COVID-19: Stay Informed

COVID-19: Stay Informed image

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources and Information

The public health crisis we are all experiencing is fluid and evolving on a daily basis. We aim to share and connect you with trustworthy information and resources as they become available.

For the most up-to-date guidance from New York State visit coronavirus.health.ny.gov or call the NYS COVID Hotline at 1-888-364-3065.

As we practice social distancing, please know that you are not alone. Your health and well-being is on our minds.

We will not let the coronavirus disrupt our effort to connect people in need with the knowledge and services they deserve. If you have any thoughts or ideas for how F.Y. Eye can help at this time, we welcome your input.

Resource List

  • New York City and State Information
    • Coronavirus Health and Safety Guidance
    • Coronavirus-related Medical Costs
    • New York State Health Insurance Enrollment
    • Meals and Supplies for Vulnerable Populations
    • Education
    • Public Charge and Medical Treatment
    • Reporting Hate and Discrimination
    • Price Gouging
    • Public Utilities
    • Business Support
    • Resources for Artists
    • Legal Support
    • Unemployment
    • Housing
    • Mental Health Support
    • The Census
    • Environmental Guidance
    • Paid and Volunteer Opportunities
    • Other New York Resource Hubs
  • Fun Activites You Can Enjoy at Home
    • Read a Book
    • Live Stream Concerts
    • Exercise
    • Virtual Art, Culture, History, and Nature
    • Attend a Virtual Film Festival or Netflix Party
New York City and State Information

Coronavirus Health and Safety Guidance 

Coronavirus-Related Medical Costs

  • The City of New York has stated that it will provide care regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. For the most up-to-date information from the NYC Department of Health, please visit www.nyc.gov/coronavirus or call 311.
  • Medicare will cover lab tests for COVID-19, medically necessary hospitalizations, and more. Read their guidance here.
  • Medicaid now covers 90-day supply for most prescription medications and will allow early refills due to quarantine or outbreak. Read their guidance here.

New York State Health Insurance Enrollment

  • The New York State of Health insurance marketplace is offering a special enrollment period through April 15th. New Yorkers who sign up for health insurance between March 16th and April 15th will have coverage starting April 1st. If you have lost your job, you have 60 days to sign up for insurance through the marketplace.

Meals and Supplies for Vulnerable Populations

  • Sign up at Invisible Hands for safe, free deliveries for the most at-risk community members facing COVID-19.
  • Free meal delivery for older adults is available. Call Aging Connect at 212-244-6469 or visit the NYC Department for the Aging here to learn more.
  • The City has created the GetFoodNYC food delivery program to provide food for coronavirus (COVID-19)-vulnerable and food-insecure New Yorkers not currently served through existing food delivery programs. Sign up here or call 311.
  • Access Neighborhood Guides to food and assistance from Hunger Free America here.
  • Despite school closings, every public school will be distributing breakfast and lunch for students on a grab-and-go basis this week. Visit www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/food/free-meals-for-all for up-to-date information.
  • Most GrowNYC Greenmarkets and all Farmstand locations are open and operating on schedule.  The markets offer SNAP recipients access to fresh, healthy produce. Click here for up-to-date information.

Remote Education for K-12

Public Charge and Medical Treatment

Reporting Hate and Discrimination 

  • Incidents of anti-Asian or anti-immigrant discrimination can be reported to 311 or the New York State Hate Crimes Task Force hotline at 1-888-392-3644.

Price Gouging

  • To report unfair price increases on products like cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer in New York State call 1-800-697-1220.

Public Utilities 

  • New York utilities will keep the power, heat and water on for all customers in response to the coronavirus emergency and will continue to offer deferred payment plans for customers struggling financially due to the outbreak.

Business Support 

Resources for Artists

  • The New York Foundation for the Arts is providing an up-to-date list of emergency grants and resources.
  • Creative Capital has put together an extensive list of nationwide emergency resources, grants, and open calls.
  • A list of free resources, opportunities, and financial relief options for freelance artists of all disciplines is available here.
  • Check out the Viral Art Project and bring your creative talent to the Coronavirus emergency facing our world.
  • The UN World Health Organization is calling on creatives to develop COVID-19-related social media, digital publishing, streaming video, broadcast video, and radio campaigns in eighteen different languages. Click here to learn more.

Legal Support 

  • New Yorkers in legal need can contact Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) for support:
    • VOLS Small Business/Microenterprise project: (347) 521-5729
    • VOLS Elderly Project: (347) 521-572
    • VOLS Veteran Initiative: (347) 521-5725
    • VOLS Immigrant Project: (347) 521-5722
    • Main VOLS Office (212) 966-4400

Housing

  • New York State Department of Homes and Community Renewal has issued guidance with respect to processing and other procedures affecting the Office of Rent Administration (ORA) and Tenant Protection Unit (TPU) of the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) under The Rent Stabilization Law, The Emergency Tenant Protection Act, and the New York State and City Rent Control Laws.

Unemployment

  • The 7-day waiting period for unemployment assistance has been waived. If you were recently laid off (even if it’s only temporary), you can file for unemployment here. 

Mental Health Support

  • NYC Well is your connection to free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health and substance misuse support, information and referral. You can reach the toll-free help line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, text and online chat. Mental health professionals there can link you to the services you need.

The Census 

  • The 2020 Census is underway and the most important thing you can do is respond online, by phone, or by mail when you receive your invitation. Responding now will minimize the need for the Census Bureau to send census takers out into communities to follow up.

Environmental Guidance 

  • The NYC Department of Environmental Protection wants people to know that so-called “flushable” and “septic-safe” wipes contribute to clog sewers and problems with DEP wastewater treatment facilities. Learn more here.

Paid and Volunteer Opportunities  

  • Volunteer with Invisible Hands, which provides safe, free deliveries for the most at-risk community members facing COVID-19.
  • Food Bank for New York City needs able and healthy volunteers to help prepare meals, pack food, and other essentials. 
  • Sign up for alerts from New York Cares to learn more about what city agencies and community partners are doing to help those most impacted by COVID-19.
  • Volunteer New York! is operating a Virtual Volunteer Center where you can find virtual and in-person opportunities to help our communities and seniors.
  • The NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has done a cavass of City-owned sites for additional hospital capacity. They welcome ideas about non-City-owned sites in your community that you may be aware of. OEM is evaluating all sites for immediate and longer-term uses. To submit ideas, go here.

Other New York Resources Hubs

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Fun Activities You Can Enjoy At Home

Read a Book

  • The New York Public Library provides a wide array of digital offerings, including e-books for borrowing on their SimplyE app, research databases, and access to a multitude of online resources. Explore the digital collection here.
  • Share books with readers you don’t necessarily know using Kindle and BEE Book Exchange.

Live Stream Concerts

  • Billboard and NPR have compiled a list of concerts you can live stream from your couch. Click here and here for the up-to-date listings.
  • Enjoy Opera Streams from The Metropolitian Opera every night.
  • See Broadway performances direct to you from the living rooms of Broadway performers.

Exercise

  • Fitness Blender is offering free, full-length workout videos, workout routines, healthy recipes, and more.
  • CorePower Yoga is offering free online classes when we all need yoga most.

Virtually Explore Art, Culture, History, and Nature!

Attend a Virtual Film Festival or Netflix Party 

  • ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York will be shifting to a virtual format. The schedule of events will be available on their website on Thursday, March 19th.
  • Netflix Party is a new Chrome extension that allows you to watch any Netflix show you want with loved ones while you’re social distancing.

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Get Inspired

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