Information on COVID-19

SPOTLIGHT: Information on COVID-19

Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause either mild illness such as a cold, or can make people sick with pneumonia. A novel coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. A novel (new) coronavirus called COVID-19 has been detected in over a hundred thousand people worldwide. Cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the U.S., including NY State and Westchester County, and it is expected that more cases of COVID-19 will be identified in the future. For the most recent case information, visit the CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Summary webpage and/or click here.  The New York State Department of Health has set up a hotline at (888) 364-3065 where Department of Health experts will be available to answer questions regarding COVID-19. For more information, please visit the Westchester County Health Department website here.

The Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), together with its partner agencies, will be offering guidance and support to Westchester County’s residents as they cope with the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  It is projected that the health crisis precipitated by COVID-19 could have a lasting impact on the mental health of the citizens of Westchester. People may experience stress, fear, grief, depression and anxiety. DCMH will be implementing educational and supportive services through various forms of communication, including a dedicated telephone resource line, social media, taped video recordings, chat lines, printed materials and linkage to counseling. The DCMH Information, Support and Referral line is (914) 995-1900 8 a.m. to 8 p.m./Text #914-461-7281.

SPOTLIGHT: CENSUS 2020: MAKE US COUNT

April 1, 2020 is Census Day. Data from the Census will be used for the next ten years for many things - including determining New York State’s representation in Congress as well as local districting. Census data is also used for the distribution of about $880 Billion of federal funds to local municipalities according to a December 2018 report from the George Washington Institute on Policy. The Census Bureau estimates that every person that is not counted equals a loss of approximately $2,500 per year to local municipalities. This means that every 400 people who are not counted equates to a loss of about $1 Million in funding - each year. We need to get everyone living in Westchester counted. For more information, contact Heriberto Contreras at (914) 995-4406 or hqcj@westchestergov.com and/or visit https://planning.westchestergov.com/initiatives/census-2020.

WFR volunteers continue to drive pre-registered riders to their medical appointments. We ask that riders AND drivers take precautions to protect each other.  In addition to the CDC/DOH recommendations in the links below, we suggest that riders sit in the back seat, as far from the driver as possible.  If your appointment is NOT for a critical issue, consider postponing your appointment.  If you don’t feel well, DO call your doctor’s office immediately for suggestions about next steps.  

Together we will get through these challenging times. Please call 914-764-3533 for more information.