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COVID-19

COVID-19: Health Department Urges NYers To Get Vaccine As Respiratory Illness Season Starts COVID-19: Health Department Urges NYers To Get Vaccine As Respiratory Illness Season Starts
Covid-19: Health Department Urges NYers To Get Vaccine As Respiratory Illness Season Starts With respiratory illness season underway, the New York State Department of Health is actively urging residents aged 6 months and older to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine.  This recommendation aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recent update, which emphasizes the importance of a second dose of the 2024-2025 vaccine for older adults and those at higher risk. The CDC now advises that adults aged 65 and older, along with individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, should receive a second dose six months after their initial vaccination. This u…
TGI Fridays Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants TGI Fridays Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants
TGI Fridays Files For Bankruptcy Weeks After Sudden Closures Of At Least 12 Restaurants Casual dining chain TGI Fridays has filed for bankruptcy several weeks after at least 12 of its restaurants suddenly closed. The company filed the Chapter 11 petition on Saturday, Nov. 2, in Texas, near its Dallas headquarters. Founded in New York City in 1965, TGI Fridays has 95 restaurants in the US, 39 of which the company owns and operates. The other 56 are independent franchises not involved in the bankruptcy petition. The company said that all those locations will remain open. According to the TGI Fridays website and other reports, the following locations are now listed as permanent…
COVID-19: NYers Should Order Free At-Home Tests, Officials Say COVID-19: NYers Should Order Free At-Home Tests, Officials Say
Covid-19: NYers Should Order Free At-Home Tests, Officials Say As the season for respiratory illnesses begins, New York health officials are urging residents to take advantage of free COVID-19 test kits being offered by the federal government.  In an announcement on Friday, Oct. 4, the New York State Department of Health advised New Yorkers to order free rapid test kits, which are being offered to US households through the US Postal Service.  Each household can receive four at-home test kits, the government announced on Friday, Sept. 27.  Earlier Report - Covid-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplie…
This Top Westchester Official Named Recipient Of Prestigious Award This Top Westchester Official Named Recipient Of Prestigious Award
This Top Westchester Official Named Recipient Of Prestigious Award A top-ranking Westchester County official has received a prestigious award for her leadership abilities.  Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler has been named the 2024 recipient of New York Medical College's William Cullen Bryant Award, county officials announced on Thursday, Oct. 3.  The award, named after the college's founder, recognizes those who show seminal leadership in health care, science, education, business, or the arts and was also bestowed to Amler's husband, Robert Amler, the college's Vice President of Government Affairs.  The awards were …
COVID-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe COVID-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe
Covid-19: Here's What To Know About New XEC Strain That's Arrived In US From Europe A new highly transmissible COVID-19 strain that first appeared in Europe is now beginning to spread in the United States. Called XEC, the offshoot of the Omicron strain was initially identified in Germany early this past summer before quickly spreading throughout Europe. It is not causing more serious symptoms than other COVID strains, but it is causing concern. “The rate of infections from XEC they're seeing in some countries rose pretty quickly compared to previous variants in those same places," Dr. Scott Roberts, a Yale Medicine infectious diseases specialist said in YaleMedicine.…
COVID-19: KP.3.1.1 Strain Now Makes Up About 60 Percent Of US Cases; Here Are Symptoms COVID-19: KP.3.1.1 Strain Now Makes Up About 60 Percent Of US Cases; Here Are Symptoms
Covid-19: KP.3.1.1 Strain Now Makes Up About 60 Percent Of US Cases; Here Are Symptoms A highly contagious COVID-19 variant known as KP.3.1.1 now accounts for nearly 60 percent of infections in the United States. Data from the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that in a two-week period ending Saturday, Sept. 28, the strain made up 58.7 percent of cases nationally, with the KP.2.3 variant second at 9.4 percent. Both KP.3 and KP.2 are offshoots of the highly contagious Omicron variant and are members of a newly identified group of variants known as  “FLiRT.” Neither is causing more serious symptoms than other COVID strains, according to experts.…
COVID-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplies Last COVID-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplies Last
Covid-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplies Last Free rapid tests for COVID-19 are now available to order online. As of Friday, Sept. 27, every American household may order four nasal swab tests through the Department of Health and Human Services program by visiting covid.gov/tests or covidtests.gov while supplies last. After orders are placed, a confirmation email will be sent to the household, with free shipping scheduled to start the week of Monday, Sept. 30, and email delivery updates available if requested. New COVID booster vaccines that became available at the start of September have been updated with a formula…
COVID-19: John Gotti's NY Grandson Admits To $1M Relief Fraud COVID-19: John Gotti's NY Grandson Admits To $1M Relief Fraud
Covid-19: John Gotti's NY Grandson Admits To $1M Relief Fraud A New York man with ties to the Mafia formally confessed to a million-dollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. Long Island resident Carmine Agnello, age 38, of Smithtown, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, Sept. 26. Agnello is the grandson of the late John Gotti, former boss of the Gambino organized crime family. According to prosecutors, between April 2020 and November 2021, he fraudulently applied for, and received, at least three small business loans under the US Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDLP). The program…
Free COVID-19 At-Home Tests Will Soon Become Available Online Free COVID-19 At-Home Tests Will Soon Become Available Online
Free Covid-19 At-Home Tests Will Soon Become Available Online The Department of Health and Human Services will soon restart its program of offering free rapid tests for the virus through the mail. Every American household may order four nasal swab tests starting by the end of September by visiting covid.gov/tests or covidtests.gov. Both standard and more accessible COVID-19 tests will be available, while supplies last. The department did not announce what specific day and date requests will start to be processed. New COVID booster vaccines that became available at the start of September have been updated with a formula to more closely target cu…
Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia
Harris, Trump Come Out Swinging In Presidential Debate In Philadelphia Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump came out swinging at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in their first and possibly only presidential debate before the Tuesday, Nov. 5 election. Harris made the first move by shaking Trump's hand on stage — in their first face-to-face encounter. Political observers noted how Harris "baited" the former president, prompting him to look increasingly angry. But Trump entered the "spin room" less than an hour after the debate, saying, "I think it was the best debate, personally, that I've ever …
COVID-19: New XEC Strain 'Just Getting Started' Sparks Concern Amid Summer Wave Of US Cases COVID-19: New XEC Strain 'Just Getting Started' Sparks Concern Amid Summer Wave Of US Cases
Covid-19: New XEC Strain 'Just Getting Started' Sparks Concern Amid Summer Wave Of US Cases A newly discovered more contagious COVID-19 strain spreading rapidly through Europe is sparking concerns among health authorities around the globe as the United States is experiencing its largest wave of cases in over two years. XEC, which was first identified in Germany, may eventually overtake the current dominant subvariant, KP.3.1.1, which is currently most common in the United States, accounting for about 42 percent of cases nationally according to data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released on Saturday, Aug. 31. XEC make take weeks or even months before it s…
FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available FDA Approves Updated COVID-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available
FDA Approves Updated Covid-19 Vaccines: Here's When They Will Be Available The US Food and Drug Administration has just approved new COVID-19 vaccines.It marks the third time the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna have been updated to match circulating strains since the original shot. The shots should be available within days, the FDA said in making the announcement Thursday afternoon, Aug. 22. The new vaccines have been updated with a formula to more closely target currently circulating variants and provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID, including hospitalization and death. “Vaccination continues to be the cornerstone of COVID-19 preventi…
RFK Jr. Considering Dropping Longshot Presidential Bid To Help Trump, Report Says RFK Jr. Considering Dropping Longshot Presidential Bid To Help Trump, Report Says
RFK Jr. Considering Dropping Longshot Presidential Bid To Help Trump, Report Says The chances of seeing another Kennedy back in the White House next year appear to be growing even thinner. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is considering dropping his longshot presidential bid in an effort to boost former President Donald Trump’s chances of winning, his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, told the Impact Theory podcast. In the interview, which was recorded on Monday, Aug. 19 and publicized the following day, Shanahan said the independent campaign is currently considering two options going forward. Earlier Report: Kennedy Appeals Ruling in NY Ballot Access Residency Case Involving Katon…
COVID-19: Surge In Summer Cases Sparks Concern COVID-19: Surge In Summer Cases Sparks Concern
Covid-19: Surge In Summer Cases Sparks Concern A surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States and around the globe is sparking concern among health officials who are warning that more severe variants of the virus may be coming. “COVID-19 is still very much with us and circulating in all countries," Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove of the World Health Organization said in a news conference last week. “Data from our sentinel-based surveillance system across 84 countries reports that the percent of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 has been rising over several weeks." Wastewater surveillance suggests that the circulation of COVID is two to 20 times…
NY County's Mask Ban Signed Into Law; Here's Possible Sentence For Violations NY County's Mask Ban Signed Into Law; Here's Possible Sentence For Violations
NY County's Mask Ban Signed Into Law; Here's Possible Sentence For Violations It’s now against the law to cover your face in public in this New York county. On Long Island, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed the “Mask Transparency Act” into law during a ceremony held Wednesday morning, Aug. 14. It came a little more than a week after the Republican-controlled county legislature passed the act by a vote of 12-0 on Monday, Aug. 5. All seven Democrats abstained from voting. Earlier Report: Nassau County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Rise In Covid-19 Cases The bill makes it a misdemeanor for anyone 16 and older to wear a face mask in public spaces in…
'We're Not Going Back': Harris, Walz Lay Out Vision For Future In First Rally Together 'We're Not Going Back': Harris, Walz Lay Out Vision For Future In First Rally Together
'We're Not Going Back': Harris, Walz Lay Out Vision For Future In First Rally Together Kamala Harris introduced her new running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as the "Vice President America deserves" during their first campaign stop at Temple University in Philadelphia. Speaking together on Tuesday, Aug. 6, in their first joint rally since Harris tapped Walz as her running mate, Vice President Harris, age 59, said this election will come down to one thing: freedom.  "The freedom from gun violence, freedom to vote, freedom to love who you wish to with pride, and the freedom for women to do what they wish with their body and not have the government tell them what to do," she…
NY County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Bump In COVID-19 Cases NY County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Bump In COVID-19 Cases
NY County Criminalizes Mask Wearing Amid Bump In Covid-19 Cases Lawmakers in a New York county approved a controversial bill criminalizing mask wearing amid a summer bump in COVID-19 cases. On Long Island, the Republican-controlled Nassau County Legislature passed the “Mask Transparency Act” by a vote of 12-0 on Monday night, Aug. 5. All seven Democrats abstained from voting. The bill makes it a misdemeanor for anyone 16 and older to wear a face mask in public spaces in the county. It also gives private businesses the right to prohibit masks on their premises. It grants exceptions for health or religious reasons, though that distinction will be determ…
Dow Drops 1,000 Points: US Stock Market In Free Fall, Wiping Away Trillions In Capital Dow Drops 1,000 Points: US Stock Market In Free Fall, Wiping Away Trillions In Capital
Dow Drops 1,000 Points: US Stock Market In Free Fall, Wiping Away Trillions In Capital Investors hoping the major dip in the stock market last week was just a blip were greeted with even more losses on Monday, Aug. 5, as fears of a recession and global turmoil sent stocks tumbling. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1,200 points at one point but closed 1,000 down. The S&P 500 dropped more than 3 percent and the Nasdaq fell 3.4 percent.  The massive sell-off began on Friday after a US jobs report showed that employer hiring in July had slowed more than analysts had predicted. Investors were already on edge over fears the US Federal Reserve had left interest ra…
Details Emerge On Ex-Cuomo, Hochul Aide Whose $3.5M NY Home Was Searched By FBI Details Emerge On Ex-Cuomo, Hochul Aide Whose $3.5M NY Home Was Searched By FBI
Details Emerge On Ex-Cuomo, Hochul Aide Whose $3.5M NY Home Was Searched By FBI A former top aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo whose Long Island home was searched by the FBI earlier this week was fired by the state last year after "evidence of misconduct, according to new reports. According to a report by Politico, Linda Sun was terminated by the Department of Labor in 2023 for “misconduct.”  “Immediately upon discovering the evidence of misconduct, the administration referred the matter to law enforcement authorities,” a source told Politico. The 40-year-old Sun's $3.5 million Manhasset home was searched by FBI agents Tuesday morni…
Biden Withdraws From 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses VP Kamala Harris To Be New Nominee Biden Withdraws From 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses VP Kamala Harris To Be New Nominee
Biden Withdraws From 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses VP Kamala Harris To Be New Nominee President Joe Biden has just announced he is pulling out of the 2024 race against Republican nominee Donald Trump. In a letter to "My Fellow Americans" released just before 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21, Biden said: “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president. “And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term.” The news comes amid concerns over the 81-year-old Biden's health, which were loudly …
Fully Vaxxed, Boosted President Biden Gets COVID-19 Again Fully Vaxxed, Boosted President Biden Gets COVID-19 Again
Fully Vaxxed, Boosted President Biden Gets Covid-19 Again Despite being fully vaccinated and boosted, President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 — again, White House officials announced on Wednesday, July 17. The 81-year-old Biden has tested positive for COVID while in Las Vegas, Nevada ahead of the DNC, officials with the White House explained. His symptoms are mild. His doctor noted that he presented with upper respiratory symptoms, such as a runny nose, a non-productive cough, and "general malaise," as stated in the release.  Since his condition did not improve throughout the day, a COVID test was conducted on Wednesda…
COVID-19: NY Hospitalizations Well Above Same Period Last Year Amid Increase In Virus Activity COVID-19: NY Hospitalizations Well Above Same Period Last Year Amid Increase In Virus Activity
Covid-19: NY Hospitalizations Well Above Same Period Last Year Amid Increase In Virus Activity As new highly contagious COVID-19 variants emerge, authorities are reporting that statewide hospitalizations in New York have significantly increased compared to the same period last summer. With social gatherings increasing during the summer months and high temperatures forcing people indoors, New York Gov. Kathy Hocul stated on Saturday, July 6, that New Yorkers should get tested if they have symptoms.  In addition, they should also follow the usual precautions, including current CDC guidance, stay current with COVID vaccines, and seek appropriate treatments if necessary. “While we …
COVID-19: New LB.1 Variant Sees Climb In Infections Amid Nationwide Uptick In Cases COVID-19: New LB.1 Variant Sees Climb In Infections Amid Nationwide Uptick In Cases
Covid-19: New LB.1 Variant Sees Climb In Infections Amid Nationwide Uptick In Cases Cases of a new COVID-19 variant are on the rise nationally as the spread of the virus overall is climbing, according to brand-new data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The highly contagious variant, LB.1, now accounts for 17.5 percent of US cases in the two weeks ending Saturday, June 22. LB.1 cases have more than doubled since May, and some experts think it could be on a path to surpass two offshoots of the highly contagious Omicron variant who are part of the so-called "FLiRT" group: KP.3 and KP. 2. Combined, those two subvariants account for mo…
Ex-NY Nurse May Dodge Jail After Making $1M Selling Fake Vaccine Cards, Prescriptions Ex-NY Nurse May Dodge Jail After Making $1M Selling Fake Vaccine Cards, Prescriptions
Ex-NY Nurse May Dodge Jail After Making $1M Selling Fake Vaccine Cards, Prescriptions A former pediatric nurse from Long Island could avoid jail time after confessing that she raked in over $1 million selling forged COVID-19 vaccine cards and opioid prescriptions. Julie DeVuono, age 51, of Amityville, pleaded guilty to filing forged vaccination record cards, laundering the criminal proceeds from selling the cards, and filing false prescriptions for opioids in Suffolk County Court in September 2023. According to prosecutors, DeVuono charged her customers $220 or $350, depending on the year, between June 2021 and September 2022 for entering their false vaccine information into…
COVID-19: New Highly Contagious KP.3 'FLiRT' Variant Now Accounts For Majority Of US Cases COVID-19: New Highly Contagious KP.3 'FLiRT' Variant Now Accounts For Majority Of US Cases
Covid-19: New Highly Contagious KP.3 'FLiRT' Variant Now Accounts For Majority Of US Cases A new highly contagious COVID-19 variant known as KP.3 now accounts for most infections in the United States. Data from the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that in a two-week period ending Saturday, June 8, the strain made up 25 percent of cases nationally, just ahead of the KP.2 variant (22.5 percent). Both KP.3 and KP.2 are offshoots of the highly contagious Omicron variant and are members of a newly identified group of variants known as  “FLiRT.”  COVID-19: New 'FLiRT' Variants Now Dominant In US Neither is expected to cause more serious symptom…
COVID-19: New 'FLiRT' Variants Now Most Dominant In US COVID-19: New 'FLiRT' Variants Now Most Dominant In US
Covid-19: New 'FLiRT' Variants Now Most Dominant In US New so-called "FLiRT" COVID-19 variants have quickly become the most dominant in the United States, and authorities are monitoring their rise as summer approaches. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the two members of the  “FLiRT” group, KP.2, is now No. 1 among strains nationally, accounting for about 24.9 of all current infections. The JN.1 strain had been dominant in the US before the emergence of KP.2. Both variants are offshoots of the highly contagious Omicron strain. The No. 4 variant in the US, KP.1.1, which makes up …
COVID-19: NY Duo Steals $8M From Company Seeking Surgical Masks, Feds Say COVID-19: NY Duo Steals $8M From Company Seeking Surgical Masks, Feds Say
Covid-19: NY Duo Steals $8M From Company Seeking Surgical Masks, Feds Say Two New York residents are accused of conning a medical supply company out of millions of dollars in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Long Island resident Jonathan Cannon, age 58, of Miller Place, and Erie County resident Julie Dotton, age 51, of Orchard Park, are both charged with wire fraud in a complaint unsealed in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, May 2. According to prosecutors, a Canadian company serving as an official provider of personal protective equipment paid Cannon and Dotton $8.2 million for surgical masks needed due to the pandemic. In exchange, Dotton agreed…
$3M Fraud: NY Theme Park Owner Stole COVID-19 Federal Aid $3M Fraud: NY Theme Park Owner Stole COVID-19 Federal Aid
$3M Fraud: NY Theme Park Owner Stole Covid-19 Federal Aid A man who owns a now-defunct Manhattan restaurant and a local theme park will spend time behind bars for stealing COVID-19 funds and putting it towards, among other things, a home in Nantucket. Long Island resident Donald Finley, age 61 of Locust Valley, faced his 24-month sentence on Tuesday, April 16, according to the United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York. Original Story - COVID-19: Bayville Adventure Park Owner Admits To Stealing $3.2M In Federal Aid Finley, who owns Bayville Adventure Park and used to own a now-shuttered Jekyll & Hyde-themed restaura…
Chuck Scarborough To Mark 50 Years With WNBC: 'Giant In American Journalism' Chuck Scarborough To Mark 50 Years With WNBC: 'Giant In American Journalism'
Chuck Scarborough To Mark 50 Years With Wnbc: 'Giant In American Journalism' To celebrate journalism legend and localresident Chuck Scarborough's 50th year with NBC 4 New York, the network will hold a week of tributes that will look back at memorable moments throughout his career.  To commemorate  the 80-year-old Scarborough's lengthy career, NBC 4 New York will hold a ceremony on Monday, March 25 at 10 a.m. during which the Empire State Building will be illuminated in the journalist's honor. Those who want to watch this special event can stream it live on the station's "NBC New York News" channel.  Additionally, at 4 p.m. on Monday, the network …
9 Get Prison Time For Stealing Vehicles In Westchester As Part Of Car Theft Ring 9 Get Prison Time For Stealing Vehicles In Westchester As Part Of Car Theft Ring
9 Get Prison Time For Stealing Vehicles In Westchester As Part Of Car Theft Ring Nine members of a car theft ring have been sentenced after stealing 45 vehicles from Westchester and New York City during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials announced.  The nine defendants were sentenced to prison in connection with a car theft ring that operated over six months in 2020 and targeted vehicles in New York City and Westchester, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Monday, March 11.  According to James's office, the nine sentencings were the result of a two-year investigation into the scheme that began in September 2019 and eventual…
COVID-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC COVID-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC
Covid-19: Change In Isolation Guidelines For Those Infected With Virus Announced By CDC New isolation guidelines for those infected with COVID-19 or other respiratory infections have just been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency said there is no longer a need to isolate for five days before returning to work or school in a statement issued Friday, March 1. The CDC said it's making updates to the recommendations now because the US is seeing "far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID, and RSV." Three "core prevention tips" were also detaile…