Community Corner

• Deaths from the Coronavirus continued their gradual descent, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Friday, with the state recording 422 more deaths, the smallest number since April 1. The state death toll now stands at 16,162. One area of concern remains the number of virus patients newly admitted to hospitals. After dropping almost 35 percent from last Friday to Tuesday, it has fallen only another 5 percent since then.
   
• Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the city will no longer force correction officers to work 24 hours straight, after their union sued the city over the practice.

• Gov. Cuomo announced the state Board of Election will send every registered voter a postage-paid application for an absentee ballot for the primary election on June 23. 
   
• The City Bar Justice Center’s new COVID-19 Small Business Remote Legal Clinic offers pro bono legal consultations to small business owners to help them understand and act upon options available under the federal government’s COVID-19 stimulus package and other opportunities available through federal, state and local programs.
   
• Gov. Cuomo unveiled a new text message program today to aid victims of domestic abuse. The text service will be staffed 24/7 by domestic violence caseworkers. New Yorkers seeking help can text (844) 997-2121 or chat with a professional on the new confidential website at www.opdv.ny.gov. Calls to the state's domestic violence hotline are up 30 percent in April compared to last year and calls increased 18 percent from February to March 2020. State Police also report domestic violence incident calls were up 15 percent in March compared to last year.

What To Do

• Health officials warned New Yorkers that it is dangerous to swallow or inject household disinfectants despite conflicting information from the federal government. Makers of Lysol also warned that its cleaning products were not meant to be swallowed or injected.
   
• Relive Linsanity! The New York Knicks announced MSG Network will air nine games from February of 2012, starting with the birth of Linsanity against the New Jersey Nets on Monday. The highlight is Jeremy Lin’s 38-point sizzler against the Los Angeles Lakers, which will replay on Wednesday.

Dear Neighbors,

My next COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall is TOMORROW at 2:00 p.m., and is focused on Senior Citizens. Panelists from NYC Department for the Aging, AARP New York, Queens Community House, and a local nursing home will share information and take your questions live. Join on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/95313438323 or by phone at (646) 558-8656 with code 953 1343 8323.

As always, please contact my office with any questions or concerns at (718) 217-4969, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or via Facebook and Twitter (@RoryLancman). You can also visit my office’s new COVID-19 information page to previous Covid-19 newsletters and Virtual Town Halls.
 
Stay safe and strong,
 

Rory I. Lancman

What's New

·    The State Board of Elections cancelled New York’s Democratic presidential primary, which was scheduled for June 23. Polling places are expected to remain open for other elections, including Queens Borough President. The State Board of Elections previously announced that mail-in ballot applications will be sent to all registered voters next month to reduce the number of people gathering at polling places.
 

·    Mayor de Blasio made several significant announcements today:
 

o        Suspension of alternate side parking has been extended through at least May 12.
 

o        COVID-19 testing sites run by city hospitals will begin to offer self-administered tests in which residents swab their own noses and mouths. The self tests will substantially increase the number of tests administered.
 

o        The city is hiring 1,000 “contact tracers” to locate and contact people who have or had Covid-19 with instructions on caring for themselves and others.
 

o        City Hall and the City Council reached an agreement to close 40 miles of streets to vehicle traffic to provide more room for outdoor recreation while social distancing guidelines remain in effect. The locations and dates of street closures have not yet been determined, but the mayor said streets near parks will be prioritized as the weather gets warmer.

What You Need

·    Hunter College is piloting a program that brings care packages of food for Hunter students to locations in your community. The school selected locations that are in close proximity to the areas where we have seen the most need, including our district. A Hunter College van will visit the corner of Sutphin Boulevard and Hillside Avenue daily from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. this week. 
 

·    New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli created a COVID-19 Financial Survival Toolkit with resources and links to give you easy access to vital assistance and information on issues such as paying your bills and assistance for small businesses. 

What To Do

·    Invisible Hands is a group of engaged volunteers from communities at the least risk for severe COVID-19 reactions working to bring groceries and supplies to those in high-risk demographics. The new nonprofit organization matches individual volunteers with at-risk New Yorkers closeby. Learn about becoming a volunteer or requesting a delivery.