Staten Island Delegation calling on retired healthcare professionals to volunteer to staff COVID-19 Mobile Testing site
Joint statement by Borough President Oddo, Congressman Max Rose, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, Assemblyman Charles Fall, Councilman Steven Matteo, Councilman Joe Borelli, and Councilwoman Debi Rose: "Common ground, common effort. This is how we, as your Staten Island representatives, have operated in response to this crisis, and now we are calling on our constituents to do the same. If you are, or know someone who is, willing to share their time and expertise to fight this crisis your service will be deeply appreciated. We thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership through this crisis, and for his work to expand testing in New York City."
In response to the growing number of COVID-19 case numbers, Governor Andrew Cuomo has authorized a drive-through testing facility to open on Staten Island, the first facility of its kind in New York City. The facility will open tomorrow, Thursday, March 19, 2020. At this time, Borough President James Oddo and the Staten Island delegation are working closely with the Office of the Governor and Northwell Health to facilitate swab testing for COVID-19 to those who meet the necessary criteria. The testing is open to New York City Residents by appointment only from 11am to 7 pm tomorrow and from 7 am to 7 pm beginning Friday at South Beach Psych Center (777 Seaview Avenue).
Anyone who feels they are at risk should contact the NYS DOH Hotline at 888-364-3065 to determine if and how to be tested. If it is determined an individual needs to be tested, they will receive notice directly from NYS DOH. An appointment must be made in order to receive a test. Individuals who show up without an appointment will be turned away.
The State and Northwell Health are seeking the help of qualified retired health professionals—including Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses and Physicians—to volunteer to staff the mobile testing unit. If you are a retired health professional and looking to help with the crisis at hand, please consider volunteering. Shifts will be from 7 am to 1 pm and 1 pm to 7 pm.
"This testing site is going to be a huge sigh of relief for Staten Islanders with concerns of COVID-19. We thank Governor Cuomo and Staten Island's elected officials who have once again stepped up for the borough when it needed it most," said Brahim Ardolic, MD, Executive Director of Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health. "Staten Island University Hospital is happy to assist in this effort wherever we can. So far, over 120 medical professionals from the hospital have volunteered to help staff the testing site."
Potential volunteers should fill out the following online form to be considered for a volunteer position: https://apps.health.ny.gov/pubpal/builder/survey/retired-health-professional. Volunteers will be prompted to enter their Name, Address, Phone number, New York State Certification Number, Information on last role, and Availability.
According to NYS DOH, drive-through mobile testing facilities help keep people who are sick or at risk of having contracted coronavirus out of healthcare facilities where they could infect other people. To that end, the guidance for receiving a COVID-19 test is unchanged from the guidance provided at any other medical facility.
Until New York State is at full capacity for testing, the Department of Health has issued guidance to ensure that New York State prioritizes the resources to meet the most urgent public health need. Testing for COVID-19 shall be authorized by a health care provider when:
An individual has come within proximate contact (same classroom, office, or gatherings) of another person known to be positive; or
An individual has traveled to a country that the CDC has issued a Level 2 or Level 3 Travel Health Notice, and shows symptoms of illness; or
An individual is quarantined (mandatory or precautionary) and has shown symptoms of COVID-19 illness; or
An individual is symptomatic and has not tested positive for any other infection; or
Other cases where the facts and circumstances warrant as determined by the treating clinician in consultation with state and local department of health officials.
On Sunday, March 15, 2020, the entire Staten Island delegation made an announcement to encourage Staten Islanders to re-evaluate their social distancing behaviors, including to: Stay home as much as possible; keep 6 feet of distance from others in public; and minimize in-person social contact in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Joint Statement from the Staten Island Delegation calling on Staten Islanders to STAY HOME to prevent the spread of COVID-19
The Staten Island Delegation has one clear directive for Staten Islanders in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19: Stay Home.
"By now, we're all very much aware of the Coronavirus, but what's not all that clear is what you need to do. It is simple: STAY HOME. Healthy or sick, all New Yorkers need to stay home as much as possible. Stay home and check in with your friends and family members who may need your help via phone," noted in a joint statement by Borough President Oddo, Congressman Max Rose, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, Assemblyman Charles Fall, Councilman Steven Matteo, Councilman Joe Borelli, and Councilwoman Debi Rose.
On Sunday, March 15, 2020, the entire Staten Island delegation to made an announcement to encourage Staten Islanders to re-evaluate their social distancing behaviors, including to: Stay home as much as possible; keep 6 feet of distance from others in public; and minimize in-person social contact.
Any New Yorkers who feel they are getting sick should abide by the following advice from NYC and NYS DOH:
If you are sick, rest and monitor your symptoms for 24-48 hours. If they worsen, call your primary care doctor.
Do not go to the emergency room, an urgent-care center, or your doctor's office if you are feeling sick. Call your doctor first so they can make arrangements for you to come in, if necessary.
If you do not have a primary care doctor or Health insurance, call the Health and Hospitals 24/7 help line where you will be connected to a doctor to assist: 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692).
Any general questions or concerns on coronavirus, call 311. New Yorkers are also encouraged to text "COVID" to 692-692 for automatic updates from NYC OEM on Coronavirus.
Joint Statement from the Staten Island Delegation calling on Staten Islanders to re-evaluate their social distancing behavior
​Joint statement by Borough President Oddo, Congressman Max Rose, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, Assemblyman Charles Fall, Councilman Steven Matteo, Councilman Joe Borelli, and Councilwoman Debi Rose:
"In addition to a running text thread to allow all Staten Island elected officials to communicate with each other simultaneously, and to collectively share information, we have established what will be a daily conference call to coordinate our efforts. Today's call focused on securing the needs of our two hospital systems, attempting to unclog the flow of county specific information and data, expressing our ongoing bewilderment and concerns about schools not officially closing, and our strenuous belief that this next week is critical in terms of containment efforts. To that end we all agreed on the following:
"After reading the bleak predictions and emphatic counsel of medical and scientific experts across the country, after seeing other cities and nations imposing curfews or shutting businesses and gathering places, and after hearing widespread accounts of people willfully ignoring social distancing in establishments across the city, state and nation, we strongly encourage Staten Islanders to re-evaluate their social distancing behavior.
"We want to help keep our small businesses viable, but Islanders need to understand that they are not invulnerable and their behavior puts OTHER people at risk, including potentially the vulnerable populations in their own homes and within their own families.
"As so many have advocated: Stay home as much as possible; keep 6 feet of distance from others in public; and minimize in-person social contact. Please, for everyone's sake, use common sense. This upcoming week is critically important in terms of attempting to contain this virus. Those who can should just stay home."
Joint Statement from the Staten Island Delegation calling on containment efforts for children and safeguards older adults from Coronavirus
Joint statement by Borough President Oddo, Congressman Max Rose, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, Assemblyman Charles Fall, Councilman Steven Matteo, Councilman Joe Borelli, and Councilwoman Debi Rose:
"Following a meeting today at Borough Hall, we are calling on Mayor Bill de Blasio to close New York City Public Schools, grades 3-K through 12, for one week to allow for all school buildings to be completely sanitized and to allow for further assessment of the COVID-19 situation, to be reassessed at the end of that week. Essential to this plan is developing a program to allow for children who need shelter and food to be cared for during this time.
"In addition, we are reiterating our position on closing Senior Centers throughout the City to safeguard older adults who are in the high-risk category, pending an appropriate course of action to ensure safety and nutrition for all seniors in the program."
Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Breakfast Postponed
​The Vietnam Veterans Breakfast, scheduled for March 30, will be postponed.
Borough President James Oddo and District Attorney Michael McMahon, who host the annual event, have decided to postpone the breakfast to err on the side of caution, concerned for the health of Veterans who would attend. The breakfast will be rescheduled for a later date.
With older adults at high risk for coronavirus and the CDC recommending that those at high risk stay at home as much as possible and avoid congregate settings, the Borough President and District Attorney have decided to postpone the breakfast to another time.
"The goal of our Welcome Home breakfast is to recognize Veterans who served bravely in the Vietnam War for their heroism, sacrifice and service to our country," noted Borough President Oddo. "While we are disappointed to have to postpone, it is much more important for our friends to stay healthy. We will hold the breakfast at another time when we can show our gratitude."
"The Welcome Home Breakfast means a great deal to not just myself and the Borough President, but to the hundreds of Veterans who attend each year. In keeping with the spirit of the event, that is, giving a long overdue "thank you" to all Staten Islanders who served in Vietnam, we are putting the health and safety of our Veterans above all else. I look forward to getting this event back on the calendar in the near future," said District Attorney McMahon.
Veterans who have already responded to the breakfast will be notified of the postponement and a new invitation will be disseminated when another date has been chosen for the event. If there are any questions, please contact Diane Marciuliano at 718-816-2246.
Borough Board - March 2020
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Volunteers needed for St. George Ferry Terminal tourism kiosk
The Staten Island Borough President's Office is sponsoring a volunteer program to welcome tourists at the St. George Ferry Terminal for another year. The Ferry Terminal Kiosk volunteer program will provide exposure to hundreds of tourists each day from May through October.
The ideal candidate has excellent communication skills, a willingness to learn, and enthusiasm about marketing Staten Island and New York City as a destination. Volunteers will be responsible for fostering interest in Staten Island by providing information regarding local attractions, bus routes, nearby eateries, and thoughtfully answering other tourist inquiries. Training will be provided that covers the aforementioned topics.
The booth will be open from Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 6pm, with three 2-hour shifts daily and at least three volunteers for each shift. Scheduling is flexible. Volunteers will be responsible for addressing queries in a friendly manner and must have a presentable and professional appearance while operating the booth. Volunteers will also be responsible for opening and setting up the kiosk each morning and securely closing it in the evening, as well as keeping all the materials stocked.
Volunteers will be given the opportunity to expand interpersonal skills by interacting with a diverse and curious audience. and be awarded a Certificate of Completion—a great addition to a resume—for their work.
Tourism is a $66 billion industry in New York City. The Staten Island Ferry is one of the most visited attractions in New York City, with over 1.5 million tourists riding the Ferry each year.
"We at Borough Hall know tourism is an important economic driver, and we are excited to be able to assist in that effort by providing this tourism kiosk at the St. George Ferry Terminal," said Borough President James Oddo. "Our goal is to connect tourists to the wonderful cultural attractions Staten Island has to offer, provide directions and information on where they can eat, shop, and stay, and to let people know Staten Island is open for business in every way possible."
Applications for the volunteer positions are currently being accepted. All inquiries should be made by April 1. For more information, contact Colleen Siuzdak at the Staten Island Borough President's Office of Tourism and Cultural Affairs at csiuzdak@statenislandusa.com or 718-816-2057.
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