Mayor Eric Adams and the city crunched the numbers on the asylum seeker crisis’s future costs and determined that the city could spend “upwards of $12 billion over three fiscal years” without state and federal government aid.

“Immigration is the New York story. It is the American story. But as I declared nearly a year ago, we are facing an unprecedented state of emergency due to the asylum seeker crisis,” said Adams.

Since last year, nearly 100,000 asylum seekers have arrived in the city, with about 57,000 still here. The city said it has spent $1.45 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 to provide shelter, food, and services for asylum seekers so far.

“Our compassion may be limitless, but our resources are not. This is the budgetary reality we are facing if we don’t get the additional support we need. Without immediate assistance from our state and federal partners, we will continue to see heartbreaking scenes like the one outside The Roosevelt last week,” said Adams.

In addition to more financing, Adams is calling for the federal government to expedite work authorizations for asylum seekers, declare a state of emergency at the southern border, provide reimbursement for costs incurred by the city, and create a nationwide decompression strategy to ensure the flow of asylum seeker arrivals is more fairly distributed.

Other local officials, like Speaker Adrienne Adams, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, joined Mayor Adams in calling for more support from higher levels of government. The Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless also said in a joint statement that they echoed the Mayor’s calls on both Washington and Albany to significantly increase resources to help with the influx of migrants.

“All levels of government must come together to share responsibility for the nation’s response to the dire humanitarian conditions that have led increasing numbers of people to seek asylum here,” said Speaker Adams in a statement. “As this international crisis continues, New York City needs more support from our federal and state governments to provide and set up shelter locations and devote additional funding.”

Speaker Adams added that there is a serious need to address the long-term drivers of the housing crisis and record homelessness impacting the city as well. 

“Today, our call to action is loud and clear: the Federal and State administrations and private sector must aid New York City in addressing the migrant crisis – the well-being of our city demands it,” said Reynoso in a statement. “As Borough President, I am ready to do my part in welcoming our new neighbors – earlier this summer, I offered to the Adams Administration that Borough Hall could be used as a shelter for migrants, a promise that I stand ready to fulfill. The City of New York is stepping up to provide for our new neighbors, but we cannot do it alone, and many of the partners that we need have been absent for far too long. I implore President Biden, Governor Hochul, and the private sector to step up.”

Meanwhile, in a joint city council hearing on immigration and general welfare held on Aug 10, council members grilled city commissioners about Adams’s new 60-day shelter stay limit for asylum-seeking adult single men. 

Many fear the rule will lead to more migrants resorting to street homelessness. City leadership testifying in the hearing did not say they have a satisfactory backup plan should that happen.  

New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) Executive Director Murad Awawdeh harshly reprimanded Adams’s immigration policies.

“Mayor Eric Adams must stop doubling and tripling down on bad strategies and policies that don’t work and never did. His administration has remained in an emergency crisis posture since the first buses arrived instead of developing a long-term strategy on how to house and integrate new arrivals,” said Awawdeh. 

Awawdeh said that advocates have repeatedly demanded that Adams stop building new relief and respite centers and focus on moving people from shelters into permanent housing. “Yet, the Adams administration is stubbornly sticking to a plan that is costly and clearly isn’t working,” said Awawdeh. “Threatening further austerity measures as a necessary evil is simply disingenuous.” 

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.

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For the fourth summer in a row, cases of COVID-19 are on the rise. According to the CDC, there was a 12.5% increase in COVID related hospitalizations in the United States between July 31, 2023, and August 7, 2023. Part of the rise may be due to the EG.5 variant circulating in the United States and China. In a recent YouTube video published this month, the American Medical Association’s Vice President of Science, Medicine, and Public Health, Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, spoke about the 2023 COVID cases increase. 

She said that “the amount of Coronavrius being detected in wastewater, the percentage of people testing positive for the virus, and the number of people who are seeking care for COVID in emergency departments, have all started increasing since early July. So these could definitely be indicators of a late summer wave. I think I would add to that the other metric that we continue to look at is hospital admissions and those also recently began ticking upwards for the first time in quite a while.”

Garcia’s comments regarding Coronavirus wastewater levels are supported by data from the New York State Wastewater Surveillance Network, which also shows increases in coronarius levels over the past few weeks, with some areas experiencing as much as a 68% increase in levels as of August 3, 2023. 

According to the authors of a recent article in the journal Nature, “[b]ecause SARS-CoV-2 appears to be more transmissible than influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses, it seems likely that year-round SARS-CoV-2 activity will remain elevated compared to other pathogens. COVID-19 continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality throughout the year, including outside of the traditional viral respiratory season.”

Each year we have seen an uptick in COVID cases starting in the late summer and peaking during winter so now is a great time to get fully vaccinated and boosted if you are not already and to begin testing before and after large gatherings. You can schedule a free PCR test in New York City by calling 212-COVID-19. Visit amsterdamnews.com/covid for more resources including where to get free masks and at home tests.

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released a statement earlier this month regarding the increase in COVID cases, saying “there is currently a slight increase in COVID-19 transmission in New York City. Both cases and hospitalizations started picking up in mid-July, but overall remain low. Right now, there is nothing to suggest that COVID-19 is more transmissible or more lethal, but of course, as we’ve learned over the last three years, things can change with this virus, and we are constantly monitoring the situation.” 

According to the DOHMH statement, “the good news is that we have the tools to keep New Yorkers safe. If you or anyone you know has symptoms that could be a sign of COVID-19 or if you or someone you know were recently exposed, get tested right away. And if you test positive, make sure to get treatment by calling your provider or 212-COVID-19. If you are an older New Yorker or immunocompromised, or live with someone who is, wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings can prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

In an interview with the AmNews, when asked about where we are with respect to COVID, Lisa Sanders, MD, FACP, Medical Director of Yale’s Long Covid Multidisciplinary Care Center said “It’s still a pandemic. . .lots of people die every year. More people die of COVID than the flu. It is still with us. It’s still there.”

Indeed COVID has disproportionately impacted communities of color, killing more than 20,000 Black New York city residents since 2020. If we are to live with COVID then we must continue to respect this dangerous affliction by taking care to protect ourselves and the most vulnerable among us.

For additional resources about COVID-19, visit www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/index.page or call 311. COVID-19 testing, masks, and vaccination resources can also be accessed on the AmNews’ COVID-19 page: www.amsterdamnews.com/covid/. For COVID-19 Express site: nyc.gov/covidexpress. At-home rapid test kits are available for pickup at: nyc.gov/covidtest.

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* This article was originally published here

Following a festive, productive week, attention can be turned to the musical cousin of hip hop — music from the islands.  A few days prior to the annual West Indian Day Parade, an unforgettable night celebrating Caribbean music’s rich history spanning many generations will emanate from Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre on August 31 at 8 pm EST.  

Caribbean music has had a profound impact on the global music scene, influencing and inspiring countless artists across genres. From Reggae’s laid-back grooves to Soca’s infectious rhythms and Dancehall’s high-energy beats to Calypso’s storytelling melodies, the Caribbean has given birth to a rich tapestry of musical styles that have captivated audiences worldwide. Now, it’s the perfect time to honor and celebrate these immense contributions.  

 The Caribbean Music Awards is not just an awards ceremony; it’s a night for the entire Caribbean music and entertainment community to come together in a dazzling display of talent, creativity, and cultural richness. It is a time to recognize the artists, producers, and industry professionals who have significantly shaped and propelled the Caribbean music landscape to international acclaim. But the excitement doesn’t stop there, the Caribbean Music Awards has partnered with the global powerhouse YouTube to bring this extraordinary event to audiences worldwide. Through a live stream on YouTube, music enthusiasts from every corner of the globe will have the opportunity to join the festivities, immerse themselves in the energy of the Caribbean, and witness the magic unfold in real time. It’s a chance for fans, both near and far, to be part of a historical moment in music.

With an electrifying lineup of performances, presenters, and nominees, this extraordinary event will be a breathtaking celebration of Caribbean music and entertainment. With his unrivaled charisma and infectious energy, Grammy Award-winning artist Wyclef Jean will take center stage as the dynamic host for this historic occasion.

Along with a full range of thrilling performances, the night of celebration for Caribbean Music will see overall appearances from Spice, Baby Cham, Toni-Ann Singh, and electrifying performances from Alison Hinds, Jada Kingdom, Dexta Daps, Kranium, Lila Ike, Nailah Blackman, Ding Dong, Rupree and more. Reggae legend Beres Hammond will also be honored with an ‘Elite Icon Award.’ The esteemed award will commemorate Hammond for his contributions to elevating and enriching the face of Reggae music for several decades.  Trinidadian singer, record producer, and songwriter Machel Montano is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dazzling contributions as a leader of the sound and style of Soca music to the global music scene.  

 Leading the inaugural set of nominations in twenty-six categories across various genres, including Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Kompa, and Zouk is Kes, with five nominations. The Trinidadian soca group’s nominations include ‘Best Soca Artist of the Year,’ ‘Performer of the Year,’ ‘Collaboration of the Year,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ and ‘Artist of the Decade.’ Masicka, Ding Dong, Machel Montano, and Shenseea tie for the second-highest number of nominations with four nominations as Spice, Skeng, Dexta Daps, DJ Cheem, Kabaka Pyramid, Protoje, Nailah Blackman, & Dexta Daps earn the third-highest number of nominations with three nominations.

Before the final sentence, condolences to the family of Melvin Barcliff, also known as Magoo of the Timbaland and Magoo fame.  

Over and out.  Holla next week.  Until then, enjoy the nightlife!

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* This article was originally published here

On the morning of Thursday, August 10, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver was escorted to the New Jersey State House Rotunda by the Honor Guard of the New Jersey State Police. A private viewing ceremony took place in the morning, in which hundreds of state officials, state lawmakers, members of Congress, and local officials waited in line to pay their respects at the foot of her casket.

Rev. Al Sharpton, President and Founder of the National Action Network (NAN), will deliver the eulogy for Oliver, at the request of her family, Saturday, August 12 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.

Oliver, Governor Phil Murphy announced the commissioning of her official portrait for display in the New Jersey State House. A portrait will also be commissioned for Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, who served as New Jersey’s first Lieutenant Governor.

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* This article was originally published here