3/22 Coronavirus Pandemic Update - Please Stay Inside!

Here is what you need to know:

Coronavirus COVID-19 Testing 
The Department of Health has issued guidance to ensure that New York State prioritizes the resources to meet the most urgent public health need.

Testing for COVID-19 shall be authorized by a health care provider when:

• An individual has come within proximate contact (same classroom, office, or gatherings) of another person known to be positive; or
• An individual has traveled to a country that the CDC has issued a Level 2 or Level 3 Travel Health Notice, and shows symptoms of illness; or
• An individual is quarantined (mandatory or precautionary) and has shown symptoms of COVID-19 illness; or
• An individual is symptomatic and has not tested positive for any other infection; or
• Other cases where the facts and circumstances warrant as determined by the treating clinician in consultation with state and local department of health officials.
• You should call your primary care doctor and seek a prescription for the test if you meet the criteria above or you can contact the NYSDOH - New York State Health Department's 24-hour hotline at 1-888-364-3065.

Testing is free for all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider.

Hospital Care
The State has identified four initial sites for temporary hospitals in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers.

The four sites are the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY Old Westbury and the Westchester Convention Center. The Army Corps is expected to immediately begin work to construct the temporary hospitals.

Hospital Equipment

The State has identified 2 million N95 masks for purchase and will send 1 million to New York City and 500,000 to Long Island.  New York apparel manufacturers are converting their operations to begin manufacturing masks and other medical equipment.  Also, the state purchased 6,000 additional critically needed ventilators.  We are now scouring the globe looking for medical supplies. If you can help, with personal protective equipment please call: 646-522-8477 or email: COVID19supplies@esd.ny.gov.

New Drug Therapies Being Explored

New York’s Health Commissioner Dr. Zucker has recommended trials for new drug therapy to help combat COVID-19. The FDA is acquiring 10,000 doses of Hydroxychloroquine and Zithromax for New York State to use on a trial basis. 

Mental Health Pandemic 

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's critically important we address mental health as part of the public health response. The State is calling on psychologists, therapists and other mental health professionals to volunteer their services to help with New York's Coronavirus response.  To sign up, visit health.ny.gov/assistance. If you are need of mental health services or looking for someone to speak with please visit:

Mental Health Association in Rockland County - Speak with a Client and Family Advocate at 845-267-2172 x296.

Mental Health Association in Westchester County

National Alliance on Mental Illness - New York State - 518-248-7634 for inquiries about resources and services, support groups and classes.

Helpful Information 

Young People: Please Stay Home

We are seeing some not taking this crisis seriously. We need everyone to practice social distancing, especially in parks and outdoors. Younger people aren't invincible: in fact, 54% of New York State Coronavirus cases are ages 18-49.  Some may have mild to no symptoms, it's critically important you do not endanger your health or the health of others. 

Enacting Matilda's Law

We are taking action to protect New Yorkers age 70+ and those with compromised immune systems. Matilda's Law asks seniors to:

Remain indoors
Can go outside for solitary exercise
Pre-screen all visitors by taking their temperature
Wear a mask in the company of others
Stay at least 6 feet from others
Do not take public transportation unless urgent and absolutely necessary

What's Closed & What's Open?
- Bars and restaurants, but they are open for takeout and delivery

- Barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing salons, nail salons, hair removal services and related personal care services

- Casinos, gyms, theaters, retail shopping malls, amusement parks and bowling alleys

- Pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, gas stations, auto repair, liquor stores, airports, mass transit, hotels, hospitals, childcare services, laundromats, and new media remain open.

Tax Filing Deadline Changes 

New York’s tax filing deadline is being moved to July 15th in the wake of the conronavirus. The new deadline applies to individuals and businesses. 

DMV Closed For All In-Office Visits

The Department of Motor Vehicles is closed for all in-office visits.  The DMV will do online transactions. License and permit expirations will be extended, so if your driver's license is about to expire — don't worry. 

Reducing Financial Hardship

Mortgage payments will be waived based on financial hardship, 90 days or 3 months, meaning no evictions of any residential or commercial tenants. In addition, there will be no negative reporting to credit bureaus, a grace period for loan modifications, and a removal of late payment fees or online payment fees. State-chartered banks must waive ATM fees, late fees, overdraft fees and fees for credits cards to help lessen the financial hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Helping Small Businesses 
I called on the State to delay the sales tax due for collection last Friday, and this has been honored. Small businesses who missed Friday's (3/20) deadline will not face penalties or interest if they did not make a payment. We want to insure our small businesses will not have to close their doors and can get added support where we can offer it. Small businesses in Rockland and Westchester Counties can also apply for Disaster Recovery Loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) by going to: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. If businesses need additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Small businesses will need to create an account and complete the application that references the Disaster # CT-00046. Click here for a step-by-step guide for applying. The deadline to apply is December 16, 2020.

Big Thank You's 

Morning Show host Kelly Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos donated $1 million to the State to help purchase ventilators and support WIN, the largest provider of shelter for New York City's homeless families.

Fashion designer, Christian Siriano has reached out to the State and has his team making masks for medical professionals on the front lines. 

Norcina, a local New City restaurant had a very generous out of state customer, Eddie Stapleton call in 10 large pies, which they matched and donated 20 pizzas to the health care workers at Good Sam Hospital in Suffern.