— IN THE PAST WEEK —

Dear Neighbors,

I hope everyone continues to stay healthy and safe!

Christmas and holiday blessings to all! As we enjoy the magic of the
Christmas season, let us always remember to embody the spirit of Christmas
by spreading love and joy to others. I hope you and your family have a very
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year blessed with health and happiness.

As we enjoy the holiday season at the end of a very challenging year,
I urge you to remember: by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing,
looking after our seniors and most vulnerable neighbors, and getting
tested, we can continue to stop the spread of COVID19 and be well.
Thank you and stay well,
Council Member Paul Vallone

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Queens Nurse is First American to Receive COVID Vaccine!

"A nurse in Queens became the first person in the nation Monday morning to
receive the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine, in an extraordinary moment of
hope after a devastating year.

After more than nine months of battling the coronavirus and tirelessly
working to save lives, high-risk physicians and nurses directly treating
patients infected with the virus will be the first outside of clinical
trials to get the Pfizer vaccine, which arrived in the state this morning.

Sandra Lindsay, a critical care nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center
in Glen Oaks, rolled up her sleeve and received the shot on live
television.

'It didn’t feel any different from taking any other vaccine,' Lindsay
said."

[1]Read the full article at NY1

Once again, Queens is leading the way! A truly historic moment for our city
and nation.

While the end of the pandemic may finally be in sight, it is still
important in the coming weeks we continue to:

1- Wear a mask
2- Practice social distancing
3 -Get tested for COVID19!

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Vallone Announces Passage of Street Co-Naming in Honor of Late Whitestone
Monsignor

At Thursday’s Stated Meeting, the New York City Council voted to approve
Council Member Paul A. Vallone’s bill to co-name the intersection of
Clintonville Street and Locke Avenue, in front of St. Luke Roman Catholic
Church, as “Msgr. John C Tosi Way.” An official ceremony is currently
slated to take place sometime in the spring.

Monsignor John C. Tosi was a priest for over 45 years and a monsignor for
23 years within the Diocese of Brooklyn & Queens. Sadly, Monsignor Tosi
passed on May 23rd, 2020, after suffering from a coronary condition for the
past several years. He was 73 years old.

“I’m proud to announce this much-deserved honor for Monsignor Tosi, who was
regarded as a local stalwart and a man of deep faith,” said Council Member
Paul Vallone. “I look forward to joining together as a community in the new
year to celebrate his life and legacy in Northeast Queens.”

“Monsignor John Tosi was a faithful priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn for
almost 50 years, and he served the people of St. Luke for 15 years,” said
Fr. John Costello, the current pastor of St. Luke’s. “He was a generous,
dedicated, and caring priest who went out of his way to help others. He
loved Jesus, he loved the Church, he loved the parish, and he loved the
community – he was a Queens boy who grew up not too far away in Flushing.
His memory and his legacy will live on for many years here at St. Luke.”

Read Coverage at [2]QNS

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Holidays Are Here in Northeast Queens!

The holiday trees at Francis Lewis and MacNeil Park are lit! Please stop by
with your family sometime in the next few weeks and take in the joyful
sight.

Thanks to Friends of Francis Lewis Park, A Better College Point, Coastal
Preservation Network, NYC Parks and all involved for partnering to bring
some holiday light to the community!

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Whitestone Holiday Light Fundraiser

The Whitestone Merchants Association is working to bring holiday lights to
our streets again this winter! They will be raising funds throughout the
season. Donation information can be found below:

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Grab and Go Meals for ALL

Even when school buildings are closed, free meals are still available at
NYC Schools Meal Hubs!

To find a location near you visit [3][link removed]
or text "NYC FOOD" to 877-877.

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Stopping the Spread of COVID-19

Getting tested for COVID-19 or antibodies? Here is the difference between
the two tests:
* Virus tests tell you if you have COVID-19 and are currently sick.
* Antibody tests tell you if you had COVID-19 at some point in the past.

Learn more about testing [4]here

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: [5][link removed]

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
[6]nyc.gov/COVIDtest

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New: Open Storefronts

Have you heard about Open Storefronts? Ground floor storefront businesses
can now use a portion of the sidewalk to conduct business until December
31.

A strong economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic means continuous
creativity with our open spaces and giving our business owners every
resource they need to survive and thrive. The Open Storefronts program will
accomplish just that and give New Yorkers a unique way to shop local and
shop safe throughout this holiday season.

Learn more and check your eligibility [7]here!

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Working Through the

Coronavirus Outbreak Together

PHASE 4 REOPENING

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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 [8]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 [9]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 [10]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 [11]Facebook and [12]Twitter for the latest.

Please sign up to get email updates from New York State on the evolving
COVID-19 situation at [13][link removed].

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— MORE NEWS —

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Friends of Crocheron & John Golden Park

A new local group has formed with the mission to ensure Crocheron & John
Golden Park will provide all visitors with beautiful open spaces.

Learn more about their fundraising and event organization efforts [14]here

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— IMPORTANT RESOURCES —

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718-268-5011

Commonpoint is also offering free full day childcare to families working as
essential workers. [15]Inquire here

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— UPCOMING EVENTS & COMMUNITY INFO —

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Thanks for reading! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, do
not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Hon. Paul A. Vallone

New York City Council, District 19

42-40 Bell Boulevard, Suite 507

Bayside, New York 11361

718.619.8611

[email protected]

Follow me on [16]Facebook, [17]Twitter and [18]Instagram

References

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Council Member Paul Vallone | Council Member Paul Vallone | 42-40 Bell Boulevard, Suite 507 | Bayside, New York 11361
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