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COVID-19 Digest: June 8

COVID-19 Digest: June 8

June 08, 2020 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

COVID-19 Digest

Monday, June 8, 2020Programming note: as NYC begins reopening, the digest will focus on the resources that help you make actionable decisions about your businesses and actionable decisions for your lives as New Yorkers — the two priorities that define our collective work.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 I after 100 days of pandemic; police reform bills moving through NYS Legislature; approx. 16,000 nonessential retail businesses reopened in the city; state releases office reopening guidelines for Phase II. Confirmed Cases:

New York State: 378,799 (+702)
New York City: 207,353 (+384)
Statewide Fatalities: 24,299 (+39)

General Updates:

Exactly 100 days since the first coronavirus case was confirmed in NYC, the city began reopening today. (New York Times)
New York's rate of infection, with only 1.2% of New Yorkers testing positive for COVID-19 yesterday, is at its lowest since the beginning of the pandemic. (Bloomberg)
Mayor de Blasio announced that all NYC residents can now get free COVID-19 testing. Here’s how to find a testing site. (Crain’s NY)
Gov. Cuomo has proposed a “Say Their Name” agenda of police reforms, including a repeal of Section 50-a and a ban on chokeholds, among other measures. The bills are expected to be voted on this week and Gov. Cuomo said he will sign them as soon as they are passed. (CBS New York)
As COVID-19 transmission is accelerating in many new hotspots across the world, the World Health Organization revised its guidelines on wearing masks. (Vox)

One helpful read: When 511 Epidemiologists Expect to Fly, Hug and Do 18 Other Everyday Activities Again (New York Times)

Survey

Yesterday's results: Do you think the curfew should remain in effect through Monday morning, as currently planned?

15.5%: There is no longer a need for a curfew.
8.0%: There should still be a curfew now, but lift it before Sunday.
23.6%: The current plan is appropriate.
16.1%: The curfew should remain in effect into next week.
36.8%: The curfew was an inappropriate response to protests from the outset.

Today’s poll: The first day of a reopened NYC is coming to a close, with as many as 400,00 workers getting back to work today. For those of you in NYC, did you notice a difference today?

*|SURVEY: Yes|*
*|SURVEY: No|*

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

What to Know: Reopening:

Today, construction, manufacturing, and wholesale supply chain businesses in NYC were able to reopen, as well as many retailers for curbside and in-store pickup.

Retail categories set to reopen today include clothing and shoes, electronics and appliances, florists, office supplies, gift and book stores, and sporting goods, among others. See the full list here.
All reopening retailers are subject to strict physical distancing, PPE, and cleaning measures. Retailers may only allow in-store pickup service if curbside service is not practical. For in-store pickup, ordering ahead is required, no browsing is permitted, and both patrons and store employees must wear masks. See the guidelines here.
The city estimates that 16,000 nonessential retail businesses and 3,700 manufacturing companies are reopening today. (Wall Street Journal)
The city has set up a special hotline to help support and guide small businesses reopening during Phase I. (Details)

The MTA is restoring full subway and bus service beginning today. (New York Times) The agency released a 13-point plan for welcoming riders back safely. See the full plan here.

Subways: Transit is still for essential and Phase I workers only, and masks are required while riding. (Crain’s NY) The subways will continue to shut down from 1am – 5am daily for disinfecting.
Busses: The city will allocate 20 miles of street space to implement five new busways, similar to the one on 14th Street, plus four new bus lanes with signage and street markings. (Gothamist) The 14th Street busway will become permanent.

A few other updates to note:

Outdoor, socially distanced graduation ceremonies of up to 150 people will be permitted. (Times Union) Previously, only drive-in ceremonies were allowed.
Elective surgeries and ambulatory care may resume at NYC hospitals. (NY1)
Gov. Cuomo signed an executive order allowing commercial buildings to conduct temperature checks of people entering. (Crain’s NY)
Here’s a good roundup on everything you need to know — plus what to expect — with future phase reopenings. (Gothamist)