Tech:NYC Newsletter
Posts
Tech:NYC Digest: May 3

Tech:NYC Digest: May 3

May 03, 2021 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes

Monday, May 3, 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: US unlikely to hit herd immunity, officials nationwide expand vaccine efforts; Cuomo announces May 19 full reopening of restaurants, offices, museums, and more; 80,000 city workers return to offices; new CUF report finds tech jobs are the most desired and fastest growing in NYC.By the Numbers:

New York State: 2,041,268 (+2,200)
New York City: 931,054 (+916)
Statewide Fatalities: 42,088 (+37)
NYC Positivity Rates:
- NYS reports: 1.7 percent (-0.1 percent)
- NYC reports: 2.8 percent (-0.1 percent)
Vaccine Progress:
- NYS first doses administered: 9,307,655
- NYC first doses administered: 3,644,094

General Updates:

New York, as well as New Jersey and Connecticut, will lift most restrictions and let businesses fully reopen on May 19th, far ahead of the previously announced July 1st date. (New York Times) More on that below.
- That news comes as positivity rates in New York continue to decline — over the weekend, the statewide daily positivity rate dropped below 1.5 percent for the first time since October. (NYS)
But at the same time, vaccination rates are slowing nationwide, and municipalities and healthcare providers are pivoting their efforts. To reach more people who may be currently unwilling or who have trouble reaching vaccine sites, officials are launching new initiatives, including: coordinating with employers to vaccinate workers on-site, holding vaccination clinics at schools, and bringing doses directly to individuals. In some places, monetary incentives are also being offered. (Wall Street Journal)
The US won’t reach herd immunity any time soon. Instead, experts believe COVID-19 will become a manageable threat that will stay around for the foreseeable future. The virus may still cause hospitalizations and deaths, but in much smaller numbers, and continued vaccinations will be important to limit the variant-related outbreaks. (New York Times)
- If you haven’t already, we strongly encourage you to get your second shot, even if it’s later than you planned. (New York Times)
A majority of Americans are planning summer vacations this year. That means campsites, Airbnbs, flights, and rental cars are rapidly being booked. (Axios) Travelers, though, must continue wearing masks on planes, buses, and trains through Sept. 13th. (Washington Post)
- The European Union is also recommending member states open up travel for foreign tourists who are fully vaccinated. (New York Times)
- Delta Airlines has stopped blocking off middle seats, the last airline to make the move ending social distancing on flights. (Washington Post)
Moderna will provide up to 500 million vaccine doses to the World Health Organization later this year to help inoculate the global population. The WHO’s COVAX effort has faced funding shortfalls, supply limitations, and inequitable distribution. (Washington Post)

The latest results: Mayor de Blasio today made a significant move and set the date for New York’s full reopening. The mayor is aiming for July 1st, just a couple days ahead of President Biden’s goal of returning the nation to “normal” by the July 4th Independence Day holiday. What do you think about the mayor’s timeline?

Today's poll

: Gov. Cuomo surprised many today with his ambitious

May 19th timeline

to lift all capacity restrictions for most settings, including indoor dining. It’s far ahead of Mayor de Blasio’s July 1st return date, but the governor cited encouraging case positivity and vaccine trends. Already, indoor dining was

set to expand

to 75 percent capacity on May 7th. Have you patronized a restaurant in the last month?

(This is a recurring question, responses help Tech:NYC track trends over time.)

*|SURVEY: Yes, I've dined indoors|*
*|SURVEY: Yes, I've dined outdoors|*
*|SURVEY: Yes, both|*
*|SURVEY: Yes, but only takeout/delivery|*
*|SURVEY: No|*

Governor Cuomo today announced an updated reopening timeline for both the city and the state, in coordination with New Jersey and Connecticut. (NBC New York)
- Starting May 19th, most capacity restrictions for businesses will be fully lifted and limits on large gatherings will be eased. Specifically, there will be full return to restaurants, offices, museums, theaters, retail shops, houses of worship, and more;
- Outdoor large venues will move to 33 percent capacity;
- Six feet of social distancing will still be required, unless all individuals in the office or establishment are required to be vaccinated.
Following pressure from Senate Majority Leader Schumer, the governor also announced today the subway will return to 24-hour service starting May 17th. The MTA faces a workforce shortage, but many officials say the federal stimulus is enough to restaff and resume service. (New York Daily News)
An estimated 80,000 municipal workers are expected to head back to the office this week for the first time in over a year. Not all workers support the decision, as hundreds of employees protested Saturday outside City Hall demanding their return to office be delayed. (NBC New York)
The city’s hotel industry is expected to rebound to pre-pandemic levels by 2025. A report from CBRE found occupancy levels for hotels were at 43 percent for the first half of 2021. (Commercial Observer)
The city is really coming back to life: Parks and outdoor areas are packed, tourists are booking trips, and most of the arts, dining, and entertainment life has resumed. (Bloomberg) And to top it off, giant inflatable joints are parading around Midtown. (Gothamist)