COVID numbers are on the rise, across the U.S. and right here in New York City. 

With more than a thousand new cases reported daily, the more virulent Delta Variant taking over and under 60% of New Yorkers fully vaccinated, the city is putting new mandates in place to try to stop the spread. 

Manhattan City Councilman Mark Levine has been sounding the alarm on the dangers of COVID from nearly the beginning of the pandemic. 

Some colleagues called him “the Anthony Fauci of the City Council."  While his views were sometimes ignored, he turned out to be right in nearly every case. Now, he’s turned his attention to Delta. 

He joined In Focus to talk about the dangers of the new strain, and other, harsher strains now being discovered, if left unchecked. 

He also speaks to the urgency of getting every New Yorker vaccinated as quickly as possible before even more difficult measures have to be put into place. 

The straight-spoken Councilman also expresses doubt as to the safety of the series of “Homecoming” events scheduled throughout the city in August, and defends the city’s mandate that New Yorkers must be vaccinated to eat indoors in restaurants, go to the gym or attend an indoor entertainment event.