Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown announced today’s distribution of free, at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits at five City of Buffalo community centers went smoothly, and all the kits were handed out by mid-afternoon.
“I thank our residents and our staff for what was a very successful distribution of 7,500 free, at-home COVID test kits out of the five community centers. We’ve had very positive feedback regarding the efficiency and we look forward to future distribution events in the near future when Erie County receives additional shipments,” Mayor Brown said.
Today’s test kit handouts took place at the Belle, Delavan Grider, JFK, Northwest Buffalo, and Tosh Collins community centers. Another 3,500 kits were provided to the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority and city senior centers through this first allotment.
Only a handful of test kits remained at the end of official 9 a.m. to noon distribution period and those kits were handed out this afternoon.
Mayor Brown also urged all Buffalo residents, age 5 and up, to get vaccinated and boosted as our community battles to slow the spread of the omicron variant that is taking a deadly toll on our community, and causing a huge strain on local hospitals and frontline healthcare and emergency response workers.
Go Bills!
Team City Hall today erected a banner in the lobby of Buffalo City Hall to congratulate the Buffalo Bills on their AFC East Championship. The 12 foot long x 4.5 foot wide banner is also meant to cheer on the AFC Champion Bills as they begin their AFC play-off run which begins Saturday, January 15, as they take on the New England Patriots on home turf at Highmark Stadium.
The dome of City Hall and BuffaloLIT participants will be lit up in Bills blue each night through Sunday, January 16, to show our community’s unwavering support of the Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo Fire Commissioner reminds residents to practice safety while using space heaters
With frigid cold temperatures and severe wind chills forecast over the next several days, Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo urges residents to practice safety when using space heaters.
“The majority of residential fires during cold weather months are caused by space heaters, so it’s critical to use them properly,” Commissioner Renaldo said. “By following a few basic safety rules, you can stay warm without endangering yourself, your family and your property.”
Here are some tips on space heater use:
- Turn heater off before going to sleep at night
- Turn heater off when leaving the room for more than a few minutes
- Position space heater at least 3 feet away from furniture, drapes and other flammable items
- Place heater on a solid, flat surface
- Connect heater directly to wall electrical outlet, not into an extension cord which can be a tripping hazard Space heaters are designed to be temporary, not all day heat sources.
Fire Commissioner Renaldo also reminded residents to practice fireplace safety and to NEVER use an oven or stove as a heating source.
City of Buffalo Senior Connect Call to feature University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine ‘UB Smile Team’ representative
Tracey Fest, patient care coordinator for UB’s Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry and ‘UB Smile Team’ representative, will be the guest of Wednesday’s Senior Connect Call.
Hosts Deputy Mayor Ellen Grant and Doug Ruffin, Director of the City’s Division of Senior Services, will be speaking with Ms. Fest about the UB Smile Team’s mission to provide Buffalo and Western New York residents with dental education and help connect them to dental services.
The UB Smile Team regularly participates in the City of Buffalo’s Clean Sweep program, distributing dental information to neighborhoods across the city. The team also organizes the UB Dental School’s annual ‘Give Kids a Smile Day’.
To take part in the 11 a.m. Senior Connect Call, dial in at 1-888-636-3807. The call passcode is 4777845#.