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UPDATE: After this statement, Dr. Ricca told WPCNR, ” we plan to begin our phased in return for all children in March. More to come on that in the coming weeks.”
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WPCNR Governor Cuomo Coronavirus Report with Editor’s Notes from WPCNR . February 25, 2021:
Editor’s Note: In the New York State Vaccine Tracker introduced yesterday, Westchester County is reported having fully vaccinated 82,573 residents 8.5% of its 967,612 residents fully vaccinated.
A total of 141,359 Westchesterites have already received their first vaccine (14.6% with one vaccine shot). As second shots are administered, it appears Westchester could be 23% fully vaccinated within a month, supply permitting.
For this 20% Fully Vaccinated level to happen: This takes into account the 265,525 second dose supply of vaccines that arrived from February 15 to February 21st that could cover 141,359 still needing a second shot, providing Westchester gets enough shots. There are 35 days until March 31, that means to get to the 23% fully vaccinated level countywide, approximatley 4,038 persons a day will have to be getting their second shot. (End Editor’s Note)
Wednesday, New York recorded the lowest single-day positivity rate since November 21—2.85 percent.
New Yorkers have shown courage and fortitude in the face of this unprecedented pandemic, and it’s thanks to them that we’re seeing a decline in hospitalizations and COVID positivity.
We continue to make strides in our vaccination progress, too, with today’s opening of two “mega” vaccination sites at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn and York College in Queens. Not only are these sites located directly in traditionally underserved communities of color that were hit hardest by the pandemic, but thanks to enhanced MTA bus service, we’re making it even easier to access this life-saving vaccine. As we move forward, we will continue to prioritize social equity and fairness and do everything we can to ensure every New Yorker, regardless of race, background or where they live, gets vaccinated.
Photo of the Day: Vaccinations are underway at the York College NYS/FEMA mass vaccination site in Queens (Photo by Don Pollard) Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations dropped slightly to 5,876. Of the 216,813 tests reported yesterday, 6,189, or 2.85 percent, were positive. There were 1,154 patients in ICU yesterday, down 22 from the previous day. Of them, 800 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 99 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. As of 12pm Wednesday, 89 percent of first doses allocated to the state have been administered. This represents 2,517,003 first doses administered of the 2,812,900 first dose allocations received from the federal government. So far, 3,907,040 total doses have been administered out of the 4,530,640 total doses received. See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
3. Eligible New Yorkers can start making appointments at New York/FEMA mass vaccination sites in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany and Yonkers. These four sites open (for actual vaccinations) March 3 and appointments are initially reserved for eligible New Yorkers in qualifying ZIP codes.
After a week, appointments will then open to all residents of counties (or other geographical areas) served by each site. Find all the details here.
4. Beginning March 1, the MTA will launch a pilot program to enhance bus services to help get New Yorkers to our mass vaccination sites in Brooklyn and Queens. The bus service route will go from Edgemere Houses in Queens and Pink Houses in Brooklyn to the vaccination sites from 6:30 a..m. to 9 p.m. and add new bus stops adjacent to the vaccination site at York College.
Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: American space exploration efforts are reaching new bounds with the landing of NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars. The rover landed on the red planet on February 18 and during its first week, recorded the sounds of Martian wind. Perseverance’s exploration of our neighboring planet is part of NASA’s Mars 2020 mission to expand our understanding of our solar system and space. If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.
Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From the Westchester County Police. February 25, 2021:
Westchester County Police are investigating a crash that killed two people this morning on the Saw Mill River Parkway in Yonkers.
County Police received several 911 calls about 12:45 a.m. reporting that a vehicle had gone off the road and rolled over on the southbound Saw Mill near Rumsey Road. One person was found outside the car and pronounced dead at the scene.
Two other persons were extricated from the vehicle and taken by ambulance to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx. One of them subsequently died of injuries sustained in the crash.
The identities of the deceased are being withheld pending notification to family members.
The crash remains under investigation by members of the Accident Investigation/Reconstruction Team. Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact County Police at 914-864-7701.
The Yonkers Police Department, Yonkers Fire Department and Empress EMS assisted at the scene.
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County Legislator David Tubiolo has confirmed that after Yonkers and Mount Vernon residents (only) apply for appointments for Covid-19 vaccinations today at the Yonkers Armory, (by calling the State Appointments number, 1-833-697-4829 ) that actual administration of first shots will begin Wednesday March 3, depending on the pace and availability of next week’s vaccine distribution to the new facility.
This morning the telephone line had a half hour delay after only a half hour after it opened at 8 AM, according to a report from a Yonkers resident. How many vaccinations will be able to be administered after March 3 depends on the amount of vaccine does allotted to the Yonkers Armory facility that began accepting requests for appointments today. Majority of shot appointments were being made by telephone, not computer.
Mr. Tubiolo’s announcement:
A COVID-19 vaccination site, set up by federal and state officials, will open at the New York National Guard Armory in Yonkers at 2 Quincy Place, on March 3.
The scheduling of appointments at the site will begin on Wednesday, February 24, at 8 a.m.
Those eligible for shots at the site during its first week of operation must live in one of the seven following zip codes in Yonkers and Mount Vernon: 10701, 10703, 10704, 10705, 10550, 10552 and 10553. And, of course, they must meet all the current State criteria for eligibility.
To check your eligibility and to make an appointment, you must use the State’s Am I Eligible website at https://am-i-eligible. covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ or call the State’s COVID-19 vaccination hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).
After one week, appointments at the location will be made available for all eligible Westchester residents.
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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Dr. Joseph Ricca, the White Plains Superintendent of Schools. February 24, 2021:
In a message on the Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Ricca’s Twitter account page this morning, he posted a statement from the Department of Education indicating that assessments and regents exams would not be allowed to be required for graduation, or that children would be required to come to a school exclusively to take them. The State Department is formulating policy reflecting this announcement and will present it at the March Regents meeting.
The Statement below:
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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the New York State Senate Majority. February 24, 2021:
The Senate Democratic Majority passed legislation to ensure the utility services New Yorkers depend on meet added criteria for safety and regulation.
This package will extend the COVID-19 moratorium for utility service disconnections, hold utilities accountable for failures in restoring service, ensure that utility companies do not pass on the cost of legislative lobbying to customers, and clarify the medical equipment that qualifies for essential electric service.
These bills will also assure customers are compensated for service interruptions, provide a voice for consumer advocacy within the Public Service Commission and strengthen the standards for utility service provider’s emergency response plans. In addition to these measures, this package will require new gas infrastructure projects to be approved by a professional engineer and add public oversight to the pay rates of top utility executives.
“New Yorkers deserve to be able to depend on the utility services that they are paying for,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “Across New York State, we have seen serious issues with the services being provided by utility companies, especially following major weather events that have become increasingly common. I commend the sponsors for these bills.”
The legislation being passed by the Senate Majority, includes:
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WPCNR GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO CORONAVIRUS REPORT. February 24, 2021:
We know the vaccine is the weapon that will win the war against COVID, but there are three obstacles to getting every New Yorker vaccinated—supply, accessibility and hesitancy.
While the supply from the federal government is increasing steadily every week, demand still far outweighs supply.
It’s important that we keep up our fight against the virus even as vaccination distribution accelerates. The light at the end of the tunnel is brighter and brighter each day, but we’re not there yet. I encourage New Yorkers to remain vigilant until the war is won: Wear a mask, socially distance and wash your hands.
COVID hospitalizations rose to 5,977. Of the 157,333 tests reported yesterday, 6,654, or 4.23 percent, were positive. There were 1,176 patients in ICU yesterday, up 28 from the previous day. Of them, 799 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 86 New Yorkers to the virus.
(Editor’s Note: Through the 6 days ending Sunday, the Westchester had 2,961 persons test positive for covid, an infection rate of 4.2%. On George Washington’s Birthday Westchester added 391 new persons coming down with Covid an infection rate of 5%)
Urgent for YONKERS and MOUNT VERNON residents can apply for first vaccinations today that will be administered at the new Armory facility at 2 Quincy Street, but you cannot walk in to apply. Starting today, only eligible residents of Yonkers and Mount Vernon, cities with the hightest number of active cases in the county, living in zip codes 10701, 10550, 10553, 10704, 10703, 10552 may call the state at 1-833-967-4829 to schedule an appointment at the Yonkers Armory, 2 Quincy Street, Yonkers New York.
The first innoculations will begin there March 3.
You must call for an appointment you cannot not just go to the Armory for a shot appointment, or just show up for a shot.
Photo of the Day: Today, a mass vaccination site at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn opens to eligible New Yorkers of specific ZIP codes. Check your eligibility and schedule an appointment. (Photo by Kevin Coughlin)
Here’s what else you need to know this morning:
1. As of 11am Tuesday morning, 91 percent of first doses allocated to the state have been administered. This represents 2,252,945 first doses administered of the 2,477,825 first dose allocations received from the federal government. So far, 1,183,999 second doses have been administered out of the 1,390,250 second doses received.
See data by region and county on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
2. Medgar Evers College and York College vaccination centers open tomorrow by appointment. Both these sites, established in partnership with FEMA, will vaccinate 3,000 New Yorkers a day, seven days a week.
For the Medgar Evers College vaccination center, eligible New Yorkers who live in the following ZIP codes can book an appointment today: 11207, 11212, 11208, 11206, 11233, 11213, 11221, 11226, 11236, 11216, 11225, 11210, 11203, 11238. For the York College vaccination center, eligible residents in these ZIP codes can book today: 11436, 11434, 11433, 11419, 11413, 11412, 11422, 11429, 11420, 11411, 11418, 11435, 11428, 11423, 11432, 11427, 11439, 11691, 11692, 11693. On Saturday, scheduling opens to any eligible resident of Queens or Brooklyn. If you’re eligible, schedule your appointment HERE or by calling 1-833-967-4829. Starting tomorrow, you can also head over to either site in person to schedule an appointment if you are eligible.
4. To date, New York has conducted over 36 million tests. New York continues to lead in testing and in less than a week we’ve conducted one million tests. Getting tested for COVID regularly is a great way to ensure your health and the health of those around you. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID or believe you may have been exposed to the virus, get tested. Find a testing site near you. You can also call 1-888-364-3065 to make a free appointment at a New York State-run testing location.
5. Remember, mental health resources are available for New Yorkers who need them. As we continue through the winter we can’t underestimate the mental and emotional strain of the pandemic. New Yorkers can visit https://headspace.com/ny for free mindfulness resources or call our support hotline at 1-844-863-9314.
Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Transportation patrols can lead to unexpected surprises. This morning, NYS Department of Transportation maintenance supervisor Jim Williamson had an unexpected run-in with a small eastern screech-owl that collided with his windshield while he was on patrol in Schuyler County. Williamson tended to the small stunned bird until it was ready to fly on its own and then was safely released back into the wild. Great work by our DOT staff on this animal rescue.
If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.
Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
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| On February 23rd, we learned that a library staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. We are being as cautious as possible, and because of this, we are suspending our Grab & Go service until March 8th. The Library is still available for telephone reference services, and all of our online programs will continue as scheduled. Our book drop will not be available until March 8th. There are no fines for late materials at this time. Any questions about holds and hold pickups? Call the Library at (914) 422-1400. Take care, Brian Kenney Library Director bkenney@whiteplainslibrary.org |
| AARP Tax-Aide Program We’ve always been happy to host the AARP Tax-Aide at the Library. But tax aide this year–like so many things–will be different. The White Plains AARP Tax-Aide program will not be able to offer the kind of in-person service taxpayers have become used to for so many years. The primary concerns remain the health and safety of taxpayers and preparers, and the protection of confidential taxpayer information. Instead, AARP will operate a no-contact, electronic service, which involves the transmittal of instructions, forms, permissions, and scans of tax documents using email, and consultations between volunteers and tax payers via Google Meet, which is similar to Zoom. Go here for all the information about how the program works, as well as contact information. |
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It’s a great day to buy a house in White Plains New York, Dennis . The housing market is still very hot continuing the last 6 months boom in real estate throughout the county.
That is what Crystsal Hawkins-Syska President of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors told me on White Plains Week this week. She sells real estate out of Keller-Williams in White Plains and told me White Plains is still very hot and we continue to be an annex to New York City
She says homes in White Plains are flying off the shelves.Right now 415 homes are for sale in White Plains and 468 White Plains homes have been sold in the last six months.
She remarks that if no more homes are put up for sale in White Plains it would take 5 months to sell all the homes for sale right now.
She told me 98 homes are being sold a month in White Plains, an average of 3 sales a day. Crystal remarks that Keller Williams has 100 plus listings now in their White Plains office.
That’s how hot White Plains is and it is a struggle to show all the homes for real estate agents because the owners want a limited amount of persons visiting their homes—Crystal says they are limited to 12 in a party plus the agent. She says she has not seen a market like this since 2004-2005 “when people would walk into the house and make an offer.”
She says prices are holding up and not selling far above their assessed value. She believes this is because the assessments were appraised on the high side when the city set them. This goes along with what the White Plains Assessor’s Office told me two weeks ago: the assessment roll coming out Monday will tell the tale
She says persons putting up homes for sale have to get their homes in good condition, because potential buyers will not negotiate needed repairs to lower the price if serious repairs are needed on the home. They will just walk away.
There is also big interest in multifamily homes as starter homes that couples can fix up, rent then use as collateral to buy another house.
Ms. Syska notes this is a new way for first time buyers to get in the market. She says financing is available through New York State to help out persons not having quite enough to qualify for a mortgage. The complete interview will be telecast 8 pm Thursday on fios ch. 45 and optimum in White Plains, ch 76. The short interview can be seen on White Plains Week (on this website.)
We had a coup in White Plains New York USA this week. The Democratic City Committee voted to nominate Richard Payne to run for Common Council, replacing incumbent councilman John Kirkpatrick. This resulted in a spirited floor fight.
Sources tell me Mr. Kirkpatrick is not going to primary Mr. Payne for the nomination. This failure to be renominated for another time is nothing new with the Democratic City Committee.
Bill King was denied the nomination back in 2001, paving the way for Tom Roach, the current Mayor to go on the Common Council. Glen Hockley and Arnold Bernstein were also denied the nomination. And in one of the most outrageous denials of all. Milagros Lecuona a Councilperson for 12 years, was never appointed Council President.
Mr. Payne is assured a seat on the Common Council because there is a lack of dynamic Republican candidates to challenge apparently. Can we see a show of hands?
Mayor Tom Roach tells us the data is continuing to show a decline in active COVID cases in White Plains. There are currently an estimated 372 active cases in our City, down 16 from our call last week. Over the past 7 days we have averaged 27 new cases per day. The number of COVID patients at White Plains Hospital has continued to decline. Patients are encouraged to come to the hospital if they are in need of care.
The CDC has provided additional guidance on the most effective masks and the most effective ways to make use of them to protect yourself and others. It’s been shown again and again that wearing a mask reduces the risk of infection. Research shows that wearing a kn95 mask or layering a cloth mask atop a surgical mask, can increase protection to the wearer and others. More information may be found on our website, Cityofwhiteplains.com
The federal government has been slowly increasing vaccine supply to New York State. They have increased the anticipated weekly supply by more than 20 percent over the next three weeks. However, even with these increases, the demand continues to far exceed the supply and as a result appointments remain difficult to secure.
Eligible residents should continue to check the State website, covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov or call the State Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829) to check for new openings.
In the last 6 Days since I was on the air, the Westchester infection rate of positives from tests has been 4.2%. 2,961 new positive cases appeared. If they hospitalize at the rate of 5% we could see 148 hospitalizations within next 10 days. And due to snow cancellations, the state will call or e-mail you with new dates for scheduled vaccination.
The establishment of a Yonkers vaccination site could not have come at a better time and is long overdue. Because Yonkers and Mount Vernon have lead the county by far in new positive cases for months.
However it begs the question of why the tent structure at the County Center was not turned into a vaccination area instead of being dismantled. You could run vaccination buses right up to the tent in White Plains. It is great the state county or whomever finally discovered Yonkers and Mount Vernon were out of control in infections. However the infections down there are already there…the vaccines may be coming in way too late. Not good thinking, but now it is out of control.
I also think that it is not easy to get directly from Mount Vernon to Yonkers for the Yonkers vaccination site at the New York Armory. If they had kept the tent hospital facility at White Plains open, they could send “Vaccine Buses up Route 22 direct to White Plains to the tent increasing the ability to move persons up for the vaccine.