Dear Neighbors,

The city has begun its vaccination effort this week and we are fighitng hard to ensure that seniors in our district can access vaccines. We are working to add more vaccination sites in our communities, and have funded a program to ensure that seniors can access vaccinations wherever they are in the city.

As we continue our work to stop the spread of COVID-19, please remember: by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, looking after our seniors and most vulnerable neighbors, and getting tested, we can continue to stay well.

Please find below the latest news and resources to stay informed.

Thank you and stay well,

Council Member Paul Vallone
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Snow Advisory for Northeast Queens, City Services will be Suspended

A large snow storm is forecasted for Sunday night throught Tuesday of this week. 8"-12" of snow are projected with temperatures as low as 18 degrees. Please stay safe and prepare accordingly.

A list of suspended City services can be found below:

Alternate Side Parking will be suspended, meters will remain in effect
Sanitation collection will be delayed
All school scheduled for in person classes will be remote-only
City run COVID vaccination and testing sites will be closed on 2/1

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Senior Medical Transport Program Returns to District 19

Photo taken in 2019

Council Member Paul A. Vallone is proud to announce that the Free Senior Transportation Program is back up and running as of last week thanks to a $90,000 funding allocation. An additional $50,000 was allocated in partnership with Speaker Corey Johnson and Council Member Robert Holden, bringing the total allotment to $140,000. Queens seniors living in Council Member Vallone’s district are eligible for the program, as well as seniors in Council Member Holden’s section of Queens. Rides are offered to areas within the five boroughs and western Nassau County. The program will continue until all funding runs out.

In order to schedule a ride to an essential medical or vaccination appointment, eligible Queens seniors should call the Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center at 718-224-7888 between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon and leave their name and phone number in a voicemail to schedule their next-day rides. The Selfhelp team will return their call and arrange the ride. If their appointment is on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday, seniors will need to call the prior Friday. All those who use the service will need to complete a basic application with demographic information and an emergency contact and provide their destination.

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Council Member Vallone Votes to Support Brick and Mortar Businesses

This week, the City Council voted to expand street vendor permiting in the city. It is the first increase in the number of legal permits since the early 1980s.

Four Queens councilmembers — Barry Grodenchik, Robert Holden, Eric Ulrich, Paul Vallone — voted against the measure. Council Member Vallone said the bill did not take into consideration brick-and-mortar eateries that are also struggling.

“The restaurant and small business industry is collapsing,” he said. “We should have held off on the expansion. We should have given exclusionary zones, we should have listened to the BIDS, made sure placement was fair for all.”

Read More at The Queens Eagle

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COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

Starting Monday, January 11, NYS began scheduling vaccinations for the next group of people (Phase 1b):

-People age 65+
-Education workers
-First responders (police, fire)
-Public transit workers
-Public safety workers

If you are eligible to receive the vaccine, use the Vaccine Finder to search for a location near you.

While the end of the pandemic may finally be in sight, it is still important in the coming weeks we continue to:

1- Wear a mask
2- Practice social distancing
3 -Get tested for COVID19

For the latest information, visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccines.page.

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Department of Finance Deadlines & Resources

The Department of Finance administers a number of benefits for property owners in the form of exemptions and abatements.

If you currently are utilizing a tax exemption for property taxes, the deadline to renew that exemption is March 15, 2021. If you are interested in applying for a new exemption, please use the information and resources listed above and below.

* Senior Citizens Homeowners Exemption (SCHE) is required to be renewed every two years.
* Disabled Homeowners Exemption (DHE) is required to be renewed every year.
* Clergy Exemptions are required to be renewed every year.

To learn about each of these benefits and others, including eligibility, filing and deadlines, visit the Benefits for Property Owners page.

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Grab and Go Meals for ALL

Even when school buildings are closed, free meals are still available at NYC Schools Meal Hubs!

To find a location near you visit http://schools.nyc.gov/freemeals
or text "NYC FOOD" to 877-877.

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Stopping the Spread of COVID-19

Getting tested for COVID-19 or antibodies? Here is the difference between the two tests:

Virus tests tell you if you have COVID-19 and are currently sick.
Antibody tests tell you if you had COVID-19 at some point in the past.

Learn more about testing here

NYC is one of the first local jurisdictions in the country to put out COVID19 testing frequency recommendations. Find out how often you should be getting tested: https://on.nyc.gov/316jRUC

Testing is widely available, and you can now get tested even if you are asymptomatic. Testing is free, quick, and easy, and you do not need insurance.

⦿ Text 'COVID TEST' to 855-48 to find the closest testing location or visit nyc.gov/COVIDtest

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Working Through the

Coronavirus Outbreak Together

PHASE 4 REOPENING

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Open Restaurants Program

The Open Restaurants program allows qualifying restaurants and bars to expand outdoor seating on sidewalks, curb lanes, backyards, patios, plazas, and Open Streets.

The Open Restaurants initiative will give restaurant owners the power to expand and offer food service in the open air, keeping diners safe and offering New Yorkers a way to enjoy a meal while supporting their local small business, whose success will be a critical part of a strong economic recovery.

Read more and apply here!

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NYC Launches Fair Share program to Streamline PPP Applications

The Paycheck Protection Program from the Federal Small Business Administration is OPEN again.

New York City Small Business Services can help you navigate the process — go to http://nyc.gov/ppp or call 888-SBS-4NYC for assistance.

Fair Share NYC can help in 15 languages!

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Open Storefronts

The Open Storefronts program has been extended through 9/30/2021!

A strong economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic means continuous creativity with our open spaces and giving our business owners every resource they need to survive and thrive. The Open Storefronts program will accomplish just that and give New Yorkers a unique way to shop local and shop safe throughout this holiday season.

Learn more and check your eligibility here!

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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 stepped up and launched a fundraiser to help College Point residents who are in need of food.

Organizers write: "We have been going strong throughout the summer, helping to keep the food pantry alive at First Reformed Church in CP. Thanks to generous donations from the community, businesses, and city partners, we have been helping the community throughout these difficult Covid times...Our focus has now fully shifted from thanking workers, which was a wonderful initiative, to supporting the food pantry."

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

Find more information on GoFundMe

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Please note the following City and State guidelines and determinations:

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!

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 Facebook and Twitter for the latest.

Please sign up to get email updates from New York State on the evolving COVID-19 situation at https://now.ny.gov/page/s/coronavirus-updates.