RyeCity REVIEW THE
September 25, 2020 | Vol. 8, Number 40 | www.ryecityreview.com
West Nile Virus kills first county resident this year
GO GREEN Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sept. 17 announced the completion of the first community solar paired with energy storage project in Yorktown. For more, see page 6.
County program provides $10M to businesses, nonprofits Westchester County Executive George Latimer today announced on Sept. 16, $10 million funding initiative to support small businesses and nonprofits facing challenges due to COVID-19. Westchester County Business FIRST: Financial Investments for Recovery and a Sustainable Tomorrow is a new grant program designed to offer immediate financial relief to organizations in Westchester that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. “We are at a critical point in Westchester County’s history— and such times call for leadership and innovation,” Latimer said. “The Westchester County Business FIRST Program will provide urgent financial assistance to businesses and nonprofits now, and set the foundation to rebuild our economy as we work toward a sustainable future.” The Westchester County Busi-
ness FIRST program is being administered by the county Office of Economic Development through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, CARES, Act. The program is open to businesses and nonprofits that employ 99 or fewer people and whose primary business location is in Westchester County. Eligible business and nonprofits can apply for grants of up to $49,000. Applications will be accepted from Sept. 21 through Sept. 30, 2020. “These are difficult times, but as ‘The Catalyst’ for economic growth and vitality, the Office of Economic Development is here to support County businesses and nonprofits,” said Bridget Gibbons, the county’s director of Economic Development. “These organizations help fuel our economy and provide quality jobs in our communities. This funding
is designed to help them recover and get back to business.” To be eligible, organizations must be in good standing with Westchester County and are required to demonstrate revenue losses of at least 25% from March 7, 2020 to present due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The applicant must establish that the organization was a financially viable operation prior to March 7, 2020, the date Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed Executive Order 202 declaring a disaster emergency. The organization must have been open as of Feb. 1, 2020, currently be in operation, or closed temporarily and plan to reopen for business in 2020. “The Business Council of Westchester is extremely supportive of this program,” said Dr. Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester. “These sectors have
been especially hard hit and desperately need these financial resources to survive. The County is also analyzing which sectors have been hardest hit, so that these resources can be deployed most effectively. This is a ray of hope for those organizations struggling to stay alive.” Certain entities are not eligible to apply for Westchester County Business FIRST grant, including units of government; real estate holding companies, businesses or nonprofits that generate revenue through passive real estate; adult entertainment establishments; gas stations; and businesses or nonprofits that have defaulted on federal debt, including loans from the Small Business Administration. For more information on the application process, visit https:// westchestercatalyst.com/business-FIRST-programs/. (Submitted)
Westchester County has learned of its first human case of West Nile Virus this year, which was confirmed in a 76-year-old Yonkers resident with significant underlying medical conditions who died on Aug. 22. Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, said: “We are saddened to learn that the first resident to be diagnosed with West Nile Virus this year has died,” county Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said. “The overwhelming majority of people who get the virus do recover, and we generally have only a few cases each year. This should remind all of us to take precautions against mosquito bites by removing standing water fromour property after it rains, and use repellents when we spend time outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.” The county Department of Health removed standing water from many containers around the resident’s home that held mosquito larvae; evaluated nearby catch basins in the area and treated those with larvicide as needed. West Nile Virus infection most often causes a mild or moderate flu-like illness, with fever, headache, body aches and joint pain. It can be more serious particularly for people 60 and older, and those with other health complications. Last year, one resident was diagnosed with West Nile Virus. In 2018, four people had the virus, and in 2017, three Westchester County residents had the virus. Throughout the season, the county Health Department traps and tests mosquitoes to track the presence of mosquito-borne viruses. For more ideas on how to reduce the mosquito population near your home, go to https://
health.westchestergov.com/westnile-virus and follow these tips: Avoid the outdoors in the late afternoon and early evening when mosquitoes are active and feeding, or use insect repellents then and follow the label instructions. Adults can use insect repellents with up to 30% DEET on infants over two months of age by applying the product to their own hands and then rubbing it onto their children, avoiding their hands, eyes and mouth. Products containing DEET are not recommended for use on children under two months of age. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks when outdoors, especially in areas where mosquitoes are active and feeding. Check around your property for anything that can hold water, and pour it out or put it away. Check and remove standing water from children’s toys and play houses left outside. Check window screens and replace any that are torn. Drill holes in the bottoms of all recycling containers that are left outdoors. Turn over plastic wading pools, buckets and wheelbarrows when not in use. Change the water in birdbaths at least twice weekly. Keep storm drains and gutters clear of leaves and debris. Continue to chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor spas and hot tubs until properly winterized or drained for the season. Also, if not chlorinated, drain any water that collects on their covers. Residents who notice large areas of standing water on public property should report them to the Westchester county Department of Health at 813-5000. (Submitted)
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