Tech:NYC Newsletter
Posts
COVID-19 Digest: September 2

COVID-19 Digest: September 2

September 02, 2020 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes

COVID-19 Digest

Wednesday, September 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: CDC issues new eviction moratorium citing public health concerns; city schools confirmed as Election Day poll sites; new poll shows majority of New Yorkers not ready for indoor activities, including school; but don’t fret, apple picking and other outdoor activities will return this fall.Confirmed Cases:

New York State: 436,218 (+708)
New York City: 234, 806 (+3264)
Statewide Fatalities: 25,336 (+5)
Daily NYC Infection Rate: 0.8 percent (-0.1 percent)

General Updates:

The CDC issued an order to halt evictions nationwide in an effort to lower coronavirus spread in shelters. Tenants must apply for protection under the new moratorium and demonstrate an inability to pay rent in full. (New York Times) This order does not cancel rent, which many housing advocates in New York and other metropolitan areas have called for. (Gothamist)
FEMA announced it will stop reimbursing states for purchasing cloth face coverings for use in nonemergency settings, including schools, public housing and courthouses. The policy change takes effect Sept. 15. (NPR)
The Dept. of Education confirmed that NYC public schools will be used as polling sites for the upcoming election. Schools account for nearly two thirds of the city’s 1,100 Election Day poll sites. The Board of Elections is expected to release the list of early voting poll sites later this week. (NY1) This comes after the announcement that both the Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden will function as in-person polling locations. (amNY)

One important thing: The nonprofit news organization, THE CITY, is digitally memorializing the thousands of New Yorkers lost to COVID-19. It is collaborating with Columbia Journalism School’s Stabile Center, Columbia Journalism Investigations and The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, as well as calling on the public, to ensure all who passed are included. (THE CITY)One good watch: Unlike the US, other countries communicated public health measures with consistency and creativity, like using TikTok to encourage hand washing. See how in this Opinion Video: The Three Rules of Coronavirus Communication (New York Times)

Survey

The latest results: Indoor dining continues to resume in every part of the state except NYC. Should NYC allow indoor dining and would you go?

18.3%: Yes, and I would go
39.6%: Yes, but I wouldn’t go
42.1%: No, they should remain outdoor only

Today’s poll: Following pressure from the teachers union, Mayor de Blasio yesterday announced that school reopening will be delayed until Sept. 21. The city is still working on an updated plan for child care to accommodate working parents. How does the uncertainty around education this fall impact you?

*|SURVEY: It has a real impact on me both personally and professionally|*
*|SURVEY: It has a real personal impact on me|*
*|SURVEY: It has a real professional impact on me|*
*|SURVEY: It has no real impact on me|*

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

What You Need to Know

What to Know: Reopening:

Gyms and fitness centers across the city are allowed to reopen today at one third capacity. Facilities must have adequate safety measures and pass a virtually conducted inspection prior to opening. Indoor group classes and swimming pools are still prohibited. (ABC New York)
Many favorite outdoor activities will return this fall season. Corn mazes, haunted houses, hayrides, and pick-your-own fruit and vegetable farms will operate with safety precautions in place. (USA Today)
A new Siena poll finds a majority of New Yorkers — 62 percent — believe that a full reopening of in-person learning is too risky. Additionally, nearly three quarters indicated they would not workout in a gym, have a drink at a bar, or watch a movie in a theater. (NY State of Politics)