New York achieved a significant COVID-19 landmark. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's office reported Saturday that it had reached 10 million vaccine doses administered.
The pace of vaccination in New York has slowed in recent weeks, relative to the numbers from the beginning of the immunization campaign, which is why state and city officials want to believe that injecting is the best way to win COVID-19. At least 10 million New Yorkers have already taken at least one dose as of Tuesday.
Governor Andrew Cuomo revealed on Tuesday that the cumulative number of doses delivered, both the first and second, had now surpassed 17,745,024, with 7,628,062 in the Big Apple. However, only 42.2 percent of the state's estimated population had been completely immunized.
All state-run mass vaccination sites are now available to any registered New Yorker, with no appointment required, and are served on a first-come, first-served basis, but only for the first doses since the second doses would be immediately scheduled after the initial injection is administered.
People who want to make an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so via the 'Am I Eligible' app or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. They can either call a local health clinic, pharmacy, doctor, or hospital to make appointments where vaccinations are available, or they can go to vaccines.gov to find out about appointments near them.
"Our providers are continuing to work around the clock to administer more shots, and we remain committed to making sure the vaccine distribution is equitable all across the state," Governor Cuomo said. "The vaccine is safe and effective, but it can only do its job if we take it. It doesn't matter if most of your friends and family are vaccinated - you also need to do your part and take it so we can all be better protected and defeat this virus once and for all."
New York takes another major step toward reopening between optimism and caution.
This Wednesday, May 19, and after 14 agonizing months in which New York had over 53,000 people dying from COVID-19, hundreds of companies go bankrupt, and daily life suddenly transform, the Big Apple will lift the maximum of pandemic restrictions, in a move toward normalcy.
For the first time since the city was closed and the Big Apple was put under strict quarantine to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the vast majority of businesses in New York, including retail stores, restaurants, bars, gyms, fitness centers, hairdressers, nail salons, recreational places, and offices, will be able to operate at full capacity as of Wednesday.
The only limitation in certain situations would be room, as a social distance of 6 feet must be held if the attendees are not completely vaccinated. Such congested venues, such as stadiums and arenas, would see capacity improvement, but not fully.
Governor Andrew Cuomo was enthusiastic about the removal of capacity limits, which coincides with the introduction of new CDC rules on the use of masks for fully vaccinated individuals, who would no longer be allowed to wear masks in most public places.