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Co-op City Times / March 13, 2021 (Continued from page 1)
Mayor de Blasio was joined by Congressman Jamaal Bowman, State Senator Jamaal Bailey, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Council Member Kevin Riley, and New York City Health Commissioner, Dr. Dave Chokshi, during his tour of the new facility. New York City’s Department of Health is the administrator of the Dreiser site and is working with city contractor, Affiliated Physicians, to provide the vaccines. The site, Councilman Kevin Riley stressed that located at 177 Dreiser Loop, operates Monday the vaccine facility is a cooperative effort among elected officials. He through Saturday, from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. also thanked Riverbay Corp. for At a press conference held in the Dreiser their assistance and support. courtyard following the officials’ tour of the Photos by Brandon Ortiz and Noel Ellison vaccine facility in the auditorium on Saturday, March 6, Mayor de Blasio stated: “Our goal is five million New Yorkers fully vaccinated by June. To make sure the Bronx comes back, make sure New York City comes back, we need to reach everyone with the vaccine. The best way to vaccinate people is right in their own neighborhood. Here in Co-op City, you see the amazing site that’s been set up in a matter of days.” The Mayor went on to highlight that the Dreiser vaccination site will have the capacity to vaccinate 1,000 people per day when the facility is fully operational. Congressman Bowman acknowledged the historical context of the Dreiser site with respect to the often troubled history between Black and Latino communities and vaccines. “Not just the Tuskegee experiment, but the experi-mentation with the cells of Henrietta Lacks; the forced sterilization of the Black and Latino community, both here and in Puerto Rico,” Rep. Jamaal Bowman said. “I’m fully aware of that history, but as a member of Congress, I felt that it was my responsibility to lead the way. I want this entire community to know that the vaccine is safe, it’s going to save lives and it’s going to help our Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. delivered most of his city come back stronger than ever.” remarks in Spanish, reassuring members of the Congressman Bowman and Latino community that the vaccine is safe. New York Senator Chuck Schumer co-signed a letter to President Biden dated February 27, 2021 detailing the need for a vaccination site in the Co-op City, Edenwald and Wakefield area pointing out that “a staggering 411 people living there have lost their lives to this deadly virus. The daily case rate remains higher than that of New York City at large, and the death rate of 505 people per 100,000 is among the highest in the nation. In these neighborhoods, 90 percent of residents are people of color, and one in four residents are elderly.” Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. delivered the majority of his remarks in Spanish to emphasize to the Latino community how important it is for them to take the vaccine. “When I saw medical personnel in there – personnel that look like us – that’s important, that raises the comfort level,” Borough President Diaz Jr.,said at the press conference. City Council Member Kevin Riley stressed that bringing the site to fruition was truly a team effort from all levels of government. “I want to personally thank everyone that made this possible. I know this is a labor of love. Thank you also to Riverbay for providing this space for Mayor de Blasio chats with a Co-op City us to use,” the councilman said. resident with a vaccine appointment. Notably, the Dreiser vaccination site will be administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a single-dose shot, meaning follow-up appointments are not be necessary. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was highlighted during the Mayor’s press conference as he mentioned it being the catalyst for moving forward with a citywide program that aims to vaccinate New York City’s most vulnerable homebound seniors. “Now that we have the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, we can finally reach our homebound seniors because it is a vaccine that is so much easier to work with, it does not require the same refrigeration. It’s one shot. It’s one shot and you’re done,” said the mayor. “Already here in Co-op City, 50 seniors, 50 homebound seniors, have been vaccinated, and a lot more will be in the coming days.” According to data gathered by the city, only 8% of adults in Co-op City have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 so far, but the new Dreiser site hopes to change that. A pop-up vaccination site a few weeks ago in Co-op City proved to be unhelpful for shareholders as many found securing an appointment to be impossible, while a large number of individuals, who were not Co-op City residents, were able to secure appointments. Governor Cuomo announced expanded eligibility for the vaccine this week. Now, New Yorkers who are 60 years and older and those with underlying health conditions will be eligible to receive the vaccine. Essential workers from governmental and nonprofit entities who deal with the public will also be eligible beginning March 17.
With the new Dreiser site, shareholders looking to be vaccinated were prioritized in the first days of the site opening and Riverbay staff are currently being trained to continue assisting Co-op City residents to make appointments. Co-op City residents who would like the vaccine can contact Riverbay at (718) 8795950. In addition to the above number, eligible shareholders and Riverbay staff members interested in being vaccinated at the Dreiser site can also make an appointment in-person at the Dreiser Center daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the Bartow and Einstein Centers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by using the state’s “Am I Eligible” online tool, am-ieligible.covid19 vaccine.health.ny.gov, or by calling (877) VAX-4NYC (829-4692) or online at vax4nyc. Congressman Bowman and nyc.gov. Homebound residents interested in getting Senate Majority Leader the vaccine can also fill out an online form at Schumer co-signed a request forms.cityofnewyork.us/f/homebound. to President Biden for a vacShareholders looking to stay updated on cine site to serve Co-op City. information regarding the Dreiser vaccine site can continue referring to the in-house tv Crawler on channel 12 (MATV) and channel 591 (Optimum). Riverybay’s official Facebook page, Co-op City Riverbay, in addition to the Co-op City Times and CCPD Twitter account, @coopcitytimes and @CCPDnyc respectively, will also continue providing updates or schedule changes for the site. Shareholders who are not signed up for Phone Tree alerts are encouraged to do so, especially those who are seniors. Phone Tree alerts provide important notifications relative to the Co-op City community. The application to sign up for Phone Tree alerts can be found Riverbay officials joining the on page 4 of this edition of the Co-op City Mayor at the vaccine facility in the Times. Those who wish to sign up for Dreiser auditorium included Board emergency services with CCPD can utilize the President Linda Berk and General Manager Noel Ellison. application printed on page 3 of this issue.
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