Here are some more updates regarding the City and State’s response to COVID-19:
-New York State now has 4,152 confirmed COVID-19 cases; 2,469 confirmed cases in New York City.
-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. Specifically, we will be canceling this weekend's paper shredding event scheduled at Gorman Playground and our biweekly legal night will 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.
-Legislation was signed by the Governor that provides sick leave and other benefits to all New York employees who are subject to a mandatory or precautionary quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19.
-New York has prohibited all non-essential employers from having workers come to the office for work. Residents are ordered to stay home as much as possible starting Sunday.
-As mandated by Governor Cuomo, all personal care businesses including barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing parlors, nail salons will be closed to members of the public beginning Saturday, March 21 at 8PM, as these services cannot be provided while maintaining the recommended social distance.
-NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst is providing Coronavirus testing by appointment only. Call 1-844-692-4692 if you are exhibiting symptoms and would like to be tested.
-New York City has Closed All Public School Buildings and will transition to Remote Learning
www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/151-20/new-york-city-close-all-school-buildings-transition-remote-learning; they are currently scheduled to reopen April 20th.
-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.
-Grab-and-Go breakfast and lunch will be available at the entrance of every school building from 7:30 am-1:30 pm. Any student can pick up breakfast and lunch at any school building until further notice.
-The IRS has announced a 90-day postponement of paying taxes. The original deadline was April 15; all must still file tax returns by April 15.
-State collection of student and medical debt owed to the state has been frozen for at least 30 days.
-New York State will waive mortgage payments for the next 90 days if someone is unemployed or underemployed.
-All Queens Public Library locations are temporarily closing to the public until further notice. The Library has many free digital resources available online:
www.queenslibrary.org/about-us/news-media/blog/2041?utm_source=oracle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=digitalresources2020_BLG-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.
-Queens Community House has temporarily suspended several of its programs, including the Beacon program at P.S. 149.
-On Monday, March 23, NYC will be opening 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.
-New York City Public Schools' Pre-K registration deadline has been extended to Sunday, March 29th. Apply online here.
-New York State will waive the 7-day waiting period for unemployment benefits for those laid off due to the virus.
-New York State’s chief administrative judge has indefinitely suspended eviction proceedings in housing court throughout the state amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
-The NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings is accommodating all requests to reschedule cases, and is transitioning to providing the option of telephonic hearings for all cases. Also, beginning March 19th, OATH is staying defaults and will reschedule hearings for individuals who did not appear for scheduled hearings. All trials that were scheduled between March 18, 2020 and April 17, 2020, with the exception of Krimstock Vehicle Seizure/Forfeitures, TLC Summary Suspensions, and TLC Drug Cases are adjourned to a later date.
-The Social Security Administration is still paying out benefits, but be aware of scammers.
-New York City’s Department of Finance announced today it will waive penalties for DOF-administered business and excise taxes due this spring.
-Commonpoint Queens is offering free virtual mental health counseling and other services to help Queens residents cope with the coronavirus crisis.
www.commonpointqueens.org/covid19/-The Queens Economic Development Corporation is offering grants and no-interest loans to small business help cover costs of the Coronavirus! Apply today!
www1.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/article/nyc-employee-retention-grant-program-The Small Business Administration is also offering the opportunity to apply for disaster loans.
disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Fela%2FLoanApplication%2FStartApplication-Primary care providers and practices should call (518) 447-4580 to request a test from the NYSDOH - New York State Health Department.
-Visitation to Nursing Homes AND Senior Assisted Living Facilities is prohibited, excluding necessary medical personnel and individual visitors who dress in full, protective-garb. Please check with your individual facility if you have any questions.
-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.
