ASSEMBLYMAN CHRIS BURDICK ON COVID SURGE

WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. December 22, 2021:

Dear Friends,

The rising number of COVID-19 cases in both Westchester and across the state is extremely concerning. I have been in touch with the Governor’s office, advocating for the distribution of free home test kits, a return to drive-through testing facilities, and to make boosters more readily available.

I know that dealing with the surge in cases is of utmost importance to the Governor (who recently announced new funding to help counties deal with their COVID-19 response), and I will continue to keep the community posted as additional pandemic-related information is made available.

Meanwhile, the best way to stay safe in the face of this surge is to continue to wear a mask – especially in indoor public spaces – and to get yourself vaccinated and boosted. 

If you have not yet been vaccinated, I urge you to do so right away. If you are vaccinated and eligible for a booster, please get it. The vaccine and boosters are widely available at state-run locations and through many pharmacies and health care providers. The Governor also recently announced that 40 pop-up vaccine sites have opened across the state to fight the winter surge.

 For those looking for the pediatric Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11,


the state has opened a pediatric site at Westchester Medical Center’s Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital (please click here to schedule an appointment). 

The County will also be holding a clinic for children ages 5-11 to receive their first Pfizer pediatric dose on December 28 from 2:00-6:30 pm. Appointments are necessary and can be made here.
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MAYOR ROACH WARNS OF SHARP INCREASE IN COVID CASES IN WHITE PLAINS. MAYOR REPORTS HE TESTED POSITIVE BUT HAS ONLY LIGHT SYMPTOMS OF COVID. “SNIFFLES.” CITY HALL CLINIC FOR VACCINATIONS SCHEDULED FOR DEC. 28

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL From the City of White Plains, Mayor’s Office. December 21, 2021:

In a Tuesday telephone robocall to the citizerns of White Plains, Mayor Thomas Roach reported a sharp rise in active covid cases in Whitr Plains. Here is a transcript of that call:


“We are continuing to see an increase in the number of COVID cases in our city and in Westchester County.

There are currently 481 active cases in White Plains. Today, 65 new cases were reported.

White Plains Hospital reports under 20 COVID hospitalizations at this time and they are continuing to perform elective procedures. This disparity is due to the high number of vaccinated individuals in our community who are far less likely to suffer serious illness or be hospitalized than those who are not. 

I am a case in point. As many of you know, I recently tested positive and I can tell you it was good to know that I had already taken the steps necessary to protect myself.

I have had limited symptoms, essentially mild nasal congestion. I credit the vaccines and booster I received for preventing more serious illness. I am extremely grateful for all the well wishes I have received, Thank you, White Plains! 

The Omicron variant is highly contagious, it is essential that if you are already vaccinated you get your booster as soon as possible as it increases your protection significantly!

The City will host a clinic on Tuesday, December 28th from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at City Hall. We will be offering booster doses as well as first and second doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to White Plains residents. In order to participate in this free clinic, you must register in advance. The registration link is posted on the City website, cityofwhiteplains.com, as well as on our Facebook and twitter pages. 

The Governor’s order requiring that masks be worn in all indoor public places unless the business or venue implements a vaccine requirement remains in effect statewide.

Even if you are vaccinated, mask wearing is an effective way to reduce your risk. Masks such as the n95 and Kn95, when worn properly, can provide greater protection than a simple paper or cloth mask and I encourage you to make use of them to protect yourself. 

Due to the Christmas holiday, all City offices will be closed on Friday, December 24th As a result, if you live on a Monday / Thursday garbage collection route, your trash will be picked up tomorrow. If you live on a Tuesday / Friday garbage collection route, your trash will be picked up on Thursday. There will be no paper recycling this week. Paper recycling will resume on Wednesday, December 29th. Happy holidays! 

Keep safe, get boosted, wear your masks! On to a better year 2022! 

______________________________________________________________________________

Seguimos viendo un aumento en la cantidad de casos de COVID en nuestra ciudad y en el condado de Westchester. Actualmente hay 481 casos activos en White Plains. Hoy se registraron 65 casos nuevos. El hospital de White Plains tiene menos de 20 personas hospitalizadas por COVID en este momento y continúan realizando cirugías de rutina. Esto se debe a la gran cantidad de personas vacunadas en nuestra comunidad que tienen muchas menos probabilidades de sufrir una enfermedad grave o ser hospitalizadas que las que no lo están.

El alcalde es un ejemplo de ello. Recientemente fue diagnosticado con covid. Como está vacunado y tiene la vacuna de refuerzo, los síntomas que ha estado experimentando han sido leves, principalmente congestión nasal y torácica. ¡Está muy agradecido por todos los buenos deseos que le han mandado! ¡Gracias, White Plains!

La variante Omicron es altamente contagiosa, es esencial que si ya está vacunado reciba su vacuna de refuerzo lo antes posible, ¡esto lo protegerá más!

La Ciudad ofrecerá una clínica de vacunación / refuerzo el martes 28 de diciembre de 5:30 a 8:00 pm. Ofreceremos la dosis de refuerzo, así como la primera y segunda dosis de las vacunas Moderna y Pfizer. Para participar en esta clínica gratuita registrese en cityofwhiteplains.com, el enlace también estará en Facebook y Twitter.

La orden de la gobernadora requiere que se usen mascarillas en todos los lugares públicos cerrados a menos que el establecimiento implemente un requisito de vacuna. Esto está en vigencia en todo el estado. Incluso si está vacunado, el uso de mascarillas es una forma eficaz de reducir su riesgo. Las mascarillas como la n95 y la Kn95, cuando se usan correctamente, pueden brindar una mayor protección que las de papel o tela. 

En celebración de Navidad  todas las oficinas de la Ciudad estarán cerradas el viernes 24 de diciembre. 

Si vive en una ruta de recolección de basura de lunes a jueves, su basura se recogerá el miércoles de esta semana. Si vive en una ruta de recolección de basura de martes / viernes, su basura se recogerá el martes y jueves de esta semana. No habrá reciclaje de papel durante esta semana. El reciclaje de papel se reanudará el miércoles 29 de diciembre.

Su alcalde quisiera desearles unas felices fiestas. ¡Manténgase seguro! esperamos que el próximo año sea mejor. Si además se pone su vacuna de refuerzo, tendrá una protección muy fuerte incluso contra enfermedades sintomáticas.

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WHITE PLAINS SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS–REMARKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABUSE BY STUDENTS: SEVERE CONSEQUENCES. CONGRATIULATES STUDENTS AND PARENTS ON THE FIRST HALF OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. DECEMBER 21, 2021:


Happy Holidays from the WPCSD!

Yes, as you know, we are still addressing the lingering challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Still – we are winning!

We know that COVID-19 will continue to be a fact of life into the future, and we will not allow that to hinder our progress as we continue to educate our 7,000+ students.  Although as predicted, we are seeing an increase in case numbers, our students are producing excellent results and we are so proud of our school community! \

In collaboration with White Plains Hospital, we are now hosting vaccination clinics for 5-11-year-old students, family members and those in need of initial vaccination.  In fact, one of our first graders was the winner of a full scholarship to any SUNY/CUNY college/university in a statewide lottery of children who are being vaccinated! Imagine that – 1st grade and our Tiger already has a ‘full ride’ to college!

This has been another complex year.

There can be no doubt that we live in difficult times, and in the interest of continued transparency, we want to share a message with you that we delivered to our school community recently, affecting the safety and security of our children. 

We have experienced two instances of students making threats on social media. 

Although neither of these were a credible danger to our community, we, in conjunction with the White Plains Police Department, will always take any threat seriously and we will intervene immediately. 

We urge you to help us deliver the message that the responsible use of social media is critically important.  Safety and security are our first priorities and disciplinary consequences will be severe. 

These decisions to misuse social media can impact a child’s entire lifetime. Our message to our Tigers can be found HERE. 

You may also be interested in watching a documentary, “The Social Dilemma,” on this topic.  Here’s the link:  https://www.netflix.com/title/81254224

Of course, it’s December and that means college acceptances are starting to roll in.  So far, our students have been admitted to St. John’s University, SUNY Buffalo, Yale University, SUNY Albany, Indiana University, Cornell University, Temple University, Iona College, Penn State and more.  We congratulate our seniors and look forward to learning of more acceptances as we move through the academic year.

Our student athletes are also keeping us #WPProud, with 172 students named Scholar-Athletes for the fall season at the December Board of Education Meeting.   Teams honored include Football, Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country, Field Hockey, Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer, Girls’ Tennis, Girls’ Volleyball, Girls’ Swimming & Diving and Cheerleading.  Several teams won League championships and five swimmers, one diver, and one cross-country runner represented White Plains in the State Championships.  One swimmer placed first and was named All American.  We have a whole lot to be proud of in the WPCSD!

Finally, we wish you a wonderful, safe, and healthy holiday season! As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments and/or concerns!

Respectfully,

Joseph Ricca

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