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Full text of all previous COVID updates (since March 2020) are in this archive.

Friends,

It’s Thursday, December 9, 2021. Welcome to my weekly update.

New York City’s COVID positivity rate is now 3.13%, up from 2.82% last week. (Those interested in diving more deeply into local COVID statistics can check the NYC Dept. of Health website or thecity.nyc’s COVID tracker.)

Local cases and hospitalizations were ticking upward until Monday (12/6)-- upstate hospitals are jammed-- and nationally, hospitalizations are up to levels not seen since early October. 

There are glimmers of decent news about Omicron: It seems certain it is more contagious, but early, anecdotal evidence seems to indicate its cases are less severe, and less deadly. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky says there are 43 people with Omicron in 19 states in the US, and about 75% of those cases are in vaccinated people-- but only one of them has been hospitalized. Dr. Anthony Fauci says that anecdotal evidence indicates that Omicron appears to be milder than Delta. And Pfizer announced preliminary results that indicate its vaccine-- especially the third shot-- seems to be capable of stopping Omicron.

But, of course, Omicron is still a moving target, and we won’t know for sure until after peer-reviewed studies are published. 

In the face of rising Delta cases and the likelihood of an Omicron “wave,” the Mayor this week announced expanded vaccine mandates as follows:

• Beginning Tuesday (12/14), children ages 5–11 will need proof of at least one dose for indoor dining and entertainment (the Key to NYC policy); the NYC COVID Safe app (download for iOS or Android) has been updated so that parents can store pictures of their kids’ vaccine cards. With only 20% of NYC kids 5–11 vaccinated, there’s no better opportunity to get a kid’s first or second dose than at these pop-up vaccine sites happening at elementary schools through Monday (12/13), from 7:30 am – 4:30 pm. See the school site schedule here. Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, or have a completed consent form (English, Spanish, Chinese), or consent by phone at the time of vaccination.

• Everyone 12+ will need to show proof of TWO doses of the vaccine (except those who got the single-shot Johnson & Johnson) to access indoor dining and entertainment starting Monday, 12/27. 

• Also scheduled for 12/27, all in-person private-sector employees must show proof of their first dose.

Vaccinated kids ages 5–11 can enter the NYS “Vaccinate, Educate, Graduate” sweepstakes for a chance to win a full SUNY or CUNY scholarship covering four years of tuition, room, and board. Enter by Sunday, 12/19. A Manhattanite won this week’s drawing!

The bottom line here is simple: If you’re traveling for the holidays, get boosted. If you’re staying home, get boosted. (Find a vaccine site here.) And even if you’re boosted, get tested before and after large holiday group gatherings. (Find a testing site here.)

My budget staff has launched its annual capital funding process. This year, because I’m leaving office, we’re beginning by accepting letters of intent prior to opening the application. That way, incoming Borough President Mark Levine will become familiar with interested organizations and their projects. Submit your organization’s letter of intent here by Friday, 1/14.

If you have questions, contact Vanessa Diaz-Lopez (vdiaz-lopez@manhattanbp.nyc.gov, 212-669-4814) or Nelson S. Andino (nandino@manhattanbp.nyc.gov, 212-669-8145).

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Applications are now open for the cultural tourism grants my office administers in partnership with the NYC & Co. Foundation. These small grants support arts and culture organizations and promote tourism to all neighborhoods in Manhattan hosting music, theater, walking tours, festivals, and film screenings. Apply here by Friday, 1/28.

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The NYC public schools kindergarten application is open through Tuesday, 1/18. Apply through MySchools.nyc, by calling 718-935-2009, or at a Family Welcome Center.

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Enter the affordable housing lottery for 101 West End Ave.-- 26 studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms are available for applicants making between $73,200–$167,570. Apply by Thursday, 1/27.

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To address damage caused by Hurricane Ida, small businesses and nonprofits can get low-interest, federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the US Small Business Administration. Apply here under SBA declaration #17147.  

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Any arts and culture nonprofit can apply for NYS Council on the Arts capital project funding, which helps organizations address health and safety issues in their spaces and venues. Apply by Friday, 1/14. The Council is also hosting office hours this week to answer questions:

• Friday (12/10) at 11 am - register here

• Monday (12/13) at 11 am - register here

• Tuesday (12/14) at 3 pm - register here

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Applications are open on a rolling basis for Hate Crime Prevention Innovation Grants up to $20,000 from the Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes. Nonprofits, groups, academic institutions, and anyone 14+ can apply with creative proposals to stem hate that don’t involve law enforcement. Learn more and apply here.

Monday (12/13) at 1 pm is a virtual job fair for open managerial positions at a new hotel in Washington Heights, hosted in partnership with the NYC WorkForce1 Career Center. Learn more and register here.

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The YMCA is offering free lifeguard certification classes to anyone 16+. The Harlem Y class is a four-day intensive from 12/26–30, and the Vanderbilt Y class meets twice a week 1/3–2/25. Register for an upcoming pre-test, which will determine your eligibility to enroll in the course.  

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High school juniors and seniors can apply to Youth Construct’s free, six-month construction management training program beginning in January, which is followed by a paid summer internship at an established real estate firm. Apply here through the end of the year.

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The NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research is hiring for five research positions. Learn more here.

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An archive of historical documents about the Upper West Side Bloomingdale neighborhood is once again accessible to all at the NYPL Bloomingdale branch (150 W. 100th St.). The archives are maintained by the Bloomingdale Neighborhood History Group.

EVENTS

Tonight (12/9) at 6:30 pm, I’m co-hosting with State Senator Brian Kavanagh a virtual panel about 5 World Trade Center’s minimal affordable housing plan. The current proposal for 5WTC is a 1,325-unit building with only 330 affordable apartments-- we’re pushing for more. Join us on Zoom.

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Tonight (12/9) from 5:30–7:30 pm is the tree lighting outside the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building (163 W. 125th St.), featuring a visit from Santa, live musical performances, train rides, games, giveaways, and free hot chocolate.

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Tonight (12/9) at 6 pm, the free “Winter Concert: A Night of Latin American Composers and More” is hosted by the Hispanic Society Museum & Library at the American Academy of Arts and Letters (633 W. 156th St.).

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Friday (12/10) from noon – 2 pm is the final East Harlem pop-up holiday market (at Metropolitan Hospital main lobby, 1901 1st Ave. at 97th St.). There will be local vendors, artists, and musicians, hosted by the Union Settlement Business Development Center.

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Friday (12/10) at 6 pm is the Abingdon Square Conservancy tree lighting, featuring free cookies, cocoa, caroling, and a visit from Santa (W. 12th St./Hudson St./8th Ave.).

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Saturday (12/11) at 4 pm, watch figure skating performances and attend the tree lighting at Riverbank State Park (145th St. and Riverside Dr.), hosted by the Ice Theatre of New York.

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Wednesday (12/15) from 4–6 pm, the NYPD 28th precinct hosts a toy giveaway for kids 12 and younger (2271 Frederick Douglass Blvd.).

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Wednesday (12/15) from 5–8 pm, PSA 5 hosts a holiday dinner party in the Crystal Ballroom of Taino Towers (240 E. 123rd St., 4th floor). RSVP to ps5communitycouncil@gmail.com.

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Wednesday (12/15) at 6:30 pm, hear about Citi Bike’s upcoming expansion in Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and Hell’s Kitchen during a presentation from the NYC Dept. of Transportation at Community Board 4’s Transportation Committee virtual meeting. Register here.

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Wednesday (12/15) at 7 pm, State Senator Liz Kreuger hosts a virtual town hall, “Tis the Season to Beware of Scams: Learn to Protect Yourself Against the Most Common Phone and Internet Scams.” The NYS Attorney General’s statewide elder abuse coordinator will present on the most common scams. Click the title to register.

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Next Thursday (12/16) at 10 am, testify about your experience with the November general election during a virtual hearing organized by the NYC Campaign Finance Board. Register here.

Omicron’s Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios
A new, highly contagious variant could have terrible consequences. But if it ends up causing milder symptoms than Delta, there’s a real upside.
By Rachel Gutman, The Atlantic, Dec. 1, 2021

Why Didn’t the U.S. Detect Omicron Cases Sooner?
Genomic surveillance has improved enormously in recent months, but the system has built-in delays, and blind spots remain.
By Emily Anthes, NY Times, Dec. 2, 2021

Coronavirus testing for travel is complicated. Here’s some up-to-date guidance.
By Sunny Fitzgerald, Washington Post, Dec. 2, 2021

Increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection associated with emergence of the Omicron variant in South Africa, Dec. 2, 2021
A new pre-print study (not yet peer-reviewed) released by South African scientists this week suggests that Omicron is three times more likely to reinfect people, and has a “substantial ability to evade immunity from prior infection.” Reinfection may also partially explain how the variant has spread. 

How to know if omicron is as scary as it seems
These 5 leading indicators will help experts figure out how much of a threat omicron really is.
By Dylan Scott, vox.com, Dec. 2, 2021

How the Omicron Variant Got So Many Scary Mutations So Quickly
The numerous changes in the coronavirus’s spike protein could have arisen in an isolated population or an immunocompromised person, or in animals.
By Sarah Wild, Scientific American, Dec. 3, 2021

Make rapid tests actually free, not kinda-sorta free.
Biden’s plan to expand at-home Covid-19 tests is a step forward, but it’s needlessly complicated.
By Dr. Jeremy Faust, Inside Medicine, Dec. 3, 2021

F.D.A. authorizes Eli Lilly antibody treatment for high-risk young children.
by Rebecca Robbins, NY Times, Dec. 3, 2021

The most-vaccinated big counties in America are beating the worst of the coronavirus
By Aaron Blake, Washington Post, Dec. 4, 2021 

British vaccine developer Sarah Gilbert says next pandemic ‘could be worse’ than coronavirus
By Annabelle Timsit, Washington Post, Dec. 6, 2021 

CDC issues ‘very high’ risk warning for travel to France and Portugal
By Hannah Knowles, Washington Post, Dec. 6, 2021

First lab results show omicron has ‘much more extensive escape’ from antibodies than previous variants
“The first in-depth laboratory study of the omicron variant of the coronavirus offers a mixed bag of bad news and good news. The bad: This variant is extremely slippery. [but] there’s still some protection afforded against the virus. And it suggests that booster shots could be key in the battle with the variant...”
By Carolyn Y. Johnson and Joel Achenbach, Washington Post, Dec. 7, 2021

Two years into this pandemic, the world is dangerously unprepared for the next one, report says
By Lena H. Sun, Washington Post, Dec. 8 2021

As always, get in touch if you have a problem or concern we can help address: 212-669-8300 or info@manhattanbp.nyc.gov.