3/25 Coronavirus Pandemic Latest - Important Information!
March 25, 2020
Dear Friends,
COVID- 19 cases are doubling about every three days across New York State - standing at 30,811 as of Wednesday with the majority of cases in New York City. Some 3,805 people have been hospitalized.
In Rockland County, there have been 7 deaths from COVID-19 and 968 confirmed cases. In Westchester County, there have been at least 2 deaths and 4,691 confirmed cases.
New York remains in critical need of 140,000 hospital beds, 40,000 ICU beds, and 30,000 ventilators. Our State is in the greatest need with the highest level of infection. The federal government has provided about 4,000 ventilators, 339,760 N-95 masks, 861,700 surgical masks, 353,300 gloves, 145,122 gowns and 197,085 face shields, which will go across the State.
Still, New York remains in great need of ventilators and Personal Protective Gear for our health care workers and essential employees on the front lines. I continue to call on the President to enforce the Defense Production Act, which would require companies immediately begin manufacturing these supplies. Instead, the federal government is waiting on offers from various companies, and then having states bid against each other on supplies, allowing them to go to who pays top dollar, not who is in greatest need. Currently, New York has about 10 times the number of COVID-19 cases than in California.
While we understand the need to keep our economy alive, we do not believe that should be at the expense of American lives.
New York State is doing everything we can to keep New Yorker’s safe and increase our healthcare capacity. We must all remember we are in this together and stronger together. This is why we are asking residents to remain inside, wash your hands frequently, practice social distancing, and work remotely. For more information on the public health guidance, click here.
Please remember, my entire staff is here for you. Residents can call either (845) 623-3627 or (914) 941-2054 between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to speak with a district representative if you have a problem or question in these challenging times. You can also email me directly, anytime at carlucci@nysenate.gov.
Tonight at 5:00 p.m. please join me and Crystal Run Healthcare for a Facebook Live update, here: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorDavidCarlucci/.
We will get through this together.
Sincerely,
David Carlucci
· HEALTH CARE WORKERS: 40,000 health care professionals, some from other states, have agreed to be apart of the COVID-19 response, including: 2,265 physicians, 2,409 nurse practitioners, 938 Physician’s Assistants, 328 Nurse Anesthetists, 160 Respiratory Therapists, 16,367 RNs, and 4,016 LPNs.
· MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: 6,000 mental health professionals agreed to volunteer to provide mental health services for people who need it in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.
· EFFECTS OF COVID-19: So far, those infected have fully recovered at a rate of 80%, while 20% have required hospitalization. The most vulnerable are those who are HIV positive, have emphysema, bad asthma, or are recovering from cancer.
· DRUG TRIALS BEGAN: The State is now conducting three possible treatments for COVID-19.
· BUSINESSES THAT ARE CLOSED: Shopping malls, gyms, movie theaters, barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing salons, nail salons, hair removal services and related personal care services, casinos, amusement parks and bowling alleys.
· WHAT IS OPEN?: Pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, gas stations, auto repair, liquor stores, airports, mass transit, hotels, hospitals, childcare services, and laundromats.
· TEMPORARY ORDERS OF PROTECTION: In NYS, Temporary Orders of Protection will be extended until the courts re-calendar the matter. Call the NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline with any questions: 800-942-6906.
· CENSUS DEADLINE EXTENDED: The U.S. Census Bureau has extended the response deadline to August 14th. Please fill out your Census information online at: https://my2020census.gov/.
Upcoming Events
3/25 - COVID-19 Facebook Live Update @ 5 p.m.
3/30 - COVID-19 Facebook Live Update @ 5 p.m.
4/2 - COVID-19 Facebook Live Update @ 5 p.m.
Important Phone Numbers
COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at: 844-863-9314
People under self-quarantine or exposure to known case: 866-588-0195
If you have personal protective equipment please call: 646-522-8477 or email: COVID19supplies@esd.ny.gov
For an appointments at a testing site call the State Dept. of Health's 24-hour hotline: 888-364-3065
Westchester County COVID-19 Information: Call 211
Issues with insurance coverage should be referred to the Attorney General's Health Care Hotline: 800-428-9071
Coronavirus workplace leave issues should be referred to the Attorney General’s Labor Bureau: 212-416-8700
Price Gouging complaints should be referred to the State's Consumer Hotline at: 800-697-1220
Any business that cannot accommodate rigorous cleaning standards should contact the Empire State Development for a close order at: 212-803-3100
Here is what you need to know:
What to do after you have been tested
· Create a patient portal account with BioReference Laboratories to access your test results.
· Follow these instructions to create a BioReference patient portal account .
· You can also contact BioReference Laboratories at 833-469-5227.
To learn more about who is being tested and how it works, click here.
How to apply for Paid Family Leave due to COVID-19
Senator Carlucci passed a law allowing workers to receive paid sick leave and guaranteed job security if they have to undergo a mandatory or precautionary quarantine or isolation due to the coronavirus.
Click here and learn how to apply for paid sick leave.
Equipment
New York State has a critical need for Personal Protective Equipment including masks, gowns and gloves. New York State needs companies to be creative to supply the crucial gear that our health care workers need. New York will pay a premium and is offering funding.
Need funding to manufacture products? Call: (212) 803-3110 and e-mail: COVID19supplies@exec.ny.gov.
Have unused supplies? Call: (646) 522-8477 or e-mail: COVID19supplies@exec.ny.gov.
Volunteers
The State is taking steps to create a reserve workforce to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
If you are a health care or mental health care professional or recently retired and would like to help, please click here.
If you are an administrator at a School of Public Health, School of Medicine, or School of Nursing who can help identify qualified staff and students and would like to help, please click here.
If you are experienced in technology, operations, analytics, or communications and would like to join the COVID-19 Technology SWAT Team for 90-day service deployments, please click here.
Westchester County
Health care professionals such as nurses and doctors are needed and being asked to volunteer by emailing Lindsey Jackson at lajc@westchestergov.com.
Free & reduced breakfast and lunch for students
Rockland County – Information on locations and distribution times can be found here.
Westchester County – Information on locations and distribution times can be found here.
New York State Parks
New York state parks, trails and grounds of historic sites are open for open air outdoor recreation. However, the Governor is urging all New Yorkers to stay home as much as possible. Please limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact, and avoid activities where you may come in close contact with other people.
All State Park playgrounds, athletic courts and sporting fields are CLOSED.
Camping Update
All campgrounds, cabins, and cottages are CLOSED to overnight visitation through April 30th. All visitors with reservations will be issued a full refund.
Job Opportunities
Many major companies are hiring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are also State and City opportunities.
· CVS
· Walmart
· Amazon
· PepsiCo
· Domino’s
State Agencies
· NYS Department of Labor
o Looking to hire 40 hourly Senior Employment Security Clerks in Albany to help process Unemployment Insurance claims. To apply, visit: https://statejobs.ny.gov/public/vacancyDetailsView.cfm?id=80203.
· New York City
o The city is hiring licensed TLC drivers to help with critical deliveries at a rate of $15/hour. You can find more info here.
Filling out your census form
Completing the 2020 census is crucial for the future well-being of our State. It will ensure in Rockland and Westchester Counties that we receive the proper federal funding for our health care, schools, roads, and more. This is our once-in-a-decade opportunity, and we need every New Yorker to be counted. While at home, its easily to fill out your census form electronically by visiting: https://my2020census.gov/.
Feel good news...
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Robert De Niro is watching you. Stay home. Save lives.
Big thank you's
To our health care workers, firefighters, police, volunteer EMS, public transit workers, childcare workers, grocers, pharmacists, airport workers, Uber drivers, and others are on the front lines, we say THANK YOU.
Thank you to the selfless individuals making masks for our health care workers. The Masked Warriors Project was started by two amazing Rockland residents, Tina LoPresti and Sabrina Roffman. Hundreds of masks are already being delivered to area hospitals. Big thanks to ThinkCrucial.com, Orangetown Supervisor Teresa M. Kenny, and Rene Rodriguez from New City Florist and Steve Botto, from Steve Botto Inc. Landscaping. The group is in need of more volunteers, find out how you can help, click here.
Today, we learned 6,000 amazing mental health professionals agreed to volunteer their services to help people through these uncertain times. We know in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's critically important we address mental health as part of the public health response. Thank you to all who are volunteering. To sign up, visit: health.ny.gov/assistance.
Know someone who deserves our thanks at this difficult time? Please share the story with me by emailing it to carlucci@nysenate.gov with “NY Strong” in the subject line.
