Dispelling Myths about COVID-19

There have been a few myths surrounding COVID-19. Some have included: If you have not traveled outside of the United States, you will not catch COVID-19; COVID-19 is a European disease and has only affected European countries; If you had COVID-19 you will not get it again; If you wear a mask you don't have to practice social distancing; children can't get it. 

If you visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website, you will find these statements are not true. The facts are: the virus can make anyone sick regardless of their race or ethnicity; people of any age including very young children and young adults can contract the virus. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions should be particularly careful as they may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19. The CDC has created an FAQ page covering many questions you may have about COVID-19. 

As New York re-opens, click here to print out signage you can post at your church or local business on safe social distancing guidelines, wearing a mask, and proper handwashing. 

Recommendations for Face Covering

As we all know, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is advising all New Yorkers to cover their noses and mouths using a scarf, bandana, or piece of clothing when in public to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The CDC has a video on how to make a mask.
 

COVID-19 Testing Bronx Locations

Even as New York opens up, COVID-19 testing is more important than ever. It is available for Bronx residents at the following locations:

• NYC Health+Hospitals/Gotham Health, Belvis; 545 East 142nd St,
  (718) 579-4000, M-F: 9:00AM-3:30PM; No appointment necessary.

• NYC Health+Hospitals/Jacobi, 1400 Pelham Parkway South,
  (718) 918-5000; M-F: 8:30AM-4:00PM; No appointment necessary.

• NYC Health+Hospitals/Lincoln, 234 East 149th Street,
  (718) 579-5000; M-F: 9:00AM-6:00PM; ; Saturday: 9:00AM-3:30PM.
  No appointment necessary.

• NYC Health+Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania; 1225 Gerard Ave, (718) 960-2781, M-F: 8:30AM-4:30PM; No appointment necessary.

• NYC Health+Hospitals/North Central Bronx, 3424 Kossuth Avenue,
   (718) 918-5700, M-F: 8:30AM-4:30PM; No appointment necessary.

How to Get the Health Care You Need

The Institute for Family Health's health centers in New York City and in Ulster and Dutchess Counties are re-opening for in person appointments. We offer primary medical care, mental health care, and dental care to people of all ages, regardless of ability to pay. Appointments are also still available by video or phone – please contact us for an appointment. Click here for a complete list of locations and phone numbers. 

P-EBT, Childcare and Emergency
Food Services for School Children

If you have children in your household who attend public school, you will automatically receive $420 per child from New York State that would have been spent on school lunches during a normal school year. 
The funds will be disbursed as follows:

• If you are on SNAP and cash assistance: You should have received an additional $193 deposited to your EBT card on May 19. The remainder, $227, should be deposited by June 16.

• If you are on Medicaid only: You will receive the full $420 amount per child during the last two weeks in June.

• If you are not on any assistance or benefits program: you will be mailed a $420 EBT card this summer from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

The Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) program enables families to buy food while their children are learning from home. For more information, click here. 

The Office of School Food and Nutrition Services continues its work to ensure that students have access to nutritious meals every day.  Parents, students and young people under 18 can access breakfast/lunch grab and go bags from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at any of these NYC school sites (Food Hubs). Signage indicating food service may not be visible, so students and parents should knock loudly on the front door. The security guard should provide you with a to-go bag. 

If you experience any challenges in food service delivery due to staff absences, missing signage about food services, etc., email Moria Byrne-Zaaloff. 

Food Services for Community Members
 

At Bronx Health REACH’s June 5th coalition meeting we heard how dire is still the need to feed New Yorkers including many Bronx residents. To help connect community members in need with food resources during these challenging times, the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center created a Coronavirus NYC Food Resource Guide for each NYC neighborhood.
Below are Bronx neighborhoods:
Belmont/East Tremont (Zip codes 10457, 10458, 10460)
Fordham/University Heights (Zip codes 10453, 10457, 10458, 10468)
Highbridge/Concourse (Zip codes 10451 and 10452)
Hunts Point/ Longwood (Zip codes 10474, 10455, and 10459)
Kingsbridge Heights/Bedford (Zip codes 10458, 10463, 10467, 10468)
Morris Park/Bronxdale (Zip codes 10461 and 10462)
Morrisania/Crotona (Zip codes 10456, 10459, and 10460)
Mott Haven/Melrose (Zip codes 10451, 10454, 10455, 10456)
Parkchester/Soundview (Zip codes 10462, 10472, 10473)
Throgs Neck/Coop City (Zip codes 10464, 10465 and 10475)
Williamsbridge/Baychester (Zip codes 10466, 10467, 10469, 10470)

You can also click here for more listings.

Get the Good Stuff helps New Yorkers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/EBT/food stamps) get FREE fruits, vegetables and beans at participating NYC supermarkets.

For every dollar spent using a SNAP/EBT card on eligible fruits, vegetables and beans, receive a dollar in your pink rewards card (up to $50 per day) that can be used for your next purchase of eligible foods at the same supermarket. 

Sign up at one of the stores listed below and visit the customer service desk to receive your pink rewards card:
· Cherry Valley Supermarket, 2870 Webster Ave (Bedford Park Blvd)
· Fine Fare Supermarket, 675 Morris Ave (East 153rd Street)
· Fine Fare Supermarket, 459 East 149th Street (Brook Avenue)
· Fine Fare Supermarket, 3550 White Plains Road (212th Street)

NYC Human Resources Administration Emergency Food Assistance Program

Farmer’s markets and Fresh Food Box sites.

Red Rabbit provides emergency grab-and-go meals delivered to daycares, schools and community organizations.

FoodHelp NYC Map of food pantries and community kitchens.

COVID-19 Food Hub NYC. 

How to Stay Informed

Only get your information from trustworthy sources like the CDC, the New York State Department of Health and NYC Department of Health. For updates on the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and fatalities in New York City, click here. Also, you can call the New York coronavirus hotline at 1-888-364-3065. In NYC, text COVID to 692692 for text updates from Notify NYC.

COVID-19 Hotel Program

The City of New York's COVID-19 Hotel Program provides free hotel stays to eligible New Yorkers who cannot isolate where they live and frontline workers in the healthcare industry who wish to reduce the risk of transmission at home. This will help New York City stop the spread of COVID-19. For any person who is unable to safely isolate in their own home, the City will offer "Take Care Hotels" free of charge. Any doctor, nurse, or physician's assistants across the city can email to refer a patient to a room. If you don't have a doctor, any symptomatic New Yorker can call (844) 692-4692, the City's COVID hotline and ask for the COVID Hotel Program. 

COVID-19 Impact Survey

In partnership with more than 100 community-based, faith-based, and research partners from across the city, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is interested in understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the lives of NYC residents, including their physical and emotional well-being. Using community-based research, The Icahn School of Medicine built a survey meant to reach 10,000 adult New Yorkers and an accompanying webpage which will showcase survey results, provide resources for our communities, and provide space for people to submit comments and questions. The survey can be accessed by texting COVID to 77948, and is available in eleven languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, French, Polish, Urdu, Russian, Arabic, Bengali, and Haitian Creole.

Help get the word out about this initiative so that the voices of the community members are heard. With this research, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai will be able to deliver better care and make sure that communities have the resources they need. If you are interested in sharing information about this survey, click here.

 

COVID-19 Pet Hotline

The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare has announced the launch of the NYC COVID-19 Pet Hotline. The Pet Hotline will serve as an information, planning, referral, and service coordination hub for NYC residents who need support for their pets during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pet Hotline will help mitigate people’s questions and concerns about keeping their pets during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as connect callers to pet relief resources such as subsidized emergency veterinary care and food and supply distribution services.  Pet Hotline operators can be reached directly at (877) 204-8821, from 8AM to 8PM daily. 

Other Ways to Help

New York City needs your help. Here’s how individuals, businesses, and non-profits can help the City and fellow New Yorkers during this COVID-19 crisis:

Donate NYC: DonateNYC, a program of NYC Department of Sanitation, has resources for individuals, businesses, schools, and agencies to give and receive donated items.

You can give back by giving blood. New York City needs approximately 2,000 people to donate blood every day to maintain its supply. Find a New York Blood Center near you.

Complete the 2020 Census

As of June 21, 53.9% of Bronx residents have been counted in the 2020 Census. Residents living in Williamsbridge-Olinville, Woodlawn-Wakefield, Belmont, West Farms-Bronx River and Van Nest-Morris Park-Westchester have the lowest self-response rates. If you are a Bronx resident and have not completed the Census please do so as soon as possible by clicking here.

June 23 is Primary Day in NY-Polls Open Until 9PM

VOTE!!!    VOTE!!!     VOTE!!