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Dear Neighbor,
I hope you are staying warm and well after the weekend’s snow storm. More snow is expected this week, so remember to shovel your sidewalk (and an elderly neighbor’s, if you can). Alternate side parking is suspended through this coming Saturday.
On a Sunday afternoon walk in Prospect Park, Meg and I were treated to a true delight of our district, first seeing the park in snow-covered splendor, and then bathed in gorgeous late afternoon light as the skies began to clear.
  
Another of the treasures of our community has long been our small businesses -- the restaurants, bars, bakeries, bookstores, clothing, arts, jewelry, and retail shops that make our neighborhoods the vibrant, special places we love. They continue to be hit so hard by the devastation of the pandemic -- we must not leave them behind.
Some new help is on the way. The U.S. Small Business Administration re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) -- offering both a “First Draw” who did not get PPP relief back in the spring/summer, and a “Second Draw” for those who did. Business owners can apply until March 31st. You can view lenders near you here. Our office is standing by to help. And we can also continue to help with interest-free loans to small businesses from the Hebrew Free Loan Society.
But we have a long way to go. Here are few things I’m pushing for in Albany and at City Hall:
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Intro 2206-2021, which I introduced in the City Council last month would require the NYC Department of Small Business Services to create a grant program for both small business and nonprofits to assist them in purchasing for PPE to keep their workers and clients safe without having to spend more of their own money.
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I’m continuing to push the State Legislature to authorize New York City to create a Small Business Recovery Lease Program. Rent is the top issue for so many struggling businesses. The program would grant property tax abatements to building owners who enter into recovery leases with small business tenants that last at least 10 years and limit annual rent increases.
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I also support the Save Our Storefronts Act introduced by State Senator Brad Hoylman and Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, which would utilize Federal and State funds to help cover the cost of rent of Covid-19 affected small businesses.
While I am deeply concerned for our small businesses (and I know you are too) -- and I really wish that Meg and I could go on Valentine’s Day date at one of the great restaurants in our neighborhood -- I strongly disagree with Governor Cuomo’s decision to re-open indoor dining at 25% capacity this Friday. With new variants circulating, and positivity rates still far above threshold levels, I won’t be headed to indoor dining in our restaurants until the rates have come down significantly (and/or vaccination is far more widely distributed).
But there are many other ways we can support our local small businesses for Valentine’s Day and beyond:
Our office is continuing to provide vaccine support to seniors from our district, or others who struggle with internet access or technology, including those who speak Bangla (and you can reach out to Fawziyah at [email protected]) or Russian (which you can reach out to Nicole for at [email protected]).
One hopeful sign is that the City vaccinated it’s 1 millionth New Yorker this week. I will keep pushing hard for an even more ambitious expansion. This week, I’m pushing for a new mass vaccination center to be opened at Barclays Center, and for the Governor and the MTA to restore 24/7 hour subway service so that New Yorkers who may not have access to a car or can afford a taxi can attend their vaccination appointments.
As always please feel free to reach out to our office with any issues you can call our office (and leave a message someone will get back to you) or email our office at [email protected]
Stay safe, stay warm and look out for each other,
Brad
Covid-19 updates and resources
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Latest Virus Data: In NYC, 5,071 new COVID cases were reported February 8th, for a total of 647,322 cases since the start of the pandemic. We have lost 27,856 people in NYC from the virus, including sadly 63 reported on February 8th. The number of new cases and the positivity rate have been declining slightly for the past week, but the citywide 7-day rolling average of positive test rates is 8.09%. City data here.
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Vaccine Data: As of today, 1,477,625 vaccine doses have been delivered to New York City, and 1,032,158 have been administered (716,492 first doses, 222,763 second doses). For more information on vaccine eligibility, locations, and data, visit the NYC Vaccine Command Center’s Website. (And you can review our office’s Vaccine FAQ here).
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Beware of COVID Vaccine Scams: Please ignore any individual or organization claiming to be able to provide a vaccine in exchange for payment. No vaccine distributors will ask you for Social Security, credit card, or bank account information. The vaccine is completely free, regardless of whether you have health insurance. If you suspect any fraudulent activity relating to COVID-19, please call the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Action Center Hotline at 718-250-2340.
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Get Tested: Even with these new vaccines in circulation it is still so important to keep up our social distancing, wear masks, and get tested. For information about testing sites around the city, visit New York City’s Covid-19 testing website.
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Change to Partial Unemployment Benefits: Part-time workers can now base their unemployment claims on the hours they work in a week and not the number of days. You will receive benefits as long as you work fewer than 30 hours and earn no more than $504 in total pay a week. You can read more about it here. If you have any issues contacting the DoL regarding unemployment benefits, please reach out to you State Representative (and we are happy to point you in their direction).
- Self Senior Sign up: If you are a senior or know a senior who would benefit from free friendly calls from the Neighbor Network during this isolating time, you can now sign up here by filling out this form or calling 914.572.5526.
- Invisible Hands: Invisible Hands is a local nonprofit delivering food, medicine, and other essentials to those at-risk and in-need during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the elderly, immunocompromised, sick, people with disabilities, and people experiencing food insecurity. If you are able to afford groceries but need assistance with delivery, a request can be submitted through their website. For those who cannot afford their own food, a request can be made by calling 732-639-1579 to dispatch a volunteer who will find a local pantry.
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Methodist Hospital Vaccine Webinar: Methodist Hospital is having a virtual webinar featuring senior physicians to address common questions around the COVID-19 vaccines. You can join via zoom Tuesday 16th at 7pm here.
Education updates & resources
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Middle School Students Return: Middle School students who have selected blended learning will return to school buildings on February 25. The DOE has increased staffing in the Situation Room, added air purifiers to buildings, and prioritized returning middle school teachers for vaccination. Some details can be found here, but expect to hear from your child's school with even more specific information.
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Middle School Application Deadline Extended: The new middle school application deadline is February 23. More information can be found on the DOE middle school portal.
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High School Admissions deadline is 2/23/21
Other updates
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Community Board 6 Monthly Board Meeting: CB6 will be meeting via zoom for its monthly board meeting here, and you can also subscribe to District Manager Mike Racioppo’s emails for additional info here.
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We are still collecting Fresh Direct Bags for redistribution to food pantries and mutual aid groups: You can drop your Fresh Direct bags (folded, please) at any of the locations and times below:
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Kensington: 3 Avenue C, Saturdays at 4 PM
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Park Slope: 256 13th St, M-F, 8 AM to 6 PM
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Carroll Gardens: 71 3rd Pl, M-F, 8 AM to 6 PM
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Cobble Hill: 359 Henry St, Mon-Wed, 9 AM to 6 PM
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Primary Deadlines: The deadline to register for a political party to vote in NYC June’s primary election on February 14th. You can do so online here.
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