Dear Neighbor,
 
You are invited to have your questions answered at our Tele-Town Hall, this Tuesday night, 6pm–7pm, with Dr. Jennifer Rosen, Director of Epidemiology and Surveillance at the Department of Health, who will answer questions about how to stay safe and healthy. RSVP and submit your questions ahead of time.

As of Friday morning, there are 57,159 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New York City and we have lost 1,562 New Yorkers to the disease. The most important thing we can do to fight the spread remains staying home. As of Thursday afternoon, the City’s health officials are advising New Yorkers to wear homemade masks when going outside. We continue to do everything we can to secure Beds, PPEs, and other supplies for our healthcare providers.

At the links below you will find full updates and resources on the issues you may be facing or thinking about as you adjust your life to this pandemic. If the links aren’t working, please read this update in your browser.

• Tele-Town Hall with Health Official
• By the Numbers
• Beds, PPE & How to Help
• Employment
• Parks & Public Spaces
• Health
• Food
• Housing & Construction
• Financial Relief
• Civic Engagement 

The City launched the Help Now Portal for residents and former healthcare workers who want to help and volunteer and the NYC COVID-19 Engagement Portal, which allows residents to self-report whether they’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have been otherwise affected by the virus.
 
Following our joint City Council letter, Governor Cuomo ordered all New York City playgrounds to close. He also canceled spring break for all public schools, which will instead continue with remote learning. The City’s Department of Transportation has also extended Alternate Side Parking rules through Friday, April 17. New York's Presidential Primary was rescheduled for June 23, but you can do your civic duty now by completing the Census.

Stay safe and let me know what other information you'd like to hear from us!

Sincerely,

Ben Kallos
Council Member, District 5
 
P.S. You may have noticed that we are only providing new updates and resources. Find previous reports at BenKallos.com/newsletters and a resource list at BenKallos.com/coronavirus/resources 


Tele-Town Hall with Health Officials
 

You are invited to have your questions answered at our Tele-Town Hall on Tuesday, April 7th at 6pm. We will be joined by Dr. Jennifer Rosen, Director of Epidemiology and Surveillance at the Department of Health, who will answer questions about how to stay safe and healthy. Please RSVP and submit your question ahead of time. This event is co-sponsored by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Senator Liz Krueger, Assembly Members Rebecca Seawright and Dan Quart, and City Council Member Keith Powers. RSVP and submit your question.
 

BY THE NUMBERS

Borough Breakdown
 
As of Friday morning, the number of positive cases in NYC is 57,159. We have lost 1,562 New Yorkers. Below is the borough breakdown. For the latest numbers, visit the Department of Health website.

Total hospitalized: 
Citywide: 10,590 
Queens: 16,819
Brooklyn: 13,290
Manhattan: 7,398
Bronx: 9,343
Staten Island: 2,822


BEDS, PPE, AND HOW TO HELP
 

Hospital Bed Capacity

In just 2 weeks, our hospitals have been able to expand their ICU capacity.

• Elmhurst expanded from 29 to 111 ICU beds (30 more coming)
• Lincoln grew from 34 to 114 ICU beds (34 more coming)
• Bellevue Hospital grew from 66 ICU beds to 127 (52 more coming)

New hospital facilities are underway:

• Javits Center - 1,000 surgical medical beds (Phase 1); 1,500 medical beds by late April (Phase 2)
• Central Park Field Hospital - 65 beds (10 ICU and 55 medical/surgical beds)
• USNS Comfort - 750 medical and surgical beds
• Coler on Roosevelt Island - 240 medical/surgical beds
• Billie Jean King National Tennis Center - up to 350 medical/surgical (starting to take non-ICU COVID patients next Tuesday)
• Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook - up to 750 medical/surgical beds (started construction today this week to open by mid-April)
• Hotels - 10,000 non-ICU beds across 20 hotels, capacity to build more.

The City is transferring patients from hospitals that have been most affected to hospitals with greater capacity. We have already transferred 193 non-ICU and 43 ICU patients already. For April, we will bring 762 ICU beds online for a total of 2,466 beds, and we are converting beds across H+H to ICU beds to create 3,000 more. If you have a space or know of a space you believe could be used for hospital beds, please email Coronavirus@benkallos.com.

Donate Funding to City Hospitals
 
Private donors raised more than $1.6 million over the past 7 days to provide much-needed items (including meals, groceries, taxi rides, and hotel rooms) to front line staff working in our City Hospital System. Anyone who can and wants to donate should do so by visiting: NYChhc.networkforgood.com
 
Hospital Staffing Needs

The City has updated HelpNowNYC to allow New Yorkers to offer or receive help with all issues related to COVID-19. The new website has useful links on how to donate medical supplies and funds, volunteer with the City’s Medical Reserve Corps and more.

Our hospital system has added 165 doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to the system and are adding another 350 next week.

We have deployed 1,000 more resident nurses as of today, with another 1,000 on the way in the next two weeks. By Sunday, we will need 1,000 more nurses, 300 respiratory therapists, 150 doctors. Calling for an essential draft for critical healthcare workers. Please visit nyc.gov/HelpNow
 

Ventilators and Personal Protective Equipment (How to Help): Thanks to all of you for sending us manufacturers and distributors. To date, the City has distributed to hospitals across the City:

• 8,282,200 face masks,
• 2,077,980 N95 masks,
• 1,956,940 surgical gloves,
• 105,880 gowns, and
• 2,500 ventilators from the federal government.

We will need 15,000 ventilators overall, which we still don’t have the 15,000 ventilators. We needed 400 in place by Sunday morning and thanks to the Federal Government and NY State we got them. We will need a minimum 2,500–3,000 for next week. If you are or know a oral surgeon, plastic surgeon, or veterinarian please consider donating or ask them to donate ventilators by going to nyc.gov/HelpNow

We also still have need for 3.3 million N95 masks, 2.1 million surgical masks, and 100,000 isolation gowns.

If you wish to donate, manufacture, or sell supplies please visit NYC.gov/ppedonations or call 1-833-NYC-0040. After you do so, please email coronavirus@benkallos.com so we can help ensure you get a response.

To donate food and other non-medical donations, go to NYC.gov/donate

Calling on Companies with Supplies
 
Any New York City company that has materials on hand and is willing to DONATE or SELL medical supplies or equipment (e.g. gowns, masks, ventilators, face shields) should visit nyc.gov/covidsupplies. Offers submitted will be vetted and respondents will be contacted if there is a need from the City. 
 
Local manufacturers looking to begin producing the supplies needed to fight the Coronavirus should visit edc.nyc/COVID-19-emergency-supply-sourcing-manufacturing
 
You can also email our team at Coronavirus@benkallos.com for help.
 
Support Local Firefighters
 
Friends of Firefighters has announced the launch of an emergency campaign to support the FDNY Firefighter community in the face of the global coronavirus pandemic. Funds raised are going towards the continued successful operation of the free, confidential online counseling and peer support services that FDNY provides for active and retired FDNY firefighters and their family members.
 

EMPLOYMENT

Update on Healthcare Staffing
 
The City has added 165 doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to the system. It is on track to add another 350 next week. 1,000 resident nurses have been deployed as of today, with another 1,000 on the way over the next two weeks. If you are not a healthcare worker and want to volunteer, please visit NYCservice.org

Jobs at NYCHA

 


















 

NYCHA is currently hiring temporary workers to assist with maintenance at 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, NYCHA residents can contact their local NYCHA Property Management Office. For more details, click here. 

Paid Sick Leave
 
Governor Cuomo’s legislation guaranteeing job protection and pay for New Yorkers who have been quarantined as a result of COVID-19 is still in effect for the month of April. This new measure is designed to ensure that New Yorkers are able to care for their family without jeopardizing their economic security. For more information visit the State’s resource page.
 
Worker Layoffs (“WARN Notice”)
 
The New York State Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires businesses to give early warning of closing and layoffs. Information is available on the New York State Department of Labor website.
 
The NYC Workforce Development Board can also help businesses understand their reporting requirements.
 
New System for Filing for Unemployment
 
The New York State Department of Labor is implementing a new filing system based on the first letter of the applicant's last name (alphabetical order). If you are filing a new unemployment insurance claim, the day you should file is based on the first letter of your last name. Visit the New York State Department of Labor website for more information.
 
Visit the NYS DOL What You Need to Know and Do About the CARES Act webpage for information on enhanced Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) available for New Yorkers. You can also refer to the Unemployment Benefits and Health Insurance FAQ.
 
The State Department of Labor created this chart to guide individuals seeking unemployment benefits after passage of the federal CARES Act. The Act provides enhanced Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for New Yorkers.
 
New Workforce1 Virtual Career Center
 
The City's Workforce1 Career Center launched a Virtual Center (or call 718-960-2458) to help New Yorkers prepare for, and connect to, jobs across New York City's five boroughs and in every sector of the economy. Current employment opportunities include Stop & Shop, Fresh Direct & PBM Guardian Industry Services.
 

PARKS & PUBLIC SPACES 
 
NYC Playgrounds Closed

This week, Governor Cuomo closed 2,067 playgrounds across the five boroughs as part of the effort to enforce new social distancing rules. This action follows a joint letter I signed, authored by City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo, calling for the closing of playgrounds to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. The following playgrounds in District 5 are temporarily closed to the public:

• John Jay Park – All of John Jay was closed at first, but only the north side with the play equipment is being closed as of today.
• Catbird Playground at Carl Schurz Park
• St. Catherine’s Park
• Ruppert Park
• Seabury Playground
• Stanley Isaacs Playground
• 24 Sycamores Playground
• DeKovats Playground

City Parks remain open and the City has encouraged residents to visit them as long as they remain uncrowded and visitors remain at least 6 feet away from one another. 

Construction Sites Ordered to Shutdown

The City has worked closely with the State to ensure that only essential and emergency construction is allowed moving forward. According to the Department of Buildings, this includes roads, bridges, transit facilities, utilities, hospitals or health care facilities, affordable housing, and homeless shelters. DOB officials have been instructed to enforce these new rules, issuing fines of up to $10,000 for the continuance of nonessential construction. The Department of Buildings has published a map of construction deemed essential. If you suspect that work on a nonessential project is ongoing at a specific construction site, please email BKallos@BenKallos.com.  

Alt-Side Parking Suspension Extended

The New York City Department of Transportation has extended the suspension of Alternate Side Parking Regulations through Friday, April 17, 2020. Parking meters remain in effect.

 

HEALTH
 
New Guidance: Wear Homemade Masks in Public
 
As of yesterday, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is recommending that everyone wear a face covering when outside of their home to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Wearing a face covering will not make New Yorkers invincible! Health officials are adamant that we still need to stay home as much as possible. It is essential that people continue to practice social distancing and good hand hygiene even when wearing a face-covering — including keeping 6 feet of distance between themselves and others whenever possible. A face covering is one more precaution we can take that may help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Either paper or cloth face coverings are fine, as long as you are covering your nose and mouth. However, please do not hoard paper masks, especially medical-grade masks, such as N95 masks or surgical masks, which are in very short supply and which our health care providers need to stay healthy and to care for the most critically ill. Health care workers cannot keep a distance from others, avoid sick people, or avoid contact with others’ bodily fluids such as saliva, so it is essential that we reserve N95 masks for them. 

Read New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene guidance for even more information on their new recommendations. Learn how to make your own facemask.

Where to Call If You Have COVID-19 Symptoms 
 
Vulnerable New Yorkers who have symptoms or questions about COVID-19 can call 1-844-NYC-4NYC. There, they will be connected with a medical provider from NYC Health and Hospitals.

A Message from NYC Immigrant Affairs
 
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has confirmed that residents who are undocumented will not be turned away from healthcare due to immigration status or inability to pay. Coronavirus will NOT be considered under the Public Charge rule, even if the services are Medicaid-funded. Please seek care without fear.

Free Delivery from Pharmacies

Following Governor Cuomo's call, many major pharmacies are now providing free delivery, to reduce walk-ins during social distancing. Check your local pharmacy's website or call them to ask if they are participating in free delivery.

Coronavirus Case Count by Zip Code

The City has begun providing the public with a coronavirus case count delineated by zip code. 
See the latest borough breakdown.

NYC COVID-19 Engagement Portal

The City of New York is collecting information to better understand and communicate about the impacts of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Information you share will help in enabling the City to share information with you and members of the public about COVID-19, and to help inform the City’s response to areas affected by COVID-19. Add your information to the portal.


FOOD

Feeding New York City 

The City announced yesterday that all New York City residents are now able to receive free meals at one of the city’s 435 grand-and-go food locations. Previously this was had been reserved for feeding school children who have been learning from home for two weeks now.

Adults with children will continue to be given free meals during the hours of 7:30am–11:30am.

Adults without children can now begin getting free meals from 11:30am–1:30pm.

The meals are distributed at local schools. To find the nearest location to you 311, visit NYC.gov or text the word FOOD or COMIDA to 877-877.
 
Meal Delivery for Seniors
 
New York City’s Department for the Aging has transitioned to delivery-only meal
services for senior center users, eliminating the “grab and go” option for the protection of the community. Seniors should call their local senior center for more information if they haven’t already received meals. They can also contact the Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) or 311. 

Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center Food Resource Guide

COVID-19 is rapidly changing life in New York City. To help connect residents in need with food resources during this challenging time, the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center has created an NYC Food Resource Guides for each NYC neighborhood.
 
Central Harlem includes parts of City Council Districts 7 and 9 (Zip codes 10026, 10027, 10030, 10037 and 10039).
East Harlem includes parts of City Council Districts 5, 8 and 9 (Zip codes 10029 and 10035).
Morningside Heights/Hamilton Heights includes parts of City Council Districts 7 and 9 (Zip codes 10025, 10027, 10031 and 10115).
Morningside Heights/Inwood includes parts of City Council District 10 (Zip codes 10032, 10033, 10034 and 10040).

Grab and Go Expanding for All New Yorkers

In this time of historic high unemployment, we understand more New Yorkers are experiencing food insecurity for the first time. To this end, we will be expanding grab and go meals for all New Yorkers. No one will be turned away. Participants will be able to pick up three meals. The hours are:

• 7:30am–11:30am for families and children
• 11:30am–1:30pm for adults

To find a location, text “NYCFOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877.

Ordering Online with SNAP

New Yorkers can use their SNAP benefits to order online. For more info head to: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/snap-online-shopping.page

 
HOUSING & CONSTRUCTION
 
NYCHA Announces Rent Reduction 
 
NYCHA residents who experience a loss of income may qualify for a rent reduction. Households that have experienced a complete income loss may qualify for the Zero Income Policy.

Rent Arrears and Public Assistance
 
If your work schedule was reduced as a result of the coronavirus and you are unable to pay your rent, you can apply for a Cash Assistance special grant request to get benefits for emergencies. If you have an active Cash Assistance case, visit ACCESS HRA. You can also reach us at 212-860-1950 or email me at BKallos@BenKallos.com. We are here to help.


FINANCIAL RELIEF 

Anti-Fraud & Scam Protection Services
 
The Department of Justice is remaining vigilant in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting wrongdoing related to the crisis. Find out how you can protect yourself and helpful resources on DOJ’s Coronavirus Fraud Prevention website. The Federal Trade Commission has also established a website with helpful information to help consumers avoid coronavirus-related scams.

Economic Impact Payments for Social Security Recipients
 
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today announced that Social Security beneficiaries who are not typically required to file tax returns will not need to file an abbreviated tax return to receive an Economic Impact Payment. Instead, payments will be automatically deposited into their bank accounts. 
 
The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate $1,200 Economic Impact Payments to Social Security recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019. Recipients will receive these payments as a direct deposit or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits.
 
Small Business Loans  

The application for the Federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) opens tomorrow for businesses and non-profits under 500 people. Offered on a first come, first serve basis, these are forgivable loans for: payroll up to $100,000/employee, interest on mortgages, rent, and utility payments. The City is still providing the Small Business Continuity Fund--loans for businesses with up to $75,000 to businesses with up to 99 employees. More information here.


CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
 
New York Presidential Primary Postponed
 
To help stop the spread of coronavirus, Governor Cuomo announced that the presidential primary in New York will be postponed from Tuesday, April 28th to Tuesday, June 23. For more information, visit elections.ny.gov
 
Complete the 2020 Census

If you haven't already, it’s not too late to fill out the 2020 Census to ensure that your community receives adequate resources. Completing the Census not only helps to decide how billions of dollars are allocated, but also ensures New York has proper representation in Congress. Just 10 minutes of your time today will benefit your community for 10 years.