Community Message /Mensaje Para La Comunidad From Uptown Council Member Rodriguez

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Every day we pray for all those affected by the novel Coronavirus and continue to work to minimize the negative impact of this health crisis on our citizens, especially those most vulnerable in our communities: the sick and the elderly.

Today, as I have been asking you all from the beginning, I would like to reinforce my calling to please remain home during this pandemic. Unless there is absolute need go out, please avoid going out and most importantly avoid large gatherings. This is the only way we can decrease exposure and ensure we keep all New Yorkers safe.

The City owes an immense amount of gratitude to the brave and selfless healthcare workers who continue to hold the frontline of our battle against this virus. I pledge to continue working alongside City government and local organizations to ensure our medical system has the necessary supplies and resources they need, especially within our poor and immigrant communities.

To those of you with leadership roles in our City, please continue providing your services and resources to New Yorkers in a manner that protects your health and that of others. Our office will continue to partner with you to make sure New Yorkers keep informed and connected to essential services during this difficult time.

If you or your organization have any supplies you can donate to the hospitals please contact 646-522-8477 or email COVID19supplies@esd.ny.gov.

Our office continues operating remotely, responding to constituents, community-based organizations, and non-profits during this pandemic. If you have questions or concerns please go to district10.nyc for more information. See below for other sources of information to help you navigate access to resources during this time.

Wishing you all good health and speedy recoveries.

In solidarity,

Ydanis Rodriguez
District 10 Council Member

Resources:

• 100% of nonessential workforce must stay home. This excludes essential services such as pharmacies, grocery stores, food delivery/take-out, and other similar services. (What is specifically defined as essential? Click here.)

• Information about MetroCard Mobile Sales Service Centers here: https://new.mta.info/fares-and-tolls/subway-bus-and-staten-island-railway/where-to-buy-metrocard/metrocard-bus-vans

• NYC Employee Retention Grant Program: https://www1.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/article/nyc-employee-retention-grant-program

• NYC Small Business Continuity Fund (Zero-Interest Loans): https://www1.nyc.gov/site/sbs/businesses/covid19-business-financial-assistance.page

• Federal Small Business Administration Assistance Loans: (Slow website due to high demand: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela)

• Tenants/Landlords, Disinfection Guidance for Buildings: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/imm/disinfection-guidance-for-commercial-residential-covid19.pdf

• Devices Survey For Students:  https://coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices

• COVID-19 Symptomatic New Yorkers: Call 1-844-NYC-4NYC

• Department of Finance Waiver of Penalties: For those unable to meet certain filing and payment deadlines as well as underpayment for DOF-administered business and excise taxes due between March 16, 2020 and April 25, 2020: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/finance/downloads/pdf/fm/2020/fm-20-2.pdf

• Additional Resources: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/resources/covid-19-services-resources.page

• Free Internet access

• Spectrum: https://corporate.charter.com/newsroom/charter-to-offer-free-access-to-spectrum-broadband-and-wifi-for-60-days-for-new-K12-and-college-student-households-and-more 

• COMCAST: https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/internet-essentials-low-income-broadband-coronavirus-pandemic 

• ATT: https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html