Team –

With over 400 cases of presumed or confirmed COVID-19 (coronavirus) in New York, our state is on high alert. I know there is a lot of anxiety surrounding the spread of COVID-19 and I want to assure you that I am closely monitoring the risk to our community. I’m in regular contact with local health and public safety officials to make sure we’re doing everything we can to keep families in Brooklyn safe.

It’s important that you have the resources you need to keep yourself and your community healthy and safe during this time. Here are the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations:

✔️ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

✔️ Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you are sick.

✔️ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

✔️ Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.

✔️ If you are sick, you should wear a face mask when you are around other people. If you are not sick, you do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick.

In Congress, we’ve already moved quickly to pass emergency funding to boost the response of the federal, state, and local governments. I am working quickly to pressure my colleagues to pass emergency legislation to cover free coronavirus testing for all, a $2 billion boost to state unemployment insurance programs, more than $1 billion in nutritional aid, and an increase in federal Medicaid funds.

During times like this, it has never been more important to stay informed, team. You can visit the CDC’s website for the latest coronavirus news and all that you need to know: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

For the latest local updates, please see the New York Department of Health’s COVID-19 website. You can also call 1-888-364-3065 for information or text COVID to 692 692 to receive updates on the coronavirus from the city.

Thanks for your vigilance. Stay alert and stay safe.

-- Yvette