Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates July 13th

JULY 13th RESOURCES AND UPDATES:

 

Tax Day is Wednesday, July 15! Visit here for info on free NYC Tax Prep services.

Starting July 20th, New York will allow visits to nursing homes and long-term care facilities on a limited basis. Visits will be allowed at facilities that have been free of new COVID cases for at least 28 days. Only two people are allowed to visit each resident and must undergo a temperature check, wear a mask and social distance while visiting.

Mayor de Blasio announced that select Open Streets will become “Cool Streets,” --in neighborhoods vulnerable to heat-related health risks-- with spray caps on fire hydrants, water fountains, and trees for shade cover. Find your nearest sprinkler hydrant, fountain, or tree-friendly street here

A travel enforcement program will commence tomorrow, July 14th, at airports across the state to help ensure travelers are following quarantine protocols. Enforcement teams will be stationed at airports to ensure compliance with the mandatory State Department of Health traveler form, which is being distributed by airlines to passengers flying to New York State. An electronic version of the traveler form is also available. Travelers who fail to provide their contact information will receive a summons with a $2,000 fine.

The City’s Dept. of Transportation recently released an interactive citywide map of all Open Restaurants with seating on sidewalks and streets.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has launched a free mobile app that provides helpful information about the variety of destinations, activities and adventures available throughout the Empire State's park system, and offers quick access to park information including directions, hours, fees and rates, trail maps, and helpful know-before-you-go details. Learn more here.

The High Line will reopen July 16th. The elevated park will open with reduced capacity and free time-entry reservations.

Takeout beer, wine and cocktails has been extended. Restaurants and bars can continue to offer alcohol for takeout or delivery under special rules. Additionally, restaurants and bars are permitted to serve alcohol in expanded outdoor seating. These rules have had a positive impact for small businesses during this trying time. (Please drink responsibly.)

Northwell Health Lenox Hill Hospital’s Monthly Community Update is available by clicking here.

Large events requiring a city event permit will be canceled through September 30th, as the City works to prioritize open spaces for public use.

Governors Island is reopening! Starting July 8th, early access ferry tickets are available for reservationSeniors, young people (under 12), NYCHA residents and IDNYC cardholders ride free, instead of paying $3. Socially-distanced ferries will start running again Wednesday (7/15) at 10 am, and Manhattan ferries will run daily from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street.

Our Town reports that protests have not lead to spike in NYC cases. Since the George Floyd protests began on May 27, New York has braced for a spike in coronavirus cases, but it has yet to come. There were 754 cases confirmed before the protests, and even fewer since then. The numbers have continued to decline. Though symptoms for COVID have been reported to appear between 2-14 days after exposure, it has been five weeks since the start of the protests.

This leads experts to believe that the virus does not transmit as easily in outdoor spaces as it does in indoor spaces. Additionally, many protesters wore masks, which significantly reduces the likelihood of spreading the virus.

For a New York Times article on the search for the coronavirus’ origin, click here.

For a New York Times article on coronavirus risk factors, click here.

The City’s Test and Trace Corps will provide funding to community-based organizations to help with promoting testing and tracing for COVID-19, for use in outreach and education programs relating to testing, tracing, and safety measures like mask use and physical distancing. The request for proposals deadline is this Monday, July 13.

For an article on how to protect yourself indoors, click here.

For an article by a man who had recovered from COVID-19, but experienced new symptoms, more debilitating than the original illness, three months later, click here.

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Governor Cuomo advanced new regulations requiring insurers to provide equitable coverage for mental health and substance use disorders. The proposed regulations from the NYS Department of Financial Services and DOH would strengthen insurers' obligation under both state and federal law to provide comparable coverages for benefits to treat mental health and substance use disorders.

July 16  at 10 am, Borough President Gale Brewer will host  the regular monthly online public session of the Manhattan Borough Board, a formal body composed of all Council Members and Community Board chairs in the borough. Register to attend at this link and you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to be in the online audience.

The Guggenheim Museum’s Works and Process Virtual Commissions series has released “Solanum Dulcamara,” a dance piece by choreographer Donald Byrd that expresses what he calls the “Black Exhaustion” experienced by many as the movement for racial justice progresses.

New York delivered a shipment of the medication Remdesivir to Florida as the state struggles with a surge of cases. Remdesivir is a drug that has shown promise in treating COVID patients.

Our Town tells about the two tests around COVID-19.

Education/Parenting

The City’s Dept. of Education has set up a Return to School 2020 page with the latest updates on reopening public schools and specifics on hybrid learning and the first day of school. Chancellor Carranza also released a letter for NYC school families.

Starting this week, the Whitney Museum is hosting Summer Studio, a series of free weekly online art classes for kids, teens and families. Learn more and sign up.

For short and long films, including discussion ideas and a link to film school for kids, see the International Children’s Film Festival at https://nyicff.org/nyicff-recommends/

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul explains in an op-ed how New York State is rethinking and investing in child care in response to the COVID pandemic.

Childcare: The City’s Board of Health voted to reopen childcare in NYC on Monday, July 13. This will apply to about 3,000 childcare programs in NYC with a capacity of around 150,000. Guidelines limit group size to 15 children, classrooms must be changed to enable social distancing, face coverings required for children over 2 and adults, conduct daily health screenings, frequent cleaning and disinfecting, and limited sharing of toys and supplies

Additional information: 

Entertainment/Distractions

Programming is ramping back up in Bryant Park, with a new Activity Stationwhere visitors can borrow equipment for chess, ping pong, and assorted board games to use within park boundaries. Learn more.

Also “Piano in Bryant Park” jazz performances are back this summer, with pianists performing for free in the park from 12:30 - 2:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

If you’re interested in art, this site has links to galleries, auctions, artists, and news.

If you’d like to see the British royal palaces, take a quiz about the Tudors, and look at royal ceremonial dress, click here.

For space and science fans, in 2010, NASA launched a specialized satellite to film the surface of the sun. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the satellite's launch, the Solar Dynamic Observatory released a time-lapse video of the sun's movement over the course of the past decade. The video is in the article about the science behind the video. There are also links to photographs of different subjects.

Many New Yorkers visit Fire Island. New York State will provide 1,000 masks and 1,000 2-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer for distribution on Fire Island. The Fire Island COVID Destroyers, a partnership that includes GMHC and Fire Island community leaders, will distribute the protective gear on the island.

For those missing Shakespeare in the Park this summer, the planned production of Richard II will live on as a four-part radio drama on consecutive nights next week. Listen to “Shakespeare on the Radio,” at 8 pm each night, July 13-July 16  on wnyc.org.

For a First Mondays tour of the Rare Book Room of the New York Academy of Medicine, click here.

For a blog post, cited on the New York Academy of Medicine website, about Dr. Hosack, physician to Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr and the attending physician at the famous duel, click here.

On the impact of outdoor dining on imagination and spirit, click here.

The Bronx Zoo is reopening July 20th. The zoo will be open to members only through July 23rd and will open to the general public on July 24th through advance tickets.

The newly renovated West Games Area at Jones Beach is now open. As part of the NY Parks 2020 plan, the renovation features a new mini-golf course, refurbished and new court games, new benches, tables, fencing and lighting, and additional site improvements. There are also new and improved activity areas including new cornhole and pickleball courts and refurbished courts for shuffleboard and paddle tennis. Read more.

For the Met Opera’s nightly live opera streams from July 13- July 19, click here.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

The Nursing Home Card Project” is an initiative to fight loneliness in nursing homes, which were allowed no visitors during the pandemic, by sending homemade cards to senior residents. Sign up to make and send cards at caringbycard.com.

Practice social distancing and other health directives including wearing a mask. Governor Cuomo reports that a study found that New York State is one of only three states currently on track to contain COVID. The two other states were New Jersey and Massachusetts, according to COVID Act Now.

THE CITY is asking folks who know any New York City residents who have died of COVID-19 to fill out a simple form to tell them about the lives of those we’ve lost. Their goal is to put as many names, faces and details to the numbers as possible. You’ll find more here — including the form.

Donate blood. The New York Blood Center says that levels of blood are dangerously low. To make an appointment to donate, visit nybc.org or call 1.800.933.2566. Appointments are strongly recommended.

If you have recovered from COVID-19, you may be able to save lives by contacting the state to donate blood. People who have recovered from the virus may have convalescent plasma in their blood, which has antibodies against the virus and could help with the development of a treatment. More information about how to donate is available here.

Support local businesses by buying gift cards. We have posted links to sites selling gift cards. Another site selling gift cards to restaurants, barber shops, and events like ghost hunts, and museums, see SupportLocal at https://supportlocal.usatoday.com/cities/

New York City Service is looking for volunteers to help those affected by COVID-19, click here.

New York State has provided a form for the donation of goods, services, or space. To access the form, click here.

The dedicated staff at the Stanley Isaacs Center415 E. 93 St., needs help supporting their older adult clients through meals and case management services. Interested in volunteering? Contact [email protected]

Complete your Census form.  Census responses can't be used for any purpose other than tallying up population-- it's the law. And no enumerators will be knocking on doors today. So, please, if you haven't yet done so, take the time to fill in your form at www.my2020census.gov.

FINANCIAL AND LOCAL BUSINESSES UPDATES

Applications have resumed for the federal Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which dispenses loans that operate as grants if used for payroll, interest on mortgages, rent, or utilities (though at least 60% must be used for payrolls for loans to be forgiven). You should know that Pace University’s Small Business Development Center can help business owners apply for these loans. Email [email protected] to arrange a free virtual meeting to discuss this and other small business financial programs.

The City has postponed the annual tax lien sale again, and now will take place in September, 2020 (instead of August).

During the pandemic, more properties than usual may be at risk. Property owners who are facing hardships making can get help from several existing DOF programs. These include exemption programs to lower the amount of taxes owed, standard payment plans, or a new Property Tax and Interest Deferral (PT AID) program, for those who qualify. DOF also provides a monthly property tax billing service to facilitate budgeting for property owners billed on a quarterly or semi-annual basis. More information on those programs can be found here.

The City is distributing 2 million more face coverings to small businesses opening in Phase 2, and connecting business owners with a directory of wholesalers selling sneeze guards, PPE, and other equipment. Go to nyc.gov/business to find resources and guides. You can also call the Restart Hotline for business owners at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692), or contact my office for assistance.

The City’s Restaurant Revitalization Program will support unemployed and underemployed restaurant workers from the 27 communities hardest hit by COVID-19. The program will be funded with $3 million from NYC Opportunity, Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC, and One Fair Wage. Find more information here.

Emergency Grants are available for small businesses who experienced material damage to their storefronts over the last few weeks. More information available here.

As part of their annual TD Ready Challenge, TD Bank has announced four kinds of grants for community nonprofits: Financial SecurityVibrant PlanetConnected Communities, and Better Health. Click on each title to learn more. Applications are due August 13.

Related: A group of NYC businesses have created Rebuild New Yorkan online platform for businesses citywide to discuss information and best practices for reopening.

The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) will work to ensure that the most up-to-date guidance and materials needed by small business owners for a safe phased-in reopening are readily available. The information will be housed on a centralized resource page with guidance and best practices for the restaurant industry across all five boroughs. SBS will also launch a reopening supplies marketplace for easy access to wholesalers selling PPE, gloves, sneeze guards and other equipment. Business owners can call a hotline at 1-888-SBS-4NYC to ask questions about this process.

Business guidance for Phase 2 of the state's reopening plan is available here.

Business guidance for Phase 3 of the state's reopening plan is available here.

The City released information for businesses and nonprofits ahead of Phase 3.

Reopening businesses must submit affirmations to confirm compliance with relevant reopening guidelines.

SBS Reopening Webinars

PPE for Small Businesses: NYC SBS coordinating with 70+ BIDs and Chambers of Commerce to provide 2 million pieces of PPE to small businesses citywide. Find a distribution partner near you at: Free Face Coverings for Small Businesses & Their Employees

If a store owner would like social distancing floor decals for inside the business (not on the sidewalks), please contact CB8 and we will send you some.

The City’s Department of Small Business Services has shared their new “Find a Job” page, which lists open employment listings from across NYC. Learn more and search the listings.

Both the City and State are hiring employees and supervisors for contact tracing: reaching out to the contacts of those diagnosed with COVID-19 to track the spread. Learn more here for the City (three types of contract tracer jobs along with many non-tracing jobs listed), and here for the State (contact tracersteam supervisors, and community support specialists).

LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS' TELE-TOWN HALLS

On July 14  at 6:30 pm, Borough President Gale Brewer will host a virtual town hall with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health on “The Future of Childcare in NYC.” We’ll look at the new guidelines for opening child care centers, what we have learned these past few months, and what we will need to do moving forward. Register here.

Senator Krueger's Virtual Town Hall: Reopening and Reimagining Public Places

On Thursday, July 16th from 7pm – 8 pm, join Senator Krueger, Manhattan Borough President (MBP) Gale Brewer, and Christian Klossner, Executive Director, Office of Special Enforcement (OSE), NYC Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. As New York City reopens, business and communities face challenges as we learn to navigate the new normal at retail and dining establishments, and other public spaces.

To view the event, go to https://www.facebook.com/statesenatorlizkrueger/. If you do not see the video when you land on Senator Krueger's Facebook page, please hit "refresh" in your browser to reload the page and see the video. Please note that the video will not appear until just before 7:00 p.m. If you do not have access to a computer, tablet, or other electronic device, you can listen in by telephone. Once you register for the event, you will receive a confirmation email with the call-in information.

The event will feature a question and answer session with Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Christian Klossner. If you have questions related to reopening public spaces, particularly outside dining venues and retail spaces, where to report complaints, and how we can rethink urban planning and the use of public spaces in a post COVID city, register at the link below. Attendees will be able to submit questions through Facebook during the event but are strongly encouraged to submit them in advance. Please let us know you plan to attend Reopening and Reimaging Public Spaces on July 16th by registering at https://tinyurl.com/reimaginingpublicspaces.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs & Resources

The State's Coronavirus Hotline is open 24 hours if you have any questions or concerns: 1-888-364-3065. **If you need help getting medical care, you can also call 311. New York City will provide care regardless of immigration status or ability to pay.

The NYP COVID Hotline 646-697-4000 can answer questions about COVID-19. This hotline is a public service to provide information only and not to diagnose, treat, or render a medical opinion. Their Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions document is available on the NYP Coronavirus website.

To get regular updates on the latest developments with coronavirus in New York City text COVID to 692-692. You will receive regular SMS texts with the latest news and developments. Please check nyc.gov/health/coronavirus for the latest updates

If you are experiencing stress or feel anxious, contact NYC Well at 888-NYC-WELL (888-692- 9355) or text WELL to 65173. NYC Well is a confidential help line that is staffed 24/7 by trained counselors who can provide brief supportive therapy, crisis counseling, and connections to behavioral health treatment, in more than 200 languages.

Additional resources:

CENSUS 2020

U.S. Census Bureau has made some necessary changes to help keep residents safe while still working to ensure a complete census count. This includes extending the national deadline for the count from July 31 to August 14 and postponing all door-to-door outreach campaigns until May. With the majority of our businesses and libraries closed across the state, this gives local communities more time to adjust their outreach plans and helps prevent our state from being put at an unfair disadvantage.

Fill out your Census at My2020Census.gov OR by phone in these languages:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Past Updates from CB8