NYC COVID-19 Community and Ethnic Media Update – A Round Table Discussion with Bitta Mostofi,  Dr. Oxiris Barbot & Dr. Andrew Wallach

Edited by: JV Staff

Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Bitta Mostofi, Department of Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot, and NYC Health and Hospitals Ambulatory Care Chief Medical Officer Dr. Andrew Wallach hosted a Community and Ethnic Media virtual round table on Friday, May 1st on COVID-19 testing updates. 

We’re committed to providing information, resources and guidance to ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status and especially those living in heavily impacted areas, have access to quality care including testing for COVID-19.

Important Messages from Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Bitta Mostofi

In honor of May Day, sometimes referred to as International Workers’ Day, we recognize the perseverance and resiliency of all essential workers in New York City.

• Immigrants comprise half of the city’s essential workers—representing 53 percent of the city’s healthcare workers, 70 percent of cleaning service professionals and 53 percent of all food and drug store labor. 
• A reminder: Anyone who works in our city—regardless of immigration status, national origin, or country of origin—has rights. 
  • Download our multilingual Know Your Rights flyers.
  • Watch and share: Know Your Rights video.

Seek Care Without Fear: In New York City healthcare is a right to all who call our city home, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. If you need help finding a doctor or getting medical care, call 311.

• New York City public hospitals and clinics have strong privacy protections, do not collect information about immigration status, and do not share patient information with anyone or any organization—unless authorized by the patient. 
  • As is already their policy, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has said that it does not carry out operations at or near health care facilities. Individuals should NOT avoid seeking medical care because they fear immigration enforcement.
• Seeking care and getting testing or treatment related to COVID-19 will NOT impact your immigration status or ability to apply for a green card or citizenship.
  • New York City residents who have questions about how accessing certain public benefits may affect immigration status, can call the free, confidential ActionNYC hotline, Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 1-800-354-0365 to access timely and trusted information and connections to legal help.

Support for NYC Small Businesses Owners and Nonprofits

• Federal government expanded its loan programs with an additional $310 billion.
• Loans available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Small business owners and nonprofits can apply for up to $10 million through the Paycheck Protection Program at SBA.gov or click here for Spanish. 
  • More information about the Paycheck Protection Program in multiple languages: bit.ly/PPPNYCinfo
  • Share graphics in English, Spanish, and Chinese
• Upcoming webinars from NYC Small Business Services to help business owners:
  • May 4 at 12PM: Assistance Overview for NYC Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19: bit.ly/SBSCOVID54
  • May 5 at 5:30PM:Assistance Overview for NYC Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19: bit.ly/SBSCOVID55 
  • May 5 at 6PM: COVID-19: Programas de Ayuda Económica para Empresarias: bit.ly/WENYCSeminario
  • May 6 at 9:30AM: Assistance Overview for NYC Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 bit.ly/SBSCOVID56 
• Sign up for COVID-19 Emergency Financing Assistance from NYC Small Business Services: bit.ly/NYCSBSCounseling
• For more information, visit nyc.gov/COVID19Biz or call 311
• WATCH: This week, Yemeni American Merchants Association hosted a Virtual Town Hall on City resources for immigrant business owners with MOIA Commissioner Mostofi, NYC Small Business Services Commissioner Gregg Bishop, and Dr. Debbi Almontaser.

City Distributing Free Face Coverings

• 100,000 face coverings will be distributed, starting this week, free of charge. 
• Visit nyc.gov/FaceCoverings for locations and times.

• Over 1,000 full-time city workers will be assigned to patrol parks and public spaces to ensure social distancing guidance is understood and followed.
  • City enforcement officers do not ask about immigration status.
• View this message in multiple languages. 

Starting May 6: MTA will Stop Service Daily from 1 am to 5 am to Disinfect Trains

• Alternate transportation such as bus service, for-hire vehicles, or “compliant” dollar vans will be provided to essential workers who need to commute during those times, at no cost.
• The Metro North and Long Island Railroad will also receive cleaning, but service will continue as usual.

Citi Bike Expansion

• Over 100 new Citi Bike stations, including those serving workers near the Lincoln and Harlem hospitals, will be added in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. 
• The Critical Workforce Membership program will be extended, providing one year of free Citi Bike membership to essential workers.
• Over 5,500 employees enrolled this month. 

NYC Taxi is hiring for delivery work!

• Through the TLC Driver Food Delivery program, TLC drivers will now be paid $53 per route, rather than hourly ($40 base pay + $13 for expenses), when delivering meals to New Yorkers in need.
• Drivers can use personal cars and complete multiple routes. This change helps drivers make more money. 
• Sign up at nyc.gov/deliverytlc or share on Twitter in multiple languages. 

Temporary Jobs

• Contact Tracers: The City is hiring 1,000 people with public health backgrounds to investigate and trace COVID-19 cases. 
  • View more information about the job requirements, salary, benefits, and how to apply.
• NYCHA is currently hiring seasonal workers to assist with maintenance at properties throughout the city at a rate of $15 per hour. For more info and to apply, constituents who are NYCHA residents can contact their local NYCHA Property Management Office.
• Find temporary jobs through NYC Small Business Services’ Workforce 1 Career Centers. Support is available online and by phone. 

Community Testing Update 

• COVID-19 tests are provided on a walk-in basis, at no cost to the patient, and with a priority for those over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing conditions that put them at risk for serious illness.
• New York City has opened community testing sites in all five boroughs. 
• NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) is currently operating free walk-in COVID-19 nasal swab testing sites through Gotham Health clinics, including 3 as part of NYCHA developments.
  • View more information on testing and find a location near you.

Do NOT ingest or inject Lysol or any other disinfectant as a treatment for COVID-19

• Household disinfectants are poisonous and can cause serious harm or even death if swallowed or injected. 
• Call the Poison Control Center for info about safe use of products: 212-764-7667.
• View the Poison Prevention and Medicine Safety Fact Sheet and share this message.

Mental Health Resources

• NYC H+H Helping Healers Heal Program
  • 24/7 Behavioral health helpline for H+H staff at 646-815-4150
  • 1-on-1, peer and group support, wellness rounds at all facilities
• FDNY: Gold Standard Counseling Services Unit, among the best in U.S. for first responders
  • Counselors are available by phone 24/7 at 212-570-1693

Open Streets: First streets to open Saturday!

• 4.5 Miles inside parks to ease crowding will open Saturday in Fort Tryon Park, Callahan-Kelly Park, Flushing Meadows, Grant Park, Forest Park, Silver Lake Park.
• 2.7 Miles will open Saturday adjacent to Williamsbridge Oval, Prospect Park, Court Square, Stapleton Waterfront Park, Carl Schurz Park, Lt. Willian Tighe Triangle, Highbridge Park
• At least 40 miles of street closures, widened sidewalks, and additional bike lanes over the next month, will provide New Yorkers with more space to exercise and move, while social distancing. 
  • Open streets will only be in effect for the duration of “NY PAUSE,” with the exception of bike lanes. 

Alternate Side Parking Suspended

• Suspension extended through May 12.

New Safe Havens

• 200 Safe Haven beds will begin to open this week.
  • Builds on the Mayor’s commitment to supporting vulnerable New Yorkers through the COVID-19 crisis.  
  • Safe Haven and stabilization beds provide safe, secure spaces for unsheltered New Yorkers, and connect them with the resources and support they need to find a lasting path to stability. 
  • Beds will be prioritized for the most vulnerable, unsheltered New Yorkers living on the streets and subways, with locations strategically placed in areas where outreach teams have experienced activity and determined need. 

Online Marriage Licenses

• The marriage license process will be available online starting next week.
  • The site will be available in 11 languages and Language Line will be available to provide on-demand translation to any couple in need of translation services.
    • More information will be available here and at cityclerk.ny.gov. 

New City Task Forces 

• A new task force on racial inclusion and equity, comprised of officials from across the Administration, will:
  • Engage hardest-hit communities.
  • Monitor response and recovery efforts in those neighborhoods.
  • Identify unique needs associated with Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) and community health care providers.
  • Work with City officials and agencies to narrow long-standing racial and economic disparities. 
• This racial inclusion and equity task force, led by First Lady McCray and Deputy Mayor Thompson, will focus both on the immediate needs of these communities and shape a longer term strategy to close the gaps that have been exacerbated during this crisis. 
• Civic leaders, via a Fair Recovery Task Force, will help the City formulate a broader post-crisis recovery effort that builds a stronger, safer, and fairer economy and society. 
• Starting in June, the Fair Recovery Task Force will put forward a recovery road map that will inform the City’s recovery efforts. 

Updates from the NYC Department of Education (DOE)

Adjusted K-12 Citywide Grading Policy 

• A new grading policy will maintain a high bar for student achievement, give flexibility to families and students grappling with the COVID-19 crisis, and provide targeted support to students who have fallen behind.
• The new grading policy for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year is effective immediately.
• View more information about the grading policy or view translated information.

Update on iPad Distribution and Support to Students 

• NYC public schools will continue academic instruction through Remote Learning for the rest of the school year and students in need of a device may borrow internet-enabled iPads.
• To request a device, families should call DOE at 718-935-5100 and choose Option 5 on the menu or fill out the Remote Learning Device Request form at coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices. The contact information provided on the form will be used to reach out to the family to schedule delivery of the device.
• Everyone who fills out a request form online, with a staff member, or over the phone, will be sent follow up emails and texts. 
  • Priority will be given to students most in need.
  • All devices are granted on a temporary basis and will later need to be returned.
  • There is a limit of one device per student. 
  • You must fill out a separate form for each student who needs a device.
  • Make sure you agree to the Terms of Use in the request form. 
  • There is no need to call the DOE or 311 to check on the status of the device.

Additional Resources and Multilingual Materials

Translated COVID-19 Social Media Graphics Available

∙         Visit nyc.gov/immigrants/coronavirus to view, download, and share translated COVID-19 social media graphics. 

“We Speak, We LEAD”: Free Online Professional Development for Immigrant Women

• We Speak NYC and New Women New Yorkers have teamed up to launch  “We Speak, We LEAD,” a free online workforce development and professional English language learning program for immigrant women.
• This free series of 10 interactive job readiness workshops supports and prepares participants for entry into the NYC workforce or to pursue higher education, and helps them improve their professional English and gain confidence.
• Register now for the pilot program. An information session is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12 from 3-5pm, and the program runs from May 19 until June 23.