New York City’s Mayor, Bill de Blasio, requested on Wednesday that the city be allowed to administer second COVID-19 vaccine doses as first doses.

On Thursday, the state’s health commissioner, Howard Zucker, denied that request, citing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Workers at the county’s board of elections had a recent outbreak of COVID-19 but aren’t eligible for vaccinations, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy said on Thursday. McCoy went on to name a half-dozen county departments — the clerk’s office, human resources, finance, mental health, public works, and social services — where workers are not eligible for shots.

Michelle Hinchey, Senate District 46

The law would restrict third-party delivery services from advertising a restaurant’s menu online and charging a fee for service without a contract with the restaurant. 

At Wednesday’s county press briefing, Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen, said, “We have noticed a continued downward trend in the number of cases that we are seeing. We are definitely off of the holiday surge and I’ll go so far today as to say it’s encouraging.” However, she cautioned residents to remain vigilant; to follow protocols of mask-wearing, social-distancing, and not gathering; and to continue to isolate if infected and to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19.

Albany County has 55,000 residents over the age of 65, all of whom would be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. With Mohawk Ambulance’s trailers, which can each hold 8,000 vaccine doses, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy said, “Now we’re coming to you.”

A new course taught by Rabbi David Katz at B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany will look at Jewish beliefs and practices surrounding death and afterlife.

“Life After Death: Beliefs and Customs” will be offered four Wednesdays beginning Feb. 17, from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom.

New York State is going to look at targeting vaccinations by locations with high positivity rates, starting with a demonstration, holding a mass vaccination clinic in Yankee Stadium solely for Bronx residents.