UPDATES ON CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK

The coronavirus has changed life in New York State. There are currently 25,665 cases in the state, of which 14,904 cases have been recorded in New York City (https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/health-and-medicine/coronavirus-blog). According to Governor Cuomo, the peak of the crisis is estimated to be sooner than originally expected. New Yorkers are urged to follow the Department of Health guidelines (https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home) and to take caution around the people most likely to be infected: The elderly and those with preexisting conditions.

Above all, do not panic. While the disease could be life-threatening, 80% of cases self-resolve and don’t require hospitalizations. We are doing more testing than any other state in the country and New York State has made fighting the spread of the coronavirus its top priority. Governor Cuomo has mandated hospitals increase their beds capacity by 50% and is working to find other facilities that can function as remote hospitals.

We are here to help. Our Assembly office is working to provide free hand sanitizer for organizations in need and will continue to be a resource for all district residents. Please call 718-409-0109 or contact District80@nyassembly.gov for more information on what we can help you with.

Workforce on Pause

In order to stop the spread of the disease and limit exposure to the public, Governor Cuomo announced by an executive order that as of March 22^nd, 100% of the state’s non-essential workforce has been ordered to stay home. Please see the New York State website HERE to determine whether or not your job is considered an essential service.
This entails that gyms, movie theaters, barbershops, hair salons, tattoo/piercing parlors, bars, restaurants and casinos are closed temporarily, but restaurants and bars can still provide takeout and delivery services. Read more HERE.

Testing in the Bronx

The New York State Department of Health has made Drive-thru testing for Covid 19 available in Lehman College. To make an appointment, please contact 1-888-364-3065.
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation has made drive-thru testing available at Jacobi Hospital. To schedule an appointment please contact 311.

Schools and Children

Although coronavirus has been least threatening to younger people, they are still capable of transmitting the illness. Most cases of Coronavirus have affected those between 19-40. For this reason New York City Schools have been closed until April 20^th and classes will be done remotely from home. Mayor De Blasio announced the closure on March 15^th as a way of stopping the spread of the virus to kids who could infect older individuals. The mayor has stressed that the closure could be extended if the outbreak continues
Classes will be held online and students will need access to a computer or tablet device. The Department of education is working on properly distributing their equipment to those in need and will provide a device for families in need. Please fill out this survey as soon as possible if you do not have access to a computer (https://coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices).
For those in need of internet access, Spectrum is offering free wifi and high-speed internet during the crisis to households with K-12 and college students. Please contact 1-844-488-8395 or go to spectrum.com.
Although schools are currently shut down, meals will continue to be served at 400 sites across the city. Students can receive up to three meals a day, Monday-Friday from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. Visit the department of education website to find a location (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/food/free-meals)
Elementary- and intermediate-level state assessments have been suspended for the remainder of this school year (http://www.nysed.gov/news/2020/statement-board-regents-chancellor-betty-rosa-and-interim-state-education-commissioner-2)

Seniors

Seniors are the group most affected by Coronavirus and should take the strictest precautions. It is encouraged that seniors limit the amount of time they spend in public and for those who have seniors in their life to be extra cautious about social distancing and washing their hands. This is a tough time for all New Yorker and our seniors should know that there is support out there if they need it.
If you are in need of help getting food, contact meals on wheels at https://www.citymeals.org/get-meals

Senior Grab and Go Service will be available at the following centers:

RAIN Boston Road, 2424 Boston Rd, Bronx, NY 10467, (718) 547-8827
St. Lucy's Church, 833 Mace Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467, (347) 249-2791
Sue Ginsberg Senior Center, 975 Waring Ave, Bronx, NY 10467, (718) 881-1758
Mosholu Montefiore Neighborhood Senior Center, 3450 Dekalb Ave, Bronx, NY 10467, (718) 798-6601

If you know a senior that is in need of help, please let us know by contacting. You can also contact the New York City Department for the Aging directly at 212-244-6469.

Financial Relief

State debt collection on student debt and medical debt will have payments frozen for at least 30 days. Read more HERE.
New 90-day mortgage relief period and foreclosures are suspended or postponed for those facing financial hardship because of COVID-19. Read more HERE.
There is now a 90-day moratorium on commercial and residential evictions.
New state law allows for sick leave and benefits to quarantined/isolated workers. Read more HERE.
It also eliminates the one-week waiting period for UI claims arising out of workplace closures due to COVID-19.
The deadline for filing your taxes has been moved from April 15 to July 15.
NY State of Health is offering a special open enrollment through April 15. Read more HERE.
Alternate Side Parking Restrictions will be suspended through Tuesday, March 24. Read more HERE.

NYS Enforcements

New York state has issued temporary rules in light of the Coronavirus:

Do not Congregate in Parks, all park events are canceled and no new permits can be submitted until further notice. Playgrounds and indoor facilities are also closed for the remainder of the outbreak. See the State Parks Department website for details and updates.
Bus services are free right now and riders are permitted to enter from the back door to practice social distancing and help protect the drivers. Read more HERE.

Price Gouging

Price Gouging in New York State is ILLEGAL. If seen follow these steps:

New Yorkers can now report sudden and unexpected increases in consumer goods such as hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, or other health and sanitation-related products by calling the consumer hotline toll free at 800-697-1220. This line is available seven days a week from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm for consumers.
Or File an online complaint form with the Department of State Consumer Protection Division: https://www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection/form/ComplaintForm1.asp
New Yorker’s can also file a complaint with the NY Attorney General’s Office:

https://ag.ny.gov/price-gouging-complaint-form

Help Needed

30,000 people have responded to the Governor's call for retired nurses and doctors, medical school students and others to join New York's Coronavirus response effort. We still need more citizens to join this reserve staff. If you are a recently retired medical professional, a therapist, a psychologist or a qualified medical or nursing school student or staff member, we want your help. Enlist here: health.ny.gov/assistance
Opportunities to support those affected by this emergency will be shared on this website, including volunteer and donation opportunities.

Legislation Passed by the Assembly

We passed legislation for mandatory paid family sick leave. Our bill (A10153, Nolan) make all private and public sector employees eligible for sick leave and wage replacement during a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19. Read more about it here: https://nyassembly.gov/Press/files/20200318a.php
The State also allocated $40 million in emergency funding to pay for more masks, PPE equipment, and to train more healthcare workers to better tackle the growing pandemic. The Governor is also working with 28 private labs so that MORE tests are available for New Yorkers who have been in contact with a confirmed COVID19 case and are showing symptoms.

Important Numbers and Links

24-Hour NYS Coronavirus Hotline: 1-888-364-3065
Use this hotline if you’re experiencing Coronavirus symptoms to get evaluated & possibly set up an appointment for testing
For NYC Updates: English - Text COVID to 692-692 | Spanish - Text COVIDESP to 692-692
For NYS email updates sign up here:

https://now.ny.gov/page/s/coronavirus-updates
Connect to Free & Confidential Mental Health + Substance Abuse Support at 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355)
NYC's 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-621-4673
Her Justice Legal Help Line: 718.562.8181
Tenants’ Rights Hotline: 212-979-0611
As you practice social distancing, take a few minutes to call the older people in our lives and our neighbors in the aging community. Give them a call to check-in, ask how they're doing at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469).
Vulnerable New Yorkers who have symptoms can call 1-844-NYC-4NYC for more information, you can click on the link below to find the full details of the press release:

https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/166-20/mayor-de-blasio-nyc-health-hospitals-expand-appointment-only-covid-19-testing-capacity
Assistance & Guidance for Businesses Impacted Due to Novel Coronavirus:

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/sbs/businesses/covid19-business-outreach.page