Working Through the

Coronavirus Outbreak Together

Dear Neighbors,

I hope everyone continues to stay healthy and safe during these challenging times. Please find below the latest COVID-19 related updates and resources and stay informed.

As my staff and I continue to work on behalf of Northeast Queens, my office can be reached at 718-619-8611 or [email protected]. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Thank you and stay well,
Council Member Paul Vallone
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Vallone and Speaker Johnson Double Funding

to Expand Free Senior Transportation Program

Council Member Paul A. Vallone is proud to announce that, in partnership with New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, the Free Senior Transportation Program is extended this year thanks to an additional $150,000 in funding. This allocation is in addition to the initial $150,000 in funding allocated to the program this past fall by the Council Member, Queens Delegation and Queens Borough President.

With this new allocation, Vallone has now increased the budget for this successful program nearly eightfold since 2017, when his office earmarked $40,000 to pilot the program.

Most importantly, this critical service remains operational during the COVID-19 crisis. To schedule a ride to an essential medical appointment, Queens seniors should call the Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center at 718-224-7888 between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon and leave their name and phone number in a voicemail to schedule their next-day rides. The Selfhelp team will return their call and arrange the ride.

“Since my office created the initiative four years ago, the Senior Transportation Program has provided thousands of free rides to and from important medical appointments, and I’m happy to announce that the program will offer this vital service to even more of our borough’s seniors this year,” said Council Member Vallone. “Most importantly, the program continues to run during the COVID-19 crisis, providing seniors with some peace of mind during these difficult times. I want to thank Speaker Johnson for his support and commitment to this initiative and Selfhelp Community Services for always being an outstanding community partner.”

“During these uncertain times, we must do everything we can to protect and support vulnerable New Yorkers, including our seniors,” said Speaker Corey Johnson. “Additional funding for this senior transportation program is so important now. Aging residents have enough to worry about during the coronavirus crisis. They should not have to worry about how to get around. I thank Council Member Vallone and Selfhelp Community Services for their partnership as we help our City’s seniors during this pandemic.”

Queens Courier

Patch

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Over 2,000 Face Masks Donated and Distributed in Northeast Queens

Thanks to a donation from the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, my office joined forces with the Office of the Queens Borough President and Assemblyman Ed Braunstein to deliver over 2,000 face masks to local organizations Commonpoint Queens Sam Field Center, Selfhelp Community Services, Inc., and Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (KCS) on Friday.

We are stronger together!

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College Point Residents Organize Fundraiser to Deliver Meals

As our City continues to battle the effects of COVID-19, Northeast Queens residents continue to organize and offer a helping hand. College Point residents Jennifer Shannon, Cathy Shannon, James & Kathryn Cervino, and Margaret Loughlin have launched a fundraiser to help take care of College Point essential workers who are on the frontlines of the Covid-19 crisis, as well as struggling residents who are in need of food.

Organizers write: "We are raising funds to provide lunch as a thank you to the staff of Waterview Nursing Home, Woodcrest Nursing Home and Cliffside Nursing Home (where 16 residents have died from Covid-19). Funds will also purchase food for College Point's only active food pantry, which is serving many more individuals as a result of Covid-19."

I was proud to contribute to this local effort. Please offer a helping hand if you are able!

Find more information on GoFundMe

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Please note the following City and State guidelines and determinations:

New York on PAUSE is extended in coordination with other states to May 15. Non-essential workers must continue to stay home. Social distancing rules remain in place.
All NYS K-12 schools and college facilities will remain closed for the rest of the academic year and will continue to provide distance learning.
Effective April 17, all New Yorkers must wear a cloth face covering or a mask when out in public and in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained.
New York State will begin expanding testing criteria to include first responders, health care workers and essential workers.
DOE schools will continue Remote Learning. The Mayor has signaled that school buildings will not reopen for instruction for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. Students who need devices for online learning should request them here.
U.S. SBA has resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications as of 10:30 am. These loans are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. See more and apply here
All New Yorkers will be able to vote via absentee ballot for the June 23rd election and will automatically recieve an application in the mail. See more at vote.nyc.
The New York State Board of Elections has canceled the Presidential Primary scheduled for June 23, 2020.
All non-essential businesses statewide will be closed until further notice.
Non-essential construction statewide has been suspended to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Casinos, gyms, theaters, retail shopping malls, amusement parks and bowling alleys are closed until further notice. Bars and restaurants are closed, but takeout can be ordered during the period of closure.
All non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason are still banned.
Alternate Side Parking regulations are suspended through May 12

For the duration of the outbreak, the following precautions are strongly encouraged to keep you and your family healthy:

Wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds every time, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Do not touch your face unless you recently washed your hands.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing. Do not use your hands.
When in public, practice social distancing of at least six feet from others.
If you are an older adult or have a chronic health conditions, avoid unnecessary gatherings.
Most importantly, #StaySafeStayHome!

Healthy or sick, all New Yorkers must stay home unless they are essential workers or need urgent health care.

We will continue to share the latest updates and resources with the community as they are reported to help ensure everyone stays informed. Follow our Facebook and Twitter for the latest.

Please sign up to get email updates from New York State on the evolving COVID-19 situation at https://now.ny.gov/page/s/coronavirus-updates.

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CANCELLED: Participatory Budgeting

Our office has been informed that, given the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, there will not be a voting period for Participatory Budgeting throughout NYC for this fiscal year, which ends on June 30th, 2020. We want to thank everyone for their time, effort and commitment to helping better our communities through this grassroots project that has been wholeheartedly embraced by District 19 year after year.

At this time, the PB Central Staff have begun arranging discussions and virtual meetings with all the offices to discuss the next steps. As soon as our office has additional information, we will share it with everyone right away!

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Northeast Queens Strong!

Our healthcare workers and first responders are working tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and Northeast Queens continues to find new and creative ways to rise and support our essential workers on the front lines fighting this pandemic every day.

Through their Food for the Fearless initiative, Mark Boccia and the team at Bayside's Bourbon Street Queens and OSP have raised nearly $80,000 and counting to provide hundreds of meals to healthcare workers at our New York hospitals and the many first responders stationed at our local precincts, firehouses, and Fort Totten.

Click here to learn more about this fundraiser

A local group has organized to help assemble over 2,800 critical face shields for healthcare workers at Elmhurst Hospital, Forest Hills Hospital, Stony Brook University Hospital, Brandywine Nursing Home in Little Neck, and several others. Organizer Dr. Emily Watkins writes: "Our volunteers continue to work tirelessly to build face shields. We are grateful to have some new volunteers joining our ranks this week. The situation seems to be improving in some places and some of the hospitals we’ve supplied now have enough face shields for all their staff."

Click here to learn more about Project Face Shield

A group of neighbors have created the "Meals for Visiting Healthcare Workers in Queens" initiative to provide meals to the many nurses, doctors, and paramedics from across the country staying at the Adria Hotel and Conference Center and Best Western on Northern Boulevard. Organizer Amy Herzog writes: "After 12 hour shifts on the front lines, these medical workers are exhausted and hungry. Please help us raise money to coordinate hot meals and other needed supplies."

Click here to learn more about this initiative

The "Help Our Healthcare Heroes" initiative has delivered meals to hundreds of medical staff throughout Queens, Manhattan, and Long Island. Organizer Karra Puccia writes: "Every dollar counts and we want to support these heroes when they leave their families to care for ours. Please share so we can continue helping them."

Click here to learn more

THANK YOU to these local organizers and to our first responders, our healthcare workers, and all those on the front lines every day working hard to get our city through this pandemic. We will weather these uncertain times and come through stronger, together!

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Economic Impact Payment Information:

What You Need to Know

On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the CARES act to help individuals that are negatively impacted by the coronavirus epidemic. An important component of individual relief, Economic Impact Payments, will be distributed by the IRS in the coming weeks.

You don't need to take any action to automatically receive your payment if you:

filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return and are eligible; or
received one of these benefits:
- Social Security retirement benefits and survivor benefits
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and survivor benefits
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits
- Railroad Retirement and survivor benefits

If you are not required to file a federal 2018 or 2019 income tax return, visit the IRS at Non-filers: Enter Payment Info Here to submit your information using the secure IRS Free File fillable form provided. To claim the $500 benefit for each qualifying dependent child under 17, those who receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits and did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019, or who receive SSI, must visit the above link.

The Economic Impact Payment program is managed by the IRS and the United States Treasury. For accurate guidance, including how to provide or update direct deposit information, filing directions for those who have not filed a return, or to check the status of your payment, visit the IRS at Economic Impact Payments.

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COVID-19 Emergency Supply Sourcing & Manufacturing

As chair of the Council's Committee on Economic Development, I'm encouraged to see over 2,000 NYC businesses have answered the call for aid from our healthcare workers, who need proper supplies & protection to continue fighting COVID19.

Are you able to help support the City's response to COVID19? Volunteer to help today: https://edc.nyc/covid-19-emergency-supply-sourcing-manufacturing

Read more at The Architect's Newspaper

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Grab and Go Meals for ALL

Starting Friday, April 3, 2020, three free meals are available daily for ALL New Yorkers in more than 400 Meal Hubs across the 5 boroughs.

Locations in Northeast Queens include Bayside High School, MS 158, PS 169 Bay Terrace and PS 107 Flushing.

To find a location near you visit http://schools.nyc.gov/freemeals
or text "NYC FOOD" to 877-877.

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Get Involved: How You Can Help

Healthcare workers at Flushing Hospital Medical Center are handling many COVID19 cases and are requesting help. If you are able to donate, or have any of the necessary PPE supplies, please visit http://flushinghospital.org/donate-now/!
Governor Cuomo is calling on health care professionals, schools of public health or medicine and PPE products providers and manufacturers to volunteer and help support the state’s response. Visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/get-involved-how-you-can-help to find out how you can volunteer today.
Supplies: NYC EDC is seeking local businesses that want to support the COVID-19 emergency response effort. Please visit this webpage for more: https://edc.nyc/covid-19-emergency-supply-sourcing-manufacturing
Information about space: The NYC Share Your Space Survey is critical to helping the City prepare for emergencies and outreach to all of the City's communities. Organizations citywide are encouraged to participate. Visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/share-your-space-survey.page
DonateNYC: Find out how you can safely and responsibly donate or find needed goods here: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/donate/site/

Visit http://nyc.gov/helpnownyc for the latest ways you can safely help, or seek help, from your fellow New Yorkers.

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Coronavirus FAQ

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
• Commonly reported symptoms include:
o Fever (temperature over 100.4 degrees F or 38 degrees C)
o Cough
o Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
o Sore throat
• If you have any of these symptoms, and they are not due to a preexisting health condition like asthma or emphysema, you may have COVID-19 and you must stay home.

What should I do if I get sick with COVID-19 symptoms?
• If you have mild to moderate symptoms, stay home. You should not seek medical care or try to get tested. By staying home, you reduce the possibility of transmission to others, including health care workers who are needed to care for the more seriously ill.
• If you are over 50 years old or have chronic conditions, consult your doctor. They may want to monitor you more closely.
• If your symptoms do not go away or get worse after three to four days, consult with your doctor.
• Stay home for at least seven days after your symptoms started. Make sure that you have been fever-free for three days without the use of fever-reducing drugs, such as Tylenol and ibuprofen. Also, make sure that your cough and sore throat are better before you go back to your routine. If you never had a fever, stay at home for at least three days after your symptoms start improving.
• If you go out to see your doctor, wear a face mask if available. If possible, take a private car, sit in the back seat and roll down the window.
• If you have more severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and very high fever, go to an emergency department. Call 911 if you need help right away.

Via NYC Department of Health

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NYC Public School Remote Learning

The DOE has commenced Remote Learning.

If you are a family in need of a device, please use the resources below and visit the NYC Department of Education website

Visit http://schools.nyc.gov and schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus for the latest official DOE updates.

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New York State Issues Guidance on

COVID-19 Paid Leave Law

On March 18, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed into law Senate Bill S8091 to provide paid sick leave and job protection for workers during the COVID-19 crisis (“COVID-19 Leave”).

This leave is provided in the event that a worker, or their minor children, are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation issued by the State of New York, the Department of Health, local board of health, or any government entity duly authorized to issue such order due to COVID-19.

Find a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements and benefits here:

https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/new-york-paid-family-leave-covid-19-faqs

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