COVID-19 Digest: June 4

COVID-19 Digest: June 4

June 04, 2020 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes

COVID-19 Digest

Thursday, June 4, 2020Please share this with your networks and encourage your colleagues to sign up here.Tech:NYC’s resource guide includes information on government resources for businesses, new health tracking and treatment tools, and a new section with return-to-office preparedness plans and resources. It will be updated regularly. Our resource guide of ways to support Black organizations, businesses, and other efforts can be found here.

The Latest in New York

The latest: NYC infection rate drops to two percent; NYC Phase I reopening explained; Mayor de Blasio already eyeing early July Phase II; supporting Black communities. Confirmed Cases: 

  • New York State: 375,133 (+1,048)

  • New York City: 205,406 (+534)

  • Statewide Fatalities: 24,133 (+52)

General Updates:

  • Gov. Cuomo announced today a set of relief measures for businesses that have been looted, including directing insurers to expedite claims, providing free mediation of disputes, and accepting photos as reasonable proof of loss so businesses don't have to wait for police reports. (PIX 11)

  • New York State is processing an average of 50,000 COVID-19 tests per day, and the number of positive tests is declining sharply statewide. Six weeks ago the coronavirus infection rate in NYC was 26 percent, now it stands at just two percent. (Bloomberg)

  • There are approximately 30,000 protestors statewide, with about 20,000 of those in NYC. The state revised its testing criteria so that anyone who has participated in a protest can get tested for free. Gov. Cuomo is urging caution to avoid a second wave of cases, asking all protestors to wear masks and get tested for COVID-19 at their nearest testing site. (CNBC)

  • New outbreak hotspots are emerging across the world, with the number of confirmed cases growing by more than 100,000 each day. (New York Times)

One helpful resource: Black Tech for Black Lives, a collective of Black entrepreneurs, investors, and tech workers, has released a list of commitments on how to support Black communities. Learn more and join their efforts here.

Survey

Yesterday's results: Do you think NYC’s June 8 reopening date should be pushed back due to ongoing protest activities?

  • 32.5%: Yes

  • 67.5%: No

Today’s poll

: NYC’s curfew has met mixed public reaction, but officials say

. After several days, there is still confusion over the order’s parameters. The mayor said

and there’d be “leeway” for peaceful protesters, meanwhile videos online revealed police using batons against non-violent protestors for violating the 8pm curfew. Do you think the curfew should remain in effect through Monday morning, as currently planned?

  • *|SURVEY: There is no longer a need for a curfew.|*

  • *|SURVEY: There should still be a curfew now, but lift before Sunday.|*

  • *|SURVEY: The current plan is appropriate.|*

  • *|SURVEY: The curfew should remain in effect into next week.|*

  • *|SURVEY: The curfew was an inappropriate response to protests from the outset.|*

Find the poll results from all previous editions of this newsletter here. If you have a question you’d like to ask the broader community in this newsletter, send us your ideas and we’ll try to include them!

What You Need to Know

NYC in Phase I, explained:

  • New York City is forging ahead with its plan to begin Phase I of reopening on Monday. (New York Times) Here’s a refresher on what you can expect the city to look like when that time comes:

    • Industries eligible to reopen in Phase I include construction, manufacturing, agriculture, wholesale trade, and curbside or pickup retail. For more guidance on reopening requirements for these industries, click here.

    • But it won’t be a full return to normalcy — businesses will be expected to comply with social distancing, face covering, and limited capacity measures. (NY1)

    • NYC’s subways and busses will resume full service on Monday, as well, and face masks will be required and enforced by NYPD and MTA personnel. (NY1) But many are worried there isn’t a robust mass transit plan in place, and the city will be reopening to a lot more traffic. (Gothamist)

    • As many as 400,000 workers are expected to return to work in Phase I. (POLITICO)

    • With more people out and about, there is an increased risk in spread of the virus, and all eyes will be on the city’s contact tracers to avoid another spike in cases. (CBS New York)

  • If you aren’t convinced at how eager the city is ready to reopen: Mayor de Blasio is already eyeing Phase II, stating that NYC could move into the second phase in the beginning of July. (NY1)

In related reopening news:

  • Mayor de Blasio revealed initial plans for a massive expansion of curbside seating and open streets to implement an outdoor dining plan in July. Restaurants will be able to convert parking spots and plazas without a permit. (Crain’s NY)

  • Day camps in NYC will be allowed to reopen on June 29, though health guidelines have not yet been issued. A decision on reopening sleepaway camps is coming next week. (New York Post)

  • New York State will allow drive-in and drive-thru student graduation ceremonies. (The Journal News)

What to Know: Return-to-Office:

  • How to stay healthy when you eventually return to the office post-pandemic (CNBC)

  • As employees return to the office, child care challenges loom (The Times Union)

  • Who guarantees your workplace is safe for return? (Harvard Business School)

Request: please let us know as your return-to-office policies are developed and what considerations your companies are taking for developing them. Sharing this information is helpful to companies and employees across the NYC ecosystem and can be kept anonymous.

Reminder: Tech:NYC’s resource guide is now available here and contains a comprehensive list of return-to-office plans published in previous digests.

Recruit: A tech talent and job opportunities board from Tech:NYC and AlleyCorp compiles NYC tech workers looking for new roles and NYC-based tech companies hiring open positions. To contribute to the board, click here.

Supporting Black communities:

Events:

  • June 5: Virtual: 2020 WIN Forum, with Tech:NYC executive director Julie Samuels, Epic founder Alexandre Mars, and The Great Village founder Fatou N’Diaye. (Details)

  • June 5: Virtual: An Epidemic of Inequality, with Rep. Bobby Rush, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, and NAACP President Derrick Johnson. Hosted by Axios. (Details)

  • June 5: Virtual: Learning & Leading in Times of Trauma: How to establish an antiracist workplace. Hosted by Wethos. (Details)

  • June 5: Virtual: Career Lunch Series, with Mita Mallick, Head of Diversity and Cross Cultural Marketing at Unilever. Hosted by thelighthouse. (Details)

  • June 9: Webinar: The Path to Reopen and Recover New York’s Economy, with Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Congressman Thomas Suozzi. Hosted by City & State. (Details)

Note: We know there are a lot of important events and conversations happening around the city to respond to these times. If you are hosting or come across events that you’d like to see included in this digest, let us know here.

When In Doubt

Check these sources for verified information from government agencies and public health authorities:

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