NYC Dept. of Veterans Services Newsletter

On Wednesday, November 18th, NYC reached a 3% test positivity rate for COVID-19 and, as a result, the NYC Department of Education temporarily closed all public school buildings for in-person learning. Beginning Thursday, November 19th, all students who were learning in school buildings part of the week will transition to remote learning every day. If your child needs a device or technical support for remote learning, call the NYC DOE IT Help Desk at 718-935-5100 and press 5 to get assistance. Learn more about school closures due to the rise of COVID-19 here.

On Wednesday, November 19th, Governor Andrew Cuomo stated that New York City will face greater restrictions on businesses, houses of worship, and gatherings should its positivity rate reach 3%. Later that day, the American death toll surpassed 250,000.

Responding to the Second Wave

"This city doesn't back down from a fight. We didn't at the beginning of this pandemic and we won't now. This moment is a real challenge, but it's one that we can and will overcome - together." - Mayor Bill De Blasio

Below are ways you can help NYC fight back against the second wave:

• Get tested for COVID-19 whether or not you have been symptoms. Regular testing can help identify the virus sooner and, since many carriers are asymptomatic, getting tested is the only way to know if you are actively spreading COVID-19. Free testing is available to all New Yorkers. Find a free testing site here.

• In an effort to prevent the virus from spreading, Contact Tracers with the NYC Test and Trace Corps call every New Yorker who has tested positive or who has been exposed to COVID-19. Please answer the phone if you get a call from:

          - NYC Test+Trace
          - A phone number beginning with 212-540-XXXX or 212-242-XXXX

• Stay home as much as you can.

• Wear a mask whenever you're outside the home. The CDC states that wearing a mask protects the wearer from infection and prevents the virus from spreading. The CDC recommends wearing non-valved, multi-layer cloth masks. 

• If you have to go outdoors, stay six feet apart from others. 

• DON'T travel or go to places where the virus can be particularly infectious - such as indoor gatherings, bars, gyms, restaurants, cafes, and hotels.

• Do not travel this holiday season. Traveling right now puts you, your family, and your community at risk of getting sick and spreading COVID-19. If you must travel, plan ahead, take precautions, and be prepared to quarantine. Learn more here.

• Please avoid gatherings this Holiday season, skip in-person dinners, and opt for virtual gatherings with your family.

• Get your flu shot if you haven't already. Learn where to get a free flu shot here. If you are enrolled in a VA healthcare system, you can get a no-cost flu shot at a VA medical facility or in-network community location. Learn more. 

• Download COVID Alert NY, the mobile contact tracing app. The app provides exposure alerts if you were in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.