Dear Neighbors of District 35!
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As you know, “Census Day” is April 1st, and now more than ever, particularly in light of what we are all collectively facing and because census data is used to make decisions at every level of government, especially in times of crisis, we need to encourage our friends, families, and neighbors to get counted in the 2020 Census. Many of the communities that are suffering the most not only in terms of health but in terms of the economic fallout from COVID are the same communities that have been historically undercounted in the census. We cannot allow the communities that are hardest hit by COVID to be deprived of resources they deserve for the next ten years.
The Census determines our future, and this year, it is more important than ever that we participate, for we cannot lose access to the funding we need for so many things including healthcare. At a time when many of us are watching what is happening in our city and feel isolated and paralyzed by social distancing, filling out the census is one positive thing you can do right now that will make a difference for your community and your city for the next decade.
Speaking of what is happening in our city, today Governor Cuomo announced that all playgrounds in NYC will be closed until further notice, while open spaces within parks will remain open and subject to social distancing guidelines. Read the attached article for more information. While playgrounds remained open, many playground goers were not abiding by social distancing guidelines that we have put in place to minimize the spread and get everybody back in the parks and on the playgrounds. Simultaneously, new information continues to come to light. The CDC recently announced that 25% of COVID carriers will not show symptoms, while these carriers may be just as infected as those with severe symptoms, You can read more about this new information in the New York Times. These facts concern me, as I’m sure they do you. Concerns regarding community spread led me to urge my colleagues at the City Council in petitioning our Governor to close the playgrounds. I’m sad to see it happen, but happy that our leaders are committed to doing everything in our power to make New York healthy again. As a mother of a 2-yr old, who has been following social distancing measures and staying home the last three weeks per many health officials’ recommendations, I certainly understand the feeling of wanting to take my son outdoors to the local playground. Unfortunately, the simple truth is that it is too risky to our children, ourselves and others, to have our toddlers come into high-contact surfaces within playgrounds. I’m glad to see the Governor has followed the recommendation of my colleagues and I over at New York City Council to close playgrounds. I am also pleased to see that we are keeping parks open. This can work as long as New Yorkers are observing social distancing rules and maintaining a minimum of 6 feet from each other.
Be safe! As of today, there are 45,707 cases in NYC. Please do your part in flattening the curve. I know we are all working hard and it is not an easy task but if we work together on this, we can be #TogetherAgain rather than #TogetherApart.
As always, wash your hands frequently, practical social distancing when going out for essentials, and stay connected! #SpreadJoyNotGerms
You are on my mind,
Laurie A. Cumbo
Majority Leader, New York City Council
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*Please note: All underlined text contain hyperlinks*
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Food Pantry/Distribution Update
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795 Lexington Ave
Brooklyn, New York
Monday through Thursday
Breakfast/Lunch: 10am-12pm
*Served from service entrance as a to-go option only*
Food Pantry: 8am to 12pm
*1 bag per family size per week will be provided*
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Meals for Seniors
As of yesterday, DFTA has transitioned to 100% meal delivery, rather than grab and go, for senior center users. Seniors should call their local senior center for more information if they haven’t already received meals.
They can also call DFTA’s Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) or 311.
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In the News
- Massive Affordable Housing Lottery Opens for 199 Units in East New York, Starting at $328 a Month. Find out what you need to know from Brownstoner.
- Dr. Fauci Says New York’s Coronavirus Response Has Been ‘Extraordinarily Powerful,’ Admissions Are Starting to Level Off Due to Mitigation. Read more here.
- The Federal Government has failed to fulfill the Mayor’s April 1st request for more supplies. While in the private sector, “General Electric Workers “Walk Off the Job, Demand to Make Ventilators.” Get the full story here.
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Tips for Handling Groceries
1. Do not touch anything in the store that you are not committed to buying. Touching things merely raises the risks of you spreading COVID-19 or picking it up.
2. Try to minimize the number of times you need to go to the grocery store by buying provisions for at least two weeks at a time.
3. Sanitize all of your groceries before you put them away.
Learn more by watching this short video.
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Daily Updates: Governor Cuomo
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“NYC Parks are closed until further notice, open spaces remain available.” – Watch Gov. Cuomo holds COVID-19 briefing” 4/1 update now!
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Daily Updates:
Mayor De Blasio
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USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center to be transformed into 350 bed Hospital- Watch “Message from the Mayor”
4/1 update from Mayor de Blasio NOW!
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Update from The Mayor
NYC COVID-19 Engagement Portal
DOITT has developed a portal, as a new tool to help guide the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The portal is available in 11 languages and allows New Yorkers to self-report COVID-19 information and will help New York City both better communicate with affected people and identify areas that may need enhanced response. Inputs are confidential. People without internet access or who need help, can call 311.
On Hospital capacity
Starting next week, the Billie Jean King Center will become a hospital to take pressure off of Elmhurst Hospital with 350 new, fully staffed hospital beds taking non-ICU COVID patients starting next Tuesday. A big thanks to Daniel Zausner, COO of U.S. Tennis Association, Billy Sullivan of SLSCO, Army Corps of Engineers, DDC, OEM, NY State Officials, and Elmhurst Hospital.
On supplies:
We still don’t have the 15,000 ventilators we have asked from the federal government. If you know any oral surgeon, plastic surgeon, or veterinarian please ask them to consider donating ventilators by going to nyc.gov/HelpNow. Alternate Side Parking
is suspended for another two weeks until Tuesday, April 14th.
Streets for Public Use
We are extending the Safe Streets pilot at the existing locations until Sunday, April 5th in order to allow for more evaluation. We will continue to monitor their use to keep New Yorkers safe and enforce social distancing. Locations in Brooklyn include:
Bushwick Ave, Johnson to Flushing
Tax Lien Sale POSTPONED
“The coronavirus outbreak has significantly disrupted life for all New Yorkers, and it has put serious financial pressures on thousands of people across the City,” said Department of Finance Commissioner Jacques Jiha.
“Our job in government is to assist and provide relief during a crisis – not to cause further harm – which is why the Department of Finance will postpone the lien sale until later this summer and at that point, reassess the best way to proceed.”
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Arts & Culture from the Couch
I am pleased to announce that our friends at BRIC have made plans to operate remotely through April 30 (if not longer). They will be providing us with live performances, classes & more as we spend time #TogetherApart.
Check out a schedule of their Instagram Live events here. Click here to access a schedule and register for one of their free classes.
Want to get nostalgic?
Feeling generous?
BRIC plays a critical role in the financial stability of Brooklyn’s artistic and media community and they are working tirelessly to create a plan that prioritizes stabilizing this workforce.
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TODAY IS CENSUS DAY!
Fill out your form from your phone!
to get started!
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#MentalHealthMatters
Being an expecting mother is a joyful, but sometimes overwhelming experience. The Motherhood Center of New York is here to help, every step of the way. They offer outpatient mental health services to new and expecting moms. They also accept Medicaid.
212-335-0034
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