COVID-19 Digest: March 25

COVID-19 Digest: March 25

March 25, 2020 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes

COVID-19 Digest

Wednesday, March 25, 2020Tech:NYC’s COVID-19 resource guide is available here. It’s updated daily with the latest info from across the NYC tech sector. Please share this with your networks and encourage your colleagues to sign up here.If there are other topics or resources that would be helpful in future editions of this digest, please let us know here.

The Latest in New York

The latest: Congress inches closer to stimulus bill; today’s poll on internet access; NYC to open streets for pedestrians; some tips on living in the city.Confirmed Cases: 

  • New York State: 30,811 (+5,146)

  • New York City: 17,856 (+2,952)

  • Statewide Fatalities: 285 (+75)

General Updates:

  • The Senate is close to a deal on a $2 trillion economic stimulus package that includes direct payments to some Americans, an expansion of unemployment insurance, billions in aid to large and small businesses, and new funding for the healthcare industry. (NPR)

  • But Gov. Cuomo says the plan, which allocates $3.8 billion to New York State, is a “drop in the bucket.” (Bloomberg) Members of the NY Congressional delegation are disappointed with the Senate bill. (Twitter) The House has not indicated how/when they will vote on the measure. (NBC) 

  • 40,000 health professionals — plus an additional 6,000 mental health professionals — have enlisted for the state’s surge healthcare force to date. (New York State)

  • If you read one thing today, read this op-ed from The New York Times’ Mara Gay on the pandemic’s strange way of both isolating and connecting New Yorkers. (New York Times)

 

Survey

Yesterday’s results*: Plenty has changed in the last week. We want to get a sense of how your behaviors are changing as well. Are you ordering in prepared food:

  • 22.6%: More than before

  • 54.9%: Less than before

  • 22.6%: Same as before

* Unfortunately, we experienced technical difficulties with our flash poll yesterday. As such, these are the results for the first question only.Today’s flash survey: As a large portion of the world shifts to working from home and internet traffic increases, many of us are likely to face challenges with our home internet connections. Let us know how your home internet is holding up by clicking one of the choices below.

  • *|SURVEY: I have had no issues with my internet connection.|*

  • *|SURVEY: I have had a few issues with my internet connection, but it has not impacted my ability to work from home.|*

  • *|SURVEY: I have had frequent issues with my internet connection, and this has impacted my ability to work from home.|*

  • *|SURVEY: I have had major issues with my internet connection, and I have been unable to reliably work from home.|*

Your answers are anonymous and we will share the results here tomorrow.

What You Need to Know

COMPANY GUIDANCE: Safety and Security Online While Working From Home:

  • Atakama: offering businesses their software — scalable file-level encryption to protect sensitive data — free of charge; can be deployed remotely and quickly. Reach out here for more details.

  • Dispel: a how-to guide on maintaining security while transitioning to a remote workforce.

  • Forcepoint: a checklist, plus a webinar recording, of steps companies can take to secure and enable large groups of remote workers.

  • Microsoft:best practices and tips for protecting against coronavirus themed phishing attempts.

  • Norton:seven tips for keeping your connection secure while working from home.

  • WiredScore: a guide for improving your internet connection and speed when working from home.

  • Reminder: Tech:NYC’s COVID-19 resource guide is available here.

  • Request: please let us know as your work-from-home policies are extended or what plans your companies have as they are reassessed. Sharing this information is helpful to companies and employees across the NYC ecosystem and can be kept anonymous.

  • Read: How to Look Your Best on a Webcam (New York Times)

POLICY UPDATES:

  • Starting Thursday, NYC plans to close up to two streets per borough to traffic, creating alternative recreational space to city parks, which have been over crowded during the pandemic. (New York Post) 

  • Due to the projected decrease in revenue, NYC Mayor de Blasio is looking to trim $1.3 billion from the city budget. (Wall Street Journal)

  • The MTA, which had requested a minimum of $4 billion in relief funds, would only receive $3.8 billion in the Senate stimulus package. (Twitter) 

EVENTS:

  • March 26: Webinar: Cash Conservation Strategies for Startups. Hosted by Perkins Coie. (Details)

  • March 26: Webinar: Fundraising in An Economic Downturn, with Outlier. Hosted by Carta. (Details)

  • March 26: Virtual: Veteran VCs Talk About Weathering Tough Times, with Foundry Group and Spark Capital. Hosted by Brooklyn Bridge Ventures. (Details)

  • March 26: Tech:NYC Virtual Book Club: Golden Gates with Conor Dougherty. (RSVP for login instructions)

  • March 27: Webinar: Building Community and Collaboration with a Displaced Workforce. Hosted by Ellevate Network. (Details)

  • March 29: Virtual: brunchwork from home with Google’s Head of UX Design and the founder of Oatly. Hosted by brunchwork. Use code VIPFRIENDS to get 40% off. (Details)

  • April 3: Virtual: The Combine Demo Day, featuring the Combine 2020 cohort. Hosted by the NYC Media Lab. (Details)

Living through a pandemic in a NYC apartment:Some of our favorite tips:

  • The best tips for “sheltering in place” in a NYC apartment (Localize.city)

  • How to search for and rent an apartment in NYC while social distancing. (Streeteasy)

  • What to do if your lease is up during the coronavirus pandemic. (Brick Underground)

Some of our favorite stories:

  • Slowing the Spread of Coronavirus in an Apartment Community (Washington Post)

  • Is NYCHA doing enough to fight the coronavirus pandemic? (Curbed)

  • How New York City residential buildings are tackling coronavirus (Curbed)

  • What It's Like to Be a Doorman Right Now (New York Magazine)

When In Doubt

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