🌱Holiday COVID Caution + Hospitalizations Rise |NYC Daily Digest

New York City NY

21 December, 2021

4:57 PM

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Happy Wednesday! Worried about holiday travel amid a stunning COVID-19 spike in New York City? You're not alone. New Yorkers — including two top health officials — are scuttling plans as omicron eclipses 92 percent of new cases in New York. But Mayor Bill de Blasio says don't cancel Christmas yet. "I don't think it's one size fits all," he said. New Yorkers should adjust their plans around the people most vulnerable to COVID in their lives, he said, with the backing of health officials. Fully vaccinated people who had booster shots can still safely travel, they said. Take 'Caution' Over Holiday Plans Amid NYC COVID Surge: Mayor New Yorkers having flashbacks of March 2020, when the coronavirus overwhelmed hospitals, should take heart. Hospitalizations have been ticking up in New York City, but officials believe they're weathering the increase. And there's one major reason why: vaccinations. The weekly hospitalization rate for vaccinated New Yorkers is 13 times lower than their unvaccinated fellow city dwellers. (Again, health officials say the lesson here is get vaccinated.) NYC Hospitalizations Tick Up As COVID Surges, Omicron Spreads Call it a tricky situation. An accused revenge porn-making NYPD officer walked free because Queens prosecutors because they believed it imperiled another investigation, according to a new civil lawsuit. And this situation involved literal tricks: the top cop heading the revenge porn probe was himself under scrutiny on suspicions he led a multi-million dollar prostitution ring, the lawsuit contends. Queens DA Let Revenge Porn Cop Walk Free, Astoria Woman Says Best From Around Patch: The West Village has the highest COVID-19 rates in the city. And it's not necessarily because people there are getting more tests. (West Village Patch)A Brooklyn lab received a warning from Attorney General Letitia James to stop advertising it can turn around COVID-19 tests in 48 hours. (Park Slope Patch)Keep up with your neighborhood by signing up to a local newsletter: https://patch.com/subscribe And now, today's weather: A little morning rain. High: 46 Low: 30. Today's New York City Daily is brought to you in part by GoodRx, a Patch Brand Partner. While the promise of a return to pre-pandemic life is encouraging, many New Yorkers are experiencing anxiety and fear about returning to the office. Here are some ways to combat those fears and create a more comfortable in-office work experience. Today in New York City: Free Improv Comedy Workshop For Beginners (9:00 AM) OPW: Choice - Manhattan Early College Sch-Advertis (3:00 PM) Cocktail Creation with Good Time Mixology (6:00 PM) From my notebook: Central Park: "Dabbling for plant food with their characteristically playful spiral, northern shovelers congregate in the Lake. These ducks are named after their huge spoon-shaped bills, which help them sift aquatic invertebrates from the water. #Monda..." (Instagram) Mayor Bill de Blasio: "TODAY we're announcing a $100 incentive for anyone who gets a #COVID19 booster at a City-run site or with our partner @SOMOSCare. This is a limited time opportunity - through 12/31. This is the moment. Get your booster and protect your..." (Instagram) Second Chance Rescue NYC Dogs: "G'day mate! Where are our big ears lovers? Australia's ears match her personality; BIG and BRILLAINT! Sweet Australia is a petite brindle at just 30 lbs, and she will charm you instantly. Australia is a three-year-old pit mix who loves h..." (Facebook) New-York Historical Society: "Central Park opened its ice-skating rink in 1858—years before the park itself was complete.⁣ Rockefeller Center's rink opened on Christmas in 1936. It was meant to be temporary, but was so popular that it became a fixture of the season! ..." (Facebook) New York City Department of Parks & Recreation: "Welcome the solstice with the Urban Park Rangers by the lake in Van Cortlandt Park on the first day winter!" (Facebook) New York City Department of Parks & Recreation: "Farewell, fall! As we get ready to welcome the Winter Solstice and a new season of plantings, take a look back at our featured autumn gardens. Tap on each image to learn how our gardeners use plants to connect New Yorkers to these beauti..." (Facebook) New York Botanical Garden: "Wishing everyone a happy new season as we welcome the Winter Solstice today! As the days once again get longer from here on out, we're looking forward to exploring the soaring evergreens, the bright colors of winter berries, birding in o..." (Facebook) More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: Collective by At the Venue (POP-UP Shop) — (Visit website) SuperReal -- Stop Scrolling, Start Experiencing! — (Visit Website) Kate Oh Gallery — (Visit website) Fowl Play Entertainment, Inc. — Rescuing Leftover Cuisine — (Visit website) SAS & CO MOVING — (Visit website) Chronic Foot Pain Center - Dr. Robert Kornfeld — (Visit website) MyArtShare — (Visit website) Ken Boyar CPA — (Visit website) Add your business here Events: An Evening of Community Christmas Caroling (December 22) YOUR VERY OWN RETREAT !! In Beautiful Douglas Manor, NYC (December 23) Operation Holiday® Calling All Donors to "Adopt A Family" (December 23) Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (December 24) Save 15 Percent On FTD's Christmas Collection (December 25) White Collar Week Holiday Newsletter: Support Group 289th Meeting Dec. 27th (December 27) Success Academy Presents, How to Get into Kindergarten with Alina Adams (January 6) Masterclass: Natural Waxes Candlemaking Workshop New York City (January 18) Add your event For sale: Fast Sale PS5, Negotiable $465 (Details) Ethan Allen Cabinet & Storage (Suitable as Bar) - $450 (Details) Add your item Gigs & services: Tara's School for Dogs - Training for Puppies & Adult Dogs (Details) Add your gig or service Housing: FOR SALE || 80 Saint Nicholas Avenue || Manhattan (Harlem) (Details) Add your listing Job listings: General Cleaning/HouseKeeper (Details) Add your job listing Loving the New York City Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved: Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe Get your local business listed in front of readers Send me a news tip or suggestion at [email protected] You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with a new update! — Matt Troutman About me: I cover the citywide beat for Patch NYC after reporting on my beloved home borough of Brooklyn. Before Patch, I kicked around newspapers and other outlets in Indiana, Michigan and New York City. Along the way I've sat through innumerable trials and public meetings, picked up a national investigative reporting award, reported on televangelists flying private jets, among many other mundane, noteworthy or strange reporting experiences. In my free time, I'm a big movie buff, an aspiring home cook and am forever seeking good natural areas. You can reach me with story ideas, tips or feedback at [email protected] or call at 347-622-3654.