— IN THE PAST WEEK —

Working Through the

Coronavirus Outbreak Together

Dear Neighbors,

I hope everyone continues to stay healthy and safe during these challenging
times. Please find below the latest COVID-19 related updates and resources
and stay informed.

As my staff and I continue to work on behalf of Northeast Queens, my office
can be reached at 718-619-8611 or [email protected]. Please don't
hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Thank you and stay well,
Council Member Paul Vallone

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"Local lawmakers provide struggling restaurants with temporary relief from
food delivery fees"

[1]

"With the survival of many independent restaurants hanging in the balance,
lawmakers are stepping in to limit how much third-party delivery companies
like DoorDash and Grubhub can charge restaurants for orders for the
duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

The New York City Council on Wednesday voted to restrict food delivery fees
paid by restaurants to delivery providers like Grubhub’s Seamless to 15% or
less of the order. The council also voted to approve caps of 5% for
nondelivery services. Mayor Bill de Blasio still has to sign the bill into
law, but he has previously voiced support.

Without restrictions on delivery fees, restaurants typically pay between
15% and 30% on orders placed with delivery providers."

Proud to co-sponsor these two bills by NYC Council colleagues Mark Gjonaj
and Francisco Moya that will limit commissions from food delivery apps and
keep profit in the hands of the local small businesses who need it!

Read the full article on [2]CNBC

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City Council Budget Hearings

On Thursday, I participated in the New York City Council's Budget Hearings
for the Committees on Public Safety and Aging. During COVID-19, public
safety and reliable senior services are more important than ever and remain
top priorites. Watch my testimony at both hearings at the 2:40:00 and
4:45:00 mark in the video below.

[3]Virtual [4]Budget Hearings for the Committees on Public Safety and Aging

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"NYC Ferry Announces Service Modifications That Save New York City $10
Million"

On Friday, NYCEDC announced changes to NYC Ferry service. These include
service modifications enacted in response to the COVID-19 crisis as well as
permanent changes to service that improve system-wide efficiency and
cost-savings. Together, these modifications save the City approximately
$10M.

To increase cost-savings, improve system-wide efficiency, and implement a
more connected service for riders, starting Monday, May 18th service
modifications will be enacted, which will result in an additional 20%
service reduction. These changes include an additional, temporary reduction
in service during the PAUSE period. On both weekdays and weekends, NYC
Ferry service will end at approximately 9 PM.

Expansion of the system to serve Staten Island, Coney Island, and Ferry
Point Park in the Bronx will go ahead as planned. The St. George route is
expected to launch in Summer 2021, and the Coney Island and Ferry Point
Park landings by the end of 2021.

"New York City's ferry system connects all five boroughs using our abundant
waterways and provides a safe and healthier mode of transportation during
COVID-19,” said Council Member Paul Vallone, Chair of the Committee on
Economic Development. “These important changes will keep in-demand ferry
service operational and efficient, while at the same time saving taxpayer
dollars at a time when our City faces unprecedented fiscal challenges."

Read the full press release at [5]NYC EDC

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Queens Interfaith Virtual Vigil

Honored to join the Interfaith Council's Virtual Vigil on Thursday night
and be in community with many Queens religious leaders and representatives
to mourn those lost to COVID-19 and to gather in strength and resilience.
We will weather these uncertain times as one borough, one community!

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"More Queens streets opened to walkers, bikes"

"The city on Wednesday added just under two miles of open streets and
nearly a full mile of temporary bike paths in Queens to its roster of
temporary open space.

The aim is to set up areas for bikers and pedestrians to gather that are
free from most motor vehicles while allowing for social distancing. The
hours are generally from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m."

With warmer weather on the horizon, more of our New Yorkers will be bound
for recreation in our parks and green spaces. Creating a temporary Open
Street on Roosevelt Avenue between Northern Boulevard and 155th Street will
enable residents to safely enjoy sunnier days while allowing for greater
social distancing, a critical component to the City's COVID-19 response.

Read more at the [6]Queens Chronicle

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ICYMI: Free Transportation Program

for Queens Seniors Extended

"Created by City Council Member Paul Vallone in 2017, the program enables
elderly residents across Queens to schedule next-day rides by calling the
Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center in Bayside.

Vallone, who represents northeastern Queens, teamed up with City Council
Speaker Corey Johnson to use $150,000 in city funds to extend the program
during the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

The program will last until funding runs out.

To schedule a ride for the following day, seniors should call the Selfhelp
Clearview Senior Center at 718-224-7888 between 9 a.m. and noon."

Read More:

[7]Patch

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Food Pantry Assistance

Our local food pantries in College Point, Flushing and Whitestone are
offering assistance to hundreds of families and need our help. Please
donate if you are able and spread the word! Thank you CEC D25!

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College Point Residents Organize Fundraiser to Deliver Meals

As our City continues to battle the effects of COVID-19, Northeast Queens
residents continue to organize and offer a helping hand. College Point
residents Jennifer Shannon, Cathy Shannon, James & Kathryn Cervino, and
Margaret Loughlin have launched a fundraiser to help take care of College
Point essential workers who are on the frontlines of the Covid-19 crisis,
as well as struggling residents who are in need of food.

Organizers write: "We are raising funds to provide lunch as a thank you to
the staff of Waterview Nursing Home, Woodcrest Nursing Home and Cliffside
Nursing Home (where 16 residents have died from Covid-19). Funds will also
purchase food for College Point's only active food pantry, which is serving
many more individuals as a result of Covid-19."

I was proud to contribute to this local effort. Please offer a helping hand
if you are able!

Find more information on [8]GoFundMe

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Please note the following City and State guidelines and determinations:
* New York on "PAUSE" has been extended for NYC until 11:59 p.m. on May
28. Non-essential workers must continue to stay home. Social distancing
rules remain in place.
* All NYS K-12 schools and college facilities will remain closed for the
rest of the academic year and will continue to provide distance learning.
* Effective April 17, all New Yorkers must wear a cloth face covering or
a mask when out in public and in situations where social distancing cannot
be maintained.
* ​Gov. Cuomo announces for tenants:
-Ban of late fees for renters who miss payments.
-Ability to put security deposit toward rent
-Extention of ban on evictions through August 20
* New York State will begin expanding testing criteria to include first
responders, health care workers and essential workers.
* DOE schools will continue Remote Learning. The Mayor has signaled that
school buildings will not reopen for instruction for the rest of the
2019-20 school year​. Students who need devices for online learning should
request them [9]here.
* U.S. SBA has resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
applications and these loans are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. See more and
[10]apply here
* All New Yorkers will be able to vote via absentee ballot for the June
23rd election and will automatically recieve an application in the mail.
See more at [11]vote.nyc.
* All non-essential businesses statewide will be closed until further
notice.
* Non-essential construction statewide has been suspended to help prevent
the spread of coronavirus.
* Casinos, gyms, theaters, retail shopping malls, amusement parks and
bowling alleys are closed until further notice. Bars and restaurants are
closed, but takeout can be ordered during the period of closure.
* All non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason
are still banned.
* Alternate Side Parking will resume for one week, 5/18 to 5/24, for
street cleaning. NYCASP will then be suspended again from 5/25 to 6/7.

For the duration of the outbreak, the following precautions are strongly
encouraged to keep you and your family healthy:
* Wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds
every time, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
* Do not touch your face unless you recently washed your hands.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or
coughing. Do not use your hands.
* When in public, practice social distancing of at least six feet from
others.
* If you are an older adult or have a chronic health conditions, avoid
unnecessary gatherings.
* Most importantly, #StaySafeStayHome!

Healthy or sick, all New Yorkers must stay home unless they are essential
workers or need urgent health care.

We will continue to share the latest updates and resources with the
community as they are reported to help ensure everyone stays informed.
Follow our [12]Facebook and [13]Twitter for the latest.

Please sign up to get email updates from New York State on the evolving
COVID-19 situation at [14][link removed].

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Northeast Queens Strong!

Our healthcare workers and first responders are working tirelessly
throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and Northeast Queens continues to find
new and creative ways to rise and support our essential workers on the
front lines fighting this pandemic every day.

Through their Food for the Fearless initiative, Mark Boccia and the team at
Bayside's Bourbon Street Queens and OSP have raised nearly $80,000 and
counting to provide hundreds of meals to healthcare workers at our New York
hospitals and the many first responders stationed at our local precincts,
firehouses, and Fort Totten.

[15]Click here to learn more about this fundraiser

A local group has organized to help assemble over 2,800 critical face
shields for healthcare workers at Elmhurst Hospital, Forest Hills Hospital,
Stony Brook University Hospital, Brandywine Nursing Home in Little Neck,
and several others. Organizer Dr. Emily Watkins writes: "Our volunteers
continue to work tirelessly to build face shields. We are grateful to have
some new volunteers joining our ranks this week. The situation seems to be
improving in some places and some of the hospitals we’ve supplied now have
enough face shields for all their staff."

[16]Click here to learn more about Project Face Shield

A group of neighbors have created the "Meals for Visiting Healthcare
Workers in Queens" initiative to provide meals to the many nurses, doctors,
and paramedics from across the country staying at the Adria Hotel and
Conference Center and Best Western on Northern Boulevard. Organizer Amy
Herzog writes: "After 12 hour shifts on the front lines, these medical
workers are exhausted and hungry. Please help us raise money to coordinate
hot meals and other needed supplies."

[17]Click here to learn more about this initiative

The "Help Our Healthcare Heroes" initiative has delivered meals to hundreds
of medical staff throughout Queens, Manhattan, and Long Island. Organizer
Karra Puccia writes: "Every dollar counts and we want to support these
heroes when they leave their families to care for ours. Please share so we
can continue helping them."

[18]Click here to learn more

14-year-old Bay Terrace resident Jeremy Golub is leading an effort to
deliver meals to Flushing Hospital Medical Center EMS. Well done!

[19]Read More

THANK YOU to these local organizers and to our first responders, our
healthcare workers, and all those on the front lines every day working hard
to get our city through this pandemic. We will weather these uncertain
times and come through stronger, together!

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COVID-19 Emergency Supply Sourcing & Manufacturing

As chair of the Council's Committee on Economic Development, I'm encouraged
to see over 2,000 NYC businesses have answered the call for aid from our
healthcare workers, who need proper supplies & protection to continue
fighting COVID19.

Are you able to help support the City's response to COVID19? Volunteer to
help today:
[20][link removed]

Read more at [21]The Architect's Newspaper

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Meal Delivery for Those in Need

NYC is assisting New Yorkers by delivering meals to those who cannot access
food themselves: [22][link removed] or call 311.

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Grab and Go Meals for ALL

Starting Friday, April 3, 2020, three free meals are available daily for
ALL New Yorkers in more than 400 Meal Hubs across the 5 boroughs.

Locations in Northeast Queens include Bayside High School, MS 158, PS 169
Bay Terrace and PS 107 Flushing.

To find a location near you visit [23][link removed]
or text "NYC FOOD" to 877-877.

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Get Involved: How You Can Help

* Healthcare workers at Flushing Hospital Medical Center are handling
many COVID19 cases and are requesting help. If you are able to donate, or
have any of the necessary PPE supplies, please visit
[24][link removed]!
* Governor Cuomo is calling on health care professionals, schools of
public health or medicine and PPE products providers and manufacturers to
volunteer and help support the state’s
response. Visit [25][link removed]-
can-help to find out how you can volunteer today.
* Supplies: NYC EDC is seeking local businesses that want to support the
COVID-19 emergency response effort. Please visit this webpage for
more: [26][link removed]
* Information about space: The NYC Share Your Space Survey is critical to
helping the City prepare for emergencies and outreach to all of the City's
communities. Organizations citywide are encouraged to participate. Visit:
[27][link removed]
* DonateNYC: Find out how you can safely and responsibly donate or find
needed goods here: [28][link removed]

Visit [29][link removed] for the latest ways you can safely
help, or seek help, from your fellow New Yorkers. ​

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— MORE NEWS —

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NYC Public School Remote Learning

The DOE has commenced Remote Learning.

If you are a family in need of a device, please use the resources below and
visit the NYC Department of Education [30]website

Visit [31][link removed] and [32]schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus for
the latest official DOE updates.

_________________________________________________________________________

New York State Issues Guidance on

COVID-19 Paid Leave Law

On March 18, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed into law Senate Bill S8091 to
provide paid sick leave and job protection for workers during the COVID-19
crisis (“COVID-19 Leave”).

This leave is provided in the event that a worker, or their minor children,
are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or
isolation issued by the State of New York, the Department of Health, local
board of health, or any government entity duly authorized to issue such
order due to COVID-19.

Find a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements and benefits here:

[33][link removed]

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Complete the 2020 Census!

* It's quick and easy. The 2020 Census questionnaire will take about 10
minutes to complete.
* It's safe, secure, and confidential. Your information and privacy are
protected.
* Your response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to
local communities for schools, roads, and other public services.
* Results from the 2020 Census will be used to determine the number of
seats each state has in Congress and your political representation at all
levels of government.

Visit [34]My2020Census.gov to complete the census online today

— IMPORTANT RESOURCES —

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718-268-5011

Commonpoint is also offering free full day childcare to families working as
essential workers. [35]Inquire here

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— UPCOMING EVENTS & COMMUNITY INFO —

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Thanks for reading! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, do
not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Hon. Paul A. Vallone

New York City Council, District 19

42-40 Bell Boulevard, Suite 507

Bayside, New York 11361

718.619.8611

[email protected]

Follow me on [36]Facebook, [37]Twitter and [38]Instagram

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