Borough President James Oddo is pleased to announce that his office will be helping Cut Red Tape 4 Heroes and Super Health Pharmacy to bring essential PPE to Richmond University Medical Center staff. Cut Red Tape 4 Heroes puts free personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies directly in the hands of NYC doctors, nurses, healthcare staff, frontline workers and those in need by parking its donation truck outside of medical centers and offering PPE to anyone with a hospital badge.

Today, Tuesday, May 12, starting at 1:30pm, Cut Red Tape 4 Heroes will park their donation truck outside of Richmond University Medical Center to distribute 4,000 kits and additional supplies to anyone with a hospital badge. The pre-packaged PPE kits include: 1 face shield, 1 KN95 and 7 surgical masks. In addition the volunteers will be refilling hand sanitizer bottles, handing out gowns and Tyvek coverings based on availability.

“Thank you to Cut Red Tape 4 Heroes and Super Health Pharmacy for including our office in this distribution effort for our frontline healthcare workers. We continue to  work collaboratively in an all-out effort with every possible source to find supplies for those helping our community through this crisis,” noted Borough President James Oddo.  

Borough Hall is pleased to be involved in today’s effort, and is looking forward to future collaborative efforts with these organizations to bring PPE to Staten Island’s frontline workers.

This fundraiser, organized by Rhonda Roland Shearer on behalf of Art Science Research Laboratory Inc. in partnership with Housing Works, has distributed PPE to more than 15K healthcare workers and those at risk across the city and has purchased more than 1 million PPEs to date. The initiative, which was initially paid for by Rhonda’s own home equity line, is being funded via donations raised on www.cutredtape4heroes.org.  

“We are heartened that Borough President James Oddo is going to help and distribute PPE supplies today. The needs for PPE have been huge here in Staten Island,” said Rhonda Roland Shearer, founder of Cut Red Tape 4 Heroes and Director of Art Science Research Laboratory.  “Beyond PPE, we are bringing dignity and respect to these frontline workers and saying to them that we see you, we thank you, and we have your back."

Super Health Pharmacy, a local Staten Island pharmacy, has provided trucking, banners, and PPE discounts to the project. 
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“Super Health Pharmacy is super excited to be able to help out neighbors at Richmond University Medical Center during this time in partnership with Cut Red Tape 4 Heroes. This is what it is all about, helping our community and getting things done,” said Mayank Parikh, Super Health Pharmacy. ​

Borough President Oddo continues to maintain a focus on expanding COVID-19 testing options for Staten Islanders, and has clarified today with the public the differences between  Diagnostic Testing and Antibody Blood Testing. 

"We are now at the phase of this pandemic where we see that people are recovering from COVID-19 and we are eager to return to our normal lives. As eager as we might be, it's important to continue to protect ourselves with social distancing and face coverings and gloves while in public. Now is the time for antibody testing and that's happening in numerous ways on Staten Island," explained Borough President James Oddo. "It is especially important to note that even if you test positive for antibodies, evidence that you have been exposed to COVID-19, it may not make you immune to any future strains of the virus. We must continue to be vigilant about protecting ourselves and others."

What is COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing, and what does it tell you?

• If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, aches, persistent cough, loss of senses of smell and taste) and go to get tested, you may receive a Nasal Swab Molecular Test.
• This test will confirm, with a high degree of accuracy, whether you are POSITIVE or NEGATIVE for the virus AT THE TIME OF THE TEST.
• Your provider or the lab will usually contact you with results by phone and can advise you on how long to quarantine, based on the results of your test. The results could take 3-5 days, during which you must self-quarantine. 

​What is Antibody Blood Testing:

• Antibody blood tests can indicate if you had the virus in the past, whether or not you experienced symptoms.
• This test detects the “IgG” antibodies, which indicate that you had the virus in the past, and “IgM” antibodies, which may indicate more recent infection 
• If you did have symptoms, you should wait at least 2 weeks after the end of symptoms to get the antibody test, as it can take this long for the body to produce “IgG” antibodies. This antibody test is nearly 100% accurate when used more than 14 days after the end of symptoms, which is why the timing is important. 
• There is substantial evidence that people may have been infected without ever being symptomatic. Depending on the timing of the infection, the antibody blood test would detect the “IgG” antibodies in this population.
• Patients who believe they were exposed and want to be tested should discuss their situation with their healthcare provider. 

What does Antibody Blood Testing tell you?

• You may have read or heard that the antibody test may provide evidence of future immunity. While this is often the case with other viruses, the science is not yet clear on this particular virus.
• At this point, antibody blood tests will indicate only that you did or did not have exposure to COVID-19 in the past.
• Currently we DO NOT know if having antibodies will prevent you from getting a future SARS CoV 2 coronavirus infection.
• While some of these tests have been approved by the FDA, for emergency use in a pandemic setting, we must stress that, like flu, strep, and many other widely used diagnostic tests, they are not 100% accurate.

For a list of locations offering testing on Staten Island, including antibody tests, please visit https://www.statenislandusa.com/covidtesting.html. 

Borough President Oddo is pleased to share the progress of the collaborative effort with Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island’s skilled nursing facilities, and Chembio to bring antibody blood tests to Staten Island’s nursing homes, as well as RUMC staff. RUMC will be running and processing the tests, at its own cost and by its own lab technicians, for both their staff and for nursing facility tests. RUMC has quickly ramped up and trained its staff, completed the initial validation of the test kits, and begun testing staff for the antibodies. 

This is an important step in beating COVID-19, and the Borough President expresses his gratitude for the partnerships to make this happen.

Thus far, six RUMC staff members in the Department of Laboratory Medicine have been trained to analyze the tests. Currently, RUMC is testing their medical personnel and staff, averaging about 125 tests per day. To date, 700 tests have been completed. 

At this time, the collaborative is working on completing required paperwork as well as memorandums of understanding with the skilled nursing facilities and respective partners so that the testing can begin at their sites. 
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“We are very excited about this partnership with Borough President Oddo and Chembio labs,” Richmond University Medical Center President and Chief Executive Officer, Daniel J., Messina, PhD, FACHE, said.  “The safety and health of our staff on the frontlines of this pandemic is always our highest priority. They are caring for hundreds of COVID-19 positive patients in various stages of the virus. On behalf of everyone at Richmond University Medical Center, I would like to thank Borough President James Oddo and Chembio for helping us secure access to this new testing capability.”

Borough President James Oddo, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and the United Federation of Teachers are pleased to announce the continued success of the “Feeding Our Frontline” initiative, a partnership established April 1, 2020, with local restaurants and caterers to provide grab & go meals to hospital staffs at Staten Island University Hospital (both the North and South campuses) and Richmond University Medical Center. The program has been able to continue thus far as a result of generous partners and members of the community who have made donations for the meals. 

The collaborative would like to extend special appreciation to National Grid, who have signed on as a $10,000 Corporate Sponsor of the initiative. 

As of Monday morning, $65,770 has been donated in total to the initiative, with donations beginning at a $35 contribution to feed five healthcare workers. Borough President Oddo, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and UFT extend their gratitude to all those who have donated and those who have come forward as sponsors to ensure this program can continue.

So far, 8,704 grab & go meals have been provided for Staten Island healthcare workers. The collaborative partnered with local businesses A&S Caterers & Luncheonette, A Taste of Honey Caterers, Aunt Butchies of Brooklyn, Beyar’s Market and The Stone House who have all stepped up to provide meals at $7 per meal. Additionally, three weeks ago, 330 pizzas were delivered from Campania Coal Fired Pizza, Ciro Pizza Cafe, Millie's of Staten Island and DiLeo's Pizzeria to SIUH, RUMC, as well as Staten Island’s skilled nursing facilities. 

The collaborative would like to thank the following corporate sponsors of the “Feeding Our Frontline” initiative: National Grid, Former Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson, Matrix Development Group, The Staten Island Yankees, Sunrise Office Services, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Plus, Miller's Launch/Miller's Tug & Barge, Former City Councilmember Sal Albanese, Cheriyn Hoti, Ana Patricia Cosentino, C.B. Contracting Corp., Deputy Borough President Edward Burke, Former City Councilmember Fred Cerullo, Notre Dame Club of Staten Island - Bread of Life Food Drive, Rebecca DelVecchio, Richmond County Baseball Club, Rossana Pontecorvo, Wendy’s (The Rawson Group), Ronald Raguso, Moving Pictures Inc., Joseph Simone, Anne Marie and Robert Rautenstrauch, Ashleigh Owens, Donald and Kathleen Helt, Jean Giobbie, M/M Frank  Coccaro, Lisa Pratti, Robert Ryan, and the Sisters of St. Dorothy.

To kick off the program, the Borough President, the United Federation of Teachers, Community Television, and the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce donated over $15,000 to feed hospital staff.  

“We are grateful for the support our community has shown this program that allows us to offer free meals to our healthcare workers as they fight this crisis on the frontline. The work our nurses and front line healthcare workers do each day is nothing short of heroic. Any and every donation is welcome so we may continue to show our appreciation for their daily strength and caring. Thank you to UFT and the SI Chamber of Commerce for continuing to partner with us to meet this need,” said Borough President Jim Oddo.

“You can always count on Staten Islanders to come together when you need them the most. It’s been wonderful to see so much generosity as both businesses and residents continue to contribute to this initiative. We send a big thank you to all of our essential workers who have been working tirelessly to take care of our community,” said Linda Baran, President & CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.  “The Chamber thanks Borough President Oddo and our partners, we are honored to take part in an effort that supports our hospital workers while supporting our local businesses as well.”

“We are proud to support this wonderful initiative and thankful for the opportunity to provide food to our frontline workers, who are beyond courageous.  They selflessly perform their jobs to keep us healthy and safe, and we thank you!” said Carol T. Decina, Manager of Customer and Community Engagement, nationalgrid. 

Borough President Oddo, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and UFT also extend their gratitude to those who have used their respective platforms to promote the “Feeding Our Frontline” Initiative, including the Staten Island Advance for covering the program on multiple occasions, as well as those in the Staten Island Delegation and all community partners and constituents who have shared the donation link to help get the word out to the greater Staten Island universe.
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To make a donation or join the program as a sponsor, please visit https://statenislandnycoc.wliinc19.com/mc-forms/feeding-our-front-line.aspx. ​

On April 1, 2020, Borough President James S. Oddo announced his office partnered with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, the United Federation of Teachers and local restaurants and caterers for “Feeding Our Frontline,” a program that provides grab & go meals to hospital staffs at Staten Island University Hospital (both the North and South campuses) and Richmond University Medical Center. 3,000 meals have been provided so far, with another 1,500 planned to be served this week.
 
To kick off the program, the Borough President, the United Federation of Teachers, Community Television, and the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce donated over $15,000 to feed hospital staff. The collaborative partnered with local businesses A&S Caterers & Luncheonette, A Taste of Honey Caterers, Aunt Butchies of Brooklyn, Beyar’s Market and The Stone House who have all stepped up to provide meals at $7 per meal. 
 
Today, the following local pizzerias will be providing meals to hospital staffs at Staten Island University Hospital (both the North and South campuses) and Richmond University Medical Center: 80 pies from Campania Coal Fired Pizza, 20 pies from Ciro Pizza Café, 65 pies from DiLeo’s Pizzeria and 100 pies from Millie’s of Staten Island.
 
The program has been able to continue thus far as a result of generous partners and members of the community who have made donations for the meals. As of Monday morning, $38,965 has been donated to the initiative, with donations beginning at a $35 contribution to feed five healthcare workers. Borough President Oddo, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and UFT extend their gratitude to all those who have donated and those who have come forward as sponsors to ensure this program can continue.
 
The collaborative would like to thank the following corporate sponsors of the “Feeding Our Frontline” initiative: Former Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson, UFT President Mike Mulgrew, The Staten Island Yankees, Sunrise Office Services, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Plus, Miller's Launch/Miller's Tug & Barge, Former City Councilmember Sal Albanese, Ana Patricia Cosentino, C.B. Contracting Corp., Deputy Borough President Edward Burke, Former City Councilmember Fred Cerullo, Notre Dame Club of Staten Island - Bread of Life Food Drive, Richmond County Baseball Club, Rossana Pontecorvo, Joseph Simone, Anne Marie and Robert Rautenstrauch, Ashleigh Owens, Donald and Kathleen Helt, Jean Giobbie, M/M Frank  Coccaro, Robert Ryan, and the Sisters of St. Dorothy.
 
Borough President Oddo, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and UFT also extend their gratitude to those who have used their respective platforms to promote the “Feeding Our Frontline” Initiative, including the Staten Island Advance for covering the program on multiple occasions, as well as those in the Staten Island Delegation and all community partners and constituents who have shared the donation link to help get the word out to the greater Staten Island universe.
 
“We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed to help us serve free meals for our nurses and frontline healthcare workers in order to show our appreciation for their daily strength and caring. As we fight each day to get them the supplies they need, the least we can do is continue to get them some food to eat. We appreciate A&S Caterers & Luncheonette, A Taste of Honey Caterers, Aunt Butchies of Brooklyn, Beyar’s Market and The Stone House, as well as Campania, Millie’s of Staten Island and DiLeo’s Pizza, for working with us to get to a price point that makes this program doable,” said Borough President Jim Oddo.
 
“You can always count on Staten Islanders to come together when you need them the most. It’s been wonderful to see so much generosity as both businesses and residents continue to contribute to this initiative. We send a big thank you to all of our essential workers who have been working tirelessly to take care of our community,” said Linda Baran, President & CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.  “The Chamber thanks Borough President Oddo and our partners, we are honored to take part in an effort that supports our hospital workers while supporting our local businesses as well.”
 
“I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to support this initiative.  Our frontline workers during the pandemic deserve all the support we can give them,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew.
 
Click here to make a donation or join the program as a sponsor. 

Borough President James S. Oddo announced today that his office has partnered with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, the United Federation of Teachers and local restaurants and caterers for a new program “Feeding Our Frontline.”
 
Beginning today, “Feeding Our Frontline” will provide grab & go meals to hospital staffs at Staten Island University Hospital (both the North and South campuses) and Richmond University Medical Center.
 
To kick off the program, the Borough President, the United Federation of Teachers, Community Television, and the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce have donated over $15,000 to feed hospital staff, partnering with local restaurants and caterers who have stepped up to provide meals at $7 per meal.  Each mealtime, 1,400 total meals will be served.
 
Additionally, the collaborative is making it possible for community partners and members of the community to contribute as well. The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce will accept monetary donations for the meals on their website. Anyone who wishes may make a donation to help feed our dedicated hospital staff. The donations begin at a $35 contribution, which will feed five healthcare workers.
 
The United Federation of Teachers also has begun its own separate program, providing free meals three times a week to its 1,000 nurse members at Staten Island University South and NYU Brooklyn.
 
“What our nurses and front line healthcare workers are doing each day is nothing short of heroic. As we fight each day to get them the supplies they need, the least we can do is get them some food to eat at the hospital or maybe take home,” said Borough President Jim Oddo. “We are thrilled to partner with the Chamber, CTV, the UFT and local restaurants to meet this need.”
 
“The Chamber is privileged to take part in the Feeding Our Frontline initiative.  This collective effort is a small gesture to show our appreciation for all the essential workers who are selflessly taking care of our community.  At the same time, it also allows us to support our local businesses when sorely needed,” said Linda Baran, President & CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.
 
UFT President Micahel Mulgrew said, "I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to help.  It’s important that we do all that we can to support our nurses and other healthcare workers during this crisis."
 
“Borough President Oddo has been a solid partner with us, supporting our healthcare heroes at RUMC since the very beginning,” RUMC president and chief executive officer, Daniel J. Messina, PhD, FACHE, said. “On behalf of everyone at RUMC our tremendous thanks to the borough president, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, the United Federation of Teachers and our local restaurants for thinking of us. You will be forever in our hearts.”
 
“It has been a relief to know that we can count on our Borough President, Chamber, local delegates and unions during such a difficult healthcare challenge. They have been a true partner and support system to Staten Island University Hospital,” Dr. Brahim Ardolic, Executive Director of Staten Island University Hospital.
 
To make a donation or join the program as a sponsor, please visit https://statenislandnycoc.wliinc19.com/events/Feeding-Our-Frontline-265/detail