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WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. From the Westchester County Department of Health. March 11, 2020:
The Westchester County Department of Health clarified for WPCNR travel policy in the Coronavirus Containment Zone established by Governor Cuomo Tuesday.
Residents within the Containment Zone who are under QUARANTINE in their homes because they are suspected of being exposed to the coronavirus, may not leave their homes.
Residents who are not under quarantine may according the Department of Health leave their homes, walk on the sidewalks, drive outside the quarantine zone and return to their homes
Persons who do not live in the containment zone are permitted to drive through the zone
The schools in the Containment zone will be closed effective Friday. The public schools to be closed are New Rochelle High School, Albert Leonard Middle School and Ward Elementary. Private Schools will also be closed.
The Containment Zone will be in effect until March 25, according to the Governor.
WPCNR CORONA VIRUS REPORTFrom the Office of New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson. March 10, 2019:
The Mayor of New Rochelle, Noam Bramson issued this statement after 2 PM today on Governor Cuomo’s decision to stablish a containment area in that city today. Here is Mr. Bramson’s statement:’
“To mitigate the spread of coronavirus in our community and elsewhere, State public health authorities have established a one-mile containment area from the epicenter of the outbreak within which large gatherings will be prohibited.
This affects several public and private schools, houses of worship, and potentially other large institutions in the Wykagyl area of New Rochelle’s North End.
To emphasize, this is purely a limitation on large gatherings; it is not a quarantine or exclusion zone, and it does not apply to individual residents and families or to individual businesses. We are still collaborating with State authorities to create a complete list of affected facilities and to provide appropriate guidance to them.
Additionally:
The City is assisting in the distribution of hand sanitizer from New York State to large institutions throughout New Rochelle, especially those serving seniors. At present, however, hand sanitizer is not available for the general public.
We are informed that the National Guard will be assisting with logistical and operational challenges in our community, including cleaning and the distribution of meals to students who rely on school lunches and breakfasts at schools that are closed. The Guard will not be engaged in military or Policing functions. The City stands ready to coordinate with and support the Guard’s efforts in any constructive fashion, and has activated our emergency operations center in order to be fully prepared for any requests.
As a reminder: public health experts have been clear that the great majority of those who contract coronavirus will recover without difficulty, and that we can protect ourselves and our families by following common sense public health guidelines. If you experience symptoms, please consult your doctor or health care provider.
New Rochelle is a strong and resilient community. Although this is a major challenge, we will meet it calmly, with seriousness of purpose, and with support for and from all of our neighbors.
Coronavirus Containment Area area announced by Governor Cuomo today in the North End of New Rochelle. (Map, the Governor’s Office)
WPCNR CORONAVIRUS REPORT. March 10, 2019:
Governor Cuomo has closed schools, worship places, and community gathering places in an area around a temple in New Rochelle, New York for two weeks, beginning Friday to halt the spread of the coronavirus disease in the area of the city where the first cases started in Westchester County.
NY National Guard troops have been assigned to help clean surfaces and deliver food in the area, a 1-mile-radius around a point near a synagogue connected to some existing cases, Cuomo said.
A testing facility will be set up in the area, schools within it will close for two weeks starting Friday and state and local officials are working to determine “large congregate facilities or gathering places” that also will shut down.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today accepted the recommendation of State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker for new emergency measures to contain the novel coronavirus cluster in New Rochelle.
The area currently has 108 confirmed cases and is considered a “cluster.” The protocols include closing schools, houses of worship and other large gathering facilities within a one-mile radius in New Rochelle for a two-week period, from Thursday, March 12th to Wednesday, March 25th.
The Governor confirmed 31 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 173 confirmed cases in New York State. Of the 173 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows:
Westchester: 108 (10 new)
New York City: 36 (17 new)
Nassau: 19 (2 new)
Rockland: 6 (2 new)
Saratoga: 2
Suffolk: 1
Ulster: 1
The Governor also announced the State will partner with Northwell Health to set up a satellite testing facility in New Rochelle. Visits would operate by appointment only. More information will be posted soon on the State Department of Health website.
“The largest cluster of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country is located in New Rochelle, and as the numbers continue to go up we need a special public health strategy to contain it,” Governor Cuomo said.
“We are moving from containment to mitigation, and because much of the transmission of this disease tends to happen on a geographic basis, we are attacking this hotspot at the source.
As the number of positive cases rises, I am urging all New Yorkers to remember the bottom line: we talk about all this stuff to keep the public informed — not to incite fear — and if you are not a member of the vulnerable population then there is no reason for excess anxiety.”
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “As we see the number of cases continue to rise based upon close contacts with persons who are positive for COVID-19, there is a particular need to reduce the opportunity for further close contacts. These opportunities include schools, churches, synagogues, and other event spaces where largenumbers of people gather and remain together for extended periods of time. Although we believe that the risk generally to New Yorkers is low, I have recommended this strategy to reduce opportunities for further spread with the goal of reducing the number of new cases we are seeing in New Rochelle.”
The list of facilities in the containment area is being promulgated in consultation with local partners including the County Executive and the Mayor of New Rochelle.
The State will work with impacted schools to ensure any child who currently depends on food assistance programs will continue to relieve those benefits during the two-week period.
We are continuing to see the number of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases rise.
The Governor today confirmed 37 additional cases in New York State, bringing the total to 142. 98 of those cases (16 new cases) are in Westchester County.
The City stepped up cleaning and disinfecting at all city buildings and facilities last week and continues to make this a priority.
White Plains Library Foundation 25th Anniversary Gala, which had been scheduled for March 14th, has been POSTPONED. The Foundation made this decision out of an abundance of caution and concern about the evolving nature of this outbreak.
It bears repeating since we know that many residents are concerned about community spread of COVID-19, specifically in White Plains.
At this time, for privacy and safety reasons, NYS DOH is not providing either municipal or county governments with specific information about where those who have tested positive live. The city, along with the county, is advocating for the state to release additional information.
Residents who are concerned and/or have questions about coronavirus should call the NYS DOH hotline at: 1-888-364-3065. This hotline is staffed 24/7. We urge everyone to continue to practice common sense preventive measures. While there is currently no vaccine to prevent this virus, these simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Stay home when you are sick. • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
In addition to general guidance provided to the public, NYS has been providing sector-specific guidance to groups such as health care workers and nursing homes. We expect more of this in the coming days. We continue to work with state, county, and local officials to ensure a coordinated response and will continue to update residents on a regular basis. For more information access these trustworthy resources: NYS DOH: https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/
In response to guidance that recommends social distancing to minimize the spread of COVID19, the White Plains Library Foundation is postponing its March 14th Gala. The Foundation made this decision out of an abundance of caution and concerns about the evolving circumstances in Westchester County.
Thank you for the incredible outpouring of support for the Foundation’s 25th Anniversary. We look forward to celebrating with you (and Erik Larson) at a future event, details to follow. Questions? Please contact Nancy Rubini, WPLF Executive Director, at nrubini@whiteplainslibrary.org or 914-422-1495.
We’ll also be in touch about getting guests their copies of The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson.
TOO COLD. TOO MANY PULLED MUSCLES . MORE DISABLED PLAYERS AHEAD. POSTPONEMENTS AND DAY-NIGHT DOUBLE HEADERS CERTAIN
WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK By “Bull” Allen, March 16, 2020
Hello there, Everbody, this is “Bull” Allen greeting you from the gondola at legendary Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg Florida and I’m drinking hot coffee, instead of a Balentine Ale and puffing away on a White Owl Wallop with frozen fingers.
I have to wonder whatever happened to Florida Spring
Training weather down here in the Grapefruit League. In Tampa last week, Suzyn
Waldman was in her down parka broadcasting the Yankee game back to New YORK,
and commenting on how the temperature was around 60 and how the wind was
howling through the Pittsburgh spring training field.
What she was saying was how cold spring training has been in
Florida this 2020 exhibition season.
Meanwhile, my heir apparent at the Yankee microphone, John
Sterling was commenting on the number of injuries already New York players have
experienced.
The cold weather in the Grapefruit League, with the
exception of the Judge injury, may have something to do with that.
But, you have not seen anything yet. They are set to open
the 2020 season on March 26.
Do you know where they are playing?
Here are the opening sites where games will be played from
March 26: New York, Cleveland, Chicago. Milwaukee, Baltimore, Toronto(Indoor stadium), Oakland, San Diego, L.A, Seattle, Cincinnati,
Tampa, Houston, Arizona. That is 7
northern sites, subject to the vagaries of late March weather.
Temperatures for afternoon games will on the Opening Day
weekend, and the second week of the season will be subject to 40 and 50 degree
temperatures if the northern cities are fortunate, or inclimate weather, wind,
snow flurries and of course the kind of cold weather that strains pitchers’
arms (hard to get loose), freezes fans, and makes today’s overly in-shape
players pull muscles on swings and the assorted tweaks, twinges and pains that
cold weather brings.
In New York, I remember a snow out on April 6 many years ago. I remember snow and wet grounds postponements in the middle west. I remember reschedules of day night double headers later in the season as baseball sought to play games rained out, snowed out or colded out in the first two weeks of last season. Does baseball learn? No. They keep moving back the start of the season earlier. The dumbest owners and management in sports.
In the 1950s the baseball season never started until April 15. There was a reason for that. You could not be assured of baseball weather until at least mid April, (and all baseball teams were located above the Mason-Dixon line). The farthest south city was St. Louis. You could not be assured of baseball weather until mid-April. Now with teams in the south there is no reason to schedule games in northern cities.
If you want to start the season on March 26, in the middle of the NCAA basketball tournament hysteria, do it in the south, schedule games in Los Angeles and San Francisco (which have two teams one in each league), San Diego, Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, Houston, Dallas, maybe St. Louis), and have northern clubs play back to back series in the south and do a southern swing. Do not schedule any northern games. But, nooooooo. Major League baseball is stupid. They do not use the southern venues to put northern teams into climes where they can actually play the games.
Also – could we eliminate night games in March, April and
early May or at least start them at twilight (5 PM), to assure some warmth in
Daylight Savings Time?
By far the most compelling reason to play the most games in
the southern tiers is injuries due to cold weather.
I once worked it out with baseball expanding to 32 teams, (adding Las Vegas), so baseball could play the first two weeks of the season in cities in the southern part of the country, to eliminate the horrid weather situations that exist in the northern part of the country. You simply do interleague play so northern teams play in the southpart of the country, opening in the north on April 10. I suggested it to Bud Selig in the 1990s, then the commissioner, and got a letter back from him. My letter may have been the catalyst for interleague play but sadly the schedule makers have never gotten the obvious message that the weather severely affects the health and interest of fans in the northern climates. Once you sit through a 40 degree opener in Yankee Stadium with snow flurries and winds whipping in out of the northeast, in $100 seats.
Coronavirus Update: March 8th, 2020This evening the District was informed that a faculty member at the Middle School tested positive today for COVID-19. The District is working with the Department of Health (DoH) to discuss the full extent of precautions that we should be taking. We have spoken with the Westchester County Health Commissioner this evening, and she recommended that we close our schools in an abundance of caution and take additional remedial measures as outlined below. Therefore, we will be closing all District schools from March 9-18, 2020, for continued cleaning, progress monitoring, and social-distancing.
The impacted faculty member is exhibiting mild illness, and the District’s response is designed to demonstrate vigilance and recognition of individuals who may be immuno-compromised. The DoH indicates that individuals of primary concern would be those who experienced direct, close contact with the affected faculty member. We are approaching this closure with the following priorities:
The first priority is the health and safety of those potentially impacted. We are already working with DoH Officials to contact any families who DoH officials feel need to be notified and given guidance for further actions. This communication will be ongoing and is likely to take time to complete, please understand that the Administration and DoH are working as fast as possible, but we must make sure that the information provided to families is correct.
Our second priority is to complete the thorough disinfection of all buildings, so as to minimize the possibility of contamination in our instructional spaces, common spaces, offices, etc.
Our third priority is to complete the development of systems and plans for continued instruction so that our faculty is ready to engage in e-learning starting Monday, March 16.
We recognize that this news will be concerning to many of our students and families. We ask that medical questions be directed to your family doctor/healthcare provider. Although staff will not be reporting to District buildings, principals and Central Office administrators will be available through email, and we will make every attempt to address your questions and concerns, as time allows.
Please note that a District-wide closure means all school-activities, meetings, and events, including sports, PTC events, etc. are canceled. We do not have any information on the makeup of any of these activities at this point. This will be communicated when, and if, these activities are rescheduled. Please stay tuned for updates as the next weeks unfold. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
WPCNR CORONAVIRUS UPDATE. From the Mayor’s Office. 5 PM EDT March 8, 2020:
As of today the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) is reporting 105 cases of coronavirus in the state, 82 of which are in Westchester County.
We know that many residents are concerned about community spread of COVID-19, specifically in White Plains.
At this time, for privacy and safety reasons, NYS DOH is not providing either municipal or county governments with specific information about where those who have tested positive live.
Residents who are concerned and/or have questions about coronavirus should call the NYS DOH hotline at: 1-888-364-3065. This hotline is staffed 24/7. We urge everyone to continue to practice common sense preventive measures. While there is currently no vaccine to prevent this virus, these simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Stay home when you are sick. • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
In addition to general guidance provided to the public, NYS has been providing sector-specific guidance to groups such as health care workers and nursing homes. We expect more of this in the coming days. We continue to work with state, county, and local officials to ensure a coordinated response and will continue to update residents on a regular basis. For more information access these trustworthy resources: NYS DOH: https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/
MAYOR TOM ROACH INTRODUCES NEW CITY JUDGE, LYNETTE SPAULDINGJOHN BAILEY ONBRIAN KENNY AND EILEEN MCLAIN ON THE CENUS–WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, AND SCAMS TO AVOIDMAYOR INTRODUCES NEW CITY COURT JUDGEJOHN BAILEY REPORTING
WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. March 6, 2020:
uring a briefing on the novel coronavirus, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today confirmed 11 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 33 confirmed cases in New York State.
Of the new cases identified since yesterday, eight are located in Westchester County, two are located in Rockland County and one is located in New York City.
Of the 33 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows:
Nassau County: 1
Rockland County: 2
New York City: 4
Westchester County: 26
“While the overall risk level of the novel coronavirus in New York remains low, I want New Yorkers to know that I’m not urging calm. I’m urging reality. I’m urging a factual response as opposed to an emotional response,” Governor Cuomo said. “In New York we have the most sophisticated healthcare system on the globe, and we are continuing to prioritize testing, quarantine protocols and containment tracking to keep New Yorkers safe.”
Additionally, the Governor announced that a New York State interagency task force is continuing to coordinate with local governments and healthcare partners to monitor and respond to the novel coronavirus outbreak. Members of the task force include:
Linda Lacewell, Department of Financial Services, Superintendent
Dr. Howard Zucker, Department of Health, Commissioner
Melissa DeRosa, Secretary to the Governor
Beth Garvey, Special Counsel
Gareth Rhodes, Department of Financial Services, Deputy Superintendent
Simonida Subotic, Deputy Secretary for Economic Development
Kelly Cummings, Director of State Operations and Infrastructure
Michael Kopy, Director of Emergency Management
Patrick Murphy, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Commissioner
RoAnn Destito, Office of General Services, Commissioner
Pat Foye, MTA, Chairman & CEO
Rick Cotton, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Executive Director
Dan Fuller, Deputy Secretary for Education
Sandra Beattie, Division of Budget, Deputy Director
