Please click onto full text for updates on coronovirus. Participated in a conference call with the County Exec, local officials. Attended a briefing with the CEO of Phelps Hospital. 98 Westchester residents have illness. One hospitalized.
CORONOVIRUS NOTES and concerns
This afternoon I participated in a conference call with the County Executive, municipal officials. And, last Thursday evening had the opportunity to attend an interesting meeting with the CEO of Phelps Hospital and other first responders. Have also spoken with those in the medical field and hope the following update will be helpful.
As of this afternoon there were 98 cases of coronavirus in Westchester. One person out of the 98 was hospitalized. Eight people in NYS has been hospitalized. The other residents who have been tested positive don’t have severe cases. Highlights the fact that for most people the virus is low risk.
CONCERN NYS SHOULD PROVIDE LOCAL OFFICIALS WITH INFORMATION—WHO IN THE SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES TESTED POSITIVELY (NYS IS CURRENTLY NOT PROVIDING THAT INFORMATION WHICH IS FRUSTRATING);
New York State is not providing local officials or local police with information on who in the local community has tested positively. We all believe that NYS should provide chief elected officials and the local police chief with information on who in the community has been tested positively. It’s important that local officials know if there are cases in their own community. The state claims that there are privacy laws but I think they could provide us with more info about cases in our communities.
QUOTE FROM JARED ROSENBERG OF OUR EMS PROGRAM ABOUT MASKS—DON’T WEAR THEM IF NOT SICK
it is highly recommended by the CDC for the public to not wear masks, as it can cause more respiratory compromise if not sick. This was also brought up last night at North Well Health Phelps Hospital community leadership meeting.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MUCH OF A LOCAL POLICE DEPT IS QUARANTINED BECAUSE OF EXPOSURE? The contingency plan would include a mutual aide agreement with neighboring police and the county, NYS PoliceThere are already mutual response agreements in place in accordance with particular police “zones” throughout the County.
These may serve as a template for a potential health related crisis such as Covid 19.
WILL CONTACT METRO NORTH ABOUT HEATING STATIONS AT TRAIN STATIONS—at the train stations there are heating stations used by lots of people when it gets cold. Lots of people stand next to each other. Metro North should place wipes at these locations. I will reach out to Metro North
TOWN BD, PLANNING BD, ZONING BOARD MEMBERS CAN PARTICIPATE BY SKYPE/VIDEO CONFERENCING IF SICK
Received the following answer to a question. The Town Board and I are working with the MIS department to schedule video conferencing community meetings so people don’t have to attend meetings in person.
From: dos.sm.Coog.InetCoog <dosCOOG@dos.ny.gov>
Sent: Monday, March 9, 2020 8:28 AM
To: Paul Feiner
Cc: Timothy Lewis
Subject: RE: can the Town Board members use skype if they are sick and can that be counted as a vote?
EXTERNAL: Do not click links or open attachments if you do not recognize the sender.
Good Morning Mr. Feiner,
The Open Meetings Law already permits members of a public body to participate in an open meeting by videoconferencing. See https://docs.dos.ny.gov/coog/otext/o5575.html
Your second question does not involve the application of either the Freedom of Information Law nor the Open Meetings Law and, as such, is outside of our advisory jurisdiction. You may wish to consult the Association of Towns.
Kristin O’Neill
Assistant Director
TOWN BD TO ACCEPT PHONE CALLS FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS AT WEDNESDAY EVENING TOWN BOARD MEETING—Call the Town Clerk at 989 1500/01. If you want to testify at the upcoming hearings or speak at the Board meeting no need to show up.
REVENUE LOSSES- SALES TAX REVENUES ARE DOWN which will impact local budgets.
CANCELLATIONS- The consensus is that major programs with crowds (density/number of people) could be cancelled. Other less events are not being cancelled. The county is not at this time closing down the Westchester Knicks game at the County Center, however. Most communities are not closing senior citizen programs. However, they are encouraging seniors who don’t feel good not to attend events.
DO WASH YOUR HANDS
DON’T DRY YOUR HANDS ON YOUR CLOTHES… DON’T SHAKE HANDS..WHEN WASHING YOUR HANDS WASH FINGER NAILS…CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES WHEN YOU GET HOME…STAY WITHIN 6 FEET OF OTHERS.
IF YOU DON’T FEEL GOOD CALL YOUR DOCTOR. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CALL 211.
United Way’s 211 Helpline is the public’s point of information about the coronavirus. call volume has jumped at the White Plains call center. Between March 4 and March 8, the call specialists have received about 500 calls and the count continues to grow. This is on top of the 2,900 calls received during the week of March 1-8 about other health and human service needs as well as the Earned Income Tax Credit screenings and Free Tax Appointment scheduling.
Join us in saying "Great Job" to the 211 Team!
There are now 98 confirmed coronavirus cases in Westchester County. There are 142 cases throughout New York State. 1 hospitalization in Westchester.
PAUL FEINER