Friday, April 3, 2020

Newsletter from Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez




UPDATES ON CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK

As New York State continues to battle the coronavirus, we’re here to keep you updated on essential news and services. There are currently 102,863 confirmed cases. The Bronx has reported 9,343 as of this Friday, April 3rd. Now more than ever, New Yorkers are urged to follow the Department of Health guidelines and to take caution around the people most likely to be infected: The elderly and those with preexisting conditions. Please practice social distancing, wear masks and gloves, and wash your hands frequently whenever possible.
We continue to urge New Yorkers not to panic. While the disease could be life-threatening, 80% of cases self-resolve and don’t require hospitalizations. New York continues to ramp up its testing capabilities and is working as hard as possible to secure proper equipment for our medical professionals. The residents of the Bronx now have three open drive-thru testing centers, with the newest center in coop city. The Governor has continued to look for new hospital space and has welcomed the USNS Comfort to New York City to provide additional relief
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.
TO VIEW OUR PREVIOUS NEWSLETTER, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Nathalia-Fernandez/story/91655
For now, please continue reading for updates on the State, City, and Federal response to this health crisis.
In Memorium
Together, we pray for and remember all those who have passed from COVID19. From healthcare professionals and essential workers who are in the front lines, to the everyday victims. You are in our thoughts, our prayers, and we are doing everything we can to ensure that fewer people get infected with this disease.

 Schools on Pause
Governor Cuomo announced that schools statewide will remain closed for an additional 2 week until April 15th. Families with students in neighboring cities should consult their departments of education for details on school closures.  New York City schools continues to be closed until April 20th.
School 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
Elementary and intermediate-level state assessments have been suspended for the remainder of this school year. Read more HERE.
Workforce still on Pause
Governor Cuomo has extended a state wide stay at home order until April 15th. All workers considered to be non-essential personnel are required to work from home. Please see HERE to see if your job is considered essential.
Testing in the Bronx
Testing is now available for residents of the coop city area. The drive-thru testing center is located in the Bay Plaza Mall, in the parking lot of the AMC movie theatre and is open from 8:00 am-9:00 pm. Please call 1-888-364-3065.
Drive-thru testing is available at the Lehman College Parking. To make an appointment, please contact 1-888-364-3065.
Drive-thru testing available at Jacobi Hospital. To schedule an appointment please contact 311.
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:
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.
Bronx House will continue to be closed for the foreseeable future due to this health concern.
Department of the Ageing (DFTA)
DFTA's congregate meals clients will receive direct delivery, which includes a five-meal package delivered to each older adult every week. DFTA has contracted with several vendors to deliver to these senior center participants directly. Because of this, Grab-and-Go meals will no longer be offered starting tomorrow. 
The most direct path to access direct delivery meals is by connecting directly with their local senior center. They can also call 311 or DFTA's Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469). 
Senior centers that have existing frozen or shelf-stable food in stock will continue to deliver directly to the homes of their members. Senior centers will cease this service upon depletion of current stock and participate in the centralized meal delivery service. 
Homebound older adults already receiving home-delivered meals through DFTA’s case management agencies will continue as usual. Those interested in signing up can call DFTA's Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) or calling 311 to see if they are eligible for home-delivered services.
For information about additional programs and resources, please visit NYC Emergency Management.
 Streets for Public Use
The Safe Streets pilot at the existing locations is being extended until Sunday, April 5th in order to allow for more evaluation. We will continue to monitor their use to keep New Yorkers safe and enforce social distancing.
  • Manhattan: Park Ave, between 28th and 34th
  • Brooklyn: Bushwick Ave, Johnson to Flushing
  • Bronx: Grand Concourse, between E. Burnside and 184th
More Testing Kits
The Governor today announced that New York-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is creating 500,000 test kits for the State at no charge amid a nationwide shortage of test kits and swabs.
Playground Closure
Governor Cuomo also announced that New York City playgrounds will close to address the lack of adherence to social distancing protocols.
Hotels for healthcare workers
GHNY is working with NYC & Company to help provide employees of member hospitals and nursing homes with places to stay during the COVID response. Accommodations are available for individuals or groups. Information is available here.           
Small Business Relief
The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation has established and emergency loan fund. Small Businesses in the Bronx are now eligible for up to $100,000 in loans to stay afloat during the Coronavirus outbreak. To apply, please contact mcintron@boedc.org at the BOECD.
Care Act
  • Financial Assistance is now available for those covered by unemployment benefits and those who are who do not qualify for unemployment through the Federal Cares Act. The new law provides enhanced unemployment benefits and pandemic unemployment benefits for those without traditional employment.
  • Pandemic Unemployment benefits to workers who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits during the COVID 19 pandemic. This include people who are self-employed, contractors and those with limited work histories. For information about qualifications, please see HERE
  • If you are covered by unemployment insurance and have exhausted your 26 weeks of benefits, you are eligible for an additional 13 weeks of coverage as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. Benefits will include and additional $600 a month until 7/31/2020. For more information please see HERE.
  • To apply for either unemployment or Pandemic Unemployment benefits please visit the Department of Labor website.
Read more about the federal response HERE.
https://applications.labor.ny.gov/IndividualReg/

COVID-19 Sick Leave Application 
Follow the link below for the COVID19 Sick Leave Application:
https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/if-you-are-quarantined-yourself 
DOL Complaint process related to COVID19
Follow the link below to file for labor complaints regarding COVID19.
https://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/coronavirus-complaints.shtm 

Seasonal Jobs at NYCHA
NYCHA is currently hiring temporary workers to assist with maintenance at our properties throughout the city. The job will last as needed throughout the spring season at a rate of $15/hour. For more info and to apply, your constituents who are NYCHA residents can contact their local NYCHA Property Management Office. Click here for more details.
Volunteer Response
The Governor announced that an additional 21,000 healthcare workers, including retirees and students, have signed up to volunteer to help against the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing the total number of volunteers to more than 85,400. Further, more than 10,000 mental health professionals, including individuals from other states, have signed up to provide free online mental health services. New Yorkers can call the state's hotline at 1-844-863-9314 to schedule a free appointment.
New York needs help. 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. If you have family or friends out of state that are medical professionals, we want your help. Enlist here: health.ny.gov/assistance
New York Psychotherapy & Counseling Center
NY Psychotherapy and Counseling Center have been approved to conduct Intake Screenings and various mental health related services for all eligible Medicaid recipients.  In addition to therapy sessions, they can also conduct Psychiatric Evaluations/Medication Appointments via telehealth sessions (both video and/or audio). They have 3 locations open 7 days a week for anyone who needs to physically come to our site and also can conduct all referrals and appointments in Spanish. Individuals and families are able to call the clinic today and setup an appointment. Below are some key points of their program:
  • Open seven days a week!
  • No wait list
  • They intake children 3 years old and up
  • Family therapy is a MUST, because we cannot help children unless we help the entire unit
  • Services are provided in several languages.
  • They provide free workshops for parents and staff
Their Bronx office, at 579 Cortlandt Ave, Bronx, NY 10451, can be reached at (718) 485-2100
Donations
Governor Cuomo also announced the state has received significant donations from a number of major corporations, philanthropic organizations and celebrities to help increase the state's supply capacity amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
HRA
The Human Resources Administration, SNAP, and Medicaid are beginning to accept Cash Assistance (CA) applications online as of Friday, March 20. The interview portion of the CA application process is being conducted by telephone.
They are advising New Yorkers to apply for public benefits online at ACCESS HRA in order to prevent unnecessary visits to an HRA center. For clients who cannot or do not want to apply online, a list of Job, SNAP, and Medicaid center locations that will remain open can be found here: Job, SNAP, Medicaid.

Parking Placard for Health workers
Mayor de Blasio will issue 10,000 parking placards to emergency health care workers during the coronavirus crisis
Learn more about it HERE.
Price Gouging
Price Gouging in New York State is ILLEGAL.
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 you can file an online complaint form with the Department of State Consumer Protection Division.
New Yorker’s can also file a complaint with the NY Attorney General’s Office.
Warning about relief Grants
As people start to worry about their personal finances, people and groups will try take advantage of this hardship. We have been informed of fake relief grant scams circulating around and we encourage residents to be extra careful when talking with people offering financial assistance. Please see the better business Bureau’s website to protect yourself against scammers. Read more HERE.

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 17. Read more HERE.
Regional Enrichment Centers
The Department of Education has established Regional Enrichment Centers for the students of our essential workers. These students can be cared for while their parents continue to serve the city in this time of need.
Read more about it HERE.
One Fair Wage
One Fair Wage has launched the One Fair Wage Emergency Fund to provide cash assistance to low-wage service workers.
Community 3D Printing Initiative
A medical professional friend is partnering with several hospitals in NYC and Westchester county on a Community 3D Printing Initiative to produce 3D printed face shields. If anyone has a 3D printer, please consider printing the necessary components to the face shields. A drop-off location will be determined.
If you are willing to print the components, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Stephen Erosa via email at stephen.erosa@gmail.com.

Important Numbers and Links

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