March 26, 2020, Assembly Woman Alicia Hyndman hosted the South East Queens COVID-19 Tele-Town Hall meeting to inform people of different agencies that they can receive help in this pandemic. Helping her host this conference was Senator Leroy Comrie.
Anna from the Department of Health spoke on this pandemic, has a rapid climb in number every day to almost every hour of COVID-19 spread. December 2019 in Wuhan, China COVID-19 was found in animals It came into contact with when the residents started to ship and eat live animals. COVID-19 stems from the family virus of the common cold. The symptoms of COVID-19 are shortness of breath, fever, dry cough and affects your respiratory system for 2-14 days. As of now there are no vaccines or treatments. The Department Of Health advises us to wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, don’t touch your face and social distancing. The Department Of Health also recommends people with mild symptoms not to go outside and self-quarantine. And to work from home if possible.
Commissioner Bishop from Small Business Services informed the Tele-Conference about the Senate passing a federal package bill that is flexible for business effect from COVID-19. He informed us about programs such as the Employee Retention Program. The Employee Retention Program is for small businesses for 6 months with limited workers to get the money they need. The Department Of Finance is providing a 90-day mortgage release.
Frank Joseph from the Human Rights Commission informed us about any stigma/ discrimination associated with COVID-19. Human Rights help the removal of stigmas of non-essential workers. Employment Protection states that during this time any harassment or discrimination from COVID-19 is unlawful and you can sue/file a report. The Pandemic Protect Act comes into play in March 2020 which states, you are protected from anything that dismisses your human rights. This helps workers from home to make sure they are not violated. Thus, employers must meet accommodations for employees who/has/had COVID-19 and must not require doctors’ notes. Joseph says it’s illegal to add any rules in a store such as they can kick you out, or they can’t/ won’t serve you if they suspect you have COVID-19. It is also illegal for a landlord to evict people out of their homes during this pandemic.
Ariel Palitz from the Office of Nightlife created a survey for all workers/owners/residents to show economic impact this pandemic is creating. Nightlife is helping workers/owners navigate into a high direction such as workers shifted the number of hours they can do during this pandemic. Palitz and her team helps owners navigate social justice and equity and to protect nightlife in general.
A representative from Consumer and Work Protection, is helping all New Yorkers current situations during this time. They issued an emergency rule to prevent price gouging for all products that prevent the spread of COVID-19 such as hand sanitizer, face mask, bleach, etc. Price gouging means they increase the price of an item by 10% during a crisis. All businesses are exempted if they increase prices due to increased labor cost or supply cost. Exploitation of selling face mask boxes for $200 is price gouging and make sure they are not taking advantage of people. You can file about the business using price gouging so we can get it under control. Workers can temporarily shift their schedule if they have for 2 days and have the ability to get 5 days off pay/sick raise is available to all immigrants too and get paid time off. Fair Work Week Law states if you’re a fast food worker you are entitled to two weeks’ notice of your schedule if your employer changes it last minute you get premium pay to help the burden is not shifted to you. If you’re a retail worker, you have advance notice of 3 days.
