— IN THE PAST WEEK —

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your family enjoyed a joyous holiday season! First and
foremost, I hope you are safe and well. With the arrival of a vaccine and
an end to the pandemic in sight, it is my hope that, in this new year, we
continue to stand together as neighbors as we look out for each other and
pray for healing and peace.

As always, I thank you for the privilege of being your Council Member.
Please have a healthy, happy and safe 2021!
Thank you and stay well,
Council Member Paul Vallone

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Statement on Incoming Douglaston Shelter

On December 23rd, our joint offices received notification by the Department
of Homeless Services (DHS) that a homeless shelter would be established and
opened at 243-02 Northern Blvd. in late 2021. After voicing our collective
concerns with DHS, on Tuesday we received confirmation of a revised plan
for the location: a 75-bed, senior women’s-only shelter.

While we believe this is a better outcome for the community at large, we
are still disappointed to see DHS adopt policies where key decisions are
made without ever engaging local stakeholders and community members. In the
coming months, an open dialogue and our continued coordination will ensure
that DHS listens and properly responds to any and all of the community's
needs and concerns during all stages of the process.

As additional information is shared with us, we will share it with the
community.

Signed,

Senator John Liu

Assemblyman Edward Braunstein

Council Member Paul A. Vallone

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Op-Ed: PCCC leads national effort to include co-ops in the PPP Program

BY GEOFFREY MAZEL, ESQ.

"On Dec. 27, 2020, President Donald Trump finally signed a coronavirus
stimulus relief bill. This bill includes relief for a wide range of
Americans, including $600 direct relief checks for qualified people; relief
for the airline industry and restaurant industry; extension of supplemental
unemployment benefits; and may other provisions. The legislation is over
5,000 pages in length.

Tucked away in this legislation is much-needed relief for cooperative
housing corporations. This legislation specifically makes co-ops eligible
for forgivable loans under the Payment Protection Program. The inclusion of
co-ops in this legislation was the result of a long, hard battle, led by a
Queens-based organization, the President’s Co-op & Condo Council (“PCCC”).
The PCCC is a residential cooperative advocacy organization. While they
have vast experience on local issues with the New York City Council and New
York State Legislature, they had to reach out to a national network of
organizations to push for this legislation.

...

However, on April 2, 2020, the tens of thousands of co-op residents in our
area and the 1.5 million co-op residents in this country were devastated to
learn that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued an Interim
Final Rule stating that the Payroll Protection Program excluded “passive
entities,” which would include residential cooperative corporations. This
ruling unfairly carved residential co-ops out of this critical relief
program. The PCCC took immediate action to right this tremendous injustice.

At that time, the PCCC spearheaded a national coalition of co-op advocates,
including elected officials and sister co-op organizations. The feedback
was immediate and effective. On April 22, 2020, Northeast Queens Councilman
Paul Vallone introduced a resolution calling on Congress and President
Trump to expand the CARES Act and Payroll Protection Program to include
considerations for residential cooperatives and condominiums, allowing them
to access critical PPP loans processed by the U.S. Small Business
Administration." [1]Read the full op-ed at QNS

This is a resounding win for our many Queens co-ops and condos! Proud to
advocate alongside Congressman Tom Suozzi and Congresswoman Grace Meng and
to work with the President’s Co-op & Condo Council to see this relief
finally become reality!

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ICYMI: 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."

[2]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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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

The Open Storefronts program has been extended through 9/30/2021!

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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