Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates March 1st

MARCH 1st RESOURCES AND UPDATES:

JOHNSON & JOHNSON: This past weekend, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency authorization for the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen single dose coronavirus vaccine in the United State for adults 18 and older. In clinical trials, this vaccine prevented death and hospitalizations. More information can be found at the FDA’s website. Today, the New York State Clinical Advisory Task Force unanimously recommended the use of the Janssen Pharmaceuticals/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine has less restrictive storage requirements that will make it easier for the state to reach more New Yorkers, faster. New York expects to receive approximately 164,800 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week. And according to Council Member Mark Levine, NYC is due to receive its first shipment of J&J doses, 95,000 of them, tomorrow (3/2).

COVID hospitalizations rose slightly to 5,307. Of the 174,158 tests reported yesterday, 6,235, or 3.58 percent, were positive. There were 1,065 patients in ICU yesterday, down 18 from the previous day. Of them, 741 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 80 New Yorkers to the virus.

As of 11am today, 92 percent of first doses allocated to the state have been administered. This represents 2,954,858 first doses administered of the 3,206,430 first dose allocations received from the federal government. So far, 4,583,616 total doses have been administered out of the 5,229,950 total doses received. See data by region and county on the State's Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.

Starting today, hotel workers are now eligible for the COVID vaccine. Given the overall increase to the State's supply and the essential health care service that these hotel workers provide, we are granting localities the flexibility to add hotel workers to the 1B vaccine prioritization group. Hotel workers can schedule an appointment through the State's Am I Eligible Tool or call the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).

Also today, workers at regional food banks, food pantries, permitted home-delivered meal programs, permitted soup kitchens, and congregate meal programs are now eligible for the vaccine. See the full eligibility list and how to make an appointment.

Vaccine manufacturers are ramping up production and promise that shipments should reach nearly 20 million doses per week in March (up from the 10-to-15 million shipped each week so far).

Thursday’s (2/25) NY Times reports that two new studies -- not yet peer-reviewed-- show that yet another “new form of the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in New York City, and it carries a worrisome mutation that may weaken the effectiveness of vaccines…”

Remember, mental health resources are available for New Yorkers who need them. As we continue through the winter we can't underestimate the mental and emotional strain of the pandemic. New Yorkers can visit https://headspace.com/ny for free mindfulness resources or call our support hotline at 1-844-863-9314.

Beginning March 1, the MTA will launch a pilot program to enhance bus services to help get New Yorkers to mass vaccination sites in Brooklyn and Queens. The bus service route will go from Edgemere Houses in Queens and Pink Houses in Brooklyn to the vaccination sites from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and add new bus stops adjacent to the vaccination site at York College.

New York State is encouraging eligible New Yorkers to train to become vaccinators. If you are a licensed practical nurse, a dentist, an EMT, a medical nursing student with at least a year of clinical experience, and more—then you may be eligible to take training to become a vaccinator and help New York administer COVID vaccines over the coming months. See how you can get involved.

The State will expand our vaccination network to include sites designated to serve the 65-plus population. New York State will partner with local health departments, offer transportation and assistant services, to help increase access and make it easier for New Yorkers who are 65+ to get the vaccine—which is enabled by additional supply from the federal government. Details on sites, including locations, opening dates and hours of operations will be forthcoming from the site host or sponsor. As a reminder, eligible New Yorkers can schedule appointments at State mass vaccination sites by utilizing New York's "Am I Eligible" website or by calling the State's COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).

Starting Saturday, eligible New Yorkers in Brooklyn and Queens can schedule appointments at the mass vaccination sites. At 8am, appointments will open to eligible New Yorkers at the Medgar Evers College site in Brooklyn and the York College site in Queens. Check your eligibility and book an appointment here.

Hotel workers can be added to Phase 1B vaccine eligibility at the discretion of local governments. Hotels in many parts of the state serve as quarantine areas for COVID-positive persons to isolate themselves from their families. In turn, the staff at these facilities are being exposed to COVID regularly. Given the overall increase to the State's supply and the essential health care service that these hotel workers provide, we are granting localities the flexibility to add hotel workers to the 1B vaccine prioritization group.

Indoor dining in New York City expanded to 35 percent capacity last Friday. The new reopening guidance went into effect Friday, February 26, which is in alignment with New Jersey's 35 percent limit.

Read the March Lenox Hill Hospital / Northwell Health update here.

New York launched the New York Forward Rapid Test Program to help accelerate a safe economic recovery. This unique public-private partnership will make low-cost rapid testing available to the public to support enhanced economic activity as the State continues to reopen sectors of the economy. Eleven initial sites will open today in New York City with the capacity to conduct more than 5,000 tests per day, while additional sites are scheduled to open in New York City and other parts of the state in the coming weeks. Learn more.

Apply by March 11, 2021 for one 11 units of rent regulated affordable apartments at 345 East 94th Street. Submit your application here.

Education/Parenting

Thursday (3/4) at 5 pm, parents and caregivers of students with disabilities can get remote learning support during the weekly virtual “Parent Guide to Remote Learning” series from Rep. Adriano Espaillat and the NYC Dept. of Education. Register here.

Virtual K-8 tutoring is available for free through Educove, founded by Stuyvesant High School students. Book a tutor here or apply to become a tutor here. EduMate NYC also offers free, virtual tutoring for K-12 students, delivered by college and graduate students. Book a tutor here or apply to become a tutor here.

Applications close Friday, 3/15 at 5 pm for virtual summer high school internships with the Manhattan district attorney’s office. Apply here.

The CDC has provided guidelines for safely reopening schools. For more information, read this Washington Post article and the CDC guidelines.

College and graduate students can now apply for a paid summer internship with NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. Apply by Friday, 3/5.

Entertainment/Distractions

American space exploration efforts are reaching new bounds with the landing of NASA's Perseverance rover on Mars. The rover landed on the red planet on February 18 and during its first week, recorded the sounds of Martian wind. Perseverance's exploration of our neighboring planet is part of NASA's Mars 2020 mission to expand our understanding of our solar system and space.

Tuesday (3/2) at 6 pm, Hunter@Home discusses “Opening the Doors of Opportunity: Bridging the Gap Between the Deaf and the Hearing” with actors Nyle DiMarco and Lauren Ridloff. Register here for the virtual talk.

Thursday (3/4) at 7:30 pm, artist Siyan Wong discusses “What is Social Justice Art?” in partnership with Womankind. Click the title to register for the virtual event.

Seniors and retirees, register now for a spot in the free, online environmental training course “Mission to Clean the Environment,” led by NYC Community Green Makers. Wednesdays at 1 pm through 4/7, learn about the science of global warming, marine biology, how to create a culture of zero waste in your building, and dealing with your food scraps. To join, email [email protected] with your name, phone number, and address.

Central Park ice skating rinks will remain open through late March, after the Mayor reversed his decision to close them at the end of February.

Organizations serving high-needs populations can apply for up to 40 free tickets to the New York Aquarium or Bronx Zoo through the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Community Access Program.

FINANCIAL AND LOCAL BUSINESSES UPDATES

Businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees: Apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan ASAP. These small organizations have an exclusive application window until Wednesday, 3/10, an attempt by the U.S. Small Business Administration to ensure large corporations don’t monopolize PPP funds. Small businesses that received an earlier round of PPP funding are still eligible to apply. Find a Community Development Financial Institution to apply through here, compiled by the NYC Dept. of Small Business Services.

“Open Culture” street permit applications open Monday (3/1) at noon for outdoor events. See guidelines and eligible locations-- including 10 uptown streets added thanks to my staff and arts groups’ advocacy after the initial list featured no streets above 116th St. (It’s great that artists will have space to work, but they should also be paid for their performances.)

In other arts news, NY PopsUp has begun with pop-up performances throughout the State, part of the Governor’s effort to safely reopen the arts. Find out about upcoming performances on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Applications close Friday, 4/23 for the National Academy of Design’s Abbey Mural Prize. Click the link for eligibility and application guidelines.

Musicians can register to participate in the Associated Chamber Music Players’ virtual “Worldwide Play-in” from 3/20-21. Register here.

STRIVE is offering a free, job training-- a virtual 12-week IT support specialist program, beginning Friday (3/5). Participants must be 18-24 and have a high school diploma/GED. To register, join the Zoom info session on Wednesday (3/2) at 2 pm, or contact [email protected] or 212-360-1100.

Homeless individuals and those at risk of homelessness can connect with a social worker who can answer questions, locate resources, and provide service referrals through CHIRP (Community Human Services Information and Referral Program) from the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter. Call 888-645-8570 Tuesday, 5-7 pm; Wednesday, 3-5 pm; or leave a message.

Thursday (3/4) at 2 pm, “The Role of Economic Mobility in Advancing Racial Justice” is the next topic of STRIVE’s “Equity for All Conversation Series.” Click the title to register.

Thursday (3/4) at noon, “Borders and Migration” is the next topic of the New School’s “The United States Post-Election Webinar Series.” Click the title to register. Later on Thursday at 7:30 pm, the New School’s virtual panel “Mobilizing Against Eviction Wave” discusses tenant protection efforts. Click the title to register.

Tuesday, March 2 at 4:00 pm by telephone- No-Cost Housing Legal Clinic. RSVP here.

Wednesday, March 3 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Facebook live and Zoom- Freeze Your Rent Clinic with the New York City Department of Finance. RSVP here.

SBS also offers small business owners and employees free training on technology tools and COVID-19 safety through “NYC Means Business: Training Your Employees” to help bridge the digital divide. Zoom and Google Workspace trainings are also available in Spanish and Mandarin. Apply for the program here.

OutSmartNYC is a collective of industry staff, patrons, clinic providers, educators, and activists organizing to prevent and end sexual violence in bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Their mission is to create a safer space where everyone can have the best possible night out. They are calling on nightlife industry professionals to help them reimagine nightlife post-COVID.  More information about this event is available here.

Free financial counseling is available through the NY Legal Assistance Group. Make an appointment by calling 311 and asking for NYLAG or by visiting this website.

Applications close Friday, 3/12 for grants up to $15,000 for Asian American women-led organizations and women artists focused on social change, sponsored by the Asian Women Giving Circle. Apply here.

Applications close Saturday, 5/1 for four $10,000 grants for businesses owned by Black women and femmes, sponsored by Merchant Maverick. Apply here.

Free legal services are available in all languages for low-income people through the City Bar Justice Center’s Legal Hotline, via their online application or 212-626-7383 (open Mon-Thu, 9 am - 5 pm, Fri 9 am - 1 pm). Those seeking a referral for a lawyer can contact the New York City Bar’s Legal Referral Service, which has waived its initial consultation fee for all legal issues until further notice. Request a referral online or by calling 212-626-7373 (212-626-7374 in Spanish) Mon-Fri, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm.

File your taxes for free if you earned $68,000 or less in 2020, thanks to NYC Free Tax Prep. If you didn’t receive some or any of the two pandemic stimulus checks, NYC Free Tax Prep can assist with claiming the equivalent amounts as a “Recovery Rebate Credit.” (Volunteer tax preparers are needed for these sites, too.)

As a result of the relief act passed in December, filers can also take advantage of a one-time look-back provision, allowing them to choose to use their 2019 or 2020 income for the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, a change that benefits those who lost their job in the last year.

In other personal finance news, the Biden administration has extended the pause on most federal student loans -- due to expire Sunday (1/31)-- through 9/30, which means payments are suspended, collections on defaulted loans are stopped, and the interest rate is 0% through September. The Federal Student Aid Office’s website has a detailed FAQ about eligibility.

NYC created "What to Expect When You’re Inspected: NYC Indoor and Outdoor Dining Checklist for Participating Establishments." Check it out here. 

Applications open Thursday, 4/1 for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants aka Save our Stages. Arts venues and representatives can see eligibility criteria here and should note they must have been in operation as of 2/29/2020 and must not have received a Paycheck Protection Program loan on or after 12/27/2020. For additional info, contact [email protected].

The Mayor extended the City’s Open Storefronts program through 9/30/21, allowing storefront retail businesses to continue operating directly outside their store. Plan now for warmer weather; read the FAQ for eligibility and operating guidelines, and apply here.

You could work as a snow laborer removing snow and ice for the city Dept. of Sanitation. If you apply now, you’ll be ready to work after the next storm. Pay is up to $22.50 an hour; you must be over age 18 and eligible to work in the U.S. (The Census Bureau is also hiring-- looking for employees to take additional surveys. View a field representative job description and application link here.)

Applications for HEAP can be accessed by calling 212-331-3126 or visiting the ACCESS HRA website for instructions here. HEAP applications are available for download here.

Learn new job skills and earn certificates to advance your career through 4,000 free online courses offered by the state Dept. of Labor and Coursera, such as “How to Manage a Remote Team” and “Entrepreneurship.” View the course catalog.

The DSNY has issued the below information about restaurant outdoor dining and snow. For more information, click here.

NYC Department of Social Services/Human Resources Administration (DSS/HRA): For updated information on COVID-19 and changes to social services benefits, including SNAP food assistance, cash assistance, and burial assistance, please refer to DSS/HRA’s Important information about COVID-19 and your HRA benefits.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. Open Restaurants are subject to new regulations pertaining to roadway barriers, snow and dining enclosures, per the Dept. of Transportation.

Free financial counseling is available by phone through the NYC Dept. of Consumer and Worker Protection. Book an appointment online or by calling 311.

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

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

Invisible Hands is a nonprofit that helps neighbors challenged by COVID-19 by performing essential delivery of food, medicine and other necessities throughout NYC, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and Philadelphia. Volunteers can either perform deliveries in their neighborhood or work remotely in the call center or delivery center. Volunteers needed in all areas of NYC to perform deliveries in their local neighborhood or by car. Remote volunteers take orders from clients, field inquiries and also troubleshoot existing orders. You should be comfortable using Slack, internet telephone, and Zoom. Visit https://invisiblehandsdeliver.org/ for more information.

New York State is encouraging eligible New Yorkers to train to become vaccinators. If you are a licensed practical nurse, a dentist, an EMT, a medical nursing student with at least a year of clinical experience, and more—then you may be eligible to take training to become a vaccinator and help New York administer COVID vaccines over the coming months. See how you can get involved.

Here’s how you can help communities affected by the severe winter weather in Texas.

Students at P.S. 146 in East Harlem are in need of iPad chargers. If you’re able to donate, contact [email protected].

Animal Care Centers of NYC is seeking donations of large crates, no-pull harnesses, toys, and pet food.

Helpers for COVID-19 is an organization that delivers essential goods to the immunocompromised. To volunteer, click here. To request deliveries, click here or call (862)-621-9614‬. Assistance is available in English, Hindi, Russian, Mandarin, Spanish, and Hebrew.

The NYC Civic Corps is seeking nonprofit organizations to host 2021-2022 AmeriCorps members, who help develop host organizations’ volunteer programs. Learn more and apply here.

The Dept. of Sanitation is seeking locations with indoor storage space that can host eCycleNYC bins for electronics recycling. Interested building owners and managers can fill out this form, and DSNY will be in touch.

Order directly from restaurants, not from delivery apps. See why the New York Times.

Businesses and organizations can donate extra food and supplies to local organizations that can then redistribute them. Details about eligible donors and recipients can be found online: For food donations visit nyc.gov/donatefood; for non-food donations, visit nyc.gov/donate.

Borrow free equipment for community clean-ups from the Dept. of Sanitation by calling 311, emailing [email protected] or submitting this form.

If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to someone who is positive, get tested. Find a testing site near you. You can also call 1-888-364-3065 to schedule a free appointment at a New York State-run testing location.

If you get a call from NYS Contact Tracing, pick up. Contact tracers are working around the clock to trace clusters and inform people who have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID. How can you help? Simply by picking up the phone. If your caller ID says "NYS Contact Tracing," pick up and help New York stop the spread. (Tracers will never ask for your Social Security Number or financial information; if someone does, they are not an official tracer and you should hang up.)

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.

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.

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? Shifts: Meal Plating from 7:00am-9:00am; Meal Delivery from 9:45am-1:00pm; Cold Packing from 10:00am-1:00pm. Contact communitysupport@isaacscenter.org

LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS' TELE-TOWN HALLS 

Senator Krueger's Virtual Town Hall. Telehealth Basics: What It Is, and How to Access the Service

On Friday, March 5th from 2 pm – 3:30 pm, Dr. Sarah Czaja, Director for the Center on Aging and Behavioral Research at Weill Cornell, will join Senator Krueger to provide an overview of what telehealth is, when to use it, and how to get the most out of your virtual telehealth care visit. This portion of the event will feature a question and answer session with Dr. Czaja.

After Dr. Czaja’s presentation, hospital representatives will host breakout rooms for a workshop on how to make a virtual visit with your specific health network doctor. During this portion of the program, hospital representatives will share information about your network’s portal, how to make an appointment online, and answer your technology-related questions about telehealth.

Participating Hospitals Include:
- Lenox Hill Hospital (Northwell Health)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering
- NYU Langone
- Mount Sinai
- NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine
- Hospital for Special Surgery

When you RSVP, please indicate your preference for the health network breakout room you want. We will automatically place you in the breakout room when the main presentation is over. If you do *not* choose a specific breakout room, one will be assigned to you.

If you have questions about what telehealth is, how to make the most of your telehealth visit, or how to get online to use the telehealth service, please RSVP for the town hall on March 5th by going to: https://tinyurl.com/telehealthtownhall. Attendees will be able to submit questions through Zoom during the event but are strongly encouraged to submit them in advance when registering. For this telehealth event, you will only be able join the event online through Zoom, a webinar hosting service. The event will not be livestreamed on Facebook.

*If you would like to attend the event but are uncertain about how to use Zoom, DOROT's Tech Coaches can help! To be matched with a coach who can help you remotely at no cost to you, call 917-441-3706 or email [email protected]*

The event is cosponsored by DOROT, Search and Care, Stanley Isaacs Senior Center, and Lenox Hill Neighborhood House.

Senator Krueger's Virtual Town Hall
Conspiracy Theories: How They Take Hold & How We Can Stop Them

"The human preference for plausible meaning over stubborn facts makes us especially susceptible to conspiracy theories in a world constantly flooded with information"
--Richard A. Friedman MD

On Thursday, March 11th from 7 pm – 8:15 pm, Richard A. Friedman, MD, Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell College of Medicine and New York Times Op-Ed Columnist will join Senator Krueger to discuss conspiracy theories, why we create these dangerous falsehoods, and what we can do to combat and eradicate them.

You will have the option of joining the event online through Zoom, a webinar hosting service.

You will also have the option to view the event online through Facebook. Please note that you do not need a Facebook account or profile to view the event through Facebook.

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 Zoom and Facebook links, and the call-in information.**

The event will feature a question and answer session with Dr. Friedman. If you have questions about why and how conspiracy theories are created, why they are dangerous, and what tools are needed to fight them, please RSVP for the town hall on March 11th. Attendees will be able to submit questions through Zoom and Facebook during the event but are strongly encouraged to submit them in advance.

Please let us know you plan to attend the Virtual Town Hall on March 11th by registering at https://tinyurl.com/conspiracytownhall.

2021 Virtual Roundtable for Boomers and Seniors from Senator Liz Krueger. “Being Mortal: Thinking About End of Life Decision Making”

This year's Roundtable series will bring together experts to offer concrete tools to assist with end of life planning, and provide a forum to ignite our imagination about what we value and how we want to live as we age.

To RSVP for any or all of the sessions in this year's series, please go to https://tinyurl.com/2021SeniorRoundtableSeries.

Thursday, March 18th - Research on the Use of Psychedelics to Address End-of–Life Existential Distress 10 am - 11:30 am

- Anthony Bossis, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Health
- Mary Cosimano, MSW, Director of Guide/Facilitator Services, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Johns Hopkins

Thursday, April 22nd - Living Well: What Do We Value Most? 10:00 am – 11:30 am

- Rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi, Central Synagogue
- Jeannie Blaustein, PhD, D. Ministry, Founding Board Chair, Reimaging End of Life, Adjunct Faculty, Pace University, Psychology

Thursday, May 20th - Reimagining Later Life Care Models 10 am – 11:30 am

- TBA

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:

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

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Past Updates from CB8