Coronavirus

Face masks, health screenings now required at all NJ workplaces

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

October 29, 2020

Face masks, health screenings now required at all NJ workplaces

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As New Jersey continues to see an uptick in coronavirus cases across the state, Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday mandated new health and safety rules for all workplaces. Starting November 5, workers at private and public sector companies must wear face masks, maintain at least six feet from one another, and undergo daily health screenings. Murphy's executive order comes as the state continues to fight against the spread of COVID-19. Last Saturday, nearly 2,000 new cases were reported statewide, the most recorded since May.
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Newark rolls back reopening after resurgence of COVID-19 cases

Photo Paul Sabelman on Flickr

October 26, 2020

Newark rolls back reopening after resurgence of COVID-19 cases

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Starting Tuesday, New Jersey's largest city will implement new coronavirus restrictions after reporting an uptick in coronavirus cases. Non-essential businesses and indoor dining will now have to close at 8 p.m. and beauty salons and barbershops will be appointment-only, Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced on Monday. The new measures come as Newark reported a test positivity rate of 11.2 percent over three days, compared to New Jersey's statewide rate of 5.28 percent.
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Astor Place Hairstylists to close next month after 75 years

Mayor Bill de Blasio celebrated the Phase 2 reopening with a visit to Astor Place Hairstylists on June 23, 2020. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

October 26, 2020

Astor Place Hairstylists to close next month after 75 years

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Another New York City institution will close its doors this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Astor Place Hairstylists in the East Village, which opened in the 1940s and is known for its affordable prices, multilingual stylists, and celebrity clientele, will shutter at the end of November, as the New York Post reported. Hair salons and barbershops were allowed to open in June as part of the city's second phase of reopening, but a lack of business, and no additional federal funding, has forced the iconic barbershop to close.
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Cuomo eases some restrictions in Brooklyn and Queens COVID-19 clusters

New “yellow zone” maps for Queens’ clusters; Courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office

October 21, 2020

Cuomo eases some restrictions in Brooklyn and Queens COVID-19 clusters

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The state will loosen some restrictions in coronavirus clusters in parts of Brooklyn and Queens after positive infection rates decreased, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday. As a way to contain the spread of the virus in hot spots across New York, the state earlier this month divided the clusters into three categories depending on positivity rates, with red, orange, and yellow zones determining the level of restrictions. According to Cuomo, all clusters in Queens can exit the red zone and enter yellow, meaning businesses and schools can reopen and houses of worship can increase capacity to 50 percent. But in Brooklyn, the red zone will remain red, with orange and yellow zones now both yellow.
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24 percent of NYC subway and bus workers have had COVID-19, survey says

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

October 21, 2020

24 percent of NYC subway and bus workers have had COVID-19, survey says

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Nearly a quarter of New York City subway and bus workers reported contracting the coronavirus, according to a survey released on Tuesday. Of the roughly 650 Transport Workers Union Local 100 members surveyed as part of a pilot study led by New York University, 24 percent said they had the virus at some point since the start of the pandemic. The new report suggests more transit workers had the virus than previously thought. In May, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said about 14 percent of transit workers tested positive for antibodies.
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New York outlines initial strategy for prioritizing COVID vaccine distribution

Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels

October 19, 2020

New York outlines initial strategy for prioritizing COVID vaccine distribution

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Given the many unknowns surrounding a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as skepticism that certain vaccine trials could be politically motivated, Governor Cuomo announced last month that the state would put together a Clinical Advisory Task Force to advise New Yorkers on the vaccine's safety and effectiveness. In addition, over the weekend, the NYS Department of Health released a draft COVID-19 Vaccination Administration Program "that serves as an initial framework for ensuring the safe and effective distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine in New York." According to the preliminary plan, the vaccine would be distributed in five phases, with high-risk populations and essential workers prioritized. 
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Industry leaders discuss future of post-pandemic NYC during two-day ‘City of Tomorrow’ summit

Credit: Thomas Heatherwick Studio

October 9, 2020

Industry leaders discuss future of post-pandemic NYC during two-day ‘City of Tomorrow’ summit

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The past seven months fighting the coronavirus in New York City have laid bare the inequalities that exist in housing, infrastructure, open space access, and wellness. How can the largest city in the United States sustainably recover after COVID-19 while prioritizing the health of all of its residents? Industry leaders will explore this topic and the future of the city during a two-day virtual summit this month hosted by 92nd Street Y and Hundred Stories. The fourth annual "City of Tomorrow: Building a Better Future" summit will take place virtually on October 13 and October 14, with all talks free for the public to view.
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Here’s how to find out if your neighborhood is in a COVID-19 cluster zone

Map of Brooklyn’s Covid-19 cluster; courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

October 8, 2020

Here’s how to find out if your neighborhood is in a COVID-19 cluster zone

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In an effort to contain new clusters of the coronavirus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday ordered non-essential businesses to close and houses of worship to restrict capacity in parts of Brooklyn and Queens and suburbs of New York City. The new initiative divides the clusters into three categories depending on the rate of transmission, with red, orange, and yellow zones determining the level of restrictions in place. The new rules will be in effect for a minimum of 14 days starting on Thursday. To clear up confusion over the cluster zones, the city released a searchable "Find Your Zone" map that allows New Yorkers to enter their address to find what zone they live, work, and go to school in.
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Schools in New York City’s COVID hot spots will close starting Tuesday

After fully reopening last week, some schools in NYC will have to close again. Photo credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

October 5, 2020

Schools in New York City’s COVID hot spots will close starting Tuesday

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Schools in nine New York City ZIP codes where COVID-19 cases have grown rapidly will temporarily close starting Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. Mayor Bill de Blasio first announced on Sunday plans to shut down schools in these neighborhoods, which includes about 200 private schools and 100 public schools. While de Blasio's original proposal would also shutter non-essential businesses in these hot spots and high-risk activities in an additional dozen ZIP codes that are seeing an increase in cases, Cuomo on Monday said only schools will be closed as of now, adding that the state will review the data before taking further action. The governor said he would not "recommend any NYC family send their child to a school" in those areas.
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Chelsea’s 84-year-old Peter McManus Cafe needs your help

Photo of Peter McManus Cafe © James and Karla Murray

October 5, 2020

Chelsea’s 84-year-old Peter McManus Cafe needs your help

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Like thousands of small businesses, one of New York City's oldest family-run establishments is struggling to survive because of the coronavirus pandemic. Irish bar Peter McManus Cafe, located at 152 Seventh Avenue in Chelsea, has been serving pints of Guinness and their famous burgers since 1936. While the McManus family, who has continuously owned the bar for four generations, has seen their fair share of challenges in its 84 years, COVID-19 has made it increasingly difficult to stay in business.
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New York’s new COVID Alert app will tell you if you’ve come in contact with a positive person

Screenshots from the app on iPhone

October 1, 2020

New York’s new COVID Alert app will tell you if you’ve come in contact with a positive person

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Amid an uptick in cases in several clusters in Brooklyn and Rockland County, the New York Department of Health has launched a new, free app that will tell you if you've come in contact with a COVID-positive person. COVID Alert NY is available as of today for iPhone and Android. Using your phone's Bluetooth technology, it will alert you if you've been within six feet of an infected person for more than 10 minutes.
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New ‘one-stop shop’ network helps NYC small businesses reopen and recover amid COVID-19

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

October 1, 2020

New ‘one-stop shop’ network helps NYC small businesses reopen and recover amid COVID-19

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A new initiative launched this week that aims to help New York City's 230,000 small businesses stay afloat amid the coronavirus pandemic. The NYC Small Business Resource Network connects business owners with specialists from each borough who will provide advice and access to available resources regarding challenges like loan and grant opportunities and legal and accounting services. The program aims to serve owners in the hardest-hit communities, with a focus on minority-, women-, and immigrant-owned businesses.
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Here are the New York zip codes with COVID clusters

COVID outreach in August in Sunset Park, Brooklyn after a spike there. Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

October 1, 2020

Here are the New York zip codes with COVID clusters

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This week, New York has been closely monitoring a group of 20 COVID hotspots, where as of today, the infection rate has increased from 5.5 to 6.5 percent. Of the top 10 zip codes statewide, six are in Brooklyn with seven-day-average infection rates of 6 and 4 percent, and one is in Queens with a 4 percent infection rate. In Orange County, one zip code has a staggering seven-day infection rate of 18 percent, while two Rockland County zip codes are at 16 and 14 percent. To deal with the issue, the state has employed 200 rapid testing machines to these zip codes.
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NYC opens new lab that will process COVID-19 tests within 48 hours

Image: Matt Monath Photography

September 24, 2020

NYC opens new lab that will process COVID-19 tests within 48 hours

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A lab dedicated to processing New York City coronavirus tests within 24 to 48 hours officially opened on Thursday. The "Pandemic Response Lab" is located in the Alexandria Center for Life Science on First Avenue and East 29th Street in Manhattan. The lab, led by the city's Economic Development Corporation and run by robotics company Openetrons, will expand testing capacity citywide while also providing a quicker turnaround time to get results from samples collected at NYC Health + Hospitals sites.
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Metropolitan Opera announces it will stay closed for another year

Photo by Seth Hoffman on Unsplash

September 23, 2020

Metropolitan Opera announces it will stay closed for another year

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In an announcement that is sure to reverberate throughout the theater and performing arts worlds, the Metropolitan Opera said today that it will extend its COVID-inflicted closure and cancel its entire 2020-2021 season, not reopening until September of next year. As the New York Times, who first reported the news, said, the decision "sends a chilling signal that American cultural life is still far from resuming."
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New COVID-19 clusters found in South Brooklyn and Queens, where virus cases have tripled

Borough Park, Brooklyn; Photo via Wikimedia

September 23, 2020

New COVID-19 clusters found in South Brooklyn and Queens, where virus cases have tripled

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Urgent action is required in four areas across Brooklyn and Queens where there has been a serious uptick of positive coronavirus cases, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday. The city's Health Department identified a new cluster in Midwood, Borough Park, and Bensonhurst, which officials are calling the Ocean Parkway Cluster, after the avenue that connects the neighborhoods. Health officials have also found an increase in cases in Edgemere-Far Rockaway, Williamsburg, and Kew Gardens. The new cases account for 20 percent of all cases citywide as of September 19.
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New York pol calls on Cuomo to reopen comedy clubs

Photo by ajay_suresh on Flickr

September 22, 2020

New York pol calls on Cuomo to reopen comedy clubs

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New York gyms, malls, museums, and restaurants, have all been given the green light from officials to reopen. Why not comedy clubs? State Sen. Michael Gianaris is proposing new measures that would allow comedy venues to immediately reopen under the same coronavirus restriction placed on other indoor activities, which would include a 25 percent capacity limit. "I challenge anyone to explain why comedy clubs would be less safe to operate than restaurants or bowling alleys," Gianaris, who represents parts of Queens, told the New York Post.
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NYC delays in-person learning at public schools again

Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza tour New Bridges Elementary in Brooklyn to observe the school’s PPE delivery and reopening preparations; Photo: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

September 17, 2020

NYC delays in-person learning at public schools again

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New York City schools will no longer open in-person instruction for most students on Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Thursday. Just four days before city school buildings were set to physically reopen for students, the mayor delayed in-person learning for the second time after complaints from school staff over safety and staffing. In-person instruction will now start in phases, with preschool students starting on Monday, K-8th grade students on September 29, and high school and some middle-school students on October 1.
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NYC’s first store dedicated to COVID essentials opens in Herald Square

Photo courtesy of CV-19 ESSENTIAL

September 16, 2020

NYC’s first store dedicated to COVID essentials opens in Herald Square

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It was bound to happen--a store selling solely coronavirus-related products. CV-19 ESSENTIAL opened today in Herald Square, selling everything from masks and cell phone sanitizers to plexiglass dividers and UV lights. There's even a "Safe Zone" Interactive Experience Center where shoppers can try out the gadgets (we're assuming they'll be sanitized between uses).
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Refusing to wear a mask on MTA trains and buses will cost riders $50

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit on Flickr

September 10, 2020

Refusing to wear a mask on MTA trains and buses will cost riders $50

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Riders on public transit in New York who refuse to wear a face mask will now be fined $50, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced Thursday. Starting Monday, riders of the city's subway and buses, the Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North will be subject to the new penalty for not complying with the mandatory face-covering rule, put in place by executive order in April.
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New York’s COVID-19 infection rate has been below 1 percent for one month straight

Photo by Anthony Quintano on Flickr

September 8, 2020

New York’s COVID-19 infection rate has been below 1 percent for one month straight

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Once the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, New York now has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. For four weeks straight, the percentage of positive virus tests has stayed below 1 percent, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday. At the peak of COVID-19 this spring, the state was reporting over 10,000 new cases and hundreds of deaths per day. On Monday, there were 520 new cases, with 0.88 percent of tests coming back positive, and two deaths statewide.
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FEMA pulls funding for sanitizing schools and subways, according to officials

Photo: Patrick Cashin / MTA New York City Transit

September 4, 2020

FEMA pulls funding for sanitizing schools and subways, according to officials

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A recent rule change by the Federal Emergency Management Agency could take away funding for disinfecting subway cars and city schools, Sen. Chuck Schumer said on Thursday. New guidance from the agency says states need to cover the costs of disinfectants, personal protective equipment, temperature scanners, and other cleaning-related items that have been reimbursed by FEMA since March, the start of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. Schumer called the change a "downright dirty decision" made during a time when New York and the rest of the country continues to fight against the spread of the virus.
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Cuomo says indoor dining could resume with an NYPD task force enforcing COVID-19 rules

St. Marks Place outdoor dining; Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

September 3, 2020

Cuomo says indoor dining could resume with an NYPD task force enforcing COVID-19 rules

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Indoor dining could resume in New York City only if police are able to enforce compliance of coronavirus regulations at restaurants, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday. During a call with reporters, the governor said he could allow restaurants to open for indoor dining if the city creates a task force of NYPD officers designated to oversee compliance. Cuomo said he plans to discuss the issue with City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who on Wednesday called for an immediate start of indoor dining, which has been allowed in every region in the state except the five boroughs.
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New Jersey will open indoor dining and movie theaters for Labor Day weekend

Photo of Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten by cogito ergo imago on Flickr

August 31, 2020

New Jersey will open indoor dining and movie theaters for Labor Day weekend

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Much like his decision to open beaches ahead of Memorial Day weekend, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey will allow indoor dining to resume across his state this Friday, just ahead of Labor Day weekend. In a Tweet this morning, Murphy said that restaurants and bars can begin operating indoors at 25-percent capacity with social distancing in between tables. In a later press conference, he also announced that movie theaters and other indoor performance venues can reopen on September 4.
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