Dear Neighbors,
Like many of you, I feel pain, anger, and heartbreak today -- and as an elected official, I am channeling it into action. I've spent this week marching behind young leaders, listening to black women Council Members, and supporting critical legislation to achieve meaningful structural change within the NYPD. (The first three items below will likely come to a vote in the City Council on June 18th.)
- I am a co-sponsor of the Resolution to repeal NYS Section 50-A;
- an early co-sponsor of Int. 0536-2018, the law to ban chokeholds;
- an early co-sponsor of Int. 1309-2018, which requires the NYPD to make public a disciplinary matrix of potential penalties for police misconduct; and
- I’ve submitted a request for legislation to require NYPD officers to intervene, stop, and report the use of excessive force.
And -- I am committed to shifting funding from the NYPD to programs that address community and human needs (#defundNYPD).
We are beginning to have a more honest national conversation about race and police violence. Breonna Taylor, an EMT, was killed by police in her home in the middle of the night, for something that had nothing to do with her. Tony McDade, a black man in our beloved transgender community, was shot by police - just because he "looked like" someone else. Time after time, we see police killing black people with little to no accountability. And now we see that violence move from the murder of George Floyd, into brutality against the protesters that mourn him.
We need to do more than cut the NYPD budget --something which we should have been doing concurrent with the drop in crime. We must end the lack of NYPD accountability for generations of perpetrating harm upon the very communities they pledge to serve. We need to adopt the reforms identified by CampaignZero.org and 8cantwait.org, with urgency.
Ta-Nehisi Coates was interviewed by Ezra Klein recently, and his reaction to what is happening around us, is to be hopeful. He is hopeful because more white people are standing with black people today than ever before. He is hopeful because white people are starting to open our eyes to the devastating impact of systemic racism... and more of us are willing to take action.
And with COVID-19, our city is facing many challenges at the same time: unemployment, hunger, housing insecurity. I'm grateful and proud of my staff who have made a tangible impact by figuring out how to get bulk food to Brownsville, Brooklyn, which is already a food desert and is now experiencing increased food insecurity. But one bulk food delivery is not enough, just as signing a pledge to implement police reforms is not enough. We have to pursue social change with the same sense of passion and intention that those on the street are demanding.
RE-OPENING NYC: PHASE 1 BEGINS MONDAY (6/8)
With the launch of the City's Test & Trace Corps, and the number of positive cases, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit cases in decline, New York City will begin Phase 1 of the State's re-open plan this Monday, June 8th.
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.
Relief for our small businesses cannot come soon enough. Yesterday the City Council's Committee on Consumer Affairs & Business Licensing reviewed legislation which would enable restaurants and bars to serve customers outdoors and follow social distancing guidelines. The bill also requires the City to identify appropriate open spaces (sidewalks, streets, plazas, etc.) for this purpose.
The City has just announced a plan along these lines -- during Phase 2 of reopening, the Depts of Transportation and Consumer & Worker Protection will streamline the permitting process for sidewalk seating. Restaurants will be able to convert adjacent parking spots into more seating with self-certification -- no permit will be needed.
The City says that it will also allow restaurants to create seating areas in Open Streets sites, and identify new Open Streets on commercial strips with a high volume of restaurants.
Testing & Tracing for All New Yorkers
COVID-19 testing is now available for all New Yorkers. The City has also launched a Test & Trace Corps, which will enable it to separate and care for those who test positive for the virus, and then rapidly track, assess, and quarantine anyone they came into contact with who may be infected.
Contact mapping, case monitoring and outreach to contacts have all begun. New Yorkers with positive results are now receiving calls. Anyone safely separated at home will be offered meal delivery, medication and essential services through a Resource Navigator. Anyone unable to safely separate at home will be offered a free hotel room.
- If you test positive, you will be called within 24 hours by a Tracer. The call will last 30-45 minutes and you will be asked about your symptoms, your recent close contacts and how to reach them, and your tracer will give you instructions on how to safely separate for up to 14 days.
- If you are named as a contact, a tracer will call you to ask about your symptoms, offer instructions on how and where to get tested immediately, and give instructions about how to safely separate for 14 days, either at home or at a free hotel. You will then receive daily follow-up to ensure you get tested.
COVID-19 Testing Locations
To find a testing site, type your address here, or call 311.
These sites in our area offer diagnostic testing. Additional sites are opening soon.
- City MD Urgent Care- West 104th, 2710 Broadway, Phone: (212) 658-0676
- GoHealth Urgent Care Center - W 100th, 2628 Broadway, Phone: (212) 897-1992
- CityMD Urgent Care- West 88th, 2398 Broadway, Phone: (212) 721-2111
- GoHealth Urgent Care Center - W 69th, 199 Amsterdam Ave, Phone: (212) 721-4200
- CityMD Urgent Care- West 69th, 2025 Broadway, Phone: (212) 390-8812
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Sydenham, 264 W 118 St, Phone: (212) 932-6500
- Highbridge Pool, 2301 Amsterdam Ave (9AM-7PM, seven days a week)
- Testing for the coronavirus, and the subsequent anti-bodies, is also being provided by the State by appointment only. Call 1-833-766-6769 (SOMOS-NY) to sign up. Location: 145 West 96th Street
Mass Transit: Back to Regular Service
New York City subways and buses will return to full, regular service (excluding subway cleaning from 1am to 5am) on Monday as part of of Phase 1.
In a June 2nd public letter, the MTA outlined steps that it is taking to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in our transit system:
- Mask use is mandatory;
- Messaging that subway and bus service is for essential workers and essential trips only during Phase 1;
- Requesting that employers stagger shifts and continue to allow for remote work;
- Applying floor markings and decals where possible to assist with social distancing at stations;
- Supplying hand sanitizer where possible to customers across the MTA system; and
- Deploying platform controllers, MTA Police, and additional station personnel to monitor conditions and assist with crowding.
Next Friday (6/12) at 10am, the City Council's Transportation Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the NYC Dept of Transportation's and MTA’s response to COVID-19. You can livestream the hearing here.
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.
ELECTION DAY: JUNE 23RD
Registered voters can request an absentee ballot for the June 23rd elections until June 16th.
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.
- NYCHA seniors & other vulnerable residents can receive a free AC unit and have it installed. Eligibility: NYCHA 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 NYCHA residents are receiving robocalls. Anyone who missed the robocalls please call (718) 707-7771.
NEW RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
- NYC Business Restart Hotline: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692) for any small business who needs help or is seeking guidance on Phase 1 of the reopening. Industry employer guides available here.The City will provide 2 million face coverings to 40 local chambers and business groups for small businesses and their employees. NYC Small Business Services will launch an online map with distribution sites.
- The NY Forward Loan Fund is assisting businesses and organizations who have upfront expenses to comply with safety guidelines (e.g., inventory, marketing, refitting for new social distancing guidelines) under the New York Forward Re-open Plan. Available for businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, nonprofits, and small landlords that have seen a loss of rental income. Learn more here.
HOTLINE FOR WORKING NEW YORKERS
Starting this Monday, workers who call 311 will be connected to the NYC Dept of Consumer & Worker Protection for immediate assistance. Information on worker rights and guidance is also available online: nyc.gov/coronavirus.
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.
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