New York City Stands with Asylum Seekers. To support the needs of asylum seekers entering New York City you can help with monetary donations. Additionally, you can donate items at drop-off locations such as NEW clothing, toiletry, and hygiene items.
Monetary donations: The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is collecting cash donations for the Asylum Seeker Relief Fund which supports asylum seekers with relief programs and services that address a range of needs including immediate survival needs, legal information and services, workforce support, housing and relocation services, among others. I want to donate money
Item donations: The Office of Faith & Community Partnerships at The Mayor’s Office has created a Donation Drive for Asylum Seekers. Drop-off locations are available in all 5 boroughs. I want to donate items
Bike donations: MOIA is proud to announce our partnership with NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Department of Transportation, Recycle-A-Bike, & Unlimited Biking to distribute donated bikes to newly arrived New Yorkers. The Bike Donation Program will provide asylum seekers a form of transportation to get acclimated in their new homes. I want to donate a bike
On August 23 2021, the FDA officially approved the Pfizer vaccine for those aged 16 years and older (CDC). The vaccine was previously available through Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and is still currently available to those aged 12-15 years through EUA. It should be noted that Emergency Use Authorization only cuts bureaucratic red tape and not the necessary research behind developing new vaccines. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are also authorized for emergency use.
In good news, outlets have reported a 17% increase in vaccination rates following the FDA’s official approval of the Pfizer vaccine (ABC).
THE NEXT LES READY! MEETING, WILL BE HELD AUGUST 27, 11am – 12pm
LES Ready! has a limited number of PPE (masks and gowns). Please let us know if you would like masks or gowns for your organization, clinic or event by contacting lesreadyinfo@gmail.com
MEETINGS & RESOURCES
NYC TEST AND TRACE CORPS, AUGUST 14, 2020, 11am – 12pm
Join NYC VOAD Unmet Needs Meeting. Ask questions and hear from Dr. Ted Long, MD, MHS, who heads the NYC COVID-19 Test & Trace Corps. Dr. Long is also Sr. Vice President of Ambulatory Care at New York City Health + Hospitals
COASTAL STORM PREPAREDNESS WEBINAR, AUGUST 19, 2020, 1pm
This coastal storm season is happening during the COVID-19 pandemic. As New York City recovers from the effects of Tropical Storm Isaias, we know coastal storms, like hurricanes and tropical storms, continue to be a significant hazard to the City. Join this webinar, hosted by NYC Emergency Management Community Preparedness with guest speakers from the NYCEM Response Bureau, and the Mayor’s Office of Resiliency, to learn best practices and resources to prepare your community for a coastal storm. Registration & Event Information: https://nycem.webex.com/nycem/onstage/g.php?MTID=e3b6f4f21c1129c1ced49e978cd79646a
“WE THE YOUTH, YOU THE PEOPLE, AUGUST 19, 2020, 3pm – 5pm
DYCD will host a series of virtual town halls kicking off discussing Structural Racism. One goal is to create a safe space for young people to harness their voice, agenda and power around the uncertainties of the health pandemic, civil unrest, funding priorities, programming and policies that affect their lives. We invite everyone to hear and learn from their voices!
New York, the state court system has extended a moratorium through October 1 for residential tenants, allowing thousands of renters at risk of eviction momentary relief. The new directive, mandates that no existing or new residential eviction warrants can be executed until October at the earliest and continues its suspension on proceedings.
GET FOOD NYC – FREE FOOD FOR NEW YORKERS
Use the below link to find out about Pandemic EBT, SNAP, WIC, Cooking at home tips, food delivery service, fresh produce and more
Use the below link/map to find locations that offer free food pantries and Grab & Go meals at NYC schools, as well as grocery stores and farmer’s markets
NYC DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SCHOOLS REOPENING PLAN
New York City Department of Education’s District School Reopening Planwas submitted to the New York State Education Department. The plan is 109 pages and provides a detailed description of the current plans for re-opening. Governor Cuomo announced that schools across New York can reopen for in-person instruction this fall. Under the governor’s announcement, schools can be reopened if they are in a region where the average rate of positive tests for COVID 19 is below 5 percent. Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza have set a higher standard and announced that schools can only open if the rate of positive tests in the city is 3 percent or lower. Currently, New York City’s positivity rate is below 1 percent.
The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning, a flash flood watch and wind advisory for NYC, with sustained winds 40 to 50 mph, and gusts up to 60 mph. The heaviest rain is expected from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday. New York City Emergency Management has issued a travel advisory from Tuesday morning through Tuesday night as there the potential for heavy rainfall and strong winds that may reduce visibility and create hazardous travel throughout Tuesday.
Heavy rains and gusty winds could limit visibility and create difficult travel conditions through Tuesday night. Tropical Storm Warning in effect citywide; with heavy rains and strong winds from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the strongest rains and tropical strength winds from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday
New Yorkers should plan for difficult travel conditions and are advised to exercise caution and consider taking public transportation if they must travel. Those who are able to stay home during the storm are advised to stay indoors. Heavy rains may lead to potential flooding in low-lying areas throughout the city, including lower Manhattan. If you are traveling, avoid flooded areas, turn on headlights, drive slowly, and exercise caution. Consider avoiding or delaying travel until flooding and heavy rain stop.
Safety Tips
If you live in a flood-prone area, keep materials such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber on hand to help protect your home.
If you have a disability or access or functional need, make sure your plan addresses how your needs may affect your ability to evacuate, shelter in place, or communicate with emergency workers. Arrange help from family, friends, or service providers if you will need assistance.
When outside, avoid walking and driving through flooded areas. As few as six inches of moving water can knock a person over. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling. One or two feet of water can carry away a vehicle.
Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
If you see downed electrical wires, do not go near them. Never attempt to move or touch them with any object. Be mindful that tree limbs, leaves, or water can cover downed wires from view. Always stay away from downed power lines because they could be live.
Report downed wires immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you are in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel.
Power Outages
To prepare for a possible power outage, charge cell phone batteries, gather supplies, and turn your refrigerator and freezer to a colder setting. If you lose power, items that need refrigeration will stay cooler for longer.
Make sure your flashlights and any battery-operated radios or televisions are working. Keep extra batteries.
If you lose power and have a disability, access and functional needs or use Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and need immediate assistance, dial 911.
Do not use generators indoors.
Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed.
Prepare for Strong Winds
Strong winds can bring down trees and power lines and can turn unsecured objects into dangerous projectiles. To protect against the hazard of strong winds, New Yorkers should:
Check the area immediately surrounding your home for unsecured objects or potentially dangerous conditions. Tree limbs, garbage cans, yard debris, or other materials that can be moved by the wind are potential projectiles aimed at your home or parked vehicle.
Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools and toys.
Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or propane tanks.
Close up and secure patio furniture.
Secure retractable awnings.
Remove aerial antennas and satellite television dishes.
Stay Informed about Tropical Storm Isaias
Monitor Notify NYC and local media, the City’s free emergency notification system, though which New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about traffic and transit disruptions and other emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
NYC Emergency Management has developed some localized coastal storm preparedness materials for the 2020 hurricane season, including the location of hurricane evacuation zones and evacuation centers by borough. Please be advised that information is subject to change. Check this website or call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) for updates.
On March 24 the City released its 13th Proposed Amendment to the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, based on community feedback and new design challenges. LESReady! spoke out about the importance of climate science and the need to defend against displacement, both natural and man-made. Read our comments here: LESReady! Public Comments to ESCR Amendment 13.
