Neighborhood Notes on June Primary Deadlines, Vaccination Card Fraud, Fordham University Discounts

NORWOOD NEWS

Latest Updates on Vaccine Eligibility

According to New York State Department of Health, all individuals 12 years of age and older who reside in the United States are eligible to receive the vaccine, for free. While the vaccination process is underway, residents should continue to follow prevailing public health guidelines.

FDA fact sheets for recipients and caregivers on each vaccine are available here:

Pfizer-BioNTech: https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download

Moderna: https://www.fda.gov/media/144638/download

Johnson & Johnson/Janssen: https://www.fda.gov/media/146305/download

COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available at pharmacies, local health departments, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and other locations across the state. Visit https://www.vaccines.gov/search/ to find appointments near you or contact your local pharmacy or provider.

To schedule an appointment directly at a New York State-run site, go to: https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ and follow the instructions. 

Walk-in Appointments

If you need transportation to get your vaccine appointment, click this link for a list of options: https://forms.ny.gov/s3/vaccine.

For trustworthy information on the vaccines and the research behind them, go to: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccine-facts.page.

Lehman College Vaccination Site

For local residents of Norwood and the surrounding areas, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is available at the Lehman College vaccination site, located at the APEX Athletic Center, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West. To schedule a vaccine appointment, visit https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/locations/664 or call (877) 829-4692.

Homebound New Yorkers

New York City is providing in-home COVID-19 vaccinations (Johnson & Johnson) to eligible NYC residents who are fully homebound, have not already been vaccinated, and do not already have access to a vaccination program. If you think you may be eligible for an in-home vaccination, fill out an interest form here: https://forms.cityofnewyork.us/f/homebound or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692). The form does not set up an appointment, but it enables City officials to contact you to further discuss your eligibility.

More Help with Scheduling Vaccine Appointments

Bronx Rising Initiative, a nonprofit launched in 2020, has launched a homebound vaccine initiative to help inoculate Bronx seniors where they live, in partnership with local community organizations which are already serving homebound seniors. Residents can sign-up at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/getvaccinated.

COVID-19-Related Updates

Most capacity limits on businesses, in terms of customer occupancy, have been removed, effective May 19, and business owners are now only required to ensure there is sufficient space on their premises for patrons to maintain the required social distance of six feet. For more information on the easing of pandemic restrictions, go to https://forward.ny.gov/.

In accordance with the CDC’s new guidance on mask use, fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks outdoors, except in certain crowded settings and venues. New Yorkers should be mindful, nonetheless of immunocompromised people in their immediate vicinity and should aim to respect social distancing guidelines. For more information, go to: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html.

Any New Yorker can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.

Digital Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test Results

An excelsior pass provides New Yorkers with a free, fast and secure way to present digital proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results.

New Yorkers can store the pass digitally on a smartphone with the Excelsior Pass Wallet app, available for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, or they can also print the pass from https://epass.ny.gov/home and bring it with them.

Businesses and venues can then scan and validate the pass to ensure New Yorkers meet any COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements for entry. Along with the pass, New Yorkers will be asked to show a photo ID that shows their name and birth date to verify the pass belongs to them. Adults may hold passes for accompanying minors.

Once you and your party enter an establishment, you will still be asked to follow State and CDC guidance regarding social distancing, face coverings and hand hygiene.

Participation in Excelsior Pass is voluntary. New Yorkers can always show alternate proof of vaccination or testing at a business or venue, such as another mobile application or a paper form.

COVID-19 Testing Sites

For a full list of COVID-19 testing sites, text “COVID TEST” to 855-48 or go to:

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/get-tested/covid-19-testing.page.

Fraudulent Vaccination Cards

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz recently introduced legislation to combat the use of fake vaccination cards. The FBI issued a warning in March to make the public aware that there are individuals who are both selling fake, COVID-19 vaccination cards, and who are encouraging others to print such fake cards in their homes. Agency officials said that fake cards are also being advertised on social media websites, as well as on e-commerce platforms and blogs.

Faking a vaccination record puts the impacted person, and others around that person, at risk of contracting COVID-19. Additionally, the newly introduced legislation would make it easier for prosecutors to charge those forging, or possessing a forged immunization record, with a felony. The bill adds explicit language to the definitions of forgery in the second and third degrees that addresses forged immunization records.

Win Free Tickets to Baseball Games by Getting Vaccinated at the City’s Ballparks

In an effort to get more COVID-19 vaccines into the arms of reluctant New Yorkers, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday, May 5, that State residents who get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Yankee Stadium or at Citi Field will receive a free game ticket. For both the State and New York sports fans, the free game tickets initiative is a win-win situation, helping to achieve herd immunity in New York State, while also offering fans the chance to attend a free sporting event. Effective May 19, both sporting venues are now also open to all vaccinated guests. Yankee Stadium and Citi Field have a maximum capacity of between 42,000 and 50,000, respectively.

Free Food Offers at Shake Shack on Proof of Vaccination 

Effective Thursday, May 13, and while supplies last, New Yorkers can score a free ShackBurger voucher**  when they get vaccinated at one of the NYC mobile vaccine buses!

Shake Shack will also be serving free Crinkle Cut Fries through Saturday, June 12, to vaccinated New Yorkers with the purchase of any burger or chicken sandwich*. To redeem, just show a Team Member your vaccine card or Excelsior Pass before ordering in-store at the following New York City Shacks:

• Downtown BK

• Flatbush Ave

• DUMBO

• Queens Center Mall

• Forest Hills

• Williamsburg

• 1700 Broadway

• Staten Island Mall

• Empire Outlets

• Madison Square Park

• Midtown East

• Herald Square

• Hudson Yards

• West Village

• Morningside Heights

• Harlem

• Bay Plaza

• Upper West Side

• Battery Park City

• Fulton Transit Center

• Astor Place

• Bryant Park

• Upper East Side

Offer valid until 11 p.m. EST on 6/12/2021 only at participating NYC Shake Shack locations when you show proof of vaccination (vaccine card or Excelsior pass) to the cashier (excluding airports, stadiums, and ballparks). Max savings of $3.09. One-time use only. Must purchase a burger or chicken sandwich in-store for promotion to apply. Offer includes plain Crinkle Cut Fries only. Not available on app, web, or delivery.

** Voucher Details: Present this card on your next visit for any complimentary single burger. No minimum purchase necessary. This card is accepted at participating Shake Shacks (sorry not valid at stadiums, event venues, airports, food trucks and international locations). Offer cannot be applied to Shack App orders. This card has no cash value. Approximate retail value of a single burger (up to $7.89). Limit one per order and one time use only. Duplicates not accepted. Expires 12/31/21.

June 22 Primary Deadlines

As the June primary elections approach, all voters are being encouraged to mark their calendars with the following important dates.

• Friday, May 28: voter registration deadline
• Saturday, June 12: early voting begins
• Tuesday, June 15: absentee ballot request deadline
• Sunday, June 20: early voting ends
• Tuesday, June 22: Election Day. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

To register to vote, go to: https://vote.nyc/page/register-vote.

To find your polling site, go to: https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc.

To request an absentee ballot, go to: https://vote.nyc/page/absentee-voting-0.

To learn more about Ranked Choice Voting, go to: https://rankthevotenyc.org.

Fordham Flea Market

A new flea market will open on Fordham Plaza this summer. MASC Hospitality Group, the creator of Bronx Night Market and the upcoming Uptown Night Market, is working on a new market which will be dedicated to merchandise, arts & crafts, apparel, accessories, self-care products and more.

Fordham Flea market will be located at Fordham Plaza on the last Sunday of the month from May to October, from midday to 7 p.m.

Boilermaker Trade Apprenticeship Deadline

The joint apprenticeship and training committee (JATC) for Boilermakers Northeastern Area, Local Union #5, Zone #5 will begin recruiting to fill five boilermaker (construction) apprenticeships, between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on the third Monday of each month during the recruitment period which will be from June 21, 2021 through May 16, 2022, excluding legal holidays. The five openings cover the committee’s three recruitment regions of New York City, Long Island, and Hudson Valley. Application forms can be obtained from JATC for Boilermakers Northeastern Area, Local Union #5, Zone #5, located at 24 Van Siclen Ave, Floral Park, NY, and must be received no later than May 16, 2022. Detailed information is available on the Boilermakers Northeast JAC website at www.neaac.net or by calling (516) 326-2500.

Wood, Wire & Metal Trade Apprenticeship Deadline

The joint apprenticeship and training committee for the metallic lathers and reinforcing ironworkers, Local Union #46, will begin recruiting to fill 50 lather (wood, wire and metal) apprenticeships on weekdays, from June 22 to July 6, 2021, excluding July 5, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.The 50 apprenticeships cover the committee’s three recruitment regions of New York City, the Hudson Valley and Long Island. Applications must be submitted online at www.ml46.org. Applicants who do not have access to the internet are encouraged to visit their local library.Applicants must pay a $25 testing fee by money order or cashier’s check at the time of testing. However, they may request that this fee be waived. Fee waivers will be approved if the applicant can show verifiable proof of financial need. Call (718) 267-7500 for further information.Fordham University Offers Discount to Neighbor Learners  Fordham University plans to provide financial assistance to ‘neighbors’ of the university’s Rose Hill campus, located in Fordham Manor, beginning this fall. The Fordham School of Professional and Continuing Students (PCS) announced the launch of its Good Neighbor Initiative for the Fall 2021 term on Thursday, May 6.The Good Neighbor Initiative for adult learners provides an automatic 30 percent discount on tuition fees for undergraduate-seeking PCS students at the Bronx campus who live within certain neighboring zip codes. The selected zip codes cover neighborhoods in the Bronx, lower Westchester County (Mount Vernon, Yonkers) and the very northern part of Manhattan.

Students who participate in the Good Neighbor Initiative may also qualify for additional financial aid, such as merit aid, Pell grants, support from the New York State Tuition Assistance Program, and institutional aid. If a student qualifies for more than one discount e.g. NYPD, FDNY, NYC Ballet Dancers, etc., the student will receive the higher of the two awards.

The full list of eligible Bronx zip codes is as follows: 10451, 10452, 10453, 10454, 10455, 10456, 10457, 10458, 10459, 10460, 10461, 10462, 10463, 10465, 10466, 10467, 10468, 10469, 10470, 10471, 10472, 10473, 10474, 10475 and 10499.

Fordham PCS will host a virtual information session about the initiative on June 2 at 6:30 p.m. where representatives will explain the initiative and Fordham’s undergraduate degree programs for adult learners. Those who attend will have their application fees waived. Go to the following link:

https://www.fordham.edu/info/22123/information_sessions/6551/adult_undergraduate_information_sessions to register. For more information, visit https://www.fordham.edu/goodneighbor.

 

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