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Tech:NYC Digest: February 23

Tech:NYC Digest: February 23

February 23, 2021 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

Tuesday, February 23, 2021As the vaccination rollout progresses and NYC continues to respond to the pandemic, this digest focuses on the resources that help you make decisions about your businesses and your lives as New Yorkers.Was this digest forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

The latest: Pfizer and Moderna boosting manufacturing, producing 140 million additional doses over next five weeks; modified vaccines to combat mutant strains will not undergo lengthy clinical trials, says FDA; Madison Square Garden reopens to fans tonight; Yelp unveils flexible WFH policy, allowing employees to decide in-office schedule post-pandemic.

By the Numbers:

New York State: 1,591,585 (+6,654)
New York City: 691,075 (+3,532)
Statewide Fatalities: 38,081 (+86)
NYC Positivity Rates:
- NYS reports: 4.5 percent (no change)
- NYC reports: 7.3 percent (+0.1 percent)
Vaccine Administering Progress:
- NYS first doses: 2,252,945 (+24,662)
- NYC first doses: 893,201 (+8,454)

General Updates:

Pfizer and Moderna said today they have solved some manufacturing challenges and project a major increase in vaccine deliveries that will result in 140 million more doses over the next five weeks. (Washington Post)
- That’s welcome news for states like New York, which have been pushing the federal government for more supply to meet the capacity of vaccination sites set up across the state.
- Delayed vaccine shipments from last week’s winter weather also continue to come in, and NYC now has 98,000 first doses on hand, making it possible to open up a lot more appointment slots this week.
Vaccine makers won’t need to conduct separate clinical trials for modified doses to better protect against variant strains. (Axios) Newly updated guidance from the FDA could clear the way for a much quicker approval process for modified vaccines.
Here’s a useful tool: two product engineers created Vax Standby, a tool that sends you a text message to let you know if there are unused or leftover doses nearby your location.
- Providers end up with leftover doses at the end of the day for a variety of reasons — missed appointments, freezers break and can’t store them longer, vials have excess doses — and they try to use those doses as soon as possible instead of throwing them out.
- Be sure to check out the FAQ at the bottom of the Vax Standby site for more details on eligibility or what the process could look like.

The latest results: Beginning today, subway service is expanding to 22 hours a day, with a closure remaining from 2am-4am for cleaning train cars and stations. While many are still leery of riding the subway, ridership is slowly ticking back up as several studies have shown spread of the virus isn’t linked to mass transit. How often are you taking the subway now?

Today's poll

: For better or for worse, 2021 mayoral candidates are getting a lot of face Zoom time. The campaign-from-home environment means doing a lot of virtual forums, so many that

the poor reporters tagging along

to each one have cried “forum insanity.” But if you’re not a candidate or political reporter, this is truly unprecedented access to the people in the race, their platforms, and their personal lives. Have you attended a virtual mayoral forum this year?

*|SURVEY: Yes, I've attended one|*
*|SURVEY: Yes, I've attended more than one|*
*|SURVEY: No, I have not attended one|*

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

The Mayor's Race:

The race for the next mayor of New York is on, and candidates have just four months to lure voters. Primary Day is June 22, and because of the city’s overwhelming Democratic majority, the results then will effectively decide the winner. To keep you in the know, we’re going to begin including a short roundup of election updates about once a week.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Comptroller Scott Stringer, four out of five borough presidents, and most of the City Council seats are term-limited and open to new candidates this year.
A lot of people are seeking the deed to Gracie Mansion — by our last count, more than 30 people are vying for mayor, and more are still exploring a run. (New York Times)
- The major candidates have already weighed in on several big issues: mass transit, housing, and the spike in crime, to name a few.
The one trend that will set this race apart from every other one: it’s mostly happening on Zoom. (New York Magazine) It’s also the first citywide test of the new ranked choice voting system, and there isn't yet consensus on how that will play out. (New York Magazine)
As we learn more about their proposals, there is one very telling thing we can judge them on: their bagel preferences.

Reopening:

Madison Square Garden reopens tonight for the first time in 352 days, and about 2,000 Knicks fans are expected to attend the game against the Warriors. (New York Post) Barclays Center also reopens this week.
- Both arenas and other stadiums are permitted to reopen at just 10 percent capacity, and fans are required to wear masks, get a temperature check at the door, and sit in assigned, socially distanced seating. (Billboard)
The US and the UK are among the top five countries when it comes to vaccination rates so far, progress that has inspired confidence in a new reopening and recovery timeline. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a timeline of key dates that could serve as a guide for our own reopening by the end of the summer. (Bloomberg) Here’s the overview of his plan:
- March 8: all schools reopen
- April 12: nonessential businesses reopen
- May 17: indoor dining and entertainment venues reopen
- June 21: all remaining businesses reopen
The New York State Senate passed a package of nursing home reform bills yesterday, but the Speaker of the State Assembly said it will likely set out to pass its own set of bills instead of picking up the Senate versions. (NY State of Politics) The two bodies will have to come to an agreement on those bills before anything can be signed into law.