RyeCity REVIEW THE
May 7, 2021 | Vol. 9, Number 16 | www.ryecityreview.com
County, Knicks urge vaccinations
Open season
Ellie Hedges battles for the ball with a Lakeland/Panas player on April 28. The Garnets won their season opener, beating the Rebels 18-9. For story, see page 16. Photo/Mike Smith
DHS pushes out REAL ID deadline to May 2023 The Department of Homeland Security, DHS, is extending the REAL ID full enforcement date by 19 months, from Oct. 1, 2021 to May 3, 2023, due to circumstances resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has significantly impacted states’ ability to issue REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards, with many driver’s licensing agencies still operating at limited capacity. DHS will publish an interim final rule in the coming days to effectuate this enforcement date change. Beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, state-issued enhanced driver’s license or another TSA-acceptable form of identification at airport security checkpoints for domestic air travel. All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of five U.S. territories covered by the
REAL ID Act and related regulations are now compliant with REAL ID security standards and are issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards. However, many state licensing agencies have extended the deadline for renewing expiring licenses due to a widespread shift to appointment-only scheduling protocols during the pandemic that has significantly limited states’ capacity to issue REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards. As a result, only 43% of all state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards are currently REAL ID-compliant. DHS and various states also need time to implement requirements mandated by the REAL ID Modernization Act, including changes that will streamline processing by allowing the electronic submission of certain documents. The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommen-
The Department of Homeland Security has extended the REAL ID full enforcement date requirement for compliance to May 3, 2023, due to limited capacity at licensing agencies as a result of COVID-19.
dation that the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum-security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification
cards from states not meeting the minimum standards. DHS continues to work closely with all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to implement REAL ID Act requirements. For more information on REAL ID, visit www.dhs.gov/real-id. (Submitted)
I kicked COVID to the curb! That’s the new campaign Westchester County has launched to encourage Westchester County teens and young adults to get vaccinated for COVID-19. The campaign includes a PSA with New York Knick and Ossining native Obi Toppin and Knick Immanuel “IQ” Quickley. Along with the New York Knicks PSA, the county is also launching an aggressive social media campaign, hosting a youth town hall May 13 to answer questions young people might have about the vaccine and is partnering with local schools, libraries and more to directly get the information in the hands of young people and their parents. “It’s been a long time since I was a teenager, but I remember what it was like,” County Executive George Latimer. “When I was a young man I thought I was invincible, and in some ways you are when you are young, but when it comes to COVID-19 you are not. Get vaccinated. Don’t let anything impact or threaten the very bright future you have ahead of you. It’s a simple, quick shot and it will help protect you and the people you love.” Early on the county’s vaccination efforts were focused on the most vulnerable members of the population—older people and those with severe health issues. Now, the focus is on those 16 to 25 years old. Currently, the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration has authorized the emergency use of a Pfizer vaccine to prevent COVID-19 for people 16 years of age and older. For those 18 year old and older Johnson & Johnson and Moderna are also approved. There is no vaccine approved yet for children under age 16. “The New York Knicks and MSG are proud to work with Westchester County on this important initiative to encourage young people to get a COVID-19 vaccine shot,” said Rich Constable, MSG Sports head of Social Impact. “As the CDC has said, the available COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and will allow all of us to get back to enjoying many of the activities we love—like playing basketball. We encourage everyone who has not yet been vaccinated to get their shot.” To schedule an appointment at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, visit: westchestergov. com/health To schedule an appointment at a New York State operated clinic, visit: covid19vaccine.health. ny.gov To locate clinics, pharmacies and other locations that offer the COVID-19 vaccine, use the Vaccine Finder Tool: vaccinender. org/search For more information, please call the Westchester County Department of Health at 995-7425. (Submitted)