— IN THE PAST WEEK —

Dear Neighbors,

I hope everyone continues to stay healthy and safe during these difficult times.

In celebration of Italian Heritage Month and the significant contributions made by Italian Americans in Queens, I'm proud to be welcoming the community to the Queens Historical Society’s virtual exhibition and art talk tonight! Please join us at 7pm and RSVP here!

In addition, please remember: by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, looking after our seniors and most vulnerable neighbors, and getting tested, we can continue to stay well and stop the spread.

Please find below the latest news and resources to stay informed.

Thank you and stay well,

Council Member Paul Vallone
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Election 2020: Vote!

Early voting started Saturday, October 24th and will run through next Sunday, November 1st. Hours are:

Monday, October 26, 2020 - 7 AM to 3 PM
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 - 12 PM to 8 PM
Wednesday, October 28, 2020 - 12 PM to 8 PM
Thursday, October 29, 2020 - 10 AM to 6 PM
Friday, October 30, 2020 - 7 AM to 3 PM
Saturday, October 31, 2020 - 10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday, November 1, 2020 - 10 AM to 4 PM

You can also vote in person between 6AM and 9PM on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd.

Find your voting site for early or Election Day voting here.

All registered voters can also vote by mail by requesting an absentee ballot. The deadline to request is October 27th. You can mark the reason as “Temporary illness or disability,” which includes the risk of contracting the coronavirus. After you complete your ballot, make sure to sign, date, and seal your absentee ballot envelope.

Request your absentee ballot here.

Track your absentee ballot here.

Use the Voter Registration Look-up to check your registration status online, or call 866-VOTE-NYC (212-487-5496 for the hearing impaired) for assistance.

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NYC Council Hearing on PPE Stockpile & Preparedness

Thursday's joint hearing of the Committees on Economic Development, Contracts and Governmental Operations brought a critical and thorough review of the city's decision-making processes throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and presented us with an opportunity to glean lessons learned and discuss how EDC and the relevant city agencies are preparing to tackle the second wave or a future health crisis.

Applying best practices from the Spring, ensuring an adequate stockpile of medical equipment, PPE, and testing, and streamlining critical response time between agencies and our medical community is paramount. The near-complete effort to stockpile a 90-day PPE supply for the city and the now-live PPE + Reopening Supplies portal established by EDC are vital safeguards as we prepare for whatever comes tomorrow, next month or next year.

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QPAC's Musical Night In

Groovy Friday evening with Queensborough Performing Arts Center's Susan Agin and musical duo Brooklyn Soul Train! Always proud to support QPAC and their arts and cultural programming. Thanks for having me!

Find a calendar of QPAC's virtual programming here

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Stopping the Spread of COVID-19

NEW: NYC is one of the first local jurisdictions in the country to put out COVID19 testing frequency recommendations. Find out how often you should be getting tested: https://on.nyc.gov/316jRUC

Testing is widely available, and you can now get tested even if you are asymptomatic. Testing is free, quick, and easy, and you do not need insurance.

⦿ Text 'COVID TEST' to 855-48 to find the closest testing location or visit nyc.gov/COVIDtest

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Working Through the

Coronavirus Outbreak Together

PHASE 4 REOPENING

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Indoor dining in NYC resumed at 25% capacity on Sept. 30. Reopening indoor dining in New York City with safety precautions is the right call and a major step that will boost the local economy and help our restaurant owners and the thousands of New Yorkers they employ get back on their feet while keeping diners safe.

Given the fact that surrounding counties are already offering indoor dining at up to 50% capacity, I urge the Governor to raise the threshold for our Queens and NYC restaurants as soon as it's safely possible.

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Open Restaurants Program

The City has announced guidance for the Open Restaurants program, which allows qualifying restaurants and bars to expand outdoor seating on sidewalks, curb lanes, backyards, patios, plazas, and Open Streets.

The Open Restaurants initiative will give restaurant owners the power to expand and offer food service in the open air, keeping diners safe and offering New Yorkers a way to enjoy a meal while supporting their local small business, whose success will be a critical part of a strong economic recovery.

Read more and apply here!

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Free Face Coverings for Small Businesses

and their Employees

The City of New York will distribute 4 million face coverings citywide to small businesses and their employees as we move toward reopening the local economy. To get these resources to you and your employees, the NYC Department of Small Business Services and NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection are working with business-serving partner organizations throughout the five boroughs.

If you are a small business looking to secure free face coverings for your employees, visit this City website to find a distribution partner located near you. You should contact partner organizations in advance, most organizations have varying hours for pick up.

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Food Pantry Assistance

Our local food pantries in College Point, Flushing and Whitestone are offering assistance to hundreds of families and need our help. Please donate if you are able and spread the word! Thank you CEC D25!

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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 stepped up and launched a fundraiser to help College Point residents who are in need of food.

Organizers write: "We have been going strong throughout the summer, helping to keep the food pantry alive at First Reformed Church in CP. Thanks to generous donations from the community, businesses, and city partners, we have been helping the community throughout these difficult Covid times...Our focus has now fully shifted from thanking workers, which was a wonderful initiative, to supporting the food pantry."

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:

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!

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.