COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 restrictions are now lifted, as 70% of adults have received their first dose of the vaccine. New York State’s health guidance and industry specific guidelines are now optional across commercial and social settings. Effective May 19, New York State has adopted the CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People for most businesses and public settings.

 

See more information here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html. See New York’s guidance for implementing the new CDC recommendations on https://forward.ny.gov/. The Open Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers has been extended through December 31, 2021. New Yorkers can apply for coverage through https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or directly through insurers.

 

Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access 24/7 emotional support services. Any New Yorker can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.

 

The Delta variant is on the rise in New York City and accounts for about 50 percent of all new cases. According to Yale Medicine, some symptoms are different from those associated with the original coronavirus strain. It seems like cough and loss of smell are less common, and headache, sore throat, runny nose, and fever are more common [in the Delta variant] based on the most recent surveys carried out in the U.K., where more than 90 percent of the cases are due to the Delta strain.

 

On Monday, July 12, DOH tweeted that the reason it is known that COVID-19 vaccines are safe is because they were shown to be safe during clinical trials, which involved testing the vaccine on tens of thousands of volunteers. “These trials were closely monitored by @US_FDA and outside experts: on.nyc.gov/vaccinefacts.” For the latest information on vaccine facts, go here.

 

Meanwhile, on Monday, The New York Times and other outlets reported that the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen & Janssen) vaccine received another set-back following the decision by the F.D.A. to attach a warning of a rare nerve syndrome to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. It followed findings of the syndrome among some people who had received the vaccine, and despite the fact that the syndrome has also been found in people who have not had the vaccine. Federal regulators concluded that the risk of developing the syndrome was low, and that the benefits of the vaccine still strongly outweigh the risk of developing the syndrome. The F.D.A.’s fact-sheet on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been updated accordingly.

 

Mass Vaccination Sites

All New York State mass vaccination sites are now open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first come first served basis. In addition, all vaccine providers are encouraged to allow walk-in appointments for eligible New Yorkers. People who would prefer to schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so on the Am I Eligible App or call (877) 829-4692.

 

COVID-19 Testing Sites

For a full list of COVID-19 testing sites, text “COVID TEST” to 855-48 or go to: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/get-tested/covid-19-testing.page.

 

Home Vaccinations for 12-Year-Olds and Older 

On June 23, 2021, the City confirmed that in-home COVID-19 vaccinations are now available to all New Yorkers aged 12 and older. More details are available at nyc.gov/homevaccine or by calling 877-829-4692.

 

Youth Run Farm Stand

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance reopened its Youth Run Farm Stand on July 7. This is the 10th anniversary of selling locally grown produce and other locally sourced goods. The farm stand is located in the Train Park, at Orloff Avenue and Gale Place and is open on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Organizers accept WIC, FMNP Checks, EBT, SNAP, cash and credit/debit cards. For every $2 spent on EBT/SNAP, visitors will receive $2 in Health Bucks (maximum of $10/day), including new Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits for all families that have school-aged children.

 

Foster a Guinea Pig

Friends of Pelham Parkway recently reported having found 11 abandoned guinea pigs under a tree, off Pelham Parkway. Animal Care Centers of NYC now has over 80 guinea pigs and is running out of housing. Anyone interested in owning or fostering a guinea pig and has a cage/set up to do so should contact foster@nyacc.org.

 

Scavenger Hunt

Woodlawn Cemetery and Conservancy is hosting a scavenger hunt and firefly picnic on July 11 at 5:30 p.m. The event is at the Woodlawn Cemetery and attendees should enter through the Jerome Avenue gate for parking. Attendees should bring their own blanket, picnic basket and mason jars. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, visit www.woodlawn.org/conservancy and scroll down to tours and events. Click on ‘read more’ and scroll down for the registration link.

 

New York City Cooling Centers Open

New York City Cooling Centers are open in cases of extreme heat. These centers are spaces where people can go to enjoy air conditioning during a heat emergency. You can find a cooling center near you by calling 311.

 

Training for Small Businesses

The NYC Department of Small Business Services is providing no-cost, online training to help business owners and employees in NYC. Click here for more information: https://www1.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/article/nyc-means-business-training-for-your-employees.

 

Bronx Community Relief Effort Updates

Sign up for Bronx Community Relief Effort updates. Applications for grant funding from the Bronx Community Relief Effort are currently closed but the next round of applications will open soon. Head to their website to sign up for updates, or periodically check here: https://thebronx.org/ to see when the application window reopens. Check out https://www.uschamber.com for a list of current grants, loans and programs for small businesses.

 

New York Forward Loan Fund

The New York Forward Loan Fund is continuing to accept applications to assist those impacted by COVID-19. This program will target small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, nonprofits and small landlords that have seen a loss of income or rental income. If approved, these loans will need to be paid back over a five-year term with interest. Go to: https://www.connect2capital.com/partners/new-york-forward-loan-fund/

for more information and the application.

 

Volunteer Events

The Bronx River Alliance is hosting volunteer events at Starlight Park (1490 Sheridan Boulevard) every Thursday in July from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, you can contact their volunteer coordinator at volunteer@bronxriver.org, call 718-542-4284, or visit www.bronxriver.org.

 

SBA 7(a) and SBA Community Advantage Loans

The SBA 7(a) loan program makes funding from $50,000 to $5 million possible for startups and growing businesses in any qualified industry. The SBA 7(a) rates fluctuate, and the rate is determined by your financing needs. The SBA Community Advantage loan program, which provides loans of up to $250,000, is a unique type of 7(a) loan designed to provide additional support for businesses operating in underserved areas. For more information, visit: https://pursuitlending.com/business-loans/products/sba-7a-community-advantage/

 

SmartLoan

The SmartLoan provides fast, small business loans with flexible terms. Through this program, you can access up to $100,000 in funding at a fixed interest rate with affordable monthly payments. You can apply online for the SmartLoan and be funded in as soon as five business days. For more information, go to: https://pursuitlending.com/business-loans/products/smartloan/

 

The Small Business Resource Network

The Resource Network is a newly established team of 22 dedicated Small Business Specialists embedded within the City’s five Chambers of Commerce to help small businesses navigate a range of challenges including technology, real estate, legal and accounting services, procurement opportunities, marketing, and sources of loans and grants. Help with navigating the complex new regulatory environment established to contain the pandemic is also available. Business owners can access these resources by contacting a Recovery Specialist in their borough via: https://www.nycsmallbusinessresourcenetwork.org/.

 

Free COVID-19 Decals!

Jerome Gun Hill BID is offering free COVID-19 decals to small business owners within MPC Corridors. To request decals, email jeromegunhillbid@gmail.com and include your name, business address, mailing address, business name, and email. Decals will be sent in the mail.