COVID-19 Digest: September 18

COVID-19 Digest: September 18

September 18, 2020 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

COVID-19 Digest

Friday, September 18, 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: Moderna says it will have 20 million vaccine doses by year’s end; NYC restaurants respond mixed to new 10 percent surcharge capability; two Goldman Sachs employees test positive after more staff were brought into NYC offices this week; Rosh Hashanah ushers in the Jewish New Year today, shana tova!Confirmed Cases: 

  • New York State: 448,052 (+790)

  • New York City: 239,306 (+348)

  • Statewide Fatalities: 25,423 (+10)

  • Daily NYC Infection Rate: 0.9 percent (-0.1 percent)

General Updates:

  • Pharmaceutical company, Moderna, expects to have 20 million doses of its vaccine ready by the end of 2020. The company has a contract for 100 million doses with the US. (CNBC) Moderna currently has over 25,000 people in its late-stage vaccine study.

  • The Dept. of Health and Human Services reportedly overrode the CDC’s process for reviewing and publishing recommendations when it released testing guidance last month on the CDC’s website. According to internal documents, the guidance was released despite objections from CDC scientists. (New York Times) A new version of the testing guidelines was released today that reverses prior guidance that said asymptomatic people in close contact with COVID-positive individuals did not need to be tested. (POLITICO)

  • New data indicates that NYC’s unemployment levels are at a worrisome 16 percent, about double the national average of 8.4 percent. (THE CITY)

  • A lot of confusing, competing information is out there about COVID-19 and its impact on public health. Here’s 50 experts on social media you can trust.

One fun read: Everything to know about SNL’s revamped 46th season: Live from New York Once Again (Vulture)

Survey

The latest results: How has the way you used video conferencing changed since the initial transition to WFH?

  • 41.6%: I have my video on more now than before

  • 21.9%: I have my video on less now than before

  • 35.0%: I have my video on the same now as before

  • 1.5%: I don’t use video conferencing

Today’s poll: One of the biggest questions people have contended with throughout the pandemic is how to socialize safely. The summer allowed for socially distanced hangouts outside, in parks and at restaurants, with people not in our “bubble.” How will your plans with people outside your household take shape in the colder months?

  • *|SURVEY: I will still only see people outdoors|*

  • *|SURVEY: I will see small groups indoors at restaurants and homes|*

  • *|SURVEY: I will revert to virtual meetings only|*

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

What You Need to Know

What to Know: Reopening:

  • Here’s a few additional details about the temporary “COVID-19 recovery charge” passed by City Council earlier this week: (Eater NY)

    • It allows restaurants the option of adding a surcharge of 10 percent or less to each bill, but not for takeout and delivery orders.

    • The surcharge must be clearly noted on menus.

    • The charge will be allowed until 90 days after the date that indoor dining is fully restored. That date is yet to be determined.

  • While the measure was passed to help establishments make up for lost revenue during the pandemic, some restaurant owners are wary of using it. (New York Times)

  • In a new campaign running through the end of the year, NYC’s tourism agency is encouraging residents to take staycations to support the city’s industry through the winter months. (Crain’s NY) Nearly 200 hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and other leisure-oriented businesses are offering deals through the campaign.

  • The New York Film Festival is going virtual, plus some drive-in screenings in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Here are some of this year’s movies you can watch online. (New York Times)

  • Indoor pools in NYC will be allowed to reopen on Sept. 30. Operators will have to maintain a 33 percent maximum capacity. (NBC New York)

Related reading:

  • How Le Bernardin Is Preparing to Reopen Indoor Dining in New York (Bloomberg)

What to Know: Return-to-Office:

  • Two Goldman Sachs employees tested positive for the coronavirus as the firm has brought more workers back to its downtown Manhattan headquarters in recent weeks. (New York Times) The company’s tower, which typically houses 8,000 workers, is currently at 15 percent capacity with more expected to flow back beginning Oct. 5, at which point Goldman will begin a two-team work schedule to cap capacity at 50 percent.

Related reading:

  • How the smartest companies reskill their workers (Protocol)

  • Wall Street Return-to-Work Push Finds Virus Won’t Cooperate (Bloomberg)

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.

Events:

  • September 22: Virtual: The Future of New York Tech, with Maven, Skillshare, Union Square Ventures, Female Founders Fund, and more. Hosted by Lerer Hippeau and Silicon Valley Bank. (Details)

  • September 22: Virtual: Ask Me Anything Live, with Ben Lerer, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Lerer Hippeau. Hosted by Betaworks Studios. (Details) 

  • September 23: Virtual: How to Build Successful Companies, with How I Built This podcast host Guy Raz. Hosted by Company. (Details)

  • September 24: Virtual: Examining Racial Disparities During the Pandemic, with Chinatown BID executive director Wellington Chen, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce CEO Jessica Walker, Melba’s Restaurant owner Melba Wilson, and more. Hosted by City & State. (Details)

Celebrating the Jewish High Holy Days:How people gather for Rosh Hashanah will be different this year — at home, distanced outdoors, or virtually — but the core of the holiday will be the same: a time for reflection, remembrance, friends and family, and of course, food. (CNN) Here are some ways New Yorkers are keeping traditions alive. Shana tova!

  • From pre-taped shofar blasts to webinars on how to make your own altars, here are some ways Jewish congregations around the country are observing Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur this year. (New York Times)

  • And here are 10 great delivery, takeout, and outdoor dining suggestions to celebrate the holidays this year. (The Infatuation)

  • Whether it’s outside or over Zoom, here are some ways to celebrate the holidays with family at home. (New York Family)

  • The Met Council is opening 101 new food pantries for Jewish High Holy Days. (amNewYork)

  • One Brooklyn mom’s challahs are in high demand, and even though she sells them, she’s sharing her recipe and technique for making it at home. (NY1)

When In Doubt

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

Was this digest forwarded to you? Sign up to receive it directly here.