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 SUNDAY-MONDAY CORNAVIRUS REPORT. News and Comment By John F. Bailey. Based on the New York State Vaccination Tracker and Covid Tracker statistics May 23 and May 24, 2021 UPDATED 10:30 PM EDT UPDATED MAY 24, 2021 4:30 PM EDT:

“Almost done?”

Since no county or state briefing has declared when either Westchester County or the Mid-Hudson region will be fully vaccinated for a normal fall, despite queries for just such an estimated figure by this reporter, from the records keepers who obviously can extrapolate and prognosticate with far better accuracy because they know how many children will not be vaccinated; they know the percentage people who have not signed up at all to get vaccinations.

It is withholding facts they know not saying how the obvious mammoth relentless vaccination effort is doing in getting the metro area ready for the fall, and “how it’s doing,” and most important who in the public is willingly choosing not to vax up–OR DELAYING GETTING A SHOT.

Westchester infections have declined by 87% since April 1: seven weeks of the vaccines rolling back the relentless Covid second wave that has lasted 4 months, rivaling the first wave in intensity and longer and harder to control.

This afternoon, County Executive George Latimer reported 18 new persons testing positive for Covid of 3,740 tested Sunday, an infection rate of .0048–less than half a percent. Mr. Latimer spoke of how infections had declined over the last 7 weeks. The number of 18 new test is the lowest number of new infections to date in the second wave, now apparently rolling out to sea.

The last time Westchester County had 18 positives was on July 18, 2020, when the county checked in with 12 infections.

Westchester County is maintaining an under 1% infection rate for the last 11 days ( an average of 3/4 of a percent new persons catching Covid a day). The news is welcome even though less persons are being tested or coming in for testing.

The County Executive said the county was opening new pop-up, no appointment needed locations, including a popup site at Highlands School in White Plains from 2 to 6 PM, on Tuesday (TOMORROW) in response to the new eligibility of 12 to 16 year olds now eligible for the vaccine.

The Westchester County Airport is also going to be giving vaccines from 3 to 7 PM in the baggage claim area of the Westchester County terminal for arriving and departing passengers but the location is open to all 12 years old and up for shots. No appointment is necessary. The passengers enplaning or disembarking will receive the one-shot only Johnson & Johnson vaccine, meaning you will not have to return for a second dose. Airport will supple the vaccines through Friday, May 28.

This apparent low number of infections resulting in new hospitalizations as low as 34 (63 last Monday) sets up the county well for the first three day weekend of the summer under some real pressure.

In the 10 days, May 13 through Saturday, May 22, there have been 458 new cases of covid, an average of 45 a day, which in 10 to 14 days could yield at a 5.5% hospitalization rate, a yield of 25 hospitalizations.

The hospitalization rate is not readily available from either state website trackers or county tracking, and it is not regularly available in briefings from state or county officials or county-by-county statistics from the state. It is low now and infections are down. If infections go up as the county opens up, the hospitalization rate is an important revealing stat. It should be reported daily.

What is misleading about just stating the number of hospitalizations  going down as success in corralling the epidemic, and being positive about the lowering number of hospitalizations, is that when the number is not dropping or stays the same, as it did today as reported in the County Executive’s Monday afternoon Covid briefing, you do not know whether that meant more persons became hospitalized in the last two weeks than left the covid hospital treatment .

When you do not report the percentage of new hospitalizations and the number of covid hospitalizations discharged, the hospitalization number is not as meaningful. In the weeks ahead when people may be getting careless, infections will go up, more will be hospitalized. The public needs the Old Covid Hospitalizations-Out (OCHO) vs. New-Covid-Hospitalizations-In (NCHI) number. Then the public would see the percentage of new infections turning serious enough or continuing to decline and at what pace. This should have been done all along.

Coming up is the first “Anything Goes Almost” weekend. Followed by two more in July and Labor Day.

Westchesterers’ behavior will be the X-Factor.

With the blessing of the Center for Disease Control in ambiguous mixed messages on covid procedures this week and liberalizing of New York State Covid policies, the county continues heading into the summer’s first potential weekend spread across the county.

The county will experience its first weekend without outdoor masking requirements, loose social distancing and heavy crowds at beaches eager to get “normal” again. Sharply increased attendances at athletic, religious, and social events as well as restaurant and bar protocols for covid strictly up to owners of the establishments Will this turn into a “well done for Westchester” or a “Spring Break super outbreak” for responsible Weschesterites, or a “super spreader ” event?

Three weeks from tomorrow on June 14 we will begin to know the answer, At the present hospitalization rate running around 5.5.% of new covid cases in the county, the number hospitalized will be 23 on the week of June 14. Last Monday the hospitalizations were 63, 5.5% of infections from the two weeks before starting May 3.

So how is the amazing vaccination effort going?

On Saturday morning, the New York State Vaccination tracker reported 1,096, 702 of the 7-county Mid-Hudson region had received first shots.

Currently, the 7 counties are vaccinating 53,000 persons a week with second doses.

At this pace, it would take 20 weeks to vaccinate those 1,096,702 with second doses, meaning 20 weeks or 5 months before the Mid-Hudson region would be “fully” vaccinated. Children under 12 are not being vaccinated. A large number of persons not estimated by any official source have not come in for even their first shots; so if the number persons coming in for first shots keeps going up this is a good sign. If first shots continue to decline in numbers (so far they have not, and this is of course due to the lag in opening different age segments of the populations as eligible for the vaccine.

What does this mean?

The Mid-Hudson region, considering that currently children under 12 are not being vaccinated, and there is a segment of the population declining to be vaccinated or in no hurry to get even one shot, or waiting for them the universe of persons fully vaccinated eventually may only reach using statistics available yesterday would see approximately 914,677.

To vaccinate those 1,096,702 will take 20 weeks at the present 53,000 second shots a week, or until October. Or, say September, optimistically.

We have to redefine what the Mid-Hudson Region being “fully vaccinated” means;

Depending on how many residents adults and teenagers 12 to 16 of the 7 counties actually come in and get shots and how many teens 12 to 16 get shots. you will have less than 70% vaccinated by September. Now who is most liable to spread the disease, the younger people who are not vaccinated who are teenagers.

So, I am not medical expert, but I would guess that if by July,depending on the number of first shots administered the next 1-1/2 months and the percentage of teens and eligible adults remaining who have not come in for their shots, and who are not inclined to, the case could be made by mid-July the Mid-Hudson region is a “fully vaccinated” as it can be due to the reluctance of persons who are eligible but are either held back by vaccine-fearing parents or parents not believing the vaccines are needed.

Someone (perhaps the state health commissioner, the Governor, the Covid Senate assembly oversite committee will have to make that decision going into the July fourth weekend , New York State or Weschester County for that matter is fully vaccinated.

If everyone waiting now to get second doses gets them, you will hit 913,581 2-shots-received persons in the Mid-Hudson Region by December, 1.3 Million short of the 2.3 Million population of the 7-county Mid-Hudson Region. That is about 50%–even counting those not eligible for the shot, or just declining to get them.

Those are the stats we need to figure what the at-risk population by choice risk factor is.

In Westchester, my calculation is you will hit 50% of the population vaccinated by June 20. With 478,976 already with a complete series as of yesterday, and 564,566 persons with one first shot, at the average rate of 15,000 vaccinations a day in the county at the county’s various locations and popup locations, you should see all 564,566 of those awaiting second shots vaccinated in 37 days taking you out June 20-27.

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WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. May 21, 2021:

WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER:

“THE STATE OF OUR COUNTY IS STRONGER – AND GETTING STRONGER”

We are the State of our County – and We are United to Move Forward

Read the 2021 State of the County Address.

Watch the 2021 State of the County Address.Westchester County Executive George Latimer delivered his fourth State of the County Address in the Legislative Chambers of the Board of Legislators. Latimer acknowledged that COVID-19 has taken a toll on the County, but promised through good government, to restore and rebuild Westchester back better than it was before. 

Latimer said: “Look at us – look at us vaccinated and fighting back. We have a long way to go my friends, we still aren’t all the way back, but ladies and gentlemen we are getting there, and we are united to move forward.”

Latimer stressed the importance of keeping his promise to cut County property taxes for the second year in a row, even in the midst of a crippling pandemic. He signed the 2021 budget maintaining all County services, cutting expenditure by $15.7 million dollars, and increasing the County’s fund balance to over $200 million dollars – the largest fund balance in the County’s history.

Latimer said: “I want to be clear – this is how government is supposed to work. This is good government. We have worked every day for you, and I mean that. I know what it is like to struggle, I know what it is like to have mom and dad worried at the kitchen table about bills.  I know because I have lived it.”

The address included a series of videos (watch by clicking on links below)

State of the County video series:

Working to Move Forward

At Home with the Parker Family

Vaccination PSA Montage

9/11 Related Illnesses Memorial

A Tribute to Alfreda Williams

Highlights of the WOW Awards

Making Change Work for Us

—–detailing Westchester County’s continuous fight to the other side of the pandemic, including a compilation of public service announcements aimed at achieving greater vaccination numbers, a moving tribute to those who have passed from 9-11 related illness with a new memorial to be unveiled on the 20^th anniversary this September, an acknowledgement of Vice Chairwoman and trailblazer Alfreda Williams who is retiring after decades of public service, a recognition of the first ever Women of Westchester (WOW) Awards, and a plan to move Westchester County forward.

The speech also highlighted several initiatives the Latimer Administration accomplished including:

·         A 2020 Budget that closed with no layoffs, no furloughs, no service cuts or borrowing for pension costs

·         A $16M increase in the County’s General Fund Balance to over $200M by the end of 2021- the largest in the County’s history

·         The #SpeakUpWestchester Campaign launched together with District Attorney Mimi Rocah, designed to encourage those who are the victim or witness a hate crime, bias or hate incident to report it

·         A strengthening of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission

·         The restoration of several Westchester County Youth Bureaus

·         The County’s new Compost & Education Center, to compliment Westchester residents recycling at unprecedented rates

·         New appointments in leadership to several County departments, to ensure a diverse workforce for a diverse County

·         Dozens of completed, in-progress or approved infrastructure projects throughout the County

Latimer commended Dr. Sherlita Amler and the Westchester County Department of Health, the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Emergency Services, who rose to the task from the onset of COVID-19, putting the health and safety of Westchester County’s residents at the forefront of their efforts.

Latimer said: “Here in Westchester County we started vaccinatingon January 5, and that day we started with ten Department of Health staff members at our health clinic just down the block from here in White Plains.  We were learning and teaching each other how to vaccinate for COVID-19. From that moment it has been non-stop. I also want to thank the nearly one thousand County employees who volunteeredtheir time to work at vaccination clinics – that is the Westchester spirit!”

Latimer closed by reflecting on the many challenges the County has faced, and promising to continue to work, every day, for the good of the people of Westchester. 

Latimer concluded: “I am here to tell you tonight the State of our County – Westchester County – is strong and getting stronger. Yes, we have more work to do – but I am here to tell you tonight I am here to do the job at hand, you are here to do the job at hand and together, united – we will do the job at hand. We are the State of our County, and we are united to move forward.”

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https://youtu.be/24flhIuyR18

https://youtu.be/68scunKSM9Y

The Superintendent released this statement this evening after the election:

The voters approved: 

• The $229,627,400 budget for the 2021-22 school year that decreases spending by $3.62 million (1.55%) from the current year: 1174 yes; 165 no; 
    
• The election of the following members to the White Plains Board of Education: Jamie Hricay (912 votes), Rose Lovitch (843 votes), Cayne Letizia 965

On behalf of our children, educational community members and the Board of Education, please accept my humble thanks and appreciation for all of your support and of course for taking the time to engage in the electoral process. This election’s results are a reminder of how supportive our community is of our school district. I am grateful that we have the opportunity to continue working on behalf of our children and that we are able to move forward with a sound fiscal plan that ensures that our students receive the best education possible.
 

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JOHN BAILEY THE CITIZENETREPORTER, BROADCASTS EVERY TUESDAY AT 7:50 WITH THE NICEST TWO PEOPLE ON THE RADIO, DENNIS AND TONNY ON WVOX 1460 AM. HE HAS BEEN DELIVERING THESE REPORTS FOR SIX YEARS. THIS IS A TRANSCRIPT OF TODAY’S BROADCAST.

“THE 2021-22 WHITE PLAINS SCHOOLS BUDGET INCREASES PROPERTY TAXES 1.3% AND REDUCES SPENDING  $3.62 MILLION OR 1.5% WITH NO CUTS TO ANY EXISTING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE BUDGET IS $229.7 MILLION OR $31.892 PER STUDENT.

4 PERSONS ARE RUNNING FOR 3 BOARD OF EDUCATION SEATS:  JAMES HRICAY, RAINA KADAVIL, CAYNE LETIZIA, AND ROSE LOVITCH.

THE ELECTION IS HIGHLIGHTED BY MS. KADIVIL’S CANDIDACY. A GRADUATE OF THE WHITE PLAINS SCHOOLS AND WHITE PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL, B.A. GRADUATE OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY, NOW STUDYING FOR HER MBA AT JOHNS HOPKINS WHILE EMPLOYED AS A MARKETING ANALYST AT MASTERCARD’s DATA AND SERVICES SEGMENT.

SHE IS RUNNING BECAUSE SHE FEELS SHE IS MOST REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR SCHOOLS AND WILL BRING A NEW AND MUCH NEEDED PERSPECTIVE TO THE BOARD, AND A MORE DIRECT CONNECTION  TO THE PEOPLE IT SERVES OUR STUDENTS  WITH THE PERSPECTIVE OF HER OWN RECENT EXPERIENCE IN OUR SCHOOLS AND CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS SHE HAS WITH FAMILIES STILL GOING THROUGH THE WHITE PLAINS SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE TEACHERS THAT SHAPE OUR CLASSROOMS

WHITE PLAINS WILL HOLD A MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY THIS YEAR TO HONOR THE NATIONS WAR DEAD AND THE LOSS OF SO MANY LIVES VICTIMS OF THE CORONA VIRUS. IT WILL BE HELD AT DEFINO PARK AT 11 AM MAY 31 LARGE ENOUGH TO SOCIALLY DISTANCE. IF RAIN, THE CEREMONY WILL MOVE INTO EBERSOLE RINK.

MAYOR ROACH SAID, “MEMORIAL DAY REMAINS AS RELEVANT TODAY AS WHEN IT WAS FIRST ENACTED IN MEMORY OF THE SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT IN THE CIVIL WAR.  GREAT SACRIFICES ARE MADE EVERY DAY BY THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE U.S. ARMED SERVICES.  THEIR SACRIFICES REMIND US ANEW TO BE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT WE HAVE AS A COMMUNITY AND A COUNTRY.”

DURING THE PAST YEAR OF TREMENDOUS UPHEAVAL AND LOSS, WE ALSO REMEMBER THE 12,000 RECORDED DEATHS OF VETERANS FROM COVID-19.  

DECEASED HONOREES THIS YEAR ARE MALCOLM BAEHR AND JACK COLLINS. BOTH SERVED ON THE MAYOR’S VETERANS COMMITTEE FOR MANY YEARS.  THEY WERE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THEIR TIME SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES AND DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO HONORING ALL VETERANS RESPECTFULLY IN OUR COMMUNITY.  

MAYOR ROACH SAID IN HIS WEEKLY COVID TELEPHONE CALL TO RESIDENTS THAT NEXT MONDAY WOULD BE HIS LAST COVID CALL. HE SAID THERE ARE ABOUT 48 ACTIVE CASES WHITE PLAINS NY USA, DOWN 32 FROM A WEEK AGO. OVER THE LAST 7 DAYS, WP IS AVERAGING 2.7 NEW CASES PER DAY. CASES ARE CONTINUING TO DECLINE IN OUR CITY AND IN NEW YORK STATE AS A WHOLE. THE CURRENT POSITIVITY RATE IN OUR REGION IS LESS THAN 1%. 

 THE ENTIRE MID-HUDSON REGION IS ALL-IN ON GETTING VACCINATED, DENNIS. WESTCHESTER, DUTCHESS ORANGE, PUTNAM, ROCKLAND, SULLIVAN AND ULTER COUNTIES ARE VACCINATING AT THE RATE OF 33,000 SECOND VACCINATIONS A WEEK AND WE  A REGION SHOULD BE FULLY VACCINATED  BY JUNE 20. WITH ONLY CHILDREN UNDER 12 NOT CLEARED FOR VACCINATIONS YET.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY ON TRACK FOR “FULL VACINATION” BY SAME DATE.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY CONTINUED REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PERSONS TESTING POSITIVE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS AND IS ON PACE TO BE FULLY VACCINATED BY THE SAME DATE IF NOT SOONER.

ON THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY MAY 13, 14, AND 15, 161 PERSONS TESTED POSITIVE. THE PERCENTAGE OF POSITIVE CASES WAS LESS THAN 1% EACH DAY.

IN CONTRAST TO THE NUMBER OF POSITIVES PER DAY ON APRIL 1, WHEN THE COUNTY WAS AVERAGING 400 NEW INFECTIONS A DAY, THE COUNTY HAS COME A LONG WAY REDUCING INFECTIONS FROM THE HIGHS OF 400 A DAY TO THE AVERAGE OF 50 TO 60 A DAY WITH A LOW OF 33 ON SUNDAY.

THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE IN THE LAST 6 WEEKS IS VACCINATIONS ROLLING OUT AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ROLLING BACK THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES, REDUCING NEW CASES PER DAY BY 87%.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE RUNNING ABOUT 5.8% OF THOSE TESTING POSITIVE THE LAST THREE WEEKS—63 IN THE HOSPITAL AS OF YESTERDAY. THE HOSPITALIZATION RATE OF THE NUMBER OF POSITIVES THE LAST THREE WEEKS HAS GONE UP IN TWO DAYS AND  IS RUNNING AT 5.8% AS OPPOSED TO 3% TO 3.5% AND THIS MAY BE A CONCERN BUT I HAVE ASKED THE COUNTY FOR AN EXPLANATION OF THIS IF THERE IS ANY.

SO LONG UNTIL NEXT WEEK, DENNIS AND TONNY”

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