COVID-19: Springing Toward Recovery

I hope that you are finding some joy in this week’s gorgeous spring weather [View this email in your browser]( Dear {NAME} I hope that you are finding some joy in this week’s gorgeous spring weather. This winter has been long and dark and hard on every level -- and I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated spring’s promise quite this much. There’s a long way to go, and many bumps ahead, but we’ve also got some good news this week from Washington, and on the vaccine front, too. First on vaccines, eligibility is expanding: New Yorkers who are 60+ (lowered from 65) will be eligible as of today March 10th. And starting March 17th, eligibility will be expanded to include public-facing nonprofit workers, sanitation workers, building service workers, and government employees. See the full list here. If you have questions, or if you are eligible and need assistance, please feel free to reach out to our office. Second, in a huge step forward, the Senate -- under the leadership of our neighbor, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer -- passed President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Along with $1,400 direct checks to Americans who need it desperately, a [powerful new child tax credit]( (think of it like Social Security for kids), and funding for small businesses, the plan includes true rescue funding for New York. New York City will receive over $6 billion so we can move toward safely reopening our schools, offer summer youth jobs and programs, cover what we’re spending on public health, and restore devastating cuts to sanitation, parks, and more. (With that promising news, the City Council has started our preliminary budget hearings this month; I’ll have more to report on that soon). And the MTA is getting another $6 billion, which is enough that they should restore the service cuts they’ve made to the F and C lines, although we are going to have to keep up the pressure. The President’s rescue plan also includes a big acceleration of vaccine efforts. The country is now averaging about two million shots a day, and there will be enough vaccine doses for every adult American by Memorial Day. Here in New York City, we are now averaging about 50,000 doses a day (on our best day we did over 88,000), which means 1.5 million shots in arms each month. Our office continues to offer assistance with constituents (mostly seniors) who need help in getting appointments. Over the past month, of the 150 constituents who have reached out for help, we’ve secured appointments for 135 first does, and 75 people have been fully vaccinated! Do you want to help spread the word and provide vaccine appointment support? The Neighbor Network (which we helped launch last spring) is holding a [vaccine outreach phone-bank next Tuesday, March 16th at 5:30pm](. We will be calling seniors in Central Brooklyn. You will be trained at the beginning of the phone bank to conduct the outreach (and if people are looking for more support, they’ll be matched with staff to provide it). [Sign up here](. The combination of accelerating vaccinations, spring weather, and federal rescue funding are moving us toward recovery. The [CDC released guidance on Monday]( that people who are fully vaccinated (two weeks after the second shot of Pfizer or Moderna and two weeks after a single Johnson & Johnson shot) can be inside together in small groups, and that grandparents can even be unmasked with their grandkids! To be clear: We still need to keep up public health practices, including mask-wearing and social distancing in public. There are still many lives to be saved as we re-emerge. After nearly a year of being locked down and restricted on so many levels, it can be hard -- and anxiety inducing -- to figure out the right ways to switch gears. In the coming weeks, we’ll try to offer a mix of public and emotional health insights on how we move together toward recovery. For today, enjoy the spring weather ([I know I am](. Maybe I’ll see you in Prospect Park. As always please feel free to reach out to my office either at lander@council.nyc.gov or at 718.499.1090 (please leave a message and someone will call you back), with any community or vaccine issue! Stay safe, get vaccinated when you can, help others do it too, and enjoy the sunshine, Brad Covid-19 Updates and Resources - Latest Virus Data: In NYC, 2,878 new COVID cases were reported March 8th, for a total of 759,421 cases since the start of the pandemic. We have lost 29,911 people in NYC from the virus, including sadly 43 reported on March 8th. The number of new cases and the positivity rate have been declining slightly for the past week, but the citywide 7-day rolling average of positive test rates is 6.23%. City data [here](. - Vaccine Data: As of today, 2,873,565 vaccine doses have been delivered to New York City, and 2,405,191 have been administered (1,277,582 first doses, 733,896 second doses). For more information on vaccine eligibility, locations, and data, visit the [NYC Vaccine Command Center’s Website](. (And you can review our office’s Vaccine FAQ [here](. - Beware of COVID Vaccine Scams: Please ignore any individual or organization claiming to be able to provide a vaccine in exchange for payment. No vaccine distributors will ask you for Social Security, credit card, or bank account information. The vaccine is completely free, regardless of whether you have health insurance. If you suspect any fraudulent activity relating to COVID-19, please call the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Action Center Hotline at 718-250-2340. - Get Tested: Even with these new vaccines in circulation it is still so important to keep up our social distancing, wear masks, and get tested. For information about testing sites around the city, visit [New York City’s Covid-19 testing website](. - Self Senior Sign up: If you are a senior or know a senior who would benefit from free friendly calls from the Neighbor Network during this isolating time, you can now sign up here by filling out this [form]( or calling 914.572.5526. Education Updates and Resources - High Schools are Reopening: Blended learning high school students will return to classrooms on March 22. More information about the required mandatory consent form can be found [here](. Public School Athletic League (PSAL) sports will reboot with practices in April and competitive play in May, and will run through the summer. Weekly covid testing and masks will be required of all athletes, and spectators will not be permitted. - Pre-K applications open today, and the deadline to apply is April 7. During the application period, you can apply online or by phone. [Sign up for the pre-K admissions email list]( for updates, tips, and reminders throughout the process. Throughout the admissions process, you'll use [MySchools.nyc]( to learn about pre-K programs, apply, get your offer, and learn about waitlists. Before the application opens you can [set up your MySchools account]( and start exploring pre-K program options in MySchools' [online, searchable pre-K director](. For more information visit the [DOE pre-K website](. - PB Youth Committee: Do you know a tween or teen interested in participatory budgeting and the future of PB in NYC? The [D38/39 PB Youth Committee]( will be meeting March 15 at 5 pm and would love to welcome new members. No need to be a D39 resident-- just live somewhere in NYC, be at least 10 years old, and have an interest in empowering kids to have a say in our democracy! Sign up form is [here](. Other Updates and Resources - Legal Services Hotline: NYC Financial Justice Hotline is a free legal hotline for low-income NYC residents. The hotline staffed in English and Spanish, provides free legal information, advice, and referrals on a wide range of financial justice issues--from discriminatory banking practices to predatory debt collection. You can find more information [here](. - COJO Flatbush Tax Collection: They are offering free tax services for tax season. If you need assistance filing your taxes you can find more information and contact them [here](. - Access Benefits Helpline through Legal Aid: Anyone having trouble with an application to apply for or recertify for HRA cash assistance, SNAP, or Medicaid benefits, can all the Legal Aid Society’s Access to Benefits Helpline at 888-663-6880 M-F 10am-3pm. - We are redirecting our Fresh Direct Bag Program: After collecting and redistributing more than 50,000 bags, we are transitioning our Fresh Direct bag donation effort now that Fresh Direct has established its own program to connect bag donors with nearby food pantries. A couple of our partners, Masbia and People in Need, are now signed up for direct bag drop off through Fresh Direct’s program. Locations and times are below. You can find the complete list of partners [here.]( Thank you to the many constituents who have continued to collect and donate their extra bags over the course of the pandemic. This has provided a much needed supply of durable bags to food providers, and helped reduce the number of these bags entering our waste stream. We hope you will continue to donate directly through this new program. - Masbia of Boro Park 5402 New Utrecht Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11219 [www.masbiaboropark.org]( Bags accepted anytime Sunday 12 PM-Friday 12 PM People In Need 964 Coney Island Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11230 [www.peopleinneednyc.org]( Bags accepted Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 2:30 PM-4:30 PM [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Website]( Contact us: District 39 456 5th Ave Ste 3Brooklyn, NY 11215-4076 [Add us to your address book]( lander@council.nyc.gov 718-499-1090 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](.