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SNOW WEEK BEGINS WITH A 16 DEGREE COLD SLAP. SNOWBIRDS HUNKER DOWN ON BEACHES IN SOUTHERLY CONFINES. FEELING COLD JUST LOOKING AT IT.
5 INCHES OF SNOW AS OF 2 PM. 32 DEGREES, SNOW CONTINUING.
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PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY
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GOVERNOR CUOMO NOTES 59 VARIANTS OF COVID-19 CASES in 13 COUNTIES, INCLUDING WESTCHESTER. NEW POSITIVE COVID INFECTIONS IN NY–DROPS TO 4.31% OF 230,000 TESTED. LOWEST IN 2 MONTHS.
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WPCNR GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO CORONAVIRUS REPORT. February 5, 2021 8 PM EST:
Fifteen additional cases of the UK variant of the COVID-19 virus were identified in New York State. To date, there are 59 known cases of the variant in New York State in the following counties: Jefferson, Niagara, Allegany, Tompkins, New York City (multiple boroughs), Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Saratoga, Ulster, Onondaga, Warren and Essex Counties.
As has been clear during this pandemic, people with comorbidities and underlying conditions are more likely to succumb to COVID-19. With that in mind, adult New Yorkers of any age with qualifying conditions will be eligible for the COVID vaccine beginning February 15.
Eligible conditions include cancer, chronic kidney disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2), heart conditions, pregnancy, obesity, sickle cell disease, liver disease and more.
We’re committed to vaccinating vulnerable populations that have suffered the most as we distribute a vaccine that is still in extremely limited supply. We are asking local governments to begin getting ready now to vaccinate New Yorkers with these conditions. The full list of comorbidities and underlying conditions is available here.
Photo of the Day: The vaccination site at Yankee Stadium opened its doors this morning (by appointment only) to eligible Bronx residents. (Photo by Don Pollard) Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1. Yankee Stadium opened today as the first mass vaccination site reserved for Bronx residents. I thank our partners SOMOS, the City of New York, the New York National Guard, and especially the Yankees for stepping up to the plate. If you’re an eligible Bronx resident, call 1-833-SOMOSNY or visit somosvaccinations.com to schedule an appointment. Appointments are required.
2. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 7,937. Of the 203,627 tests reported yesterday, 8,777, or 4.31 percent, were positive. This is the lowest daily positivity rate since November 28, 2020. There were 1,516 patients in the ICU yesterday, up 10 from the previous day. Of them, 1,000 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 153 New Yorkers to the virus.
3. As of 11am this morning, 93 percent of first doses received by the State have been administered. This represents 1,539,355 first doses administered of the 1,661,290 first dose allocations received from the federal government. So far, 413,512 second doses have been administered out of 794,650 second doses received. See data by region on the State’s Vaccine Tracker.
4. Watching the Super Bowl? Celebrate smart. I’ve said before that we can’t ever be cocky with COVID. I encourage New Yorkers who are planning to watch the Big Game on Sunday to take precautions and to not attend or host large Super Bowl parties. As a reminder, private gatherings in residences remain limited to no more than 10 people. The safest way to watch the Super Bowl is with your immediate household only.
Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: After a pelican got lost and ended up in the cold waters of Connecticut, a local flying club helped the bird find its way south. Pelicans are seldom seen north of Virginia, so it was a surprise when a pelican was found, half-frozen and injured, in a Connecticut marina—perhaps having been blown too far north in a storm. Fortunately, the pelican, named Arvay, was rescued and given care that saved its life. A pilot at a Connecticut flying club then flew the bird to Florida in her small plane. “I just love animals and do anything I can to help animals, so when I saw this and saw he needed to get to his new home, I figured why not help out,” said the pilot, Arianna Strand. Arvay is now recovering at the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, Florida. If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.
Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE FEB 5 SNOW EDITION WWW.WPCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG –OR ON YOUTUBE INSTANTLY-CLICK WHITE ARROW BELOW
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THE MAYOR ON THE CITY FINANCIAL CONDITION AT MIDYEAR
THE CITY SALES TAX RECEIPTS AT MIDYEAR CROSSROADS
THE INTERNET GRABS MONSTER SHARE OF BUSINESS
ANALYSIS: HOW MUCH DOLLARS HAVE CLOTHING STORES, DEPARTMENT STORES, RESTAURANTS AND BARS LOST TO INTERNET ORDERING
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS COMES BACK IN WHITE PLAINS
STUDENTS BEING ADDED TO IN SCHOOL CLASSES AT THIS TIME. ALL BACK AS SOON AS TEACHERS/ STAFF GET BOTH SHOTS. SUPERINTENDENT RICCA SAYS HOPES WHITE PLAINS STUDENTS WILL BE BACK IN SCHOOL BEFORE END OF SCHOOL YEAR. ALL SPORTS EXCEPT WRESTLING WILL BE PLAYED IN SPRING.
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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. February 5, 2021:
Superintendent of White Plans Schools Dr. Joseph Ricca gave details to WPCNR on the opening of High School sports basketball, hockey and cheerleading today and expressed hopes all children could be back in school sometime in spring.
He did not want to commit to a date yet, until more of the staff-teachers have been fully vaccinated, saying they were “well along,” and that the unions and the county have been working on expediting the education workers’ vaccine requirements.
He said that parents who did not want their children to return to in-class learning would still be able to learn remotely..
Dr. Ricca said all sports would have seasons this year with the exception of wrestling. Masks would be worn as appropriate by competitors. No rules have been changed in the contests (to discourage contact and spread).
Athletes would be tested on the day of the game with the “quick” Covid-19 Test, as well as checked for other symptoms. Spectators would not be allowed at indoor sports such as basketball and cheerleading. The Superintendent did say that the district is arranging with the streaming service, Local Live to livestream the games.
TIPOFF! FACEOFF! CHEERLEAD!–WHITE PLAINS HIGH STARTS SPORTS TOMORROW WITH HEALTH DEPT GUIDELINES IN PLACE
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WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK by John F. Bailey, February 5, 2021:
The White Plains High School will start up its truncated winter scholastic sports of Boys and Girls Ice Hockey, Basketball, and Cheerleading Friday.
The action comes after Dr. Serlita Amler, Commissioner of Health issued COVID-19 Guidelines for resuming high school sports, which was announced today by County Executive George Latimer in his COVID Briefing.
The White Plains Board of Education will meet to approve the decision of the Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Ricca and Athletic Director Matt Cameron, Monday evening, according to Michele Schoenfeld, Clerk to the Board of Education.
Here is a copy of the final guidelines school districts must follow issued by Dr. Sherlita Ambler and sent to School Superintendents on February 3:
The school must establish a hierarchy for oversight/violations (Coach should not have sole responsibility of controlling all established regulations and consequences). The school must provide the Westchester County Department of Health with the name and contact information of its COVID-19 athletic coordinator.
Schools may establish testing protocols, mandatory or random, for athletic teams and events if they choose to do so. Because these are school sponsored activities, Westchester County will assist in the same manner we assist schools with their testing efforts, as long as supplies are available.
Activity-Based Guidance:
New York State’s “Master Guidance for Sports and Recreation” must be followed, unless more stringent guidance is provided herein. For current State guidance see: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/SportsAndRecreationMasterGuidance.pdf;
American Academy of Pediatrics guidance must be followed relative to the wearing of face coverings. See: https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-interim-guidance-return-to-sports/ (as amended from time to time);
Players and coaches must adhere closely to the required daily attestation regarding COVID-19 symptoms and potential exposure.
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, contests, and tournaments 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 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.
Spectators are not permitted for “Indoor Sports” as per Section 1. “Outdoor Sports” permit spectators 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. Coaches should be aware and have contact information, including off-hours, for the school or school district’s designated COVID-19 coordinator. This should be used to inform the school and health officials if there is an exposure, but also to inform the coaches if a student is to be excluded from team activities.
SATURDAY AT 7: THE FIRST “WHITE PLAINS WEEK” PROGRAM OF FEBRUARY 1, 2001. ON “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD” WPW CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY WITH VERY FIRST “WPW” REPORT AIRED 20 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK. SEE IT COUNTYWIDE CH 45 FIOS IN WHITE PLAINS, OPTIMUM CH 45 AND www.wpcommunitymedia.org
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WITH–
OF SUBURBAN STREET
WHITE PLAINS NEWSPAPER OF RECORD
DON’T MISS WHITE PLAINS WEEK THIS WEEK
FRIDAYS, 7:30 AND MONDAYS AT 7–FIOS 45 OPTIMUM 76 &
WHITE PLAINS TV www.wpcommunitymedia.org
OUR 21ST YEAR OF FIGHTING FOR THE TRUTH, JUSTICE AND THE AMERICAN WAY
WHITE PLAINS FOOD SCRAP RECYCLING OPENS 8 AM THURSDAY AT THE GEDNEY YARD.
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Mayor Tom Roach the leading Mayor in Westchester County Green Initiatives Brings White Plains into County Executive George Latimer’s Food Scraps Recycling Program
WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER, From the Westchester County Department of Communications and City of White Plains Mayor’s Office. Debruary 3, 2021:
Mayor Tom Roach today announced The City of White Plains will start a voluntary, residential food scrap drop off program and to participate in the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facility’s new Residential Food Scrap Transportation and Disposal (RFSTAD) program, program,
Mayor Roach in an announcement with Westchester County Executive George Latimer was ebullient:
“White Plains is excited to participate in this new County program. The City has encouraged its residents to compost on their own property as a means of reducing their carbon footprint, but this new program allows us to expand that opportunity to residents who do not have their own yards as well as to those who are interested in this new recycling option but do not have use for the compost.
In addition to providing an important environmental benefit, the Food Scrap Recycling program is also a great example of shared services between governments, which is good for our taxpayers.”
Karen Pasquale, Senior Advisor to the Mayor released the details for residents to WPCNR, the city’s Food Scrap Recycling Program starts Thursday and is open 6 Days a Week at 8 AM:
1. Participation is free.
2. Residents can drop off food scraps at the Gedney Recycling Yard, 87 Gedney Way, Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm and Sunday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm.
3. Accepted Food Scraps include: grains, pasta, dairy, fruit, veggies, stems, peels, meat, bones, egg shells, coffee grounds & filters, tea bags, napkins, BPI-certified compostable bags.
4. The Gedney Recycling Yard is ready to accept food scraps starting tomorrow, Thursday, February 4, 2021.
County Executive George Latimer congratulated Mayor Roach for joining the initiative:
“We could not be happier with the City’s decision to partner with the County in expanding food scrap recycling options for our residents. The inclusion of White Plains will make a tremendous impact, representing the largest municipality in the County to date offering food scrap recycling to its residents.
The goal of the RFSTAD program is to expand food scrap recycling by reducing the costs and making it feasible for all our municipalities to operate programs. The announcement that White Plains will be part of the program shows that it is working the way we intended.”
Under RFSTAD, the County’s Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) arranges for the consolidation, transportation, and processing of food scraps collected by municipalities.
The County’s participation reduces the cost so that it is the same as– or less than — the transportation and disposal cost of garbage, making food scrap recycling feasible for municipalities that otherwise would not be able to offer this service. Moreover, incorporating grant funding from NYSDEC for start-up materials, allows local municipalities to start these programs for a few thousand dollars.
Mayor Roach added launching Food Scrap Recycling to White Plains fits in with the city’s pioneering green initiatives:
‘White Plains has been working on several fronts to reduce its carbon footprint. We are getting ready to install solar on city buildings and facilities, we offer 28 electric vehicle charging stations in public garages and lots throughout the city, textile and shoe recycling, we’ve phased out the use of the dirtiest fuel oils, and more (see Go Green White Plains). I am pleased to be able to add the Food Scrap Recycling program to this list and thank the County Executive for this opportunity.”
Governor: 20% Increase in Vaccine National Supply. Hospitalization Rate Declining Statewide. Westchester Infection Rate: 5.8% –DOWN from 6.6% Last Week
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WPCNR GOVERNOR CUOMO CORONAVIRUS REPORT. February 2, 2021:
| The federal vaccine supply to the states will increase by about 20 percent for the next three weeks, up from the initial 16 percent expected bump in allocations. Additionally, private pharmacies in the state who are charged with prioritizing the 65-plus population will now receive an additional 10 percent, or about 30,000 doses, directly from the federal government. This will supplement doses allocated to them by the State. Following the snowstorm, all New York State-run vaccination sites will be open and ready to administer doses during regularly scheduled hours starting tomorrow (by appointment only). If your appointment was canceled due to the weather, don’t worry — you have been rebooked. Be sure to check for an email or text rescheduling your appointment. Here’s what else you need to know tonight: 1. COVID hospitalizations ticked up to 8,067. Of the 150,199 tests reported yesterday, 8,215, or 5.47 percent, were positive. The 7-day rolling average of test positivity, 4.95 percent, is the lowest since December 6. (Editor’s Note: In Westchester County in the 7 days from January 25 (last Monday), 90,760 people were tested, and 5,275 persons have tested positive, 237 a day, a positive infection rate of 5.8%, down dignificantly from the 6.6% of Jan. 18-25. According to the New York State Covid-19 Tracker Workbook. This shows a significant lowering of the weekly infection rate in one week. In the week from January 18 to January 25, 85,249 were tested in the county, 5,609 tested postive, 6.6% There were 1,053 patients in the ICU yesterday, up three from the previous day. Of them, 1,004 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 146 New Yorkers to the virus. 2. Over 2 million total vaccine doses have been administered in New York State. This total includes the federal Long Term Care Facility program. As of 12pm today, 91 percent of first doses allocated to state health care distribution sites have been administered. This represents 1,414,241 first doses administered of the 1,554,450 first doses received from the federal government (NYS health care distribution sites only). 321,204 second doses have been administered out of 725,050 second doses received. See data by region on the State’s Vaccine Tracker. 3. The Bronx continues to have the highest test positivity rate of the New York City boroughs. The Bronx’s positivity rate is 6.57 percent, followed by Queens at 5.21 percent, Brooklyn at 5.17 percent, Staten Island at 4.65 percent, and Manhattan at 3.06 percent (7-day rolling averages). Later this week, Yankee Stadium will open as a mass vaccination site specifically and exclusively for Bronx residents who are 65 or older or in other eligible groups. 4. Among the regions of New York, Long Island has the highest test positivity rate. Long Island’s positivity rate is 6.03 percent, followed by the Mid-Hudson Region at 5.76 percent, the North Country at 5.51 percent, New York City at 5.09 percent, Western New York at 5.01 percent, the Capital Region at 4.67 percent, Mohawk Valley at 4.09 percent, the Finger Lakes at 3.79 percent, Central New York at 3.08 percent, and the Southern Tier at 1.92 percent (7-day rolling averages). No matter where you live, please continue to take the recommended health precautions, including wearing a mask and washing your hands often. Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Tonight’s “DBM” takes us to Smithtown, New York, where for 75 years the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind has trained dogs to guide blind or visually impaired people for free. The training process takes two years, and is followed by a matching process to make sure each dog is a good fit for the eventual owner. Last week, ABC7 featured the story of John Brennan, a blind veteran, and his new guide dog, Edgar, who were matched a few weeks ago. John Miller, President and CEO of the organization, said: “When you see somebody paired with someone who needs them, you really understand what you are really doing here. You’re providing somebody with independence.” If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here. Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo |