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Tech:NYC Digest: May 13

Tech:NYC Digest: May 13

May 13, 2021 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes

Thursday, May 13, 2021As the vaccination rollout progresses and NYC moves forward with reopening plans, 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: CDC says fully vaxxed can forego masks indoors and out; New York starts vaccinating kids 12-15 years old; completed vaccine cards get you a free side of fries at Shake Shack; Apple offices will phase more staff back through the summer; NYC mayoral debate tonight at 7pm ET, tune in here. By the Numbers:

New York State: 2,063,465 (+2,216)
New York City: 925,848 (+855)
Statewide Fatalities: 42,389 (+22)
NYC Positivity Rates:
- NYS reports: 1.1 percent (no change)
- NYC reports: 1.8 percent (-0.1 percent)
Vaccine Progress:
- NYS first doses administered: 9,771,045 (+37,577)
- NYC first doses administered: 3,848,728 (+14,116)

General Updates:

The CDC released updated guidance this afternoon that says fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks or practice social distancing protocols, both indoors and outdoors. (New York Times) There are some caveats, though:
- The guidance says masks should still be worn in doctors offices or other healthcare settings, as well as on planes, trains, buses, and other modes of public transit.
- There’s no word yet from either city or state officials on if New York will adopt and recommend the same guidance.
The guidance is a big mark of confidence for the vaccines, with the agency saying we now have enough real-world data to show all three are extremely effective in preventing infections. The update comes on the same day that in New York and across the country, children ages 12 to 15 years old can now get the shot. (Gothamist)
- Beginning today, there are over 160 NYC sites offering the Pfizer to those age 12+, and over 50 of those are accepting walk-ins for those age 12+. CVS and Walgreens have also both added appointments for ages 12-15.
An estimated 30 million Americans are open to getting a COVID-19 vaccine but haven’t yet managed to do so. Not quite “hesitant,” this group has been dubbed “vaccine amenable” and is largely made up of working-class Americans with job and family obligations that make finding time to get the vaccine more challenging. (New York Times)
Lastly, the first official debate between the eight leading mayoral candidates airs live tonight. (THE CITY) With less than six weeks to go until the June 22 primary election, this will be the first major televised opportunity where candidates are expected to address reopenings and economic recovery, recent spikes in crime, and more. (New York Times) Here’s how to tune in at 7pm ET.
- And ICYMI: we talked with Gothamist reporter Liz Kim for this week’s episode of our podcast Talk:NYC on what we can expect between now and Primary Day. Get it here.

One debate night read: our own Julie Samuels wrote today about an idea the next mayor should implement: NYC needs a deputy mayor for technology. (New York Daily News)

The latest results: A majority of adults statewide — nearly eight million people — are now fully vaccinated. In the city, however, vaccine coverage is not as good. Do you know any eligible New Yorker who has not been vaccinated?

Today's poll

: The mayoral primary is less than six weeks away, even earlier considering the early voting period. New York primaries have

notoriously low turnout

, and the ranked choice voting system now being used will be unfamiliar to many. The eight leading mayoral candidates

will debate

live on TV for the first time tonight, which should help more people learn and make determinations about the race. Have you figured how you’ll fill your ranked choice ballot?

*|SURVEY: I have selected and ranked five candidates|*
*|SURVEY: I have selected and ranked some but not all five candidates|*
*|SURVEY: I have selected only my top choice|*
*|SURVEY: I am undecided on any candidate|*

With the full reopening date only a week out, Mayor Bill de Blasio is making a final sprint effort to get more New Yorkers vaccinated. The strategy: more freebies.
- Along with free tickets to popular attractions and more, the city is also offering gift cards to NYC Public Markets, gift cards to the Chelsea Market via Google, and 20 percent off your next purchase at a local store. (NBC New York)
- Additionally, for the next month, you can get a free side of fries at any Shake Shack across the city if you show your vaccine card, and if you get vaccinated at one of the city’s mobile vaccine clinics, you’ll earn a voucher for a free burger or sandwich. Learn more.
The federal government gave New York the final sign-off to move ahead with the construction of new Metro-North stations to better service the Bronx. (amNY) Four new stations are planned with access to Penn Station and the new Moynihan Train Hall.The new service is estimated to cut a commute from Co-Op City to Penn Station from 75 minutes to 25 minutes.
On the first day of a pilot program to make the Johnson & Johnson vaccine available at high-traffic MTA stations, 1,112 people got the shot. (Gothamist)
New York Fashion Week is back. The annual event will return with in-person runway shows Sept. 13th through 17th after two mostly virtual seasons, though some designers will skip Fashion Week in September and wait until next February’s Fashion Week. (New York Times)