Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates March 22nd

MARCH 22nd RESOURCES AND UPDATES:

To the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community here in NYC and around the country, we stand with you against hate. You have a right to live free of hate & discrimination. Please click here for a toolkit for addressing anti-Asian bias, discrimination, and hate. We must #StopAsianHate.

New Yorkers 50+ will be eligible for the COVID vaccine starting Tuesday (3/23), the Governor announced. They can begin making appointments at 8 am.

Pharmacies are now vaccinating people with underlying conditions, in addition to people who are 60+, P-12 school faculty and staff, and childcare workers.

COVID hospitalizations dropped to 4,470. Of the 152,328 tests reported yesterday, 6,361, or 4.18 percent, were positive. The 7-day average percent positivity is 3.29 percent. There were 885 patients in ICU yesterday, down 5 from the previous day. Of them, 576 are intubated. Sadly, we lost 46 New Yorkers to the virus.

As of 11am this morning, 26.1 percent of New Yorkers have completed at least one vaccine dose. Over the past 24 hours, 103,425 total doses have been administered. To date, New York administered 7,737,230 total doses with 13.4 percent of New Yorkers completing their vaccine series. See data by region and county on the State's Vaccine Tracker: ny.gov/vaccinetracker.

Today New York launched the "Roll Up Your Sleeve" campaign to encourage houses of worship of all faiths to sign up as vaccination sites. Religious leaders of all faiths are trusted voices in their communities and can help New York counter vaccine hesitancy and get the vaccine to harder-to-reach communities in a fair and equitable way. New York State is calling on medical providers to volunteer to partner with houses of worship to conduct vaccination clinics. Medical professionals and houses of worship who are interested in being involved can learn more and sign up at ny.gov/rollupyoursleeve.

EMPLOYMENT LETTER TEMPLATE: New Yorkers eligible for the vaccine based on their employment must demonstrate proof of employment. A template for a letter of employment can now be found here. This site will help create a customized letter based on an individual's employment situation.

Indoor fitness classes can resume at limited capacity on March 22. Indoor fitness classes can begin reopening statewide at 33 percent capacity with health screening and contact information required at sign-in. Classes should be scheduled to allow additional time for cleaning and disinfection between sessions. Local health departments shall inspect before or within 2 weeks of the fitness center opening to ensure compliance.

Indoor dining in New York City expanded to 50 percent capacity beginning March 19. Previously, New York City and New Jersey restaurants are operating at 35 percent capacity. This decision is made concurrently with neighboring New Jersey also expanding indoor dining to 50 percent. Restaurants outsides of New York City expanded to 75 percent capacity today. Other health guidelines remain in place.

Beginning April 5, the 11pm curfew currently in place for casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys, billiards halls, gyms and fitness centers will be lifted. The 11pm curfew for food and beverage establishments and the midnight curfew for catered events will remain in effect. Both curfews will be re-evaluated in late April.

Effective Monday, Mach 22, the final five remaining yellow zone clusters in New York State will be lifted. Those clusters are in the East Bronx, West Bronx, Manhattan, Newburgh, New Windsor and Kew Gardens/Forest Hills in Queens. Any specific restrictions in those locations will be lifted and aligned with statewide guidance.

On Saturday 3/20, Gov. Cuomo announced that the first known case of the more transmissible and severe COVID variant known as P.1, first identified in Brazil, has been found in a Brooklyn resident in their 90s with no known travel history.

The Department of Tax and Finance will be extending the New York State income tax deadline to May 17. This aligns with the federal decision to do the same and provides New Yorkers still coping with the complications of the COVID-19 pandemic ample time to file.

When it comes to filing this year, the pandemic may bring opportunities for deductions to two kinds of people:

  • Those who had high out-of-pocket medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income, and
  • Many teachers, who bought personal protective equipment to do their jobs. The $250 “Educator Expense Deduction,” which has always included classroom materials for K-12 teachers, has been expanded to include PPE items.

On April 1, the New York Mets and New York Yankees can resume playing with spectators in the stadiums. Professional sports in large outdoor stadiums that hold 10,000 people or more will be allowed to reopen at 20 percent capacity. Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing and health screenings. Vaccination efforts at both Yankee Stadium and Citi Field will still continue during the MLB season.

Smaller, regional sports venues can also reopen beginning April 1. These are venues that hold 1,500 people indoors or 2,500 people outdoors and initial capacity will be limited to 10 percent indoors and 20 percent outdoors. Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing and health screenings.

Beginning March 29, statewide travel for sports and recreational activities will be permitted. Currently, travel for sports and recreation is limited to contiguous counties and regions in accordance with New York State Department of Health guidance.

Large outdoor performing arts venues, including stadiums, that hold more than 2,500 people can reopen at 20 percent capacity beginning April 1. Venue capacity for concerts and other performing arts events will continue to increase as the public health situation improves with more New Yorkers receiving vaccinations and fewer COVID-19 cases in the community. Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing and health screenings.

Sixteen community-based pop-up vaccination sites are coming online this week. These sites at churches, public housing developments and community centers are expected to vaccinate more than 4,500 people throughout the week. Since January 15, more than 145 community-based pop-up sites have administered more than 55,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. As has been the case with previous pop-up sites, these sites will be re-established in three weeks to administer second doses.

The CDC has taken steps to extend the federal eviction moratorium, set to expire 3/31. The CDC has not said when an extended moratorium would expire.

“Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Subway Ridership in New York City” is a new report from the NYS Comptroller’s office. The report features an interactive map demonstrating COVID-19’s disparate impact on the subway system across different neighborhoods.

Free kosher-for-Passover Grab and Go meals will be available Friday, 3/26 - Monday, 4/5, at P.S. 75 (735 West End Ave.) and P.S. 48 - P.O. Michael J. Buczek⁠ (4360-78 Broadway):

  • 3/26: 3-5 pm
  • 3/29 - 4/2: noon - 3 pm
  • 4/5: 3-5 pm

This year’s Passover dinners are being done virtually; here is a roundup of the ones we’ve heard of:

Romemu is hosting three seders:
--A community seder on Saturday (3/27)
--A youth and family seder on Sunday (3/28) from 6-7 pm
--A holistic seder on Sunday (3/28) from 7:30-9 pm

Education/Parenting

The opt-in period for in-person learning will reopen for all students from this Wednesday (3/24) through Wednesday, 4/7, the Mayor announced. To opt in, select “Blended Learning” in the Learning Preferences Survey or call 311. Students in 3K, pre-K, and elementary grades (including in District 75) who opt in will return to the classroom in April. Return dates for newly opted-in middle and high schoolers have not yet been announced. The City is reopening the opt-in period following new CDC guidelines that say students can be spaced three feet apart, instead of six, meaning classrooms can now fit more students.

Schools can get free U.S. maps from the Census Bureau. Contact Joli Golden at [email protected] or 862-336-2911 to order.

Tuesday (3/23) at 3:45 pm, the NYC Youth Climate Summit features a virtual panel discussing career paths in sustainability, hosted by the NYC Dept. of Education’s Office of Sustainability. Click the link to register. Thursday (3/25) at 1 pm, the Office continues its “Meet the Experts” series with “Why Food Matters,” featuring Stephen O’Brien of the DOE’s Office of Food and Nutrition. Click the title to register.

Tuesday (3/23) at 5 pm, “Supporting Families with Stress Management During Remote Learning” is the topic of the weekly virtual “Parent Guide to Remote Learning” series from Rep. Adriano Espaillat and the NYC Dept. of Education. Register here.

Thursdays through 4/22 at 10:30 am, public school teachers and students are invited to Ice Theatre of New York’s virtual ice show and skating clinic. Email [email protected] to register ASAP.

Tuesday (3/23) and Thursday (3/25) at 6 pm, parents are invited to a virtual info session about the Gifted & Talented program, for which applications close Friday, 4/9. Join the Zooms here, or click here for information about Russian, Koren, French, Bangala, Mandarin, and Spanish translation.

Thursday (3/25) at 6 pm, kids are invited to a virtual interactive challenge, Jessie and Bo Peep’s Carnival Quest: The Big Toy Rescue,” hosted by Bloomingdale School of Music. Click the title to register.

High school sports will resume practices in April and competition in May, with the season extending through the summer. Athletes will be required to wear masks, no spectators will be allowed, and participants will undergo weekly COVID testing. Students who opted for fully remote learning will be allowed to participate in athletics. I joined last month’s Rally to Restart High School Sports for many reasons, including that students would lose out on college athletic scholarships; NYC suburbs have already restarted school sports.

The pre-K application opened on February 24, 2021; the deadline to apply is April 7. During the application period, you can apply online or by phone. Here's what you can do now:

  • Sign up for the pre-K admissions email list (Open external link). The Department of Education will send you updates, tips, and reminders throughout the process.
  • Learn how to apply and how pre-K offers are made on this page. Missed the virtual Elementary Admissions Events? A recording from one of DOE's January sessions will be available soon, with captions in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Korean, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Russian and Urdu.
  • Throughout the admissions process, you'll use MySchools.nyc (Open external link)  to learn about pre-K programs, apply, get your offer, and learn about waitlists. Before the application opens you can:

Applications close Tuesday. 3/30, for the YouthBridge-NY fellowship, open to current high school sophomores. Fellows meet with NYC leaders, develop professional skills, and take action on issues they’re passionate about. Apply here.

Entertainment/Distractions

Save the date for my Women’s History Month event with historian Pam Elam and a Q&A with sculptor Meredith Bergmann at the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument on Central Park’s Literary Walk at 68th St. Join us Monday, 3/29 at 1 pm (rain date Wednesday, 3/31 at 1 pm).

Shakespeare in the Park is returning after taking last summer off, the Public Theater announced. Beginning in July and running for eight weeks, “Merry Wives,” a 12-actor, intermission-free version of “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” will be set in Harlem and imagine Falstaff as an African-American seeking to woo two married women who are immigrants from West Africa. Current state regulations would allow 500 audience members in the outdoor theater if everyone presents proof of a negative COVID test.

Wednesday (3/24) at 4 pm, Battery Dance hosts a virtual kids introductory improvisational dance class. Register here.

Wednesday (3/24) at 7 pm, learn or brush up on your local tree species identification skills during “Reacquainting Yourself with the Native & Urban Trees of Roosevelt Island with Master Naturalist Carey Russell,” presented by iDig2Learn. Click the title to register for the Zoom.

Thursday (3/25) at 6 pm is a virtual commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. Register here.

Thursday (3/25) at 7 pm, Clio (formerly WH SeniorLink) hosts a virtual comedy benefit show to celebrate the organization’s one-year anniversary connecting older New Yorkers to the friendly support and essential resources they need to stay independent. Register here.

Beginning next Thursday (3/25), the Intrepid Museum reopens. Admission is by timed ticket, Thursday to Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm, and capacity will be limited to 25%. Admission is free for EBT cardholders and up to three guests with the presentation of photo ID.

Lincoln Center is now posting free streams of past productions, starting with 2012’s “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” available through Sunday, 4/11.

FINANCIAL AND LOCAL BUSINESSES UPDATES

Economic Impact Payments. The Internal Revenue Service, on behalf of the Treasury Department, worked to quickly begin delivery of the third round of Economic Impact Payments authorized by Congress in the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021. Here are answers to some common questions about this set of stimulus payments, which differ in some ways from the first two sets of stimulus payments in 2020, referred to as EIP1 and EIP2. Where can I get more information? For more information about Economic Impact Payments, visit IRS.gov/eip. Check the payment status at IRS.gov/getmypayment. For other COVID-19-related tax relief, visit IRS.gov/coronavirus.

“The Future of Open Streets” visualizes six ways to redesign Open Streets, the program that closes streets to traffic to allow more space for pedestrians, cyclists, and restaurant goers, born of New Yorkers’ desire to safely spend time outdoors during the pandemic. Now that the City has made Open Streets permanent, the program must be improved to offer communities streets that cater to what they need today. The report uses cases studies of current Open Streets on University Place, Avenue B, Restaurant Row, Broadway, Pearl Street, and Pleasant Avenue.

The Department of Financial Services issued new guidance for the fair and prompt payment of insurance claims. Claim denials and payment delays for administrative reasons are the last things New Yorkers need in the middle of a public health crisis. The new guidance alerts insurers of new protections for patients. Read more.

“Saving Manhattan Small Business: A Roadmap for Recovery” outlines how local government can play a key role in supporting and strengthening our small business sector, especially storefronts, inspired by my 2019 Small Business Task Force. As the pandemic continues to exacerbate chronic struggles small businesses face, the task force’s recommendations are especially relevant.

Open Culture program - Artists can apply for outdoor performance permits on these streets through Sunday, 10/31 and can charge admission.

Cultural Development Fund - Grants for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, from the NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs. Applications close Monday, 4/12.

The application launch for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant has been delayed a week to Thursday, 4/8. Companies and nonprofits that operate live-performance venues, talent/management agencies, and others can apply for up to $10 million in relief from the Save our Stages Act in the December stimulus bill via the U.S. Small Business Administration. ​The SBA will host a webinar next Tuesday (3/30) at 2:30 pm about how to apply, necessary application documents, and what the application process will look like. Register here.

Tech kits for performing artists are now available through New York Public Library grab-and-go locations. Click here to learn about the kits (which include audio- and video-recording equipment) and how to borrow one.

Substance abuse recovery program The Pillars is hiring certified recovery peer advocates (full and part time) and community responders to public opioid overdoses (must be a Harlem resident). Learn more here.

Applications close Saturday, 5/1 for Women’s Film Preservation Fund grants up to $10,000 from New York Women in Film & Television. Apply here.

The NYC Parks Dept. is hiring camp counselors, wildlife monitors, playground associates, security guards, and more this summer. See openings here.

East Side and Roosevelt Island low-income tenants can get free housing legal advice from the Tenant Advice Helpline through Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. Leave a message at 212-218-0330, and the legal team will return your call within a week.

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

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.

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.

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 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.)

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.

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.

Open Restaurants that use outdoor heating must follow newly released guidance from the Dept. of Buildings and the FDNY for electricnatural 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.

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 Teamwhich 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

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, 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