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.
New York state now has 149,316 cases. The total number tested in the County is nearing 50,000 and the positive number of cases in the county is 15,887. The municipality specific data we received from the county today indicates 485 positive cases in White Plains.
Today I had the opportunity to tour the temporary hospital at the County Center in White Plains with County Executive George Latimer and our Fire Chief, Richard Lyman. It is an impressive facility with fully equipped individual negative pressure patient rooms that are capable of serving as ICU beds. The hospital is within our city and we are working closely with all involved to ensure it is on line as quickly as possible.
White Plains is a community of neighborhoods. Please check in on your neighbors who might not be able to go to the store to get food.
Please reach out to: feedingwp@whiteplainsny.gov if you can afford food but are homebound and can’t arrange delivery or if you can go out, but are having difficulty affording food we can put you in touch with the many ongoing food distributions taking place throughout the city.
A reminder regarding the sanitation schedule. For those of you who are on the Friday garbage route, your garbage will be picked up tomorrow, Thursday, due to Friday’s holiday. If you are on a Thursday collection route your next pick up is Monday. There is no paper pick up this week. Normally we would have reminded you yesterday, sorry for the oversight. I can’t wait to get back to a time when that is the reason for my call. We would also suggest that you download the White Plains DPW, At Your Service App and set the preferences to allow automatic reminders.
We are making progress, stay with it!
And to all of our friends celebrating, best wishes for a happy and meaningful Passover.
Remember we are standing together by staying apart!
Bulletin: GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ALL NEW YORK STATE VOTERS COULD VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT IN THE JUNE 23 STATE PRIMARIES. The Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa stated the phrase relating to illness in the election law was the legal basis for the decision. The governor said there was no point in forcing citizens to put themselves at risk of encountering the coronavirus by going to the polls.
GOVERNOR SHOWED HOW HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE SLOWED FOR 3RD STRAIGHT DAYTHE GOVERNOR EXPRESSED SORROW TO THE CITY PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE DIED OF THE CORONAVIRUS.THESE ARE SOME OF THEM. EVERY FACE REPRESENTS A FAMILY AND LOVED ONES WHO GRIEVE OVER THEIR LOSS, THE GOVERNOR REMINDED US.
WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. By John F. Bailey. April 8, 2020, UPDATED 10 P.M.E.D.T.:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo reported a continuation of what the state is seeing in numbers of hospitalizations, and number of cases yesterday which marked the fourth straight day the number cases stayed even.
The Governor attributed this to the public observing the state wide social distancing, school closings, business closings as the reasons why the curve is being contained.
As of 12 noon today, local county totals are as follows:
WESTCHESTER COUNTY SAW A 7.3% INCREASE OF 1,083 NEW CASES TO 15,887.
NASSAU COUNTY ROSE 11.7% TO 18,548 FROM 16,610 YESTERDAY.
SUFFOLK COUNTY IS UP 9.1% TO 15,844 FROM 14,517. (NASSAU AND SUFFOLK ARE BEING STRICKEN HARD.)
ROCKLAND COUNTY INCREASED CASES 7% TO 6,413 FROM 5,990.
DUTCHESS COUNTY ROSE TO 1,395 WITH 146 NEW CASES, A DAY TO DAY INCREASE OF 11.7%
ULSTER SUFFERED 7.2% MORE CASES TO 422 , UP FROM 399 YESTERDAY.
ORANGE COUNTY ROSE 7.3% TO 3,865 FROM 3,599.
ROCKLAND, DUTCHESS, ULSTER, AND ORANGE ARE ALL INCREASING AT AN AVERAGE 8.3% AND ARE ON AN WORRYING TREND
He ended the “Q. & A.” with reporters Governor Cuomo saying: “what is being seen is people who were hospitalized 10 days ago are dying” and expected higher deaths to come. “Keep doing what you are doing, this is not over. We are in the midst of this.” He noted that by distancing and staying home, “the live you save may not be your own.”
He declined to offer a date when he expected to lift social distancing rules and closures of schools, suspension of large gatherings (including church services), currently in the 38th day.
He said he had no projection date as to when it would be lifted and repeated that Connecticut and New Jersey and New York would lift the closures and social distancing as a team.
He said there were no shortages of equipment, and that he was confident the state had enough hospital beds to handle the current influx of new cases which he expected would spreatd upstate.
The Governor began saying this was a day of mixed emotions. There is good news, but the bad news is 779 persons in New York died yesterday. He noted the total deaths in New York State is 6,268 (updated on CNN WEDNESDAY EVENING), double the deaths in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. He prepared the state to accept many more deaths to come, showing the toll of the last 5 days, 3,895. He saluted city workers and health professionals who have died of the coronavirus.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD DIRECT THE STATE OF NEW YORK SUNY TO DETERMINE NOW WHY MINORITIES ARE THE MAJORITY OF THOSE DYING FROM CORONAVIRUS CASH NOW TO THE UNEMPLOYED: THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THE STATE WOULD ISSUE $600 CHECKS NOW AND EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS TO 39 WEEKS.THE GOVERNOR NOTED WHAT WE MUST TAKE FROM THIS PANDEMIC AND IMPROVE UPON
WPCNR CORONA VIRUS REPORTFrom Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. April 7, 2020:
Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner issued an Emergency order earlier imposing health and safety requirements on all grocery stores (supermarkets) and pharmacies located within the town of Greenburgh.
The law applies to businesses other than restaurants which have more than 1,000 square feet of space in which food is sold to the public (other than restaurants. At the special Town Board work session on April 7th at 6:30 PM the Town Board unanimously approved a resolution support the emergency order.
(a) establish at least one hour a day during which the store is open only to customers over 60 years of age who do not exhibit COVID-19 health conditions;
(b) limit the number of customers allowed in the store at any one time to a reasonable number, given the size of the store, to accommodate the CDC-recommended 6 foot physical distancing;
(c) mark six-foot distancing lines outside the entrance to the store and at check-out counters, provide sufficient personnel to remind customers to observe such markings, and provide appropriate signage of the distance markings;
(d) provide hand sanitizers and/or fresh, unused gloves and, if available, face masks for each employee each day, and require them to be used while working, and post COVID-19 health safety guidelines, including re hand washing, for employees;
(e) provide either fresh, unused gloves or sanitizing wipes to customers prior to entering the store;
(f) if the store has carts for customer use, wipe the cart handles between use by different customers;
and
(g) provide a receptacle at all exits outside the store for the disposal of gloves and masks, labelled “used masks and gloves”, and, if feasible, establish one-way aisles inside the store and separate entrances/exits for customers.
The Police Department and Building Department are authorized to enforce this Local Emergency Order 1.1 in the following manner:
For the first violation, the Police or Building Department shall issue a Notice of Violation. For any subsequent violations, the Police or Building Department shall issue a Summons alleging a Class B misdemeanor as provided in Section 24(5) of the New York State Executive Law. The Town shall cause the names of those businesses to be posted on the Town website, which posting shall remain until the Chief of Police or Building Commissioner determines that the violation has been rectified.
This Local Emergency Order 1.1 shall become effective at 6:00 am, Friday, April 10, 2020. The statute orders have to be renewed or amended or extended every five days.
Given (a) the recent CDC research indicating that the vast majority of transmissions of the COVID-19 virus occur from symptomatic individuals, (b) the temperature-taking safety practice instituted by the retailers WalMart and Sam’s Club, and (c) the New York policy of responsibility of not exposing others to the COVID-19 virus, Notice is hereby given that it is my present intent, if I determine circumstances require this Order to be extended, to provide in the extended Order that grocery stores and pharmacies adopt the safety practice of non-invasive temperature taking of employees upon arrival at work and not allowing any individual with a temperature higher than the CDC guideline of 100.4F/38C to work. Notice is also given that Supervisor Feiner is additionally considering providing in the extended Order that grocery stores and pharmacies use non-invasive devices to take the temperatures of customers before they enter the store. He welcomes input on these safety practices, or alternative safety measures, from grocery stores and pharmacies and from residents.
I plan to contact the Governor’s office and Health departments and will likely require the non invasive temperature requirement next week when the order is extended unless I receive written notification from them that this cannot be done.
State Department of Health has Developed a Test to Detect Antibodies to the COVID-19 Infection in an Individual’s Blood
IssuesLetter to New York’s Congressional Delegation Outlining the State’s Need in the Next Federal COVID-19 Legislation
Relief for Approximately 300,000 New York Student Loan Borrowers Not Covered by Federal CARES Act
Agreement With Major Servicers Including, Navient, Nelnet, PHEAA, MOHELA, and Others Includes Deferred Collection of Payments, Waived Late Fees
Governor Signs Executive Order Allowing State to Redistribute Ventilators & Personal Protective Equipment to Hospitals with Highest Need
Confirms 8,174 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State – Bringing Statewide Total to 138,863; New Cases in 45 Counties
Earlier today, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the state will invest in private companies to bring rapid COVID-19 testing to scale and accelerate testing capacity. Businesses interested in working with the state to manufacture these rapid tests on a large scale should contact Empire State Development at 212-803-3100 or COVID19supplies@esd.ny.gov.
The Governor also announced that the State Department of Health has developed a test to detect antibodies to the COVID-19 infection in an individual’s blood. This test is an important step towards determining whether New Yorkers are developing immunity and when they could potentially return to work or school.
Governor Cuomo also issued a letter to New York’s Congressional Delegation outlining the state’s needs in the next federal COVID-19 legislation. The previous COVID-19 stimulus bills failed to adequately address New York’s revenue losses and included restrictions affecting the state’s Medicaid reforms.
The Governor also announced an agreement with the largest student loan servicers in New York to obtain relief for student loan borrowers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 who contact their private student loan servicer. Available relief includes 90 days of deferred monthly payments, waived late fees, no negative reporting to credit agencies, and enrolling eligible borrowers in available long-term assistance program.
The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, only provides relief to borrowers whose loans are owned by the federal government. This agreement with the student loan industry provides much-needed relief to these outstanding borrowers whose loans are privately owned.
The New York State Department of Financial Services will issue guidance that reflects and complements the State’s agreement with the private student loan industry and that also directs regulated student loan servicers to quickly and appropriately implement the relief provided by the federal CARES Act for borrowers whose loans are federally owned. New York student loan borrowers should visit DFS’ website for more information about available student loan relief.
The Governor today signed an Executive Order allowing the state to redistribute ventilators and personal protective equipment to hospitals with the highest need. The Executive Order also extends all NYS on Pause functions for an additional two weeks until April 29th and allows medical students that are slated to graduate to begin practicing immediately to help with the state’s surge health care force.
Finally, the Governor confirmed 8,174 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 138,863 confirmed cases in New York State. Of the 138,863 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows:
(WPCNR-computed LOCAL COUNTIES:
WESTCHESTER County has 510 new cases for a total of 14,804, an overnight increase of 3.6% as opposed to 4% yesterday
NEW YORK CITY: 76,876 UP, 4,695 from yesterday (72,181) a daily rate of increase of 6.5% compared to 6.8% yesterday
NASSAU COUNTY is up 994 to 16,610, a daily rate of increase of 6.3% down from 8.4% yesterday
SUFFOLK COUNTY gained 1,030 new cases to 14,517 up from 13,487 a 7.6% increase from yesterday, which declined from yesterday rate of 8.7%
ROCKLAND COUNTY HAS 5,999 CASES, UP 287 FROM 5,703 from yesterday, a daily rate of increase down to 5% from Sunday’s 7%
ORANGE HAS 3,559 cases increased from 3,397 yesterday, a rate of increase of 6% down significantly from yesterday’s 9.5%
DUTCHESS GAINED 60 MORE CASES TO 1,249, UP 5% SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN YESTERDAY’S 10.3%
ULSTER GAINED 26 CASES TO 399, increasing 7%, a rate of daily increase significantly lower than SUNDAY’S 12%
GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO ANNOUNCED THE FOURTH STRAIGHT DAY IN WHICH THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES HAD SLOWED AND SAID NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO STOP SOCIAL DISTANCING. HE SAID HE AND THE GOVERNORS OF CONNECTICUT AND NEW JERSEY WERE DISCUSSING HOW THE THREE STATES TOGETHER WOULD “REOPEN” FOR BUSINESS. HE SAID THEY HAD AGREED ALL THREE STATES WOULD OPEN TOGETHER. HE ALSO GIVES YOU THE LATEST FIGURES ON THE CORONAVIRUS ONSLAUGHT ON NEW YORK. (Albany Feed)
Mayor Tom Roach congratulated White Plains Citizens last night for their cooperation in social distancing and delivered words of encouragement and hope. (Video off the city online video of the Common Council meeting)
Governor Cuomo: “I spoke with the President this morning and asked if the USNS Comfort, the United States Navy Ship the Comfort, which is an additional 1,000 beds, could also take COVID patients. The original plan was they would do non-COVID patients from the hospital system. As it turns out, we don’t have many non-COVID symptoms because when you close everything down, the silver lining was traffic accidents, crime went down. So, we really need help with the COVID patients. The President spoke to the Department of Defense and granted that request to use the Navy Ship Comfort for COVID patients. So, that’s an additional 1,000 beds with federal personnel managing that ship. So, that’s a welcome relief and the President granted the request. … Between the 2,500 at the Javits Center and the 1,000 beds of the Comfort, that should be a major, major relief system for already overtaxed hospital system.”
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the federal government has granted his request to allow COVID-19 patients to be treated on the USNS Comfort. The approval will provide an additional 1,000 beds, staffed by federal personnel, to care for COVID-19 patients in New York. Governor Cuomo called President Trump earlier today to make the request. The Governor made today’s announcement during an interview with MSNBC’s Katy Tur.
