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** Dear Neighbors,
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It is beyond critical that all New Yorkers have the most accurate and up-to-date information about Novel Coronavirus/COVID-19.
The NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene is leading the city's response to this public health threat. Please click here ([link removed]) to see the latest updates from the Mayor's Office, and go to nyc.gov/health/coronavirus ([link removed]) for Coronavirus preparedness tips and safety info.
See below for an update on 200 Amsterdam and my work with the NYPD to address sexual assaults.
Novel Coronavirus -- What is it?
* Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause mild illnesses like a cold, to more serious illnesses like pneumonia.
* Infections with this new virus have been reported in many countries, including the U.S. For an updated list of affected areas, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus ([link removed]) .
* The virus is likely to be spread from person to person, but it is currently unclear how easily it spreads.
* Commonly reported symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
* Most people (80%) with COVID-19 will feel like they have a bad cold or the flu. Some people will require hospitalization. People who are at most risk for severe illness are elderly or have other health conditions.
What should New Yorkers do?
New Yorkers should go about their daily lives, but take certain precautions:
* Get the flu shot—it’s not too late. Although the flu shot will not protect you from COVID-19, it will help prevent the flu which has similar symptoms to this coronavirus.
* Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands).
* Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
+ Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
* Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
* If you feel sick, stay home.
* If you have fever, cough and/or shortness of breath, and recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread of coronavirus, or have been in close contact with someone who has recently traveled to any of those areas, go to your doctor. Additionally, the DOHMH is asking New Yorkers returning from the following countries to self-isolate for 14 days as a precaution: China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan.
* If you have these symptoms, but no travel history, stay home and call your doctor.
+ If you need connection to a health care provider, call 311.
+ Hospital staff will not ask about immigration status. Receiving health care is not a public benefit identified by the public charge test.
At this time, New Yorkers do not need to:
* Limit travel within the city.
* Avoid public gatherings and public transportation.
* Change anything about where you get your food or how you prepare it.
* Wear a face mask if you are not sick. Face masks are only recommended if directed by a health care provider.
+ People wear protective face masks for many reasons, including seasonal allergies, pollution or protecting those around them from a common cold. They should not be harassed or targeted for wearing one.
City Challenges State Supreme Court Ruling on 200 Amsterdam
Last month I was thrilled to join community members and local electeds in celebrating the New York State Supreme Court decision on the 200 Amsterdam project. The judge confirmed what we have argued all along -- that the 52-story, 668-foot tower is simply not in compliance with the city's Zoning Resolution.
Incredibly, the de Blasio administration is appealing Judge Perry's decision, as is the developer. In response, Congressman Nadler, City Comptroller Stringer, Borough President Brewer, State Assemblymembers Rosenthal and Gottfried, State Senator Hoylman, and I released the following statement yesterday.
The de Blasio Administration’s decision to appeal the recent State Supreme Court ruling on 200 Amsterdam is shocking and disappointing.
First, the City’s appeal is not in line with its own actions and statements regarding the question of gerrymandered zoning lots. The New York City Department of Buildings has already acknowledged that they issued permits for 200 Amsterdam in error. And just two days ago, the DOB issued a “rule change” which clarified that “a newly formed zoning lot may not consist of parts of tax lots.”
It defies reason for the Administration to fight a court order which affirms its own correction of its initially flawed process.
Second, the Administration is taking affirmative action on behalf of a developer, SJP Properties, which had stipulated from their very first court appearance that they would continue construction at their own risk.
In other words, the developer persisted in building additional stories which they knew were potentially illegal. Now that a judge’s order has confirmed this, the Administration is siding with the developer, not its own rules and regulations. What sort of message does this send to other developers?
We want to reiterate the significance of the recent New York State Supreme Court ruling. In 2018, twenty-six members of the City Council released a letter explaining how the use of gerrymandered zoning lots, as exemplified by 200 Amsterdam, had the potential to negatively impact the land use process for the entire city. That’s why we applaud the DOB’s rule change, which supports a more transparent and predictable land use process.
The City undermined its own agency, however, when it invoked an automatic stay of Justice Perry’s order. Because of this, the DOB is not obligated to revoke the building permit, and issue a stop work order at the site. We call on the DOB to revoke the permit and issue the stop work order, so the stay does not worsen the situation rather than maintaining the status quo during the pendency of the appeal process.
The Administration should stand by its own rules, not with developers. We urge the Administration to reverse their decision.
NEWS FROM CITY HALL
This Monday, feminist icon and social justice activist Gloria Steinem joined advocates and me at City Hall to call for desperately needed reform of the NYPD Special Victims Division. The NYPD's ongoing neglect of the SVD has had rippling consequences for other sexual assault survivors. Watch some of our remarks here ([link removed]) .
Gloria Steinem speaking at Monday's rally on the steps of City Hall.
As I noted in an earlier email, the New York Times recently reported ([link removed]) on a 2019 sexual assault, and the survivor's allegation that an SVD detective actively discouraged her from pursuing the case. Fingerprint evidence from the crime scene was matched to a felon who had already been arrested for a series of burglaries, but SVD took no further action, including not notifying the Brooklyn DA's office which was prosecuting the burglary cases. The assailant was released within 6 months and subsequently attacked three more women.
NYPD leadership has simply not done enough to address what a 2018 Dept of Investigation report ([link removed]) and our 2018 City Council hearing ([link removed]) made abundantly clear -- the SVD needs more resources and a culture shift. Currently, SVD investigators of sex crimes against adults handle an average of 54 cases at any one time.
Now that we have begun hearings on the FY21 City budget, I am pushing City Hall and the NYPD ([link removed]) to double the number of SVD detectives, assign many more 1st and 2nd grade experienced detectives to the division, and extensively train all SVD personnel with the newest trauma-informed methods. Every survivor deserves the most thorough --and survivor-centric-- investigation possible.
I'll be discussing this critical issue on NY1's In Focus with Cheryl Wills, airing this Sunday at 10:30am and again at 3:30pm.
As always, don't hesitate to contact my District Office at (212) 873-0282 or my City Hall office at (212) 788-6975 with any questions.
Warmly,
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