Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates October 30th

October 30th, 2020

OCTOBER 30th RESOURCES AND UPDATES:

 

To help New Yorkers make informed decisions on Halloween activities, the NYS Department of Health published Halloween guidance, with recommended activities and Do's and Don'ts for a safe Halloween. We advise New Yorkers to refrain from traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed out at the door and where it would be difficult to maintain social distance. Don't trick-or-treat indoors (for example, in apartment buildings). Also, it's important to keep in mind that a Halloween mask is not a substitute for a full cloth or surgical mask that covers the mouth and nose. Have a Happy Halloween and stay safe.

Today, NYS launched the New York State Flu Tracker to prepare for flu season. As we continue the fight against COVID-19, we can't let flu season make matters worse. The tracker displays daily and weekly flu data and provides timely information about local, regional and statewide flu activity. I encourage you to get a flu shot if you haven't already.

New York is partnering with the company The RealReal and dozens of New York fashion designers to create limited edition made-in-New-York masks. Drawing from the diversity and creativity that New York's fashion industry is famous for, these unique masks will benefit COVID-19 relief efforts and remind the public that we all still need to Mask Up. Profits from this campaign will be donated to Feeding America, Nurse Heroes and the New York COVID Relief Fund to help New Yorkers and Americans in need. Read more about the campaign here.

Governor Cuomo has a plan for New York in the COVID-19 fight. In an op-ed in the New York Daily News, he lays  out a roadmap for getting through the months ahead, a future vaccine and New York's plan to mitigate outbreaks of the virus as we transition into the colder season. Read it here.

New York magazine asked 48 artists from all corners of the U.S. to design "I VOTED" stickers that will be featured on the cover of the October 26-November 8 issue of the weekly magazine. A wide variety of stickers will also be available inside the magazine for readers to peel off. Read more.

Massachusetts meets the criteria for the travel advisory but due to the region's interconnectedness, quarantine is not practically viable. As such, New York highly discourages non-essential travel between Massachusetts and New York to the extent practical. See more info here.

The MTA will begin a voluntary COVID-19 screening program for frontline transit employees. Under this new initiative, free COVID testing will be offered at field locations and medical assessment and occupational health services centers to frontline NYC Transit, LIRR, Metro-North and Bridge and Tunnels employees. Up to 2,000 frontline MTA employees will be screened per week under the initial phase of the program. Read more here.

For professionals in long term care, the New York Academy of Medicine is offering a virtual summit on Infection Prevention in Nursing Homes. For more information and to register for December 2, click here. There is another program for a different geographic area on December 8, click here.

A documentary on the largest art fraud in American history is being made into a feature film.

As the holidays approach, Governor Cuomo urges New Yorkers to avoid large family gatherings — even for Thanksgiving. If individuals wish to travel in and out of state for the holiday, or for any reason, you must follow the State's COVID Travel Advisory quarantine regulations. The best way to say "I love you" and show your thanks to your loved ones is to avoid travel and show your respect for your family members' health and safety. As an alternative, New Yorkers can hold Thanksgiving dinners with their immediate household or organize virtual events.

Mayor de Blasio has expanded the concept of outdoor sidewalk use to retail, Patch reports.

The Veteran’s Administration reports on the work it does on COVID-19, including on a vaccine.

Three frontline workers opened up a Filipino restaurant in the Upper East Side — in addition to their day jobs as nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital. Maricris Dinopol, Jude Canela and Joan Calanog, all Filipino, were unsatisfied by the food options they could find in-between shifts. So they've started a new restaurant called Bilao, which opened in August and became a hit. Bilao, located at 1437 First Avenue, has tables set up along the sidewalk and in a tented curbside area. The chef, Boji Asuncion, a friend of Dinopol's brother, serves a range of traditional Filipino fare. If you order delivery, please call the restaurant directly. Don’t use a third-party delivery service.

For a video of Dr. Fauci discussing, among other things, a national mask mandate and advice on avoiding even small gatherings during the holidays,  click here.

A pre-print of an article on mortality rates among those aged 25-44 from COVID-19 shows they are not immune, click here.

The federal government extended P-EBT food stamp benefits through September 2021 to help families cover the cost of meals that are normally served at school. Families will receive the P-EBT card for this school year in January at the earliest.

The 2021 NY State of Health Open Enrollment Period begins Sunday, November 1st. As we continue to fight COVID-19, making sure every New Yorker is insured and has access to health care has only become more critical. View health plan options here, or you can go online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5557 for assistance.

The Port Authority will begin issuing $50 fines to people not wearing a mask at airport terminals, PATH and AirTrain stations and trains, the Midtown bus terminal, the George Washington Bridge bus station and the Oculus.

If you’re hungry while on line to vote, order free pizza for everyone through Pizza to the Polls, an initiative to incentivize voters to stay in line and cast their votes. Delivered outside early voting and Election Day polling places, pies come from New York favorites like Two Boots and Adoro’s.

New York State Health Foundation has released a Request for Proposals for projects that seek to advance racial health equity by engaging patients as partners. Complete the online inquiry form by Tuesday, 12/8.

The Morris-Jumel Mansion’s new installation, “CoVIDA - Homage to Victims of the Pandemic,” is on view Monday, 11/2 through Thursday, 12/31. Submit a name to be included in the memorial here.

Through Saturday (10/31), the FDNY is distributing fire safety materials throughout Manhattan-- see locations here. All the Borough Presidents are featured in this FDNY PSA reminding you to change your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors’ batteries this weekend when daylight saving time ends.

Lincoln Center’s new visual poetry tribute to civil rights legends John Lewis and C.T. Vivian, “Baptism (of The Sharecropper’s Son & The Boy From Boonville),” can be viewed for free here.

Monday (11/2) at 11 am, eCornell hosts “Leadership Through Storytelling: How to Leverage Authenticity and Amplify Your Impact.” Click the title to register.

Monday (11/2) at 10 am, Judson Memorial Church’s Bricks and Mortals and the New York State Council of Churches host “Sharing your Sacred Spaces Now and Post-Covid,” a panel about how faith-based institutions can provide space for the arts and artists, support community action and make plans to reopen. Register here.

Education/Parenting

SUNY will require on-campus students to test negative for COVID-19 before leaving for Thanksgiving break. That means SUNY's 64 colleges and universities will test about 140,000 people over a 10-day period leading up to Thanksgiving break.

Our Town reports on the unexpected school year. 

Counties will now be allowed to require mask mandates at all times in schools. We know that masks work in stopping the spread of the virus. Counties, via their local department of health, will now be allowed to require that mask mandates be extended at all times in both public and private schools under their jurisdictions.

There’s only one more chance to opt in to blended learning this school year, despite past assurances from the Dept. of Education and the Mayor. Complete the learning preference survey this Monday, 11/2 through Sunday, 11/15 to select a mix of in-person and remote learning.

In more DOE news, no students will receive failing grades this year, and attendance will not count. Read the DOE’s letter to families about 2020-21 grading and attendance policies.

The DOE’s new “School Re-opening 2020-2021 Family Guide” has information about teaching and learning during this school year.

Next Thursday (11/5) at 6 pm, youth advocacy organization NYC Youth Civics Initiative hosts a kickoff event, featuring a panel of youth activists and opportunities for students and organizations to get involved with NYCYCI. Register here.

Entertainment/Distractions

A Pulitzer Prize-winning composer is giving Central Park its own soundtrack. Composer Ellen Reid has written new music for an app called Soundwalk that is intended especially for visitors of Central Park. The app uses GPS to know where you are walking in the Park — and what you hear on your headphones changes depending on the route you take. In this way, the listener becomes a composer too. The music for this immersive auditory experience includes 25 different nature-inspired themes, recorded by members of the New York Philharmonic, among others.

Participate in Carnegie Hill Neighbors’ virtual “Halloween Spooktacular” by entering the weeklong photo contest. Submit photos of Carnegie Hill storefronts, block decorations and residents’ costumes to [email protected].

Apply by this Saturday (10/31) to be featured in the virtual Gramercy Art Show, which will run November 15 through February 15, 2021.

Bike New York opened a new education center in Riverside Park (at 158th St.). Sign up for free adult and youth cycling classes throughout Manhattan.

Several New York theater companies have produced a virtual, multi-language reading of “It Can’t Happen Here,” based on the Sinclair Lewis novel about the rise of fascism in America. Watch it here through Sunday (11/1).

Through Saturday (10/31) is Harlem Restaurant Week.

Sunday (11/1) from noon - 3 pm, the US Tennis Association Eastern and the Tennis Family Group host free tennis lessons for all ages and skill levels at the Pleasant Ave. Open Street (btwn E. 118th and 120th Sts.). Rackets will be provided.

Sunday (11/1) at 1 pm, the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum and Broadway Housing Communities host “Therese Tells...String Stories!,” featuring Cherokee and Ghanaian stories on Zoom. Click the title to register.

Election 2020 Resources

A Pulitzer Prize-winning composer is giving Central Park its own soundtrack. Composer Ellen Reid has written new music for an app called Soundwalk that is intended especially for visitors of Central Park. The app uses GPS to know where you are walking in the Park — and what you hear on your headphones changes depending on the route you take. In this way, the listener becomes a composer too. The music for this immersive auditory experience includes 25 different nature-inspired themes, recorded by members of the New York Philharmonic, among others.

Participate in Carnegie Hill Neighbors’ virtual “Halloween Spooktacular” by entering the weeklong photo contest. Submit photos of Carnegie Hill storefronts, block decorations and residents’ costumes to [email protected].

Apply by this Saturday (10/31) to be featured in the virtual Gramercy Art Show, which will run November 15 through February 15, 2021.

Bike New York opened a new education center in Riverside Park (at 158th St.). Sign up for free adult and youth cycling classes throughout Manhattan.

Several New York theater companies have produced a virtual, multi-language reading of “It Can’t Happen Here,” based on the Sinclair Lewis novel about the rise of fascism in America. Watch it here through Sunday (11/1).

Through Saturday (10/31) is Harlem Restaurant Week.

Sunday (11/1) from noon - 3 pm, the US Tennis Association Eastern and the Tennis Family Group host free tennis lessons for all ages and skill levels at the Pleasant Ave. Open Street (btwn E. 118th and 120th Sts.). Rackets will be provided.

Sunday (11/1) at 1 pm, the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum and Broadway Housing Communities host “Therese Tells...String Stories!,” featuring Cherokee and Ghanaian stories on Zoom. Click the title to register.

Election 2020 Resources

Some New Yorkers have received an absentee ballot with a misprint that reads “Official Absentee Military Ballot” instead of “Absentee/Military Ballot." The ballots are VALID and can be used.

The Manhattan Board of Elections has posted the poll sites for early voting and election day. Not sure if you’re registered? Check here.

Once you are registered, you may vote three ways:

  • In person on Election Day (11/3)

  • In person at the nearest early voting site to your home between 10/24 - 11/1

  • Or by absentee ballot, returning it by Election Day (by mail or to one of the new ballot drop boxes that will be at Board of Elections offices, early voting sites and 1,300 Election Day polling places).

Early voting is a great option to avoid mail-in ballot delays and potentially long lines on Election Day (11/3). Absentee voting is best if you’re not comfortable going to the polls. Our Town covers early voting as an important option, click here.

Become a poll worker. New Yorkers who are currently unemployed can apply to be a paid poll worker without losing their unemployment benefits. Poll workers are vital in ensuring that Election Day runs smoothly and I signed an Executive Order that allows New Yorkers who currently collect unemployment benefits to sign up for temporary work on November 3rd. Sign up to become a poll worker.

How to Complete Your Absentee Ballot

  1. Carefully read and follow the instructions printed on the ballot and the ballot envelopes.
  2. Mark your votes on your ballot using a pen with black or blue ink - please make sure not to make any stray marks, as this could interfere with the scanner properly reading the votes marked on your ballot.
  3. Fold the ballot and put it in the smaller envelope provided by the Board of Elections
  4. Sign and date the back of the envelope - you will see a red X that marks where to sign your name, and there is a line directly below to write the date.
  5. Seal the envelope - there is an adhesive on the envelope for sealing - do not use tape or glue to seal the envelope
  6. Put the smaller envelope in the larger envelope provided by the Board of Elections, which is addressed to the Manhattan Board of Elections Office.

Please Note: if you have not followed all of these steps, your absentee ballot will not be counted.

Options For How to Submit Your Absentee Ballot

1. Mail Your Ballot

  • One stamp is sufficient to mail your ballot to the Manhattan Board of Elections Office. However, if you are concerned about your ballot being delivered, you can use two stamps
  • Ballots that are postmarked by Election Day will be counted if they are received by the NYC Board of Elections no more than 7 days after Election Day. However, if your absentee ballot is not postmarked, it must be received by the Board by the day after Election Day in order to be counted. Since there is no way for you to know whether the Post Office will actually postmark your ballot, and due to strong concerns about delays in mail being delivered, I urge you to mail in your absentee ballot as far in advance of Election Day as possible.

2. Deposit Your Ballot at a Poll Site Absentee Ballot Collection Box

  • There will be an absentee ballot collection box at every Early Voting and Election Day Poll Site.
  • You may deposit your completed absentee ballot at any Early Voting or Election Day Poll Site in New York City, however, it is best and preferred that the Poll Site be in Manhattan. If you deposit your absentee ballot at a Poll Site that is outside of the five boroughs, it will not be counted.

Please Note: You can deposit your completed absentee ballot at a poll site collection box personally, or a trusted friend, neighbor, or family member can do so for you.

3. Deposit Your Ballot at the NYC Board of Elections Office

  • You or a trusted individual can take your completed absentee ballot and deposit it at the Manhattan Board of Elections Office at 200 Varick Street, 10 Fl, New York, NY 10014 through Election Day at 9:00 p.m.
  • We will provide more information about Board of Elections office hours as details become available.

If there is a problem with your absentee ballot, you can contact the NYC Board of Elections office:

  • By email at [email protected],
  • By phone at 1-866-868-3692, or
  • On Twitter, send a direct message to the NYC Board of Elections (Twitter handle @BOENYC)

For those absentee voters who are skittish about even entering an early-voting poll site to drop their ballots in the drop boxes there, there’s a solution. Invisible Hands, a nonpartisan volunteer group that’s done amazing work running errands for the homebound, will pick up sealed absentee ballots from seniors and deposit them in the drop boxes at early voting sites.  Homebound seniors (or whoever) can request a volunteer to pick up their ballot here. And if you’d like to volunteer for Invisible Hands to do ballot runs, complete the volunteer form here.

If your regular poll site is Marymount Manhattan College, you will be voting at the Park Avenue Armory instead this year. Look up your poll site here.

For those seniors or physically-challenged voters going to early voting sites, the Board of Elections is offering assistance. Look for signage about a separate line, or go to the head of the line and speak to a poll worker.

If you’re just dropping off your ballot, don’t wait in line. Go to the front of the line and drop your ballot in the drop box.

Ride-hailing companies are offering free or discounted rides to the polls for early voting or Election Day:

  • Lyft is offering 50% off one ride to an early voting poll site. Use the code NYCVOTES when requesting a ride.

  • Uber will offer 50% off rides to the polls on Election Day-- up to $7 per trip.

For poll workers who need to be at polling places at 5 a.m. on election day, the MTA may have a solution to transportation because the subway is closed until 5. The BOE shared the names, home addresses and polling place assignment with the MTA, which will decide those poll workers who qualify for a free ride from a for-hire vehicle company because they live too far from their Election Day assignment. The MTA is contacting selected poll workers.

Take Your Fast Pass Tag for Contact-Less Check In at Your Early Voting Poll Site. If you plan to vote early and have not already done so, you should have received a red, white, and blue mailing from the NYC Board of Elections which includes a plastic card that says Fast Pass Tag, and lists your name and address. Take your Fast Pass Tag with you for contact-less check in at the early voting poll site. You do not need to bring your Fast Pass Tag, but it may speed up the voting process.

FINANCIAL AND LOCAL BUSINESSES UPDATES

The City’s new Open Storefronts program will now allow storefront businesses to operate directly outside their store from Friday, 10/30 through Wednesday, 12/31. Read the FAQ for eligibility and operating guidelines, and apply here.

Open Restaurants that use outdoor heating must follow newly released guidance from the Dept. of Buildings and the FDNY for electric, natural gas and propane heaters.

Center for an Urban Future released a report, “Surviving The Winter: Helping NYC’s Small Businesses In The Months Ahead,” with recommendations from city leaders and experts on how the City can help small businesses through the colder months.

Grub Street covered how a “Court’s Food-Stamp Ruling Is a Loss for Trump, a Win for Human Decency,” after NYS Attorney General Letitia James successfully sued to keep 700,000 unemployed Americans on SNAP.

Businesses that need free legal or financial advice can apply to the NYC Small Business Resource Network, Start Small Think Big’s Rapid Response Program, the Small Business Legal Relief Alliance, the Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project COVID-19 Small Business Legal Clinic or the NYC Dept. of Small Business Services’ Commercial Lease Assistance Program.

Next Thursday (11/5) at 1 pm, the NYC Dept. for the Aging hosts “Chat with the Expert: Financial Roadmap to Wellness” on Zoom. Click the title to register.

High schoolers interested in a job with High Line Teens should email [email protected] to be alerted to the forthcoming application.

Cultural philanthropy organization Creative Capital published a list of artist grants and residencies with November and December deadlines.

Sunday (11/1) from 11 am - 6:30 pm, the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety hosts “Human Resources Administration One Shot Deal” to assist with applications for benefits like rental assistance and SNAP (NYCHA Polo Grounds Towers, Frederick Douglass Blvd./155th St., btwn buildings 2971 and 2937). Click the title for more information and to register.

For a look at the chokehold of the real estate industry on small arts businesses, click here.

Older adults needing help organizing and paying their bills can enroll in the NYC Dept. for the Aging’s Bill Payer Program, which sends a representative to help with budgeting and bill management. Contact DFTA’s Aging Connect or call 212-244-6469.

Restaurateurs participating in Open Restaurants can schedule a free virtual compliance consultation with the Dept. of Small Business Services to help understand reopening guidelines. No non-compliance fines will be issued.

Restaurants can apply by Friday, 11/6 for a $5,000 DoorDash Local Restaurant Grant to help offset outdoor heating costs.

Organizations led by and serving women of color can apply by Monday, 11/9 for a $50,000 grant from the Survivor Safety and Securing Democratic Futures Funds.

Apply by Monday, 11/9 for a $1,500 Community Change Grant from America Walks for projects that create healthy, active and engaged places to live, work and play.

Robin Hood’s COVID-19 Relief Fund is now accepting grant applications for nonprofits that provide frontline support to vulnerable populations.

Open Restaurants Update: On September 25, 2020, NYC announced that the popular Open Restaurants program will be made permanent, and restaurants will be permitted to use heating and enclosures, and expand seating to adjacent properties with neighbors’ consent.

The Dept. of Small Business Services has launched Career Discovery NYC, a free career search and skills training tool.

If you’re a property owner or building manager, please advise your staff and residents to allow (properly identified) Census enumerators into the building to visit those residents who have not completed their census forms.

Restaurant & Bar Reopening Toolkit – Find all the guidelines and resources you need in one place, including checklists, Open Restaurant siting criteria, and posters. Download it here, and find additional guidance and resources for restaurants on SBS’ restaurant reopening guide here.

Find Outdoor Dining Fixtures & Equipment – Please click here for the City's directory of equipment rental fixtures & equipment for safe outdoor dining.

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.

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

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.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

Get a flu shot. Find pharmacies and clinics offering flu shots through the NYC Health Map. You can sort for free shots and for locations covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Below, find information about a free flu shot event sponsored by Assembly Member Seawright on October 28th.

Give your friends a call. Check in with your family. Ask them how everything is going and how they are feeling. Let's show each other some love because mental health is just as important as physical health. New Yorkers can also call the State's mental health hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for free emotional support, consultations & referrals to a provider.

If you order for delivery, order directly from the restaurants, and not through third-party apps that charge restaurants high fees, making it even tougher for them.

The pandemic has caused declines in organ donations. With so many people awaiting lifesaving organ transplants, Governor Cuomo urges New Yorkers to become organ donors and join the NYS Donate Life Registry.

Apply to become a member of the NYC Community Emergency Response Team, which assists first responders with community preparedness and disaster support. Apply here.

Donate Plasma: Recovered COVID-19 patients are needed to donate plasma, which is used to treat critically ill patients across the country. Donate at a NY Blood Center location. Eligible donors can give convalescent plasma up to eight times in a three-month period.

Nominate an individual or organization doing outstanding urban public health work for the Joan H. Tisch Community Health Prize. Nominations will be accepted until December 31.

Wear a mask: The New York Times found that those ignoring the mask rule are nearly twice as likely to be men as women. Watch a New York 5-year-old explain why everyone should wear a mask

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.

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 Center, 415 E. 93 St., needs help supporting their older adult clients through meals and case management services. Interested in volunteering? Contact [email protected]

LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS' TELE-TOWN HALLS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

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:

New York State developed a contact tracing app to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The app uses Bluetooth technology — not location data — to quickly alert users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Once alerted, users can quickly protect themselves and others by self-quarantining, contacting their physician and getting tested.

Governor Cuomo assures us that the app does not violate privacy. The app does not compromise privacy or collect your personal information. Use of the app is completely voluntary and anonymous. The app will never track your location. Privacy is protected because your data is kept anonymous and is not identifiable to any individual. Any data you voluntarily choose to share is anonymous and can be deleted at any time. Learn more about the app's expert-vetted security and privacy here.

As you go about your day, the app uses Bluetooth to sense when another person with the same app comes within 6 feet of you. Your phone exchanges a secure random code with the other phone to record your proximity.

 If the app notes that you've been within 6 feet of someone for more than 10 minutes, the app adds their phone's random code to a list of close contacts. When a fellow app user tests positive for COVID-19, a Case Investigator from the county health department will ask if the person is willing to share the app's list of "close contact" codes to help protect other people. Sharing your list is secure and private. The app never reveals who you are to anyone.

Each day, the list of codes for "confirmed cases" is sent to every phone that has the app. The app compares its own list of close contact codes to the list of confirmed cases. If there's a match, the app displays a COVID Alert. Using these lists of anonymous codes, the alert is kept private. No one ever knows who generated the COVID Alert. Neighboring states including New Jersey and Pennsylvania have launched Exposure Notification Apps that work in concert with New York's.

Alerts can only come from other people who use the app, so we need as many New Yorkers as possible to download the app.

 Download the app on your iPhone here.  Download the app on your Android device here

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Past Updates from CB8