The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Surviving COVID-19

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.

 

Governor Cuomo Announces $25 Million in Additional Funding for Nourish New York

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States Goal is to Deliver New York-Produced Agricultural Products to Families in Need Through July

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an additional $25 million has been directed to New York’s network of food banks and emergency food providers to support the Nourish New York program through July 2021. Since the Governor launched Nourish NY at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, 21 million pounds of surplus agricultural products have been purchased from New York farmers and delivered to more than 1.3 million households in need across New York State. Purchasing and food distribution using this third round of funding – which was first announced during the Governor’s 2021 State of the State Address – are currently underway. Since the launch of Nourish NY, a total of $60 million has been invested in the program. 

“New York is on the path to recovery from the pandemic, but there is a continued need to assist families and our farmers across the state who are still struggling,” Governor Cuomo said. “Since its launch last spring, the Nourish New York initiative has had incredible success in connecting our agricultural producers with food banks in every corner of the state to bring fresh local foods to families in need. This third round of funding will help ensure that no New Yorker goes hungry and households have access to nutritious foods – while also supporting New York’s agricultural economy.”

The Nourish New York program provides funds to New York’s food banks and emergency food providers, who then purchase agricultural products from New York farmers and dairy manufacturers and deliver the food to families in need. Emergency food providers can use Nourish New York funds to:

  • Set up food-drive through events/giveaways;
  • Distribute dairy vouchers that can be redeemed in grocery stores for products like cheese, yogurt, milk, sour cream, and butter, throughout the state, and/or;
  • Purchase products directly from New York dairy/food manufacturers for their feeding programs.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers experienced a drastic supply chain shift, which resulted in the loss of markets and income and in the waste of fresh surplus foods, particularly fluid milk. Simultaneously, the demand for food through emergency food providers escalated across the state. Seeing the opportunity to feed residents and aid farmers, the Governor launched the Nourish New York initiative. This initiative provided $25 million in funding for the first round and $10 million in the second round of the program for the purchase of foods grown, raised, or processed in New York State and has served as an important alternative revenue stream for farmers and dairy processors during the pandemic.  More than 4,150 farms have been impacted through the program.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Over the last 10 months, the Nourish New York program has helped feed more than one million families with nutritious dairy, fruits and vegetables, and so much more, and helped make sure our farmers had a market for their products. We are proud of the connections that have been made and thank the Governor for the continued commitment to purchase goods from New York State farmers and ensure that all New Yorkers have access to healthy foods.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “Throughout the pandemic, resources for many have been stretched due to job loss and other hardship.  Nourish New York, an example of the Health Across All Policies initiative, allows food banks and farmers to fill a vital public health need by ensuring that the nutritious foods that keep us healthy are reaching the tables of families who need it the most.” 
Feeding New York State Executive Director Dan Egan said, “Nourish New York has enabled our food banks to provide top-quality New York-origin food to our neighbors in need. It has strengthened the relationships between food banks and farmers. We applaud Governor Cuomo for recognizing that this program needs to continue.”

New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said, “This additional funding for Nourish NY is good news for many farmers and low-income people who are still dealing with fallout from the pandemic. The program has coordinated a pathway to move food from farms to food banks in every region of the state, compensating farmers for their products and reducing food waste at the same time. It has proven to be a lifeline for people in need, and we thank Governor Cuomo for continuing the program.”

The Nourish New York initiative has been led by a special task force created by Governor Cuomo, which includes:

  • Kelly Cummings, Director of State Operations and Infrastructure
  • Richard Ball, Commissioner of Agriculture
  • Rossana Rosado, Secretary of State
  • Karim Camara, Executive Director of the Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services
  • Fran Barrett, Director of Non-Profits
  • Mike Hein, Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

News release courtesy of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor’s Update on State Vaccination Program

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This update about the State’s vaccination program is via a release from the Governor’s Office:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state’s vaccination program. As of 11 a.m, today, New York’s health care distribution sites have administered 96 percent of first doses received for week 1-9 first doses. The week 10 allocation from the federal government is beginning to arrive in New York State, and New York’s health care distribution sites have administered 85 percent of doses so far delivered. 

Approximately 10 million New Yorkers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. The federal government has increased the weekly supply by more than 20 percent over the next three weeks, but 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.   

“New Yorkers have been doing their part to keep the infection rate down, and we’re continuing to do everything we can to get shots into arms as quickly and fairly as possible,” Governor Cuomo said. “It’s working – we’ve made it past the post-holiday surge and our numbers continue to go down every day – but our issue remains lack of federal supply. With new leadership in Washington we are now expecting another increase in doses for week 11, allowing us to vaccinate even more New Yorkers every week and bringing us one step closer to winning this war and becoming the first COVID-free state.”   

A screening tool, Am I Eligible?, https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. Starting next week, local health departments will also receive vaccine allocations for these individuals. 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 40 percent of the week 10 allocation which will finish being distributed to New York provider sites on Sunday. 

To date, New York’s health care distribution sites have administered 96 percent of first doses received from the federal government for weeks 1-9 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.

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

First Doses Received – 2,335,250

First Doses Administered – 2,109,690; 90%

Second Doses Received – 1,284,300

Second Doses Administered – 984,100  

 

Region Total Doses Received

(1st and 2nd)

 Total Doses Administered

(1st and 2nd)

 % of Total Doses Administered/Received

(1st and 2nd)
Capital Region 228,670 189,524 83%
Central New York 191,470 166,654 87%
Finger Lakes 216,700 193,038 89%
Long Island 452,000 393,401 87%
Mid-Hudson 340,370 270,048 79%
Mohawk Valley 103,685 83,321 80%
New York City 1,617,410 1,365,944 84%
North Country 116,705 107,786 92%
Southern Tier 114,075 105,394 92%
Western New York 238,465 218,680 92%
Statewide 3,619,550 3,093,790 85%
 

 

 1st doses fully delivered to New York for Healthcare Distribution Sites 2nd doses fully delivered to New York for Healthcare Distribution Sites TOTAL CUMULATIVE
Week 1

Doses arriving 12/14 – 12/20

 90,675 0 90,675 N/A
Week 2

Doses arriving 12/21 – 12/27

 392,025  0 392,025 482,700
Week 3

Doses arriving 12/28 – 01/03

 201,500  0 201,500 684,200
Week 4

Doses arriving 01/04 – 01/10

 160,050 90,675 250,725 934,925
Week 5

Doses arriving 01/11 – 01/17

 209,400 45,825 255,225 1,190,150
Week 6

Doses arriving

01/18- 01/24

 250,400 428,100 678,500 1,868,650
Week 7

Doses arriving

01/25 – 01/31

 250,400 160,450 410,850 2,279,500
Week 8

Doses arriving

02/01 – 02/07

 320,525 208,800 529,325 2,808,825
Week 9

Doses arriving

02/8 – 02/14

 317,700 244,500 

 

 

 

 

 562,200 3,371,025
Week 10

Doses arriving

2/15 –  
2/21*

 142,575 105,950   248,525 3,619,550

Harckham and Otis Introducing Bill to Create Emergency Small Business Grant Program

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Part of a Package of Legislation That Includes More Loans and Allow Tax Deferments

Albany, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Steven Otis announced today that they are introducing legislation that will earmark up to $100 million of federal disaster relief funds sent to the state for an emergency small business grant program.

Sen. Pete Harckham with Nick Crecco, co-owner of Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac with his brother John Crecco, in the empty ballroom at the villa. Credit: Office of State Sen. Pete Harckham / Tom Staudter

“The financial situation for small businesses across the state right now is dire, and we cannot wait any longer to give them the help they need to survive,” said Harckham. “Giving businesses access to emergency grants so they can pay bills and remain open is a must. We asked them to ‘take one for the team,’ so to speak, and now we need to reciprocate with a level of assistance that ensures their viability and continuance.”

Otis added, “As we decide where to target pandemic business relief, we must prioritize small businesses that can survive but need a boost to keep the doors open until our economy recovers. At stake are local jobs and the small businesses that are vital to every community.”

The new bill (S.4688) would utilize a fraction of the next coronavirus pandemic disaster relief funds that Congress and the Biden / Harris administration are expected to disburse soon to the states; Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has requested that New York receive $15 billion.

Once the federal government sends the funding to New York, the new bill would then authorize a state agency to set up the parameters for the emergency small business grant program, focusing on those businesses that had been asked by the state to remain closed during the pandemic.

This new legislation is part of a package that includes two earlier introduced bills that will offer small businesses and not-for-profit organizations additional financial resources to help keep them afloat while they grapple with the financial devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The first bill, S.3406, will establish a state of emergency loan program and will also guarantee loan repayment to the certain financial institutions that eligible small businesses statewide have been turning to for help. The second bill, S.2993, will allow small businesses and small landlords to defer certain taxes during the Covid-19 declared state of emergency and permit installment payments later on.

Harckham and Otis noted that this legislative package will help ensure employment for countless New Yorkers. As the pandemic spread through New York last spring, it was mandated that residents stay at home unless their occupations were deemed essential and businesses across the state were temporarily closed. This has had a devastating effect on the state’s economy, impacting small business owners and their employees, as well as their vendors and other associated small businesses.

“I am not sure how much longer our business will be able to survive without substantial financial assistance,” said Nick Crecco, who is co-owner of Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac with his brother John Crecco. “The emergency small business grant program will let us continue to hang on, which, in the long run, will benefit our employees, our guests and our community at large.”

John Crecco added, “We lost more than a year of event bookings, and now we need more help so we can fully re-open in the months ahead. This is a business we built up, and I’m optimistic that we can build it back up again. Thankfully, it looks like the help we need is on its way.”

This information is via a News Release from Senator Harckham’s office.

State Senator Pete Harckham represents New York’s 40th District, which includes the towns of Beekman, Pawling and the village of Pawling in Dutchess County; the towns of Carmel, Patterson and Southeast, and the village of Brewster in Putnam County; and the city of Peekskill, the towns of Cortlandt, Lewisboro, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers and Yorktown, the town/village of Mount Kisco, and the villages of Briarcliff Manor, Buchanan, Croton-on-Hudson, Pleasantville and Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County. 

State Assemblyman Steve Otis represents New York’s 91st Assembly District, which includes Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, the City of Rye, the Town of Rye and the Village of Rye Brook.