WHITE PLAINS WESTCHESTER DAILY NEWS SERVICE VISITS SINCE 2000 A.D. 25TH YEARl REPORTING THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW News Service Since 2000 A.D. 2026 WILL BE OUR 26TH YEAR OF COVERING WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA . John F. Bailey, Editor (914) 997-1607 wpcnr@aol.com Cell: 914-673-4054. News Politics Personalities Neighborhoods Schools Finance Real Estate Commentary Reviews Policy Correspondence Poetry Philosophy Photojournalism Arts. The WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER. TELEVISION: "White Plains Week" News Roundup, 7:30 EDT FRI, 7 EDT MON & the incisive "People to Be Heard" Interview Program 8PM EDT THURS, 7 PM EDT SAT on FIOS CH 45 THROUGHOUT WESTCHESTER AND, ALTICE OPTIMUM WHITE PLAINS CH 1300 Fighting for Truth, Justice and the American Way. TOP 10 VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD :1. USA. 2.BRAZIL3.VIET NAM 4. CHINA 5. JAPAN 6.UK. 7.CANADA. 8.INDIA. 9.AUSTRALIA 10.IRELAND 11.GERMANY 12..ARGENTINA 13.BANGLADESH 14.RUSSIA. 15.NEWZEALAND. 16. FRANCE. 17.MEXICO. 18.UKRAINE. 19.SOUTH AFVRICA. 20. IRAQ.
Brittany Brandwein Executive Director of the White Plains Downtown Business Improvement District discusses with John Bailey how BID promotions have revitalized business in the WP Down in January and February, talks about “March Into Self-Care” beauty and personal care promotion in March and tells of the summer promotions coming up. PROMOTIONS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
BRITTANY BRANDWEIN ON
HOW RESTAURANT MONTH LIFTED UP WHITE PLAINS TO A BETTER JANUARY THAN DECEMBER
HOW FITNESS FEBRUARY IS INTRODUCING NEW CUSTOMERS TO 17 FITNESS BUSINESSES –AND THERE IS STILL 10 DAYS TO GO TO GET READY FOR THE BEACH
HOW RESTAURANTS ARE DOING-RESPONDING-KEEPING IN BUSINESS
THE KEY TO ADJUSTING TO THE MARKET: TAKE OUT, DELIVERY, ONLINE PRESENCE
WPCNR GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO CORONAVIRUS REPORT. February 18, 2021:
All of our decisions are guided by science and data and we adjust as the virus adjusts. With continued decreases in the infection and hospitalization rates, we are able to take steps in our post-COVID recovery and we are now in a place where we can bring back our recreational industries with the proper safety protocols in place.
Indoor family entertainment centers will be able to reopen with 25 percent capacity and health protocols starting Friday, March 26th.
Outdoor amusement parks can open with a 33 percent capacity starting Friday, April 9th.
As we’ve said time and time again, our success will be determined by our actions and as long as we stay united and keep carrying this progress forward we will be able to see more and more sectors of our economy reopen.
1. Four major vaccination sites will open in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany and Yonkers in partnership with FEMA. These four vaccination sites outside of New York City will vaccinate approximately 1,000 New Yorkers each day beginning the first week of March, and appointments will be initially reserved for members of the community in which the sites are located. These sites will help us in our goal of ensuring vaccine access in socially vulnerable communities, and we thank the federal government for their partnership. More details will come soon.
2. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 6,574. Of the 169,963 tests reported yesterday, 6,092, or 3.58 percent, were positive. There were 1,273 patients in ICU yesterday, up two from the previous day. Of them, 854 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 109 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. As of 11am Wednesday morning, 91 percent of first doses allocated to the state have been administered. This represents 2,068,561 first doses administered of the 2,263,960 first dose allocations received from the federal government. So far, 942,833 second doses have been administered out of the 1,231,325 second doses received. To date, NYS distribution sites have administered 94 percent of first doses received for weeks 1-9. See data by region on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
4. There are now a total of 82 known cases of the UK COVID variant in New York State. Twelve additional cases of the UK variant were identified: Eleven in New York City and one in Broome County.
5. Day and overnight summer camps in New York State can begin to plan for reopening. The Department of Health will issue specific reopening guidance, including details on timing, in the coming weeks. Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Snow, mainly after 10am. High near 28. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Northeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Tonight
Snow. Low around 26. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Friday
Snow, mainly before 3pm. High near 33. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Northeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Friday Night
A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly before 9pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. Northwest wind 9 to 15 mph.
WPCNR Westchester County Clarion-Ledger.From the Westchester County Department of Communications. February 18, 2021:
Westchester County Sciences Accelerator, WCBA Wednesday announced the second cohort of emerging biosciences ventures invited to participate in the annual program.
County Executive George Latimer said: “This is what Westchester County’s economic plan is about – merging great ideas in the private sector with support from County government to cultivate them. These entrepreneurs have proven already to show they have the dedication required and I look forward to watching their future successes.”
Twelve ventures will participate in the 6 month-long program that features entrepreneurship education, coaching and mentoring, to develop fundable business plans and expand the Biosciences community in Westchester. Ventures are supported by an experienced entrepreneur coach and receive customized business networking introductions to business professionals to help advance their early stage ventures.
The 2021 WCBA cohort participants and ventures include:
Antonio Frasca (Columbia): AGEless a modification of medical device biomaterials conferring resistance to glycation & associated degeneration.
Chandra Karunakaran (Albert Einstein College of Medicine) an ultrasound-based cancer therapy device, which primes patients’ immune systems to identify and kill the primary and metastatic tumor, improving patient outcomes.
Cyril Eleftheriou (Cornell/ Burke Neurological Institute): an artificial dopaminergic neuron for treating light-adaptation deficits in the retinas of patients with dystrophic retinal conditions, including night-blindness.
David Fung (New York R&D Center for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Inc./BioInc@NYMC) a novel microRNA-based therapeutic for tendinopathy uniquely positioned in the market to offer mitigation of disease progression while also providing pain relief.
Eugene Dinescu (SUNY Downstate Medical) a preclinical-stage vascular therapeutics company with the world’s first peptide to directly treat neointimal disease and atherosclerosis.
Eugene Major (Columbia) a drug delivery platform that hunts down glioblastoma (GBM) tumor cells and delivers anti-tumor drugs.
Irina Tanenbaum (NYU Stern) a light system designed to help rejuvenate brain health and improve mental acuity.
Kistein Monkhouse (Long Island University): a B2C digital health startup helping chronically ill underserved patients document their problems to address mistrust among underrepresented people and healthcare professionals.
Mason Lucich (University of Houston): a personal, portable biomedicine cooler to better protect biomedicines than a refrigerator, whether at home, traveling, or preparing for a natural disaster.
Regina Druz (Cornell): AI and behavioral economics to drive a sustainable lifestyle change to lower costs and improve outcomes in patients with non-communicable chronic diseases (NCD), starting with diabetes.
Victor Bustos (The Rockefeller University) an accessible, accurate and affordable blood test for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Will Alston (Columbia) a care companion for chronic disease patients which supports symptom monitoring with clinically validated PROs, medication tracking, and patient education.
WCBA Program Director Mary Howard, said: “We are excited to launch the 2021 cohort and continue to support emerging Westchester bioscience ventures fundraising and implementing life-saving technologies.”
Graduating in June, 2020, WCBA alums have achieved important milestones including Farzenah Ahmadi, Laronix, starting clinical trials for their bionic voice box after closing an angel round matched by the Australian government; Bina Basinath and Jacob Nye, Colon.ai, funded by Health Wildcatters in Dallas; and Parsa Mirhaji Cognome implementing AI analytics software at Montefiore to develop the hospital’s COVID treatment protocol.
The WCBA is supported by Wilson Sonsini, and by Target Health.
Jules Mitchel, MBA, PhD, CEO Target Health, LLC, a dMed Company, stated that “he was very pleased for Target Health to be a Corporate Sponsor of the Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator.”
About Target Health and dMed: Target Health LLC, a New York City based dMed Company, is a full-service CRO and Clinical Trials Software company committed, through creative collaboration, to serve the pharmaceutical community with knowledge, experience, technology and connectivity. Target Health’s staff are dedicated to all aspects of Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Research, Biostatistics, Data Management, Internet-Based Clinical Trials (EDC, electronic data capture), Software Development, Strategic Planning and Drug and Device Development supporting the pharmaceutical industry. Target Health LLC was acquired by dMed Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. (“dMed Global”) in September 2019. dMed is the leading next generation global clinical development partner uniquely and strongly positioned in China and the US, the world’s two largest markets, and is committed to enable customers to accelerate the delivery of innovative solutions to patients worldwide.
Craig Kenesky, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati said “Wilson Sonsini is excited to be a part of the life science expansion in Westchester County. Westchester has all the right ingredients: some prominent, local medical institutions, early-stage lab space, capital, a few success stories, government support, and it is a great place to live. Westchester will have a great synergy with New York City, and is poised to grow up even faster based on the advances in this region over the past ten years. We will really enjoy being a part of this vibrant and promising community. “
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s legacy closely traces the birth and evolution of Silicon Valley. For nearly six decades, the firm has represented the technology pioneers associated with virtually every milestone innovation. Today, Wilson Sonsini is synonymous with ushering promising, innovative companies through their business life cycle.
WPCNR GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO CORONAVIRUS REPORT. February 17, 2021:
On Sunday, we expanded eligibility to include New Yorkers with qualifying comorbidities and underlying conditions.
And on Sunday we saw the largest single-day registration total since vaccinations began: 250,924 New Yorkers made appointments at a rate of nearly 10,000 per hour.
While we wait for supply to increase, we’re doing everything we can to roll out the vaccine to as many eligible New Yorkers as possible with what vaccine supply we currently have.
I ask New Yorkers to remain patient when trying to schedule appointments. And to wear masks and keep socially distant as we continue to battle this deadly virus.
Photo of the Day: On Saturday, Niagara Falls was illuminated in red, black and green to celebrate Black History Month (Photo courtesy NY State Parks) Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. The MTA will expand overnight service on the Subway. Effective Monday, February 22nd, the MTA will extend late-night subway service by two hours, moving to a 2 a.m. – 4 a.m. closure daily. The changes will lengthen the subway’s operations by two hours while enabling the MTA to continue the most aggressive deep cleaning and disinfecting regimen in its history.
2. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 6,620. Of the 136,392 tests reported yesterday, 6,753, or 4.95 percent, were positive. There were 1,271 patients in ICU yesterday, up one from the previous day. Of them, 878 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 107 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. As of 11am Tuesday morning, 92 percent of first doses allocated to the state have been administered. This represents 2,024,225 first doses administered of the 2,192,675 first dose allocations received from the federal government.
So far, 900,303 second doses have been administered out of the 1,178,350 second doses received. See data by region on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
4. A case of the South African COVID-19 virus variant has been found in New York. A Connecticut resident who is a patient in a New York City hospital has tested positive for the South African variant. There is no evidence of any spread in New York State to date, but regardless, all New Yorkers should continue to exercise vigilance in the face of COVID and its variants.
The data is continuing to show a decline in active COVID cases in in White Plains. There are currently an estimated 388 active cases in our City, down 102 from our call last week. Over the past 7 days we have averaged 30 new cases per day.
The number of COVID patients at White Plains hospital has declined; patients are encouraged to come to the hospital if they are in need of care.
We appear to have moved past the post holiday surge, our next challenge is to guard against mutations of the virus known as variants, some of which appear to make the virus easier to transmit between people.
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. Please go to the City of White Plains website cityofwhiteplains.com for more information.
The number of persons authorized to obtain a vaccination has expanded but 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 (at https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/) or call the state Hotline to check for new openings. You can also sign up for alerts about vaccine eligibility from the Westchester County Department of Health. Further information is available on the city’s website.
This week is Winter Break for the White Plains School District and our beloved Ebersole Ice Rink is open for special White Plains Resident only sessions Wednesday 2/17 and Thursday 2/18 from 1:30-3:30. Skate rentals are available come out and join us!
Our next call is on Monday, February 22nd. Until then remember, we’re standing together by staying apart.
Las estadísticas indican que los casos activos de COVID en White Plains están disminuyendo. Actualmente hay un estimado de 388 casos activos en nuestra ciudad, 102 menos que la última vez que lo llamamos la semana pasada. Durante los últimos 7 días, ha habido un promedio de 30 casos nuevos por día. El número de pacientes con COVID en el hospital de White Plains ha disminuido. Animamos a los pacientes a que acudan al hospital si necesitan atención.
Al parecer estamos pasando la oleada de infecciones posterior a los feriados y ahora debemos protegernos contra las variaciones del virus que lo hacen más infeccioso. La CDC ha dado nuevas recomendaciones sobre las mascarillas más efectivas que lo proporcionen mayor protección. Por favor visite la página web de la ciudad para más información.
Aunque puede que califique para la vacuna, la demanda supera con creces la cantidad de vacunas disponibles y, como resultado, las citas siguen siendo difíciles de conseguir. Los residentes que cumplan con los requisitos deben seguir visitando el sitio web del estado: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ o llame a la línea directa del estado para verificar si hay nuevas vacantes. También puede inscribirse para recibir alertas del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Westchester. Vaya a cityofwhiteplains.com para obtener más información.
¡Esta semana son las vacaciones de invierno para el distrito escolar de White Plains! La pista de hielo de Ebersole está abierta para sesiones públicas de residentes de WP el miércoles 17 de febrero y el jueves 18 de febrero de 1:30 a 3:30. ¡Vaya y disfrute de esta entretenida actividad! Nuestra próxima llamada es el lunes 22 de febrero. Hasta entonces, y recuerde que estamos más juntos manteniéndonos más separados.
Appears weekly on WVOX at 7:50 AM with the White Plains Report a feature of the nicest people on the radio, Dennis Nardone and Tonny on Good Morning Westchester at WVOX 1460 AM AND WVOX.COM. Here is a transcript of today’s report.
Good Morning, Dennis from White Plains New York USA where its 40 misty, miserable WPCNR degrees.
White Plains Fitness February promotion is starting its last 13 days for citizens from all over the count can try special offerings from White Plains Fitness businesses that offer free trial classes, new member deals and workout bundles,
You can find out all about it by
going to www.wpbid.com
Next month the BID will be staging
March Into SelfCare, featuring special discounts and prices on beauty treatments
haircuts and massages from more than 20 White Plains grooming establishments.
More details on the deals to come
Westchester County had a good 6 days
in coronavirus positives, Dennis. Infection rates of those tested took dives.
If you follow the positive tests numbers on February
9 one week ago, 4.6% tested positive, the 10th, 4.6%, the 11th,
4.2% dropping to 4% on the 12th,
lower than it’s been for weeks. Up slightly to 4.2% the 13th, and 3.6% on Valentine’s Day when people obviously
behaved themselves.
The positive test average was 4.4%
Positives have not been this low
since the week of November 11 through 17, 2020. That week last November, 2,324
positives were registered . The last six
days through Valentine’s Day 2, 912 positives were recorded compared to the
2,324 that week in November when Westchester started its rise in cases again. The
County is at 50% less positive cases the benning of the pandemic 10 months ago.
The percentage of positive cases
though very good news and thanks perhaps to the cold weather and an abundance
of caution is not a sign to relax.
Those 2, 912 new persons of 68,934 tests diagnosed with covid means that
if the hospitalization rate continues at 5% of those infected, if the current
medication is not as effective as we believe it is, if we think we are immune—we may have
145 of those 2,912 new cases being hospitalized within 10 days.
We have to keep taking precautions
still…lower positive rates does not mean covid is gone. You just have not
encountered it yet. Or you did but were wearing a mask, and did not get it.
There’s another factor that continues
to make Westchester vulnerable to Covid, Dennis.
Hunger.
I did some research yesterday for
another organization, and I was astounded to learn that more ever our neighbors
right here in White Plains need our help. The Covid-19 epidemic has overwhelmed
Meals on Wheels. The need for meals has doubled since last March.
The number of volunteers who deliver
meals has gone down. Meals on Wheels is seeking more volunteers or donate time
or money to keep their outreach to the shut-ins, and unmobile persons needing
to eat. $54 supplies two meals a day to for a week for one person. You can learn more about Meals on Wheels at www.mowwp.org.
Lifting Up Westchester in White
Plains feeds 60-80 persons every weekday Monday through Friday at Grace
Episcopal Church they also provide sandwiches and canned food for take-home
each day and Fridays, individuals can take enough food to last the weekend.
The staggering truth is that
according to Feeding Westchester the organization of 300 partners across the
county provided twice as many meals in 2020 than in 2019. They served between
260,000 to 300,000 residents in Westchester in 10 months.
There are 1 million people living in
Westchester. This means one third of them are hungry every day.
The county provided $400,000 for food
relief to such organizations, but this
problem is so chronic due to job losses, having to stay at home, and lost wages
due to the epidemic that the need deserves more effort of the county to address
it. Perhaps paying restaurants and food establishments to stay open (employ
more staff) and serve hot and cold meals to hungry residents in need. When the
Covid plague goes away they will be customers for life.
People who Line up for food today is not just homeless and mentally ill persons. Grace Church says the hungry may be unemployed day laborers, retired persons, young men and women unable to find jobs or recent immigrants who have jobs, but who need help to make pay checks stretch.
Following the New York State Department of Health “Master Guidance for Sports and Recreation” updated January 22, 2021 NYS Master Guidance on Sports and Athletics, the Westchester County Department of Health has approved the resumption of higher risk recreational and club sports activities participating in competitions and tournaments in the county, effective February 1, 2021.
In doing so, Westchester County acknowledges that these activities come with safety concerns and potential risks, and this document is intended to provide additional guidance and assistance in avoiding the risks and potential dangers for players, families, coaches and program staff.
The following guidance, as well as the included Code of Conduct, set the minimum standards which are required for Higher Risk Recreational and Club Sports to hold games and tournaments.
Participation in sports is voluntary. Players and/or partial or entire programs may opt out of any or all sports as they choose; particularly if they believe the guidance from NYS, the region and/or the Westchester County Health Departments cannot be fully met.
Parents/guardians, athletes, coaches and staff must be especially diligent in their awareness of social distancing requirements as practicable, potential safety concerns, and adverse health symptoms and COVID-19 protocols for everyone participating, and all those who attend athletic activities, if spectator participation is allowable.
In order to ensure the health and safety of athletes, team members, staff and team family members, parents/guardians must be required to sign the Westchester County COVID-19 “Recreational Athlete Code of Conduct,” which acknowledges that they will properly social distance as practicable, wear masks as appropriate and required, and will comply with social gathering requirements, not just while participating in athletics, but in their everyday activities.
In Addition to NYS Master Guidance on Sports and Athletics the following guidelines are to be adhered to, in a collective effort to reduce the potential for transmission of COVID-19, and to ensure these athletic activities are kept as safe and COVID-19 free as possible. Guidelines:
Athletes and coaches must be offered, and adhere closely to a daily attestation regarding COVID-19 symptoms and potential exposure, including the exposure/symptom questionnaire and temperature prior to any practice, game or tournament day. The symptom and temperature check must occur with all coaches, staff and players before each practice and/or athletic contest. Anyone who is sick, or has been exposed, or who is pending COVID-19 diagnostic test results (not part of routine surveillance) must be excluded from activities and contests.
Attendance logs for all practices and contests, including visiting team players and coaches and any spectators, must be kept. Such log, at a minimum, must include Name, Address, and phone number. This is will allow proper contact tracing and notification if a COVID-19 exposure occurs.
Social distancing and reduced contact is important. Locker rooms can only be used with strict social distancing practices in place. Players must have dedicated water bottles. Players must refrain from unnecessary physical contact, sharing equipment and other routine behaviors that could potentially transmit the virus. This includes mask wearing when not actually participating in the game or sporting event.
Spectators are permitted for the home team only and must be kept to a maximum of 2 per athlete. Social distancing and mask protocols remain in place.
Participation in tournaments outside of the Section 1 scholastic catchment area is not recommended at this time.
In the event of a positive exposure, Recreational and Club athletic programs are responsible for: A) Immediately providing notice of quarantine to all athletes, coaches and staff who participated in the event from their organization, and notifying the administrative contact for any/all other teams/programs who participated and were exposed. B) Immediately — Same day — reporting the known positive case, with a copy of the attendance log, in EXCEL spreadsheet format, to the Westchester County Department of Health, by email to: DOH-COVIDReporting@westchestergov.com C) Programs/Coaches must be aware and have contact information, including off-hours, for the school and/or school district’s designated COVID-19 coordinator for athletes in their programs. They must immediately inform the school officials if there is an exposure.
Beyond the mandatory assessment protocols, recreational and club athletic programs may wish to develop their own protocols for COVID-19 testing. Currently, Westchester County is unable to provide testing services in this fashion.
Pursuant to the “Master Guidance” and the “New York Forward” reopening guidance, leagues must comply with the requirements of producing a “New York Forward Plan.” The plan must be maintained and followed, and made available for review any time a question, concern or complaint arises in reference to a potential COVID-19 exposure.
Historically, athletic league teams have traveled out-of-state for games and tournaments. Nothing in this guidance supersedes the various NYS travel guidance, and any and all team travel out of state must comply with the travel guidance NY FORWARD travel guidance. As per the “Master Guidance on Sports and Athletics”, practice or play is prohibited outside of the region or contiguous counties/regions. Interstate travel for practice or play is strongly discouraged and, if undertaken, must strictly adhere to the requirements of the State’s travel advisory.
Recreational/Club athletic programs must have their athletes and parents read and sign the COVID-19 “Athletics Code of Conduct”, or a similar with the same guidance and requirements. Please note that Westchester County is bound by the Executive Orders of Governor Cuomo, and all guidance and directives emanating therefrom. Therefore, it is possible that this guidance will change over time as we all work together to defeat COVID-19. Further, higher risk sports in Westchester County may be suspended, in whole or in part, if public health concerns so require.
WPCNR CORONAVIRUS ON THE GROUND; . From Paul Feiner, Greenburgh Town Supervisor. February 13, 2021:
HELP WANTED- SO WE CAN HELP SENIORS GET VACCINATION
APPOINTMENTS
Our Greenburgh Covid Angels was featured on Les Holt’s National Nightly News broadcast on NBC on Wed night. We’re so appreciative of our 180+ hard working volunteers who care about their neighbors and are helping Greenburgh seniors obtain hard to find vaccination appointments.
If you know anyone in Greenburgh who is a senior who needs our help please e mail me their names and phone numbers so we can assign a volunteer to help them. The volunteers are working extremely hard, have made hundreds of calls and are checking up on 3,000 Greenburgh seniors.
Our Covid Angels are doing amazing work. It’s so nice to live in a community that cares. Join our team of volunteers helping your neighbors get the vaccine. And – read some of the beautiful testimonials from grateful residents who now have the vaccine.
WANT TO BE A COVID ANGEL AND HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS GET A VACCINE?
Volunteer form below Would you like to become a Covid Angel and help seniors who are not computer saavy get their vaccine? Please complete the following form and provide our committee with your information. We’ll be in touch with team assignments and training! We can definitely use your help!! And we’re looking for people to help manage the data and work on the back end, if you know anyone who may not want to make calls but might have other skills to lend to the effort.
Our Covid angels have been making hundreds of calls and have had some successes helping some of your neighbors get the vaccines. Please be mindful that there is still more demand for the vaccine than supplies.
But, we promise to help everyone until you get your vaccine. So – don’t worry! We won’t forget you.
From the time a senior contacts us asking for help it could take our volunteers 2-3 days to process the request and then another 2-3 days before the volunteer team leaders assign the senior to one of the volunteers.
If the volunteer is working on other cases – trying to help a senior, he/she may not immediately get to you because they are still working on getting the vaccine for the seniors they previously were assigned to help. We can’t promise immediate appointments since we are competing with everyone else in NYS. However – the committee has been successful in helping some seniors.
THOSE WHO HAVE COMORBIDITES AND UNDERLYING CONDITIONS CAN BEGIN TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS SUNDAY MORNING
Based on the e mails I have received from residents – I know that more people are getting the vaccine. The supply is going up. I think that every week it will get easier so don’t get discouraged.
SOME COMMENTS FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED THEM GET THE VACCINE
“I don’t know how to thank you for getting me the vaccine appointment. You worked so hard and you don’t even know me! Now I can sleep without anxiety for the first time in months all thanks to you. You are a miracle worker. Perhaps you have even saved some lives. How many of us can say that? I hope to meet you when this is all over. With great appreciation.”
“Thanks for organizing your COVID Angel team. I did receive a phone call and I had my first shot.”
“My mother in law is scheduled for a vaccination this afternoon! Really great and very much appreciated.”
“I just wanted to update you, my mother and I were able to get our covid vaccine yesterday at Rite Aid. I would like to thank you for all your assistance.”
” Thank you for arranging for the COVID Angels”…we received two calls and the ladies could not have been more pleasant and helpful (guess we’re all in this together)!!!
“She was very nice, real thorough. Good job to all of you! Great program to help those with no way to navigate the systems to get appointments.”
“Thank you so much. I have an appointment for 2/11. Amy was amazing.”
“I can’t thank you enough for referring me to one of your volunteers. Helen reached out to me just two days ago and last night, she found a spot for me at a private pharmacy in Elmsford for 2/16.
I am overjoyed. As I am a widower I texted Helen this morning and told her that she was officially my valentine.”
” I was skeptical about the possibility of receiving one so soon…We were unsuccessful for weeks…then the call came and it did seem like an “Angel just came from nowhere…I received my 1st dose on 2-9 and I am truly grateful for your program
“Vaccine Angels….I hope that other Greenburgh seniors can be as lucky as I am. Thank you and God Bless.”
” Yesterday morning we did get Moderna Vaccine shots at a building near the Sprain Pharmacy on Tuckahoe Road. Can’t thank you and the volunteers who helped us, enough. We came to a very special country with very special citizens indeed.”
WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT.From the New York State Covid-19 Tracker. February 13, 2021:
The results of coronavirus testing in Westchester County for the last three days are solid.
For the first time in weeks, the county infection rate of new cases trended down for 4 consecutive days with the Westchester County infection rate coming in at 4.6% on February 9 and 10, dipping nicely to 4.2% on Thursday, then down to 4% on Friday. Way to go.
A total of 39,819 were tested in the county on last three days and 1,706 were positive, carrying the coronavirus, over the three days.
But with higher numbers tested, it should be remembered that at a 5% hospitalization rate, this could mean 853 of those cases could start being admitted to hospitals by February 22.
The infection rate is trending down, yes, but the rate of 500 new cases a day has potential to keep those serious hospitalizations coming into hospitals within 10 days.
As the county now experiences the thrill of winter vacations around the county from school, Valentines Day romances and the later hours for restaurants, the coronavirus could strike back and elevate infections and hospitalizations.
It would be a great achievement if Westchester got their infection rate down to 3% in a week with social distancing, avoiding large get togethers and appropriate precautions in the restaurants.
