Vol. 56 No. 50
Saturday, December 11, 2021
CDC Recommends Covid-19 Booster Shots for all Adults and Adolescents 16 and Older BY BRANDON ORTIZ
booster shot recommendations, the CDC revised its guidance again in response to the emergence of the ant, and is now recommending that all adults and adbooster shot. On Thursday, the FDA revised its Emergency Use adolescents between the ages of 16 and 17. Shortly after, the CDC endorsed the move and Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, signed off on the recommendations that all adolescents 16 and older should receive
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Annual Lighting of the Holiday Tree in Bartow
currently available for adolescents between 16 and 17 years old, which means this age group would follow the same timeline of waiting six months after receiving their second dose before getting their booster shot. “Today, CDC is strengthening its booster recommendations and encouraging everyone 16 and older to receive a booster shot. Although we don’t have all the answers on the Omicron variant, initial data strengthen the protection against Omicron and other ages 16 and 17 to get their booster if they are at least (Continued on page 2)
Mobile Covid Vaccine Van at Bartow Mall
Last weekend, scores of residents lined up in the Bartow Mall to take advantage of the mobile COVID-19 testing and vaccine units deployed in Co-op City by Health and Hospitals Corporation’s Test & Trace Corps. Since closure of the testing location in the Dreiser Mall late last month, Test & Trace Corps has maintained a mobile testing unit in the community from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily on a rotating basis. Last weekend only, a mobile vaccine unit accompanied the testing unit, and Riverbay sent out shots. Residents began lining up before 8 a.m. to secure their spot to avail themselves of the services the two units provided and there was a steady stream of patrons throughout both days of the weekend. While the testing unit will continue to service the community on a daily basis, it is not known when the mobile vaccine unit will return to Co-op City since it is being shared with other neighborhoods to facilitate vaccination and provide boosters to enhance immunity against the virus and related variants. Photos by Philip McCoy-Campbell
Keeping Track of NYC’s New Vaccine Mandates BY BRANDON ORTIZ
Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced quite a few new vaccine mandate policies over the last couple of weeks. While some of the updates face legal opposition, the new mandates all share deadlines in December. More information on all the new mandates and updates to existing ones will be released on During this past week, Mayor de Blasio announced updates to the city’s Key to NYC program, which requires proof of vaccination to enter most indoor venues, and for private sector companies. Prior to this week, the Mayor announced updates to vaccine mandates for child care providers and non-public school employees. “New York City will not give a single inch in the
tion measures to encourage New Yorkers to keep themselves and their communities safe,” Mayor de Blasio said on Monday during his announcement. “From workplace mandates, to $100 incentives, to mobile and at-home vaccination offerings, no place And if you have not taken this step yet, there’s no better day than today to stand up for your city.” Vaccine Mandate for Child Care Providers All city child care or early intervention employees working in-person must have proof of at least one vaccine dose by December 20. This mandate includes all employees at group child care centers, school-based programs, family day cares, group family day cares, school age child care centers and (Continued on page 4)
The annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration was held in the Bartow Mall on Wednesday, Dec. 8. The tree was decorated beautifully by the Riverbay Grounds department, which is also responsible for the holiday lights and decorations displayed around the community ushering in the holiday season. Photo by John Crow
DOT Solicits Public Comment on East Bronx eScooter Pilot The NYC Department of Transportation is inviting the public to comment on the shared escooter program introduced in the East Bronx in mid-August. The short survey takes 3-5 minutes to complete, and it is open to anyone regardless of whether they have used an escooter. DOT hopes the survey will assist in assessing how people are using the service. To access the survey, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ NYCSS_SH.
