Dear Neighbor:
I hope you are staying safe during this difficult time. Please know that my team and I are working hard to serve you and keep everyone in the 104th Assembly District informed about all the issues surrounding COVID-19. As part of that effort, we will regularly update this document with new information and resources.
While my staff is working remotely to minimize communal contact, we are fully available via phone and email. If my office can be of assistance in any way, you can reach us by calling 845-562-0888 or 845-763-7011 or emailing me at jacobsonj@nyassembly.gov.
Follow the links below to find:
How Do I Get Tested for COVID-19?
Don’t Forget About the Census!
GENERAL INFORMATION
New York State has declared a state of emergency. All schools are closed until at least April 1, when the State will reassess the situation.
Non-essential gatherings of any size are temporarily banned.
Only companies and nonprofit entities designated by New York State as “essential services” may continue to operate. Here is a breakdown of what is included in “essential services.” If your business or non-profit is not on this list and you would like to request essential business designation, you can do so here.
If you believe your employer is violating existing labor laws or not following the Governor’s executive order by continuing to make you report to work, call the New York Attorney General’s office at 212-416-8700 or email labor.bureau@ag.ny.gov.
If you know or suspect a person or business of price gouging, please report it by calling 1-800-697-1220 or Local Consumer Affairs at 845-360-6700.
To free up the maximum number of hospital beds, all non-critical, elective surgeries will be postponed beginning Wednesday, March 25th.
New York State has directed existing hospitals to increase hospital bed capacity by at least 50% to prepare for the influx of infected patients. The State is also working in conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers to set up four temporary hospital facilities throughout the State.
COVID-19 FAQ’s:
What are the symptoms?
Current symptoms include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
How is the virus spread?
This virus most commonly spreads from an infected person to others through:
- Coughing and sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
How do I protect myself?
While there is currently no vaccine to prevent this virus, these simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The Center for Disease Control’s Recommendations for vulnerable populations can be found here.
HOW DO I GET TESTED FOR COVID-19?
There are hundreds of positive COVID-19 cases throughout the Hudson Valley. If you feel sick and would like to get tested for COVID-19, please call your medical provider or the New York State Coronavirus 24-hour hotline at 1-888-364-3065 before going to a testing facility.
Limited testing is available, so there are strict protocols in place. Please click on the link for each testing site to view hours and requirements for testing.
1200 Route 300
Newburgh
1500 NY-9D
Wappingers Falls
Kingston
For more information, please visit the New York State Department of Health’s website or call your county’s hotline:
- Orange County Department of Health: 845-291-2332
- Dutchess County Department of Health: 845-486-3555
- Ulster County Department of Health: 845-340–3150
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
- New York State is providing mortgage relief to struggling homeowners impacted by the pandemic by requiring banks to waive mortgage payments for 90 days
- New York State has imposed a 90-day moratorium on residential and commercial evictions to help renters impacted by the pandemic
- New York State has temporarily halted the collection of any medical and student debt that’s owed to the State
- New York State’s income tax deadline is extended to July 15th to coincide with the new federal filing date
- There will be NO late fees or penalties if you were unable to make the monthly New York State sales tax payment that was due March 20
- New York State has approved mandatory paid sick leave for isolated workers
- The Small Business Association has approved the State’s application for Disaster Assistance Loans
Cellphone & Wifi Service:
All cell phone carriers have signed on to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge, in which companies pledge:
- Not to terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic;
- Waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and
- Open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them.
Specific Carriers:
-
- AT&T will waive any above plan wireless usage fees associated with data, voice, or text overages that residential or small business wireless customers may incur because of COVID-19
- Optimum--through its parent company, Altice USA--is offering temporary, free broadband service to K-12 and college students impacted because of COVID-19. Call 866-200-9522 for more information and to enroll.
- Spectrum is offering free access to internet and WiFi for 60 days for new Pre-K to 12, college students, and teacher households who don’t currently have internet or WiFi service. Call 855-243-8892 for more information and to enroll.
Other Services:
- Central Hudson, will waive late fees for customers impacted by COVID-19
OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Social Security: All Social Security Administration (SSA) offices in New York are open only to authorized personnel. Most SSA services are available online at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Department of Labor: If you are filing a new unemployment insurance claim, the day you should file is based on the first letter of your last name. If your last name starts with A-F, file your claim on Monday. For last names starting with G-N, file your claim on Tuesday. For last names starting with O-Z, file your claim on Wednesday. If you missed your filing day, file your claim on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Filing later in the week will not delay your payments or affect the date of your claim, since all claims are effective on the Monday of the week in which they are filed.
NYS is waiving the 7-Day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines.
Department of Motor Vehicles: All DMV offices are now closed. Licenses, ID's, and registrations with expiration dates of March 1, 2020 forward will be extended.
If you are experiencing difficulties and need help, please call our office.
INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
Our local school officials are working hard to provide meals for kids who depend on the districts’ breakfast and lunch program. Free meals are currently being distributed on the following schedules:
- Newburgh: lunch and breakfast will be provided to each child under 18. Families can go to the closest location to their home. The schedule is: Meadow Hill School 10 AM-10:15 AM, Balmville School 10:30 AM-10:45 AM, GAMS 11:00 AM-11:15 AM, Newburgh Free Library 11:30 AM-11:45 AM, South Middle School 12:00 PM-12:15 PM, New Windsor School 12:30 PM-12:45 PM, Vails Gate STEAM Academy 1:00 PM-1:15 PM and Temple Hill Academy 1:30 PM-1:45 PM. A mobile pantry is also available, as needed, for delivery.
- Poughkeepsie: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., the district has tables set up at the Hudson Gardens, Thurgood Marshall, MLK, Dr. Joseph Bradley and Bixby apartment complexes. From 11 a.m. to noon, the stations will be at Poughkeepsie High School and the Eastman Tower, Rip Van Winkle, Tubman Terrace apartment complexes.
- Beacon: Mondays and Wednesdays at Beacon High School 10:00-10:30 and South Ave Elementary School 10:30-11:00. Families will receive food for several days worth of meals. People who need deliveries or other accommodations should email landahlm@beaconk12.org.
- Marlboro: Grab-n-Go meals will be distributed daily at the Marlboro High School located outside the school between the high school and the field bleachers between 8:00AM-12:00PM.
- Highland: Highland CSD will deliver food to central locations around Highland for students. The next scheduled delivery dates are as follows: Wednesday - 3/25, Friday - 3/27 Bus #1: Bridgeview 9:00am – 9:30am, Hudson Hills 9:35am – 10:00am; Bus #2, VFW (Grand Street) 9:00am – 9:30am, Methodist Church 9:45am – 10:15am, Floyd Ackert Area 10:30am – 11:00am; Bus #3 Lowes 9:00am – 9:30am, Gunk Haus 10:00am – 10:30am; Bus #4 Sunnybrook 9:00am – 9:45am; Highland High School Cafeteria 9:00am – 9:30am
If you are an essential worker and need childcare, please contact your school district. If you are unable to find help, contact my office for assistance.
OTHER RESOURCES
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley can help navigate housing/landlord issues: 877-574-8529.
Access: Support for Living is offering therapy, psychiatry, and peer support services through telemedicine, 24/7 to adults and children, regardless of insurance or ability to pay: 888-750-2266, option 2.
Alcoholics Anonymous offers online meetings here.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE CENSUS!
While the Census is not tied to COVID-19 funding, please be sure to complete the 2020 Census. It takes less than 10 minutes, information is strictly for the U.S. Census Bureau and will not be shared with other government agencies. Most importantly, an accurate count is the only way New York State gets its fair share of federal funding for the next 10 years--something that New Yorkers need now more than ever.
You can also fill out the Census by phone in 14+ languages by calling the numbers listed here.
As the situation evolves, we will continue to update this document to provide you with the most up-to-date information available. In the meantime, take care and stay safe.
Very truly yours,
Jonathan Jacobson