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COVID-19 Digest: October 2

COVID-19 Digest: October 2

October 02, 2020 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

COVID-19 Digest

Friday, October 2, 2020As NYC’s reopening and recovery efforts continue, 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: Pres. Trump tests positive for COVID, showing some symptoms; new study shows city’s school testing plan not up to par; House passes $120 billion restaurant relief, awaits Senate approval; download COVID Alert NY, keep you and your community safe. Confirmed Cases:

New York State: 461,629 (+1,598)
New York City: 245,173 (+599)
Statewide Fatalities: 25,497 (+7)
Daily NYC Infection Rate: 1.4 percent (+0.1 percent)

General Updates:

ICYMI: Yesterday the New York State Dept. of Health and Tech:NYC launched COVID Alert NY, the state’s new exposure notification app. As of this morning, it’s been downloaded more than 210,000 times! It’s a critical addition to other contact tracing and testing measures — here's our recap of how it works, and if you haven't already, be sure to download it!
A Queens school for children with disabilities became the first NYC public school to close due to coronavirus yesterday after officials found at least two cases without any direct contact between those afflicted. (New York Daily News) The school will remain closed until Oct. 13.
A new legal battle blocked the latest attempt to move the deadline to complete the 2020 census. (CNN) Respondents now have until Oct. 31 to complete the form — but that doesn't mean you should wait. If you haven’t already, complete it here.
The news everyone is talking about: Pres. Trump tested positive for coronavirus. (New York Times) It all but ensures that COVID-19 will dominate the news cycle until Election Day. It’s sure to also upend everything from stimulus negotiations and the SCOTUS confirmation, but ultimately, the most accurate take for what happens next is: we have no idea. We do have questions, though.

One opportunity: with COVID Alert NY just launched, and with projects underway for an app-less version of Google Apple Exposure Notification API (GAEN), the private sector will play a critical role in supporting contact tracing efforts in our workplaces and communities. CEOs, CTOs, heads of HR, and other tech executives are invited to participate in a briefing on Oct. 7 at 1pm with Google and Apple executives to discuss future tracing launch plans. RSVP and request details here.One way to help: NYCEDC is working on building NYC’s resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, with childcare as a particular focus area, and is seeking insights from the tech community on childcare benefits and related company policies for employees. Please complete the short survey here.

Survey

The latest results: Nearly 100,000 NYC voters have received erroneous absentee ballots with inaccurate names and addresses linked to them. Replacement ballots will automatically be mailed to all affected voters, but confusion remains. Are you planning to vote via absentee ballot?

9.8%: Yes, I’ve already received my absentee ballot, and the information was correct
7.0%: Yes, I’ve already received my absentee ballot, but it had inaccurate information
25.2%: Yes, I have requested or plan to request an absentee ballot
58.0%: No, I plan to vote in person early or on Election Day

Today’s poll: The White House stated today that there are still no plans to issue a national mask mandate, following similar statements by Pres. Trump in Tuesday’s debate. Pressure to do so has mounted since news broke earlier that both the President and First Lady, along with some advisors, have contracted COVID-19. Do you think there needs to be a federal mask mandate, or should it remain up to the states?

*|SURVEY: There should be a national mask mandate|*
*|SURVEY: The states should decide individually|*
*|SURVEY: There should be no mask mandates|*

Find the poll results from all previous editions of this newsletter here.

What You Need to Know

What to Know: Reopening:

NYC’s plan to randomly test students and staff at its 1,800 school buildings will likely be insufficient to catch outbreaks before they spread, according to new research. (New York Times) The city is planning to test a sample of 10 to 20 percent of people in each city school once a month beginning next week — an already ambitious task — but the study says as many as half of all students should be tested every two weeks.
The House passed the RESTAURANTS Act, a new plan to provide $120 billion in relief funding to the hospitality industry through a grant program administered by the Treasury Department. (New York Magazine) It now must be taken up by the Senate to move forward.
The New York Film Festival continues through Oct. 11, with virtual offerings every night and various outdoor drive-in premiere screenings happening throughout the city. (Details)