CITY OPENS MORE BEDS, EXPANDS OUTREACH TO UNSHELTERED NEW YORKERS ON THE SUBWAYS AND STREETS

City calls on MTA to close select end-of-the-line stations during overnight hours for more enhanced cleaning and targeted subway outreach

  As the City continues to fight COVID-19, Mayor de Blasio announced today that 200 new Safe Haven beds will begin to open this week prioritizing vulnerable New Yorkers living on the streets and subways in high-need areas. The City is also focusing on offering help at up to10 end-of-the-line subway stations citywide, with the goal of bringing more unsheltered New Yorkers off the subways amid the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, the City will call on the MTA to temporarily close these stations during the overnight hours from 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM to allow for more targeted outreach and enhanced sanitization. 

“Our COVID-19 response must prioritize the most vulnerable New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are doing everything we can to strengthen our subway and street outreach to ensure that every New Yorker who needs a place to sleep will get one.”

More End-of-the-Line Assistance

To help as many unsheltered New Yorkers as possible come off the subways, the City will increase its focus on end-of-line stations, where outreach teams will engage unsheltered New Yorkers who are leaving the subways, connecting anyone who needs it to services and shelter.

 The City is calling on the MTA to temporarily close the following stations during the overnight hours from 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM for cleaning to allow for better cleaning and more targeted outreach.  To ensure minimal disruptions to service, the City will work with the MTA to provide bus service to riders to access a nearby station while the terminus station is closed. 

The following stations will be targeted for enhanced outreach:

·      Coney Island/Stillwell Avenue D,F

·      Flatbush Ave Brooklyn College 2,5

·      Jamaica – 179th St. F

·      Jamaica Center – Parsons/Archer E

·      WTC - E

·      96th St./2nd Ave (Q)

·      Pelham Bay Park 6

·      Van Cortlandt Park 242nd St. 1

·      Wakefield – 241st St. 2,5

·      Woodlawn 4

During these operations:

·      When the train is cleaned at the end of the line, the MTA requires all individuals to exit the train, and unsheltered New Yorkers will be offered service by NYPD Homeless Outreach and DHS 

·      Outreach teams and NYPD Homeless Outreach will be on hand to engage all unsheltered individuals who are utilizing or leaving the subways about accepting services, survey them for any symptoms, and connect them to care, to isolation, or to shelter as needed

200 New Safe Havens

200 Safe Haven beds will begin to open this week, building on the Mayor's commitment to supporting vulnerable New Yorkers through the COVID-19 crisis.  These Safe Haven and stabilization beds provide safe, secure spaces for unsheltered New Yorkers, and connect them with the resources and support they need to find a lasting path to stability. Beds will be prioritized for the most vulnerable unsheltered New Yorkers living on the streets and subways, with locations strategically placed in areas where outreach teams have experienced activity and determined need. 

COVID-19 Street Outreach 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, outreach teams have prioritized a health-protection and risk-prevention approach as part of their 24/7 operations, integrating the City’s latest guidance from Health experts and DOHMH screening protocol into their ongoing outreach practice: surveying clients about their health/wellbeing and any signs/symptoms they have experienced, and connecting anyone who needs it to hospitals for assessment and care or to isolation for monitoring and recovery. To date, outreach teams have conducted more than 17,000 engagements on the topic of COVID-19. In each of those engagements, they have surveyed unsheltered New Yorkers to identify whether they have experienced any symptoms. Through these engagements, 12 individuals expressed having had COVID-like symptoms and transported to care and assessment. At this time, these referrals have not resulted in any positive cases.

Speaker Corey Johnson and Mayor Bill de Blasio Announce “Project Cupid”

By the end of next week, New Yorkers will be able to obtain marriage licenses online from the City Clerk

  Speaker Corey Johnson and Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced “Project Cupid,” a joint effort between the Office of the City Clerk and the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT) to transition the marriage licensing process fully online. 

“Coronavirus has changed the world in so many ways but our ability to love and commit to each other hasn’t wavered. Now couples ready to marry don’t have to wait for the pandemic to end to say ‘I do.’ We deserve some good news and this is definitely wonderful news for all of New York City,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

“We need moments of joy now more than ever, and we won’t let a pandemic get in the way of true love,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “To all of the couples looking forward to tying the knot, know that your city is right here with you, throwing rice from afar.”

“We are very excited about the launch of Project Cupid, which will integrate videoconferencing technology into the marriage license process. We appreciate the support of the Mayor’s Office, the Speaker’s Office and the Department of Finance to quickly marshal City resources for this project. A special thanks to DOITT Commissioner Jessica Tisch for her dedication and creativity in making Project Cupid possible. We look forward to bringing some happiness to New Yorkers during these difficult times,” said City Clerk Michael McSweeney.

“For the first time in our City’s history, New Yorkers will be able to obtain marriage licenses online, and it was our pleasure to build out the technology to enable that,” said Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications Commissioner and Citywide Chief Information Officer Jessica Tisch. 

All couples who want to get married in New York State must obtain a Marriage License. Prior to Executive Order No. 202.20, signed by Governor Cuomo, the law required that New Yorkers complete the process of obtaining a marriage license in person. With this requirement waived, the City has been working to expeditiously create new technology to ensure the licensing process can complete the final portion of the process online.

The new system will allow couples to virtually schedule and attend an appointment with the City Clerk’s office, securely upload required documents for the marriage license to the City Clerk’s office, and upload the signed license for submission to the City Clerk once the ceremony is complete. 

The site will be available in 11 languages and Language Line will be available to provide on-demand translation services to any couple in need of translation services. Couples will be able to electronically pay their fee using the City’s secure electronic payment service, CityPay.

The system is expected to go live in the first week of May. New Yorkers who would like to obtain a marriage license will soon be able to do so by visiting nyc.gov/Cupid or cityclerk.nyc.gov..

BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY DARCEL D. CLARK URGES COMMUNITY TO BE VIGILANT ABOUT CHILD ABUSE DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

Reports of Abuse Have Dropped Significantly, Leading to Concerns That Staying at Home Decreases Contact with Mandated Reporters of Abuse 

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today urged the people of the Bronx to be vigilant about children at risk of abuse or neglect during the COVID-19 crisis, as social distancing and home schooling is isolating children from teachers, pediatricians, daycare staff and others who would normally be checking on their safety. 

  District Attorney Clark said, “As a direct result of this pandemic, we are seeing an enormous drop in reporting of abuse. We at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office continue to work with the Bronx Special Victims Squad of the NYPD and other partnering agencies to ensure that children in our community are kept safe. If you suspect a child is being abused, neglected or maltreated, please report it to the numbers below. If you have any questions, call the Bronx District Attorney’s Office Child Abuse Hotline at 718-838-7344. 

 “We must find ways to connect with families to make sure that they are supported, safe, and feel empowered. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, which reminds us that everyone has a role in preventing child abuse. Now more than ever we need to stand together to prevent physical and sexual abuse of children behind closed doors. The risk to children increases when contact with mandated reporters, such as teachers and health care providers, decreases.”

  The Instant Response Team (Administration for Children’s Services, NYPD and Bronx DA’s Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau) jointly investigated 34 incidents of severe abuse or maltreatment in the Bronx in April, compared to 103 incidents during March (schools closed on March 16) and 152 incidents in January.

 To Report Abuse or Neglect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anonymously, call the New York State Central Registry Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-342-3720. Mandated Reporters: 1- 800-635-1522. Deaf/Hard of Hearing: 1-800-638-5163. If you believe that a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

 RESOURCES: 

COVID-19 Websites NYS Parent Portal: 

https://www.nysparenting.org/coronavirus-resourcesparents

NYS Department of Health COVID-19 Information: 

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

New York City-specific COVID-19 resources: 

http://www1.nyc.gov/site/acs/about/covidhelp.page

Free Mental Health Services are available at NYC Well. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365. For more information, visit: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/

NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline: Free mental health counseling can be reached at 1- 844-863-9314

MORE TESTING, MORE TRACING, MORE PROGRESS: MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES NEW SELF-COLLECTED COVID-19 TESTING AND CONTACT TRACING JOBS

Builds on Mayor’s commitment to expanding COVID-19 testing and tracing across the city

  As the City rapidly expands its testing capacity, Mayor de Blasio today announced new self-swab testing at NYC Health + Hospitals testing sites across the five boroughs. Self-swab testing will minimize contact between patients and healthcare workers, allowing the City to test more New Yorkers without putting healthcare workers and patients at further risk. To ensure all confirmed cases are promptly treated, the City will also hire 1,000 contact tracers immediately to help trace, isolate, and support these individuals.

“Defeating this virus begins and ends with our ability to test quickly and safely,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are working to ensure that every New Yorker who needs a test will get one with speed and efficiency, beginning with those who are most vulnerable and at risk for serious illness.”

Self-Swab Testing

Self-collection will be available at NYC Health + Hospital testing sites by the end of this week. In addition to minimizing contact between patient and healthcare workers, self-swab collection will increase the capacity of existing test sites from the current rate of 15 per hour to up to 20 per hour. Over 5,000 New Yorkers have been tested across the 8 NYC Health + Hospitals testing sites that are currently operational citywide.

Contact Tracers

Jobs have been advertised for people with public health backgrounds to investigate and trace COVID-19 cases and contacts. The City is looking to hire 1,000 people by the end of May with an immediate start date. Details on the scope of work, job requirements, salary, benefits, and how to apply available at: https://fphnyc.org/about/careers/.

Daily Indicators

Admissions for suspected COVID-19 cases at hospitals citywide continue to decline. On April 24, there were only 122 admissions citywide.

The daily number of people in ICUs across NYC Health + Hospitals with suspected cases of COVID-19 continues to decline. Today, 766 people are in H+H ICU’s citywide.

The number of individuals testing positive for the virus at the City’s public health lab increased to 52 percent. The current number of individuals testing positive in private labs is 29 percent.

You can find these metrics here.

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND SPEAKER JOHNSON ANNOUNCE PLANS TO IMPLEMENT UP TO 100 MILES OF SAFE STREETS

  As the weather gets warmer and New York City’s fight against COVID-19 stretches into the summer, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Corey Johnson today announced plans to implement at least 40 miles of street closures, sidewalk widening, and additional bike lanes over the next month – with a goal of implementing 100 miles, focusing on communities hardest hit by the pandemic. 

The open streets will be sourced from five broad categories: up to 60 miles of streets within and adjacent to parks; up to 20 miles of streets identified in consultation with local precincts, in consultation with Community Boards and other partners; up to 10 miles of streets managed by local partners such as BIDs, block associations, or other civic groups; up to 2.5 miles of widened sidewalks; and up to 10 miles of protected bike lanes.

“This summer is going to look different from any other in our city’s history – and we’re ready to give New Yorkers more ways to leave home while staying safe from COVID-19,” said Mayor de Bill Blasio. “I’m proud to work with Speaker Johnson, the Department of Transportation, and the NYPD to find creative solutions that support our broader goals of ending this pandemic and rebuilding a fairer city.”

"The Council is thrilled our calls for open streets have been answered and looks forward to working with the administration to give New Yorkers the space they need to socially distance properly,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson. “As the weather gets nicer and this unprecedented crisis stretches on longer, we need to do everything in our power to keep our neighbors safe and healthy. This announcement is a great starting point for the ongoing conversation about how we share our public spaces during this pandemic and in a post-coronavirus future." 

Open streets will only be in effect for the duration of “NY PAUSE,” with the exception of bike lanes. Conversations with communities and local stakeholders will take place in the coming weeks.

“We thank the Mayor and the Council for this exciting agreement to open up to 100 miles of our City streets for outdoor activity, especially in the communities most impacted by COVID-19,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.  “DOT looks forward to working with the City Council, our sister agencies — NYPD, Parks and Citywide Event Coordination and Management— and local BIDs and community groups to open our streets up and create more critical cycling routes.”

“These unprecedented times require us to think outside of the box, to be creative with how we look at and utilize the public realm,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP. “The additional open space that this plan will provide by way of our parks, their perimeters and so much more, will go a long way at helping New Yorkers socially distance and ensuring our city’s stay safety and health.”

“Throughout the year,  New Yorkers use their streets as a venue for celebration, commemoration and recreation, and now these spaces  will  be available for our communities to safely access much needed fresh air and movement. We look forward to working with BIDS, community boards, and other community partners to  provide New Yorkers with an opportunity to enjoy their city during these challenging times,” said Ellyn Canfield, Executive Director, Citywide Events Coordination and Management.

ASSEMBLYMAN DINOWITZ STATEMENT ON NYS BOARD OF ELECTIONS ELIMINATION OF PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

“I am sure the decision which functionally eliminates the Presidential primary was not easy to arrive at, and I can appreciate the significance that this decision has on our democracy. Many people worked very hard to qualify for the ballot, eleven Presidential candidates and their associated slates of candidates for delegate, and that work absolutely should be affirmed and admired. It will take all of us, regardless of which candidates we preferred early on, to work together and restore sanity and professionalism to the White House.

I wholeheartedly support the decision by Commissioners Kellner and Spano to eliminate this primary, which will eliminate entirely the need for many local Boards of Elections to operate on June 23 and will significantly reduce the workload for local boards in all sixty-two counties. It would be unconscionable to send thousands of election workers into a pandemic to operate an election that’s result had already been decided when ten of eleven candidates dropped out and endorsed the remaining candidate – Joe Biden. Almost one-third of New York State’s counties will now not have to operate an election at all, and remaining counties can now focus on operating the congressional, state, judicial, and party elections that have always been scheduled for June 23. We cannot forget that our elections rely on people to function, from poll workers to technicians and administrative staff. These people have families too, and it is the right decision to allow as many of them as possible to stay home.

The presidential primary campaign is now over, but there are still primary elections on June 23 to decide candidates for congress, state legislature, judgeships, and party positions. We will continue to have an exchange of ideas, some of which have taken on new urgency as millions of workers lose access to employer-based healthcare and are struggling to pay rent and put food on their tables.

Whatever the disagreements may be within the Democratic Party, our differences are not nearly as vast as with the Republicans – our leadership does not tell people to inject disinfectant to cure coronavirus, our leadership does not tell states to declare bankruptcy to avoid paying people their hard-earned pensions, and our leadership does not put millions of lives at risk just so that the richest among us can get even richer.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We have highlighted part of Assemblyman Dinowitz's statement.

It would be unconscionable to send thousands of election workers into a pandemic to operate an election that’s result had already been decided. 

Almost one-third of New York State’s counties will now not have to operate an election at all, and remaining counties can now focus on operating the congressional, state, judicial, and party elections that have always been scheduled for June 23. 

Assemblyman Dinowitz left out from  that sentence Except Bronx County, which has one of the the highest rates of COVID-19 infection and deaths. Who are those effected the most by COVID-19, the same people who work the elections.

Assemblyman Dinowitz, the law was changed last year to move the state and local elections to June from September. 

Assemblyman Dinowitz, make it safe for election workers - Move Primary Day back to September this year. 

State Senator Julia Salazar Introduces a “Relief for All” Emergency Housing bill.

A10318/S8190 is a closed-loop commonsense rent relief bill that businesses, tenants, homeowners, co-ops, not for profits, and landlords can all get behind. New Yorkers need a solution with no losses, no loans, and every rent paid.

  State Senator Julia Salazar introduced legislation this week to address the economic hardship on New York tenants, homeowners, small businesses, and not-for-profit affordable housing providers, caused by the COVID-19 public emergency. 

The Emergency Coronavirus Affordable Housing Preservation Act of 2020, is a Relief for All bill that aims to protect and preserve affordable housing and small businesses in New York. The ECAHPA provides state and federally funded relief during this emergency period, for New Yorkers who have lost income, or are struggling financially, due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Sen Salazar’s bill, sponsored in the assembly by AM- Lentol, provides security for property owners and affordable housing providers to ensure that safe, sanitary, affordable housing remains available for New Yorkers. 

The ECAHPA is the most comprehensive legislative proposal, addressing the impact of the COVID-19 public emergency on housing and small businesses. The provisions offer immediate financial relief to residential and small commercial tenants and small property owners, while also providing financial resources to property owners to guarantee that New York State's affordable housing stock remains safe and in good repair. 

Senator Salazar also introduced another bill, a “Rent Freeze” bill that would protect rent-stabilized tenants with one year leases from facing rent increases during this emergency period.

 

“New Yorkers are facing down an unprecedented crisis, and we need an unprecedented response. By passing Relief For All, we can preserve affordable housing, while keeping families in their homes and businesses afloat. With no home left behind, and every rent paid, this is a unity bill that meets the needs of this moment.” 

- State Senator Julia Salazar

     “ New York State faces unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With so many New Yorkers losing their income and facing economic uncertainty, we must enact bold solutions in order to provide stability and security during these difficult times. This starts with providing relief for tenants, homeowners, small businesses, and not-for-profit affordable housing providers. I’m proud to join Senator Julia Salazar as a sponsor of the Emergency Coronavirus Affordable Housing Preservation Act of 2020 (A10318) in the Assembly because the COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of many New Yorkers and we must do all we can to restore stability in their lives. Stable housing means stable lives and the ECAHPA will go a long way to provide necessary relief for all New Yorkers,” 

- Assembly Member Joseph R. Lentol 

     "Tenants are in crisis right now. An eviction moratorium is simply not enough to protect them, especially poor people of color. We desperately need legislation that cancels rent. The Emergency Coronavirus Affordable Housing Preservation Act addresses the needs of New Yorkers because it leaves no home behind. It lifts the burden of this crisis off the backs of tenants who simply cannot pay rent and places it squarely on the government -- where it belongs -- to help all those affected by the pandemic's devastating impacts on housing. Communities Resist is proud to have worked with Senator Salazar, Assembly Member Lentol, and our community partners on this bill. We're very grateful to the Senator and Assembly Member for introducing it and leading the way forward."

-Shekar Krishnan, Attorney & Chief Program Officer, Communities Resist   

     “Southside United Housing (Los Sures) enthusiastically  supports the Emergency Coronavirus Affordable Housing Preservation Act being introduced by Senator Julia Salazar in the NY State Senate and Assemblyman Joseph Lentol in the NY State Assembly. By providing rent relief for tenants impacted by the pandemic, it will enable non-profits like ours to continue maintaining and improving affordable housing in our community.  As a well as managing hundreds of low-income housing units, we also work with many low-income HDFC cooperatives where collection of monthly maintenance is crucial to being able to provide basic services.  This bill will go a long way toward keeping New Yorkers in affordable housing.”

-Barbara Schliff, Dir. Housing Resources, Los Sures.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Where are our Bronx elected state legislators in the State Senate and State Assembly on this bill before them?

Governor Cuomo Outlines Phased Plan to Re-open New York Starting With Construction and Manufacturing

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo outlined a phased plan to re-open New York and re-imagine a new normal for the state starting with construction and manufacturing. The plan will be implemented in phases and will be based on regional analysis and determinations. Based on CDC recommendations, once a region experiences a 14-day decline in the hospitalization rate they may begin a phased re-opening. The State is closely monitoring the hospitalization rate, the infection rate and the number of positive antibody tests, as well as the overall public health impact, and will make adjustments to the plan and other decisions based on these indicators.

• Phase one will include opening construction and manufacturing functions with low risk.
• Phase two will open certain industries based on priority and risk level. Businesses considered "more essential" with inherent low risks of infection in the workplace and to customers will be prioritized, followed by other businesses considered "less essential" or those that present a higher risk of infection spread. As the infection rate declines, the pace of reopening businesses will be increased.
• The region must not open attractions or businesses that would draw a large number of visitors from outside the local area.
• There will be two weeks in between each phase to monitor the effects of the re-opening and ensure hospitalization and infection rates are not increasing.
• This plan will be implemented with multi-state coordination, especially in downstate New York. The plan will also coordinate the opening of transportation systems, parks, schools, beaches and businesses with special attention on summer activities for downstate, public housing and low-income communities, food banks and child care.
• The phased re-opening will also be based on individual business and industry plans that include new measures to protect employees and consumers, make the physical work space safer and implement processes that lower risk of infection in the business. The state is consulting with local leaders in each region and industry to formulate these plans.