News & Events

NYS Coronavirus Update: Lowest Positivity Rate Since November 25 — CDC Guidance Update

February 12, 2021 | by

PLEASE REVIEW THE LATEST UPDATE FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE ON THE CORONA VIRUS

February 11, 2021.  
 
Across the state, from hospitalizations to infection rate, our numbers are continuing to decline—a sign of hope to all and proof that the work New Yorkers have done to mitigate the spread of this virus is working. Our statewide positivity rate dropped to 3.54 percent—the lowest rate since November 25th. This shows that we are headed in the right direction, but still, we are not at the end of the tunnel. Until the day the war is won and everyone who wants the vaccine has received both doses, we must continue to practice the guidelines we know work: wash your hands, wear a mask and avoid gatherings. I know we will remain New York Tough and together we can beat this virus. 
 
I encourage all New Yorkers to get the vaccine as soon as it’s available to you. Check your eligibility here.   

Here’s what else you need to know tonight:  
1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 7,342. Of the 285,499 tests reported yesterday, 10,099, or 3.54 percent, were positive. There were 1,402 patients in ICU yesterday, down 21 from the previous day. Of them, 941 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 122 New Yorkers to the virus.   
2. As of 11am this morning, 89 percent of first doses allocated to the state have been administered. This represents 1,787,189 first doses administered of the 2,002,055 first dose allocations received from the federal government. So far, 660,083 second doses have been administered out of the 1,031,650 second doses received. See data by region on the State’s Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.   
3. New York will follow updated CDC quarantine guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals. Yesterday, the CDC announced that individuals who have received both vaccine doses, and at least two weeks have passed since the second dose, are no longer required to quarantine if they are exposed to someone who is infected with the virus. New York is updating our guidance to follow the CDC. All New Yorkers, including those who have been fully vaccinated, should continue to wear masks, social distance, and be smart until herd immunity is reached and this pandemic is fully relegated to the history books.   
4. Fight fear with facts through Hip Hop Public Health’s newest video. To help raise awareness on the safety and importance of getting the vaccine, and boost vaccine literacy, Hip Hop Public Health released a new animated music video featuring rapper Darryl DMC McDaniels of Run-DMC and more. Watch it here.   

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: Pop-up stores have appeared in Brooklyn with one radical idea: everything in the store is free. The initiative, called the Free Store Project, is helping New Yorkers in North Brooklyn get rid of unwanted items that may still be useful to others. Founder Myles Smutney began the project last October, and since then, thousands of items have been donated and given away for free, from clothes to books to appliances and more. Volunteers help staff the four locations. The Free Store Project is bringing the community together and supporting one another—because that’s what New Yorkers do.    

If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.  

Ever Upward,  
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo  

A message from the Medicare Team. Please review for your information … COVID-19 vaccines are becoming more available for people over 65

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medicare dot gov
Information about the COVID-19 vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines are becoming more available for people over 65. Each state has its own plan for deciding who they’ll vaccinate first, and how residents can get vaccines. Contact your local health department for more information about vaccines in your area. You can also visit CDC.gov for information on vaccine distribution in your state, and for answers to common vaccine questions.

Visit CDC.gov

Medicare Part B covers the COVID-19 vaccine, so there’s no cost to you. When you go to get your vaccine, make sure to bring your Medicare card, so the vaccine provider can bill Medicare. Remember: Stopping the COVID-19 pandemic is going to take all the tools in our toolbox. Along with getting vaccinated, it’s important to keep washing your hands, wearing a mask, and social distancing. Image, "COVID-19 vaccine covered at no cost to you"
Sincerely,
The Medicare Team

ATTENTION STUDENTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING … The HAI Group Resident Scholarship Program – Open for Submissions!

February 10, 2021 | by

The 2021 HAI Group Resident Scholarship Program is open for submissions! Help us spread the word by forwarding this email and the program flyer to the person in your organization who works most closely with residents. You may also print this flyer version to share with your residents.

This year, 20 people will be awarded scholarships valued at $6,000 each! Entry forms must be submitted by Friday, April 30, 2021. Completed entries will be placed into a drawing to be held on or about Monday, May 3, 2021.

Questions? Contact us at scholarship@housingcenter.com.

Important Invitation to Opt-In
Click here to continue to receive ccorrespondence and updates on HAI Group’s Resident Scholarship Program. We encourage you to forward this email to interested colleagues.   

NYS Coronavirus Update: Five Percent Increase in Vaccine Allocations from Federal Gov

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The White House announced a 5 percent increase in vaccine allocations to the states for the next three weeks, which is welcome news. The 5 percent increase doesn’t sound like much but it’s on top of previous increases that were announced earlier—so it adds up. That being said, supply is still extremely limited. It is frustrating, I know, when so many New Yorkers are chasing a relatively small number of doses and appointments, but unless supply rapidly increases, I urge New Yorkers who are eligible to be patient. It’s all about supply, supply, supply—and there still isn’t enough.   With the 7-day average positivity rate at its lowest since December 1, it’s critically important we stay united and keep the momentum on our side—especially as new variants of the virus threaten to upend the progress we have made. Let’s keep it up, New York.  
Here’s what else you need to know tonight:  
1. COVID hospitalizations rose to 7,875. Of the 153,648 tests reported yesterday, 7,866, or 5.12 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate is 4.38 percent, the lowest 7-day average since December 1. There were 1,412 patients in the ICU yesterday, down 42 from the previous day. Of them, 971 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 138 New Yorkers to the virus.  
2. Eleven community-based pop-up vaccination sites are coming online this week to provide first doses to more than 3,100 New Yorkers. Community vaccination kits will be deployed to NYCHA senior housing developments, public housing sites and community centers. Vaccination will be by appointment only and scheduling will be conducted directly through the host site or partner provider, who will work with community leaders and organizers to identify eligible New Yorkers in each specific community. The community pop-up vaccination program is part of our effort to ensure equity and remove barriers to access in underserved communities.  
3. Long Island has the highest percentage of positive test results on a 7-day average of any region of the state, at 5.36 percent. Following Long Island, the Mid-Hudson Region is at 5.34 percent, New York City is at 5.13 percent, the North Country is at 4.79 percent, Western New York is at 4.16 percent, the Capital Region is at 3.40 percent, the Mohawk Valley is at 3.15 percent, the Finger Lakes is at 2.91 percent, Central New York is at 1.87 percent and the Southern Tier is at 1.22 percent.  
4. “Fleet Week” in New York City will be virtual this year. Fleet Week, a longstanding tradition where U.S. Navy ships dock in New York City for a week, allowing sailors and other crew members to visit and take in the sights of the city, will take place virtually, the Navy announced. This year’s Virtual Fleet Week will run from May 26 to May 31.  

Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: A group of Staten Island residents have come together to form “Staten Island Feeds It Forward,” an initiative that helps food-insecure Staten Islanders while supporting local restaurants. Founded by Mariana Ortega, the organization connects nonprofits with restaurants. Patrons of participating restaurants can “pay forward” meals or other bites using receipt vouchers—which are then given out by nonprofits to those in need. Learn more about the organization and how to get involved.      
Ever Upward,  
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo  

New Vaccine Information Form to Streamline Dutchess County Vaccine Availability Notifications

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Get Updates through DutchessDelivery

Dutchess County, NY sent this bulletin at 02/09/2021 04:22 PM EST

New Vaccine Information Form to Streamline
Dutchess County Vaccine Availability Notifications

Options available for those without Internet Access, including Seniors over 65 years old


Poughkeepsie, NY … Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro today announced the County’s Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) has updated its notification system, refining the County’s system to better assist those looking for information about COVID-19 vaccine availability. The new form is available on the County’s vaccine information page: www.DutchessNY.gov/COVIDvaccine.

Residents who complete the new Vaccination Information Request Form will receive a notification when a vaccine appointment is available to them, based on eligibility, at a Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health Point of Dispensing (POD) site. As it may be many months before an appointment is available based on current vaccine supply, residents will also receive weekly updates about New York State’s allocations to other area vaccine providers including pharmacies where they may have the opportunity to make an appointment.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “We are committed to helping every Dutchess County resident who wants a vaccine to get one. Residents who complete the form will receive a notification when we can offer them an appointment at one of our POD sites, hopefully preventing the stress and anxiety of having to watch for new appointments to open, only to see all appointments filled in seconds. It is important to remember that national vaccine supply remains very limited and it may be months before an appointment is available – as our County health department has been only receiving 600-700 doses per week and we have close to 100,000 currently eligible residents. Patience continues to be paramount as we work to vaccinate residents as quickly as we receive doses.”

The new DBCH Vaccination Information Request Form gathers more detailed information from residents to assess their eligibility, under New York State’s phased distribution program. As New York State continues to expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and providing new directives to vaccine providers, including local health departments, the new vaccination information form will enable the County to notify eligible residents about vaccine availability in accordance with the State’s vaccine distribution guidance. Residents will be able to identify their eligibility category – including those 65 years and older, essential workers, and those with comorbidities.

Currently, under NYS vaccine distribution guidance, local health departments are directed to prioritize essential workers in Phase 1B of the State’s phased distribution process – including police, fire, teachers, grocery store workers, public transit personnel and others. Additionally, the Governor recently announced those with co-morbidities will be eligible for vaccination starting February 15th. As more information about the new expanded eligibility is provided to the County, the new Vaccination Information form will assist in ensuring the County is meeting the state required mandates about vaccine distribution to eligible populations.

The new Vaccination Information Request Form will replace current email notifications. As such, the more than 25,000 County residents who had previously signed up to receive such notifications are asked to fill out the new form with their updated information in order to continue receive notifications.

Those without internet access can call the Dutchess County Corornavirus Information Line at 845-486-3555 to hear weekly updates about vaccine availability by selecting Option 1. Those over 65 years old can then choose to be connected with the Office for the Aging to be added to notification lists about appointment availability.

This form does not pre-register individuals for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, though the updated information received will be added to a County notification list, and those registered will receive email or text message updates from Dutchess County about when and where appointments will be available.

Dutchess County continues to provide updated information about COVID-19 vaccine availability on its webpage www.DutchessNY.gov/COVIDvaccine. This webpage includes status updates, as the County receives information from New York State, about allocations for the week and current appointment availability.

COVID 19 Vaccine Information From City of Beacon Mayor Lee Kyriacou

February 9, 2021 | by

This is Beacon Mayor Lee Kyriacou with an update on COVID-19 vaccines.

Eligibility: Those who are currently eligibile for a vaccine are: people 65 and older, frontline workers including first responders, public safety and transit workerse, educators, front-facing grocery store workers, certain funeral workers, and those working or living in homeless shelters

Everyone who is currently eligible for a vaccine will be able to get one within three to four months. There are several vaccine distribution locations in our area. All require an appointment. Please be patient, but persistent.

I will list them starting with those in Beacon. Sun River Health on Main Street. Visit sunriver.org or call 845 288 0850. Local pharmacies are vaccinating those 65 years and older. Check RiteAid.com and BeaconWellnessPharmacy.com later this month for more information. Please do not call to schedule. The former JC Penney in the mall and Dover High School. Visit dutchessny.gov/covidvaccine. The Institute for Family Health in Hyde Park, Ellenville and New Paltz. Visit institute.org Westchester County Center and SUNY Albany. Visit am-i-eligibile.covid19vaccine.health.ny/gov  or call 1 833 697 4829 Castle Point, for Veterans who are either 65 or older or are essential workers, call 845 838 7668.

Visit dutchessny.gov/covidvaccine for more vaccination information and to sign up for alerts. unsubscribe Swiftreach Networks, Inc.

A Message from The Repair Cafe of the Hudson Valley.

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Thanks so much to all who joined us on Saturday to remember John and begin to chart our course forward for Repair Cafe of the Hudson Valley and Catskills in his memory and honor.  It was a very moving discussion, and inspiring with tidbits like the conversational circle where they passed around the “talking wrench.”

Reviewing the discussion  — key points — 

As promised, I have created a Google group for Repair Cafe of the Hudson Valley and Catskills organizers – starting with the group on John’s list.  It’s called RepairCafeHVCats and you will shortly receive a welcome message from it (can unsubscribe any time).  This allows for lateral communication in the RC community without me as gatekeeper, though I will supportively hover.  Please feel free to share with your trusted associates and encourage them to send me a request to join, which I will promptly grant.  Let’s not rush to put this on steroids with outreach to more than the active participants, for now, so we can use it effectively to communicate on operational issues as well as sustaining relationships, OK?

As fiscal sponsor, SHV is stepping up to fill John’s role in coordinating, cheerleading, networking etc. for Repair Cafe in our region.   We are:

  • hosting the Facebook fundraiser through the end of February with the goal of raising $10,000 to seed a coordinator position (around $6K raised to date); 
  • working with Vassar College intern Fiona Bruckman, whom you met on the call, to generate interesting tidbits for social media, do research on your behalf, and continue the work of tabulating data on the accomplishments of the program to date (#items, people, pounds of landfill diversion etc.) Depending on what comes out of the national Repair Cafe organizers’ un-conference coming up this Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. [register here] we may work on a more structured national conference or at least forum in due time as John envisioned.  Fiona will be with us into May;
  • integrating the RC / HV Cats website and national with ours;
  • checking in with each local organizer over the coming weeks to be sure we understand the status of things, any concerns, primary support needs and anything you can share with others.

Most of you are in fully virtual mode while a few of you are carefully making plans to resume activity when the weather improves to allow for outdoor Repair Cafes.   I want to encourage us to err on the side of patience and use this in-between time to get as creative as humanly possible with our virtual activities, as well as planning for summer into fall in person.  The Yorktown model with advance sign-ups and distanced tables seems helpful, as well as the idea of dropping things off with coaches – not as empowering but a reasonable compromise.  Below my signature is the invitation with schedule of Fixit Clinics from Peter Mui who offered to create a customized one for our people if you all like.  What are your thoughts?

Forgot to mention – Sustainable Hudson Valley is willing to purchase a copy of Repair Revolution for any public library associated with a local RC group that will actively promote the book (to its members, and ideally write a review on Amazon or Goodreads to support it).  Let me know if you would like one for any library in your neck of the woods.  

How is Saturday March 6, same time – 1 pm – for the followup we discussed?  Please reply to me only with your availability then + March 13 as a backup.

Don’t hesitate to be in touch about anything!   

Thank you –

Melissa Everett, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Sustainable Hudson Valley
PO Box 3364
Kingston, NY 12402
845-514-8567
www.sustainhv.org

Attention Residents of Beacon Housing Authority … This Wednesday the Free Groceries Program will be cancelled due to due to snow.

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Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State’s Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic

February 8, 2021 | by

This news briefing is dated Friday February 8th, 2021

COVID-19Get the latest information from the CDC about COVID-19.LEARN MORELearn about vaccine progress from the CDC 

ABC LATINO MAGAZINE IS NOW MADE AVAILABLE TO BHA RESIDENTS VIA THE BHA WEBSITE.

February 5, 2021 | by

ABC LATINO is a bilingual interactive magazine which provides vital information to the Latino communities in the Hudson Valley. If interested please review and share this information with your Latino friends and neighbors. Click on the links below and start exploring!

The Latin World under one roof
 

The Latin World…. Interactive   Enjoy this issue of ABClatino Magazine, a bi-lingual, multimedia, interactive approach to everything Latino Una revista para ti y para que la compartas con tus amigos Lea las ediciones anteriores     Read previous issues please tell us what you think     info@ABClatino.net     Connect with us – Conectate con Nosotros   ‌ ‌ ‌  
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