What You Need to Know About New York State Localized Zone Restrictions
COVID-19 continues to spread in New York City (NYC) with concerning increases in community transmission in certain neighborhoods. New York State (NYS)’s cluster action initiative requires restrictions in zones identified by the State as having increased transmission. Zones can be red, orange or yellow, with each color having different restrictions. To find your zone, visit nyc.gov/covidzone
COVID-19 is a severe respiratory syndrome and infectious disease. Its symptoms include but are not limited to fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell. However, not all people have symptoms when they have COVID-19.
Know how it spreads:
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
Symptoms
People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus and commonly include:
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fever
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
This list is not all inclusive. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Older adults may show confusion or disorientation and experience falls.
Antibodies are proteins in your blood that fight infections. The COVID-19 antibody test is a blood test to find antibodies. The test is taken through a finger prick or blood draw. A positive test for antibodies is not necessarily an indication of immunity.
You should get an antibody test if you:
DON'T have COVID-19 symptoms
HAVEN'T been sick in the last two weeks
HAVEN'T tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks
Why should you get tested?
You'll know if you had COVID-19.
You'll help develop research for vaccines and other ways to fight the virus.
Where can I get tested?
In Queens
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Woodside
50-53 Newtown Road
Woodside, NY 11377
M-F: 9 am - 3:30 pm
How long do results take?
Results take about 24 hours for antibody testing at NYC Health + Hospitals and the Gotham Community Health Center sites.
Do I need insurance?
No, antibody testing is FREE at NYC Health + Hospitals acute care facilities and the Gotham Community Health Center sites.
Privacy
All your information is confidential.
Stay Safe
Wash Your Hands Often
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.
It’s especially important to wash:
before eating or preparing food,
touching your face and after leaving a public place.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid Close Contact Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others
You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
The mask is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
Clean and Disinfect
Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
Monitor Your Health
Daily
Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
Face Coverings
People that have no symptoms can still spread COVID-19.
A face covering or mask can help prevent COVID-19 from spreading.
A state order requires everyone to wear a face covering when outside their home if unable to maintain 6 feet of distance from others.
It is strongly recommend wearing a face covering as much as possible when you are with other people in an indoor setting that is not your home, even if 6 feet of distance can be maintained.
What Is a Face Covering?
A well-secured paper or cloth that covers your nose and mouth. Examples include: a bandana or scarf.
Care Instructions
Cloth face covering: Wash once a day by hand or machine using detergent. Wear only when dry.
Paper face covering: Reusable until it becomes damaged, dirty, or wet.
New York City will continue distributing face coverings in parks, DOE Grab & Go meal sites, NYCHA buildings, some Mitchell-Lama buildings, grocery stores, and during social distancing enforcement.
Mental Health & Wellness
Take care of your mental health
You may experience increased stress during this pandemic. Fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions.
NYC Well
An infectious illness outbreak such as this one can be stressful to you, your loved ones, and your friends. It is natural to feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, and afraid, or to experience other symptoms of distress, such as trouble sleeping. To reduce your stress and to manage the situation more resiliently, try to remain positive, remind yourself of your strengths, connect with friends and loved ones and use healthy coping skills. NYC Well's website offers a number of well-being and emotional support applications (apps) that can help you cope.
If your symptoms of stress become overwhelming, reach out for support and help. You can contact NYC Well, a confidential 24/7 helpline, staffed by trained counselors. They can provide brief counseling and referrals to care in over 200 languages.
New York State is partnering with Headspace, a global leader in mindfulness and meditation, to offer free meditation and mindfulness content for all New Yorkers as a mental health resource for residents coping with the unprecedented public health crisis. New Yorkers can access a collection of science-backed, evidence-based guided meditations, along with at-home mindful workouts, sleep and kids content to help address rising stress and anxiety at www.headspace.com/ny.
Call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.
Get Help Immediately
If you experience significant changes in your energy level, eating patterns, or sleeping patterns, difficulty concentrating on normal tasks, prolonged and overwhelming worry and hopelessness, or thoughts of self-injury or suicide, seek immediate help at the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1- 800-273-TALK (8255), text Got5 to 741741. 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish, or Lifeline Crisis Chat
Call 911
Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish), or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746. Spanish speakers from Puerto Rico can text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663.
Food FoodHelp NYC
Map of free food resources across the city, including food pantries and Grab & Go meals at NYC Schools, available for all children or adults in need.
ACCESS HRA
To sign up for SNAP benefits or cash assistance from home.
HelpNowNYC
For ways to donate food, cash, or supplies to those in need.
NYC Food Delivery Assistance
If you cannot go out to get food, no one can bring you food, and you are not able to use private delivery options, New York City will deliver emergency meals to you in the coming days. Check your eligibility and sign up.
New York City will reopen in phases when the region has met all seven metrics outlined by the Governor's Office, as well as the three additional metrics outlined by the Mayor's Office.
If you are unclear which phase your business is included in, you can use this tool to check. These guidelines and requirements may change, so please check the New York Forward site regularly.
If you have any questions, you can call their hotline, 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).
You can also visit nycsmallbizcourses.eventbrite.com and search "Reopening Guidelines" to sign up for an upcoming webinar to learn about State requirements, recommendations, and resources available to help businesses reopen in NYC.
Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical careimmediately:
Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
What to Do If You Are Sick
If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19. Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider.
Keep track of your symptoms.
If you have an emergency warning sign(including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately.
Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick
Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.
Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
Separate yourself from other people
As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home. If possible, you should use a separate bathroom. If you need to be around other people or animals in or outside of the home, wear a mask.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, or other symptoms.
Follow care instructions from your healthcare provider and local health department. Your local health authorities may give instructions on checking your symptoms and reporting information.
What we know about MIS-C
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. We do not yet know what causes MIS-C. However, we know that many children with MIS-C had the virus that causes COVID-19, or had been around someone with COVID-19. MIS-C can be serious, even deadly, but most children who were diagnosed with this condition have gotten better with medical care.
Although we have begun a new year, we are still facing some old problems - especially the severe COVID pandemic. Seniors remain particularly vulnerable, and many are disadvantaged and in need of support. In today's episode, we feature two important organizations dedicated to helping this population.
India Home is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the Indian and more extensive South Asian senior citizen immigrant community. Started in 2007 by a group of healthcare professionals, India Home provides social, psychological, recreational, and spiritual services in a culturally sensitive environment.
Although all of their senior centers are currently closed because of COVID-19, they continue to assist seniors. Now, they provide home-delivered meals to more than 100 seniors regularly. These meals are both culturally compatible and prepared according to the individual's specific dietary needs. Also, they provide groceries to those seniors who can cook for themselves. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 700 seniors have benefited from these services.
Staff members from India Home regularly check in with all their seniors, providing case management over the phone. They are also continuously expanding their online class offerings for yoga, meditation, and creative aging.
Also, they provide essential COVID-19 PPE to the community.
Since 1974, Sunnyside Community Services has supported a diverse community of over 16,000 people of all ethnicities and income levels throughout Queens. They offer programs that range from pre-K to college and career readiness, home care and home health aide training, and a full range of services for at-risk older adults. These include social adult day care for individuals with Alzheimer's and a city-wide program of supportive services for those who care for them.
Be Aware of your surroundings and report suspicious behavior or potential threats. If you have information about possible terrorism, call 1-888-NYCSAFE (623-7233)
Call 911 to report an emergency related to terrorist activity. Call 311 to provide info about suspected terrorist activity.
QPTV Hometown Winners
QPTV received six 2020 Hometown Media Awards from the Alliance for Community Media Foundation. The awards program was established to honor and promote community media and local cable programs that are distributed on Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) access cable television channels.
Avoid Close Contact
Monitor Your Health 
