Tech:NYC Digest: May 6

Tech:NYC Digest: May 6

May 06, 2021 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes

Thursday, May 6, 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: New CDC report confirms vaccines as effective against NYC variant; labor market and overall economy grew in Q1, likely due to stimulus spending; Cuomo signs New York HERO Act into law, requiring businesses to enforce COVID safety standards; more startups are choosing to move HQs to NYC, including independent benefits provider Catch!By the Numbers:

  • New York State: 2,048,489 (+2,585)

  • New York City: 920,091 (+1,042)

  • Statewide Fatalities: 42,185 (+23)

  • NYC Positivity Rates: 

    • NYS reports: 1.6 percent (no change)

    • NYC reports: 2.5 percent (-0.1 percent) 

  • Vaccine Progress:

    • NYS first doses administered: 9,746,044 (+55,000)

    • NYC first doses administered: 3,713,467 (+27,854)

General Updates:

  • The US has entered a new, hopeful phase of the pandemic: COVID-19 cases and deaths have declined, vaccinations are up, and strict guidelines from states and cities are beginning to loosen. Across the country, the outlook for the pandemic has improved, putting the US in its best position against the virus yet. There are some reasons to be cautious, but experts believe we have officially turned a corner. (New York Times)

  • And more good news: the NYC COVID-19 variant doesn’t appear to cause more severe disease than other versions of the virus or leave people at an increased risk for reinfection after being vaccinated. The emergence of the variant sparked worries across the city that its presence could undermine vaccination efforts, but a recent CDC report puts some of those concerns to rest. (NBC New York)

  • US fertility dropped to its lowest rate since the 1970s. The data substantiates surveys that predicted a so-called “COVID baby bust” as women reported postponing pregnancy due to the pandemic. (Axios)

  • The US economy is showing signs of recovery. The economy grew 1.6 percent in the first quarter of 2021 due to the rise in vaccinations and people spending their stimulus checks. (Washington Post) Weekly unemployment claims also fell to a new low since the start of the pandemic. (Wall Street Journal) And closer to home, news of major financial institutions’ return to the office provides hope to scores of downtown businesses. (THE CITY) However, economic recovery is not evenly distributed, as Black and brown communities have had the lowest hiring rates as the labor market resurges. (Bloomberg) 

  • And one dangerous Zoom fail: during a hearing, Ohio state Senator Andrew Brenner was caught Zooming and driving with a virtual living room background behind him — the seatbelt and 40 oz slushie gave him away. Ironically, at the same time, a bill was introduced to the state’s legislature that would ban texting and live streaming while driving. (New York Times)

The latest results: Gov. Cuomo announced today new reopening measures for entertainment and sports venues, including that Broadway ticket sales will begin tomorrow for shows in September. Do you plan on reserving tickets?       

Today's poll

: Over the past year, many people took advantage of WFH to work from places other than… their home. Some went on vacation, others stayed with relatives, and most probably worked from their childhood bedrooms. And yesterday,

that employees could opt to work from a remote location for up to four weeks each year. Do you think the experience of the past year might change how you feel about working remotely?

  • *|SURVEY: I think a work from anywhere policy would be great and I would take advantage of it|*

  • *|SURVEY: I don’t think I would take advantage of a policy allowing me to work from a remote location, but I’d be fine with colleagues who did|*

  • *|SURVEY: I don’t think work from anywhere policies are good for company culture or productivity|*

  • City officials want to offer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to any tourist who comes to the Big Apple. Mayor de Blasio proposed mobile COVID-19 vaccination sites at tourist attractions across the city, such as Times Square, offering the one-shot vaccine. The city needs state approval before it can vaccinate any non-New Yorker. (NBC New York)

  • Gov. Cuomo signed the New York HERO Act, a bill that requires businesses to have enforceable safety standards to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Some of the requirements include social distancing standards, time for hand washing, and access to personal protective equipment for workers. (NY State of Politics)

  • The city’s next generation of subway cars are under development. The new cars feature wider doors and an open-gangway design, which could reduce time in the station waiting for passengers to move by up to 32 percent. The pilot program for the cars is slated to start testing by the end of the year. (Architectural Digest)

Related reading:

  • U.S. Vaccinations Are Slowing. What’s to Blame? (New York Times)

  • How the pandemic could personalize education (Axios)

  • Will Covid-19 vaccines protect you against variants? 9 questions about variants, answered (Vox)

  • See Fewer People. Take Fewer Showers (New York Times)

Working:

  • Yesterday, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced more lenient hybrid work strategies for after the pandemic. (CNBC) Plans include:

    • Allowing about 20 percent of the workforce to stay remote permanently, with application live mid-June;

    • Giving any employee the ability to work temporarily for four weeks per years from a location other than their assigned office; and

    • Increasing the number of “reset” days employees can use to combat pandemic-related burnout.

  • Over the past few months, several fintech startups have announced plans to move their HQs to New York City. Their decisions to choose New York City over other tech hub cities indicates the city could be picking back up on a pre-pandemic trend. (Crain’s New York)

  • New data from Indeed found jobs across the economy are coming back slower in some tech hubs due to the dominance of remote work in the corporate sector. Food service jobs fell 36 percent in the tech hubs Indeed analyzed, compared to 17 percent in other metro areas. New York was not included in the study. (Axios)

  • More landlords and real estate firms are embracing a flexible work environment. A survey from CBRE found that 86 percent of respondents favor flexible strategies. The pandemic has increased the demand for flexible space across the city, while also reducing the number of competitors in the market. (Crain’s New York)

Related reading:

  • The economic benefits of closing the digital divide (Axios)

  • Sticking with remote work? Businesses are betting on it (Reuters)

  • Why successful Asian Americans are penalized at the workplace (Los Angeles Times)

Request: please let us know as your return-to-office policies are developed and what considerations your companies are taking for developing them. Sharing this information is helpful to companies and employees across the NYC ecosystem and can be kept anonymous.

Recruit: A tech talent and job opportunities board from Tech:NYC and AlleyCorp compiles NYC tech workers looking for new roles and NYC-based tech companies hiring open positions. To contribute to the board, click here.Events:

  • May 11: Virtual: Taste of Greenwich House, in support of local restaurants with appearances by NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Matthew Broderick, Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Urie, and more. (Details)

  • May 12: Virtual: An in-depth conversation on the importance of preventative care for women with Dr. Shante Hinson, Dr. Candice Frazer, and Petrushka Bazil Larsen, Co-Owner of Sugar Hill Creamery in Harlem. Hosted by Juno Medical. (Details)

  • May 13: Virtual: Making Workforce Training an Engine of New York State’s Economic Recovery, with Lt. Gov Kathy Hochul, The Knowledge House CEO Jerelyn Rodriguez, and more. Hosted by the Center for an Urban Future and NYATEP. (Details)

  • May 18: Virtual: Digital New York Summit, with Tech:NYC founder and executive director Julie Samuels, Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Internet and Technology Committee Chair Assembly Member Clyde Vanel, and more. Hosted by City & State. (Details)

Check these sources for verified information from government agencies and public health authorities:

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