Pandemic and Elections News Flash

As part of our effort to provide you with the most up-to-date, accurate information, we've compiled some of the most pressing updates below. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or if we can be of any further assistance.

Cuomo: will end most mask requirements for vaccinated people Wednesday [via Politico] Vaccinated New Yorkers will no longer be required to wear masks or face coverings in most settings beginning Wednesday, under new state regulations that align the state with CDC guidance. The Supreme Court will hear a major abortion case challenging Roe v. Wade [via NYT] The Supreme Court on Monday said it would hear a case from Mississippi challenging Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that established a constitutional right to abortion. The case will give the court’s new 6-to-3 conservative majority its first opportunity to weigh in on state laws restricting abortion. The court will hear arguments in the case during its next term, which starts in October. A decision is not expected until the spring or summer of 2022. The White House says President Biden is committed to codifying the outcome of Roe v. Wade regardless of how the Supreme Court rules after the justices agreed to hear arguments over the law that bans virtually all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Covid cases are down in all 50 states, and Biden warns that states with low Covid vaccination rates may see cases rise again [via CNBC] President warned Monday that coronavirus case numbers could rise once again in U.S. states with low Covid-19 vaccination rates. For the first time since the pandemic began over a year ago, Covid-19 cases are down in all 50 states, Biden announced during a White House press conference on the nation’s progress fighting the virus. That progress could still be reversed, he said, especially in states where a low percentage of people have been vaccinated. “We know there will be advances and setbacks, and we know that there are many flare-ups that could occur,” Biden said. “But if the unvaccinated get vaccinated, they will protect themselves and other unvaccinated people around them.”

De Blasio to send 250 more NYPD officers to subway system amid safety complaints and surge in attacks [via Politico] The city will send 250 more NYPD cops to patrol the city’s subway system, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday. As subway service expands once again to 24-hours, safety underground continues to be a growing fear, with three more riders attacks Sunday morning, according to police. MTA officials have been calling on the NYPD to send another 600 officers into the subway system amid an ongoing surge in violent crimes underground. City’s mayoral candidates to report campaign finances this week [via Crain's] New York’s many mayoral candidates this week are expected to reveal how much money they’ve raised and spent, as the crowded race heats up and breaks records for taxpayer funding. The next campaign-finance disclosure deadline is May 21, though candidates can reveal their hands before then. One additional major filing, on June 10, is required before the June 22 primary. Through the last statement filed March 15, former Citigroup executive Ray McGuire had raised the most private funds, $7.4 million, followed by city Comptroller Scott Stringer, with $3.5 million; Borough President Eric Adams, $3.4 million; former Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan, $2.2 million; and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, $2.1 million. Mayoral candidates have big plans to help small business [via Crain's] The Democratic candidates running for mayor have plans for small businesses that range from big-spending proposals to low-interest loans and grants, in addition to changing the city’s fine-collection system. Rather than increase the city’s debt, candidate Ray McGuire is looking to launch a Comeback Bank initiative, which would place $100 million of existing funds into local community-development financial institutions so they could make loans and philanthropic grants to business owners in underserved areas of the city. The two biggest spending proposals belong to progressives Scott Stringer and Maya Wiley. Stringer wants to use $1 billion in federal relief funds to provide grants of up to $100,000 for expenses such as rent, payroll, rehiring workers and paying for Covid-19 renovation measures. Maya Wiley Lands Major Endorsement From Rep. Hakeem Jeffries [via NYT] Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the state’s highest-ranking House Democrat, is throwing his support to Maya D. Wiley in the race for mayor of , a significant endorsement at a critical juncture in the race. The decision by Mr. Jeffries, who is the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and represents parts of Brooklyn and Queens, comes at an inflection point both for Ms. Wiley and in the volatile race.

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