Apr 16, 2021
- We know how the virus spreads, so it is simply a question of behavior and precautions if we hope to stop the spread as we vaccinate New York. The more precautions each of us take, the fewer people get infected. We're at a point now where we've communicated all the information that we can communicate and everyone knows the facts. We've asked New Yorkers to continue to take the risk seriously, but it is now up to each of us. It's up to you as an individual, you as a family, you as a community. Our recovery is going to be a function of how many vaccinations we take, and I believe that there is a civic and community duty for each of us to take a vaccine. We'll only be safe when everyone is safe.
Here's what else you need to know tonight:
1. COVID hospitalizations dropped to 3,884, the lowest since November 30. Of the 232,929 tests reported yesterday, 6,555, or 2.81 percent, were positive. The 7-day average positivity rate was 3.04 percent. There were 868 patients in ICU yesterday, down 18 from the previous day. Of them, 543 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 43 New Yorkers to the virus.
2. As of 11am this morning, 40.2 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 233,973 total doses have been administered. To date, New York has administered 12,872,765 total doses with 27.0 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State's Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.
3. Today I signed legislation that will ensure low-income families have access to high-speed internet. The legislation requires that internet service providers offer high-speed internet plans to low-income customers for $15 per month. The pandemic reshaped many norms with remote learning, remote working and telemedicine and we must shape New York to adapt to these new conditions and ensure high-speed internet is available and affordable to every New Yorker.
4. Tickets for the 2021 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach will go on sale Monday, April 19 at 9am. Event Parking Passes will be required for all three shows beginning with Friday's practice show on May 28 and culminating with the final show on Sunday, May 30. The $10 per vehicle Event Parking Passes can be obtained from the State Parks' website. Additionally, 1,800 passes will be distributed to Long Island's three health care networks to be provided to their frontline health care workers involved in the pandemic response.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": A Roslyn, NY high school student is connecting companies to charities to help people in need. Throughout the pandemic, the demand for new clothes spiked as charities stopped accepting used items. The Mia Exchange, started by 17-year-old Mia Sara, donates new clothes from store warehouses to women's shelters, churches, the Salvation Army and other organizations that provide these new clothes to those in need. We applaud Mia for exemplifying the best of New York's values.
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