Updates on masking for the vaccinated and unvaccinated

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Dear John

With Covid-19 rates continuing to decline (yesterday, it was under 1.5% for the first time in many months) and the temperatures continuing to rise, more of the city is opening back up. Starting today, a wide range of businesses -- retail, food services, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barbershops and other personal care services -- can reopen without capacity limitations, other than the requirement to maintain 6 feet of social distancing (more on that below). As of Monday, 24-hour subway service has returned.

It’s great to return to beloved small businesses, and to see some new ones starting to open, too. But the rules and guidelines can be pretty confusing. The past couple of weeks have brought a flurry of updated guidance from the CDC ([link removed]) , New York State ([link removed]) , and City officials on masking and social distancing. Under these guidelines:
* Fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear masks in most settings.
* Unvaccinated individuals must still be masked in all public settings, and the CDC ([link removed]) still recommends that unvaccinated individuals wear masks in all settings where they may come in contact with unvaccinated people outside your family.
* Masks are still required for everyone in schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and healthcare settings.

That still leaves private businesses (and really, all of us) grappling with some confusing questions. They can eliminate the 6-foot social distancing rule, but only if all customers present proof of full vaccination status via paper form, digital application, or the State's Excelsior Pass ([link removed]) . But many, if not most, businesses are understandably hesitant to check vaccination status of their customers.

And it has been left up to individual businesses to decide if they will still require masks for customers, where they are not checking vaccination status, or to rely on an “honor system.” So don’t be surprised if you are vaccinated and run errands and don’t need a mask in the wine store, but do need it in the pharmacy (or vice-versa).

For large-scale events like sports that exceed social gathering limits (250 people for indoor events, 500 for outdoor ones), unvaccinated attendees and attendees who have an unknown vaccination status must be spaced 6 feet apart in assigned sections. Masks will be required in indoor events. Fully-verified vaccinated attendees may be spaced directly next to one another at 100 percent capacity instead of 6 feet apart in assigned sections that are designated solely for fully vaccinated individuals with masks optional. Unvaccinated children under the age of 16 may accompany and be seated with a vaccinated adult in a fully vaccinated section. Proof of recent negative COVID-19 test result for anyone over the age of 4 remains required for unvaccinated attendees in indoor event settings above the social gathering limit but will become optional in outdoor event settings.

These new guidelines also leave personal questions for all of us about when to wear our masks. I’ve been really grateful to run without a mask again in Prospect Park, and to take off my mask in small groups indoors, with people who I know are fully vaccinated.

But like NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi ([link removed]) , I plan to keep wearing my mask when I am in indoor public spaces (like retail stores, pharmacies, elevators), out of respect for others -- and maybe also as a sign of the ongoing, collective work we have to do to keep pushing for broader vaccination.

Toward that end, I found this article really interesting on some of the reasons that people are hesitant to get vaccinated ([link removed]) . We are continuing to work closely with Neighbor Network ([link removed]) (you can join them to phonebank, or for in-person outreach in Brighton Beach this weekend), as well as with the City to keep doing all we can to get as many people vaccinated as possible. We even have the “NYC Mobile Bus” here as a free, one-shot J&J vaccination site in our district, at 484 McDonald Avenue (just south of Church Avenue, in Kensington) to help, today through Saturday.

For most of the past year, I’ve signed off on these emails with some version of “keep masking” or “stay distanced,” or “stay safe.” For today, I’ll sign off with,

Let’s keep doing our best to take care of ourselves, and each other,

Brad

Covid-19 Updates and Resources
* Vaccination pop-ups: The one-shot J&J vaccine will be available for free from the “NYC Mobile Bus” in our district, from today through Saturday, at 484 McDonald Avenue, just south of Church Avenue, in Kensington.
Brighton Beach Vaccine Bus: In partnership with the Neighbor Network and NYC Test + Trace Corps, the NYC Mobile Bus will also be available from Friday, May 20 through Sunday, May 23 at 3199 Brighton Beach 2nd Street, right next to the boardwalk from 8 AM to 6 PM. The site will be administering the one-shot J&J vaccine on a walk-in basis with no appointment necessary. Come by for a beach day and get your vaccine on the way home!
The one-shot J&J vaccine will also be available at 7 subway stations around NYC ([link removed]) through Saturday, May 22. If you’re a subway or bus customer you’ll get a free 7-day Unlimited MetroCard with your shot. If you’re a Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North Railroad customer, you’ll get two one-way Commuter Rail Tickets.
* Penn Station, 34th Street Corridor (3:00-8:00 p.m.)Grand Central, Vanderbilt Hall (8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
* LIRR Hicksville (1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. through 5/21)
* Broadway Junction subway station in Brooklyn (3:00 - 8:00 p.m.)
* East 180th Street subway station in the Bronx (8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
* 125th Street in Harlem (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
* Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue–JFK Airport (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

* Latest Virus Data: In NYC, 921 new COVID cases were reported May 18th, for a total of 943,942 cases since the start of the pandemic. We have lost 33,065 people in NYC from the virus, including sadly 22 reported on May 18th. The number of new cases and the positivity rate have been declining; the average daily number of cases has dropped 41% over the past two weeks. The citywide 7-day rolling average of people testing positive is now 1.44%. All 3 major city COVID19 indicators-- hospitals admissions, reported cases and positivity rate-- are below the benchmarks for the first time since last October.
* Vaccine Data: As of today 8,765,835 vaccine doses have been delivered to New York City, and 7,682,972 have been administered. For more information on vaccine eligibility, locations, and data, visit the NYC Vaccine Command Center’s Website ([link removed]) . (And you can review our office’s Vaccine FAQ here ([link removed]) ).
* 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.
* 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 ([link removed]) .
* 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 ([link removed]) or calling 914-572-5526.
* Sign up for Neighbor Network Vaccination phone banking: My office helped to launch Neighbor Network last March, in partnership with Heights and Hills and Greenwich House, to combat social isolation for home-bound older adults and help address food, medicine and other needs as the pandemic hit. The neighbor network has now also pivoted to vaccine outreach. Do you want to help? Join the Neighbor Network to phone-bank with vaccine information, become a “vaccine navigator,” or make wellness calls. ([link removed])

Education Updates and Resources
* DOE Chancellor Meisha Ross Porter parent townhall series: Chancellor Porter will be hosting a series of borough-wide townhall with parents. The Brooklyn event is June 7, 6:30-8 PM. The Chancellor wants to hear questions that families may have and get your feedback on school reopening. Share your own experiences of back to school for you and your family. Registration is here ([link removed]) .
* Summer Rising registration is now open: DOE’s new universal program Summer Rising, free and open to all K-12 NYC residents. For more information about the program, a list of school locations, as well as program dates and the link to register visit [link removed]. K-8 registration does not operate using your MySchools or NYC Schools accounts. Be prepared to set up an NYC account ([link removed]) if you do not already have one.
* 3-K for All Districts: Starting this fall, DOE will expand 3-K programs across the city ([link removed]) . In school districts in and around this part of Brooklyn (15, 13, 20) DOE will offer 3-K seats to as many families as possible. New programs for next school year will continue to be added to the 3-K application through May. You cansign up ([link removed]) for the 3-K admissions email list to be notified as new 3-K programs are added. You can find out your school district by calling 311 or visiting schools.nyc.gov/Find-a-School. Then visit MySchools ([link removed]) to create your MySchools account ([link removed]) through which you can explore 3-K options, build your application, and apply online. The 3-K application deadline is May 28.
* IntegrateNYC Middle School Community Gathering: Thursday May 20th 4:30-6 PM. RSVP here ([link removed]) . D15 middle school students will gather in solidarity, to learn from and with each other, to build relationships, and to build more inclusive, welcoming, and joyful school communities together.

* Dancewave is inviting high school students to come to take a FREE class with The DynamiteExperience ([link removed]) , the instructor for our Advanced Summer Dance Intensive. Dancewave will offer two different in-person class opportunities and one virtual class to accommodate students' comfort levels and ability to travel to our home studio in Gowanus. These classes double as auditions for the summer program and for scholarship opportunities for our company program.
* The Child Mind Institute is forming a Youth Advisory Council: The purpose of this council is to provide space, seek feedback, and prioritize the perspectives of a diverse group of youth voices on mental health to better support youth in our communities. The Child Mind Institute is a nonprofit whose programs serve families and schools in New York and California. As their programs continue to grow, the Youth Advisory Council will play a pivotal role in shaping their impact and ability to effectively reach youth audiences. High school students interested in joining the Youth Advisory Council can register here ([link removed]) .

Other Updates and Resources
* Emergency broadband program: The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households. If your household is eligible, you can receive:
+ Up to a $50/month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
+ A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
For more information on the benefits, whether you qualify, and how to apply visit [link removed]
* Upcoming Kensington events courtesy of The Singing Winds:
Saturday mornings in Albemarle Playground through June 26,
10 am - 1 pm
* Playground Games, Tai Chi & Qi Gong 10 - 11 am
* Arts & Crafts, Gardening 11 am - 1 pm
Music in the Plaza, Kensington Plaza Sundays at 3:00 pm
* May 23 - Hadi and Mo Eldebek, from the Brooklyn Nomads - Oud & Hand drum
* May 30 - Peter Apfelbaum - Keyboard, Saxophone & Flute,
Charlie Burnham - Violin & Tiga Jean-Baptiste - Mbira, Percussion
* June 13 - Famoro Diaboute - Balafon, Kevin Nathaniel - Mbira, Shekere
* June 20 - Paul Mueller and Son, from Mecca Bodega - Hammered Dulcimer, Percussion
The Singing Winds will be partnering with Artbuilt Mobile Studio and members of the Kensington Cultural Council on Avenue C Plaza
* June 6 - Hudson Horns
* June 26 - Kite-Making and Kite-Flying with ArtBuilt and The Singing Winds
* June 27 - Celebrating Immigrant Culture Concert

* Park Slope Library is closed until July: The Park Slope Library will be closed May 14 for floor replacement. It is anticipated to reopen in July. For library services, you may visit any open nearby branches including the Central Library, Pacific Library, Red Hook Library, or Kensington Library. For current information on library services, you can visit BPL online at [link removed] ([link removed]) .
* Property tax reform hearing May 27: The NYC Advisory Commission on Property Tax Reform will host a hearing for Brooklyn residents on May 27 at 6 PM. The Commission released its initial 10 recommendations in January 2020. The full report can be found on the Commission’s web page: [link removed] ([link removed]) . Those wishing to testify must sign up on the Commission’s website no later than 24-hours before the hearing begins. Speakers may (but need not) submit their testimony ahead of time by emailing it to
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) , or by uploading it to the Commission’s website. To request interpretation services please email [email protected] or call 212-676-3072 by 5:00 PM three business days before the hearing. For ASL, or to request an accommodation for a disability, please email or call by 5:00 PM five business days before the hearing.
* Legal Services Hotline: NYC Financial Justice Hotline is a free legal hotline for low-income NYC residents. The hotline is staffed in English and Spanish, provides free legal information, advice, and referrals on a wide range of financial justice issues--from discriminatory banking practices to predatory debt collection. You can find more information here ([link removed]) .
* COJO Flatbush Tax Collection: They are offering free tax services for tax season. If you need assistance filing your taxes you can find more information and contact them here ([link removed]) .
* Access Benefits Helpline through Legal Aid: Anyone having trouble with an application to apply for or recertify for HRA cash assistance, SNAP, or Medicaid benefits, can all the Legal Aid Society’s Access to Benefits Helpline at 888-663-6880 M-F 10 AM-3 PM.
* Support Gowanus and West Brooklyn Mutual Aid Produce: Community mutual aid groups West Brooklyn Waterfront Mutual Aid ([link removed]) (WBWMA) andGowanus Mutual Aid ([link removed]) (GMA) are partnering withGrowNYC ([link removed]) to launch a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program: Gowanus and West Brooklyn Mutual Aid Produce. For just $11 a week, you can provide a household in need with a bag of fresh produce. Make a monthly or one-timecontribution ([link removed]) . Or purchase a WBWMA tote baghere ([link removed]) for $23 and after the cost to make the bag ($12), $11 will go directly towards this new food initiative and help to fund one week of fresh produce for a Brooklyn family. Interested in volunteering? ContactWBWMA
([link removed]) andGMA ([link removed]) about Gowanus and West Brooklyn Mutual Aid Produce.
* We are redirecting our Fresh Direct Bag Program: After collecting and redistributing more than 50,000 bags, we are transitioning our Fresh Direct bag donation effort now that Fresh Direct has established its own program to connect bag donors with nearby food pantries. A couple of our partners, Masbia and People in Need, are now signed up for direct bag drop off through Fresh Direct’s program. You can find the complete list of partners with times and locations here. ([link removed]) Thank you to the many constituents who have continued to collect and donate their extra bags over the course of the pandemic. This has provided a much needed supply of durable bags to food providers, and helped reduce the number of these bags entering our waste stream. We hope you will continue to donate directly through this new program.

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Contact us:
District 39
456 5th Ave Ste 3
Brooklyn, NY 11215-4076
USA
[email protected]
718-499-1090

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