Dear Neighbor,

As we enter the month of June and reach the end of the Legislative Session, the past couple of weeks have been especially difficult due to the ongoing incidents of gun violence. In Buffalo, 14 Black New Yorkers were murdered in a supermarket by a White supremacist with an AR-15. Shortly after, a man was murdered on an NYC subway by a complete stranger with a handgun. In Uvalde, Texas, 19 elementary school children and 2 of their teachers were murdered by a teenager with an AR-15, which he purchased legally upon turning 18. Words cannot express my anger, grief, and frustration at the level of gun violence in this country.

Guns have now overtaken car crashes as the leading cause of death among American children. And two thirds of the guns used in crimes in New York State were brought into New York from other states with reckless and irresponsible gun laws. We must continue to do everything we can to strengthen and refine our gun laws in New York State, but at the end of the day the epidemic of gun violence and mass murder can only be addressed at the federal level. This is a national crisis, and it must not continue.

Yesterday, the State Senate Majority passed legislation to strengthen gun safety measures and ensure deadly weapons stay out of the wrong hands. The proposed legislation will update the criminal code to make the threat of mass harm a crime; require microstamping of ammunition; strengthen measures to prevent those with criminal backgrounds from obtaining guns and ammo; allow health care providers to file extreme risk protection orders, and strengthen regulations for high capacity ammo, feeding devices, and body armor. It would also more broadly define the term “firearm.”

Please make sure to check in with loved ones, friends, and neighbors, and take care of your emotional and mental health needs. Repeated acts of violence impact all of us, and we are already bearing the burden of the pandemic.

Before providing COVID-19 updates, there are important 2022 election and voting updates I want to share with you, as well as information on how to report suspected price gouging of infant formula.

2022 Election & Voting Updates

There are several important election and voting updates that I want to share with you, some of which are related to changes in how voting will be handled in 2022 or in 2023 and beyond.

First, following the redistricting process, the geography of my Senate District will change, as of January 1, 2023. Senate District 28 will no longer include certain areas below 44^th Street and East of 3^rd Avenue, as well as above 88^th Street and East of 3^rd Avenue (Tudor City and parts of Turtle Bay, Kips Bay, and Yorkville, for example). The District will gain blocks West of Lexington Avenue in the 40s and 50s, as well as Roosevelt Island. These geographic changes were determined by the Special Master and I will be proud and pleased to represent Senate District 28 with its new boundaries.

If you are unsure whether your residence will still be located in Senate District 28 once redistricting changes go into effect, you can check online here.

Additionally, as you may already be aware, there will be two Primary Election Days this year:

· June 28 is the Primary Election Day for the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Assembly, Judges, and Party Positions.

· August 23 is the Primary Election Day for the offices of U.S. House of Representatives and State Senate.

There are also new absentee ballot procedures that apply to 2022 and future elections, as a result of changes in state law. The following is what you need to know, as detailed on the NYS Board of Elections and the NYC Board of Elections websites:

· If you have applied for an absentee ballot, you may not cast a ballot on a voting machine for that election;

· However, if you have applied for an absentee ballot, and you want to vote in person, you may complete an affidavit ballot at the poll site during early voting or on election day. Affidavit ballots will be kept separate until the election is completed;

· To ensure that one ballot is received from each voter, election officials will confirm if a voter’s absentee ballot has been received. If the absentee ballot has been received, the affidavit ballot will not be counted. If the absentee ballot has not been received, the affidavit ballot will be counted;

· If you request, complete, and return an absentee ballot, and then request a second absentee ballot, the following applies:

ü The first absentee ballot received by the Board of Elections will be set aside unopened, so that you have an opportunity to return the second ballot. The second ballot will be opened and counted unless the first ballot has already been opened.

ü If both ballots are received prior to the return deadline, the ballot with the later postmark date is accepted and any other ballots are rejected, unless the first ballot was already opened.

ü If you return more than one absentee ballot before the return deadline, and you also cast an affidavit ballot, the last received ballot (submitted in person during the election or by mail within the absentee return deadline) will be canvassed.

If you want to request an absentee ballot, the easiest way to do so is to apply online. Please keep in mind that once you request the absentee ballot, voting in person using the voting machine is no longer an option during Early Voting or on the corresponding Primary or General Election Day.

Finally, the following are important election dates and deadlines:

· June 3: Deadline to register in person or postmark an application to be eligible to vote in the June 28 Primary (mailed voter registration applications must be received by June 3^rd)

· June 8: Deadline for the NYC Board of Elections to receive a change of address form for the June 28 Primary

· June 18 – June 26: Early Voting for the June 28 Primary

· June 28: Primary Election Day (polls are open from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.)

· August 13 – August 21: Early Voting for the August 23 Primary

· August 23: Primary Election Day (polls are open from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.)

· October 29 – November 6: Early Voting for the November 8 General Election

· November 8: General Election Day (polls are open from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.)

I encourage you to visit the NYC Board of Elections website for additional election and voting information, to check your voter registration status, find polling locations, review Early Voting schedules, etc.

Infant Formula Shortage: How to Report Price Gouging

In my last email, I provided a variety of resources about the infant formula shortage, including tips for finding formula if you are experiencing difficulty. On May 21, the City declared a state of emergency related to the shortage. Emergency Executive Order 98 was issued, effectuating the price gouging rule; businesses may not charge 10% or more above the price of infant formula that was available to consumers 30-60 days before the state of emergency in NYC.

If you believe that a brick & mortar or online business has significantly increased the price of infant formula, you can submit a price gouging/overcharge complaint to the City or to the NYS Attorney General’s office:

· Submit a price gouging/overcharge complaint to the City online here or by calling 311

· Submit a price gouging complaint to the NYS Attorney General’s office online here or by calling 800-771-7755

Please see immediately below for:

· COVID-19 & Omicron Updates;

· COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

· COVID-19 Treatment;

· COVID-19 Testing Updates;

· Community Announcements, Meeting Opportunities, and Resources;

· Senator Krueger’s Virtual Event Updates; and

· COVID-19 Vaccine Updates: Vaccination Scheduling, Vaccine Site, and Vaccine Eligibility Information.

A variety of useful City, State, and Federal updates are provided further below in the email.

COVID-19 & Omicron Updates

New York City’s COVID-19 Alert Level continues to be “Orange/High.” NYC COVID-19 case, hospitalization, and fatality rates are currently decreasing, which is good news; however, the presence of new variants of concern, BA.4 and BA.5 is anticipated to increase and become dominant in the U.S., which is likely to cause further case increases in the coming months.

On May 31, 5,681 people tested positive for COVID-19 in NYS and 2,802 individuals tested positive in NYC. The statewide 7-day average of cases per 100K was 32.78. The highest 7-day average was 41.83 in Long Island and the average in NYC was 37.50. According to NYS hospitalization data, as of May 31, there were 2,459 people hospitalized statewide due to COVID-19, with 238 individuals in the ICU. In NYC, there were 814 Coronavirus patients hospitalized, with 76 individuals in the ICU.

According to NYS COVID-19 variant data, the Omicron BA.1.1 sub-variant is causing 0% of cases, BA.2 and BA.2.12 are causing 38.7% of cases, BA.2.12.1 is causing 59.3% of cases, and “other” is causing 1.9% of cases. Globally, we now face the most-recently identified variants of concern, BA.4 and BA.5. These two variants of concern are the most contagious variants so far, and they are proficient evaders of antibodies, which is why people who already contracted Omicron COVID-19, or who are up to date with Coronavirus vaccinations, are becoming infected with COVID-19 now. As Dr. Fauci presented on May 18, the higher transmissibility of BA.4 and BA.5 is further compounded by waning immunity and relaxation of safety measures, such as indoor masking and holding social gatherings outside, which is causing an increase in COVID-19 cases. These conditions increase the likelihood of additional variants developing, which perpetuates the vicious cycle. Dr. Fauci also provided an important reminder:

“Variants will continue to emerge if the virus circulates globally — a strong argument for what Dr. Jha said about “a global pandemic requires a global response.” We can keep the level of virus to the lowest possible level, which is the best way to avoid variants. Because the less replication, the less mutation; the less mutation, the less variants.”

This is not new information and yet it seems necessary to highlight. At a time when we are at a High COVID-19 Alert Level in NYC, I have seen a fair amount of inconsistency with indoor mask wearing and other Coronavirus safety measures, coupled with low rates of New Yorkers getting booster shots. These practices will only prolong the pandemic.

I recently heard about a person’s trip to Italy, where everyone was wearing a high-quality mask, such as a kn95 or kf94, when indoors and on public transportation. The person felt safer in Italy as a result, and observed residents matter of factly wearing a mask while going about their daily lives.

I am grateful that our COVID-19 fatality rates are much lower than before due to the Coronavirus vaccines and treatment availability; however, it is crucial to understand that we are at a High Alert Level because high COVID-19 case rates are putting a burden on our health care systems and reducing hospital capacity. We all need to do our part to help reduce community transmission, while continuing to live our daily lives.

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates: June FDA Advisory Council Meetings

The FDA Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on June 7, June 14-15, and June 28 to discuss COVID-19 vaccine-related matters. The respective meeting topics are as follows:

· June 7 Meeting: Discussion of an emergency use authorization (EUA) request by Novavax for a vaccine to prevent Coronavirus in individuals age 18+. Click here for more information and to watch the meeting online

· June 14-15 Meeting:

ü Amending the EUA of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to include administering the initial vaccine series to children and adolescents age 6-17;

ü Amending the EUA of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to include administering the initial vaccine series to infants and children age 6 months – 5 years; and

ü Amending the EUA of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to include administering the initial vaccine series to infants and children age 6 months – 4 years.

Click here for more information and to watch the meeting online

· June 28 Meeting: Discussion of whether and how the Coronavirus strain composition of COVID-19 vaccines should be modified. Click here for more information and to watch the meeting online

COVID-19 Treatment

As mentioned above, our hospitalization and fatality rates have not increased to date, which the NYC Health Department attributes to the COVID-19 vaccines and treatment. The best way to prevent getting COVID-19 and Long COVID is to get vaccinated and follow the other core safety measures. However, COVID-19 treatments are also important, as they provide life-saving treatment for people who contract the Coronavirus and are at higher risk of severe illness. I want to make sure that you know how to access COVID-19 treatment and who is eligible.

· Eligibility for COVID-19 Treatment: At this time, individuals who are age 65+ or who have a pre-existing condition that puts them at higher risk of severe illness, and who have tested positive for the Coronavirus are eligible for COVID-19 treatment. If you are not sure about your eligibility, speak with your health care provider.

· How to Access COVID-19 Treatment: Treatment for the Coronavirus can be commenced within 5-10 days of developing mild-moderate symptoms, and therefore, it is critical to get tested right away if you have symptoms or were recently exposed. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should do the following:

1. Speak with your primary care provider to discuss your eligibility for COVID-19 treatment. If you do not have a primary care provider, or if you are uninsured, you can call 212-268-4319 and press option 9 to reach the NYC Health + Hospitals emergency telehealth service. You will have intake with a nurse and then speak with a clinician to determine eligibility. Please keep in mind that this phone number is for people who do not have a primary care provider or who are uninsured.

2. If you are approved for treatment, the doctor will call in a prescription for Paxlovid, or you will go to a treatment site for the Monoclonal Antibody Treatment.

Ø Paxlovid is an antiviral pill treatment that involves taking the pills multiple times a day for 6 days. This form of treatment is for people age 12+ who:

o Have tested positive for COVID-19,

o Have had mild-moderate symptoms for 5 days or less, and

o Are at high risk for severe illness, as defined by the CDC

Please Note: Incidences of “COVID-19 rebound” have been reported after taking Paxlovid; namely, the recurrence of COVID-19 symptoms or a new positive viral test after having tested negative, 2-8 days after initial recovery. A brief return of symptoms may occur whether or not a person has taken Paxlovid, and regardless of their vaccination status; therefore, “COVID-19 rebound” does not reflect lack of effectiveness of Paxlovid, which continues to help prevent hospitalization and death due to the Coronavirus.

Ø Monoclonal Antibody Treatment is a one-time IV antibody infusion treatment for people age 12+ who:

o Have tested positive for COVID-19,

o Have had mild-moderate symptoms for 10 days or less, and

o Are at high risk for severe illness, as defined by the CDC

Please Note: Prescriptions for Paxlovid can be called in to Alto Pharmacy, which delivers the medication to your home, or to a variety of pharmacies in the community which now have Paxlovid in stock. You can ask the doctor to check if your local pharmacy carries Paxlovid if that is your preference.

If your prescription is called in to Alto Pharmacy, please be aware that Alto will call and/or text you in order to arrange for delivery of the Paxlovid. You must answer the call or text before Alto will deliver the medication.

For additional details, please see the NYC Health Department’s COVID-19 Treatment Info Sheet.

COVID-19 Testing Updates: COVID-19 Testing in the Community at City- and Privately-Run Testing Sites

Testing is a valuable tool that we have to determine positivity for the Coronavirus and to interrupt the chain of transmission.

New York City has a variety of testing options available, including City- and privately-run testing sites, and at-home testing, where a trained clinician comes to your home and administers a PCR test. Please see the resources below to learn more about these testing options and other helpful information.

· City-Run Testing Sites and At-Home COVID-19 Testing:

Ø NYC Health + Hospitals offers free (no out-of-pocket costs) rapid and PCR testing at a variety of COVID-19 testing sites, including hospitals, health centers, and pop-up locations, throughout the five boroughs. Click here to find a testing site.. No appointment is required, however, some sites do allow you to pre-register for your visit to streamline the check-in process. Free testing is available whether or not you are symptomatic, and whether or not you have health insurance. If you have health insurance, please bring your insurance card.

Please note: If you are going to an NYC Health + Hospital testing site, you can check testing wait times before you go to get tested.

Ø Request At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing: The NYC Test & Trace Corps offers at-home testing for COVID-19 to all immunocompromised New Yorkers and older adults age 65+. If you need to get tested, and are concerned about risk of exposure, or are unable to leave your home, appointments for at-home testing are available seven days per week, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Schedule an appointment by calling 929-298-9400. You will receive a molecular PCR test administered by a trained clinician in your home at no cost.

· Privately-Run Testing Sites:

Ø Use this search tool to find additional testing sites, including urgent care centers, pharmacies, and labs, by providing an address, zip code, or city. Note: some of these test sites do not offer testing to people who are asymptomatic or under a certain age, and there may be out-of-pocket costs. If you are concerned about potential out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic testing, please make sure to ask in advance what the charges will be.

Community Announcements, Meetings, Opportunities, and Resources: Friday, June 3^rd SHRED-A-THON; Federal Internet Discounts for Families of College Students Who Receive Pell; Urging the MTA to Restore Subway Booth Transactions; Complete the Freelancers Union Survey

I would like to highlight the following community meetings, opportunities, and resources:

· Urging the MTA to Restore Subway Booth Transactions: On May 24, I joined 71 NYC elected officials and TWU Local 100 in urging the MTA to bring transactions back to subway station booths. Their suspension was unscientific, and has only made the MTA less accessible for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income people. Click here to view the letter.

· SHRED-A-THON at The Chapin School (100 East End Ave., Between 84-85^th Streets), Friday, June 3, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: This shredding event is sponsored by Council Member Julie Menin. Shred your old papers and unwanted documents for free. Items not to bring: batteries, cell phones, tablets, and 3 ring binders.

· Federal Internet Discounts for Families of College Students Who Receive Pell: One of the main goals of the historic Bipartisan infrastructure law (Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act) is to ensure that every American has access to high-speed internet. This is especially important for college students to ensure they are able to successfully continue their studies at all times. The federal government recently announced the Affordable Connectivity Program which provides families of college students who receive Pell with a $30/month discount on the cost of their internet services. College students may also claim a one-time $100 discount to help purchase a computer. But it is necessary to sign up! For more information, to determine eligibility, and to start the enrollment process, please visit the Affordable Connectivity Program website.

· Complete the Freelancers Union Survey: The Freelancers Union is collecting information from freelancers across the state about the impact of non or late payment. The Union requests that you complete a one-minute survey on difficulties with payment from your freelance work. Please click here to view and complete the survey.

Senator Krueger’s Virtual Event Updates: Recording of Senator Krueger’s May 26 Virtual Town Hall, “Skyrocketing Utility Costs: Why Is My Con Ed Bill So High?”; Recording of Senator Krueger’s May 19 Virtual Roundtable for Boomers and Seniors, “Reframing Aging: Building an Age Friendly City”

· Senator Liz Krueger’s Virtual Town Hall, “Skyrocketing Utility Costs: Why Is My Con Ed Bill So High?” May 26: If you were unable to attend the Town Hall, you can view the recording here.

· Session VIII of Senator Krueger’s 2022 Virtual Roundtable for Boomers and Seniors, “Reframing Aging: Building an Age Friendly City,” May 19: If you were unable to attend this session, you can view the recording here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates: Vaccination Scheduling, Vaccine Site, and Vaccine Eligibility Information

Regardless of which phase of the pandemic we are currently navigating, it is always the right time to get the vaccine and booster shot. If you have any questions or concerns about getting vaccinated, please speak with your health care provider or call 311.

Vaccination Scheduling Resources

· NYC COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Finder: Call 877-829-4692 or Schedule Online: https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/

· City-run vaccine sites: Call 877-829-4692 or Schedule Online: vax4nyc.nyc.gov (click “schedule third dose” to schedule a Pfizer booster shot)

· NYC Health + Hospitals vaccine sites: Call 877-829-4692 or Schedule Online: https://covid19.nychealthandhospitals.org/UnaffiliatedHealthCareWorkers

· State-run vaccine sites: Call 833-697-4829 or Schedule Online: https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/

· Local and Nationwide vaccine sites: https://www.vaccines.gov/search/

· CVS Pharmacy: Call 800-746-7287 or Schedule Online

· Rite Aid Pharmacy: Call 800-748-3243 or Schedule Online

· Walgreens Pharmacy: Call 800-925-4733 or Schedule Online

Vaccine Site Resources

· MTA Vaccine Pop-Up Sites at Times Square – 42 Street (7^th Avenue) and Grand Central Terminal: Individuals age 18+ can come to either location for a Moderna vaccination (1^st or 2^nd dose, or a booster shot). No appointment is needed. Once you are at the station, follow the signs directing you to the pop-up spot. The two locations are:

Times Square–42 Street (passageway between the 1, 2, 3, and S trains), Monday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Grand Central Terminal, Monday – Sunday, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.

· City-run walk-up vaccination sites, and NYC mobile vaccine vans and buses: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/vaccines/covid-19-vaccines.page#walk-up-sites. I encourage you to visit the NYC Vaccine Tool if you have not done so recently. The website has been updated with additional functionality to make it easier for New Yorkers to find vaccine sites that offer walk-up vaccinations and specific vaccines: vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.

· NYC In-Home Vaccination Program Expansion: The In-Home Vaccination Program has been further expanded to include all NYC residents who are age 12 or above. Now you can get vaccinated without having to leave your home. To express interest in an in-home vaccination, please fill out this form: https://forms.cityofnewyork.us/f/home or call 877-829-4692. Please note: Even if you received your first or second dose at a community vaccine site, you can still get any additional doses that you are eligible for at home, including booster shots.

Vaccine Eligibility Information

At this time, the following individuals are eligible to get vaccinated:

Initial Vaccination Series

Þ All children age 5-11 are eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children FAQs
For parents looking for more information on the vaccine for 5-11 year-olds you can watch this recent conversation between DOHMH and DOE here.

Þ All individuals age 12+ are approved to get vaccinated. Individuals age 12-17 are only authorized to receive the Pfizer vaccination. Individuals age 18+ are authorized to receive the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, however, the CDC and NYC Health Department prefer that they get the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.

Additional Vaccine Doses for People who Are Immunocompromised

Þ Eligible immunocompromised individuals age 5+ are authorized to get a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Please click here to view the NYC Health Department guidance for more information.

First Booster Shots

Þ Fully-vaccinated 5-11 year-olds who received their second Pfizer vaccine dose at least 5 months ago are approved to receive their first Pfizer booster shot.

Þ Fully-vaccinated 12-17-year-olds who received their second Pfizer vaccine dose at least 5 months ago are approved to receive their first Pfizer booster shot.

Þ Individuals age 18+ who received their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine dose at least 5 months ago are approved to receive a Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson booster shot, however, the CDC and NYC Health Department prefer that they get the Moderna or Pfizer booster shot.

Þ Individuals age 18+ who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccination at least 2 months ago are approved to receive a Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, or Pfizer booster shot, however, the CDC and NYC Health Department prefer that they get the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.

Second Booster Shots

The following individuals are eligible for a second booster shot with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if they received their first booster shot at least 4 months ago:

Þ All people age 50+.

Þ People age 12-49 who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

Þ People age 18-49 who received their initial vaccination series and first booster shot with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Stay safe and healthy. As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, please email or call my office at [email protected] or 212-490-9535. If you need assistance with an unemployment issue, please follow this link to complete an unemployment intake web form so that my office can provide assistance: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfF5eMgY_Jrjh_1_qXlx0ri7coPS01j4GvWJ4Lu7mpWTG2kNQ/viewform.

Safety Practices to Protect Yourself and Others from Contracting COVID-19:

Wear a face covering as required by law or regulations, in public indoor settings.
Maintain social distance as required based on your health condition and comfort level.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or with hand sanitizer.
If you are not feeling well or test positive for COVID-19, please wear a mask and stay home.

If you are unvaccinated, continue to practice COVID-19 safety guidelines to protect your health and wellbeing, as well as that of your loved ones and community members.

Best,

Liz Krueger

State Senator

Contents:

· Most Recent Updates

· COVID-19 Resources

· COVID-19 Vaccine Information

· COVID-19 – Containment / Safety Measures / Data / Research

· Online & In-Person Meetings, Town Halls, and Webinars

· Physical and Mental Health Care/Health Insurance/Public Health/Research

· Food

· Housing Support and Services

· Education/NYC Public Schools/CUNY/SUNY/Libraries/Student Loans

· MTA/Transportation

· Jobs, Job Training, Residencies, Internships, Fellowships

· Social Services

· Grants & Scholarships

· Resources for Older Adults & Caregivers

· Resources for Small Businesses & Non-Profits

· In-Person & Virtual Community Activities

Updates as of Thursday Afternoon, 6/2/22:

CDC Updates

· Who Should Get a COVID-19 Boosters?

· 6 Things to Know about COVID-19 Vaccination for Children

· U.S. Monkeypox 2022: Situation Summary

CDC Reports

· Post–COVID Conditions Among Adult COVID-19 Survivors Aged 18–64 and ≥65 Years — United States, March 2020–November 2021

FDA Updates

· May 31: FDA Roundup including an invitation to the free, virtual Regulatory Education for Industry (REdI) Annual Conference 2022, which will be held June 6-10. The event’s keynote speaker, FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert M. Califf, will reflect on COVID-19 with some of FDA’s noteworthy milestones and landmark accomplishments, and look ahead at FDA’s future activities in the fight against COVID-19.

· May 27: FDA Roundup including an extension to the shelf-lifefrom 12 months to 18 months for specific lots of the refrigerated Eli Lilly monoclonal antibody, bebtelovimab, which is currently authorized for emergency use.

· COVID-19 test updates - Reminder: Expiration date extensions of COVID-19 at-home tests. Check the Expiration Date column of the List of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests to see if the expiration date for your at-home OTC COVID-19 test has been extended and how to find any new expiration date.

State Updates

· As of Thursday, June 2nd, the statewide number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York State was 5,418,774. As of 2:30 p.m., the number of positive cases in NYC was 2,125,465. Please visit the New York State Health Department COVID-19 data page and the New York City Health Department COVID-19 data page to view additional demographic information about how the outbreak is affecting New York State and New York City.

We have lost 56,128 New Yorkers, including 34,906 residents of New York City. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members and loved ones of the deceased.

· June 2: Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

· Cases Per 100k - 29.74

· 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 30.32

· Test Results Reported - 98,261

· Total Positive - 5,812

· Percent Positive - 5.78%

· 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.73%**

· Patient Hospitalization - 2,409 (-50)

· Patients Newly Admitted - 425

· Patients in ICU - 219 (-19)

· Patients in ICU with Intubation - 80 (-5)

· Total Discharges - 308,012 (+412)

· New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 20

· Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 56,128

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

· Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 71,655

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

· Total vaccine doses administered - 38,956,967

· Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 16,490

· Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 108,338

· Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.6%

· Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 84.0%

· Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%

· Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 87.4%

· Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 83.7%

· Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 73.6%

· Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 82.1%

· Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 74.5%

· Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 90.6%

· Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 77.4%

Each region's 7-day average of cases per 100K population is as follows:

REGION	Monday, May 30, 2022	Tuesday, May 31, 2022	Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Capital Region	32.79	30.44	27.10
Central New York	16.30	14.48	13.41
Finger Lakes	18.98	16.16	14.39
Long Island	44.57	41.83	37.92
Mid-Hudson	36.09	33.64	32.40
Mohawk Valley	23.40	22.31	25.55
New York City	39.64	37.50	34.54
North Country	22.67	20.73	20.12
Southern Tier	26.40	22.48	22.09
Western New York	24.75	22.65	20.06
Statewide	35.10	32.78	30.32

City Updates

· Gifted & Talented Program – Apply by June 13: Gifted & Talented programs offer accelerated instruction to eligible elementary school students in New York City. Applications for the expanded kindergarten and third grade Gifted & Talented programs are now open, with an application deadline of June 13. Interested NYC families with children entering kindergarten, 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd grade this fall are welcome and encouraged to apply. Virtual information sessions were held on May 24, May 26, and June 1. If you were unable to attend, you can view a recording of the May 26 event

· New York Music Month: The Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment (MOME) is excited to announce the return of New York Music Month! For the past five years, June has been New York Music Month, the official New York City celebration of the best music scene in the world, with events across five boroughs. This year in-person and virtual events will be held with fun for the entire family. Click here for additional information

City Agency Updates

· NYC Rent Guidelines Board Public Hearings: The New York City Rent Guidelines Board will hold several public hearings and meetings on the proposed rent guidelines for the period of October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023. Virtual hearings are being held on Monday, June 6 and Wednesday, June 8. Following those hearings and meetings, the Board is scheduled to meet on June 21, 2022, to adopt final rent guidelines. You can find information on the hearings and meetings, as well as how to submit testimony, on the Rent Guidelines Board website. You can also find a summary of proposed guidelines on the Rent Guidelines Board website.

Other Updates

· Recycle Your E-Waste, Saturday, June 4, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Manhattan Plaza (West 43^rd Street, between 9^th & 10^th Avenues): Sponsored by Council Member Erik Bottcher, the Lower East Side Ecology Center, and Manhattan Plaza. Avoid a fine – it is now illegal to discard electronics in the trash! Bring your working and non-working computers, monitors, printers/scanners, keyboards, mice, cables, TVs, VCR & DVD players, phones, audio, visual equipment, cell phones, and PDAs.

· Animal Care Centers of NYC Mobile Adoption Event, Saturday, June 4, 12 – 4 p.m., Bond Vet Kips Bay, 447 3rd Avenue: At this mobile adoption event, you can adopt a dog or cat. ACC adoptions include vaccinations, spay/neuter, a pre-registered microchip, a collar and a certificate for a free initial exam at a participating veterinarian. Learn More »

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Data

· NYC COVID-19 Alert Level System

· NYC Health Department COVID-19 Data

· NYS Health Department COVID-19 Data

· CDC COVID-19 Data

COVID-19 Supplies

· Order free COVID-19 at-home rapid testing kits from the federal government (current maximum is 8 testing kits per household). Order online or call 800-232-0233

· Pick up free COVID-19 at-home rapid tests from City-distribution sites. Click here to see a list of community sites and times when you can pick up a free rapid test kit.

· COVID.gov: a federal website where you can look up information on where to get free masks, as well as COVID-19 vaccinations, treatment, and testing.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

· If cleared, Covid shots for children under 5 could be available as soon as June 21, a White House official says. (NY Times)

· How nasal COVID-19 vaccines can help prepare for infection where it starts (PBS News Hour)

COVID-19 – Containment / Safety Measures / Data / Research

· Kids and Covid-19: The urgency of equity should outweigh the urgency of normal (STAT)

· In the Bubble with Andy Slavitt: Microbiologist Katherine Wu, Ph.D. tells Andy Slavitt one of her biggest COVID concerns: new variants. She says the more we allow current strains to spread, the more opportunities it has to mutate into something even more dangerous. Listen Here

· Meet the new subvariants, your summer bummers (Vox)

Online & In-Person Meetings, Town Halls, and Webinars

· Washington Post’s Transportation for All, Tuesday, June 7, 12:30 p.m.: Electric vehicles and high-speed rail are regarded as critical facets of the future of transportation in the United States. Washington Post Live convenes Michael Berube, deputy assistant secretary for sustainable transportation at the Department of Energy, and Wes Edens, founder and co-CEO of Fortress Investment Group, to discuss the progress made and the potential that remains to expedite a transition to more affordable, environmentally friendly modes of transportation.

· CB 6 Environment & Parks Committee, Tuesday, June 7, 7:00pm: A presentation by NYC Department of Parks and Recreation on a Temporary Public Art installation at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza; Report from the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation; Continued Discussion of Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Requests. Click here to register to join the meeting via Zoom

· Washington Post’s The Evolution of Money: Cryptocurrency Regulation, Wednesday, June 8, 9 a.m.: The rise and volatility of the cryptocurrency industry is drawing growing attention from regulators in Washington. Join Washington Post Live for conversations with Rostin Behnam, chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Dante Disparte, chief strategy officer and head of global policy at Circle, and Tomicah Tillemann, global chief policy officer at Haun Ventures, about what oversight of digital assets should look like and their impact on the larger financial system and economy.

· CB 6 Full Board Meeting, Wednesday, June 8, 7 pm: Speaking in the Public Session - those wishing to speak must complete this form before 7:15 PM on the night of the meeting. Each speaker will have three minutes to speak on any topic. Organizations with multiple members in attendance are asked to select one representative to present their comments once. Speakers are not permitted to use this time for commercial solicitation or electioneering. Click here to register to join the meeting via Zoom

· CB 6 Budget & Governmental Affairs Committee, Monday, June 13, 6:30 pm: Updates on Fiscal Year 2024 budget requests. Click here to register to join the meeting via Zoom

· CB 8 Voting Reform Task Force, Tuesday, June 14, 4:00 pm: Presentation on 2022 Primary Election dates; NYC City Council Redistricting; Discussion on Roosevelt Island City Council District- Lynne Strong-Shinozaki will attend, and Review of NYC Districting Commission ‘s June 7 proposed map for City Council District 4. For access to the Zoom meeting, sign in by clicking this link: https://forms.gle/hyDbA2rsBufrABss8

· CB 8 Environment Committee, Tuesday, June 14, 6:30 pm: Presentation by Jane Swanson at Cornell Tech about their work to reduce carbon footprint, such as their Passive House, GeoThermal energy, etc. For access to the Zoom meeting, sign in by clicking this link: https://forms.gle/yrShEg3iPvdi7ApR8

· CB 8 Health, Seniors, and Social Services Committee, Tuesday, June 21, 6:30 pm: A continued discussion with Meg Reiss, Chief Assistant District Attorney for the Manhattan DA. Topics include Bail Reform, Rikers, and updates on crime prevention; How does the state budget affect criminal justice reforms previously made? For access to the Zoom meeting, sign in by clicking this link: https://forms.gle/qoGYfhLBVg3ztJPN8

· CB 8 Women and Families Committee, Wednesday, June 22, 6:30 pm: Protecting abortion rights – the imperiled right to an abortion and how to respond. Speakers will include Senator Liz Krueger, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, and Susan Appleton, who is a law professor at Washington University and a national expert on women’s rights. For access to the Zoom meeting, sign in by clicking this link: https://forms.gle/w3QTtCvArwUy2DVH7

· NYC Small Business Services calendar of upcoming information sessions and webinars for small businesses

Physical and Mental Health Care/Health Insurance/Public Health/Research

· Free Parenting Workshop, Monday, June 6, 12 – 1 p.m.: Join the NYP School-Based Mental Health Prevention Team for their Free Parenting Workshops! NYP Parenting Lunch & Learn (Almuerza y aprende para padres) sessions are offered every Monday and Thursday from 12pm-1pm via Zoom in English and Spanish. Workshops cover a range of topics for parents and caregivers each week, with open Q&A with the NYP clinical team at each session. Click here to join.

· What Are Your Community's Health Needs? NewYork-Presbyterian is excited to undertake its triennial Community Health Needs Assessment. In collaboration with community partners, the hospital will identify some of the top issues affecting health and wellbeing in our communities. NYP would love your input. You can access the survey online in English and Spanish here. If you have additional information for the assessment, please email NYP at [email protected].

Food

· Get Food NYC: Visit this online map to find locations that offer free food (food pantries, soup kitchens), as well as grocery stores and farmers’ markets.

· NYC Department of Education (DOE) Summer Meals: Starting June 28, NYC DOE will offer free breakfast and lunch meals at sites across the City, including schools, parks, and pools. No identification or application is required, and meals will be available Monday – Friday. Breakfast will be served from 8 – 9:15 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. at designated sites. Click here to view additional details

Education/NYC Public Schools/CUNY/SUNY/Libraries/Student Loans

· The Gilder Lehrman History School is back for another summer of free online programming for K-12 students. Since their History School launched in April 2020, more than 5,000 students have participated in twenty-eight courses with award-winning teachers. This summer they are offering five free virtual courses—including two Advanced Placement courses—starting the first week of July, with opportunities for students at all levels:

o History Camp: National Park Adventure (Grades 3-5)

o Living History: Culture as a Force in Human Experience (Grades 6-8)

o World Wars I and II: Life on the Home Front (Grades 9-12)

o AP US Government and Politics: Foundational Cases (Grades 9-12)

o AP US History (Grades 9-12)

Visit this page to learn more or email [email protected] with any questions.

· The Child Mind Institute offers important guides for parents in their Family Resource Center:

o How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings

o Helping Children Cope With Frightening News

o Children Hear the Message of the Gun

In addition, there’s a hub for multilingual trauma resources, in 12 languages, including guides for parents and educators for processing traumatic events with children K-12. There are also a collection of age-appropriate, brief instructional videos for students at all levels to promote coping skills and aid in recovery following traumatic events.

MTA/Transportation

· Masks Are Required When Riding Public Transportation: All individuals regardless of vaccination status are required to wear a mask when taking public transportation, including subways, buses, taxis, ride sharing services, trains, and airplanes. This is a federal requirement and an important safety measure to protect yourself, others, and public health.

Jobs, Job Training, Residencies, Internships, Fellowships

· NYS Department of Labor (DOL) – Virtual Career Fair, Wednesday, June 14, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Virtual offer you the chance to interact with dozens of employers from your home. During NYS DOL virtual career fairs, you can upload your resume, browse virtual employer booths, and participate in virtual interviews with businesses hiring in your area. To register, visit the NYS DOL Career Center Event Calendar, find the date of the virtual fair you're interested in, click on the event link and register!

· NYS DOL Virtual Workshops: Each month, the NYS DOL offers dozens of virtual workshops for job seekers on everything from resume writing and networking to salary negotiation and the Civil Service system. The courses are free and provide valuable job search information and satisfy work search requirements. Visit the Career Center Event Calendar page to view workshops in June and to register for workshops.

Social Services

· Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Emergency Benefits: HEAP helps low-income people pay the cost of heating their homes. As of the week of 5/2, a third Emergency HEAP benefit is available to eligible households that have exhausted the Regular, as well as the first two Emergency HEAP benefits, and who are in a heat or heat related emergency. Please visit the NYS HEAP website for additional information about the program, eligibility criteria, and to apply.

· SNAP Benefits for Undergraduate and Graduate Students: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. Undergraduate and graduate college students continue to be eligible for SNAP benefits under the COVID-19 public health emergency, which has been extended through July 16, 2022. Students are eligible if they qualify for (but are not necessarily participating in) state or federal work-study, or have an “expected family contribution” of $0. More details about SNAP student eligibility are available on the NYS OTDA SNAP website and the NYC HRA SNAP Benefits website

Grants and Scholarships

· Excelsior Scholarships: Excelsior Scholarships are open to first-time students entering college in the Fall 2022 term and current students who have never received the Excelsior Scholarship. Applications are open now until 8/31/2022. To qualify:

o Students must plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY two or four-year college

o Complete 30 credits per year towards their program of study

o Be on track to graduate on time with a two-year Associate’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree in four years

o Students’ families must have made $125,000 or less in the 2020 tax year.

Click here to learn more or apply to the Excelsior Scholarship. If you are undocumented or believe you may otherwise qualify for the Jose Peralta DREAM Act Scholarship, learn more about the Peralta program here.

Resources for Older Adults & Caregivers

· Search & Care Zoom Workshop, “Annie Mardiney: Wild Mountain Birds,” Wednesday, 6/22, 2-3 p.m.: Spend an hour with a woman who is trained to rescue injured wild birds. Annie will talk about her passion for this work, and show many of the birds who become her educational ambassadors, when they cannot be released back into the wild – an exciting variety of owls and hawks whose welfare is her continued responsibility. Free via Zoom or phone. Advance registration required at: www.searchandcare.org/events/

· Medicare Orientation - Understand Your Costs and Choices in Medicare: Are you new to Medicare or want to better understand how Medicare works? Come join the NYC Department for the Aging's Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) at one of our bi-weekly Medicare orientation sessions. You'll learn about eligibility and enrollment rules, choices in Medicare, when you can make changes to your coverage, and ways that you may be able to save money on Medicare costs. Upcoming orientation dates include Thursday, June 16 and Friday, July 1. Register Here

Resources for Small Businesses and Non-Profits

· Pace SBDC Webinar on Crowdfunding: In May, the Pace SBDC hosted an especially informative panel discussion devoted to crowdfunding. Moderated by Pace SBDC Regional Director Andrew Flamm, the panel featured representatives from crowdfunding platforms Indiegogo, Kickstarter, and WeFunder, who discussed how crowdfunding can help small enterprises raise much-needed capital while staying connected to and growing their circle of supporters. They also covered key aspects and considerations for using their respective fundraising platforms, and shared inspirational examples of winning campaigns where entrepreneurs raised relatively significant funds. Watch the webinar and learn more here.

In-Person & Virtual Community Activities

· CB 8’s Summer Art Show 2022, James Cagney Place (East 91^st Street between 2^nd and 3^rd Avenues) Saturday, June 11, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.: Join Community Board 8 for their 2nd Annual Summer Art Show. You'll find dozens of local artists showing off their paintings, sculptures, crafts, photos, etc., featuring local musical artists. Free & open to all.

· Doggie Fashion Show to Promote Kind Words and Kind Acts, Carl Schurz Park, Saturday, June 18, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Super Happy Healthy Kids is hosting a doggie fashion show to promote kind words and kind acts. Meet at 84/East End Avenue – Esplanade Gate. Goodie bags will be given out for registered participants. Please register early – registration will not be available at the entrance. No dog? Bring any stuffed animal! A donation of $20/dog or a stuffed animal is required. For questions and to register, please send an email to [email protected] or send a text to 917-369-0032.

· 2022 Whitney Museum Pride Events: Celebrate Pride at the Whitney with an inclusive weekend of free parties, history tours, art-making activities, and more for LGBTQ+ visitors and allies of all ages. Click here for details

· Picnic Performances at Bryant Park: From May 27-September 17, enjoy 26 live, in-person music, dance, and theater events. Click here to view additional details.

· Concerts in the Park: The schedule for the New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks is now available to view. The first concert in Central Park is scheduled for June 15. All performances start at 8 p.m. except for the indoor performance on Staten Island. Click here for the performance schedule and details.

· Lincoln Center calendar of June activities

· NYC Parks Free Summer Movies Under the Stars: view the calendar of movie viewings scheduled throughout the 5 boroughs.

· Beat the Heat: Stay Cool at NYC Parks this Summer