16 and Older Now Eligible for COVID Vaccine

Dear Friends,

All New Yorkers age 16 and older are eligible to make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. We are now ahead of the May 1 deadline set by the White House.

I’ve received my vaccine, and I encourage everyone - when it is your turn, to please book an appointment. The COVID-19 vaccines are free, safe, and effective. Some members of  the iconic Radio City Rockettes were in Westchester recently, giving their own special take on the importance of being vaccinated. And - members of the New York Knicks Executive Team received their vaccines at Westchester Community College and had this to say, here.

Eligible New Yorkers can make an appointment online at ny.gov/GetVaccinated or by calling the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). The State has added many more pharmacies, doctors offices and health clinics to our vaccine list. Be sure to click here, and call them. 

As we look for some normalcy, April 1 marked Opening Day in Major League Baseball. While the baseball experience is a bit different, Yankee Stadium is open to fans at 20% capacity. Social distancing, masks, and a negative COVID-test or proof of vaccination are required.

In response to the several constituents, I am happy to announce that both large scale and small scale college sports are now open to fans, with certain restrictions. For more information, click here.

And in time for the Spring weather, Glen Island Park in New Rochelle has reopened to Westchester County residents. When New Rochelle became the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, the park became the first drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in the State. While the park remains a testing site, Westchester’s beautiful park is open to county residents from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please note, parking is limited. 

As always, you can email (scousins@nysenate.gov) or call (914-423-4031) my office with questions or concerns.

Until next time,

Andrea Stewart-Cousins
New York State Senator, 35th District
President Pro Tem, Majority Leader
 

• You can now download for free in the app store, the NYS Excelsior Pass Wallet‬. Excelsior Pass provides secure, digital proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results and can be used at participating venues or businesses. To learn more, click here.
• Beginning April 9th: Outdoor amusement parks can open at 33% capacity though guidelines have not yet been issued.
• The COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker Dashboard is available to update New Yorkers on the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. 
• Under the American Rescue Plan, additional funds were allocated for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, and it now allows businesses to apply for both a PPP loan and the SVOG. The application process is slated to open April 8, 2021.
• Domestic travelers no longer need to quarantine after entering New York from another U.S. State or U.S. Territory.
• Performing arts and entertainment venues were able to reopen at 33 percent capacity last Friday. For more information, click here. 

Last week, the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) was passed by the Senate Majority and signed into law by the Governor. The law legalizes adult-use cannabis, while investing funds generated into education, drug treatment and education specifically on the dangers of drug abuse. It also creates an Economic Equity Program to spur economic growth in long-marginalized communities, unfairly targeted and penalized for the use and sale of cannabis.

Further, the law protects public safety by ensuring only adults 21 and older can purchase recreational cannabis, treats driving under the influence of cannabis like an existing DWI offense, and strictly regulates growers and distributors.

Recently, I attended and spoke at a vigil at Chase Park in Scarsdale to recognize and honor the victims of the Atlanta spa shootings. The vigil organized by Scarsdale High School students and the Scarsdale Chinese Association against Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) hate allowed our community to come together in these difficult times and denounce hate in all its form anywhere. I was proud of our student speakers and our community for standing with our Asian-American neighbors because an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. 

I also joined students and community members for a rally in Ardsley to denounce the rise in hate incidents targeting Asian-Americans. A big thank you to the Ardsley High School Asian Student Union for organizing the event and rallying our community in support of love not hate.

The Senate Majority is taking action to combat hate and ensure it is better reported and tracked. This legislative session, we passed The Hate Crimes Analysis and Review Act, which requires the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DJCS) to maintain and make public statistical data about hate crimes, while expanding the data points law enforcement is required to report. And I supported $25 million in grant funding, which nonprofits and religious institutions, among others, can apply for to help combat hate crimes and increase security. Finally, last year we passed a nation leading, domestic terror law, which classifies mass violence motivated by hate - domestic terrorism. 

Please remember the Westchester County District Attorney's Office has launched a 24/7 hotline where callers can report a suspected hate crime or bias incident. Callers can choose English, Spanish or Mandarin – with additional languages to be added: 914-995-TIPS (914-995-8477).

March marked Women’s History Month so in case you missed my annual Women’s History Month Celebration, you can watch it here. Senator Shelley Mayer and I joined together to recognize several outstanding women who are selflessly serving their communities and helping others.

Additionally, I was honored to join Westchester County’s WOW Awards as a guest speaker to honor women from Westchester who lifted us up during the pandemic through their strength and resilience. My remarks can be viewed here.