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University

South P Lot

Stony Brook, New York

Niagara County – Niagara County Community College

Niagara County Community College

3111 Saunders Settlement Road

Sanborn, New York

Friday, June 25

Albany – SUNY Albany

1400 Washington Avenue, Collins Circle

Albany, New York

Queens – Aqueduct Racetrack

Aqueduct Racetrack

110-00 Rockaway Boulevard

Queens, New York

Rochester – Monroe County Community College

Monroe Community College

1000 E. Henrietta Road

Lot G

Rochester, New York

Westchester County – Glen Island Park
350 Weyman Avenue

New Rochelle, New York

Bronx – Bay Plaza

The Mall at Bay Plaza

200 Baychester Avenue

Bronx, New York

 
Today’s data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported – 55,438
• Total Positive – 320
• Percent Positive – 0.58%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive – 0.40%
• Patient Hospitalization – 650 (+33)
• Patients Newly Admitted – 91
• Patients in ICU – 161 (-2)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation – 88 (-4)
• Total Discharges – 183,801 (+54)
• Deaths – 9
• Total Deaths – 42,882
• Total vaccine doses administered – 20,212,046
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours – 112,891
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days – 597,373
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose – 67.6%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series – 60.6%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) – 70.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 61.6%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose – 55.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series – 49.6%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) – 58.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 50.3%

Each region’s 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:

Region	Saturday, June 12, 2021	Sunday, June 13, 2021	Monday, June 14, 2021
Capital Region	0.35%	0.33%	0.33%
Central New York	0.68%	0.64%	0.59%
Finger Lakes	0.65%	0.62%	0.59%
Long Island	0.42%	0.41%	0.41%
Mid-Hudson	0.41%	0.39%	0.38%
Mohawk Valley	0.39%	0.40%	0.41%
New York City	0.39%	0.39%	0.38%
North Country	0.54%	0.58%	0.56%
Southern Tier	0.47%	0.41%	0.41%
Western New York	0.44%	0.38%	0.35%
Statewide	0.42%	0.41%	0.40%

Each New York City borough’s 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:

Borough in NYC	Saturday, June 12, 2021	Sunday, June 13, 2021	Monday, June 14, 2021
Bronx	0.56%	0.54%	0.52%
Kings	0.37%	0.37%	0.36%
New York	0.30%	0.31%	0.30%
Queens	0.34%	0.34%	0.34%
Richmond	0.50%	0.50%	0.50%

Yesterday, 320 New Yorkers tested positive for COVID-19 in New York State, bringing the total to 2,092,599. A geographic breakdown is as follows:
  

County	Total Positive	New Positive
Albany	24,699	3
Allegany	3,555	0
Broome	18,623	4
Cattaraugus	5,720	0
Cayuga	6,337	0
Chautauqua	8,951	0
Chemung	7,761	2
Chenango	3,499	1
Clinton	4,835	0
Columbia	4,064	0
Cortland	3,926	1
Delaware	2,381	2
Dutchess	29,472	2
Erie	89,579	7
Essex	1,593	0
Franklin	2,563	0
Fulton	4,422	1
Genesee	5,435	0
Greene	3,403	0
Hamilton	313	0
Herkimer	5,187	1
Jefferson	6,136	5
Lewis	2,808	0
Livingston	4,520	0
Madison	4,562	0
Monroe	68,976	17
Montgomery	4,254	0
Nassau	183,649	25
Niagara	20,035	2
NYC	937,336	174
Oneida	22,619	5
Onondaga	38,931	3
Ontario	7,406	1
Orange	48,312	4
Orleans	3,118	0
Oswego	7,622	0
Otsego	3,462	1
Putnam	10,606	1
Rensselaer	11,229	1
Rockland	46,944	8
Saratoga	15,364	2
Schenectady	13,202	2
Schoharie	1,692	0
Schuyler	1,075	1
Seneca	2,011	0
St. Lawrence	6,640	3
Steuben	6,952	0
Suffolk	201,036	28
Sullivan	6,673	1
Tioga	3,830	1
Tompkins	4,346	0
Ulster	13,908	1
Warren	3,658	0
Washington	3,162	1
Wayne	5,783	1
Westchester	129,664	7
Wyoming	3,582	1
Yates	1,178	0

Yesterday, 9 New Yorkers died due to COVID-19, bringing the total to 42,882. A geographic breakdown is as follows, by county of residence:

County	New Deaths
Bronx	1
Erie	1
Kings	1
Manhattan	1
Niagara	1
Orange	1
Queens	1
Steuben	1
Westchester	1

All New York State mass vaccination sites are open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first-come, first-serve basis. People who would prefer to schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so on the Am I Eligible App or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. People may also contact their local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital to schedule appointments where vaccines are available, or visit vaccines.gov to find information on vaccine appointments near them.

Yesterday, 39,435 New Yorkers received their first vaccine dose, and 79,050 completed their vaccine series. A geographic breakdown of New Yorkers who have been vaccinated by region is as follows:

	People with at least one vaccine dose		People with complete vaccine series
Region	Cumulative Total	Increase over past 24 hours	Cumulative Total	Increase over past 24 hours
Capital Region	654315	1941	594281	5213
Central New York	519103	726	472004	3059
Finger Lakes	662790	1579	605339	4641
Long Island	1464254	8461	1290909	18004
Mid-Hudson	1188794	5554	1047006	11802
Mohawk Valley	255663	568	232925	1349
New York City	5133026	17411	4489312	27346
North Country	233613	288	213357	1032
Southern Tier	339141	877	309431	2126
Western New York	716432	2030	632559	4478
Statewide	11167131	39435	9887123	79050

The percentage of New Yorkers 18 and older who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is as follows, divided by region:

Region	Percentage 18+ With At Least One Dose
Long Island	75.3%
Capital Region	74.4%
Mid-Hudson	71.9%
Central New York	70.5%
Western New York	69.5%
Finger Lakes	69.0%
Southern Tier	68.4%
New York City	68.4%
North Country	63.9%
Mohawk Valley	60.6%