Dear NY-9 community,

I know there is a lot of anxiety surrounding the spread of the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, and I want to assure you that I am closely monitoring the risk to our community. I’m in regular contact with local health and public safety officials to make sure we’re doing everything we can to protect the health, economic security, and safety of every Brooklynite.

We are all on high alert and I know that you are worried about your family, your job, your home. But the best way for us to protect ourselves and our neighbors is to stay informed, and I hope you’ll find these resources helpful as you figure out the next steps for you and your family.

Despite everything, I’m so encouraged by the extraordinary efforts our first responders, medical professionals, and public health experts have taken to abate this pandemic. If we exercise caution and look after each other, we’ll get through this together.

I urge you to stay home if you can and practice social distancing to keep the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions safe. If you have a neighbor or loved one who’s at risk right now, call or text them to check in.

Let’s do all that we can to keep ourselves and others safe and let’s keep the faith.

Below you will find a list of resources from local, state, and federal agencies that are being updated regularly with the latest information. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the campaign on social media if you have additional resources to share or want to drop us a note.

In this together,

— Yvette

The webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you believe you have COVID-19 or another medical condition, please contact a qualified health provider.

Critical Health Information:

We encourage you to take these basic steps to protect yourselves and others from spreading the virus:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you are sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.

If you believe that you or a loved one is sick, stay home, and call your doctor. Most illness caused by coronavirus is manageable at home. Please do not rush to a hospital to be tested for COVID-19. The healthcare system is overwhelmed and health care professionals are asking everyone to stay home if it is safe to do so. If your symptoms do not improve in 3-4 days, contact your doctor. Read more guidance here.

Other Resources:

  • BUSINESSES: Assistance & Guidance for Businesses Impacted Due to Novel Coronavirus
  • CITY LIFE: More information about closures, rules, support, and services.
  • EDUCATION: NYC Department of Education – Coronavirus Updates
    • The New York City Department of Education is committed to making three free meals available daily for all NYC children. Learn more here.
  • EMPLOYMENT: Resources for those who may be unemployed due to COVID-19
  • FOOD: Find your local food bank.
  • HOUSING: Housing Information and Services
  • PRICE GOUGING: Report price gouging by calling 311.
  • CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION: Updated services
    • For USCIS emergencies, individuals may call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283.
  • INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: COVID-19 Traveler Information
    • To reach the State Department Emergency Hotline, please call 1-888-407-4747 (U.S. & Canada) or 202-501-4444 (Overseas). For passport issues and emergency appointments, please call 1-877-487-2778. After hours, please call 202-647-4000.
  • COVID RELIEF PAYMENTS: To contact the IRS please call 800-829-1040 (individuals) or 800-829-4933 (businesses).
  • SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES: To contact the SBA regarding the disaster loan assistance program, please call 1-800-877-8339 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. To reach the Small Business Administration answer desk, please call 800-827-5722.
  • HEALTHCARE RESOURCES: For mental health assistance, please call 888-NYC-WELL (888-692-9355), Text “WELL” to 65173 or visit NYC.gov/nycwell.
  • UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE: To apply for unemployment assistance, please visit: labor.ny.gov.
  • SENIOR ASSISTANCE: To contact Social Security services directly, please call: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). For COVID-specific question regarding Social Security, please visit: www.ssa.gov/coronavirus.
  • FOOD ASSISTANCE: For food assistance visit: NYC.gov/GetFood or www.schools.nyc.gov/freemeals
  • DOMESTIC AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE RESOURCES: If you are a victim of domestic or gender based violence, please call the 24-hour hotline at: 800-621-4673. You can also call the Brooklyn office of the NYC Family Justice Center at: 718-250-5113. For other resources, please visit: www.nyc.gov/NYCHOPE

For updates from the city, you can call 1-888-364-3065 or text COVID to 692 692 to receive updates. To get the updates en español, envíe el mensaje COVIDESP a 692-692. You can also call the New York State Department of Health’s Novel Corona Virus Hotline 24-hour hotline at 1-888-364-3065. You can sign up for email updates from New York State by clicking here. 

If you would like to help your fellow New Yorkers weather this crisis, find out how to volunteer or assist relief efforts.

Please check these resources regularly — the spread of the virus and its impact on our community are constantly changing and it is important for you to have the latest information.

For the latest updates on Yvette’s work during COVID-19, please visit our press page.

RECENT PRESS