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Tech:NYC Digest: January 25

Tech:NYC Digest: January 25

January 25, 2021 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes

Monday, January 25, 2021As NYC works through another surge of the coronavirus, the 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: City expects to face vaccine shortage again as administration outpaces supply; Merck vaccine fails, but J&J could get FDA approval in two weeks; Pres. Biden to reinstate restrictions for Brazil, UK, and various EU travelers; Google, Airbnb offer locations nationwide for vaccine distribution.

Confirmed Cases:

New York State: 1,338,990 (+12,003)
New York City: 566,421 (+5,695)
Statewide Fatalities: 34,242 (+167)
NYC Positivity Rates:
- NYS reports: 5.6 percent (-0.1 percent)
- NYC reports: 8.4 percent (-0.4 percent)

General Updates:

NYC is expected to receive about 100,000 of the 250,000 doses being shipped to the state for the week’s supply. At a vaccination rate of 30,000 to 40,000 doses in the city per day, there will likely be another shortage by the middle of the week. (New York Post)
On the other coast: California today lifted regional stay-at-home orders as well as a 10:00pm – 5:00am mandated curfew. (Associated Press)
The new director of the CDC, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, conceded yesterday that the US doesn’t have enough COVID-19 vaccines to send to New York “as we would like.” (New York Post) But while supply is lagging now, Dr. Fauci has some hopeful news: the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires just one dose, could be granted emergency use authorization in two weeks. (MarketWatch) If approved, it would add 100 million doses to the country’s vaccine stock by April.
Pres. Biden echoed that optimism today, saying that he expects any American who wants the vaccine will be able to get it by the spring. (NBC News)
Another reason why those doses couldn’t come soon enough: even amid concerns about short supply, Pfizer announced it will ship fewer vaccine vials than expected to the US after it was discovered vials already shipped had an extra dose than previously counted. (New York Times)
Merck has suspended work on its two vaccines after recent trials showed it did not induce a strong immune response. The pharmaceutical said it will focus on its COVID-19 therapeutic treatments, which are in development. (Bloomberg)
And, lastly, to put all of this in a big picture context: one year later, the city first devastated by the coronavirus is now the first post-pandemic city. Here’s a story about Wuhan that’s worth your time. (New York Times)

One way to help (and treat yourself): Today starts NYC Restaurant Week (To Go)! This year’s campaign has been reimagined to offer lunch and dinner meals, for takeout or delivery, from 500+ NYC establishments — each for $20.21. It’s a great deal, but more importantly, it’s a great way to give thanks to the restaurants who keep serving through it all.

The latest results: Positivity rates have remained consistently high across all five boroughs, so indoor dining is unlikely to return anytime soon. Walking down pretty much any city street, however, you will see the adaptability and entrepreneurship of restaurateurs who have propped up heated yurts, canopied seating, and bubbles to dine in during the cold months. How often are you outdoor dining this winter?

Today's poll

: Many companies

have not yet decided

whether workers will have to get the vaccine in order to return to the office. But while

that debate lingers

, some companies and executives are launching internal

vaccine-promotion campaigns

or otherwise preparing employees to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. Has your company tried to encourage or educate employees on vaccines?

*|SURVEY: Yes, just recently|*
*|SURVEY: Yes, they have for a while|*
*|SURVEY: No, not yet|*

Related: Tech:NYC is compiling the return-to-office plans that NYC companies are putting in place to welcome employees back to the office, including vaccination protocols. If your company has guidance you can share, please get in touch here.

Reopening:

Gov. Cuomo is expected to ease some coronavirus-related restrictions throughout the state on Wednesday, mostly in the current hotspot zones. (NBC New York) The resumption of indoor dining in NYC is not expected to be part of those deliberations.
New York is up to 25 cases of the variant strain of the virus, and it’s also now been confirmed in at least 20 other states. (New York Times) But one silver lining: Moderna said today its vaccine is effective against the variant — particularly the ones originating in the UK and South Africa — but it has also begun work on an extra booster shot for further protection. (The Guardian)
Due to the lack of vaccine supply, the city is postponing the opening of vaccination megasites at Citi Field, Yankee Stadium, and Empire Outlets on Staten Island. (New York Post)
Pres. Biden will reinstate COVID-19 travel restrictions lifted by the Trump Administration for nonresidents traveling to the US from Brazil, the UK, Ireland, and much of Europe. (CNN) But it goes both ways: US travelers must prove a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to travel to arrive in the UK or Ireland. American travel to other European countries are still virtually impossible.
Beginning today, a 10 percent service cut goes into effect for the LIRR during peak travel hours in response to ongoing low ridership as well as to expedite track work. (Newsday)
For the Super Bowl fans: it’s still happening. It will go on with 22,000 fans in attendance — about 30 percent of the stadium’s capacity. 7,500 tickets will go to healthcare workers who have been vaccinated, but the other 14,500 will be available to customers who won’t have to be. (New York Times) Though not in attendance will be New York’s team — the Bills will have to try again next year.
And some news you can use: here’s a helpful crowd-sourced directory of NYC restaurants that have heat lamps for outdoor dining through the winter months.