Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Health Resources
For the latest information and updates, please visit the DOHMH’s dedicated page on the coronavirus. You can also text COVID to 692-692 for updates or call 311.
CB6 Precautionary Measures Due to COVID-19
As a precautionary measure, the CB6 office is closed. We are working remotely. If you need to reach us, email either help@cbsix.org or info@cbsix.org. If you leave us a voicemail, we will get back to you shortly.
All CB6 meetings are canceled for the rest of March. For the latest meeting schedule changes, please consult our calendar.
Changes to City and State Services
NYC Free Tax Prep services have been suspended until further notice. They may resume services at a later date; if so, please check this page for updates.
NYC Ferry remains open, but has been operating with a modified weekday schedule starting March 23rd to account for lower ridership. Click here to find out the NYC Ferry schedules for each route.
The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has information and guidance for playground usage during the coronavirus. To view this information in detail, please view the flyer here.
The MTA has a page explaining how their operations, and your trips (if you need to travel), may be affected by the coronavirus.
Food Resources
At more than 400 sites across New York City, free meals are being distributed for NYC children who need it even though schools remain closed. To learn more information about this program or find out where kids can get a free meal, click here.
Many of the business in our district are struggling to remain financially stable. CB6 has compiled links of restaurants that are open for takeout and delivery. These lists (linked below) were individually compiled from the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) whose districts overlap with ours.
Economic Resources for Individuals and Businesses
Due to the impact of COVID-19 on New York City’s workforce, the City of New York has developed a list of resources for those who may be unemployed due to COVID-19 or are seeking additional assistance. The list can be found here.
NYC Small Business Services (SBS) is offering financial relief programs to small businesses that have been impacted by the coronavirus. Click here to learn more about the programs offered by SBS.
Housing Resources
There is a moratorium on evictions in New York State until further notice. To understand what this means as well as read frequently asked questions about the moratorium, click here.
The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development has a page dedicated to COVID-19 updates, including updates for holders of Section 8 vouchers, tenant resources, and building safety resources.
Tenant activists are lobbying the State Legislature to pass legislation cancelling rent state-wide for the next three months. The text of the bill, first introduced by Senator Gianaris, can be found here.
The Housing Justice for All Coalition has also crafted a FAQ on the state of relief for tenants struggling during the COVID-19 crisis. You can find that here. They are also working to compile the stories of renters affected by the crisis. To read the stories they’ve collected and to add your own story to their collection, click here.
Scams Related to COVID-19
The Federal Trade Commission has a page dedicated to common COVID-19 scams and how you can fend them off. You can find that page here.
Click here to file a consumer fraud or scam with New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office.
Price Gouging Related to COVID-19
New York State Attorney General Letitia James’ office has an online submission form where you can detail complaints about price gouging related to the pandemic; you can find the form here.
Ways to Help
Senator Hoylman’s office is looking for volunteers with medical experience as they work to grow hospital capacity to meet the coming demand. You can fill out a volunteer form here.
The City published an article on March 27, 2020 on ways that you can help hospital workers in New York. You can find that article here.
The New York City Medical Reserve Corps is looking for volunteers. For information on how to become a volunteer, click here.
New York State is looking for additional qualified health professionals and related professionals to supplement their current hospital capacity. If you’re able and willing to become a part of this effort, fill out a survey here.
You can find here information from New York Cares on how to help them during the coronavirus.
Here, you can find DonateNYC’s tips on donating during the coronavirus (and during disasters in general).
Cultural Resources
Senator Hoylman’s office has compiled a list of some online cultural resources that everyone can enjoy at home. You can find that guide here.
Enrollment Eligibility for Half-Price MetroCard Program Expanded
As of January 27th, eligibility to receive half-price MetroCards has expanded to all New Yorkers living at or below the federal poverty line! This program, known as Fair Fares, will result in 50% discounts for eligible participants on pay-per-ride, 7-Day (Weekly), and 30-Day (Monthly) MetroCards. Click here to select a language to read frequently asked questions for the Fair Fares program, click here to check your eligibility for the Fair Fares program, and click here to learn about how to apply.
CB6 Resolution Database and Tracker
CB6 is excited to announce a publicly available database of resolutions passed by CB6 from 2016 to the present (earlier resolutions are being added). This database is searchable and easily customizable, allowing users to filter for resolutions passed by a specific committee, on a specific topic, or passed on a certain date or year. To access this database, click here.
14th Street Busway
Starting on October 3rd, there will be travel restrictions every day, from 6 AM to 10 PM, on 14th Street between 9th Avenue and 3rd Avenue. At those times, only trucks and buses can make thru trips between 9th Avenue and 3rd Avenue. All other vehicles may pick up and drop off, but must make the next right. These changes are because of the NYC Department of Transportation’s pilot for a transit and truck priority along 14th Street, in order to speed up the M14A/D Select Bus Service. For more information on the busway, view the website on the busway here, view a flyer briefly summarizing the busway, or view a flyer that goes into greater detail about the busway here. To view the presentation that the MTA and NYC Department of Transportation delivered on the busway at Community Board Six’s May 2019 Transportation Committee meeting, click here.
