Dear Neighbors,
As we begin to prepare for the re-opening of New York City, the City Council is legislating ways to both do it as safely as possible, and bring badly needed relief to our local economy.
Yesterday the Council introduced legislation which will require the City to identify open spaces (sidewalks, streets, plazas, etc.) where restaurants and bars can follow social distancing measures and safely serve customers outside -- enabling more of these businesses to re-open.
Also yesterday -- my colleagues and I passed a bill which requires public reporting on the City’s COVID-19 contact tracing efforts; another which establishes a commission to oversee the early release of incarcerated persons, including those vulnerable to COVID-19, who have served a portion of their sentence; and a resolution calling for pay parity for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. Learn more here.
With the City's Test & Trace Corps set to launch June 1, and the number of positive cases, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit cases in decline, New York City is approaching eligibility for Phase 1 of the State's re-open plan.
Local industries eligible for Phase 1 include construction, manufacturing, wholesale suppliers, and non-essential retail. An estimated 200,000-400,000 workers will return to their job sites as part of Phase 1. To ensure this is done safely, all businesses will need to adhere to specific hygiene, distancing, and health protocols. Read the State guidelines here.
INCIDENT IN CENTRAL PARK
This week I joined Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Brooklyn BP Eric Adams, Manhattan BP Gale Brewer, and many other community leaders to call attention to the recent incident in Central Park in which a white woman called the police to make a complaint about a black bird watcher.
While the Upper West Side is proudly home to many different types of people, we are relatively more affluent and white. And for that reason alone, many of us do not experience police brutality the way our neighbors do.
Both disturbing recent videos, and data, have shown the disproportionate police enforcement of social distancing -- with black and brown people being far more likely to receive summons, or brutality, for non-compliance.
And as the racist and false allegations made against Mr. Cooper for birdwatching clearly illustrate -- the violence of racism is weaponized in the daily interactions of so many New Yorkers.
Calling the police on a black man is too often a death sentence (it was for George Floyd in Minnesota), and what the video perfectly captures is the eagerness to make that call and leverage that power. It is tragic that Mr. Cooper is so familiar with this reality that he has published works to guide and protect his peers on the dangers of birding while black.
Central Park should be a natural respite for ALL New Yorkers, where no one should encounter harassment and abuse. I take this to heart as a white woman. We must confront how we weaponize power, and redirect it in service of equity.
CITY BUDGET
The City is required to pass a balanced budget by the end of June. With additional drops in revenue, looming State cuts to education and healthcare funding, and the growing un-likelihood of Federal support for states and localities, piecing together a budget that does not cut critical programs and services will be a massive challenge.
The City must assemble a package of solutions which includes productivity savings, some cuts to services, new revenue opportunities, use of reserves, and borrowing. There is no one silver bullet. I've spoken and written about some of these ideas.
To raise additional revenue, the lowest hanging fruit is to unwind the rebate of the securities transfer tax, currently in State law. This tax was collected until 1981 and could generate billions of dollars, depending on the percentage collected, and be shared equally by the City and the State.
NYCHA TOWN HALL
Thank you to all the NYCHA residents who joined us for a special Town Hall this week. We discussed COVID-19 safety measures in Upper West Side NYCHA buildings, testing for NYCHA residents, resources for seniors and other vulnerable residents, ongoing repair and maintenance problems, and more.
Chairman Greg Russ and other NYCHA leadership responded to questions from tenant leaders and residents for over an hour. We were also pleased to be joined by City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. You can watch the full Town Hall here.
COVID-19 DIAGNOSTIC & ANTIBODY TESTING AVAILABLE
Testing for the coronavirus itself, and the subsequent anti-bodies, is being provided by the State of NY in our community.
When: Ongoing
Where: 145 West 96th Street.
What: Both COVID diagnostic and antibody (serology) tests available
How: By Appointment Only. Call 1-833-766-6769 (SOMOS-NY) to sign up
Thank you to Assembly Member O'Donnell's office for sharing this information.
BLOOD DONATIONS NEEDED
The cancellation of blood drives during the pandemic has significantly impacted supply levels. Please consider donating blood. New Yorkers can make an appointment by visiting nybc.org or calling 800-933-2566.
RESOURCES FOR UPPER WEST SIDERS
My office is working with seniors, the disabled, the recently un (or under) employed, the food insecure, people with housing issues, and all those suffering the many consequences of this pandemic, to help in any way we can.
Please call (212) 873-0282, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible; email [email protected]; or check our website, HelenRosenthal.com. We update it on a daily basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders need to get through this crisis.
COOLING ASSISTANCE
New York City's Human Resources Administration is providing a “Cooling Assistance” benefit, which helps eligible households buy and install an air conditioner or fan up to a cost of $800. Learn more and apply here.
NEW RESOURCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
As New York State begins to re-open, the NY Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) can assist small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, nonprofits, and small landlords that have seen a loss of rental income.
NYFLF is timed to support businesses and organizations as they proceed to reopen and have upfront expenses to comply with safety guidelines (e.g., inventory, marketing, refitting for new social distancing guidelines) under the New York Forward Plan. Learn more here.
DEALING WITH DEBT COLLECTORS
The City's Dept of Consumer & Worker Protection has produced a letter template in multiple languages that New Yorkers can use to respond to aggressive debt collectors during the state of emergency. For more information about scams and other consumer issues, visit nyc.gov/consumers.
ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS
Summer Intergenerational Volunteer Opportunities
If you're age 65+ and enjoy spending time with young people, please volunteer to share wisdom and laughs with DOROT teens this summer. Join us from your home for weekly intergenerational workshops in storytelling, discussion groups, legacy projects, StoryCorps Connect, or art, for a four-week session, beginning on June 22 or July 20.
Following an online orientation, sign up for your preferred activity and session. Familiarity with Zoom and access to a computer, phone or tablet with a working camera is required. Orientations are held in early June. Sign-up here. Please email: [email protected] with any questions.
Are You Having Difficulty With Meal Delivery?
Seniors who signed up through a senior center, or with the City's Dept for the Aging (DFTA), should be receiving meal packages delivered directly to their homes. The meal plan has recently changed to a 9-meal package per person, which is delivered twice per week.
If you are not receiving your meal deliveries, please contact the senior center where you signed up. Click here for Upper West Side senior center phone numbers, under "Senior Centers". We would also appreciate you alerting our office by leaving a message at (212) 873-0282, x206.
Caring Calls
If you are an older adult and would like to speak regularly with a friendly Upper West Side volunteer, please call DOROT at (212) 769-2850 or email: [email protected].
ESPECIALLY FOR NYCHA RESIDENTS
Free AC Unit for Seniors & Other Vulnerable Residents
NYCHA seniors & other vulnerable residents can receive a free AC unit and have it installed. Eligibility: residents age 60+, and/or with a mobility impairment, and/or that are on life sustaining equipment, and do not have an air conditioner.
Eligible candidates will be receiving robocalls. Anyone who missed the robocalls should inquire to (718) 707-7771.
Tablets for Seniors
The City is distributing 10,000 tablets to NYCHA seniors in an effort to connect them to their loved ones. First come, first served. To register, please call (929) 505-6208 or (929) 237-3069, Monday- Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm, or e-mail: [email protected].
Eligibility:Seniors (62 years+) who live alone or with another senior only. The tablet comes with 12 months of free internet service, training and support.
2020 CENSUS: NYC NEEDS YOU
Just over half of New York City residents have responded to the 2020 Census. It is absolutely essential --for fair representation in government, equitable public funding, and much more-- that all New Yorkers participate. Every household has the option of responding online, by phone, or by mail. Learn more here.
AVAILABLE RESOURCES AT A GLANCE
For Everyone:
How to Help:
For Constituents in Need:
Businesses & Nonprofits:
Workers:
Buildings & Residents:
As always, please stay home to every extent possible for the safety of everyone. You can review NYC Dept of Health guidelines here.
Please stay well and share some kindness with yourself and the people around you.
Warmly,
P.S. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, or have them subscribe to my e-blasts here. Also, follow my social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram.
|
