Dear John,

I hope everyone enjoyed the disturbingly gorgeous weekend and spontaneous collective celebration. After everything New Yorkers have been through these last months (and last four years) we sure needed it.

Even as many of us are breathing a collective sigh of relief, we know that the next few months are going to be some of the hardest. The second wave of coronavirus infections is here, and we cannot let our guard down. Nearly all of our metrics to assess the spread of the virus have ticked up over worrying thresholds. The 7-day rolling average test positivity rate is over 2.26% citywide, and far higher in some hotspot neighborhoods. The average number of new cases is 779 today, and has been over the 550 average case threshold several times in the last few weeks. The city has restarted posting the 7-day positivity average by zip code today, and in our district both Kensington/Windsor Terrace and Borough Park have high rates (2.05% and 3.34% respectively).

This is a test that we cannot afford to fail. None of us have forgotten those months last spring with sirens wailing constantly and refrigerated morgues outside hospitals in our neighborhoods. So many of us have lost someone special, or been sick ourselves. We know how dangerous the virus is, and how diligent we must be to protect our communities from it.

It is not easy. We are all weary of restrictions, lonely without our communities and normal activities, deeply anxious about jobs, businesses, and paying the rent. The weather is getting colder, it is harder to stay outdoors. The holidays are coming, and the loss of time with family and friends feels makes pandemic isolation even more painful.

With the coming leadership change at the federal level, we can look hopefully towards a far more effective and coordinated nationwide response to the virus. President-elect Biden has already announced a taskforce on implementing his coronavirus plan, and plans to create a position to oversee and coordinate supply chains across states. A report today shows that vaccine development is promising, and a better coordinated federal plan to get it to every community is something to be hopeful about.

Together with stronger action at the federal level to distribute PPE, scale up testing, and distribute a vaccine when it comes, and each of us doing our part to wear masks, keep distancing, and getting tested, we will get through this.

In the meantime, we do each have to do our part. Many of us have gotten too comfortable over the last few months, it's time to be vigilant again. I’ve said already that indoor dining is unwise, and I think it probably makes sense to avoid indoor gyms too. We are nearing the threshold of a 7-day average positivity rate of 3% when the Mayor has committed to close the schools, which would be a shame for the many students and families who are getting a lot out of being in person with their teachers and friends at school.

And it is important to keep in mind those who will be affected most by new tightened restrictions. For many seniors in our communities who have enjoyed being outside in parks during the warmer months, this winter may bring back the deep isolation of the spring. We are still welcoming volunteers to join the Neighbor Network to call older adults to offer virtual companionship and connect people to needed services as increased isolation sets in.

There is no such thing as zero risk, but we all make choices every single day about what amount of risk is worth it to us. To make those choices wisely, we have to be clear-eyed about the calculation and value our collective well-being.

Brad

In this email:
Updates and Resources
Upcoming Events

Updates and Resources

Latest Virus Data: In NYC, there were 1393 new cases identified yesterday. We have lost 24,074 people in NYC from the virus, including sadly 14 in the last few days, and 275,944 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 2.26%.
Get Tested: Testing is widely available (and free) to all New Yorkers. You can make an appointment to get a rapid test (results back in 24 hours) or walk in to a testing site around the city.
Schools Opt-In Deadline 11/15: Families have until November 15 to opt-in to in person/blended learning. Fill out the survey here if you want to change your learning mode. The Mayor and Chancellor have said this is the only opt-in period for now for the rest of this school year, but as with everything else, that may change.
Some Red Zone Schools Reopening: Schools that were recently shifted from red to yellow zones will be allowed to reopen beginning this Thursday, including P.S. 179 and 131 in our district.
New Travel Quarantine Rules: The Governor’s new rules require travelers to quarantine for three days and test negative on the fourth in order to leave quarantine. If you travel to a neighboring state for less than 24 hours, the 3-day quarantine is not required, but you should get tested on the fourth day back.
Call Older Neighbors: As the cold and rising virus rates send more of us inside, many older New Yorkers once again are isolated and in need of both companionship and services. The Neighbor Network will connect you with older New Yorkers for a friendly phone visit and help develop long term relationships to add joy and friendship in this isolating time. Learn more and sign up to volunteer here.
Repurposing Reusable Bags: We are still collecting Fresh Direct and other reusable bags for use by emergency food providers. You can drop bags off at the following sites and times.
- Park Slope: 256 13th St, M-F, 9 AM to 6 PM
- Carroll Gardens: 71 3rd Pl, M-F, 9 AM to 6 PM
- Cobble Hill: 359 Henry St, Mon-Wed, 9 AM to 6 PM
- Kensington: 3 Avenue C, Saturdays at 4 PM

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, November 10 at 6:30 PM: Department of Education Spanish-Language Office Hours. Learn more and get call-in information here.