Tech:NYC Digest: October 26

Tech:NYC Digest: October 26

October 26, 2020 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

Monday, October 26, 2020As NYC’s reopening and recovery efforts continue, 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: US sees highest average cases since July after weekend spikes; new COVID-19 hospitalizations in New York double August highs; nearly 200,000 voters turned out in first two days of NYC early voting; all-remote students may now opt-in to blended learning.

Confirmed Cases:

  • New York State: 496,555 (+1,191)

  • New York City: 258,979 (+424)

  • Statewide Fatalities: 25,742 (+12)

  • Daily NYC Infection Rate: 1.4 percent (no change)

General Updates:

  • The latest surge of COVID-19 infections across the US has pushed the country’s seven-day average to more than 68,000, the highest since July. (CNN) This followed record cases over the weekend, when single-day numbers topped 80,000.

  • Both overall cases as well as hospitalizations, a metric that tends to lag behind reported cases, are rising in NYC and across the state. The number of COVID-19 hospital admissions statewide is now double what it was in August. (Gothamist)

  • As the weather has become colder and regional clusters of the virus have moved from metropolitan to rural areas, many experts are now describing this latest surge as the “third peak” of the pandemic. (TIME)

  • But with universal mask requirements and compliance, as many as 130,000 lives could be saved through next spring. Without it, new analysis shows that the death toll in the US could reach 500,000 by March 2021. (New York Times)

  • If you’re planning on casting your ballot at an early voting site his week, the CDC has released some safety tips to remember: wear a mask and wash/sanitize your hands when you leave. (New York Times) It also advises you to use your own pen, but at NYC polling sites, they give you one!

  • And last call: if you’re planning to vote via mail and still haven’t requested your absentee ballot, tomorrow is the deadline to do so here.

One read we love: Can I Actually Be Missing the Commute? (New York Times)

The latest results: Have you upped your athleisure, lounge, or sweatpants wardrobe since the start of the pandemic?

Today’s poll: It’s the week before the election — and day 3 of early voting in New York. All eyes are on early turnout numbers, in New York and across the country. Whether you’ve already voted or plan to in the coming week, what’s your voting plan?

  • *|SURVEY: By mail or drop-off|*

  • *|SURVEY: In person during early voting|*

  • *|SURVEY: In person on Election Day|*

  • *|SURVEY: I have not decided|*

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

Election 2020:

For the first time ever during a presidential election, New Yorkers were able to hit the polls this weekend and cast votes early. And, like many other states also open for early voting, we’ve already seen large turnout:

  • In NYC, almost 200,000 people cast ballots during the first two days of early voting. (NYC BOE) Across the whole state, it was more than 420,000. (Democrat & Chronicle)

  • The number of votes cast across the US so far has surpassed the total for all early and absentee votes cast in the 2016 election. (AP) More than 60 million votes have already been cast nationwide. (New York Times)

  • The overwhelming turnout (and super long lines) in NYC has sparked calls for more polling sites, more poll workers, and more machines to manage the demand. (Wall Street Journal)

  • But what the city lacks in efficiency, it makes up for in spirit. Drumlines encouraged voters at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, seasoned voters came prepared with snacks and cheered for first-time ballot casters, and it was settled once and for all — NYC is no ghost town.

  • One thing to note: a provision recently passed in New York requires that, if an error is found on an absentee ballot, the county board of elections must notify the voter, explain why their ballot was rejected, and provide a form through which they may “cure” the mistake and make sure the ballot is counted. (Gotham Gazette)

  • One last tip: if you’re voting via absentee ballot, you can drop it off at your local board of elections or polling place (and skip the line!). Otherwise, it must be postmarked by Nov. 3 to be counted. Early voting runs through this Sunday, Nov. 1.

Reopening:

  • Newark announced new restrictions for residents as more than 11 percent of tests returned positive yesterday. Among them, non-essential businesses and indoor dining are ordered to close at 8pm, and gyms and health clubs will need to close for 30 minutes per day for sanitization. (POLITICO)

  • Some other reopening news:

    • Gyms in the city have been reopened — with a long list of safety measures — for close to two months, but lingering concerns about indoor workouts mean few gym-goers have returned. (New York Times) But as of the beginning of October, the city has inspected more than 1,000 gyms and only 11 failed to meet adequate health guidelines.

    • After some restrictions were lifted in the city’s hotspot zones last week, more than 100 schools reopened for in-person instruction today. (Gothamist) Forty-five schools in Brooklyn’s “red zone” remain closed.

    • Beginning Nov. 2, NYC will open a two-week “opt-in” period for students who are currently all-remote so they can switch to a blended program if they choose. (Bloomberg)

  • If you’re still deciding on Halloween plans for you or your family this weekend, here’s some guidance from the state. (NYS) TL;DR: Plan to have fun with just people in your household.

Related reading:

  • Our new battle plan on the COVID war front: Gov. Cuomo lays out New York’s strategy to defeat the virus (New York Daily News)

  • 20 Ways 2020 Changed How We Use Technology Forever (Wall Street Journal)

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:

  • October 27: Virtual: Functions.NYC: What’s Next for Transportation in NYC, with Transportation Alternatives executive director Danny Harris and Citi Bike general manager Laura Fox. Hosted by Tech:NYC. (Details)

  • October 28: Virtual: Cornell Tech @ Bloomberg: In Conversation with Inspired Capital managing partner Alexa von Tobel. Hosted by Tech:NYC, Cornell Tech, and Bloomberg. (Details)

  • November 5: Virtual: What Does the Presidential Election Mean for NYC?, with ABNY CEO Melva Miller, Citizens Budget Commission president Andrew Rein, and more. Hosted by Crain’s. (Details)

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

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