Almost 80% Of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Officers Received Covid 19 Vaccination Shot, 8 Unvaccinated Officers Must Wear Face Masks At All Times On Duty Except When Eating Says PSD Chief During RIRA PSC Meeting

During October 6 press briefing with Mayor deBlasio, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said:

... I would be supportive of a vaccine mandate. I've said that from day one. I think that the science, to health, the emergency situation that we're in, it makes sense. Currently we're at 68 percent of our workforce. So, our current mandate is either be vaccinated or you submit to the testing and prove that you tested once within seven days....

 

As reported last July 27:

... During the July 20 Roosvelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee (PSC) meeting, RIOC Public Safety Department (PSD) Chief Kevin Brown reported that one officer recently tested positive for Covid 19 and that only 50% of PSD Officers have received the Covid 19 vaccine. Chief Brown added that he received the Covid 19 vaccine and Deputy Chief Anthony Amoroso has previously said he was vaccinated as well. 

2 officers of the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department died from Covid 19 - Officer Corey Fischer and Detective Wayne Jones. A Roosevelt Island Memorial gathering for both officers will be held in August said Chief Brown during the July 20 PSC meeting....

... UPDATE July 29 - RIOC Public Information Officer Amy Smith reports:

Yesterday, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that all New York State employees—about 130,000 people—will be required to get vaccinated for COVID-19 by Labor Day. State employees who do not get vaccinated will be required to be tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis. New York State is working with state unions to implement the requirement quickly and fairly. As a state agency, Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) will adhere to these requirements as the safety of our employees, partners, and patrons is of the utmost importance to us.

During a September 22, 2021 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee (PSC) meeting discussion of Covid 19 vaccination status update among PSD Officers, Roosevelt Island Public Safety Chief Kevin Brown said:

... more than a majority of the staff have been vaccinated...

and Deputy Chief Amoroso added:

... a little bit over 75% almost 80%...

 have been vaccinated.

Chief Brown also reported that of those PSD officers not vaccinated, they must wear face masks at all times, inside and outside, except when they are eating. 8 PSD officers were not vaccinated as of September 22.

Here's the full RIRA PSC discussion with Chief Brown and Deputy Chief Amoroso on PSD Covid 19 vaccination status.

 On October 4, I asked PSD Chief Brown and RIOC Public Information Officer Amy Smith:

... Have any additional officers received the Covid 19 vaccine since the September 21 meeting? Does RIOC have any statement on this subject?.

Have not received an answer.

During the May 20,2021 Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee meeting, Deputy Chief Amoroso reported that 2 senior PSD officers died from Covid and 19 other officers, 1/3 of the entire force, were infected with the disease.  

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, COVID-19 is now the leading cause of death for police officers nationwide, more than firearms and traffic-related fatalities combined. @KerryNBC has more. pic.twitter.com/ggxnAh4eOg

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 12, 2021

33 Roosevelt Island Deaths Due To Coronavirus As Of Today Includes Coler Nursing Facility Residents Says NYC Health Department - NY State Health Department Says 14 Coronavirus Deaths At Coler But May Be Much Higher Fear Some

As previously reported, the NYC Health Department released detailed Coronavirus demographic data including death and test results by zip code.

As of today, NYC Health Department reports 33 Coronavirus deaths and 797 tests of which 229 were positive for Roosevelt Island zip code 10044.

Image From NYC Department Of Health

Click here to view the NYC Coronavirus zip code tracker.

I asked the Mayor's Office:

Do the statistics for 10044 include Coler Nursing and Roosevelt Medical patients.

A NYC Health Department Spokesperson replied:

Deaths are recorded by ZIP code of residence, not by the hospital in which the event occurred. If they are residents of the nursing home, they would be counted under the address of the facility, unless another address of residence is provided.

So, it would appear that Coler Nursing Facility deaths are included for Roosevelt Island 10044 Zip Code but not deaths at the new Roosevelt Medical Center.

According to NY State Health Department data on Nursing Home Fatalities, 13 Coler residents died from Coronavirus plus 1 presumed Coronavirus death.

Sadly, knowledgeable Coler watchers believe the number of deaths at Coler are much higher than the reported 14.

Will update when more info available.

NYC Health Department Releases Coronavirus Zip Code And Demographic Data - 31 Deaths On Roosevelt Island

The NYC Health Department today released more detailed demographic information about how Coronavirus is affecting NYC.

**NEW** #COVID19 data released today with additional demographic information about how the outbreak is affecting New York City. The new information includes detailed geographic information of cases, hospitalizations and deaths. View all the data: https://t.co/dynLHQDCWL pic.twitter.com/3wuYBatC8X

— nychealthy (@nycHealthy) May 18, 2020

According to NYC Health Department:

The data presented on these pages reflect the most recent information the Health Department has collected about people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in NYC. In March, April and early May, we had discouraged people with mild and moderate symptoms from being tested, so our data primarily represent people with more severe illness.
This page includes data visualizations. To view the data as csv files, click here to visit our Github repository.

Unless otherwise noted, all of the below information was collected by the NYC Health Department. The data on these pages will be updated daily. All data are preliminary and subject to change...

... The number of reported confirmed cases per ZIP code may be affected by that area’s population size, access to health care and access to testing. For example, an area with a low total case number but a high percent of positive cases could reflect more people with mild symptoms not getting tested.

The data reports 31 Coronavirus deaths on Roosevelt Island zip code 10044.

Image From NYC Health Department

Gothamist has a Coronavirus interactive neighborhood map but does not include Roosevelt Island at this time. According to the map, nearby Astoria/Long Island City 11106 Zip Code has a much lower death rate (106.04) per 100,000

than Roosevelt Island (264.95).

I've asked the Mayor's Office:

Do the statistics for 10044 include Coler Nursing and Roosevelt Medical patients.

I’m trying to find out how many people on Roosevelt Island died and tested positive for Coronavirus that are not patients at Coler or the Medical Center.

More data from NYC Health Department here.

Will update when more info available.

More Sad News, 24 Year Veteran Of The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Detective Wayne Jones Dies From Coronavirus, Condolences To His Family, Friends & Colleagues - Second Member Of PSD To Die From Coronavirus

More terribly sad news from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC). A second member of the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department has died from the Coronavirus.

According to RIOC today:

The Passing of Detective Wayne Jones

We regret to inform you of the passing of Detective Wayne Jones, a 24-year veteran of the Public Safety Department (PSD). He leaves behind a wife and two children. He was an integral part of the department and he will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege to know him and work with him.

Detective Jones is the second PSD member to pass away from the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please keep Detective Jones, Officer Corey Fischer, and all those affected by this pandemic in your thoughts and prayers.

Condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Jones

Sad News, 28 Year Veteran Of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Corey Fischer Dies From Coronavirus Complications - He Was A Mentor To Fellow Officers, A Calming Voice And A Good Man Says RIOC President Rosenthal

Very sad news. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) today:

The Passing of Officer Corey Fischer, PSD

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation mourns the passing of Officer Corey Fischer of the Public Safety Department (PSD). He passed due to complications from contracting the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Officer Fischer was a 28-year veteran of PSD and leaves behind a wife and children. He was a fine officer who dedicated his life to serving the Roosevelt Island community.

Flags on Roosevelt Island have been lowered to half staff in honor of Corey. We will announce more information about how we will celebrate his life and career in the coming days. We ask that all Roosevelt Island residents pause for a moment to remember the life of this good officer, husband, father, and friend.

RIOC President Susan Rosenthal adds:

We are all distraught. He was on the island for 28 years. He mentored so many of our officers; a calming voice and a good man.

Condolences to Officer Corey Fischer's family, friends and colleagues at RIOC and the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department.

UPDATE 6:30 PM - Condolences expressed by Roosevelt Island residents on Facebook page.

UPDATE 4/9 - Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feeley-Nahem adds:

Being on the front line is never an easy duty, and Corey Fisher did it for all of us, for 28 years. Thank you Officer Fisher for keeping us safe, before the pandemic, and during it. My deepest condolences to Officer Fisher’s family, and to his PSD colleagues who he served with, and who he will be missed by.

Coronavirus Patients Being Transferred To New Roosevelt Island Medical Center In Same Building But Separate Area Of Coler Nursing Facility Says NYC Health & Hospitals Corp - Adds Every HHC Health Care Worker Who Needs Protective Equipment Is Able To Receive What They Require, But Coler Nurses Say Not So

NYC Health & Hospitals Corp (NYC HHC) President Mitch Katz tweeted today:

That's great but patients and staff at Roosevelt Island Coler Facility in same building are pleading for N95 masks and other protective equipment. RI residents are organizing to help them but NYC needs to step up. @BenKallos @SeawrightForNY @SenatorSerrano https://t.co/1kHik9fmsM https://t.co/kUDn4Y267F

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) April 7, 2020

I asked NYC HHC:

Roosevelt island Coler Staff are pleading to be supplied with N 95 Masks and Personal Protective Equipment to treat Coronavirus patients.

I'm told that the Staff was advised they will not get the equipment because Coler is considered a Nursing Home and not a Hospital. Will Coler Staff be supplied with N 95 Masks and PPE? If not, why?

Also, I'm being told that Coronavirus patients are being transferred to Coler which the Mayor said would not happen. Are Coronavirus patients now being transferred to Coler.

NYC HHC spokesperson replied tonight:

To address the need for ICU space in our hospitals, NYC Health + Hospitals has moved covid-19 patients to the Roosevelt Island Medical Center. The Medical Center is separate from the post-acute, nursing facility known as NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler. Roosevelt Island Medical Center is in a separate area with no overlap or shared space. No covid-19 patients were moved into the nursing facility.

​NYC Health + Hospitals facilities are on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic and our dedicated employees are working day and night to ensure that all our patients receive the individual care they need. We’re doing everything we can to keep our employees protected with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Every health care worker in our system who needs PPE is able to receive what they require.

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Very Sad News, Roosevelt Island Resident Mark Blum Dies From Coronavirus - Condolences To His Family, Friends, Neighbors And Colleagues

Roosevelt Island Riverwalk resident Mark Blum has died of complications from the Coronavirus.

It is with such deep sorrow that I’m writing to share the news that our friend and former board member Mark Blum has passed away as a result of complications from the coronavirus. Mark was a dedicated Screen Actors Guild and SAG-AFTRA board member serving from 2007-2013, pic.twitter.com/aA3yPfOwh7

— Rebecca Damon (@RebeccaDamonNYC) March 26, 2020

Mark was smart, funny, and a true actor’s actor. He will be deeply missed.

Thinking of you all. Please #stayhome. #COVID19

— Rebecca Damon (@RebeccaDamonNYC) March 26, 2020

According to the Screen Actors Guild:

... Blum, who joined the union in 1978 and became known for roles in Crocodile Dundee and Desperately Seeking Susan, had a prolific career on screen and stage. The Obie Award-winning actor was also an ardent supporter of his union; he served as a Screen Actors Guild New York Board member from 2007 to 2013, was elected for a three-year term to the National Board in 2008, and served as an alternate member in 2007 and 2011. Additionally, he served on dozens of national committees over the years, including the SAGindie, Organizing, Agent Relations and various contract committees...

... He was a visionary. Mark will be deeply missed, and our hearts go out to his wife, Janet Zarish, his friends and all of his loved ones.”...

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