Posts tagged with "GOVERNOR CUOMO"

COVID 19 by Symara Wilson for 360 Magazine, Covid Travel restriction

Coronavirus Mutations × U.S. Travel Restrictions

By: Emily Bunn

A breaking news article featured in The New York Times announced that the United States will be imposing a mandatory requirement for negative COVID-19 test results from all incoming, international travelers. The requirement for proof of a negative test in order to fly will begin Tuesday, January 25th.

The CDC has ordered for all travelers to provide proof of a negative test taken no more than 3 days before their travels. Without documentation of a negative test or documentation of recovery supplemented with a letter from a health care provider or public health official, passengers will be prohibited to fly.

The United States is not the only country to be putting in place tighter travel regulations. Due to new mutations of the virus, many countries are adopting stricter border protocol. The New York Times reports:

“Even as the United States moved to impose travel restrictions, citing the danger of the fast-moving variants, a case of the variant spreading in Brazil was identified in Minnesota.”

Variations of the virus in Brazil and South Africa, due to international travel, both pose the threat of COVID-19 mutating. If the virus does mutate, it is potential that the new strain of such will be unreactive to current vaccination efforts.

The New York Times reports that Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, an adviser to President Biden, has commented: “With the world travel that you have, and the degree of transmissibility efficiency, it’s not surprising.” Further, President Biden has broadcasted a ban on travel by all non-citizens into the United States from South Africa, the U.K., Ireland, and 26 other European countries.

An article published today on AP News reported that in attempts to increase vaccination efforts, President Biden announced that his administration is planning to purchase 100 million doses of each of the approved coronavirus vaccines–Pfizer and Moderna. Vaccination deliveries to states will be surged for the next three weeks. The Biden administration has announced that they plan to vaccinate 300 million citizens by the end of summer, as reported by The New York Times.

The President, in a White House briefing on January 26th, commented on importance of increasing vaccination supplies to help Americans:

“And to a nation waiting for action, let me be clearest on this point: Help is on the way.  We can do this if we come together, if we listen to the scientists.”

These efforts come at an especially critical time, as the global number of coronavirus cases has surpassed 100 million, reports The Wall Street Journal. However, that has been recent speculation regarding the accuracy of that number. In New York, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration has been accused of undercounting the amount of coronavirus deaths that occurred at nursing homes. A report released by Letitia James, the Attorney General of New York, shows that the coronavirus death count appears to have been cut by approximately 50 percent. The report compares the number of facility deaths publicized by the Department of Health–1,229 deaths, versus the number of facility deaths reported the Office of Attorney General–1,914 deaths. This staggering discrepancy between reported deaths has spurred suspicion against Cuomo, and the Office of Attorney General (OAG) is conducting an on-going investigation concerning the cause of these variances.

However, there is still hope. In Los Angeles, Governor Gavin Newsom rescinded the county’s stay-at-home order this past Monday, reports The Los Angeles Times. This new jurisdiction will allow for all counties in California to return to the four-tier, colored-coded system of assessing coronavirus risk. Lifting the imposed stay-at-home order could allow for the reopening of personal care services and outdoor dining. While LA has been particularly hard hit by coronavirus, the city actually has a higher vaccination rate than most other comparable cities in the U.S. The New York Times reports that “83 percent of the doses the city has received have been administered, compared with 74 percent in New York City; 52 percent in Bexar County, which includes San Antonio; and 58 percent of the doses ordered in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix.”

While the coronavirus situation is still being closely tracked and monitored, hospitalizations and the number of patients in ICUs have been steadily declining. With hospitalizations at their national lowest since December 13th and an increase in vaccination efforts, there is progress to be recognized, despite current setbacks and uncertainties.

Despite progress in vaccination efforts and decreasing corona virus cases, new virus mutations pose critical cause for concern. In countries across the Asia-Pacific region, a new, more infectious variant–the Delta variant–is causing stay-at-home orders to be again put into place. This new variant was first identified in India, and has quickly been spreading. As restrictions begin yet again, countries across the globe are grappling with the harrowing fate that the pandemic is far from over.

In some major Australian cities, such as Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Darwin, residents have been forced into strict lockdowns. Flights are even being banned due to the new threat, with Hong Kong barring British entry. Indefinite stay-at-home orders were extended by the Malaysian government on Monday. In Malaysia, the new variant is especially threatening, as only 6% of the country’s residents are fully vaccinated, reports the New York Times.

India has faced a devastating, major second wave of coronavirus due to the Delta Plus variant, a sub-lineage of the Delta variant. This past spring, the dangerous variant caused thousands of deaths per day, and forced residents into partial stay-at-home orders, yet again. Much like in Malaysia, in India only 5% of the population is fully vaccinated. In fear of a third wave of the virus, Maharashtra’s chief minister, Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, has authorized the use of a fourth vaccine in an attempt to increase vaccination supplies.

In good news, the Covid-19 vaccination is largely effective against the new Delta variant. However, this Delta variant is 50 percent more contagious than several of the other variants of concern, such as the Alpha variant.

As countries continue reopening, people look toward high vaccination rates to change the coronavirus game. In the U.S. and Britain, officials are planning to, or already have, lift most pandemic restrictions. White House secretary, Jen Psaki, recently announced that the United States would send two million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to Peru. Additionally, the U.S. looks to send 2.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine to Pakistan. A third shipment of 1.5 million Moderna vaccination doses will be sent to Honduras from the United States.

Looking ahead to this weekend, July 30-Aug 1, 2021, the return of  a major musical festival threatens a super-spreader event. The highly infectious variant of COVID-19 has again created a surge in the number of recent coronavirus cases. As festival fans migrate to Chicago for Lollapalooza – the first of which held since 2019 – the Windy City braces for the potentially devastating impact.

Fortunately, the festival is taking several precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. All attendees must be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of event entry. However, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns that not all guests will be honest about meeting these requirements.

The head of the BBB, Steve Bernas, warns of the potential for festival scammers who fabricate fake vaccine cards and negative test results. “We anticipate a double whammy this year not only the tickets but also the vaccine cards,” Bernas said in a statement. “The scammers will be out in full force.” He continues, cautioning ticket buyers to be on high-alert: “Just like finding tickets, there are countless ways for consumers to find vaccinations cards online, with online marketplaces, ticket sellers, resellers and the like…and unfortunately, some of them are rip-offs”

One of Chicago’s top coronavirus experts, Dr. Emily Landon, also weighed in on the weekend’s festivities. She argues that Lollapalooza’s 72-hour testing window is too lenient, and that the city is inviting in a massive spike of cases by holding the concert. NBC Chicago reports that Dr. Emily Landon commented, “Lolla has let us down with respect to how vigorously they’re restricting people based on the things that they sort of initially told us (about how) ‘we’re going to be really strict’ and now it’s like they’ve lightened up quite considerably on checking vaccines and negative tests.”

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady expressed concerns similar to Dr. Emily Landon’s. Recognizing the importance of getting vaccinated, she commented the following in a coronavirus update last week: “We want people to have a good time and we want this to be as safe as it can be…And so certainly we’ll be watching that just as we do any other gathering, but I am more concerned about the many people who have not chosen the COVID vaccine.”

Still, Chicago’s mayor and top doctor still haven’t wavered their support for the much-loved music festival. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot expressed her desire the event to occur as safely as possible, though she didn’t comment on the recent uptick in case numbers and coronavirus hospitalizations. NBC 5 Chicago reports on the current coronavirus statistics in the city:

“Chicago’s average daily number of new cases rose to 130 per day early Monday – a 76% jump compared to last week. The city’s average daily case rate was at 90 per day last week and 41 per day the week before that, meaning it’s more than tripled in roughly three weeks. However, it is still significantly lower than the more than 700 cases per day the city was seeing earlier this year and last, before vaccines were widely available.”

Additional safety measures, including mandatory mask-wearing on public transport, will also be enforced. The Chicago Transit Authority is offering reduced ticket rates this weekend for Lollapalooza travelers.

As Summer winds down, COVID-19 cases are beginning to rise yet again. Several virus variants, including the new Lambda variant, are causing major concern among Americans. In an attempt to quell concern, several cities have launched vaccine passport programs.

Across the United States, metropolitan hubs including New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans are requiring residents to show proof of vaccination before entering indoor spaces. That means that visiting gyms, concerts, restaurants, and more will require citizens to have both of their required vaccination shots. Vaccine passports are not being put in place to stop public gatherings, but are intended to creater safer enviroments outside of one’s home.

However, many Americans are opting to stay indoors yet again, thanks to new variant threats. The Lambda variant, which was first detected in Peru and is quckly spreading through South America, is causing concern among citizens. The New York Times reports that “On June 14, the World Health Organization designated it as a “variant of interest,” meaning, essentially, that experts suspect it could be more dangerous than the original strain.

However, it has been reported that the Lambda variant is likely not as contagious as other deadly virus mutuations, like the Delta variant. And fortunately, the Lambda variant is able to be combatted by the vaccines that have currently rolled out across the U.S. The New York Times records the climbing numbers of the Lambda variant, “As of mid-June, Lambda had been reported in 29 countries, territories or areas, according to a June 15 update from the W.H.O. The variant had been detected in 81 percent of coronavirus samples sequenced in Peru since April, and 31 percent of those in Chile to date, the agency said.” However, assessing the virus has been difficult due to Latin America’s limited ability to conduct geonomic surveillance and follow-up laboratory studies, reports the NYT. Scientists and medical professionals around the world are currently conducting research to better understand this new variant and its implications.

HotelPlanner’s Delta Variant Coverage:

America’s comeback is in jeopardy. The Delta variant is surging, prompting concerns that we need another lockdown. Travel executives are already huddling, discussing potential next steps to both protect guests and their businesses’ bottom lines. Americans were traveling in record numbers, and people are wondering if this could slow down the sector. How could the Delta variant, and other emerging variants, impact travel?

“We are watching the rapid uptick in Delta variant case infections closely, says Tim Hentschel, Co-Founder and CEO of HotelPlanner. “Although some families may choose to curtail their summer travel plans, we remain confident that the vast majority of Americans who were planning to travel this summer will keep their plans, while exercising more caution with crowds and destination selection. For those who are already vaccinated, the Delta variant shouldn’t be a deterrent to summer travel because they should be protected.”

ABOUT HOTELPLANNER

HotelPlanner is a leading travel technology company that combines proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, and a 24/7 global gig-based reservations and customer service network, to quickly and seamlessly serve all traveler hotel & accommodation needs from a single platform.

HotelPlanner is one of the world’s top providers of individual, group, and corporate travel bookings, specializing in unique “Closed User Group” discount rates.

Founded in 2004, HotelPlanner has enduring partnerships with the world’s largest Online Travel Agencies, well-known hotel chains, individual hotels, online wedding providers, ancillary lodging providers, corporations, sports franchises, universities, and government agencies.

COVID Mask Care illustration by Mina Tocalini for use by 360 Magazine

NYC COVID-19 Mortality Zeros Out

By Katrina Tiktinsky

New York City celebrated an enormous moment of progress on June 12th, as the COVID-19 related mortality count hit zero for the first time since March.

Following a period of strict regulations and a cautious initiation of the phased reopening process, New York has transformed from the global epicenter of the virus to a model for pandemic response. Governor Cuomo initiated a shelter-in-place strategy, issuing a prolonged stay-at-home order to limit social contact. This measure effectively flattened the curve of infections, unburdening hospitals in NYC and the larger tri-state area.

The city has suffered over 200,000 cases, over 50,000 hospitalizations, and around 20,000 mortalities from the novel coronavirus. New York’s battle with the pandemic is not over, but the success embodied by this week’s milestone points to hope for the country at large, should other states follow similar safety measures.

As the federal government pushes aggressively for what experts warn would be a dangerously premature reopening of the country, New York has ideologically differentiated itself. The city has taken a steady approach, recognizing that the economy cannot thrive without healthy citizens. Wear your mask, keep your distance, do your part.

GOVERNOR CUOMO, LaGuardia Airport, Delta Airlines, 360 MAGAZINE

LGA × DELTA


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of the first new concourse and gates at Delta Air Lines‘ new Terminal C as part of the ongoing $8 billion transformation of LaGuardia into a unified 21st century airport. This opening is the latest milestone in the complete rebuild of LaGuardia Airport, which will provide a world-class passenger experience featuring modern customer amenities, state-of-the-art architecture, more spacious gate areas and a connected terminal system. The seven new gates in the Delta concourse, on the far eastern side of the airport, will start serving passengers – running 60 flights per day to Boston, Chicago and Washington, DC – on Monday, November 4. This is the second new concourse to open as part of the complete rebuild following the opening of the new 18 gate concourse that Governor Cuomo unveiled at Terminal B last December on the airport’s western half. Additionally, last week the Port Authority board of directors approved the funding needed to build the LaGuardia AirTrain.

“The opening of the first new concourse at Terminal C is a major milestone that takes us one step closer to transforming LaGuardia Airport into a global gateway worthy of this state,” Governor Cuomo said. “We’re building the nation’s first completely new airport in 25 years and showing the nation and the world that you can be ambitious and get big things done. At the end of the day, the new LaGuardia Airport will provide a world-class passenger experience with state-of-the art terminals and concourses like the one we’re in today, new roadways and improved traffic flow, and 50 percent more tarmac space to reduce gate delays.”

The Governor was joined by Delta CEO Ed Bastian, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and representatives of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to cut the ribbon on the new concourse which spans 105,000-square-feet and offers floor-to-ceiling views of Flushing Bay and Citi Field.

Delta’s first new concourse on the eastern half of LaGuardia represents another step forward in the complex, multi-phase construction plan designed to enable the 30-million passengers-a-year airport to remain fully operational while the entire airport is rebuilt. Under the plan, old facilities are demolished only as new facilities are completed, ensuring the airport never loses capacity. Even during construction, LaGuardia has continued to set new records for passenger volume. Eight of the airport’s 12 busiest days on record occurred this past summer, and 2019 is on pace to serve over 31 million passengers.

Last week, the Port Authority’s Board of Commissioners formally authorized the funding needed to develop AirTrain LGA, which would connect the airport with a new station at Willets Point linked to enhanced Long Island Railroad service to and from New York City, providing for reliable and predictable travel times and alleviating the traffic and parking burden on local communities. In May, the FAA commenced the formal environmental review for the proposed AirTrain LGA, and the authorization of the project is subject to the FAA’s ongoing federal environmental review.

Governor Cuomo opened the first new concourse and gates of the new LaGuardia last December at Terminal B, on the western side of the airport. With today’s announcement of seven new gates opening on November 4th, roughly one-third of all passengers will be traveling through gates of the future “Whole New LGA.”

Furthering Delta’s commitment to enhancing the New York customer experience, the spacious 105,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art concourse will feature modern amenities and dining establishments inspired by local favorites including H&H Bagels, Rossi Pizzeria (from Chef Mark Iacono of Lucali), Flatiron Tavern & Provisions (from chefs Jess Shadbolt and Clare de Boer of King), Birch Coffee and Juice Press all organized by hospitality group OTG. The new gate areas provide more seating, sustainable technology powering ample outlets for charging devices and respite spaces for passengers to rest and regroup.

When complete, the new terminal will feature 37 gates across four concourses connected by a centralized and streamlined check-in lobby, security checkpoint and baggage claim; dual taxiways that will help reduce gate congestion and taxi times; a new, larger Delta Sky Club with a Sky Deck; larger gate areas and more concession space; and more efficient airport roadways.

At the new concourse, Delta has incorporated digital wayfinding signs to provide customer guidance and added hearing loop technology in every hold room for those with impaired hearing. Pilots will also notice upgrades with the new concourse such as a visual docking guidance system that assists with aircraft parking and automatically positions the passenger boarding bridges close to the aircraft to provide safer and deplaning and boarding.

The new facility is powered by a 12-megawatt Con Edison substation, which is integrated into the upper level of the concourse, with cooling towers, chillers, pumps and other equipment to service the terminal. All major electrical and mechanical equipment is housed on the upper level to protect such systems from water/flood damage in the event of a major storm. The concourse also features an ice-generation system that reduces electrical consumption at times of peak demand in the summer by creating ice at night, when energy demand is lower, and using it to cool the building during the day.

Delta operates more than 275 peak-day departures from its LGA hub and began construction on the $4 billion replacement of Terminals C and D in August 2017, building on the airline’s extensive investment in New York airports over the past decade.

Governor Cuomo first unveiled the vision for a comprehensive redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport to create a unified airport and 21st century customer experience in 2015. Construction began on the $8 billion project, roughly two-thirds of which is funded through private financing and existing passenger fees, in June 2016.

On the western side of the airport, the new $4 billion Terminal B, being built and operated by the private consortium LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), is replacing the obsolete terminal that opened more than 50 years ago. On the eastern side of the airport, Delta Air Lines’ new $4 billion Terminal C will ultimately comprise a total 37 gates across four new concourses. As part of the redevelopment project, each new terminal will be equipped with electric ground service equipment charging facilities to accommodate an electric fleet.

LGP and Delta are privately financing roughly two-thirds of the redevelopment’s costs, and the Port Authority has committed the remaining one-third – most of it for overhauling and simplifying the current labyrinth network of on-airport roadways.

The new terminal buildings will be located closer to the Grand Central Parkway than the existing terminals, increasing the size of the airfield and allowing for dual taxiways to reduce gate congestion, while also enabling larger gate areas to more efficiently accommodate modern aircraft. State-of-the-art security technology will be integrated from curb to gate.

The past 20 months have been critical for the project as progress has accelerated. In February 2018, the new Terminal B parking garage opened with 3,200 spaces, including more than 2,400 for personal vehicles and a dedicated level for Uber, Lyft and other for-hire car services. In December 2018, Governor Cuomo opened the first of 18 new gates and the first new concourse in Terminal B on the western side of the airport, which serves American Airlines, United Southwest and Air Canada.

Overall, the redevelopment of LaGuardia is anticipated to create a combined $10 billion in economic activity and $2.5 billion in wages over the life of the project. LaGuardia Airport contracts with certified minority and women-owned businesses (MWBE) have now exceeded $1.3 billion. At Terminal B, LaGuardia Gateway Partners has over $853 million in contracts with commitments with 279 MWBE firms to date, and at Terminal C, Delta has nearly $510 million in contracts and commitments with 154 MWBEs for a combined more than $1.36 billion awarded to MWBE organizations.

Delta is the largest employer at LaGuardia and employs over 1,800 Queens residents across its facilities at LGA and at JFK. Delta’s partner at the new Terminal C, hospitality group OTG has already hired 120 new employees for the concessions at the new concourse, and 80% are from Queens.

These hires will build on the nearly 400 new hires for jobs at the airport’s new Terminal B concourse, with 55 percent of those hires being Queens residents. In addition, the LaGuardia Redevelopment program has partnered with Vaughn College and LaGuardia Community College to create internship programs and fund scholarships for local youth. This summer, LGA Redevelopment funded a 6-week STEM education program for 50 middle school students at Langston Hughes Library in Corona.

Governor Cuomo and the Port Authority continue to work with local stakeholders and Queens residents to ensure local businesses, MWBEs and jobseekers take advantage of new opportunities as part of LaGuardia Airport’s redevelopment and economic growth. In April, Governor Cuomo announced the opening of the new Council for Airport Opportunity office in Corona. The non-profit provides airport-related recruitment and job placement services to minority and disadvantaged residents in Queens. To help continue that work, a lease has been signed on a permanent LaGuardia Redevelopment community office in East Elmhurst.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Executive Director Rick Cotton said, “The opening of the new Delta concourse and gates mark another key milestone of the $8 billion redevelopment of an entirely new LaGuardia Airport. The transformation of LaGuardia airport is part of The Port Authority’s ongoing commitment to improve passenger experience and provide travelers with world class facilities.”

Senator Leroy Comrie, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Corporations, Authorities & Commissions said, “As Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Corporations, Authorities & Commissions, I commend Governor Cuomo and Port Authority leadership for an unyielding commitment to fundamentally revitalizing our essential transportation infrastructure. Queens–the “World’s Borough”–deserves truly world-class facilities, from airports and thoroughfares to expanded express buses, one seat rides and accessible subway stations. I am heartened that this project continues to proceed apace and I look forward to continued, thoughtful and community-driven improvements in the pipeline that will benefit all New Yorkers as we modernize and revitalize LaGuardia Airport.”

Assembly Member Amy R. Paulin, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions said, “Between the complete remodeling of the concourse and gates at Terminal B and this new state-of-the-art concourse opening this month at Terminal C, the LaGuardia Airport of the future is taking shape before our eyes. The Governor has challenged our state public authorities to deliver world-class infrastructure projects to the benefit of New Yorkers and visitors from across the country and the world. The public-private partnership developing this new LaGuardia has once again risen to the challenge.”

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said, “The opening of Delta’s new concourse and gates at Terminal C is a tremendous step forward in our effort to build a state-of-the-art, 21st century airport the borough that calls it home deserves. Creating a whole new LaGuardia also means investing in our families and our communities, not just our infrastructure, and Queens is thrilled that 80 percent of the employees hired to work at the new concourse’s concessions are borough residents.”

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said, “Two years ago, we set out to build a state-of-the-art facility at LaGuardia Airport, an airport that our customers and the people of New York deserve. Thanks to the commitment and hard work of the Delta team and our many partners, today marks the beginning of a new era for millions of Delta customers at LaGuardia. The excitement that is building here is palpable and contagious, and we are already looking ahead to many more milestones to come.”

Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. The agency’s network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than $23 billion in annual wages and $80 billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where the 1,776-foot-tall One World Trade Center is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. The Port Authority receives no tax revenue from either the State of New York or New Jersey or from the City of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit. For more information, please visit http://www.panynj.gov.