Office Of The Mayor Of New York City: Transcript: Mayor De Blasio Holds Media Availability

Press release from Office of the Mayor of New York City:

August 16, 2021

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Good morning, everybody. It is New York City Homecoming Week.  We have been looking forward to this for quite a while. Amazing, amazing events will be happening all over New York City this week for the people in New York City, to appreciate everything that we have done to fight through COVID, to appreciate each other, to appreciate the greatness of the city. And we're welcoming back all our friends from the tri-state area, from around the country – come experience everything great about New York City. So, Homecoming Week is a celebration of our strength and, what we're focused on, a recovery for all of us, a recovery that reaches every neighborhood, every New Yorker. That's what we're working on every day. To get there we've got to defeat the Delta variant. We all see the challenge. We have one mission now on our pathway to recovery, defeat Delta. It can be done through vaccination. The whole key is vaccination. We keep learning this over and over. We're seeing problems in other parts of the country where folks have not gotten vaccinated, but New Yorkers continue to come out in strong numbers to get vaccinated, and that's going to make all the difference. So, we have a real challenge here, but we know what we can do to fight back. So, we announced a week or two ago, the Key to NYC. And the Key to NYC is an approach that makes clear the power of vaccination. It is the ultimate encouragement to get people vaccinated, to say, there are so many amazing things in this city that you can participate in if you're vaccinated. We want people to enjoy the fullness of the city, but you got to be vaccinated to do it. Since we made that announcement, we see our approach being emulated around the country in New Orleans, San Francisco, other places. New York City, once again leading the way, showing that we can make a difference in fighting Delta through vaccination.  

Now, today I'll be signing an executive order, and this will make very clear the Key to NYC initiative begins tomorrow, Tuesday, August 17th. What we've said is we're going to do, to begin with, a lot of education, help people to understand how it's going to work, get everyone ready for it, and then the specific inspections and enforcement efforts will begin on Monday, September 13th. Look, I am absolutely certain this is going to motivate a lot of people to get vaccinated. It's going to be a reason for people to get vaccinated, particularly young people. And we know how important that is. We know one of the biggest areas of concern is reaching younger New Yorkers, our 20-somethings, 30-somethings who need to be convinced that it's so powerful to be vaccinated. This is going to be one of the ways we do it. We have been out there talking to business owners. We have planned, based on that feedback, a canvassing effort, going literally businesses in every ZIP code over the next three weeks, educating people, helping them understand how it's going to work. We're also providing support for businesses, launching nyc.gov/keytoNYC. You can get all sorts of information there. You can get information from 3-1-1, from our Small Business Services hotline. Small Business Services is going to be out there talking to businesses, meeting with business organizations, small businesses, BIDs to get them all engaged. We're also going to do a huge advertising campaign to make sure people know how this works and why it's so important. And it's easy. All you have to do is show proof of vaccination. That could be a CDC paper card, that could be an Excelsior Pass, an NYC COVID Safe app. Whatever works, all you got to do is show that proof and have ID as well. And it's straightforward.  

Now we're saying, get at least the first vaccination. Of course, the goal is to get everyone fully vaccinated, but get at least the first vaccination and you'll be able to work or enjoy indoor dining, indoor fitness, indoor entertainment, concerts, movie theaters, etcetera. We know this is going to reach hundreds of thousands of people, convince them it's time. Again, particularly young folks. And we know one of the biggest reasons this has been working is that New Yorkers, we love our arts, our culture, entertainment, restaurants. We love all these things. They're part of who we are. Knowing that the way you connect with these things is through vaccination is going to move people to get vaccinated. So, this is what we're doing now. We're going to use this tool to fight the Delta variant. We're going to watch literally every day, with our health care leadership, what other adjustments we need to make. A lot of other options on the table, but this is the one we're focused on now. We think it’s going to make a big, big impact, and we're going to get out there and educate people. And we're going to remind people that we really want people to take this seriously. Don't fool around with fake vaccination cards. By the way, it's against the law and there are serious penalties for that. Just buy into this because it's going to work for all of us. It's going to make us all safer. And a lot of businesses have said that to us already, that they believe this creates an environment that they can depend on for their customers, for their employees. This is actually going to work for them. I want you to hear from one of the greatest restaurateurs in New York City. He is famous in this city, but he's famous all over the country as well for what he's created, for what he's shown us on television as one of the great chefs of this country, for what he's created with restaurants. I'm very proud to say he's Brooklyn born, and he's done great work everywhere. But his greatest work has been right here in New York City. My pleasure to introduce, Chef David Burke. 

[...] 

Thank you. And David – first of all, I want to say to everyone, Restaurant Week, this is the longest, best Restaurant Week we've ever had in the history of New York City. Another week to go. David's exactly right. Take full advantage of these amazing deals. Get to some of the places you've always wanted to go. But David, thank you. You are – you're truly a leader in the hospitality sector. And what you're saying to people is, this makes sense for the safety of all and the security of all everyone, knowing what the ground rules are. And thank you, and we really appreciate everything you're doing, employing so many New Yorkers, and giving an amazing experience to so many New Yorkers. 

Chef David Burke: Thank you. It's great to be here.  

Mayor: Excellent. Thank you, David.  

Now, everyone hearing one of our great chefs believe in this, that's a powerful message for sure. I want you to also hear from our Health Commissioner because he understands how important it is to get everyone vaccinated, why this is a kind of approach that can make a huge difference. He understands that the Key to NYC is a difference maker as a strategy, but also, he's going to give us an update on new guidance from the CDC related to third vaccine doses. We all know with COVID, there's always new information, always new developments, our job is to keep New Yorkers informed, provide guidance, provide support. Here to give you an update, our Health Commissioner, Dr. Dave Chokshi. 

Commissioner Dave Chokshi, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Thank you so much, Mr. Mayor. First, I'm so proud that under your leadership, New York City is leading the country once again in our COVID response with the Key to NYC. Vaccination is the key to ending the pandemic. And that's why the vaccine is now the Key to NYC. This will benefit, as you just heard, not just patrons, but also staff like the restaurant employees and the theater workers whom I've taken care of as patients. 

Now, a brief update on our vaccination guidance. Late last week, the FDA and CDC recommended that people with certain immunocompromising conditions get the third dose of COVID vaccine. This follows studies that showed a lower immune response after two doses of an mRNA vaccine, that's Pfizer or Moderna, in some people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, such as someone who's received a kidney transplant. The good news is that some of these individuals were shown to have a robust response to a third dose. The types of conditions covered in the update include active treatment for cancer, organ transplant recipients who are taking immunosuppressive therapy, people who've received a stem cell transplant in the past two years, or people with advanced or untreated HIV. For other health conditions like diabetes or heart disease we do not recommend a third dose at this time.  

Other New Yorkers may also be asking, what about me, should I get a third dose, will I need one in the future? The simple answer is that right now you do not. But scientists are working around the clock to learn more about how vaccines can best protect us, particularly in the context of the Delta variant. The virus and our scientific understanding of how to beat it change quickly and so we must be ready to adapt as well. For New Yorkers who are immunocompromised, now that means keeping up with your course of vaccinations and getting a third dose as soon as possible. Go to nyc.gov/covidvaccine to learn more about which medical conditions qualify and how to make an appointment for your third dose. And of course, please speak with your doctor if you have any additional questions. Finally, one last reminder for all of us, mask up in public indoor settings, regardless of your vaccination status. Let's mask up and, most importantly, vax up to keep our city healthy. Thank you, sir.  

Mayor: Thank you so much, Dave. And everyone, we're going to keep fighting the Delta variant and we will prevail. There's no question in my mind. You just see New Yorkers responding to the challenge as we have throughout this crisis and coming out, getting vaccinated, making an impact. We're going to keep fighting back. And so that's why we also are focused on our recovery. We're focused on our comeback. We're focused on celebrating the strength of New Yorkers and the way we have fought through.  

I want to talk about Homecoming Week. We have a couple of special guests here I want you to hear from. First, let's talk about the concert, starting with the concert in the Bronx. This is going to be a big moment celebrating the culture of the Bronx, celebrating the amazing historic contribution of the Bronx when it comes to hip-hop. Remember the whole world was changed by the creativity that came out of the Bronx that led to hip-hop, that changed the face of music. This concert is going to be amazing. It's on Orchard Beach. So, as we know, bucket hats recommended. There I am modeling for you. And the first thousand attendees at each of our four It's Time for Hip-Hop in New York City concerts, get this t-shirt. And this t-shirt says it all – creativity, hope, unity, resilience. This is New York City – and subway-themed back of the shirt too. So, these are going to be amazing, amazing concerts. We want to celebrate – we were in the Bronx two weeks ago for a week of activities in the Bronx, it was a really special moment. And we're so honored that the first concert is going to be in the Bronx. And it's going to say so much to the people of the city about our comeback. I want to hear from one of the performers who's going to be part of this concert. He is a beloved favorite of our own Deputy Mayor Melanie Hartzog, and he is known for this phrase – sometimes he rhymes slow, sometimes he rhymes quick. A great honor to have with us, Greg Nice of Nice & Smooth. 

[...] 

Well, you guys have made such an impact and I'll tell you when we had our week in the Bronx, whenever I mentioned the lineup, and we talked about what you guys had done, people just – just this warm smile came over people's faces, and just a real appreciation. So, I didn't know your first video was Orchard Beach. So, this is really a homecoming for you. 

[Laughter] 

Mayor: Wait, what year was that, Greg?  

Nice: That was 1991. 

Mayor: Well, you're having your 30th anniversary reunion with Orchard Beach there. So, that's going to be an amazing moment. And listen, thank you. These concerts are going to say so much about New York City coming back. Thank you for being a part of it. All right –  

Nice: This is awesome. I appreciate you [inaudible] you're going down in history as the mayor with all the funk. 

Mayor: There you go – 

Nice: You’re going down [inaudible] all the funk, baby. 

Mayor: That is the highest honor I will ever receive. 

Nice: [Inaudible] Yes, I can't wait to see you. New York is going to be on fire this week, all week it’s on fire. The Bronx is going to be on fire, Staten Island on fire, Queens on fire, Brooklyn is on fire, and money-making Manhattan is on fire. 

[Laughter] 

Mayor: You covered it all. Greg, thank you. We'll see you tonight and thank you so much for being a part of this. 

Nice: All right. We’re getting ready to get on the highway and make it back to New York City. 

Mayor: Drive safe.  

Nice: Have a nice day everyone – 

Mayor: Take care. Homecoming Week, five amazing concerts. But there's also a huge film component to this week that's going to be extraordinary. Rooftop films, we talked about this a little few days ago, screening films in all five boroughs. But something very special is going to happen this week as well. One of the greatest – and I'm going to embarrass him a little bit here – one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, not just from New York city, but any place else. I talked to him some months ago and he told me that he was coming out with a work that really would define New York City's resiliency and heart and soul through crises. And he was looking at the parallel between 9/11 and COVID. And it's very striking to think about, this one place having been put through so much in just a few decades, but what we found out about New Yorkers, what we found out about our heart and soul – and I got to tell you, when people used to talk about New York City's days being numbered, I always said they just didn't understand New Yorkers. But someone who understands us and has chronicled our life like no one else has, he's chronicled the life in New York City love letter after love letter, tough, cold eye at the same time about our strengths and our weaknesses. And as my wife, Chirlane, likes to say, no one has captured African-American culture better than our guest today. And he will be premiering on Wednesday night at Rockefeller Center two chapters of New York City Epicenters 9/11 to 2021½. What a joy to have with us one of the greatest of all New Yorkers, ladies and gentlemen, Spike Lee. 

[...] 

Mayor: As a filmmaker, what does it mean to you to do something this sprawling as it just – what did this mean to you as part of your art? 

Spike Lee: This is a – you know, a lot of people forget, you know, I'm also a documentary filmmaker and so – and you're a sports fan. So, I mean like the 49er’s West Coast offense, like, I got ground game and I could throw, too. But it means a lot to me because this is – New Yorkers are my people, from Harlem to Howard Beach. My people. Bed-Stuy, do or die, Fort Greene, even got to include Staten Island.  

Mayor: Alright. One love –  

Lee: One love, one love. And then, so – I'm getting New Yorkers to tell their story, to tell the story, many eyewitness accounts of what happened to the towers, and even today where people lost loved ones because of this COVID. So, I hope people – it’s HBO and HBO Max, and it's about us. And I hope that America could learn – New Yorkers know what we're about, but I’m hopeful not just the United States, but the rest of the world understands what makes New York City the special place it is.  

One real quick thing. We have a lot of clips, movie clips in the film. And one of my favorite films is Casablanca. And there's a clip where they got the guy, he’s a Nazi, and he's telling Humphrey Bogart, you know, we're coming over, you know, we're taking over. And Humphrey Bogart says, there's some parts of America – no, look, he says, there's some parts of New York City, I don't think even the Nazis would go to –  

[Laughter] 

Mayor: I advise you to avoid – or something like that. 

[Laughter] 

Lee: So, it is an act of love. It's an act of love, Mayor. 

Mayor: I love it. I love it. Everybody. As Spike said, what he has created, absolutely unbelievable, and it's about us and it's a time to appreciate who we are. If you find anyone who says New York City is over, tell them, turn around and go the other way because this place, this place is a beacon to the world and we are as strong as ever, in some ways stronger than ever. And we understand ourselves and see ourselves – 

Lee: And let’s be honest there were some New Yorkers that were – former America’s mayor, I know, and then the former president so we cannot overlook the fact that they’re from here too. You know, you got to be honest.  

Mayor: You're an artist. You look at the whole truth. Everybody, totally an honor, for all of us to have you here, Spike. And, everyone, you got to see this because every New Yorker has to experience what Spike has created. For this screening and for all the amazing films this week go to nyc.gov/homecomingweek. But if you can't see it at the screening, go see this on HBO. 

Lee: [Inaudible] 

Mayor: Yes. Rockefeller Center. 

Lee: [Inaudible] 

Mayor: Oh, I'm sorry. Rockefeller – I got it wrong, my bad. Rockefeller Park. That's different., everyone. I read my cue here wrong. Rockefeller Park – 

Lee: Hey, I messed up at the Cannes Film Festivals so don't – 

[Laughter]  

Mayor: I'm just here at my little desk at City Hall, not the Cannes Film Festival.  

[Laughter] 

Again, all the facts, how to see all these screenings – nyc.gov/homecomingweek. But also check out the entire film on HBO. This is going to be a powerful moment. 

Lee: Can I just say – 

Mayor: You have to – 

Lee: It's going to be an honor for me to have the world debut outside in front of 2,000 New Yorkers. 

Mayor: That's the way it should be.  

Lee: Yes.  

Mayor: The people’s premiere.  

Lee: Yes.  

Mayor: Now, I want Spike to stay for one more thing so he can offer a comment. We talked about this in my office a few moments ago. So, at the end of last week we got some powerful new facts, not rumors, not people –  

Lee: Facts. 

Mayor: Facts. Thank you, Spike. Facts. Because we had a very, very exhaustive census count in this city, mind you in the middle of a pandemic. And I want to tell you, take a moment to appreciate all the folks from the census effort, all the grassroots community organizations who participated. They went out, literally door to door in the middle of all of this last year, because that's what the U. S. Constitution says – you have to take the census every ten years. No matter what, they went out because they knew getting New Yorkers counted meant we would have the representation we deserve, but we'd also get the resources we deserve from the federal government. If we weren't counted, we would lose the money that our people needed. So, these brave souls went out and took a count that astounded everyone in how complete it was despite the pandemic. And here now is what the United States Census Bureau said at the end of last week, that New York City's population is now at its all-time highest ever, 8.8 million. What do you think of that, Spike? 

Lee: When you told me that this morning I was surprised because – I’m not hearing this from New Yorkers, it was just there's this narrative like, people are fleeing New York City, they're fleeing, like, everybody’s leaving. And when you – and if you hear that enough, you know, I was kind of like maybe buying this false narrative, but now you got the facts. 

Mayor: Facts. 

Lee: And what do the facts say again? 

Mayor: Let's go over it again, shall we? 

Lee: One more time.  

Mayor: 8.8 million, largest population in the history of New York City. Don't believe the naysayers – 

Lee: Don't believe the hype. 

Mayor: Don't believe the hype. Don't believe the doubting Thomases. And by the way – 

Lee: [Inaudible]  

Mayor: Yes, got that in there too. Spike and I were also talking about making sure this is a city for everyone. And that is why creating and protecting affordable housing, giving people, kids, families, free pre-K, 3-K, giving people a living wage – these are the things we do to keep this a city for everyone because the only way New York City works is if every kind of person is here, and not a gilded city, not an exclusive city, but a city for everyone. And again –  

Lee: When we talked about it I said that if – because of the cost of living in New York City, Mayor, if Black and Brown people no longer can afford to live here that's not going to be New York City. 

Mayor: And that's why we make sure it is a city for everyone now and to the future. The magic formula, the secret sauce, is everyone together. 

Lee: New Yorkers.  

Mayor: And you have shown that better than anyone in history, in my humble opinion. 

Lee: Thank you. 

Mayor: Thank you to everyone who made the census happen. Our Census Director, Julie Menin, and the whole team, outstanding. You've taught a lesson to the nation about the strength of New York City. And again, everyone, what a total honor to have with us one of the greatest New Yorkers. Thank you, Spike Lee.  

Lee: Thank you. Thank you.  

Mayor: We'll see you on HBO. We'll see you at the premiere.  

Lee: Oh, you're in it too.  

Mayor: Okay, I feel special.  

Lee: We have some fun in the documentary. 

Mayor: I'm sure you do. Thank you.  

Lee: There’s no [inaudible] it's just – 

Mayor: Straight up fun. 

Lee: Straight up fun.  

Mayor: All right. Now, we were having some fun over here, but let me now go to something somber, which is what's happening with our brothers and sisters in Haiti. After everything Haiti's been through, it's almost unbelievable that there was another devastating earthquake this weekend. A huge Haitian American population here, grieving, suffering right now worried about their loved ones. And obviously all those who are suffering in Haiti, we've got to be with them. So, we're immediately mobilizing New Yorkers to support Haiti. Please let's do that together. Let's provide the resources they need because they are going through so much. And it's just been one challenge after another. So, please, if you can help Haiti, donations can go through the Mayor's Fund. You can go to nyc.gov/fund. We're going to get resources down there immediately. We're also providing mental health support in the Haitian American community. People are traumatized by all these crises and not even knowing what's happened to loved ones. So, we'll have mobile mental health support out in Haitian American communities this week 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Haitian-American Council Training Center in Brooklyn at the Evangelical Crusade Christian Church in Brooklyn, too. You can go there in person or anyone who's dealing with a mental health challenge or trauma because of this situation you can always go by phone and call 888-NYC-Well 24/7, multiple languages, including Haitian-Creole. I want you to hear from one of the leaders of the Haitian American community and a leader of Brooklyn, she is also the Chair of the City Council Committee on Mental Health. And I know she's feeling this crisis and feeling it for her people. Council Member Farah Louis –  

[...] 

Thank you so much, Council Member. And Council Member, thank you for reaching out. You really inspired this mental health outreach effort in the community with your leadership and we're going to partner with you all the way through. So, everyone, if you need that help, it's there for you in the community. And, again, anyone who wants to help Haiti directly with resources, go to nyc.gov/fund and provide that support through the mayor's fund. We're going to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti, and please everyone keep the people of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers. Let's do everything we can to help and support them. But let's also remember the pain and the suffering that people right here in this city are going through worrying so deeply for their loved ones in Haiti. We'll all work together to fight through yet another challenge for that country. And we will remember Haiti always.  

All right, everyone, let's do what we do every day. It's time to go over our COVID indicators and let's start with vaccination. This is always the key. Vaccination is the way we fight back, and vaccination levels have been increasing. And this is proof that the incentives, the mandates, the strategies are having an impact. As of today, in New York City, 10,326,678 vaccination doses given from the very beginning of this effort. By far the biggest strongest vaccination effort in the history of New York City. Every hour, every day, reaching people and protecting them. 

This press release was produced by Office of the Mayor of New York City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.