RyeCity REVIEW THE
April 30, 2021 | Vol. 9, Number 15 | www.ryecityreview.com
Cuomo increases spectator capacity Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on April 26 that spectator capacity at large-scale outdoor event venues, including professional and collegiate sports and live performing arts and entertainment, will increase from 20 to 33% beginning May 19. This increase will coincide with the previously announced increase in large-scale indoor event venue capacity. Social distancing, masks, health screenings and all other state health and safety protocols remain in effect. Cuomo also announced that capacities would be increased throughout several industries that have proven to safely reopen in accordance with the state’s COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, starting May 15: • Gyms and fitness centers outside of New York City will increase from 33% to 50% capacity.
Last hurrah!
Liam Lavelle beats a Nyack defender for a touchdown on April 25. Lavelle had a career-high four touchdowns in his final varsity game as Rye topped the Redhawks 36-9 in a Class A bowl game. For story, see page 16.
Photo/Mike Smith
Arab American board continues efforts to curb COVID Since the COVID-19 crisis, the Arab American Advisory Board has met virtually every month, remaining vigilant to support community efforts to help curb the spread of the virus. Currently, the group has helped more than 50 local Arab-Americans in Yonkers help navigate the online appointment system for the COVID-19 vaccine. There are currently six board members and together they have handed out masks and hand sanitizers to local schools and community centers. The group has also volunteered to deliver groceries and meals to families during quarantine. “With the creation of these advisory boards, we are able to reach every inch of the County, and learn about what their needs are,” County Executive George Latimer said. “The Arab American Advisory Board has served
as an ally to the community in helping to combat this virus and encourage those who may be hesitant to get vaccinated.” The Westchester County Arab American Advisory Board was created in 2019 in the spirit of inclusion to provide advice and be consulted on issues that affect the quality of life for Arab-Americans in the community. The Arab American Advisory Board is still seeking new members, with a limit of 21 people. Each member is appointed by the county executive and will serve two-year terms. According to the census, 5% of Westchester County’s population is made up of Arab-Americans, with many of our neighbors calling Yonkers and Scarsdale home. Martha Lopez, the county’s Director of Minority Women’s Business Program and Immigrant
Affairs, serves as a liaison to the board on behalf of the county executive. “The Arab-American community has also been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and through this Board, I can assist them in developing strategies to meet any concerns they may have and help get the word out about the importance of getting vaccinated,” Lopez said. Resources including satellite or pop-up vaccine clinics in underserved neighborhoods to ensure fair and equitable distribution of the vaccination. “I’m happy to encourage everyone to get vaccinated for safety and protection to our families and communities,” said board member Nihad Bsharat. And board member Hanade Sarar added, “We want to be contributors to our Westchester community, to enlighten people about
the Arab American cultures, rich art and history.” With the Holy Month of Ramadan underway, mosques in both Northern Westchester and in Yonkers have reopened with limited capacity. Worshippers will have their temperatures taken at the door, masks are required at all times, social distancing is marked by tape in some buildings and hand sanitizing stations have been installed. “This Board is important because it reflects a genuine interest of the County Executive in a growing Arab community and its needs,” said Ali Chettih, the newest member of the advisory board. The next meeting of the Arab American Advisory Board will be scheduled sometime after the Holy Month of Ramadan. (Submitted)
• Casinos and gaming facilities will increase from 25% to 50% capacity. • Offices will increase from 50% to 75% capacity. “We are making tremendous progress in the fight against COVID-19—our vaccination rates are going up and the positivity and hospitalization rates are going down, so now we are going to open the valves of our economy even further,” Cuomo said. “We are increasing the capacity limits throughout several industries, including gyms outside of New York City, casinos, offices and large-scale outdoor event venues. This is all great news, but we are not out of the woods yet. Washing hands, wearing masks and staying socially distanced are critical tools each of us can use to slow the spread as we continue our efforts to defeat COVID once and for all.” On April 26, Cuomo also updated New Yorkers on the state’s vaccination program. 115,854 doses had been administered across the state’s vast distribution
network in the last 24 hours, and more than 1.1 million doses had been administered over the past seven days. “We know the vaccine is the weapon that will win the war against COVID, but it will only work if we all take it,” Cuomo said. “We are seeing real progress in our vaccination rates across the entire state—about 45 percent of New Yorkers have received at least one shot—and our infection rates are declining every day. I encourage all New Yorkers to sign up for a vaccine appointment as soon as possible, because we can’t defeat COVID unless we all do our part and work together.” New Yorkers can schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site on the Am I Eligible App or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. People may also contact their local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital to schedule appointments where vaccines are available, or visit vaccinefinder.org to find information on vaccine appointments near you. (Submitted)
STATEWIDE VACCINATION BREAKDOWN AS OF 4/26 Total doses administered: 4,550,880 Total doses administered over past 24 hours: 115,854 Total doses administered over past 7 days: 1,121,960 Percent of New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose: 44.3% Percent of New Yorkers with completed vaccine series: 31.4%