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COVID-19 Digest: July 6

COVID-19 Digest: July 6

July 06, 2020 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes

COVID-19 Digest

Monday, July 6, 2020As NYC begins reopening, the digest will focus on the resources that help you make decisions about your businesses and your lives as New Yorkers.

Below and in our resource guide, you’ll find the latest information on government resources for businesses, city and state reopening measures, and return-to-office preparedness plans. If this can be useful to your colleagues and network, encourage them to sign up here.

The Latest in New York

The latest: NYC enters Phase III; enrollment open for Summer Bridge youth employment program; Gov. Cuomo calls on all NY school districts to develop reopening plans, and Mayor de Blasio says NYC will move ahead with in-person learning in the fall. Confirmed Cases:

New York State: 397,649 (+518)
New York City: 217,216 (+247)
Statewide Fatalities: 24,913 (+9)
Daily NYC Infection Rate: 0.9 percent (no change)

General Updates:

NYC entered Phase III today, welcoming the reopening of nail salons, massage parlors, spas, tanning salons, tattoo shops, dog runs, and some low-risk youth sports — all with safety measures in place. (Gothamist) Mayor de Blasio estimated 50,000 people will return to work today.
New federal data provides the most comprehensive look to date on how Black and Latino communities have been likelier than their white peers to contract COVID-19 and die from it. (New York Times)
And for the global picture: 239 scientists in 32 countries have released evidence backing one big claim: the virus is airborne, and smaller and smaller particles are infecting people. (New York Times)
A bill extending the Paycheck Protection Program was signed by Pres. Trump over the weekend and the application portal has been reopened. (NPR) With $130 billion in remaining funds available, small businesses may apply for a loan until August 8.
With indoor dining paused, here’s one fun thing for your outdoor dining planning: a running list of new restaurants that have opened during the pandemic. (Eater NY)

One new opportunity for companies: Summer Bridge, the nation’s largest youth employment program, is placing 35,000 NYC youth with local companies in the tech industry and beyond. See more about getting your company involved below.One good read: For Blue-Sky Urban Ideals, It May Be Now or Never (New York Magazine)One very helpful read: A Q&A with Dr. Fauci and five other health specialists on how they deal with COVID-19 risks in their everyday lives (Washington Post)

Survey

The latest results: When do you think indoor dining will be able to safely resume?

14.5%: Later this summer
25.8%: In the fall
59.7%: Not until 2021

Today’s poll: Over the holiday weekend, a much-anticipated television event finally arrived: Hamilton. And with Broadway dark for the rest of the year, people are already asking how we can do the same for other live theatre. Have you streamed Hamilton already?

*|SURVEY: Yes|*
*|SURVEY: No, but I plan to|*
*|SURVEY: I don't plan to watch it|*

Reminder: If you haven’t already, please help us get to know you better by completing our quick audience survey here. Find the poll results from all previous editions of this newsletter here.

What You Need to Know

Summer Bridge:NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program is the nation’s largest such program, historically connecting low-income NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer. After COVID-19 disrupted the original program, 50+ nonprofits came together to design and support the 2020 program reaching 35,000 students. Here’s how it works:

Student interns will participate in all-remote workplace challenge projects for 10-20 total hours (2-4 hours per week for four weeks) beginning August 3 through August 28.
Summer Bridge will match student interns with companies, compensate students with $700-$1000 stipends, and manage all day-to-day student relationships.

Here’s an overview of what interested employer partners will commit to:

Design a workplace challenge for students based on a real business need in one of four areas (though companies are welcome to create challenges in additional areas and sign up for multiple cohorts): product, engineering, marketing, or design;
Recruit employee volunteers to meet virtually once a week for four weeks with a cohort of 15-20 students;
Offer feedback to students at a virtual final workplace challenge presentation.

And here’s why it matters:

It’s been a challenging few months for NYC’s students — particularly those most impacted by COVID-19. This year’s program is prioritizing low-income, justice-involved, foster care, runaway and homeless, NYCHA residents and young adults in communities hardest hit by the pandemic.
With City-provided funding, and all of the legwork taken care of by the Summer Bridge organizing team, this is an easy way for companies to support those students with new, meaningful professional experiences.

More details about the program schedule, resources for designing a workplace challenge (including project templates), and other FAQs can be found here. Companies interested in participating can enroll through July 20 here. What to Know: Reopening:

The High Line will reopen on July 16, and visitors must reserve free, timed-entry passes, which are available beginning this Thursday, July 9. (High Line) New hours are noon – 8pm daily, masks are required, and park food vendors will remain closed.
The 9/11 Memorial plaza has also reopened, with face mask requirements and social distancing enforced. The museum remains closed. (Gothamist)
The Westchester, Rockland, and Hudson Valley regions will move into Phase IV tomorrow, and Long Island will enter Phase IV on Wednesday.
Gov. Cuomo has directed all of the state’s 700 school districts, including NYC, to design a reopening plan for schools. At the same time, the Department of Health is developing guidance for students, parents, and teachers to prepare for all scenarios, but there is no date set for when a decision will be announced. (CBS New York)
- Separately, Mayor de Blasio said NYC is moving ahead with reopening schools in the fall for in-person learning, but guidance on how the city will do it has yet to be released. (New York Daily News) NYC families will also be able to opt out of in-person instruction for full-time remote learning instead. (Chalkbeat)
Alternate side parking is suspended this week through Sunday, July 12. Parking meters remain in effect. The temporary suspension follows reforms that require cars be moved for street cleaning only once a week through Labor Day. Get the full details here.