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THE SPREAD OF PMSIS — THE COVID CONNECTED CONDITION AFFECTING CHILDREN AT RATE OF 10 NEW CASES A DAY
COVID-19 TESTING AT JFK AND NEWARK–SHOULD EVERY AIR TRAVELER GET A COVID TEST BEFORE LEAVING THE AIRPORTS? WHY AREN’T THEY? OR ARE THEY? SWAB THEM NOW!
LIFE SAVING TV
ON
www.wpcommunitymedia.org
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WPCNR FRIDAY GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO CORONA VIRUS BRIEFING. By John F. Bailey May 22, 2020:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today that Westchester County and the rest of the counties in the MidHudson Region and the Long Island region of Nassau and Suffolk regions could reopen for a Phase One opening by the end of next week, if their hiring of tracers meets requirements and their death and hospital bed metrics are met. He gave the MidHudson counties
The governor acted to provide $100 Million in aid to Small Businesses in New York with 20 or less employees through New York Forward, because the federal government program “has run out of money.”
Governor Cuomo announced he is making the New York Contract Tracing Curriculum (developed by former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s foundation) available at no cost to all states through the National Governors Association for creating contact tracing programs.
Governor Cuomo shared the new intelligence on COVID-19 that the Center for Disease Control just announced that COVID-19 now has been found to be spread by air droplets.
The Governor announced that it is mandatory to wear a mask in public in New York State or whether you are within 6 feet of another person. “You do not have the right to infect another person” (by not wearing a mask).
An additional arrangement has been made to add 750 pharmacies who have agreed to perform 7,000 Covid-19 tests a week
The governor announced that in three days, 92,000 persons have voted for their favorite PSA spots created by over 600 New Yorkers.. He also showed 5 spots that were not chosen as finalists, but are very effective, and here they are.
In the Q.& A., it was announced that $10 BILLION has been paid out the door in unemployment checks. The Governor defended the state metric board as fair across the board and defended the splitting of number of deaths into two categories, Covid-19 Deaths and “Probable” Covid Debts.
On the matter of opening beaches, Governor Cuomo said he opened the state owned parks so that citizens from New York City had a place to go, because Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk closed their county-owned beaches to persons who were not county residents.
NOTE: PLAYLAND IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY The beach will be open from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with no admittance after 6 p.m. Parking is $5 per car with the park pass and $10 per car without. Admission to the beach is $4 for adults, $3 for children ages 5 to 11 and free for children under age 5 and under.
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WPCNR TRAVELMON. Special to WPCNR from the Department of Homeland Security. March 22, 2020:
With the Memorial Day holiday weekend kicking off the start of summer, the Transportation Security Administration is preparing a very different travel season given the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.
TSA has implemented changes to the security screening process that reduce the potential for cross-contamination at the security checkpoint in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
TSA has already begun implementation of these changes – with more to be implemented at airport checkpoints nationwide by mid-June.
“In the interest of TSA frontline workers and traveler health, TSA is committed to making prudent changes to our screening processes to limit physical contact and increase physical distance as much as possible,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “We continue to evaluate our security measures with an eye towards making smart, timely decisions benefiting health and safety, as well as the traveler experience.”
Over the past couple of weeks, TSA has experienced a steady growth of travelers coming through airport checkpoints. As procedure changes begin to rollout in the coming weeks, travelers should expect to:
Keep possession of their boarding passes. Instead of handing their boarding pass to a TSA officer at the travel document podium, travelers should now place their boarding pass (paper or electronic) on the boarding pass reader themselves.
After scanning, travelers should hold their boarding pass toward the TSA officer to allow the officer to visually inspect it. This change reduces the TSA officer’s need to touch a passenger’s boarding pass thus reducing potential for cross-contamination.
Separate food for X-ray screening. Passengers should place their carry-on food items into a clear plastic bag and place that bag into a bin.
Food items often trigger an alarm during the screening process; separating the food from the carry-on bag lessens the likelihood that a TSA officer will need to open the carry-on bag and remove the food items for a closer inspection.
This requirement allows social distancing, reduces the TSA officer’s need to touch a person’s container of food and reduces potential for cross-contamination. TSA Precheck members do not need to remove items from their bags.
Pack smart. Passengers should take extra care to ensure that they do not have any prohibited items, such as liquids, gels or aerosols in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces, in their carry-on bags (water bottles, shampoo).
In response to COVID-19, TSA is allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces per passenger, in carry-on bags.
Passengers are required to remove the hand sanitizer from the carry-on bag before being submitted for X-ray screening. If a bag is found to contain a prohibited item, passengers may be directed to return to the divestiture table outside of security with their carry-on bags to remove the item and dispose of the item.
The passenger may also be directed back outside of security to remove, items that should have originally been divested (such as laptops, liquids, gels, and aerosols, and large electronics) and resubmit their property for X-ray screening.
By resolving alarms in this manner, TSA officers will need to touch the contents inside a carry-on bag much less frequently, reducing the potential for cross-contamination.
Practice social distancing. Passengers should allow for social distancing to reduce direct contact between employees and travelers whenever possible without compromising security.
Noticeable adjustments leading up to the security checkpoint include, increasing the distance between individuals as they enter the security checkpoint, placing visual reminders of appropriate spacing on checkpoint floors and staggering the use of lanes where feasible.
No two airports are alike, so this could look a little different at each airport.
Wear facial protection. TSA officers at checkpoints are now using facial protection. Travelers are encouraged to wear face protection to the checkpoint as well.
Please note, however, passengers may need to adjust it during the screening process. Travelers are also encouraged to remove items such as belts, and items from their pockets, like wallets, keys and phones, and put them directly into their carry-on bags instead of into the bins to reduce touch-points during the screening process.
Travelers who have not flown since the pandemic are also likely to notice some other changes. They include:
Many airlines and airports are also providing specific COVID-19 related guidance to travelers; please check with your airline prior to your trip.
Travelers are encouraged to arrive at the airport early as COVID-19 has affected staffing and operations across the airport environment. This will allow adequate time for checking bags, completing security screening and getting to the departure gate.
Individuals who were traveling in the early months of the pandemic became accustomed to arriving at the security checkpoint shortly before their flight departure time. TSA recommends that travelers no longer do so (or arrive well in advance of their flight) since more people are flying and new procedures such as social distancing have been implemented in airports, potentially adding time to the pre-flight experience.
For more information on the TSA security screening process during the pandemic, visit www.tsa.gov/coronavirus.
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WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. Statement to WPCNR from Scott Pauley, Press Officer, News Media Branch, Division of Public Affairs, Center tor Disease Control. Center for Disease Control. May 21, 2021 UPDATED 4:27 PM EDT :
Current entry screening includes a non-contact temperature check and visual illness inspection administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s CBP personnel.
If a traveler is identified as ill, they are referred to CDC quarantine station staff to do a public health assessment.
Entry screening is conducted on any traveler returning from a country with a 212F proclamation (China, Iran, Schengen region of Europe, UK, and Ireland).
It would occur at the airport when arriving in U.S. after filling out a Health Declaration Form.
The screening includes all of the countries mentioned, however it should be noted that the European Schengen Area includes the following countries: (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City)
If there are positives, CDC personnel work with the local and state health departments to determine whether the traveler needs to be taken to a healthcare facility, or sent home for 14 self-isolation period monitored by the local and state health department.
For more information on the actual screening process, and the administration of the primary screening procedures, you should reach out the DHS.
Thank you,
Scott Pauley
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WPCNR THURSDAY GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO CORONAVIRUS BRIEFING. By John F. Bailey May 21, 2020 UPDATED 4:36 PM EDT :
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said he is considering starting Coronavirus screening on newcomers arriving at airports, temperature taking of airflight arrivals at NY airports, saying it is a question of jurisdiction but he is considering it.
The Governor tempered the continued good news of the lowest number of new covid cases, 246, since before the NY coronavirus infections started and total hospitalizations down to 5,187 and continued sinking incubation rates with the news that Inflammatory Syndrome cases affecting children had risen to 157 cases being investigated by the New York Department of Health, and is continuing to increase at 10 cases per day being discovered. Governor Cuomo updated the numbers of countries and other states reporting the syndrome have grown to 13 countries and 25 other states in one week have reported cases of this COVID-related illness in children.
The governor described Pediatric Multi-Symptom inflammatory Syndrome (PMSIS) as in the discovery stage, and the state is still learning about the disease. He said there is no progress yet in determining a “common dominator” other than coronavirus diagnosed children and children with coronavirus antibodies (of ages 1 to 21)
He said in the “Q & A.” session of the briefing on summer camp situations, he makes decisions on what he would do with his children in view of the situation, and presently he would not send his children to camp.
He announced that New Yorkers will begin receiving calls for Tracers following up to persons named by an coronavirus-infected person as being contact, if they were indicated by a person discovered to have coronavirus symptoms as being seen by the infectee. The governor said persons receiving a call from a person identifying themselves as “NYS Contact Tracing” you should answer the call.
He extended small business deadlines for sending in March 20 Sales taxes to May 20.
He announced Rockland County was now cleared for its hospitals to schedule elective surgeries.
He said schools across state had to submit reopening plans by July 1 based on guidelines the state will issue June 1.
He emphasized the success of reopenings of regions around the state depended solely on “what we do.” To enforce compliance with reopening guidelines he announced a hotline for employees who feel their employers are not complying with social distancing, supplying masks and other guidelines to call 1-888-364-3065 to report the employer.
He warned persons heading to the beach over Memorial Day Weekend that the 50% capacity at open beaches might be closed by 10 AM depending on the rush expected.
He saluted EMS WORKERS WEEK AND IN OBSERVING THAT 105 NEW YORKERS DIED YESTERDAY FROM THE CORONAVIRUS HE RECOGNIZED THREE EMS WORKERS WHO DIED IN TREATING NEW YORKERS:
GREGORY HODGE, 25 YEARS A VETERAN OF THE FDNY EMT; MIKE FIELD OF THE VALLEY STREAM FIRE DEPARTMENT, A 33 YEAR EMT VETERAN, AND A TASK FORCE VOLUNTEER FROM COLORADO SPRINGS, PAUL CARY.
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WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. From the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. May 21, 2020:
Yesterday, in view of air travel information indicating that there were not coronavirus testing and temperature takings and inquiry about symptoms taking place currently at JFK, WPCNR asked the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey whether or not passengers deplanning from Europe or abroad flights at Newark and JFK airports were currently being questioned for corona virus symptoms or temperatures taken or tested for coronavirus by the Port Authority or the Customs and Immigration Service.
Cal Biez, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said the CDC and the New York State Department of Health should be contacted for this information. Mr. Biez sent the following information on Port Authority sanitary precautions
As part of the Port Authority’s commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of all facility employees, the agency has increased cleanings of restrooms and surfaces frequently touched at the region’s airports, at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, at the Oculus World Trade Center Transportation Hub, and in the PATH train system.
Enhanced cleaning of public areas and social distancing are two measures that have already been implemented. All areas will be disinfected on a regular basis using EPA-approved and CDC-endorsed disinfectants. For more information please click here. For more info – https://www.panynj.gov/port-authority/en/alerts/coronavirus-updates.html
The Port Authority deployed public health guidance PSAs in terminals and in stations, and have been implementing protocols and policies consistent with guidance provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New Jersey State Department of Health to help prevent spread of COVID-19. The agency encourages all travelers and employees to make themselves aware of the health and safety protocols established by the CDC and state and local health authorities.
At the airports, the Port Authority has instructed all terminal operators, as well as its partners, to intensify cleaning protocols, including on construction sites. This effort includes increased cleaning of restrooms using EPA-approved and CDC-endorsed cleaning agents and increased wipe down of frequently touched surfaces, such as doors, countertops, handrails on stairs and escalators, elevator cabs and buttons, information kiosks, ticket vending machines, ticket counters, seating areas, charging stations, water fountains, etc., as well as the deployment of hand sanitizer units and reminding workers of COVID19 protocols. Additionally, hand washing stations are on site in construction areas.
During Port Authority Board Meeting on 4.23.2020 (link to video on PA website here / Facebook link video here), our Executive Director Rick Cotton stated “Protecting the health and safety of our employees continues to be of paramount importance. The Port Authority has implemented the several measures to protect the Agency’s workforce.”
Port Authority Board Meeting 4.23.2020 (PA website here)
Executive Summary by Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton – 12:20
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WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. From the Governor’s Press Office. May 20, 2020:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo confirmed 1,525 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 354,370 confirmed cases in New York State. Of the 354,370 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows (Downstate Counties highlighted in Boldface type) :
| County | Total Positive | New Positive |
| Albany | 1,682 | 27 |
| Allegany | 44 | 0 |
| Broome | 436 | 7 |
| Cattaraugus | 70 | 1 |
| Cayuga | 68 | 0 |
| Chautauqua | 50 | 1 |
| Chemung | 134 | 0 |
| Chenango | 118 | 0 |
| Clinton | 94 | 0 |
| Columbia | 350 | 0 |
| Cortland | 36 | 0 |
| Delaware | 69 | 0 |
| Dutchess | 3,724 | 14 |
| Erie | 5,131 | 94 |
| Essex | 34 | 0 |
| Franklin | 18 | 0 |
| Fulton | 184 | 2 |
| Genesee | 184 | 2 |
| Greene | 215 | 1 |
| Hamilton | 5 | 0 |
| Herkimer | 93 | 1 |
| Jefferson | 71 | 0 |
| Lewis | 18 | 0 |
| Livingston | 111 | 0 |
| Madison | 292 | 32 |
| Monroe | 2,465 | 89 |
| Montgomery | 75 | 0 |
| Nassau | 39,368 | 73 |
| Niagara | 858 | 13 |
| NYC | 194,550 | 729 |
| Oneida | 802 | 17 |
| Onondaga | 1,718 | 53 |
| Ontario | 170 | 18 |
| Orange | 10,043 | 55 |
| Orleans | 171 | 3 |
| Oswego | 90 | 1 |
| Otsego | 67 | 0 |
| Putnam | 1,168 | 9 |
| Rensselaer | 453 | 9 |
| Rockland | 12,831 | 33 |
| Saratoga | 438 | 2 |
| Schenectady | 633 | 2 |
| Schoharie | 48 | 0 |
| Schuyler | 10 | 0 |
| Seneca | 52 | 1 |
| St. Lawrence | 195 | 3 |
| Steuben | 237 | 1 |
| Suffolk | 38,411 | 84 |
| Sullivan | 1,267 | 9 |
| Tioga | 114 | 1 |
| Tompkins | 145 | 3 |
| Ulster | 1,571 | 6 |
| Warren | 235 | 0 |
| Washington | 221 | 1 |
| Wayne | 103 | 5 |
| Westchester | 32,517 | 115 |
| Wyoming | 79 | 0 |
| Yates | 34 | 8 |
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WPCNR WEDNESDAY GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO CORONAVIRUS BRIEFING. By John F. Bailey. May 20, 2020:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is stepping up testing in minority areas across the state and information efforts because of the first results of community-based coronavirus testing in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx showing new infections to be as much as double other areas of the city, 7% to 15% more than the infection rate of 19% in other neighborhoods.
He said the highest rate of infection is among Latino and African-Americans. He noted the Hollis Queens neighborhood, (the Governor’s old neighborhood) has a 35% rate of infection; The Bronx, 34%. Brooklyn, 41% He said in the communities where testing was set up May 5, the survey conducting tests through area churches showed infection rates still increasing at double the rest of the city.
He warned the rest of the state that the infection rates will be the greatest in the areas of the poor/minority concentration of population.
The Governor’s daughter, Mariah Kennedy-Cuomo, introduced 5 “Wear the Mask” spots presented among 600 submissions to the state contest for effective spots to promote Wearing the Mask statewide. The Governor emphasized:
“Masks Work! It’s in the data, not just because I’m saying it.”
The news release on the briefing details: Governor Cuomo announced the state is continuing its partnership with Ready Responders to expand testing from eight to 40 public housing developments across New York City. The state is also partnering with SOMOS to establish 28 additional testing sites at churches and community-based providers in predominately minority communities, for a total of 72 faith-based testing sites in the state in partnership with Northwell Health and SOMOS. The state will also work to stop community spread in these neighborhoods by increasing PPE availability, providing hand sanitizer, enforcing social distancing and expanding public health and education in these communities.
Governor Cuomo also directed all local governments to expand testing in low-income communities and develop outreach programs to help address the disparities in these communities.
The Governor pointed out again that the infection rates of essential workers, who put themselves daily in front of the virus is lower than the 19% rate of the general population.
In the “Q & A” session with reporters, Marissa DeRosa, the Executive Secretary to the Governor, said that twice a week testing of 180,000 Nursing Home Staffers was being supplemented by Health Department personnel because nursing homes were overwhelmed. (She said there were 100,000 nursing home residents in the state, and was underway.)
The Governor said the nursing home coronora virus testing twice a week were results the state consultants brought in to aid in analyzing were very interested in seeing, because an increase in local staff infections would give an indication of spread in regions which have already reopened.
The governor said there was no decision yet on when Casinos would be reopened saying that would be in Phase 3 of the reopening process. He said was discussing the heavy density problem presented by the casinos and he and Governors Lamont and Murphy of Connecticut and New Jersey were discussing the casino problem. The Governor said casinos owned by Tribal Nations were not subject to state restrictions.
In a question on the natural gas moratorium, Governor Cuomo said the utility companies have said there is no longer a need for a new pipeline demanded by untilities because of anticipated gas shortages (that resulted in Con Edision declaring a moratorium on new gas construction installations.
Asked about the rate of new hospitalizations in Reopenings around the state, the Governor said there was no data yet, that no upticks had been seen because it is too early to have new infections resulting in hospitalization, pointing out there is a two week lag.
He said schools should be prepared to continue remote at home computer learning, (and improve it) based on teachers’ current experiences with computer learning in students’ homes.
In a another significant development, the Governor was asked what his reaction was to proposed state legislature effort to introduce a bill limiting any Executive Order issued by the Governor to 30 days, without approval of the legislature. The governor said he was not aware of it, and would look at any legislation the legislature wants to propose.
Note: No media person followed up on the question raised in the Tuesday briefing as to whether incoming arriving passengers from European and foreign flights were being tested for coronavirus.
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WPCNR TUESDAY GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO BRIEFING. By John F. Bailey. May 19, 2020 UPDATED MAY 20 9:55 AM UPDATED MAY 20, 2:35 PM EDT:
In the Q & A, at the governor’s Tuesday CoronaVirus briefing at noon in Manhasset day, the governor was asked if travelers coming into New York area airports were being screened for the coronavirus.
The Governor said that was not a state jurisdiction, that the federal government set all policies on customs and entry into the country procedures.
He did not say the passengers were not being tested for coronavirus or are being queried of signs of symptoms of it. He did not say they were being tested either. Asked if there was any coordination between customs/immigration and the state, the governor said walking out, “it is up to the federal government.”
WPCNR has learned from a person familar with current airline policies and conditions at Port Authority controlled NY airports that airline traffic is—
“slightly on the rise. But the Port Authority has no system of testing in place.
And to my knowledge no airline has a system in place. There might have been temperature checks, but there isn’t rapid Covid testing available. Airlines and the airport have policies enforcing the use of masks. Airlines will actually deny boarding to wear masks.“
WPCNR has a call into the Port Authority of NY and NJ to clarify this issue as to what COVID testing is being done, whether tracing is in place, or quarantines prescribed in case of potential positives (with fevers or symptoms).
In the “Q & A” in the Wednesday Governor Andrew Cuomo, no member of the media followed up on a clarification of whether or not active Coid testing is ongoing at JFK or Newark for disembarking internarion flights.
In the last week in February, a traveler coming to New York from Spain told WPCNR they were not screened for the coronavirus in any way going through customs and immigration at JFK airport. This was two weeks before the travel policies were put in place.
WPCNR notes that coronavirus screening and temperature checks began being conducted on arrivals from Europe at 13 points of entry beginning in mid-March, at which time the screening resulted in waits for customs clearance in Chicago as long as 5 hours. It is unclear whether these delays have been straightened out by more Customs and Immigration personnel by this time. (But FLIGHTS are significantly reduced at this time.) The CNN report on these delays in Mid March may be read here: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/coronavirus-airport-screening-sunday/index.html
CNN on March 16 reported that passengers mostly US Citizens experienced 5 hours and more delays in bunched conditions at O’Hare Airport Chicago due to first initial customs screening after flights from Europe were placed on additional scrutiny by the U.S. Government. First arrivals had to have passport and medical forms checked, then go to a coronavirus screening and temperature check. This was back in mid-March.
It is unclear at this time, whether travelers if even having their temperature taken coming into JFK and Newark airports are being traced if they are found to have temperature.
CNN reported that if travelers had a fever in mid-March screenings, they were asked by Customs & Immigration to quarantine for 14 days.
On another concerning issue, The Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome (PMSIS) condition affecting children with corona virus exposure and having coronavirus antibodies now number 137. It affects children from 1 to 20 and is apparently growing by approximately 10 cases a day.
The information was given in response to a question by a reporter on why New York City Mayor William DiBlasio’s count of such cases was higher. Executive Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa said the DiBlasio number counted possible cases, not confirmed. The state count is confirmed cases, she said. No other information on the disease spread which is developing more concern by the day for summer camp openings and school openings in the fall was given.
The Governor called for the federal government to assure that any vaccine found successful in curing coronavirus by licensed to manufacturers worldwide and not be manufactured by one company exclusively.
Governor Cuomo said the state is developing a pilot visitation protocol for visits by loved ones to visit hospitals in the state to see patients in the hospital, but they would have to wear masks and protective equipment provided by the hospital, and are subject to symptom and temperature checks before they could see their loved ones. The Pilot program will be tried at Westchester Medical Center and 15 other hospitals across the downstate region.
The New York State Hospitalization rate is down, and the number of deaths Monday in the state declined to 105, 1 less than Sunday, that the Governor called “still frightfully high.” He said the Long Island death rate previous had death rates of 100 residents a day, now it is averaging 113. As a result the Nassau County hospitals are being cleared to schedule elective surgeries.
The Governor announced the Capitol Region has acquired the number of tracers needed and that region will be cleared for opening tomorrow.
The Governor repeated his endorsement of pro sports teams to resume play without fans in the stands. He repeated his support, saying “we’re willing to be a full partner — anything we can do to make it happen.”
The governor cleared outdoor Memorial Day observances with less than 10 persons.