Dear John,

This is an anxious time for all of us, and one of the hardest parts is how much is outside of our control. Like many of you, I’m focused on concrete things I can do, like wearing a mask, phonebanking, pushing for recovery legislation, and reminding people to fill out the Census (today is the LAST day), that at least feel like I’m doing my part to steer our city and our country towards healing and recovery.

We are facing a fall surge in coronavirus cases, with case numbers rising and positivity rates in hotspot neighborhoods alarmingly high. Even as our city and state leadership fumbles decisions and fails to communicate clearly, we are at least far better prepared than we were this spring.

We know what we need to do: Wear a mask when you are in public, outside, in stores, and at work. Keep a healthy 6 feet distance from anyone not in your household. Get tested regularly, especially when you think you might have been exposed by a specific person or spent time in a crowded setting. A negative result one day does not necessarily mean a negative result the next, so don’t treat it as a reason to let your guard down. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Isolate if you may have been exposed or are returning from travel. Stay home if you are sick, and call your doctor.

Thankfully, the public health recommendation has fully reversed from early this spring when we had to tell people not to get tested, so as to avoid crowding limited testing sites. Now, far more rapid and accurate testng is widely available and experts are telling us to get tested regularly.

The current recommendation is to get tested if you think you were exposed to someone who is positive, spent time in crowds, work in a congregate setting, or are planning to visit someone high risk. Essential workers or anyone who is working outside the home are urged to get tested monthly.

Rapid testing: You can make an appointment for a free rapid COVID-19 virus test at multiple COVID Express sites throughout the city. The PCR tests come back within 24 hours, usually the same day. Point of care antigen tests are even quicker, usually giving results while you are still on site. The Health and Hospitals site on Fort Hamilton Parkway has point of care tests (4002 Fort Hamilton Parkway, 7 days a week, 9 am to 7 PM).

Mobile Testing Sites: Vans with mobile testing sites have been deployed to hotspot areas, including at Albemarle Playground in our district (Dahill Road & Albemarle Rd, M-F, 10 to 4 PM).

School Testing: Students and teachers in blended learning in person school will be randomly tested on a monthly basis. Parents must sign a consent form, the test is a diagnostic test done with a short swab, and a full FAQ from the Department of Education is available here.

To find a testing site near you, visit nyc.gov/covidtest or text “COVID TEST” to 855-48.

This weekend Rosa and I were out for a bike ride when my wife Meg called to let us know someone she had interacted with recently had tested positive for COVID-19. We were able to swing by a rapid testing site on our ride home, get tested, and receive our (reassuringly negative) results just a few hours later. We’ll all continue to keep our distance, wear our masks, and get tested again in a few days to be sure.

With so many things to worry about right now, we can give ourselves some modicum of peace of mind by getting tested, following social distancing, and encouraging friends and neighbors to do so too.

Brad

In this email:
Updates and Resources
Upcoming Events

Updates and Resources

Latest Virus Data: In NYC, there were 499 new cases identified yesterday. We have lost 23,905 people in NYC from the virus, including sadly 10 in the last few days, and 256,474 total cases have been identified in the city since the start of the pandemic. The citywide 7-day rolling average of positive test rates is 1.49%, the rates in the hotspot areas are still high but may be leveling off.
Last Chance to Complete the Census: The Supreme Court weighed in so this really is the last chance to make sure all New Yorkers are counted. Fill out your Census and remind friends and family: my2020census.gov.
School Testing: If your child is attending in person blended learning school, please fill out the consent form to enable them to be tested for COVID-19 at school so that we can have an accurate picture of how schools are doing at keeping everyone safe and the virus at bay. The consent form is now available in multiple languages here.
Make a Plan to Vote: If you haven’t already, you can request an absentee ballot here. Early voting starts on October 24, and is a great option for those who are able and comfortable going in person. Even if you are planning to vote early, as I am, you can request an absentee ballot just in case closures, illness, or quarantine prevent you from being able to go to the polls. You can look up your early voting poll site here.
Get a Flu Shot: Getting the seasonal flu shot this year is more important than ever to protect each other. Flu shots are available at most drug stores or Health and Hospitals sites, more info here.
Heaters for Outdoor Dining: The City released guidance for city restaurants planning to stay open and serve customers outdoors with heating devices this fall and winter. Details about the guidance for gas or electric heaters can be found here.
Participatory Budgeting: Submit your ideas for how to help our neighborhoods recover and rebuild from this crisis.
Prospect Park Ball Fields 4 & 5 Reopened: Parks and play areas are a precious resource right now to keep our communities happy, healthy, and connected. I’m pleased to share that Prospect Park ball fields 4 & 5 are reopened after a restoration funded by my office -- and already getting good use!
Park Slope Halloween Parade Cancelled: Sadly, there will be no Halloween parade on 5th Avenue this year, though some festive and socially distanced activities will be hosted by the Old Stone House, 5th Avenue BID and Park Slope Civic Council, details coming soon.

Upcoming Events

Friday, October 16 from 2:30 to 4 PM: Participatory Budgeting Pop-Up in the Park Slope Library Reading Garden.

Drop by to discuss and submit participatory budgeting ideas in the Park Slope Library Reading Garden (a PB-funded project!) on 6th Avenue and 9th Street.

Saturday, October 17 at 11 AM: RBG Legacy March. RSVP here.

The Women’s March will be holding a march to honor the legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg z”l on Saturday morning, starting from Grand Army Plaza at 11 am.

Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18: Arts Gowanus on Atlantic Ave

A socially distanced ArtWalk that will feature Gowanus artists displaying paintings, drawings, prints, photography, installation and sculptures and will be displayed on storefronts, roll down gates, and dining fences of 65 Atlantic Avenue businesses. Details here.

Sunday, October 18 from 10 to 2 PM: E-Waste Recycling Collection

Bring your old electronics to the John Jay Campus in Park Slope (227 7th Avenue) to be properly recycled, hosted by the LES Ecology Center. Details on what kinds of electronics are accepted are here.

Thursday, October 22 at 6 PM: CB6 Land Use and Landmarks Committee Meeting on the Gowanus Neighborhood Rezoning. Register here.

The Department of City Planning will give an overview of their plans for the Gowanus rezoning and community engagement leading up to certification (the first stage of ULURP),take questions at the landmarks and land use committee of Community Board 6.