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County’s New #SpeakUpWestchester Campaign Urges Residents to Report Incidents of Hate & Discrimination

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Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Westchester District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah are encouraging any victim or witness a hate crime, bias or hate incident to report it and not stay silent.

 (White Plains, NY) – With hate crimes on the rise in the region and bias incidents occurring in local communities, Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Westchester District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah are urging Westchester County residents to speak up.  To that end, they have launched #SpeakUpWestchester campaign, and encourage those who are the victim or witness a hate crime, bias or hate incident to report it.

To encourage more reporting the Westchester County Human Rights Commission has launched a new webpage to report incidents of bias hate or discrimination anonymously (or with your contact information) at www.westchestergov.com/biasreporting

Additionally, Rocah has launched a new hotline where a victim or witnesses of a hate crime or bias incident can report it to the Westchester County District Attorney at 914-995-TIPS (914-995-8477) or through their website at www.WestchesterDA.net.  Experienced Assistant District Attorneys will follow up all tips and complaints received.

Latimer said: “Westchester County takes all incidents of violence and hate seriously. We condemn any act that targets a person or group of people because of their actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or other protected category. Recently, Asian Americans have been targeted around the country–and it must stop.” 

Rocah said: “Hate crimes and bias incidents impact all of us, because they create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation that keeps us from feeling safe and secure in our homes and communities. The District Attorney’s office is committed to working in close coordination with law enforcement, the County Human Rights Commission and community groups to fight hate and bias in Westchester. Reporting hate crimes and bias incidents helps us in that fight, and our new hotline is another way to let us know quickly and easily if you have been a victim of a crime or have witnessed a crime.”

While hate incidents do not always violate the law, they should always be reported by those targeted and bystanders.

  • If you need emergency assistance call 911
  • If you were the victim of a violent attack, call your local police department.
  • If you were the victim of an incident of bias, hate or discrimination, call the Westchester County Human Rights Commission (914) 995-7710 or email at HumanRights@westchestergov.com.  
  • If you are a victim or witnesses of a hate crime or bias incident call (914) 995-TIPS or visit www.WestchesterDA.net

Latimer said: “We applaud the leadership of the District Attorney of this important topic.  Westchester County is a striking tapestry of people from all different walks-of-life, who hold different values, who love different people and who have ancestors from different countries – we must never forget that these differences are what make us the Westchester we call home.”

Via news from the office of the Westchester County Executive

 

 

More than 6.5 Million COVID Vaccine Doses Administered Across New York State

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Governor Cuomo Announced 130,350 Doses Administered Across New York State in the Last 24 Hours     

More than 1 Million Doses Administered Over Past Seven Days     

Vaccine Dashboard Will Update Daily to Provide Updates on the State’s Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker           

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state’s vaccination program. 130,350 doses have been administered across New York’s vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and more than 1 million doses have been administered over the past seven days. The week 13 allocation of 795,155 first and second doses is expected to finish arriving today. New York providers have now administered 89.7 percent of total doses and 94.3 percent of first doses delivered in weeks 1 to 13. Delivery of the week 14 allocation begins mid-week.              

“Thanks to our robust distribution infrastructure across the state and the men and women who work tirelessly to get shots into people’s arms, we are quickly working through our weekly vaccine supply,” Governor Cuomo said. “We are still millions of shots away from critical mass, and as our weekly allocation from the federal government grows, we will ramp up our efforts to continue our outreach to underserved communities and the most vulnerable New Yorkers. I salute all New Yorkers for how far we have come in our fight against COVID, and in order to maintain and build on our remarkable progress, it is important that we continue to be vigilant as we proceed with getting more people vaccinated.”       

New York’s vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.                

The ‘Am I Eligible’ screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:

  • Doctor’s letter, or
  • Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
  • Signed certification

Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state’s vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government’s Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11AM today is as follows.              

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

Total doses administered – 6,577,070 

Total doses administered over past 24 hours – 130,350

Total doses administered over past 7 days – 1,059,488

Percent of New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose – 22.1%

Percent of New Yorkers with completed vaccine series – 11.3%  

 

  People with at least one vaccine dose People with complete vaccine series
Region Cumulative

Total

 Increase over past

24 hours

 Cumulative

Total

 Increase over past

24 hours
Capital Region 271,866 3,832 136,911 2,396
Central New York 245,670 3,807 131,729 2,076
Finger Lakes 279,554 5,087 144,813 2,675
Long Island 504,146 7,616 279,976 5,820
Mid-Hudson 421,148 7,766 214,194 3,820
Mohawk Valley 120,622 1,964 64,787 1,546
New York City 1,995,286 47,552 977,121 27,764
North Country 140,785 1,101 77,794 1,142
Southern Tier 148,057 2,445 77,169 1,417
Western New York 289,025 4,944 160,269 1,995
Statewide 4,416,159 86,114 2,264,763 50,651

 

 

 
              		 1st doses fully delivered to New York Providers  2nd doses fully delivered to New York Providers  TOTAL CUMULATIVE
Week 1

Doses arriving 12/14 – 12/20

 163,650 0 163,650 163,650
Week 2

Doses arriving 12/21 – 12/27

 452,125 0 452,125  615,775
Week 3

Doses arriving 12/28 – 01/03

 227,395 0 227,395 843,170
Week 4

Doses arriving 01/04 – 01/10

 239,025 165,150 404,175 1,247,345
Week 5

Doses arriving 01/11 – 01/17

 221,315 119,925  

341,240

  

1,588,585
Week 6

Doses arriving

01/18- 01/24

 250,400 462,395  

712,795

  

2,301,380
Week 7

Doses arriving

01/25 – 01/31

 260,150 239,525 499,675 2,801,055
Week 8

Doses arriving

02/01 – 02/07

 321,850 220,720 542,570 3,343,625
Week 9

Doses arriving

02/8 – 02/14

 320,000 244,500 564,500 3,908,125
Week 10

Doses arriving

2/15 –               
2/21

 356,990 265,525 622,515 4,530,640
Week 11

Doses arriving

2/22 – 2/28 

 393,530 305,780 699,310 5,229,950
Week 12

Doses arriving

03/01 – 03/07* 

 1,020,660 290,500 1,311,160 6,541,110
Week 13 Doses arriving 03/08 – 03/14 455,365 339,790 795,155 7,336,265

 

 

Region Total Doses Received Total Doses Administered % of Total Doses Administered/Received
Capital Region 449,300 405,422 90.2%
Central New York 417,835 363,971 87.1%
Finger Lakes 459,945 417,405 90.8%
Long Island 856,830 771,758 90.1%
Mid-Hudson 706,510 618,039 87.5%
Mohawk Valley 208,120 183,693 88.3%
New York City 3,258,485 2,935,856 90.1%
North Country 238,240 217,916 91.5%
Southern Tier 262,985 222,873 84.7%
Western New York 478,015 440,137 92.1%
Statewide 7,336,265 6,577,070 89.7%

 

New Yorkers seeking to determine eligibility and schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site, can visit the ‘Am I Eligible’ website. New Yorkers may also call their local health department, pharmacy, doctor, or hospital for additional information and to schedule appointments where vaccines are available.          

The COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker Dashboard is available to update New Yorkers on the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The New York State Department of Health requires vaccinating facilities to report all COVID-19 vaccine administration data within 24 hours; the vaccine administration data on the dashboard is updated daily to reflect the most up-to-date metrics in the state’s vaccination effort.    

New Yorkers who suspect fraud in the vaccine distribution process can now call 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226) toll-free or email the state Department of Health at STOPVAXFRAUD@health.ny.gov. Hotline staff will route complaints to the appropriate investigative agencies to ensure New Yorkers are not being taken advantage of as the State works to vaccinate the entire eligible population.        

 

The information in this post was via a news release from Governor Cuomo’s office.

Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center Presents: Memory Keepers Story Hour

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March and April Dates for the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) Spring 2021 Memory Keepers Story Hour Featuring GenerationsForward Speakers

These events are offered on a virtual online platform, and feature HHREC Holocaust Survivors, Liberators, and GenerationsForward speakers – a second and third generation group that includes children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors.

The event series started in January with Hannah Deutch, a Holocaust Survivor from the HHREC  Speakers Bureau, as she shared intimate details about her extraordinary experience as witness to Kristallnacht, her transport on the Kindertransport, internment on the Isle of Man, and her career as a nurse.

The HHREC, based in White Plains, NY, launched the Memory Keepers Story Hour series in 2020 in support of their mission – to teach the lessons of the Holocaust, to promote the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect, and to encourage speaking up and acting against all forms of hate, bigotry, and prejudice. The HHREC has been inviting guests to attend these events to hear members of their Speakers Bureau share their family’s uniquely powerful Holocaust experiences and present their testimonies to their origins. The HHREC Memory Keepers Speakers Bureau includes 26 Holocaust Survivors, 3 Honorary Holocaust Liberator Speakers, and 36 GenerationsForward Speakers who tell their stories from a “next generation” perspective, adding new meaning to the survivors’ powerful stories.

“These stories provide a unique opportunity to hear from a very special group of Survivors and next generation family members into the consequences of human hate, and help people reflect, as they realize that choices matter, that one person can make a difference” said HHREC Executive Director Millie Jasper. She added “We are eternally grateful for the contributions from these courageous men and women who share their stories of survival and personal experiences from the Holocaust. Sadly, the number of our Survivors is dwindling, and we are taking great care to recognize what they mean to all of us and preserve their memories and the impact they have had – and will continue to have – for future generations.”

The HHREC Spring 2021 Memory Keepers Story Hour speaker series began featuring GenerationsForward speaker  Debby Ziering on March 11. 

The remaining schedule this spring:

March 18 – Barbara Lewis Kaplan, GenerationsForward

April 15 – Kathy Grosz-Zaltas, GenerationsForward

April 22 – Wendy Sandler, GenerationsForward

April 29 – Michelle Gewanter, GenerationsForward

All virtual events begin at 7 p.m. To register for these events, email Millie Jasper mjasper@hhrecny.org for Zoom log-in information or call  the HHREC at 914.696.0738.

About The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center:

The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center is a not-for-profit organization based in White Plains New York that serves Westchester, Fairfield and neighboring counties. Their Mission is to enhance the teaching and learning of the lessons of the Holocaust and the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect. We encourage students to speak up and act against all forms of bigotry and prejudice. Their work with students and teachers helps schools fulfill the New York State mandate that the Holocaust and other human rights abuses be included in their curriculum. Since 1994, they have brought the lessons of the Holocaust, genocide and human rights crimes to more than 1750 teachers, and through them to thousands of middle and high school students. Through their volunteer Educators Program Committee, the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center gives teachers the unique opportunity to develop programs for themselves and others. These programs not only enrich teachers’ knowledge about the Holocaust and related issues, but they   also provide the lens through which to view all other human rights violations. For more information call 914.696.0738 email info@hhrecny.org 

 

 

 

60 and Up, New Yorker? Come Get Your Shot Too

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New Yorkers 60 Years of Age and Older Can Be Vaccinated Beginning March 10

Government Employees, Nonprofit Workers, and Essential Building Service Workers Are Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine Beginning March 17

Vaccine Distribution Eligibility Expanded; All Providers Except Pharmacies Can Now Vaccinate Any Eligible New Yorker Starting March 17; Pharmacies Can Vaccinate 60-plus and Teachers Per Federal Guidance Starting March 10

New Yorkers Can Make Appointments at State-Run Vaccination Sites by Utilizing New York’s ‘Am I Eligible’ Tool or Calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new expansion of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in New York. Beginning March 10, all New Yorkers 60 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine, while public facing essential workers from governmental and nonprofit entities will be eligible beginning March 17. This expansion also includes public-facing essential building services workers.

Additionally, the Governor announced that with increased supply of the vaccine, restrictions concerning which segments of the eligible population specific providers can vaccinate will be relaxed to align with the expanded eligibility on March 17. Previously, certain types of providers were directed to focus their vaccination efforts on specific populations to ensure equitable vaccine distribution. For example, hospitals vaccinated health care workers, local health departments vaccinated essential workers and pharmacies vaccinated New Yorkers 65 years of age and older. Now, providers will be able to vaccinate any eligible New Yorker, with the exception of pharmacies, which will focus on individuals over the age of 60 and teachers, in line with federal policy. Pharmacies may begin vaccinating individuals over the age of 60 and teachers on March 10. As part of this effort, providers are being encouraged to vaccinate those New Yorkers most at risk, such as individuals 60 years of age and older and people with comorbidities and underlying health conditions.

“New York is marching forward expanding access to the COVID-19 vaccine, addressing underserved communities and getting shots in arms as we turn the tide in the fight against this virus,” Governor Cuomo said. “Supply is steadily increasing and we’re opening new vaccination sites and expanding eligibility to match it. New Yorkers over 60 years old and those who serve their fellow New Yorkers in the public sector are more vulnerable to COVID-19, and we’re addressing that vulnerability by providing access to the vaccine. The fight against the COVID beast continues on all fronts, and we’re pushing the infection rate down while getting our vaccinations up.”

Under this new expansion of eligibility, the following essential workers will now be eligible to begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on March 17:

  • Public-facing government and public employees
  • Not-for-profit workers who provide public-facing services to New Yorkers in need
  • Essential in-person public-facing building service workers

This includes workers such as public works employees, social service and child service caseworkers, government inspectors, sanitation workers, DMV workers, County Clerks, building service workers and election workers – the everyday heroes who have been showing up day in and day out throughout this pandemic.

New York’s vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to this limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.   

CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said, “Since the start of this pandemic, essential front line public workers have risked their own safety and the safety of their families to make sure our state and local governments keep providing needed services to all New Yorkers. We are gratified to hear all these workers will now be eligible for the vaccine. They deserve to be protected so that New York can fully and safely reopen.”

NY AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento said, “Our essential workers have been on the front lines since the start of this pandemic to ensure our communities can continue to function in the midst of this crisis. While many essential workers have already been vaccinated, it is now time to ensure the rest of the individuals who are going to work every day and interacting with the public are protected against this virus and can keep themselves and their families safe. I thank Governor Cuomo for expanding vaccine eligibility to even more public-facing essential workers and for the state’s ongoing efforts to vaccinate every single New Yorker.”

32BJ SEIU President Kyle Bragg said, “We applaud Governor Cuomo for adding building service workers to the vaccine eligibility list. Building service workers have protected the city during the pandemic and will now get the protection they need to stay safe. Building service workers like door staff, supers, cleaners, security officers, resident managers, porters helped New Yorkers to get through the pandemic and are vital to the city’s recovery. Their health and safety is tied to the city’s health and safety.”

DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido said, “District Council 37 members have put their lives on the line every day to provide essential services New Yorkers rely on. Prioritizing our workers for vaccine eligibility is the right thing to do. It keeps them, their families and their communities safe. I applaud this expansion.”

Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association Local 831 IBT President Harry Nespoli said, “We have been in constant communication with the governor’s office on this issue and are very happy that our members will be eligible to receive vaccinations. Upwards of 25% of our members have been infected by COVID-19 and, tragically, four died. We greatly appreciate the governor’s actions.

Eligible New Yorkers will be able to schedule appointments at state vaccination sites by utilizing New York’s ‘Am I Eligible’ website or by calling the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).

New York is maintaining and expanding a vast vaccine distribution network. On March 8, Governor Cuomo announced that as the federal vaccine supply continues to increase, New York will establish 10 additional state-run mass vaccination sites in the New York City, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Capital, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley and Western New York regions to further grow New York’s vast distribution network. The sites remain in development and are expected to launch in the coming weeks. Final details, including appointment scheduling information and hours of operation will be released in the coming days. 

Not only has New York already established 13 other state-run mass vaccination sites, but in order to meet the Governor’s mandate to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of the vaccine, numerous other sites have been established to ensure those New Yorkers living in underserved communities have direct access to the vaccine. This includes six joint state-FEMA community-based vaccination sites, the Yankee Stadium mass vaccination site, and more than 120 community-based pop-up sites in public housing developments, churches and community centers.

All of the above News is via the Office of the New York Governor.

March 6 Update On the New York State Vaccination Program

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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced more than 3.5 million New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of 11AM today, New York providers have administered 96 percent of first doses so far delivered. The Week 12 allocation from the federal government is in the process of being delivered to providers for administration.   

“While we are seeing good progress in our fight to lower the infection rate and continuing to open up sectors of our economy, we must double down on getting more people vaccinated because this is what will determine our long-term success,” Governor Cuomo said. “With more than 3.5 million New Yorkers having now received at least one shot of the vaccine, our team is on the ground working with local leaders to make the vaccine accessible to all New Yorkers so we can get even more shots into people’s arms. We finally have a strong ally in the White House who understands the urgency of an effective vaccine distribution infrastructure, and we will continue to work with providers here in New York to make sure they have the resources they need to operate at maximum capacity.”      

Approximately 10 million New Yorkers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. New York’s vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.  

The ‘Am I Eligible’ screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:  

  • Doctor’s letter, or
  • Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
  • Signed certification 

Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state’s vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government’s Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11AM today is as follows. Beginning week 9, allocation totals are inclusive of some excess vaccine doses that have been reallocated from the federal Long Term Care Facility program. The allocation totals below include 80 percent of the week 12 allocation which will finish being distributed to New York provider sites on Sunday.   

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

First Doses Received – 3,676,500

First Doses Administered – 3,517,416; 96%

Total Doses Received – 5,932,415

Total Doses Administered – 5,342,262 

 

Region Total Doses Received

(1st and 2nd)

 Total Doses Administered

(1st and 2nd)

 % of Total Doses Administered/Received

(1st and 2nd)
Capital Region 362,535 331,895 91.5%
Central New York 323,750 288,915 89.2%
Finger Lakes 360,125 336,862 93.5%
Long Island 754,445 643,250 85.3%
Mid-Hudson 569,145 490,445 86.2%
Mohawk Valley 175,510 148,801 84.8%
New York City 2,605,710 2,371,511 91.0%
North Country 194,200 180,784 93.1%
Southern Tier 196,235 185,274 94.4%
Western New York 390,760 364,525 93.3%
Statewide 5,932,415 5,342,262 90.1%

 

 

 

 

 1st doses fully delivered to New York Providers  2nd doses fully delivered to New York Providers  TOTAL CUMULATIVE
Week 1

Doses arriving 12/14 – 12/20

 163,650 0 163,650 163,650
Week 2

Doses arriving 12/21 – 12/27

 452,125 0  

 452,125

 

  615,775
Week 3

Doses arriving 12/28 – 01/03

 227,395 0 227,395 843,170
Week 4

Doses arriving 01/04 – 01/10

 239,025 165,150 404,175  

1,247,345
Week 5

Doses arriving 01/11 – 01/17

 221,315 119,925  

341,240

  

1,588,585
Week 6

Doses arriving

01/18- 01/24

 250,400 462,395  

712,795

  

2,301,380
Week 7

Doses arriving

01/25 – 01/31

 260,150 239,525 499,675  

2,801,055
Week 8

Doses arriving

02/01 – 02/07

 321,850 220,720 542,570  

3,343,625
Week 9

Doses arriving

02/8 – 02/14

 320,000 244,500 564,500 3,908,125
Week 10

Doses arriving

2/15 –  
2/21

 356,990 265,525  

622,515

 

 4,530,640
Week 11

Doses arriving

2/22 – 2/28 

 393,530 305,780 699,310 5,229,950
Week 12

Doses arriving

03/01 – 03/07* 

  

470,070

  

232,405

 702,465 5,932,415

*These numbers represent 80 percent of the Week 12 Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The full Week 12 allocation is expected to arrive by the end of day Sunday, March 7. 

To date, New York providers have administered 96 percent of first doses received from the federal government but due to the federal government’s limited allocation, appointments have filled up quickly. New Yorkers seeking to determine eligibility and schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site, can visit the ‘Am I Eligible’ website. New Yorkers may also call their local health department, pharmacy, doctor, or hospital for additional information and to schedule appointments where vaccines are available. 

The COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker Dashboard is available to update New Yorkers on the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The New York State Department of Health requires vaccinating facilities to report all COVID-19 vaccine administration data within 24 hours; the vaccine administration data on the dashboard is updated daily to reflect the most up-to-date metrics in the state’s vaccination effort. 

New Yorkers who suspect fraud in the vaccine distribution process can now call 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226) toll-free or email the state Department of Health at STOPVAXFRAUD@health.ny.gov. Hotline staff will route complaints to the appropriate investigative agencies to ensure New Yorkers are not being taken advantage of as the State works to vaccinate the entire eligible population.

The above information was via news sent by the office of the New York State Governor.