Mayor Of Rye Releases Coronavirus Update, January 22, 2021

Press release from the City of Rye:

January 22 2021

[If you don't get these messages directly and would like to, please go to https://www.ryeny.gov/services/email-notifications, scroll down and select "City of Rye News and Information."]

Okay, we are getting a little better, maybe. Our number of active cases reported by the County is down to 149 - hopefully showing a trend away from our post-holidays peak. Let's call it a trend, thank ourselves for managing this turnaround and resolve to keep heading in this direction. Yes, we are in our coldest part of the year, yes, we want to be indoors together (big fire in the fireplace, toasty mugs of whatever, friends new and old, etc.), but, sigh, let's tough it out, please.

At this point, the problems with vaccine access are well-known. Eligible friends report to me their frustrations and, fortunately in an increasing number of cases, success in getting the shot. We all want things to move faster, though. I have once again written to the Governor [Letter], urging consideration of drive-through vaccination sites (Playland?) and again indicating the special consideration that needs to be given to the homebound, be they seniors or disabled, who cannot go to the shot. Our Senior Advocacy Committee is devising a means to collect a list of names and contact information for such individuals. More on this to follow soon.

It is possible that New York State may permit its cities to toll the date for imposition of penalties for failure to pay city taxes on time in this COVID moment. The City Council last week provided its own one-month grace period (moving from February 28 to a March 31 deadline) pending more news from Albany. City tax bills will be distributed on March 1st. If the ability to provide such grace is continued, the City may well need to tailor it with qualifications to protect City financial liquidity.

The Chamber of Commerce and our merchants and restaurateurs are once again welcoming us to Purchase Street, this time with a "Winter Wonderland," to start tomorrow, Saturday. There will be a scavenger hunt, stores will display snowflakes artfully rendered by our kids, cookies figure in the proceedings and the fire house will be collecting non-perishables for the needy. Sounds like a nice answer to January and more cause to shop local. Please go to the Chamber website for more information.

As I pause at 4:30, I am enjoying the fact that there is still daylight, much improved over a month ago. Yes, I know this happens every year, but today i am going to ask us all to take this as a sign - one emblematic of our progress.

See you tomorrow in Wonderland.

Mayor Josh Cohn

Useful Contacts:

• People under self-quarantine or exposure to known case, call (866) 588-0195 or 2-1-1 to self-report
• NYS Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline (888) 364-3065
• Westchester County COVID-19 Information Call 211
• COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.

CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/media/dpk/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus-2020.html

NY Dept of Health Coronavirus Update

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

NY Dept of Health Contacts

https://health.ny.gov/contact/contact_information/

County COVID Updates

https://health.westchestergov.com/2019-novel-coronavirus

This press release was produced by the City of Rye.The views expressed here are the author’s own.