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April 4, 2020
Dear NY-09,
The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in NYC continues to rise, including in Brooklyn. Vulnerable New Yorkers who have symptoms can call 1-844-NYC-4NYC to connect with services and schedule testing. As a reminder to slow the spread of the virus, consider tele-health or calling your medical provider, rather, than going to your clinic or the hospital (unless it’s an emergency). Also, during this time, please, be sure to only call 911 for emergencies.
This Monday, April 6th at 6 p.m., I’m hosting a Remote Learning Telephone Town Hall for Brooklyn Parents. This tele-townhall will include education professionals who will provide the community with helpful information and strategies to navigate the current remote learning period while schools are closed due to COVID-19. Dial (866) 757-0651 to join us and to submit a question ahead of time, email [email protected]
During this stressful and scary time, if you’re struggling emotionally or mentally, resources are available for New Yorkers; contact 1-888-NYC-WELL or by texting “WELL” to 65173. For more information visit: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us.
This week my offices remain teleworking. If you need my team’s help, you can contact us Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (718) 287-1142. Let’s each do our part to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Thank you for taking social distancing seriously and for your sacrifices that keep our community we love safe.
In good health,
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09)
Legislative Updates:
- After learning that local postal workers are without proper safety supplies during this pandemic and that our postal locations lack the enforcement of social distancing at postal locations, I led a letter (joined by Members of New York Congressional Delegation) to Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Megan Brennan to address my concerns regarding the health and safety of our local postal workers.The letter calls for immediate action to address the following concerns:
- “Supplies and equipment: We urge you to make masks and other essential equipment readily available to every New York City postal worker as a matter of policy, due to the severity of the crisis within our communities.”
- “Social distancing and cleanliness: Disconcertingly, we continue to hear accounts within New York City of post office customers lining up as usual to see a clerk with little to no guidance related to social distancing. Given these accounts, what measures are being taken by the Postal Service to ensure proper social distancing in post offices, both between workers and visitors, and to keep post office locations appropriately sanitized without putting workers at further risk of infection?”
- “Illness and infection: What policies does the Postal Service currently have in place to protect workers in instances where a colleague falls ill or tests positive for Coronavirus, and how are these policies being disseminated and enforced within Postal Service facilities and local post offices?”
- “Childcare needs for workers: We have heard reports of postal workers being routinely denied requests for changes in schedule to accommodate this new burden. We have also heard reports of workers being threatened with disciplinary action for making these requests. No worker should be threatened or disciplined for attempting to care for their children during this difficult and unprecedented time.”
- I am a co-signer of Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez’s letter to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf to address the conditions of ICE facilities that have put detainees at risk. We called on ICE to immediately release all immigrants in ICE detention and to suspend all immigration detention, enforcement efforts, and removals during this time.
- I joined Congressman Harley Rouda in a letter to the FCC and the Department of to combat the spread of misinformation through illegal robocalls during the COVID-19 pandemic. We must fight to protect the American people during this crisis, especially vulnerable community members like our seniors.
- With more having died from coronavirus than 9/11, we're at another inflection point. I am a proud co-sponsor of Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson’s bill to establish a COVID-19 independent commission. An independent, bipartisan, Congressionally-chartered commission to produce a full and complete accounting of the nation’s preparedness and response to the novel coronavirus pandemic is critical.
NYC & NYS Updates:
- Mental Health Resources: This is a stressful time for New Yorkers. Resources are available for New Yorkers by contacting 1-888-NYC-WELL or Texting “WELL” to 65173. For more information visit: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us.
- Resources for Domestic Violence Survivors: We know that this is an especially challenging time for survivors. Though ENDGBV made the difficult decision to temporarily close the NYC Family Justice Centers, their services remain available from by phone to provide vital services for survivors, including legal consultations, counseling sessions, safety planning, case management, and more.
- For assistance on nights or weekends, survivors can call the City's 24-hour DV Hotline at 1-800-621-4673or visit http://nyc.gov/NYCHOPE to get connected to resources. DV shelters are still accepting new intakes. For more information, please see the letter from Commissioner Cecile Noel here.
- If you believe an employer is violating either existing labor laws or recently issued executive orders by the Governor, please contact 311, the Attorney General’s office at (212) 416-8700or via email at [email protected].
- 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.
- The SBS loan application is up and running! Businesses interested can apply online at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/sbs/businesses/covid19-business-outreach.page
- DOITT has developed a portal, as a new tool to help guide the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The portal is available in 11 languages and allows New Yorkers to self-report COVID-19 information and will help New York City both better communicate with affected people and identify areas that may need enhanced response. Inputs are confidential. People without internet access or who need help, can call 311.
- Want to help? Check out www.nyc.gov/helpnownyc for all the ways NYers can get and offer help with all issues related to COVID-19.
- Individuals/Organizations/Companies offering to DONATE PPE: Visit www.nyc.gov/ppedonations.
- Companies who have stock on hand and are offering to DONATE or SELL medical supplies and equipment (e.g. gowns, masks, ventilators, face shields), visit http://www.nyc.gov/covidsuppliers.
- Local manufacturers and industry sector companies looking to begin producing supplies: https://edc.nyc/covid-19-emergency-supply-sourcing-manufacturing
- We are still identifying and standing up new hospital capacity. We are particularly interested in private spaces that may not be yet on our radar. For those you know who have space they want to offer, please have them fill out this space survey here: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/share-your-space-survey.page.
- Recruiting Drivers: Please spread the word! The Mayor’s Office is recruiting TLC-licensed drivers through DeliveryTLC to help with work related to COVID-19, such as delivering food to older adults. This work will be paid $15/hour plus reimbursement for gas and tolls. Drivers will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. The initial need for drivers will be small, but we expect it to increase as we expand our programs.
- The U.S. Navy’s medical ship, the USNS Comfort is here! We are grateful to the Navy for reaching New York in 8 days rather than the originally projected two weeks. The ship includes 1,000 beds to help relieve pressure on the City’s hospital system for non-COVID-19 patients, as well as 1,200 medical staff and sailors.
- This week a new 68-bed field hospital opened in Central Park by relief organization Samaritan’s Purse in partnership with Mt. Sinai West, Central Park Conservancy, and NYC Parks. These will include more intensive care unit (ICU) beds.
- 500 nurses and trained personnel have also arrived at our NYC hospitals, and another 500 are on the way.
- More Data: We know you have asked for more data about COVID cases. DOHMH has added different breakdowns of the available data to their website in an effort to be as transparent as possible. Please note, the numbers are constantly changing, and there is sometimes a lag:
- OATH - no longer holding hearings. To schedule a phone or online hearing click here:https://www1.nyc.gov/site/oath/hearings/hearing-online.page
- A number of you have had concerns about construction. Following a new executive order from the State, all non-essential construction activity will be halted until further notice, unless it’s an emergency project related to health and safety, critical infrastructure, affordable housing, and homeless shelters. Essential projects that remain open will be subject to fines up to $10,000 a violation if they fail to maintain social distancing and best safety practices.
NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS UPDATES:
- Remote learning will continue throughout the month. For remote learning specific updates and information during the Coronavirus, click here: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/coronavirus-update
- The Department Of Education is lending out free remote learning devices to support remote learning for students who lack a laptop or tablet. Priority will be given to students who are most in need. To apply, parents should fill out this form: Remote Learning Devices - COVID19
- Regional Enrichment Centers are now open in every borough from Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 6:00pm, for the children of essential workers. These centers are staffed and will provide children with three hot meals a day. For more information please visit: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/regional-enrichment-centers
- Spectrum and Optimum are offering to install free broadband WiFi for 60 days in any household that has K-12 or College students who are remote learning. To request an installation call the numbers below:
Spectrum: (844) 488-8395
Optimum: (866) 200-9522
NYCHA Updates:
See the below steps NYCHA has taken to help alleviate financial hardships that public housing residents may face during the state of emergency in New York City due to Coronavirus (COVID-19):
- NYCHA is halting residential evictions for as long as the City is under a state of emergency.
- NYCHA encourages households experiencing a loss of income to access our rent hardship program. You may qualify for a rent reduction if all the following conditions are met:
- There is at least a 5% reduction to gross income;
- Current rent is more than 30% of the net household income; and
- Reduction in income has lasted at least two months.
- Residents can request a rent reduction by completing an Interim Recertification via the NYCHA Self-Service Portal at https://selfserve.nycha.info or by calling their Property Management Office to request a paper form be mailed to your home.
- If your household experiences a complete loss of income, you may qualify for NYCHA’s Zero Income Policy; please call your property management office to participate in the required eligibility interview.
- As a reminder, public housing residents have eight ways to pay rent, including via mail, MyNYCHA, online, at an authorized bank or credit union, by phone, and more. Visit on.nyc.gov/payrent to learn more.
- NYCHA is working closely with City, State, and federal partners to monitor COVID-19 and its impact on the Authority, and to do our part to maintain the safety and well-being of our residents and employees. For more information, visit the NYCHA website at nyc.gov/nycha or call the CCC at 718-707-7771.
USPS Updates:
- The mail continues to operate largely uninterrupted, and there are no plans currently to change that. Customers may see delays in mail and packages destined to China as well as from China, as well as to and from European countries subject to restricted passenger airline travel.
- According to the World Health Organization and CDC, the risk of spreading and catching the virus that causes COVID-19 through the mail remains low, and there is no current evidence that the virus is spreading through the mail.
- USPS has received reports of certain buildings not having their mail delivered, and we have worked with the Postal Service to ensure service is restored. If you or someone you know is having an issue with receiving your mail, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office for assistance.
- Post Offices remain open as normal, and extra sanitary wipes have been put out. However, please be sure to practice social distancing when visiting your local Post Office. This means keeping at least 6 feet between yourself and other people as much as possible, in order to avoid spreading the virus.
- For more information: USPS Statement of Coronavirus
IRS Updates:
- The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have 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.
General Tips:
- Coronavirus/COVID-19 symptoms can appear up to two weeks after exposure and can include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
- The best way to stop the spread of Coronavirus is to stop the spread of germs. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol); don't shake hands when greeting others; avoid touching your face; disinfect surfaces, like countertops, sinks, dressers and desks.
- If you become sick, stay home to prevent the spread of germs to others, especially high-risk folks like seniors and those with chronic illnesses.
- For the latest information on COVID-19, check out the Centers for Disease Control's resources by visiting cdc.gov. You can also subscribe to NYC's Coronavirus text updates by texting "COVID" to 692-692 (NYC-NYC).
- In our continuing effort to keep the public informed, please subscribe to New York State’s listserv for the most up to date facts on COVID-19: link: https://now.ny.gov/page/s/coronavirus-updates
- Now is an opportune time while you’re staying home to fill out the 2020 Census--and it only takes a few minutes. By having an accurate and complete count in Brooklyn, this will best shape the funding and resources our community relies on for important services like health care and hospitals. Fill it out the Census at www.my2020census.gov and feel free to contact my office at (718) 287-1142 for assistance.
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