Category: Healthy Update

  • Tech-enabled Sexual Health, Sparkle’s .1 Million Seed, Facebook’s Policy Update • Techpoint Africa

    Tech-enabled Sexual Health, Sparkle’s $3.1 Million Seed, Facebook’s Policy Update • Techpoint Africa

    Good day,

    These days I’m speaking about:

    • Enhancing your sexual health with technology 
    • Sparkle’s $3.1 million seed 
    • Facebook’s plan on sexual harassment of general public figures

    Bettering your sexual wellbeing with technology 

    Sexual well being is a vital element of our physical health and improvement. 

    It requires intimacy with a husband or wife, speaking express sexual needs and desires, being sexually useful — acquiring sexual need, getting aroused, and obtaining sexual fulfilment — behaving consciously and responsibly, and setting up proper sexual boundaries.

    Sexual health is significant to our general overall health and nicely-becoming, and the social and economic growth of communities and nations around the world.  

    Nevertheless, in Africa, sexual well-being schooling is rarely reviewed, major to sexual dysfunction, endometriosis, Sexually Transmitted Bacterial infections (STIs), HIV, and unintended pregnancies.

    Nonetheless, technological innovation is assisting us to dwell sexually healthy life by bringing information to our fingertips.

    Research by Loraine J. Bacchus, Kate Reiss, et al. on Employing Digital Technological innovation for Sexual and Reproductive Health and fitness displays that health care is more and more getting sent via digital channels like mobile phone messaging, social media, applications, voice, video clip messaging, and telemedicine. 

    So, I reviewed sexual wellness and how technology can strengthen our sex life.

    You can browse it listed here: How know-how can strengthen your sexual intercourse existence in Africa 

    Sparkle’s $3.1 million seed

    Source: Equipped

    On Thursday, Oct 14, 2021, Nigerian neobank, Sparkle, lifted $3.1 million in seed funding to scale its functions.

    The spherical was led by Leadway Assurance. Trium Networks and other unnamed people participated in the round. 

    Released in the fourth quarter of 2019 by Uzoma Dozie, Sparkle CEO, the startup states it gives seamless options to Nigeria’s stores, SMEs, and individuals.

    In 2020, Sparkle released Sparkle Company to present banking companies to men and women and corporations. 

    For every Techcrunch, Sparkle differs from other neobanks because it gives Nigerians monetary, lifestyle, and business guidance services.

    What’s additional, the funds will be utilised to produce robotic approach automation to assist in mundane and repetitive tasks, and to retain the services of talent in engineering, economic risk, and marketing.

     

    Facebook’s new coverage on sexual harassment of community figures 

    What’s the information? As part of a new update to its bullying and harassment guidelines, Facebook announced on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, that it would start removing “severe sexualising content” directed at general public figures. 

    Facebook said that as part of the plan update, it would take away any profiles, internet pages, teams, or activities focused on sexualising community figures, like stars, politicians, and written content creators.

    Antigone Davis, Worldwide Head of Basic safety at Facebook, explained that “sexualised photoshops and drawings, and any degrading information depicting men and women in the system of bodily capabilities,” is prohibited.

    Also, Facebook said that it would clear away “unwanted sexualised commentary” and repeated attacks sexually harassing a person,Travel Tips.

    Davis reported, “Public figures, both politicians, journalists, stars, or content creators use Facebook and Instagram to interact directly with their followers. We designed these adjustments mainly because assaults like these can weaponise a community figure’s physical appearance, which is avoidable and normally not associated to the perform these general public figures signify.”

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  • What is COVID quarantine guidance for schools in Ohio?

    What is COVID quarantine guidance for schools in Ohio?

    The steering update arrives as the country awaits vaccination acceptance for all those ages 5-11.

    COLUMBUS, Ohio — The state of Ohio has up to date its quarantine steering for educational institutions when it will come to COVID-19 exposure with the purpose of trying to keep additional students in the classroom. The modifications ended up announced for the duration of a Monday push meeting with Ohio Division of Wellbeing Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff.

    “While vaccination and mask utilization are crucial components of making sure a harmless college environment to aid in-college studying, we’re providing an in-school option to out-of-college quarantine to learners and employees who are uncovered to COVID-19 in university configurations and school-related pursuits,” Dr. Vanderhoff mentioned.

    The adjustments include mask putting on and testing to decrease the opportunity of distribute of COVID-19 and to deliver a safe and sound alternative to out-of-college quarantine.

    https://www.youtube.com/look at?v=pfNKYScwq4A

    “Faculties are not required to adopt these procedures and mother and father can decide out if they drive,” Dr. Vanderhoff pointed out.

    The new steering has two major focal points.

    &#13

    MASK TO Remain

    “It applies to participation in the classroom following a COVID-19 publicity in a faculty placing or a further faculty-linked action,” Dr. Vanderhoff explained. 

    Direct contacts, regardless of vaccination or masking position, could keep on being in the classroom atmosphere if they do the adhering to:

    • Put on a mask for 14 times following their previous day of publicity.
    • Self-check or mum or dad-keep an eye on for symptoms of COVID-19.
    • Isolate and get tested if they start off to experience indicators affiliated with COVID-19.

    College students and team may possibly discontinue these quarantine methods after seven times if they satisfy two essential standards: They really do not produce any signs or symptoms and they check adverse among days five and seven.

    &#13

    Test TO Enjoy

    “Applies to participation in extracurricular functions adhering to exposure in the classroom or college-connected atmosphere,” Dr. Vanderhoff described. “Asymptomatic contacts may possibly keep on to take part in extracurricular activities if they have on a mask when equipped.”

    He reported testing really should be finished on original notification of publicity to COVID-19 and again between days 5 and 7.

    “If they’re detrimental at that time, amongst times 5 and 7, they of system qualify to exam out of quarantine following working day seven and can resume standard actions.”

    The tests can be both a PCR or antigen exam. It must not be an above-the-counter, self-monitored check.

    “School districts really should take into consideration identical-working day tests for athletic competitions where by there’s likely of university-to-university publicity,” Dr. Vanderhoff included.

    Dr. Vanderhoff said these exposed to COVID-19 outside the house of faculty, nonetheless, ought to adhere to regular quarantine recommendations that exist today.

    “As a reminder, individuals who continuously don masks in university and these who are absolutely vaccinated, can currently remain in the classroom if they are exposed to COVID-19 in a university placing.”

    In advance of the 2021-22 university yr commenced, the Ohio Division of Wellbeing issued direction to assist with quarantine choices “after a university student or grownup get in touch with is uncovered to someone with COVID-19 in the classroom location.”

    Associated: Suggestions for staying wholesome while however trick-or-managing in the course of a pandemic

    That earlier released direction recommended different protection protocols in an effort and hard work to minimize publicity and want for quarantine, which incorporated recommending masks for college students and staff members no matter of vaccination position, physical distancing of at minimum three feet, elevated ventilation and enhanced cleaning strategies.

    Similar: ‘It’s far as well early for us to claim victory’: Ohio well being officials urge COVID and flu vaccinations ahead of holiday break season

    https://www.youtube.com/enjoy?v=SGqbJ6MMooA

  • Governor Hochul provides Saturday coronavirus update | WIVT

    Governor Hochul provides Saturday coronavirus update | WIVT

    NEW YORK (WWTI) — Governor Kathy Hochul updated New Yorkers on the state’s progress combating COVID-19 on Saturday.

    “We’ve worked hard and already hit a milestone of eighty-five percent of adult New Yorkers with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and we need to keep it up to get that number even higher,” Governor Hochul said. “Every day the people of this great state show that they know what to do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and healthy. Getting the vaccine is free, easy, and effective. If you haven’t already, get yours today.”

    Saturday’s data is summarized briefly below:

    • Test Results Reported – 208,561
    • Total Positive – 4,338
    • Percent Positive – 2.08{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    • 7-Day Average Percent Positive – 2.15{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    • Patient Hospitalization – 2,048 (-18)
    • Patients Newly Admitted – 239
    • Patients in ICU – 461 (+1)
    • Patients in ICU with Intubation – 250 (+3)
    • Total Discharges – 206,570 (+233)
    • New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS – 37
    • Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS – 45,316
    • Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC – 57,617
    • Total vaccine doses administered – 26,587,435
    • Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours – 59,830
    • Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days – 365,588
    • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose – 83.5{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series – 75.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) – 86.6{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 77.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose – 70.8{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series – 64.2{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) – 73.4{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 66.0{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}

    Each region’s 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:

    Region Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Thursday, October 21, 2021 Friday, October 22, 2021
    Capital Region 3.75{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 3.66{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 3.62{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    Central New York 5.18{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 4.80{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 4.27{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    Finger Lakes 4.62{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 4.59{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 4.61{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    Long Island 2.46{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 2.34{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 2.23{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    Mid-Hudson 2.07{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 2.02{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 1.93{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    Mohawk Valley 4.74{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 4.42{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 4.10{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    New York City 1.15{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 1.10{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 1.07{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    North Country 5.82{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 5.57{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 5.20{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    Southern Tier 3.39{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 3.33{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 3.22{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    Western New York 4.96{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 4.60{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 4.57{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    Statewide 2.30{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 2.20{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 2.15{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}

    Each New York City borough’s 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:

    Borough in NYC Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Thursday, October 21, 2021 Friday, October 22, 2021
    Bronx 0.97{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 0.96{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 0.92{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    Kings 1.40{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 1.38{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 1.34{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    New York 0.82{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 0.75{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 0.71{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    Queens 1.10{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 1.05{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 1.05{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}
    Richmond 1.73{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 1.59{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} 1.53{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}

    On Friday, 4,338 New Yorkers tested positive for COVID-19 in New York State, bringing the total to 2,507,829. A geographic breakdown is as follows:  

    County Total Positive New Positive
    Albany 31,020 105
    Allegany 4,661 20
    Broome 24,657 105
    Cattaraugus 7,817 65
    Cayuga 8,702 28
    Chautauqua 12,500 51
    Chemung 11,021 55
    Chenango 4,715 9
    Clinton 6,787 37
    Columbia 5,037 12
    Cortland 5,380 23
    Delaware 3,585 11
    Dutchess 35,740 69
    Erie 106,959 381
    Essex 2,347 20
    Franklin 4,328 28
    Fulton 6,412 47
    Genesee 7,082 44
    Greene 4,410 9
    Hamilton 439 1
    Herkimer 6,861 30
    Jefferson 8,983 59
    Lewis 3,636 15
    Livingston 5,780 25
    Madison 6,251 31
    Monroe 84,784 252
    Montgomery 6,022 29
    Nassau 214,772 202
    Niagara 24,170 94
    NYC 1,092,348 874
    Oneida 28,822 102
    Onondaga 52,355 189
    Ontario 9,423 45
    Orange 57,712 92
    Orleans 4,384 29
    Oswego 11,764 56
    Otsego 4,606 14
    Putnam 12,529 20
    Rensselaer 14,902 63
    Rockland 53,233 55
    Saratoga 20,424 82
    Schenectady 16,876 97
    Schoharie 2,322 21
    Schuyler 1,546 2
    Seneca 2,757 11
    St. Lawrence 10,664 66
    Steuben 10,245 60
    Suffolk 240,189 312
    Sullivan 8,511 13
    Tioga 5,162 32
    Tompkins 6,549 23
    Ulster 17,327 27
    Warren 5,542 41
    Washington 4,667 26
    Wayne 8,251 49
    Westchester 143,776 59
    Wyoming 4,418 11
    Yates 1,667 10

    On Friday, 37 New Yorkers died due to COVID-19, bringing the total to 45,316. A geographic breakdown is as follows, by county of residence:  

    County New Deaths
    Allegany 1
    Bronx 1
    Broome 1
    Cattaraugus 1
    Chenango 2
    Erie 3
    Franklin 1
    Greene 1
    Kings 2
    Monroe 1
    Montgomery 1
    Nassau 3
    Niagara 1
    Onondaga 3
    Orange 1
    Orleans 1
    Oswego 2
    Queens 3
    Rensselaer 2
    Richmond 1
    Saratoga 1
    Schenectady 1
    Suffolk 2
    Westchester 1

    On Friday, 13,053 New Yorkers received their first vaccine dose, and 17,673 completed their vaccine series. A geographic breakdown of New Yorkers who have been vaccinated by region is as follows: 

    People with at least one vaccine dose:

    Region Cumulative
    Total
    Increase over past 24 hours
    Capital Region 761,567 472
    Central New York 593,052 338
    Finger Lakes 774,751 585
    Long Island 1,921,217 927
    Mid-Hudson 1,487,093 803
    Mohawk Valley 297,807 207
    New York City 6,847,634 8,405
    North Country 276,115 203
    Southern Tier 396,278 348
    Western New York 851,113 765
    Statewide 14,206,627 13,053

    People with complete vaccine series:

    Region Cumulative
    Total
    Increase over past 24 hours
    Capital Region 701,442 495
    Central New York 551,794 405
    Finger Lakes 723,630 603
    Long Island 1,716,272 2,048
    Mid-Hudson 1,325,354 1,309
    Mohawk Valley 276,718 279
    New York City 6,132,311 10,828
    North Country 250,634 200
    Southern Tier 367,091 384
    Western New York 783,992 1,122
    Statewide 12,829,238 17,673
  • City Council preview on Worcester’s health inequities

    City Council preview on Worcester’s health inequities

    WORCESTER — The 2016 Group Well being Enhancement Strategy, a highway map for raising wellbeing outcomes for metropolis and location people formulated via the cooperation of the city’s Division of Public Wellness and many community health and human company companies, pledged to just take a much more concentrated seem at well being inequities. 

    The CHIP, as it really is generally referred to, is getting its 5-yr update this year, and the Town Council past 7 days acquired a sneak preview of wherever it’s headed by means of 2026. 

    City Council preview on Worcester’s health inequities

    Couple could have predicted the 2016 plan’s emphasis on wellness inequities would demonstrate so prescient when people today in the Worcester started off finding ill with a bizarre, speedily spreading, barely understood virus in March 2020. 

    COVID-19 pulled into the light deep-seated wellness inequities in the metropolis. Communities of colour and poorer communities have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, and vaccination premiums in the exact communities have lagged. 

  • N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 5 more deaths, 7,000 public sector employees unvaccinated

    N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 5 more deaths, 7,000 public sector employees unvaccinated

    Five more New Brunswickers have lost their lives to COVID-19, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard announced Friday.

    Four people in the Moncton region, Zone 1 – including two people 60-69, a person 70-79 and a person 80-89 – and a person 70-79 in the Campbellton region, Zone 5, have died.

    This pushes the province’s death toll to 106. Shephard said she is “saddened” by the news, calling each loss of life “incredibly difficult.”

    But she noted the “positive trend” of the 40 new cases of COVID-19 being outnumbered by the 67 recoveries — one she said she hopes will continue.

    Shephard also announced that about 7,000 of the government’s 59,500 employees have still not shown proof they’ve received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

    Although vaccination rates among public sector employees have increased by six per cent since mandatory vaccination was announced on Oct. 5 Shephard said she is troubled.

    “We simply cannot afford to have unvaccinated people working in New Brunswick’s public service. The potential risk to co-workers, patients, students and members of the public is too high,” she said.

    As of Saturday, those who have not received at least one dose won’t have enough time to meet the Nov. 19 deadline to be fully vaccinated because of the required 28 days between doses.

    “This means they will spend at least some time home from work without pay,” Shephard said.

    This will definitely have an impact on the public service, she said, noting the unvaccinated individuals are in all sectors, including payroll entry, front-line hospital workers and education staff.

    “But we have to have a steady line of understanding that this is very necessary for the protection of everyone.” said Shephard.

    A total of 83.3 per cent of New Brunswickers age 12 and older are now fully vaccinated, up from 83.1 on Thursday, and 92 per cent have received their first dose, up from 91.9.

    Shephard urged all public service employees who have not yet received a dose to book an appointment immediately to reduce the length of time they’ll be on unpaid leave.

    “I’m optimistic that after weighing the consequences, more people will choose to do the right thing.”

    Red alert extended for at least 1 week

    She made the comments during a news conference held to provide an update on the state of the health-care system.

    Fifty people are hospitalized because of the virus, down from 55 on Thursday, including 15 in intensive care, a decrease of one.

    Eleven people are on ventilators, including seven in Horizon Health Network hospitals and four in Vitalité Health Network hospitals.

    The province has an “ample” supply of ventilators, said Shephard.

    Dr. John Dornan, interim president and CEO of Horizon and Dr. France Desrosiers, president and CEO of Vitalité, announced the red alert level protocols for COVID-19 will be extended for at least another week.

    The red alert level protocols allow the regional health authorities to redeploy staff and reduce non-essential services to maintain emergency services and ICUs, caring for COVID-19 patients and those who are critically ill.

    Fourth wave struck with unexpected ‘intensity’

    Desrosiers said the fourth wave of the pandemic has struck “with an intensity that we have never forecasted.”

    An outbreak at the Campbellton Regional Hospital has resulted in 17 positive cases among patients, four of whom died,  and 37 infections among staff.

    Desrosiers said it clearly shows how one infection in a hospital can paralyze a facility. Speaking in French, she added that no new cases have been detected since Oct. 20.

    The outbreak was previously reported as being at the Restigouche Hospital Centre in Campbellton, the province’s only dedicated mental health hospital. On Friday, Desrosiers told CBC the same medical team provides services at both hospitals.

    Across the network, 59 employees are off work, including 19 who tested have positive.

    About 2,000 digital imaging appointments and 515 elective surgeries have had to be postponed since Vitalité moved to the red alert phase Oct. 12, said Desrosiers.

    Last Wednesday alone, there were 55 New Brunswickers who “unfortunately will have to wait a little longer to get their surgery, surgery that they need in order to improve their health and their quality of life,” she said.

    “It is difficult for them and we are very aware of that.”

    On average, all Vitalité hospitals are operating above 100 per cent capacity.

    Vitalité has about 900 unvaccinated staff.

    The decision to move back to the orange or yellow level will be based on being able to manage the risk of community transmission and the capacity of human resources, Desrosiers said.

    ‘Proverbial Trojan horse’

    Dornan described the delta variant as a “proverbial Trojan horse.”

    “It enters our hospital in disguise, on the back of your hand, on your body when you are completely asymptomatic, and then you become positive and you spread it to a friend, or an inpatient, and they spread it to somebody else, and then they spread it to staff.”

    The hospitals need to break its access, he said, referring to visitor restrictions and limited support worker access.

    The number of cases connected to the outbreaks in the Moncton Hospital’s cancer and general surgery units remains at 14 patients and 11 staff, Dornan said. The outbreaks have resulted in reduced access to chemotherapy treatments and surgeries for some patients, he said.

    Asked for an update on a third outbreak on the hospital’s geriatric unit — Units 5100 and 5200 —  Dornan incorrectly told CBC an outbreak had not been declared.

    An outbreak was declared on Sept. 27. No new cases have been confirmed since Oct. 1, said Horizon spokesperson Kris McDavid. The outbreak will be declared over after two viral cycles, each of 14 days, with no new cases, he said.

    The 40 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed Friday are spread across five of the province’s seven health zones and put the total active case count at 731. (CBC)

    On Thursday, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell revealed most of the then-23 fully vaccinated people hospitalized with COVID-19 contracted the virus after they were hospitalized for other reasons at the Moncton Hospital and Campbellton Regional Hospital.

    Asked what is being done to improve protocols to ensure such infections don’t continue, Dornan acknowledged when people go to the hospital, they “have some assurances that they’re safe, that they’re not going to get sicker.”

    “The infections in our hospitals were borne by visitors, by that Trojan horse,” he said, so limiting people from entering the hospital is key. Desrosiers, however, said it’s difficult to trace the index case in a hospital outbreak.

    They both said they’ve increased screening. Horizon also polls people twice a day about whether they’re experiencing COVID-related symptoms, said Dornan.

    In addition, it practises “very good droplet precaution, handwashing, masking religiously in all our units, and those manoeuvres already have reduced any further spread,” he said.

    Dornan said it was a small number of COVID patients who acquired the virus in hospital. The Moncton Hospital outbreak started with a patient who didn’t know they had COVID. The patient screened negatively and only developed symptoms later, he said.

    Across Horizon, a total of 113 “non-urgent” surgeries have been delayed or cancelled so far, he said, refusing to refer to them as “elective” surgeries, noting there is “no such thing.”

    “You don’t wake up and say, ‘I think I elect to have surgery today.’ Elective surgery just means that it does not need to be done within the next 24 or 48 hours.

    “And to be clear, while the term ‘elective’ is used, every single surgery is assessed, covered by our health-care system and is necessary.”

    Seventy-one of them have been in the Fredericton and Upper River Valley area, 42 in the Moncton area, and some in the Saint John area as well, even though it’s not a circuit breaker region, because the OR staff are needed in other units, he said.

    There’s no playbook for how we respond to COVID.– John Dornan, Horizon interim president and CEO

    In some cases, surgeries are postponed at the patients’ wishes because they’re nervous to go to the hospital during the red phase, Dornan said. Horizon has been at the red phase since Oct. 13.

    “We are always very concerned that … post red phases, people’s diseases progressed to the point that when they come back, it’s a more serious problem.”

    Most of Horizon’s hospitals are operating at over 90 per cent capacity. The ideal occupancy rate is about 85 per cent, he said.

    About 1,200 Horizon employees remain unvaccinated.

    “Sometimes we have to make difficult decisions with respect to all aspects of our hospital care. And this is a very sensitive process,” Dornan said.

    “We also have to weigh the risks and benefits of doing nothing. And generally speaking, that’s just untenable. There’s no playbook for how we respond to COVID.”

    Booster dose appointments for health-care workers now available

    Health-care personnel, including those working in long-term care facilities, can now book an appointment to receive an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose if six months have passed since their second dose of a vaccine, Public Health announced Friday.

    Appointments can be scheduled for a regional health authority community COVID-19 vaccination clinic through the online booking system or at a participating pharmacy.

    Details on booster doses for other groups will be available in the “coming weeks,” according to a news release.

    Health-care workers are reminded to bring their immunization record with them to their appointment.

    Update on school sports and extracurricular activities

    School teams and extracurricular groups are now permitted to travel within New Brunswick, including in and out of circuit breaker communities, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard announced Friday.

    Students under the age of 12 in circuit breaker communities will also be able to resume school sports and extracurricular activities, following the Healthy and Safe School guidelines, she said. All these activities continue to be subject to guidance provided in the mandatory order.

    Spectators are allowed to attend school-related events that are held outside of school facilities, provided they show proof they are fully vaccinated and follow masking and physical distancing requirements, Shephard said.

    Starting Oct. 29, spectators will also be permitted to attend sports and extracurricular activities inside school buildings, provided they follow masking, physical distancing and “any other operational requirements set out by schools or districts,” she said.

    “All events will require the co-operation and support of families and community volunteers,” Shephard noted. “If schools are not able to find enough community volunteers to manage events, individual schools and school districts may choose not to allow spectators.”

    Breakdown of cases

    The 40 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed Friday put the province’s total active case count at 731.

    Of the new cases, 29 – or 73 per cent – are unvaccinated, two – or five per cent – are partially vaccinated, and nine – or 22 per cent – are fully vaccinated.

    Of the 50 people hospitalized due to the virus, 25 are unvaccinated, three are partially vaccinated and 22 are fully vaccinated.

    Of the 15 people in intensive care, 14 are unvaccinated and one is partially vaccinated.

    Here is a breakdown of the new cases:

    Moncton region, Zone 1, 25 cases:

    • 10 people 19 or under
    • Two people 20-29
    • Four people 30-39
    • Four people 50-59
    • Three people 60-69
    • A person 70-79
    • A person 80-89

    Twenty-four cases are under investigation and the other is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

    Saint John region, Zone 2, three cases:

    • A person 20-29
    • A person 40-49
    • A person 60-69

    All three cases are under investigation.

    The Moncton Hospital has COVID-19 outbreaks in the cancer, geriatric and general surgery units. It’s a hospital ‘under duress,’ said Horizon’s interim president and CEO Dr. John Dornan. (CBC)

    Fredericton region, Zone 3, five cases:

    • Three people 19 or under
    • A person 20-29
    • A person 30-39

    All five cases are under investigation.

    Edmundston region, Zone 4, five cases:

    • A person 19 or under
    • A person 30-39
    • A person 50-59
    • Two people 60-69

    All five cases are under investigation.

    Campbellton region, Zone 5, two cases:

    One case is under investigation and the other is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

    New Brunswick has had 6,072 confirmed cases of COVID since the start of the pandemic, with 5,234 recoveries so far.

    A total of 514,676 lab tests have been conducted to date, including 1,793 on Thursday.

    On Thursday, 9,471 rapid-test kits were distributed across the province, Public Health said.

    Sackville nursing home outbreak to be declared over

    A COVID-19 outbreak at Drew Nursing Home in Sackville is expected to be declared over Friday at midnight, according to an update the home sent to families Thursday night.

    The latest round of tests Tuesday found no new positive cases, the update states.

    The home is currently updating its visitation policy.

    “After this stressful experience with COVID 19, we will be taking a cautious approach to opening our doors.”

    Families will be contacted once the visitation rules are finalized, the update advises, thanking them for their patience and understanding throughout the “incredibly difficult situation.”

    The outbreak began Sept. 14, when it was announced the home was closed to visitors after a staff member tested positive.

    A total of 40 people have tested positive throughout the outbreak — 30 residents and 10 staff.

    Eight residents have died.

     A Parade of Heroes was scheduled to be held in the Drew parking lot Friday at 10 a.m. to thank the staff for their hard work during the outbreak.

    Saint John independent living apartment gets ‘all clear’

    Loch Lomond Villa in Saint John says visiting can resume in its three independent living apartment buildings after an outbreak of COVID-19 was declared in at least one of them a couple of weeks ago.

    “We have been given the ‘all clear’ by Public Health,” the Villa announced on Facebook Thursday.

    “Thank you for your patience while we worked to keep our tenants safe and healthy.”

    Building 3 (The Crossing) on 165 Loch Lomond Rd. was closed to visitors Oct. 8 due to a confirmed outbreak.

    Building 2 (The Cornerstone) on 219 Ellerdale St. and Building 1 (The Milestone) on 221 Ellerdale St. were closed to all visitors the same day as a precaution, the Villa had said.

    Visitors are reminded that all COVID protocols remain in place, including wearing a mask, physical distancing and frequent handwashing.

    New cases at 3 schools, 1 daycare

    Five new positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified at three schools, according to the COVID-19 dashboard.

    The schools where a case or cases have been confirmed include: École Anna-Malenfant and Birchmount School in the Moncton region, Zone 1, and École Grande-Rivière, in the Edmundston region, Zone 4.

    Forty-five schools are currently impacted

    A total of 375 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at 105 schools since the beginning of the school year.

    A new case has also been confirmed at Garderie Power Play in Dieppe in the Moncton region, Zone 1.

    People who have been in close contact with a confirmed case will be notified directly by Public Health or the facility for contact tracing, Public Health said in a news release.

    Since Sept. 7, 57 early learning and child-care facilities have had confirmed cases of COVID-19.

    Atlantic COVID roundup

    Nova Scotia reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the active caseload to 160. Fifteen people are hospitalized because of the virus, including four who are in intensive care.

    Newfoundland and Labrador reported 30 new cases over Thursday and Friday. There are now 62 active cases, and four people are in hospital.

    Prince Edward Island reported three new cases on Tuesday. The province has seven active cases.

    New public exposure notices

    The following are the new public exposures released by Public Health on Friday.

    Moncton region, Zone 1

    • Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. – Ambulatory Care – Clinic C, Moncton Hospital (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
    • Oct. 20 from 8:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – Ambulatory Care – Clinic C, Moncton Hospital (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
    • Oct. 19 from 8 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – Ambulatory Care – Clinic C, Moncton Hospital (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
    • Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Ambulatory Care – Clinic C, Moncton Hospital (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
    • Oct. 15 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Rocco’s Cucina (2814 Main St., Hillsborough)

    Edmundston region, Zone 4

    • Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. – Pizza Delight (180 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 14 and 15 from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. – Dejeuner AM Breakfast (1791 Main St., Madawaska Maliseet First Nation)

    Previous exposure notices

    The following are exposure notices from the past few weeks. For the full list beyond this time period, please visit the Government of New Brunswick’s website, which was redesigned and now clearly separates new exposure notices from previously reported exposure notices.

    Public Health has identified a case of COVID-19 in a traveller who may have been infectious while on the following flight:

    Moncton region, Zone 1

    • Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to noon – Caisse Populaire Sud-Est (1363 Route 133, Grand-Barachois)
    • Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon – Club Extenso Rhythmic Gymnastics (299 Champlain St., Dieppe)
    • Oct. 18 from 5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. – Dieppe Aquatic and Sports Centre (111 Aquatique St., Dieppe)
    • Oct. 16 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Slapshots Family Sports Restaurant & Grill (55 Russ Howard Dr., Moncton)
    • Oct. 16 and 17 from 11 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Moncton Hospital Emergency Room waiting room (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
    • Oct. 15 from noon to 12:30 p.m. – Boutique Recycl’Art and Antiques (149 John St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 14 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Bistro Le Chat Bleu (342 Route 940, Baie-Verte)
    • Between Oct. 10 and 14 – Headquarters Campground, Fundy National Park (11 Headquarters Campground Rd., Fundy National Park)
    • Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Tim Hortons (1840 Main St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 13 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Wise Guyz Pub (176 Robinson St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 13 between 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (89 Trinity Dr., Moncton)
    • Oct. 13 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. – Georges Dumont Hospital, Diagnostic Imaging Department (330 Université Ave., Moncton)
    • Oct. 13 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Spirit Halloween (169 Trinity Dr., Moncton)
    • Oct. 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Gusto Italian Grill & Bar (130 Westmorland St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Tim Hortons (10 Plaza Blvd., Moncton)
    • Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Tim Hortons (10 Plaza Blvd., Moncton)
    • Oct. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Pregnancy & Wellness Centre of Moncton (27 John St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 7 between 9 a.m. and noon – Service New Brunswick, waiting room (766 Main St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 7 between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Pseudio (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
    • Between Oct. 6 and 7 between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. – Wingate by Wyndham (69 Marché Rd., Dieppe)
    • Oct. 6 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. – The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse (751 Main St., Moncton)
    • Oct. 6 between 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Pseudio (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
    • Oct. 5 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.- Five Bridges Bar & Grill (121 Pine Glen Rd., Riverview)
    • Oct. 4 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Dr. Léon Richard Oncology Centre (37 Providence St. Moncton)
    • Oct. 4-6 between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Club Boishebert de Shediac (322 Main St., Shediac)
    • Oct. 3 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – YMCA (70 Twin Oaks Dr., Moncton)
    • Oct. 3 between 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. – Cornerstone Chapel Moncton (11 York St., Berry Mills)
    • Oct. 3 between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Hillsborough United Church (2891 Main St., Hillsborough)
    • Between Oct. 2 and 3 between noon and 10 a.m. – Beauséjour Camping (747 Lino Rd., Shediac)

    Saint John region, Zone 2

    • Oct. 17 from 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – True Life Church (30 Vincent Rd., Quispamsis)
    • Oct. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Boyd Bros. Home Hardware (9 Route 172, Saint George)
    • Oct. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (175 Old Hampton Rd., Quispamsis)
    • Oct. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Sobeys (140 Hampton Rd., Rothesay)
    • Oct. 15 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. – GoodLife Fitness (212 McAllister Dr., Saint John)
    • Oct. 15 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Brenan’s Paradise Row
    • ​Funeral Home (111 Paradise Row, Saint John)
    • Oct. 12 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. – GoodLife Fitness (175 Hampton Rd., Quispamsis)
    • Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – St. Louis Bar & Grill (175 Hampton Rd., Quispamsis)
    • Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Cask & Kettle Irish Gastropub (112 Prince William St., Saint John)
    • Oct. 10 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Thandi (33 Canterbury St., Saint John)
    • Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Kingston Farmer’s Market (4 Market Ln., Kingston)
    • Oct. 9 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – The Barrel’s Head Gastropub (141 Hampton Rd., Rothesay)
    • Oct. 9 between 3:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. – Drew & Jen’s No Frills (621 Fairville Blvd., Saint John)
    • Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Pizza Delight (2 King St., St. Stephen)
    • Oct. 8 between 5:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. – East Side Mario’s (75 Consumers Dr., Saint John)
    • Oct. 8 between noon and 2:30 p.m. – Canadian Tire (250 King St., St. Stephen)
    • Oct. 8 between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (195 King St., St. Stephen)
    • Oct. 8 between 6:45 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. – Station 33 Café & Yoga restaurant section (33 Railway Cres., Hampton)
    • Oct. 1 and 8 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. – Hampton Chop Shop (557 Main St., Hampton)
    • Oct. 2 to Oct. 7 between 6:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Station 33 Café & Yoga restaurant section (33 Railway Cres., Hampton)
    • Oct. 5, 6, and 7 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – McAllister Place (519 Westmorland Rd., Saint John)
    • Between Oct. 4 and 7 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Hampton Chop Shop (557 Main St., Hampton)
    • Oct. 7, between 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. – Hampton Community Centre rink (808 Main St., Hampton)
    • Oct. 7 between noon and 2 p.m. – Vogue Optical (20 Plaza Ave., Saint John)
    • Oct. 6 between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Vogue Optical (20 Plaza Ave., Saint John)
    • Oct. 6, between noon and 3 p.m. – Dr. Luan Le’s Office (35 University Ave., Saint John)
    • Oct. 6, between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – Char and Chowder Restaurant (182 Water St., Saint Andrews)
    • Oct. 6 between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Herring Cove Pharmacy (924 Route 774, Welshpool)
    • Oct. 5 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 8th Hussars Sports Centre (8 Leonard Dr., Sussex)
    • Oct. 5, between 1:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Up to Par Restaurant (109 Upper Midland Rd., Norton)
    • Oct. 5 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Canterbury Dental Clinic (18 Canterbury St., Saint John)
    • Oct. 5 between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Campobello Island Health Centre (640 Route 774, Welshpool)
    • Oct. 4 and 5 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. – Needs Convenience Store (89 Marr Rd., Rothesay)
    • Oct. 4, between 5:45 p.m. and 16:15 p.m. – Mac’s Island Market (924 Route 774, Welshpool)
    • Oct. 3 between 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. – Vito’s Restaurant (111 Hampton Rd., Rothesay)
    • Oct. 3 between 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. – Char and Chowder Restaurant (182 Water St., Saint Andrews)
    • Oct. 3 – Kings Church (332 Hampton Rd., Quispamsis)

    Fredericton region, Zone 3

    • Oct. 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. – 540 Kitchen & Bar (540 Queen St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 16 from 2:50 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. – Regent Mall (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 15 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Lincoln Big Stop Restaurant (415 Nevers Rd., Waasis)
    • Oct. 14 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. – Canadian Tire (388 Connell St., Woodstock)
    • Between Oct. 13 and 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 11 a.m. – Fredericton Inn (1315 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 13 from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Cazza Petite (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 13 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Regent Mall (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – HomeSense (18 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 13 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Canadian Tire (388 Connell St., Woodstock)
    • Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon – Home Hardware (115 Drummond St., Perth)
    • Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon – BMR Besthome Hardware & Building Supplies (319 Centreville Rd., Florenceville-Bristol)
    • Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon – Davesports (398 Connell St., Woodstock)
    • Oct. 12 between 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.  – Canadian Tire (388 Connell St., Woodstock)
    • Oct. 10 between noon and 5 p.m. – Pseudio (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 10 between 9 a.m. and noon – HopeCity (429 Clements Dr., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 9 between 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Pseudio (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Pseudio (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Starbucks (1040 Prospect St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Taco Boys (10 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Vape City (10 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
    • Sept. 14 to Oct. 7 – Tobique Valley Senior’s Complex (4 Manor Dr., Plaster Rock)
    • Oct. 7 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. – East Side Mario’s (14 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Dollarama (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Walmart (1399 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Hanwell Village Mart (1761 Hanwell Rd., Hanwell)
    • Oct. 6 between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. – PJ’s Wings and Things (38 Main St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 6 between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. – York County Cider (38 Main St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 6 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Capital Community Church (71 Downing St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 6 between noon and 2 p.m. – Ken’s Barber Shop (240 Main St., Plaster Rock)Oct. 4 between 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Scotiabank (728 Perth Main St., Perth-Andover)
    • Oct. 5 between noon and 8 p.m. – Pseudio (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 5 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Abony Family Tennis Centre (594 Knowledge Park Dr., Fredericton)
    • Oct. 4 between 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Scotiabank (728 Perth Main St., Perth-Andover)
    • Oct. 4 between 9:40 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. – Subway (18 F. Tribe Rd. Unit 3, Perth-Andover)
    • Oct. 3 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Pond’s Resort on the Miramichi restaurant (91 Porter Cove Rd., Porter Cove)
    • Oct. 3 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Speedway 104 Mower races (7399 Route 104, Windsor)
    • Oct. 3 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Speedway 104 Mower races (7399 Route 104, Windsor)
    • Oct. 3 between 10:30 a.m. and noon – Sure Life Assembly (335 Otis Drive, Nackawic)
    • Oct. 3 between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. – G8Way Ultramar (22 Route 628, Penniac)
    • Oct. 3 between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Kingswood Golf Club (1700 Kingswood Way, Hanwell)
    • Oct. 2-3 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. – Quality Inn and Suites Amsterdam (559 Bishop Dr., Fredericton)

    Edmundston region, Zone 4

    • Oct. 19 from 11 a.m to 12:40 p.m. – Edmundston Regional Hospital, emergency room waiting room (275 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 16 from 8:45 a.m to 10 a.m.  – Edmundston Regional Hospital Emergency Room waiting room (275 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – IGA extra Supermarché Donat Thériault (580 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 15 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Grand Falls Big Stop (121 Route 255, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to noon – IGA extra Supermarché Donat Thériault (580 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Familiprix (131 de l’Église Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Familiprix (131 de l’Église Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 13, 14, and 15 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Roger C. Ouellette (9 Godreau St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 14 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Saint André Recreation Centre (455 Route 255, Saint André)
    • Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Atlantic Superstore (577 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Dollarama (15 Mowin St., Madawaska Maliseet First Nation)
    • Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Dollarama (787 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 14 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 14 from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Foodland (535 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 13 from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Loune’s Lounge (475 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 13 from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Dollarama (787 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 13 from noon to 1 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – IGA extra Supermarché Donat Thériault (580 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Canadian Tire (590 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 13 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. – Grand Falls General Hospital, Outpatient Waiting Room (625 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 13 from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. – Dejeuner AM Breakfast (1791 Main St., Madawaska Maliseet First Nation)
    • Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – BMO (291 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon – Toner Home Hardware (445 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. – Dejeuner AM Breakfast (1791 Main St., Madawaska Maliseet First Nation)
    • Oct. 12 from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (160 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 12 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Clinic Physio Logic (182 High St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Edmundston Regional Hospital emergency department (275 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 12 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 and 13 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Casse Croute Caro (180 Hebert Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 12 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Foodland (535 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to noon – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Dollarama (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 11 from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 11 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. – IGA extra Supermarché Donat Thériault (580 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 10 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 10 from 9:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs Church (30 37e Ave., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. – Church of St. Anne (99 Main St., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
    • Oct. 9 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Bonichoix (4 Saint Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
    • Oct. 9 between 11 p.m. and midnight – Bar Chez Wilma (500 Mgr Numa Pichette Blvd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 9 between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. – Café Retro Bar (69 Canada Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 9 between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – Casino Grey Rock (100 Chief Joanna Blvd., Saint Basile)
    • Oct. 9 between noon and 2 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
    • Oct. 9 between noon and 2 p.m. – Saint Quentin Co-Op (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
    • Oct. 9 from 6 a.m. to 7: 45 a.m. – Ultramar (555 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 8 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. – Ultramar (555 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 8 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 8 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
    • Oct. 8 between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Familiprix – Kevin Smyth (138 Main St., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
    • Oct. 7 from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. – Ultramar (555 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 3 to Oct. 7 – Rodeway Inn (10039 Route 144, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 7 between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 7 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Supermarché Bonichoix (746 Main St., Saint Leonard)
    • Oct. 7 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Familiprix – Kevin Smyth (138 Main St., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
    • Oct. 7 from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 7 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Sports Experts (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 7 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Provincial Court, Carrefour Assomption (121 de l’Église Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 7 between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. – Provincial Court – Carrefour Assomption (121 de l’Église Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 6-7 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
    • Oct. 5 and 7 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. – Cyr Roy Machine Shop and Dépanneur (111 Martin Rd., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
    • Oct. 6 between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 6 between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Dollarama (15 Mowin St., Madawaska Maliseet First Nation)
    • Oct. 6 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Foodland (535 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 6 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Catholic Diocesan Centre (60 René-Bouchard Rd., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 5 between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Greco Pizza (10 Mahsus Crt., Edmundston)
    • Oct. 4 between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Dollarama (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls) 
    • Oct. 4 between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 4 between 8:15 a.m. and 9 a.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 4 between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 4 between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 4 between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (180 Madawaska Road, Unit #700, Grand Falls)
    • Oct. 3 between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
    • Oct. 3 between 9:15 a.m. and 10 p.m. – St. George Church (226 St. Georges Rd., Grand Falls)

    Campbellton region, Zone 5

    • Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Dooly’s (81 Roseberry St., Campbellton)
    • Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon – Le Grenier (312 Val d’Amour Rd., Atholville)
    • Oct. 16 from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. – Dooly’s (81 Roseberry St., Campbellton)
    • Oct. 15 and 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Le Grenier (312 Val d’Amour Rd., Atholville)
    • Oct. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Naturiste (312 Val d’Amour Rd., Atholville)
    • Oct. 14 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Dooly’s (81 Roseberry St., Campbellton)
    • Oct. 13 from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Kent Building Supplies (15 Savoie Ave., Atholville)
    • Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Canadian Tire (384 Val d’Amour Rd., Atholville)
    • Oct. 12 and 13 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. – J.A. Epicerie 2000 Inc. (339 Main St., Eel River Crossing)
    • Oct. 12 and 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Boutique Daze (312 Val-D’Amour Rd., Atholville)
    • Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Kent Building Supplies (15 Savoie Ave., Atholville)
    • Oct. 6-8 – Clinique Vétérinaire Lépine (148 Notre Dame St., Atholville)
    • Oct. 7 between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Campbellton Regional Hospital, emergency department (189 Lily Lake Rd., Campbellton)
    • Oct. 6 between 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – Brasserie 1026 Bar & Grill (157 Water St., Campbellton)
    • Between Oct. 5 and 6 between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. – Campbellton Regional Hospital, emergency department (189 Lily Lake Rd., Campbellton)
    • Oct. 5-7 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. – CCNB – Campbellton Campus (47 Village Ave., Campbellton)
    • Oct. 4 between 11:40 a.m. and 12:55 p.m. – Bonnie’s Tabata Fitness (1 Union St., Campbellton)
    • Between Oct. 1-6 – Campbellton Regional Hospital Med-Surg unit (189 Lily Lake Rd., Campbellton)

    Bathurst region, Zone 6

    • Oct. 8 between 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. – Walmart (900 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
    • Oct. 8 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – House of Lee (315 Main St., Bathurst)
    • Oct. 8 between 9:50 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. – Marshalls (700 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
    • Oct. 8 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Sobeys (1125 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
    • Oct. 5 between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Dixie Lee Restaurant (49 St-Pierre Blvd. W., Caraquet)
    • Oct. 4 between noon and 1 p.m. – L’Entracte Resto Pub (3394 Principale St., Tracadie)
    • Oct. 3 between 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Walmart (900 St. Anne St., Bathurst)

    Miramichi region, Zone 7

    • Oct. 10 between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. – Tim Hortons (188 King St., Miramichi)
    • Oct. 5 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Downtown Beauty Salon (1706 Water St., Miramichi) 
    • Oct. 3 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Harvey’s (2470 King George Highway, Miramichi)

    Public Health recommends that people who have been at a possible public exposure site and are not fully vaccinated get a COVID test, even if they don’t have symptoms. They can book an appointment online or call Tele-Care 811.

    If they do have symptoms, they must isolate while they await their results.

    For people who are fully vaccinated, Public Health recommends they monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the possible exposure and get a COVID test if symptoms develop.

    Anyone who frequented the locations at the specified dates and times should also avoid visiting settings with vulnerable populations, such as nursing homes, correctional facilities and shelters, for the next 14 days.

    What to do if you have a symptom

    People concerned they might have COVID-19 can take a self-assessment test online.

    Public Health says symptoms of the illness have included a fever above 38 C, a new or worsening cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, a new onset of fatigue, and difficulty breathing.

    In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.

    People with one of those symptoms should stay at home, call 811 or their doctor and follow instructions.

  • Weekly update 10/21 – Gale Brewer

    Weekly update 10/21 – Gale Brewer

    Friends,

    It’s Thursday, October 21, 2021. Welcome to my weekly update.

    New York City’s COVID positivity rate is now 1.66{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c}, down from 1.97{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} last week. Those interested in diving more deeply into local COVID statistics can check the NYC Dept. of Health website or thecity.nyc’s COVID tracker. If you’re not yet vaccinated, find a vaccine site– including those for approved boosters– here.

    Mayor de Blasio has (finally) issued an order to require vaccinations of all municipal workers (beyond the school employees and health care workers already mandated). This will apply to about 160,000 people, including NYPD and FDNY employees, who will need to submit their vaccine card by next Friday (10/29) at 5 pm. The fine print includes paying $500 to those who get vaccinated at City-run clinics; the municipal unions have called for this mandate to be negotiated under labor contracts.

    This week the FDA approved boosters for the Moderna and J&J vaccines to be given six months after a Moderna second shot and two months after a J&J single shot; interestingly, the FDA approved the J&J booster for anyone age 18+ (the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are subject to more restricted age groups for boosters, although there’s reporting that indicates the FDA will lower the recommended age for healthy adults to obtain any booster to 40+ sometime later this fall).

    The FDA also approved “mix and match” for the boosters, saying that it’s acceptable to get boosted with a different brand of vaccine than their initial shot(s).

    NEXT week (10/26) that FDA committee will meet to consider policy on approving vaccines for emergency use for children ages 5–11; they’ll then send a recommendation to the CDC. The White House is preparing for CDC approval of child vaccines in November. The government has already bought enough child vaccines to inoculate the 28 million children in that age group (the vaccine comes in smaller vials and uses smaller needles) and will rely on pediatricians, pharmacies, and school and rural health clinics to distribute and administer them.

    Did you know that one measurable barrier to vaccine acceptance is fear of needles? I didn’t until I read Zeynep Tufekci’s column this week. (I guess this means every time TV news shows a video of someone getting a shot, some people cringe.)

    COMMENT

    The annual “Leadership Development” training series my office put together to better support community board members and the public at large has begun. The classes are free, but require registration at the links below. Everyone is welcome!

    • “Working with Transgender & Gender Non-Conforming Communities”
      Presented by the NYC Commission on Human Rights
      This session creates awareness that transgender New Yorkers face discrimination in all areas covered by the City Human Rights Law and that they must be treated with dignity and respect. The course will cover protections under the City Human Rights Law, briefly addresses federal and state law, and reviews in detail correct terminology when addressing the LBGTQI community.
      Wednesday (10/27) from noon – 1:15 p.m.  Register here.

    • “Manhattan 101: An Introduction to our Borough and Our City”
      Led by Rob Snyder, Manhattan Borough Historian
      Manhattan is so dense and dynamic that you can lose sight of its long history. In a short lecture and discussion, Manhattan Borough Historian Robert W. Snyder will describe how big changes in labor and economics, immigration and migration, and the evolution of our island landscape have shaped our own time. We will devote special attention to how the latest Census data affected how we live and work. This cohort will then break into small groups to discuss what these changes mean for our neighborhoods.
      Monday, 11/8 at 6 p.m. Register here.

    • “Human Rights Law & Protections Against Discrimination Based on Race & Color”
      Presented by the NYC Commission on Human Rights
      This session provides a historical context for race and color-based discrimination and how it has impacted the lives of New Yorkers, institutions, and the delivery of services and resources in NYC. This course educates participants on their rights and protections against discrimination under the Human Rights Law. Participants will analyze concepts related to race and color, learn about efforts and resistance to combat racism, and find ways to become the voices for social and racial justice.
      Friday, 11/12 from noon -1:15 p.m.  Register here.

    There are several opportunities to get involved with People’s Tech Assemblies, an ongoing virtual forum to share collective ideas and questions on how technology can and will shape the future of NYC, sponsored by my office, BetaNYC, and the Public Advocate’s office:

    • Wednesday (10/27) at 6 pm: “Workshopping Infrastructure and Reimagined Streets,” register here

    • Next Thursday (10/28) at 6:30 pm: “Workshopping Housing Security,” register here

    • Peoples’ Tech Assemblies office hours, every Friday at noon through 11/12: ask questions about participating in assemblies, hosting events, or using the People’s Tech online platform, register here

    • Take the community survey

    • Contribute input about how tech affects other topics like justice, health, and safety

    Reminder: Early voting begins THIS Saturday (10/23). Find your early voting poll site at findmypollsite.vote.nyc (it’s likely different from your election day polling place). Learn about the candidates and ballot questions in this voting guide from NYC Votes/NYC Campaign Finance Board.

    Early voting hours:

    • Saturday, 10/23 from 8 am – 5 pm

    • Sunday, 10/24 from 8 am – 5 pm

    • Monday, 10/25 from 7 am – 4 pm

    • Tuesday, 10/26 from 10 am – 8 pm

    • Wednesday, 10/27 from 10 am – 8 pm

    • Thursday, 10/28 from 10 am – 8 pm

    • Friday, 10/29 from 7 am – 4 pm

    • Saturday, 10/30 from 8 am – 5 pm

    • Sunday, 10/31 from 8 am – 4 pm


    NEW INFO

    The FDA has proposed a rule that will, hopefully, lead to more affordable hearing aids for millions with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, an estimated 38 million Americans, by creating a new category of over-the-counter hearing aids.

    This is a common-sense reform of current regulations that are over 40 years old (long before the days of headphones and earbuds), which grant only licensed providers permission to sell hearing aids, which require a prescription, audiologist tests, and fittings that increase the cost to several thousand dollars. (That’s probably why hearing aids are not typically covered by Medicare)

    This new regulation could improve a lot of lives by reducing what are called “barriers to entry” that include cost, easy availability, and the shame that some people of a certain age have when it comes to hearing loss. And opening up a large consumer market like this means manufacturers will compete and reduce even the current several-hundred-dollar cost.

    Congress authorized over-the-counter hearing aids in 2017, after a scientific advisory committee in the Obama administration recommended the change in 2015. Here we are in the last quarter of 2021, and the FDA is now addressing this long overdue reform.

    Learn more here, and follow the links on that page to comment on the FDA’s proposed rule change by 1/18/2022.

    State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli created a new online tool to monitor spending of federal recovery aid and COVID relief programs in the state, including funds for excluded workers, childcare providers, emergency rental and homeowner assistance, and small business recovery.


    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    I’ve heard about several job opportunities:

    • East Harlem youth nonprofit Concrete Safaris is hiring after-school assistant group leaders. Applicants must have one year of childcare experience, be vaccinated against COVID, and be able to ride a bike. Send your resume to [email protected].

    • The City Cleanup Corps is still hiring. Corps members wipe away graffiti, power-wash sidewalks, create community murals, tend to community gardens, beautify public spaces, and work with community organizations to clean their neighborhoods. See job openings here.

    • Students ages 16–19 who participated in 2021 SYEP can earn $3,375 over 17 weeks as an intern in the “Environmental Corps Work, Learn, and Grow” program. Apply by next Thursday (10/28).

    • The MTA is hiring full-time bus operators, who earn $23.84–$25.49 per hour. By Tuesday, 11/30 apply directly through job posting 99929 on the MTA Career Site.

    • Registration for the NYPD officer exam is now open through Wednesday, 11/3. Passing the exam is the first step to becoming an NYPD officer.

    Before Medicare open enrollment ends on Tuesday, 12/7, seniors can get one-on-one remote counseling about how to select the best Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, sponsored by Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. Call 212-218-0429 to schedule an appointment.

    The Grand Central NYPL branch (135 E. 46th St.) has reopened for browsing and computer use, Monday from 11 am – 6 pm and Tuesday–Friday from 10 am – 5 pm.

    Tomorrow (10/22) at 5 pm is the last day to apply to the Communities of Color Nonprofit Stabilization Fund, which aims to build the capacity of NYC nonprofits in recognition of the fact that organizations led by people of the community are best equipped to meet the needs of the community. Apply here.

    East Harlem residents have until this Monday (10/25) to fill out the Center for Comprehensive Health Practice’s stakeholder survey so that CCHP can better meet the community’s needs. Complete the survey here.

    Community-based organizations that can provide progressive solutions to respond to and stop attacks on vulnerable Asian New Yorkers can apply for grants of $15,000–$100,000 from the Asian American Foundation’s “Hope Against Hate Campaign.” Send applications to [email protected] by Tuesday, 10/26.

    Learn everything you need to know about applying to 3-K, pre-K, and elementary school through the free InsideSchools+ online course “NYC Pre-K & Elementary Schools: A Primer.” The class is available in English and Spanish and is self paced. Sign up on InsideSchools+.

    Nominations close Monday, 11/15 for the NYS Disability Rights Hall of Fame, which honors people who have helped maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, productivity, integration, and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society. Submit a nomination here.


    EVENTS

    I’m co-sponsoring a free drop-in flu shot clinic at Lenox Health Greenwich Village (200 W. 13th St., 5th floor) TODAY (10/21) from 4 pm – 7 pm and Monday (10/25) from 4 pm – 7 pm.

    Kids ages 8+ are invited to audition for the free year-round musical theater program from TADA! Youth Theater. No previous training or experience is needed to join this youth ensemble. Auditions are today (10/21) until 6 pm for kids 8–18 and Friday (10/22) from 6:15–8 pm for kids 12–18. Sign up here.

    Tonight (10/21) at 6 pm, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute hosts a virtual talk dedicated to Black poetry and the oral traditions of the African diaspora. Watch it here.

    This is the final week to check out free NYC Artist Corps events, performances, and programs (it ends Sunday, 10/24). See the schedule here.

    Friday (10/22) from 11 am – 3 pm is a health fair at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building (163 W. 125th St.), offering free blood pressure, diabetes, vision, and HIV screenings; dental and podiatry check-ups; medication consultations; healthy eating advice; and “Stop the Bleed” trainings, hosted by Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine.

    Saturday (10/23) at 10 am, plant daffodil bulbs at and help clean the south end of the mall at 138th St. with the Broadway Mall Association, part of New Yorkers for Parks’ Daffodil Project. Register here.

    Saturday (10/23) from 10 am – 3 pm, people 12+ can get vaccinated or get a Pfizer booster shot at the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (415 E. 93rd St.).

    Saturday (10/23) from 11 am – 3 pm, get screened for U.S. citizenship eligibility by CUNY Citizenship Now! legal staff via Zoom. The staff can advise on eligibility, citizenship for children, fee waivers, and red flag issues (arrests, child support, selective service). For an appointment, call 646-664-9400 or 212-652-2071, or text 929-334-3784.

    Saturday (10/23) from 11 am – 4 pm, enjoy a tea party, writing workshop, music, and an origami class at Maggie’s Magic Garden (1574 Lexington Ave. at 100th St.).

    Saturday (10/23) at noon, “La Celebracion” is a virtual storytelling program in honor of Latinx heritage month, hosted by Yaffa Cultural Arts. Join the Zoom here.

    Saturday (10/23) from noon – 3 pm is the 31st annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade, now held in the East River Park Amphitheater.

    Saturday (10/23) from noon – 4 pm at 23rd St. and 5th Ave. is a free concert featuring 20+ musicians celebrating “Tin Pan Alley Day” and the official landmark designation of Tin Pan Alley, where American popular musical was born on W. 28th St. Register here.

    Saturday (10/23) from noon – 5 pm, meet cats and dogs looking to be adopted from Animal Care Centers of NYC during the Nordstrom block party at 225 W. 75th St.

    Saturday (10/23) and Wednesday (10/27) at 1 pm, Landmark High School is holding an open house for prospective 9th and 10th graders (351 W. 18th St., 4th floor). Register here.

    Saturday (10/23) from 1–4 pm in front of 250 W. 129th St., St. Nicholas Houses residents are invited to vote on how NeighborhoodSTAT/the Mayor’s Action Plan should invest $30,000 in the development to improve quality of life and safety.

    Saturday (10/23) at 2 pm, join Inwood Art Works’ workshop “Cultural Understanding Through the Arts” at Muscata Marsh in Inwood Hill Park. Click here for more information.

    Saturday (10/23) at 7 pm, join a virtual house party hosted by Clark Center, featuring DJs and excerpts from their collection of “Expressions: Black Lives Matter – An Arts Collaboration.” Register here.

    Monday (10/25) from 10 am – 1 pm, I’m co-sponsoring a free flu shot clinic at the Fulton Community Center (119th 9th Ave. at 18th St.) with Senators Brad Hoylman and Robert Jackson, Assemblymembers Linda Rosenthal and Dick Gottfried, and Council Speaker Corey Johnson. Appointments are required; call 212-633-8052 or email [email protected].

    Monday (10/25) from 10 am – 2 pm is a resource fair about infant safe sleep practices in the Union Settlement Community Garden (237 E. 104th St.), hosted by East Harlem Community Partnership and the NYC Administration for Children’s Services.

    Monday (10/25) at 6 pm, join a virtual discussion about architect Emery Roth, the Hungarian-Jewish immigrant who designed many of the definitive NYC hotels and apartment buildings of the 1920s and 1930s. Register here for the event, hosted by Village PreservationLandmark West!Historic Districts Council, and Friends of the Upper East Side.

    Monday (10/25) at 7 pm, the virtual “Tenement Talk: Clairvoyant Housewives of the Lower East Side” explores the neighborhood’s rich history of psychics, palm readers, and fortune tellers in the early 20th century, hosted by the Tenement Museum. Click the title to register.

    Take a free lifeguarding course with the West Side YMCA. The required pre-test is Tuesday (10/26) from 10 am – 3 pm (email [email protected]) to register. The lifeguarding course itself is Wednesdays 11/3–12/15 from 3–8 pm. Participants must be 16 or older.

    Tuesday (10/26) from 2–6 pm is a City resource fair, where you can meet with City commissioners and senior staff to address all your questions and concerns, including, quality of life, public health, and safety at the Police Athletic League Harlem Center, (441 Manhattan Ave.). There will also be a pop-up vaccine clinic on site.

    Tuesday (10/26) at 3 pm is my weekly virtual Manhattan Vaccine and Recovery Task Force meeting, sharing excellent information about the pandemic and New York City’s reopening. To join the Zoom, email [email protected]. You can watch archived meetings here.

    Tuesday (10/26) at 6:30 pm at Gibney Studios (280 Broadway), watch a free open rehearsal of the new play “Threads,” which explores what brings people together and the process of letting go. Click here to reserve a seat.

    Wednesday (10/27) is Assemblymember Robert Rodriguez’s annual senior summit. From 9 am – 1 pm, visit the Union Settlement Community Garden (237 E. 104th St.) for a resource fair. Then from 2–4:30 pm, the summit goes virtual with online workshops about COVID, vaccines, elder abuse, safety, and mental health. Join the Zoom here.

    Wednesday (10/27) at 5 pm, webinar “Ida Recovery Webinar: Navigating Insurance Claims after the Hurricane” features leading insurance attorneys who will address insurance coverage, the claim preparation process, dealing with insurance denials, and available grants and aids, hosted by the City Bar Justice Center. Click the title to register.

    Wednesday (10/27) at 6 pm, health experts hold two virtual discussions about tuberculosis vs. COVID and what you need to know about cancer at every age, part of Community Board 6 and NYU Langone’s “Series on Healthy Living in the Community.” Click the title to register.

    Wednesday (10/27) at 6 pm, experience a virtual sound meditation where you’ll be “bathed” in the sound waves created by wind chimes, brass, and frosted crystal singing bowls, hosted by City Artist Corps grantee Son Chung and mental health awareness nonprofit Darkness Rising. Register here.

    Next Thursday (10/28) from 4:30–7 pm is a superhero-themed costume parade starting at 119th St. (btwn Park–Lexington Ave.), hosted by the NYPD 25th Community Precinct Council.

    Next Thursday (10/28) at 6 pm is a virtual panel about services and gaps for people who are seriously mentally ill, specifically those who are unsheltered, hosted by Community Boards 4 and 5 (covering most of Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, and Midtown). Register and submit your questions here.

    Next Thursday (10/28) at 6 pm, NYPD PSA 5 hosts a community discussion about public safety, quality-of-life concerns, and community-police relations at the PSA 5 precinct (221 E. 123rd St.). PSA 5 covers NYCHA developments in East Harlem and South Central Harlem.

    Next Friday (10/29) and Friday, 11/4 from 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, tenant lawyers, tenant advocates, and tenants are invited to a virtual training program about right to counsel, hosted by the Housing Justice Leadership Institute at New York Law School. Register here.


    News Clippings

    ‘Lurching Between Crisis and Complacency’: Was This Our Last Covid Surge?
    By Emily Anthes, NY Times, Oct. 14, 2021

    NY Pediatricians Group Calls For Requiring Fully Approved COVID-19 Vaccines For State’s Schoolkids
    By Sophia Chang, gothamist.com, Oct. 15, 2021

    Fully vaccinated travelers can come to the U.S. even if their doses are mixed, authorities say
    By Paulina Firozi, Washington Post, O.t, 17, 2021

    The coronavirus is still mutating. But will that matter? ‘We need to keep the respect for this virus.’
    “In recent weeks, scientists who closely monitor the virus have said it still appears to have plenty of room to evolve… Scientists are tracking dozens of ‘sublineages’ in the delta line of viruses, each with a slightly different array of mutations. One of those sublineages has spread with unusual speed in the United Kingdom recently and is gaining attention from researchers.”
    By Joel Achenbach, Ben Guarino, and Aaron Steckelberg, Washington Post, Oct. 18, 2021

    Your coronavirus questions, answered: Which dose of the vaccine will be right for ‘cusp kids’?
    By Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, Oct. 19, 2021

    COVID vaccine makers brace for a variant worse than Delta
    Companies are updating vaccines and testing them on people to prepare for whatever comes next in the pandemic.
    By Emily Waltz, Nature, Oct. 20, 2021

    Mixing covid vaccines? What you need to know about mix-and-match booster shots.
    By Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, Oct. 21, 2021


    As always, get in touch if you have a problem or concern we can help address: 212-669-8300 or [email protected].
    Stay safe.