Open Storefronts Program Extended through September 2021

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As reported by Norwood News, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Emergency Executive Order 157, which created the Open Storefronts program on October 28, 2020. Open Storefronts is a free program that allows existing ground-floor storefront businesses to use a portion of the sidewalk and roadways to display merchandise, sell goods and complete transactions, and provide areas for customers to line up from October 30 to December 31, 2020. On Tuesday, Dec. 29, the City announced that the Open Storefronts program would be extended through Sept. 30, 2021. Businesses may also use the curbside lane to conduct

Bronx Teen First Vaping-Related Death in New York State

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed on Tuesday, Dec. 29, that New York has updated its quarantine guidelines to align with the CDC’s recommendations. Individuals exposed to COVID-19 can now end their quarantine after ten days without a testing requirement, as long as they report no symptoms during the quarantine period. After day 10, individuals must continue monitoring for symptoms through day 14 and if any develop, those individuals should immediately self-isolate, and contact their local health department or their health care provider to report the changes and determine if they should get tested. “Unemployed New Yorkers will begin receiving

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Tuesday, Dec. 29, District 11 City Council candidate, Dan Padernacht, announced that he and some of the other City Council candidates in the District 11 race will be holding a press conference on Dec. 29 to call on Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio to immediately waive the signature requirements for two NYC Council special elections that are to be called on or about Jan. 1, 2021, due to what Padernacht described as the inherent dangers associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. To qualify for the ballot, each candidate in these special elections [in Districts 11 and

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Tuesday, Dec. 29, the New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) issued a notice alerting consumers about scammers who are taking advantage of COVID-19 vaccinations to steal personal information. Scammers are using techniques that typically arise with a major global event, such as falsely claiming to be online sellers of the vaccination, sending fake emails and texts that contain harmful links designed to steal your personal information, and using robocalls to pitch vaccination information. People should be on the lookout for scammers looking to take advantage of public interest surrounding vaccinations. “The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccination

By DAWN CLANCY

In efforts to push Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz for support of the Housing Justice for All Rent Relief Package of 2020, members and supporters of the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) organized a caroling rally outside the assemblyman’s home on Thursday, Dec. 17. The three-bill package, drafted by a number of State senators and assembly members, and supported by the Housing Justice for All coalition, aimed to address the statewide eviction, rent, and homelessness crisis in New York, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Had it passed the state and assembly, the package would have instituted a universal eviction

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As efforts continue to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine throughout New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Monday, Dec. 28, that a new issue has come to light —possible vaccine fraud by a health care provider. The State Department of Health was made aware of reports that an Orange County health provider may have fraudulently obtained COVID-19 vaccines and diverted them to members of the public, contrary to the State’s guidance to first administer the vaccine to frontline health care workers, as well as nursing home residents and staff. The State Department of Health is assisting the State Police in

By SÍLE MOLONEY

According to the latest NYPD crime statistics for the 52nd precinct covering Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Bronx Park, and University Heights, grand theft auto (motor vehicle theft) crimes were up by 128.6 percent in the 28 days prior to Dec.13, compared to the same period last year. Norwood News reached out to the 52nd precinct to see if police could provide any insight or identify any patterns as to why this was the case. Officer José Fernandez said, “As of now, a lot has to do with people double-parking their vehicles to go into the store, or to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed on Tuesday, Dec. 22, that New York’s Wadsworth Laboratory has begun aggressive research of the new, more contagious strain of COVID-19 first detected in the U.K. in September. Wadsworth has looked at more than 3,700 virus sequences identified in New York already, and has yet to find the U.K. variant present in any of the random samples. Wadsworth and the State health department have made agreements with six hospitals from across the State to obtain additional samples for further research and are making arrangements with other hospitals to do the same. “If the variant is

By ANDREA SEARS

With coronavirus vaccines now being distributed, advocates for people living with disabilities are stressing the importance of knowing if they are at increased risk of COVID-19. People with certain disabilities or on medications with particular side effects are more vulnerable to the effects of the virus, and people in nursing homes or group housing are more likely to become infected. These and other considerations will determine the priorities for vaccine distribution. Susan Dooha, executive director at the Center for Independence of the Disabled New York, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information online about who is

Norwood News

Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

Health

Open Storefronts Program Extended through September 2021

Cuomo: Updated Quarantine Guidelines, Extended Unemployment Benefit & Activation of Paid Sick Leave

Padernacht Calls on City & State to Halt Special Election Petitioning Process amid Pandemic

NYS Division of Consumer Protection Warns New Yorkers against COVID-19 Vaccination Scams

Housing Justice Activists Rallied Outside Assemblyman’s Home During Jewish Holiday

Cuomo: Possible COVID-19 Vaccine Fraud, Eviction Moratorium to be Extended

Sharp Rise in Grand Theft Auto Rates in 52nd Precinct

NY Research into New COVID-19 Strain Underway as Three Airlines Test Passengers Pre-Departure from UK

Vaccine Priorities, Precautions for People with Disabilities