Here are the Latest Updates Regarding the City and State’s Response to COVID-19:
-New York State now has 161,807 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 7,844 deaths; 93,414 confirmed cases in New York City and 5,065 deaths.
-Until further notice, we will be canceling all of our scheduled community events, such as paper shredding events, community book tables, and electronic recycling events. Our biweekly legal night will also be postponed until further notice. Additionally, our office will not be admitting any constituents for face-to-face meetings, but will still be working remotely and answering telephone calls. Please take the proper precautions to protect yourself and your family. If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office at (718) 457-0384 or email at
dendekkerm@nyassembly.gov.
-New York State on PAUSE is extended through 4/29. Non-essential workforce is directed to continue to work from home until at least 4/29.
-The Unemployment Insurance process has been overhauled, so that applicants do NOT have to call and can apply online. Any applicants that need a follow-up will be called by the NYS Department of Labor within 72 hours. Every evening, this online system closes from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM to allow the DOL's database to process applications.
-All New Yorkers will now be able to vote by mail in the June 23rd elections.
-If you know a business is price gouging, call the Price Gouging hotline at 800-697-1220 or report online at the NYS Attorney General's website:
https://ag.ny.gov/price-gouging-complaint-form?fbclid=IwAR3P_QPsW7lcZx84WcdZFN3cycKm_pa37SJgdpfFFYJ19cFNJJgeLKs92LI-NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst is no longer testing individuals for COVID-19 if they do not require hospitalization. If you are sick with fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat, you must stay inside and isolate yourself from others. Isolate yourself for at least 7 days from when your symptoms started. You must also be without fever during the last 3 days of your isolation. Only go to the Emergency Room if you are severely ill.
-New York State has a critical need for medical supplies and is willing to buy at a premium. If your business or company has or can make Personal Protective Equipment such as gowns, gloves, or masks, please email
covid19supplies@esd.ny.gov.
-Supermarkets: We need you and all of our neighbors to help reinforce the importance of social distancing – inside & outside stores, including the number of people they let in at any time
-If you see overcrowding at any public place, including parks (if people are too close together or playing team sports), call 311 and call our office.
-If you live in New York City and you have DACA, call ActionNYC at 1-800-354-0365 for help renewing your application. They may even be able to help you out with the renewal fee.
-A drive-through mobile testing facility opened at the Club House at Aqueduct Race Track Parking Lot, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd, in Queens on Monday April 6th
-Governor Cuomo is asking all New Yorkers who have recovered from COVID-19 to contact the state and donate blood. Individuals who have recovered from the virus may have convalescent plasma in their blood, which has antibodies against the virus and could help with the development of a treatment for the virus. More information about how to donate is available here:
https://nybc.org/donate-blood/convalescent-plasma-covid-19-donor-request-form/Food Needs
-All Farmers Markets will remain open.
-The Department of Education is now offering additional meals for adults at the 440 sites they are currently serving students free meals throughout the day. Folks can pick up 3 meals at a time from 7:30am - 1:30pm; from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM, children/families will be served, and from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, adults will be served. Locations can found on the DOE website or texting NYC Food or NYC comida to 877-877 to answer any questions you may have.
-Here is a map of all Grab and Go meal locations and food pantries in the city:
http://morr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=27fd1b2d94234c0ea45e928215d306cd Hover your cursor for the dots for additional details
-For homebound seniors, you can apply to have meals delivered for you here:
https://cv19engagementportal.cityofnewyork.us/#/display/5e7555117ad6750216160409-New Yorkers can use their SNAP benefits to order online. For more info head to: www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/snap-online-shopping.page
School/Child Care
-NYC has opened several dozen Regional Enrichment Centers across the City, to serve the children of our City’s first responders, healthcare workers, transit workers, and our most vulnerable populations. Here is a list of centers in our area:
PS/IS 128 - 69-10 65th Drive 11379
P.S. 19 - QUEENS - 98-02 ROOSEVELT AVENUE 11368
ELMHURST EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS - Q 45-10 94TH STREET 11373
Mosaic Pre-K Center at 44-15 Judge Street 44-15 Judge Street 11373
LONG ISLAND CITY HS(NEW)-Q 14-30 BROADWAY 11106
P.S. 11 - QUEENS 54-25 SKILLMAN AVENUE 11377
District 30 Pre-K Center at 3252 37th Street
-The Regional Enrichment Centers also serve grocery and pharmacy workers.
-The New York City Department of Education wants every student who needs a device for remote learning to have one, even if the student does not have internet access at home. Simply call 718-935-5100 and choose Option 5 on the menu. Someone will help you get a device with internet connection. You can also fill out this form:
https://coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices-All Queens Public Library locations may be closed, but many free digital resources are available online:
https://www.queenslibrary.org/about-us/news-media/blog/2041?utm_source=oracle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=digitalresources2020_BLG-Please don't forget to fill out the Census at
https://2020census.govJobs/Small Business
-For guidance in applying for the Paycheck Protection Program, call the New York Small Business Development Center at LaGuardia College at (718) 482-5303.
-The Taxi and Limousine Commission is recruiting for TLC-licensed drivers to help with important work related to COVID-19, such as delivering food to older adults who can’t leave their homes. This work will be paid $15/hour plus reimbursement for gas and tolls. Drivers will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis: cv19engagementportal.cityofnewyork.us/#/display/5e7634997ad67502161607c2
-The Small Business Administration is offering the opportunity to apply for disaster loans: disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Fela%2FLoanApplication%2FStartApplication
-Due to COVID-19, all Council for Airport Opportunity Career Centers are closed until further notice. CAO will be temporarily accepting online registration from our NY & NJ community. All in-person orientations and pre-screenings are now conducted over the phone. Participants, who are interested in our services are invited to register using one of the following methods. 1.) You may register at
www.caonynj.com 2.) By applying on CAO Ziprecruiter postings. 3.) Or submit your resume at
career@caony.com. Please include the position title and airport preference in the subject field. Our Account Managers will contact you using the information you provided and complete your registration.
-NYC's Workforce One website is operational for job seekers:
https://access.nyc.gov/programs/workforce-1/-Staples has compiled a list of resources for small businesses:
https://www.staplesconnect.com/articles/business-boosts/covid-19-resources-small-business-grants.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Opti-14097&utm_campaign=sbs&utm_term=roundup&utm_content=ctaAdvisories from State/Local/Federal Agencies/Utilities
-Here is the Department of Finance's new FAQ page re SCRIE/DRIE during the pandemic:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/help/covid-19-frequently-asked-questions.page-The Parks Department closed all our playgrounds and is also removing all nets and hoops.
-The MTA has announced that Rear-Door Boarding has gone into effect on local & Select Bus Service. Customers will board and exit all local and Select Bus Service (SBS) buses using the rear doors. Express bus customers will board as normal, but will not be permitted to sit in the first three rows of the bus to ensure customers are a safe social distance from bus operators. ADA customers will still be permitted to board at the front of all local and SBS buses, and board as usual on express buses. Regular fare policy remains in effect wherever on-board payment boxes or SBS off-board ticket machines continue to be accessible.
-US Citizenship and Immigration Services has clarified that seeking or using medical treatment or preventive healthcare services related to COVID-19 will NOT be considered under the Public Charge rule, even if the services are Medicaid-funded. Seek care without fear.
USCIS also announced that it is adopting measures to minimize the immigration consequences associated with responding to requests for evidence (RFEs) and notices of intent to deny (NOIDs) dated between March 1 and May 1, 2020
Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny: For applicants and petitioners who receive an RFE or NOID dated between March 1 and May 1, 2020, any responses submitted within 60 calendar days after the response deadline set forth in the RFE or NOID will be considered by USCIS before any action is taken.
USCIS will provide further updates as the situation develops and will continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance. Please visit uscis.gov/coronavirus for the latest facts and other USCIS updates.
Spectrum is offering free internet for 60 days to college students and households with K-12 students that currently do not have internet. In addition, people behind on their Spectrum bill can get their internet service restored. Call (833) 267-6094 for more details.
-National Grid has temporarily suspended collections-related activities, including service disconnections, to lessen any financial hardship the COVID-19 pandemic may cause.
-The Social Security Administration is still paying out benefits, but be aware of scammers.
-New York City’s Department of Finance announced it will waive penalties for DOF-administered business and excise taxes due this spring.
-DOF strongly encourages people submitting renewals and additional documents for SCRIE and DRIE to send such items to its New Jersey address, where docs get scanned by DOF’s vendor there, and the agency can access the docs remotely to process them. The New Jersey address for renewal applications and submitting addition documents is as follows: New York City Department of Finance Rent Freeze Program P.O. Box 3130, Union, NJ 07083 Initial applications cannot go to the New Jersey address and must be mailed to the 59 Maiden Lane address. As of last week, DOF discontinued all auto-revocation processes for failure to renew and failure to submit documents – in essence, holding the applications open until the time the agency has processed all applications and additional documents. DOF is also reviewing additional steps in order to make it easier and be more lenient on documentation requirements such as counter-signed leases. (They should not be asking for counter-signed leases, period, but that’s a perennial fight, for another day.) DOF says it “certainly does not want to add any unnecessary steps to burden the applicants.” DOF emphasizes that its good-cause policy to reinstate applications up to 12 months past benefit expiration will be honored due to Covid-19. Beyond 12 months can be covered in its general extension to file process through EEO; DOF says the EEO team is still able to receive and process extension-to-file requests.
-The DOF will postpone the annual tax lien sale until late summer.
More Miscellaneous Health Info
-The City has announced a free new digital platform to provide safe, fun, and entertaining virtual activities for New York City’s teens and young adults. This first-of-its-kind campaign combines city and community resources to engage teens who are at home during the COVID-19 crisis, and also provides tips to cope with the public and mental health challenges that may arise during this difficult time. Fun at Home can be accessed at nyc.gov/funathome or texting “Fun” to 97743 to receive the latest updates on resources and activities.
-To ensure that people experiencing homelessness have access to facilities to maintain basic hygiene, the City will temporarily place toilets in 12 locations citywide. Locations were chosen based on input from outreach teams identifying specific spots where they were most needed. Hand sanitizer will be available until hand washing stations are installed.
-Commonpoint Queens is offering free virtual mental health counseling and other services to help Queens residents cope with the coronavirus crisis:
https://www.commonpointqueens.org/covid19/-Primary care providers and practices should call (518) 447-4580 to request a test from the NYSDOH - New York State Health Department.
-New Yorkers can text COVID to 692-692 to get regular updates on the latest developments regarding COVID-19; Text COVIDESP to 692-692 for updates in Spanish
-Are you experiencing all symptoms of COVID19? Call ahead to your doctor to discuss your symptoms, let them guide you in the right direction, and/or call NYS DOH at 1-888-364-3065.
New Yorkers can call the state's mental health hotline at 1-844-863-9314 to schedule a free appointment.
-If you are a healthcare professional that would like to volunteer, you have medical supplies you would like to donate, or you require any sort of COVID-19-related assistance, please go to the HelpNYC website:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/helpnownyc/index.page.
-People who do not show symptoms may still be able to spread COVID-19. A face covering can help prevent you from spreading COVID-19 to other people, so you should wear one whenever you leave the home. A face covering will not protect you from infection, but it can help others. A face covering can include anything that covers your nose and mouth, including dust masks, scarves and bandanas. Do not use health care worker masks, as those must be preserved for people in the health care system. Even if you have a face covering, continue to stay home as much as possible and avoid close contact with other people. There’s a helpful FAQ here:
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/imm/covid-19-face-covering-faq.pdf-The NY State of Health Department recently announced a Special Enrollment Period in response to Coronavirus through 4/15. Visit their website:
http://nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777 to check eligibility.
I’ve been affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19). What are some of the benefits I may be eligible for?
https://access.nyc.gov/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/#section-2Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness and Information
Center for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 website:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) COVID-19 website:
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/