THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR

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

• Facility Operating Volumes – 13:43
• Facility Operating Adjustments to “Work Smart” – 15:26
• Port Authority Workforce Impacts – 18:43
• Employee Health and Safety Measures – 20:30
• Update on Major Construction Projects – Safety – 22.18
• Financial Condition – 23:04
• Federal Support – 24:10

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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.