New Information on Vaccines and PPE

Dear Neighbor,

Please join Senator Shelley Mayer and me for our Women’s History Month virtual celebration on Tuesday, March 23rd at 7:00 p.m., as we recognize women from our districts who went above and beyond during the pandemic to help others. I will be recognizing Phyllis Shelton of New Rochelle, Shih-Ying Sun of Dobbs Ferry, and Dara Gruenberg of Scarsdale. Learn why these three inspiring women, and more are being honored and come celebrate the extraordinary women in our community! You can join us on Zoom or Facebook.

Since the start of the pandemic, it's been critically important to deliver necessary PPE and hand sanitizer to those on the frontline and our essential workers. In the fall, my team distributed 40,000 masks and hand sanitizers to more than 137 local community organizations, nonprofits, religious groups and businesses across the district. We continue our efforts, and ask if your organization needs masks and/or hand sanitizer to please fill out this form, and a member of my staff will be in touch. 

Lastly, please do not hesitate to call my office if you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and cannot book an appointment. Beginning on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m., anyone 50 and older can receive a vaccine. My office has updated our weekly list of pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals that carry the vaccine and may have available appointments. Eligible residents can also book an appointment at a mass vaccine site here or by calling the State COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at: 1-833-697-4829.  Additionally, CVS and Rite Aid have opened up COVID-19 vaccines to some eligible residents in New York, and Westchester County is providing free transportation to vaccine appointments for seniors and disabled residents. You can make a reservation with the County paratransit at (914) 995-7272. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance of appointment. 

As always, please don’t hesitate to email me at scousins@nysenate.gov or call my office at (914) 423-4031, if you have any questions or issues of concern.

• New York State has extended the state income tax deadline to May 17, 2021 in order to align with the extended federal filing deadline. The NY Department of Tax and Finance will give New Yorkers a 30-day extension to get their state income taxes filed. The original deadline was on April 15.
• On April 1st, domestic travelers will no longer be required to quarantine after entering New York from another U.S. State or U.S. Territory.
• The Department of Financial Services is alerting insurers of new protections for patients and healthcare providers. Read more here.
• Beginning Today:
  • Residential Gatherings
    • Indoor gathering limit will continue to be restricted to 10 people
    • Outdoor gathering limit will increase to 25 people
  • Non-residential Social Gatherings
    • Indoor maximum will increase to 100 people
    • Outdoor maximum will increase to 200 people
• Mental health resources are available for New Yorkers through this pandemic, you can visit https://headspace.com/ny for free mindfulness resources or call the State support hotline at 1-844-863-9314.

Over the weekend, I joined community members for a rally in Ardsley to denounce the rise in hate incidents targeting Asian-Americans. We must stand united against  hate and always work to denounce it in all its forms. Hate is a virus and light is the best vaccine. I want to personally thank student Megha Ravi and the entire Ardsley High School Asian Student Union for organizing the event, speaking out powerfully through personal experience, uplifting Asian voices, and rallying our community in support of love not hate.

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 in the coming weeks: 914-995-TIPS (914-995-8477).

On March 15th, the State Senate passed its one-house budget proposal in response to the Governor’s Executive Budget. The Senate Majority’s one-house budget resolution delivers emergency aid to help New York recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and invests in a brighter, more equitable future for our children. The Senate resolution increases total school aid by $5.7 billion, with a full phase-in of Foundation Aid over three years, provides billions in residential and commercial rental and foreclosure assistance, and restores critical funding to our health care system, among other things. To learn more, click here. My colleagues and I are focused on delivering an on-time and balanced state budget by April 1st for New Yorkers.

Each year, I honor one outstanding woman and one outstanding veteran from my Senate District to be recognized by the NYS Senate. The Woman of Distinction award recognizes a woman whose achievements set an extraordinary example for future generations and who has given back to the community. The Veterans Hall of Fame, recognizes a veteran who has selflessly served in the Armed Forces and made a tremendous impact on the community. To learn more about these prestigious honors please click here: Woman of Distinction, Veterans Hall of Fame. To nominate a community member for either award, please email my office at scousins@nysenate.gov by April 1st.

Until next time,

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