James, Cuomo, National Urban League, NAACP Slam Federal Vaccination Plan
Yesterday, Governor Andrew Cuomo (D), New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial and NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson called attention to the shortcomings in the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination plan: specifically, its failure to account for communities of color.
The four leaders criticized the plan for relying on private healthcare providers and existing infrastructure for flu vaccine distribution. Both of these entities, they said, have historically contributed to low vaccination rates in communities of color.
“These institutions are part of our healthcare system that for far too long has failed to equitably provide healthcare to communities of color and what we will see in this nation is a patchwork of healthcare systems trying to administer this vaccination and unfortunately ignoring far too many communities of color,” said James.
“You might see a big chain pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens every other block in communities in Manhattan, but let’s be clear; the neighborhoods where more of our communities of color live do not have this type of access. And that’s the core of the federal plan: a system where it will be easy for wealthy people to get vaccinated, and make it so much harder for those who are not.”
Kallos Provides New Yorkers with Election Day Guidance
Yesterday, Councilmember Ben Kallos (D) released his monthly newsletter, which included guidance for casting your ballot on Election Day.
Polls will be open today from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; to find your polling place, click here. If you decide to vote via absentee drop box, you can track your ballot here. Notably, the online ballot tracking system owes its existence to a bill that Kallos himself introduced in 2015.
“Tomorrow is Election Day,” wrote Kallos. “If you did not vote early or by mail, this is your last chance to participate in the most important election of our lifetime.”
De Blasio: New York is Ready for Election Day
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) released a video on Twitter yesterday, providing the City with one final statement before Election Day.
In the video, de Blasio acknowledged that we’re living through unprecedented circumstances. The incumbent, he said, is guilty of not only condoning voter intimidation and harassment from his supporters, but actively encouraging it. Regardless, he insisted that the City of New York is prepared for the challenge it faces today.
“The American people are going to have the final say here,” said de Blasio. “Over 95 million Americans have voted early, which is amazing and inspiring. So, we are in an unprecedented time; there’s a reason people are so worried. But I want folks to know this city is prepared. I want to know that for folks who want to express themselves about the results, the way to do that is peacefully. But the most important thing right now is to focus on the task at hand, to make sure that every New Yorker votes and that their right to vote is protected. And that is what this city will do.”
Rodriguez Gives One Last Plea for New Yorkers to Vote
Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Washington Heights, Inwood) sent out an open letter yesterday, strongly urging all New Yorkers to vote if they haven’t already.
“Your vote matters,” wrote Rodriguez. “This year, we are voting for more than just the President of the United States. We will be voting on behalf of all those communities who have been historically disenfranchised and left behind during the height of the Novel Coronavirus. We’ll be voting against this racist and anti-immigrant administration. We must stand with our Black, Latino, Asian and immigrant communities.”
Rodriguez also highlighted the importance of using our power to vote for the sake of those who cannot – specifically, green card and work permit holders. His bill, the Municipal Voting Rights Act, would allow these people to vote in municipal elections.
“Immigrants contribute billions to the economy, yet they do not receive the same support given to many other New Yorkers,” wrote Rodriguez. “We must live up to the words uttered by the founding fathers of this nation; ‘No taxation without representation.'”
