4/14 COVID-19 Update

DISTRESSING NEWS ON COVID-19 DEATHS: Sadly, to date New York has lost 10,834 people to this invisible enemy. To put this in perspective on 9/11, New York lost 2,753 people. On Easter Sunday, there were 671 new deaths statewide, and yesterday there were 778 deaths. To date, Rockland has lost 209 residents since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, and Westchester has lost 596 residents. 

COVID-19 CASES: On Monday, there were 7,177 new COVID-19 cases statewide, bringing the total to 202,208 cases. In Rockland County, there were 370 new cases as of Monday, bringing the total to 8,335. In Westchester County, there were 405 new cases as of Monday, bringing the total to 20,191.

COVID-19 TOWN HALL:  Please join Senator Carlucci for a Facebook Live update on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. on the State's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can ask questions and watch it LIVE here: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorDavidCarlucci/. 

NEW STATE TESTING TRACKER: New York launched a new COVID-19 tracker, with detailed county-by-county information on confirmed cases. The website is updated daily with the latest data.

ANTIBODY TESTING: We need widespread antibody testing to restart our economy and get 9 million people back to work. The Department of Health performed 300 antibody tests. They are on track to conduct 1,000 per day by Friday and 2,000 per day the following week. The state previously provided labs with the flexibility to allow more healthcare workers to do COVID-19 tests and now the same workers will be able to perform antibody tests. The State is seeking private sector businesses who can accelerate our testing capacity. Interested parties can contact Empire State Development at 212-803-3100 or COVID19supplies@esd.ny.gov. To reach the widespread level of testing required to restart our economy, we need the Federal Government to use the Defense Production Act.

COORDINATED TESTING RESPONSE: New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey will create a regional testing coalition and continue to press the federal government to implement the Defense Production Act to get our testing up to scale for residents in these states.

COVID-19 DISPROPORTIONATELY TAKING BLACK & HISPANIC LIVES: Last week, the State released much needed preliminary data of COVID-19 deaths broken down by race. It shows Black people are twice as likely to die of COVID-19 then White and Asian people in New York, while Hispanic people are dying at more than double the rate of white people. In response, the State is taking aggressive action to open five new testing sites in neighborhoods with the greatest need. The Federal Government should also be providing COVID-19 data broken down by race/ethnicity across the country. The information is critical to establishing a comprehensive public health response in Black and Hispanic communities to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and ensure tests are being administered and not withheld on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

GOVERNORS ANNOUNCE 6-STATE WORKING GROUP: Governor Cuomo is joining New Jersey,'s Governor Murphy, Connecticut's Governor Lamont, Pennsylvania's Governor Wolf, Delaware's Governor Carney, and Rhode Island's Governor Raimondo to form a new coalition that will work on getting people back to work and restoring the economy. The coordinating group will be made up of one health expert, one economic development expert and the respective Chief of Staff from each state. They will work to develop a fully integrated regional framework to gradually lift the states' stay at home orders, while minimizing the risk of increased spread of the virus.

SCHOOLS REMAIN CLOSED THROUGH APRIL 29th: There have been some questions about when schools in the Hudson Valley could reopen after Mayor DeBlasio’s comments about New York City schools reopening in September. Under executive order, the decision to close and reopen schools lies with the Governor. The Governor has said there is no decision yet about reopening schools, but that it will be a coordinated response with New Jersey and Connecticut. For now, families should plan for schools to be closed through at least April 29th.

FIGHTING TO PROTECT STIMULUS CHECKS: The first wave of stimulus checks are expected this week, and I am fighting to ensure these payments are exempt from garnishment. Creditors should not receive a windfall, while hard working New Yorkers are struggling to navigate this fragile economy. To protect these funds, I urge the federal government to code the stimulus payments as federal benefit payments. To support this call, please sign my petition: https://www.nysenate.gov/petitions/david-carlucci/stimulus-checks-should-not-go-debt-collectors

EMPLOYERS MUST PROVIDE MASKS: The Governor issued an executive order on Sunday, which directs employers to provide essential workers who interact with the public with a cloth or surgical mask. No cost should fall on the employee. New York is following a similar measure put into effect in New Jersey.

NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE BALLOTS WILL BE ALLOWED: The Governor has signed an executive order allowing all New Yorkers to request an absentee ballot to vote in the Democratic Primary on June 23rd. Applications for New York’s absentee ballots are available here. Absentee can be submitted electronically.

MORE MONEY AND TIME FOR UNEMPLOYMENT: The CARES ACT; will add an additional $600 per week beginning on 4/5/2020 until 7/31/2020, on top of whatever base amount New York State is paying you. New York will extend the period of unemployment coverage for an additional 13 weeks, which means residents are eligible for 39 weeks of unemployment. However, after July, the weekly payment will be reduced. If you are having problems getting through to the Department of Labor, please contact my office at (845) 623-3627.

FOOD ASSISTANCE: New York is providing an additional $200 million in emergency food assistance to more than 700,000 low-income households enrolled in SNAP  (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Those who are not yet receiving the maximum benefit will receive an additional payment to bring them up to this amount in March and April. The supplemental benefits will be issued in April and delivered directly to recipients' existing EBT accounts.

COVID-19 COMPENSATION FUND: The State is working with our Congressional delegation to create a COVID-19 Heroes Compensation Fund to support frontline workers and their families who contracted COVID-19. It is modeled after the 9/11 Fund, which was passed by Congress after the September 11th terrorist attacks. 

STUDENT LOAN HELP: If students are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and need relief for loans not covered by the CARES ACT, please visit the Department of Financial Services' website. If you have questions, please contact my office at (845) 623-3627.

LAWYERS INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING: Governor Cuomo has announced a new partnership with the New York State Court System to create a network of volunteer lawyers who can provide free legal services to New Yorkers in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawyers interested in helping can sign up here: www.nysba.org/covidvolunteer.

CHARITIES BAN TOGETHER: The state has started a coalition of foundations, philanthropies, and charities to coordinate an efficient and comprehensive COVID-19 relief response. The effort called "New York Loves" will work with local governments who need additional help.

REMINDERS​​