presented by Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance

April 7th, 2020

Quotes of Day

A message from Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance...

Helping Main Street through the
Coronavirus Shutdown

Day 23 of shutdown – Tuesday April 7, 2020

The Coronavirus economic shutdown is on day 23.  One of the big issues continues to be the confusion regarding SBA loans and stimulus and local banks being overwhelmed with applications for the Payroll Protection Program.  More outreach is needed on the community level to access these resources.   Folks should take advantage of the SBA webinars available in the coming days. 

The stories of community level philanthropy are coming from all over heartwarming and we will profile at least one each day today check out Caroll’s Kitchen in Huntington Station.  

Here are some updates for today:

• Governor Cuomo held his daily briefing today and he covered the status of Coronavirus cases in the state as well as planning for economic recovery.

• Over 30 downtowns participated in today’s LI Main Street Alliance Nassau & Suffolk conference calls and key issues were access to SBA programs, food insecurity, unemployment and keeping spirits up amidst economic dislocation.   Main Street leaders are banding together with creative ideas to celebrate Easter, support their neighbors and their small businesses.
The community profiled today is the City of Glen Cove

• The LI Main Street Alliances “We Are Open” Facebook page is now live sharing all of the local businesses still operating in 40 local communities. Like it and share it and most importantly support your Main Street.

• The biggest issue is getting access to the two key SBA programs.  Here is information directly from them:
For detailed information on SBA programs for the coronavirus, please visit www.sba.gov/coronavirus and for information on all federal programs, visit www.usa.gov/coronavirus or www.gobierno.usa.gov/coronavirus (en Español).
We know you are facing challenging times in this current health crisis. The U.S. Small Business Administration is committed to help bring relief to small businesses and nonprofit organizations suffering because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the CARES Act, which provided additional assistance for small business owners and non-profits, including the opportunity to get up to a $10,000 Advance on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). This Advance may be available even if your EIDL application was declined or is still pending, and will be forgiven.
If you wish to apply for the Advance on your EIDL, please visit www.SBA.gov/Disaster as soon as possible to fill out a new, streamlined application. In order to qualify for the Advance, you need to submit this new application even if you previously submitted an EIDL application. Applying for the Advance will not impact the status or slow your existing application.
Also, we encourage you to subscribe to email updates via www.SBA.gov/Updates and follow us on Twitter at @SBAgov for the latest news on available SBA resources and services. If you need additional assistance, you can find your local SBA office and resource partners at www.SBA.gov/LocalAssistance. If you have questions, you may also call 1-800-659-2955.

• Here is a direct link to the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program
Folks have been scrambling to see where their bank is regarding the SBA’s Payroll Protection Program – here is a list of the most active SBA lenders.

• Unemployment is still one of the most critical issues facing tens of thousands of Long Islanders.   Here is the latest guidance from the NYS Department of Labor regarding their backlog.

• Nassau County DA Madeline Singas has a Coronavirus scam hotline.

• Seeking inspiration at home?  Here is a listing of 2500 virtual museum tours.

• It goes without saying that the front line providers in health care, police, ambulance, food services and many others are working round the clock and are the true heroes in this.

At 7pm tonight fire departments and communities islandwide will shout out to all of the frontline providers selflessly assisting their neighbors.

Participate in the "Letters to Our Heroes" initiative!  Families can send emails (or scan letters or artwork) to show their support for our first responders, doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who are helping to control the COVID-19 outbreak and keep our communities healthy. You can email them to: LSchaefer@NassauCountyNY.gov  

The SBA sites and webinars and NYS DOL unemployment websites continue to be overloaded with requests.  SBA webinars have been filled to capacity.  The 311 call center in Suffolk, the call lines in Nassau as well and every Town, Village and community organizations are taking enormous amount of calls to answer questions and guide residents to resources where they are available.

For the small businesses that are still open there is a movement to continue to support them and keep them operating.  To their credit that is largely happening in most downtowns across Long Island. 

As we head into the fourth week of shutdown please think about supporting your local businesses at least once if not multiple times.    We have spoken to over 400 local business in over 40 downtown communities and they need your help.

RECENT NEWS FROM GOVERNMENT

• Senator Schumer’s release on $2 trillion Federal rescue package with $112 billion headed to NYS

• Governor Cuomo’s April 7th message

• Nassau County Executive Laura Curran’s April 7th message

• Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone’s April 7th message

• Lupinacci Orders Flags to Half-Staff to Honor Former Elected Officials, Huntington Hospital Nurse and Other Lives Lost

• Town of Huntington to Close Tennis Courts, Crab Meadow Golf Course Monday

• Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin calls for National Medical Disaster System resources to be deployed in the Town.

• A message from the desk of Farmingdale Mayor Ralph Ekstrand

• A message from Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro

• The Village of Great Neck Plaza's most recent newsletter

• Village of Babylon's Village Hall Offices will be Closed April 6th to April 20th

• The Village of Valley Stream is Supporting Small Business

• Cedarhurst will Sound Sirens in Support of First Responders and Healthcare Workers on April 7th at 7:00 pm

• Updated NYS guidance document on essential vs nonessential businesses.

RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS

• US Senator Kristin Gillibrand has provided this thorough Q&A on the CARES Act.

• The US Chamber of Commerce has produced a guide to the SBA’s Payroll Protection Program which is very useful.

• The US Senate has provided this resource guide for small businesses and the CARES act.

• A Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act.

• The NYS Department of Labor has instituted a new system to spread out applications.  Check out the PSA that explains their new guidelines to get folks their benefits.

• The SBA Paycheck Protection Program is an important program and details are coming forward.

• With the passage last Friday of the CARES Act, small business owners and nonprofits can get up to a $10,000 advance on an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

• Also check the Suffolk Chambers and Nassau Chambers website for important news and links.
Newsday and the LIA hosted a webinar with NYS SBDC and you can check it out here

• The LI Main Street Alliances “We Are Open” Facebook page is now live sharing all of the local businesses still operating in 40 local communities.   Like it and share it and most importantly support your Main Street.

• The Suffolk County online Coronavirus case tracker is back up and running.

• Our friends at LISTnet have a Coronavirus support page.

• National Federation of Independent Businesses is holding webinars on small business loans and has videos of past ones on their site.

• If you are in the construction industry here is a very thoughtful webinar from the KOW consulting group on changes underway.

• Updated information regarding REVISED SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan application can be found here.

• SBA's Coronavirus landing page has been updated as well, and has important information including on the SBA Bridge Loan Program

• Property and casualty insurance premiums were waived for small business

• The Small Business Association announced an automatic deferment for loans from previous disasters

• All nonessential construction is shutdown

• Updated NYS guidance document on essential vs nonessential businesses

• NYS has developed a Shared Work program for folks to apply for partial unemployment to supplement a reduced work schedule

• Dining Bonds created to help local small businesses

• The free New York State business advisement services of the Small Business Centers at Stony Brook University and Farmingdale are also available to assist

• Facebook has grants for small businesses

• Kiva has grants for small business

• Amazon has a grant fund for small business

• Verizon has set up a small business recovery fund

• SCORE Long Island is available to assist businesses with their SBA applications

• Read the Editorial from Stuart Richner of the Herald calling for a Small Business Stimulus to lead us into the recovery.

• Here is a video with Leg. William Doc Spencer on safely supporting Main Street businesses

• Rose Walker visited local downtowns to remind residents to patronize businesses that are struggling right now.

• Legislator Laura Schaefer has a series of videos on her Facebook page promoting takeout and delivery to independent small businesses.  Here is one for West Hempstead.

• Nassau County Minority Affairs Director Lionel Chitty provides an update on small business disaster loans.

• If you are searching for hand sanitizer for your organization, community or business you can order a batch here at reasonable prices.

• Nassau County and Suffolk County are surveying small businesses: The Nassau County survey is here.  The Suffolk County survey is here.

• LI Business News and Newsday have done a great job reporting on the need to support local businesses.  Here are a couple of recent stories spotlighting downtown businesses and the LI Main Street Alliance members:

Eating on the Run at LIBN
Survey of Downtown Businesses Shows Potential Closurees at Newsday
How to keep the money from the federal small business bailout at Crane's New York (Subscription required)

RESOURCES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT / SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

• The NYS Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has weblinks for assistance here.

• FEMA Emergency Grants for local governments and service organizations

COVID-19 Guidance: Procurements Under Grants During Periods of Emergency or Exigency

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides financial assistance to states, territories, tribes, local governments, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and other non-Federal entities. All FEMA grant programs are subject to the Federal procurement standards found at 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.317 – 200.326.

This 1-hour training will help participants understand how to properly contract during emergency or exigent circumstances when using federal funds.

Target Audience:
State, local, and tribal emergency management personnel, houses of worship, and private nonprofit entities; Public Assistance applicants

Topics include:
Sole sourcing under Emergency or Exigency (E&E); additional procurement under grant requirements under E&E; use of pre-existing contracts during E&E

Delivery Format:
Online training trough Adobe Connect. If you have never used this platform, test your connection in advance here.

Training dates and access information are provided below.

FEMA Region 2 (NJ, NY, PR, VI) Training Schedule:

4/8/2020 - 9:30 AM (EDT) - Phone Number: 1-888-270-9936 - Access Code: 101-7496
4/10/2020 - 9:30 AM (EDT) - Phone Number: 1-888-270-9936 - Access Code: 101-7496

https://www.fema.gov/procurement-disaster-assistance-team

• New grant resource for folks who provide meals to children from No Kid Hungry

• If you are a school providing meals during the Coronavirus crisis grants are available.

BILLS BILLS BILLS

• Some tips on bills you need to pay and some that you don’t as this crisis gets prolonged

• The IRS has created a Q&A page with information on what you need to do with your taxes

• Up to date information in accessing unemployment from NYS DOL

• Status of accessing unemployment with 1000% increase in requests

• If you filed for unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic, you do not need to prove you are searching for employment to make a claim. Department of Labor Commissioner Reardon has signed a new order that limits all work search activities for all unemployment claimants. No activities are required during the pandemic to receive unemployment benefits.

• Life Insurance payments deferred - For a 90-day period, New Yorkers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 may defer paying life insurance premiums. Late payments will be payable over a one-year period. Additionally, consumers and small businesses experiencing Coronavirus-related financial hardship may defer paying premiums for property and casualty insurance for a 60-day period. This includes auto, homeowners, renters and other kinds of insurance. (No late fees will be assessed and there will be no negative impact to your credit.)

• Pharmacies will now offer free home delivery to New Yorkers. All NYS major pharmacy chains, pharmacies have agreed to offer free home delivery to help reduce long lines for prescriptions at their facilities

• PSEG has a Coronavirus page that is updated regularly

• There is now a 90 day waiver on mortgage payments which is a relief to the thousands of Long Islanders that had those bills hanging over their head during an extended forced shutdown.

• Freddie Mac is prohibiting evictions on properties where their loans are in place

• All NYS Department of Motor Vehicles licenses, ID’s and registrations are extended.   All offices closed and transactions are shifted to online service.

• AT&T suspends collection activities during the Coronavirus crisis

• PSEG Long Island Halts Service Shut Offs

• National Grid Halts Service Shut Offs

• Verizon Suspends Collection Activities

• Geico postponed collectons during Coronavirus shutdown

• Folks can check out this stimulus calculator that tells you what you might receive in the form of a direct payment from the Federal government.

• You may be able to temporarily stop making your student loan payments.

• If you are struggling with various bills to pay and worry about automatic payments from your bank account here is guidance on how to stop them.

HUMAN NEEDS

• Folks need Food: If you are in need of food Island Harvest has their food locater and is working round the clock to continue supplies to those in need

• Domestic Violence is up 10%:  Many experts in the area of domestic violence prevention have pointed out lately that Isolation and unemployment are a recipe for disaster in a household with a history of intimate partner violence. If you need help, contact the Safe Center 24/7 at 516-542-0404 or the NY Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline at 800-942-6906. If you are in any personal crisis, you can also call the Long Island Crisis Center 24/7 hotline at 516-679-1111.

• How is your mental health? A mental health hotline is available to New Yorkers who need it. We can't underestimate the impact this pandemic is having on mental health. Over 6,000 mental health professionals have volunteered their time to help with New York's Coronavirus response. For free emotional support, consultation and referral to a provider, call 1-844-863-9314

• If you are pregnant?  Many pregnant women and their families are facing uncertainty about what the COVID-19 outbreak means for their ability to have a safe, supported delivery in Nassau County hospitals.   In response to these concerns, Nassau County has launched a hotline: 516-4UR-CARE. Pregnant patients can call this line and get answers and advice about how to have a safe childbirth under COVID-19 conditions.

• Salvation Army has a Coronavirus hotline for their services of food, counseling and other emergency services

• Stay Clean - NYS is supplying their hand sanitizer to front line providers on an as need basis.   Here is the request form.

• New York State has a Coronavirus hotline and website for information or to schedule a test.  Please call 888-364-3065 or navigate here.

• If you lost your health care, NYS has reopened its health exchange.

• If you are a Senior check out the AARP Thursday conference call with info on social security, tax deadlines and other services.

• If you are a Veteran and struggling through these difficult times you can have virtual Coffee with a Veteran each day at noon until Apr 30.   Email Dave-rogers1969@live.com to sign up.

HELP NEEDED

• Island Harvest is seeking food donations from commercial food establishments impacted by the coronavirus.

• Blood donations are needed: The New York Blood Center said it is in urgent need of donors, since coronavirus concerns have resulted in "critically low blood and platelet appointments" across Long Island. The NYBC has six centers in Nassau and Suffolk and said safety protocols are in place as they urge healthy individuals, who have not been exposed to coronavirus, to donate. The NYBC said if you are unsure if you can donate, you can ask their experts at 800-688-0900 or navigate to their webpage here.

St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center is calling for people to make appointments to donate blood.

• Nassau & Suffolk County need Emergency Personal protective Equipment – Drive is underway.   Info is here.

• New York is calling for qualified health professionals and related professionals to supplement hospital capacity on a temporary basis to help treat seriously ill coronavirus patients.

HELP WANTED

• Tens of thousands of Long Islanders are out of work.   There are many service industry positions seeking temporary or permanent employment.   Here are some:

7-11 (looking to add 20,000 jobs)
Aldi (5,000 open positions)
Amazon (looking to add 100,000 employees)
CVS (looking to hire 50,000 employees)
Dollar Tree/Family Dollar (25,000 full- and part-time associates)
Domino’s (looking to hire up to 10,000 employees)
Pepsi (bring another 6,000 people on board)
Pizza Hut (over 30,000 open positions)
ShopRite
Stop & Shop
Walgreens (fill roughly 9,500 full- and part-time positions)
Walmart (adding 150,000 temporary positions)

General Listings:

Indeed
Long Island's Craigslist
New York Jobs
Simply Hired

• If someone is looking for a procurement opportunity through the state you can fill out this form here.

• If someone is looking for a procurement opportunity with the federal government check out this source

HOME & STIR CRAZY

• If you are stir crazy with kids at home the Cradle of Aviation uses a video service to bring the museum to residents.

• Bored at home?  East End Arts is providing virtual access to artists.

• The Staller Center for the Arts has a virtual tour of  many instruments and their outreach activities

• Folks are at home with their families and children for extended periods.   It’s important to know how to talk to your kids about Coronavirus so they don’t think we are living in an episode of the Walking Dead.  Here is also some guidance from PBS.

• If you are trying to figure out what to do at home with your kid while they have very limited hours with their teachers online.  Western Suffolk BOCES has produced an online toolkit for learning.

An added bonus to the toolkit is an activity with Mo Willems, Author of “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” and many other cool stories

• If you are searching for something to do with your kids Chocolate Works has Easter kits.  For every one you buy they will donate one to a local food pantry.

• Turn off your Zoom call once you are done.

• Bored at home - Fifty libraries in Nassau County now offer digital cards, allowing residents to explore their hometown library's book, music and art collections online from the comfort of their couch.

• How to make your own face mask.

• How to make homemade disinfectant spray and wipes.

• Check out a virtual landscape art exhibit from the Westbury Arts Council

• Always wanted to learn to play guitar but never had time?  Fender is giving free lessons from the next three months.

INNOVATION UNDERWAY

• Folks are answering Governor Cuomo’s call for ventilators, masks:

The Business Incubator Association has created an invitation to ventilate.   

The LI Racing Association folks have a go fund me page to increase production of their reusable n95 masks.

A Long Island Distillery is making hand sanitizer.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORTATION & SUSTAINABILITY

• SUEZ – who manages Nassau’s major sewage treatment plants in Cedar Creek and Bay Park is urging residents to NOT flush wipes down the toilet but instead place in garbage.  

• One benefit of Coronavirus: traffic is down and more folks walking, biking

• Environmental regulation impacted as EPA Suspended all Environmental Rules

• PSEG Long Island Continues to Storm-Harden the Grid

• MTA Distributes N95 Masks to Heroic Workforce

• MTA Announces Virtual Board Meeting to Be Held on April 22

• LIPA provides update on coordination plan and current projects and initiative

• NICE buses in Nassau County will switch to a reduced schedule beginning April 5th. The service will operate on a Saturday schedule from Monday-Saturday, and Sunday service will be unchanged. This does not apply to the Elmont Flexi Shuttle, the Mercy Medical Community Shuttle, the Port Washington Shuttle, and the n19, n57, and n80 routes, which will all continue to run normally

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

• Nassau County Map of updates from Across the County

• Suffolk County Map of confirmed Coronavirus cases

• Thinking Globally?   Here is a website documenting the world impact of Coronavirus.

• Thomas Friedman wrote a thoughtful opinion piece on how to get the economy back on track without sacrificing public health.

• Inspirational op-ed from LIBN editor Joe Dowd

• Gary Labarbara from the NYS Building Trades Council speaks about safety for construction workers.

• Celebrities have time on their hands and are letting us know how they feel including Ben Stiller, Danny Devito, Cardi B, Robert Deniro and Madonna encouraging folks to stay home.  Sean Penn was looking to send in the military.  Arnold Schwartzeneger was telling folks to stay home while smoking a cigar in his hot tub, Neil Diamond even wrote a song called “Hands Washing Hands” sung to the tune of Sweet Caroline.

HOW CAN I HELP?

There are more than 80,000 unemployed in NY but there are many more as folks can't or haven’t navigated the system for benefits to date.

That is not simply an eye catching statistic but real people with lives upended.

For the folks that are still working I hope you are:

1) humble, sober and aware of the fact that right now millions of americans are in pain,
2) if you have resources to help local folks - patronize open small businesses to limit further job loss,
3) donate to local food pantries,
4) donate other resources directly to real people you may know in need and
5) if you have resources to give to groups make it very local groups who are on the ground and getting them needed help in this time.

CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY

• We are starting to see some Corporate Philanthropy develop that has been missing through this crisis.   Stay tuned for a more thorough report.

Locally
- The Long Island Community Foundation has set up a Coronavirus fund for community services and organizations.
- Pink Tie and the LI Nets have developed a Pink Tie delivers program – more on that in the coming days.
- Trader Joe’s has been making donations to local food pantries
- Verizon has set up a small business recovery fund.
- The Long Island East End Group purchased 15,000 masks for distribution to front line providers.
- The Estée Lauder Companies provided 10,000 hand sanitizer bottles (8 ounces each) per week for 4-5 weeks
- Long Island Ambulatory Surgery Center donated a Ventilator
- In addition the United Way, The Townwide Fund of Huntington and the 1763 Foundation are all raising money to distribute to folks that meet their guidelines.  

Nationally
- JP Morgan Chase has committed $50 million
- Lowes has announced $25 million in grants and in-kind donations
- Citi Foundation has announced a $15 million fund
- Google has announced $15 million in cash grants
- Citizens Bank has announced $5 million
- Anna Wintour has set up a fund for folks in the fashion industry who are displaced.
- A number of grants for displaced local artists are starting to emerge
- Bank of America has dedicated a $100 million fund nationwide.

• The United Way has a fund to assist low income wage earners who were either (1) laid off or (2) furloughed from their jobs due to COVID-19.  People can search for assistance here.

There is still a dearth of real community level information and tons of questions from folks stay tuned daily for updates on the range of actions taken to get us through this public health and economic crisis. 

We need you out there to tell is what is happening and what resources are available.   No matter what please join the LI Main Street Alliance by emailing us at ea@visionlongisland.org or call 631-804-9128.  

You can read previous editions of Long Island Main Street News here.

IMPORTANT WEBSITES TO TRACK:

Northwell Health Digital Resource Center

The US Small Business Administration

New York State Department of Labor

NYS Department of Health

CDC Website

Occupational Safety and Health

New York City

Nassau County

Suffolk County

Town of Hempstead

Town of North Hempstead

Town of Oyster Bay

Town of Babylon

Town of Brookhaven

Town of East Hampton

Town of Huntington

Town of Islip

Town of Riverhead

Town of Shelter Island

Town of Smithtown

Town of Southampton

Town of Southold

City of Glen Cove

City of Long Beach

MTA Information

School Closings

AARP's Updates on the Coronavirus

Island Harvest's Food Pantry Tracker

Suffolk County Alliance of Chamber's Disaster Relief Information

Global Dashboard of Infection Data

Worldometers Coronavirus totals in the US

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Watch us on YouTube

Join us on LinkedIn

View us on Instagram

Visit our website

Reports from Local Downtowns

At this time of uncertainty, we are beginning to see a number of downtowns being shuttered as bars, restaurants, and any place where multiple people congregate are running up against fears of and caution at spreading the Coronavirus. While this is a socially responsible action that will help to save lives, in the short term these actions are having a number of adverse effects on our local communities.

Vision Long Island and Long Island Main Street Alliance members have collected a number of experiences from local restaurants and service businesses, but before we go into that we would like to encourage everyone reading this to find a way to responsibly patronize local establishments. Many stores are offering curbside pickup or online shopping to help them get through this difficult time. And your favorite restaurants are also currently open for business with takeout available.

We also urge you to consider gift cards in order to purchase something at a later date for yourself, or perhaps to give as a present.

Local shops are in a capable position to provide you with what you need in the short-term. Many will also be willing to accommodate you if you contact them ahead of time with requests that will minimize contact and help to lower the spread of this virus.

Vision has connected to nearly 400 small businesses in over 40 downtowns as they weather the economic storm through the Coronavirus. We encourage people to responsibly patronize these and other open establishments who need your help in this time of crisis.

Many of these businesses have been there for local organizations and philanthropy - they now need our support.

In the meantime, here is the featured downtown for today.

For a complete list of downtowns we've been to and what's still open, please check out our website here.

The City of Glen Cove

Day 22 of the Coronavirus shutdown takes us up to the City of Glen Cove.

The City of Glen Cove has undergone over two decades of revitalization efforts from its waterfront to its core downtown. In recent years multifamily housing, a renovated movie theatre, shared office suites and new restaurants including a craft beer establishment have brought street life back to Glen Street. The City has great infrastructure including two downtown parking garages, walkable amenities like a library, senior center, catering facility, public space and the summer Downtown Sounds program organized by the City's Business Improvement District.

If course this Coronavirus shutdown has hurt the community like every other but they are pulling together. The BID and the City are promoting the businesses that are open and the effort of the downtown restaurants feeding the Glen Cove hospital staff is heartwarming as well.

Creative ideas like the "Spring Egg Hunt To Go" replacing the big event done at their park also continue community spirit during these times.

"Many of our local businesses are currently open. Please support them where you can. I want to thank our local grocery stores for remaining open and I want to say a special thanks to the employees who come to work every day despite the risk." Mayor Tim Tenke, City of Glen Cove.

Here are the Downtown Restaurants Open for Takeout/Delivery:

La Famiglia Pizzeria & Restaurant: 516-759-7549, 5 School St.
Restaurant delivery or delivery by Uber Eats & Slice

Andros Grill: 516-674-3888, 61 Glen St.
Delivery by Eat Street, Door Dash, Eat 24, Grubhub, Slice and Beyond Menu

Downtown Café: 516-759-2233, 4 School Street
Takeout/delivery. Delivery also by Grub Hub, Slice and ordersnapp

Meritage Wine Bar: 516-801-0055, 90 School Street
Takeout or Delivery, Doordash, Uber Eats

Jade Fortune: 516-671-7272, 36 Glen Street, takeout and delivery

El Tazumal: 516-674-9465, 6 Glen Street
Take out/delivery

Jr’s Deli: 516-674-3380, 67 Glen Street, takeout
Dominick Pizza: 516-674-4743, 65 Glen Street, takeout and delivery

Thaiana: 516-218-9814, 63 Glen Street, takeout/delivery
Delivery also through: Grub Hub, Ubereats, Beyond Menu

Glen Cove Deli: 516-609-0252, 35 Glen Street
Takeout/Delivery

Henry’s Confectionary: 516-671-3222, 8 Glen Street
Takeout/ Doordash

Machu Picchu: 516-759-1382, 15 Bridge Street
Takeout/Delivery

Edible Arrangements: 516 582-4000, 64 School Street
Takeout/Delivery

American Café: 516-656-0003, 5 School Street
Take Out/Delivery

Noble Savage: 516-953-9175, 27 Glen Street
Delivery only, Thursday-Sunday, 3-8 p.m.

Simpliciti Cafe: 516-801-1468, 17 Bridge St.

Curbside Pickup/Delivery/UberEats, Grubhub

Communites Helping Communities: Carroll's Kitchen

In a bit of good news, Suffolk County Legislator William Doc Spencer has highlighted local charity Carrol’s Kitchen, which is now working to create affordable meals for delivery to those in need.

The company is the brainchild of Ryan Carroll and James Destasio, who launched the nonprofit after they both lost their jobs as chefs.  Since then they have launched Carroll’s Kitchen along with a number of out-of-work restaurant workers who got to cooking in order to help those in need.  They use proceeds from those meals along with money raised from a Go Fund Me page to help out those in need across Long Island.

To help get the word out about their new organization, they recently joined with Legislator Doc Spenver and Legislator Tom Donnelly, Pastor Dan Rivera, and Reverend Kim Gaines from Helping Hand Mission to bring meals to Huntington Station.  They all participated in a grab-and-go event at the Huntington Assembly of God to provide 250 hot meals to residents in need.

We applaud the efforts of these people giving back to members of the community at a time when it’s needed the most.  We hope that they, and more like them, can keep local residents fed in this time of crisis.

You can view their Facebook page and menus here.

Cuomo talks about the Flattening Curve and what is Needed for an Economic Restart

Governor Cuomo began his latest update by talking about the numbers of newly hospitalized patients of the COVID virus.  While the number rose today from yesterday, the three day average shows a decline in new patients.  Daily ICU and intubation numbers are also down while the discharge rate remains fairly steady.  New York is currently projecting that they are reaching a plateau for the state, though it’s still in the early phases and things aren’t perfectly clear.

The unfortunate news is that 731 New Yorkers lost their lives yesterday, which is the largest single day increase since the pandemic began effecting the state.  The total number of New Yorkers who have died because of complications from COVID-19 now numbers 5,489.  Governor Cuomo noted that the number of deaths is a lagging indicator behind hospital admissions, so that number will not correspond directly to the plateau of cases.

Cuomo noted that the number of beds currently available in the hospital system is stable at the moment, partially due to new temporary hospitals being opened and a shrinking number of non-COVID patients.  He also noted that the Navy hospital ship Comfort has now been approved to treat COVID patients.

Unfortunately, hospital workers are being adversely affected because of the crisis.  Hospital staff are putting themselves and their families at risk every day during the fight while also having to work long hours.  The good news is that about 7,000 healthcare workers have entered the system, with the state drawing from a poll of returning workers and volunteers from out of state.  New York is currently on a tristate cooperative to help coordinate policies with this and in other regards.

Cuomo also spent time talking about how we can restart the economy after the virus and get to a way we can approach doing so regionally.  Testing will be a major component as that as we will need a way to quickly and accurately determine who previously had, currently has, or who never has had the virus.  New York is working with companies to approve and develop tests that can be deployed at large to determine who has the antibodies and is no longer contagious or susceptible to COVID-19.

Part of this will be bringing the testing capacity to scale quickly.  Cuomo pledged to work with both New Jersey and Connecticut to get testing deployed.  Private companies that have these tests and are interested in investments from the state can contact New York at 212-803-3100 or COVID19supplies@esd.ny.gov.

The Governor talked about the need for assistance on the federal level and called for the next round of federal legislation addressing this issue to fix the shortcomings of the previous bill.  Many state and local government budgets have simply collapsed due to the virus shutdown.  While Cuomo conceded that the past legislation does do good, it does not address New York’s needs.

Finally, Cuomo ended on a tone of understanding with how everyone has been living through a bizarre reality in the past 37 days.  But he also stressed the need to modulate our behavior in order to slow the spread and limit the number of deaths.  He talked about the 1918 Influenza Pandemic and how it peaked for six months with approximately 30,000 deaths.  He contrasted that with our current efforts and how the numbers are starting come down or level off after just 37 days.

He talked about how this time in history is about “we” and not “me” and what is good for all of us.  Our health is in each of our hands and we bear responsibility for ourselves and the healthcare workers who are on the frontlines every day.  We will get through this together if we stay smart and safe about it.

You can watch his full press conference here.

Paycheck Protection Program for Small Businesses Goes into Effect

The US Department of Treasury has released guidelines for small businesses seeking relief from payroll costs during the Coronavirus pandemic.  This program called the Paycheck Protection Program, will provide small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.

Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will also be deferred for six months. No collateral or personal guarantees are required. Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees.

Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease.  All loans under this program will have an interest rate of 0.5%, maturity of 2 years, be 100% guaranteed by the SBA, and the first payment will be deferred for 6 months.

Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees—including nonprofits, veterans organizations, tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, sole proprietorships, and independent contractors— are eligible. Businesses with more than 500 employees are eligible in certain industries.  Maximum loan amounts will be up to $10 million.
Qualifying small businesses and sole proprietorships will be apply to apply beginning this Friday, April 3rd.  Independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply beginning April 10th.  People are encouraged to apply as quickly as possible as there is a funding cap in place.

People can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating. All loans will have the same terms regardless of lender or borrower. A list of participating lenders as well as additional information and full terms can be found at www.sba.gov.

You can find more information on the loans here. You can read more at Long Island Business News.

Small Businesses Urged to Apply for SBA Loans

There are still a lot of questions in regards to the impact of the Federal aid package on small businesses.

Here is the latest fact sheets from US Congresswoman Kathleen Rice that outlines the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (here) and the SBA’s Paycheck Program Loan with the updated guidelines (here).  Congressman Lee Zeldin recently had an SBA representative encourage folks to apply for loans no matter what.

In the meantime, there has been an effort to encourage small businesses to work to apply for loans asap.  The LI Main Street Alliance and the Nassau & Suffolk Chambers are working to get information out to the small business community to help as much as possible.

Newsday and the LIA are both hosting, and will continue to host, video conferences on a range of business resources as well.

This past Friday morning, the Queens Chamber of Commerce hosted a webinar for businesses to learn how to apply for SBA loans.  Man-Li Lin, from the New York District office of the U.S. Small Business Administration presented information to explain how to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).  This information is subject to change as the situation remains fluid. The local Small Business Development Centers at Farmingdale State College (here) and Stony Brook University (here) will have new information as updates occur.

While SBA loans are typically only available for small businesses, during a declared national disaster, they are also available for private not for profit entities as well.  Most small businesses and non-profits are eligible except for businesses relating to gambling, religious organizations, investment or lending companies, charitable organizations, speculative activities, or agricultural enterprises. 

Loans of up to $2 million are available with no payments for 12 months.  They can be used to pay expenses such as fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, or other bills affected by the disaster.  Interest rates are 3.75% for businesses and 2.75% for private non-profits and long term repayments for COVID crisis will be 30 years.  Loans cannot be used for lost revenue, just for expenses.  Typically, businesses are not eligible if they are able to secure credit elsewhere.  However, they are currently allowing applications without denial letters from other lenders.

There is no cost to apply and no obligation to take the loan if it is offered.  The amount of the loan application should reflect six months of operating expenses.  Documentation of a typical months expenses is required.  Businesses are eligible even if they already have a previous SBA loan, disaster loan or other types of SBA loans.  Loans over $25000 require collateral, but won’t be denied simply for lack of collateral, they will require a pledge of what is available.  Criteria for approval will include eligibility, credit history and the ability to repay.
The application forms can be downloaded here.  Once the forms have been completed, they can be uploaded to the site or hardcopies mailed to:

US Small Business Administration

Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Ft. Worth, TX 76155-2243

You can also contact the SBA disaster customer service center at 1-800-659-2955, disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or TTY:1-800-877-8339.  They recommend email as the best way to get in touch with someone.  If applicants are receiving a 404 error, they recommend clearing your cache and trying again.

Don’t let the News take Control of your Life

The following op-ed was written by Fair Med Council CEO & Executive Director Jaci Clement, and originally appeared in Long Island Business News

Here’s the thing: You’re in control of the news you allow into your life.

That’s the most essential advice I can offer in this extraordinary time. It also happens to be the one thing about the media that the majority of the public doesn’t get.

No doubt, by now you’re suffering news and information fatigue from the 24/7 news coverage of the coronavirus. Truth is, this news cycle is just beginning to ramp up, as it follows a pandemic that has yet to hit its peak. (The two go hand-in-hand.) That means the time to get control over your news habit is right now.

You probably recall a simpler time, pre-Information Age, when you waited for the newspaper to hit your doorstep or you turned on the evening news to discover what was happening in the world. Fast forward to today, where the news follows you and provides an incessant white noise to fill your head with too much information. Left unchecked, it becomes the soundtrack of your life, which can be quite a dismal development, even in the best of times.

The good news is this: It’s actually quite easy to get your news habit in check.

To begin with, set limits on your exposure to news coverage. You don’t need to check the news every few minutes. The beauty of today’s news formats is that they repeat information throughout the day, and the Internet provides the news with infinite hang time. This lets you catch up on what’s happening and stops the news from invading your life. As a best practice, read your newspapers in the morning, check television news and the Internet at intervals throughout the day for updates.

If the fear of missing out is lurking in your subconscious, keep this in mind: In normal times, breaking news should be taken with a grain of salt. In a historic pandemic, the likelihood of the information that’s being reported as it happens will often change dramatically.

Why?

It’s less about the quality of the news media and more about the state of the situation: Authorities are trying their best to provide answers, but they themselves don’t know if they’re right. Social distancing started at three feet, then moved to six. The CDC now advises six-to-10 feet. The story evolves as more becomes known. Relax and treat breaking news like the 1.0 version of any app, where you know it will be full of bugs that will need to be worked out later.

Also, note this: If you’re watching cable news, and you’re now re-watching the same news being repeated, the reality is you’ve sat on the couch too long. Go get some exercise, talk to your kids, do anything but what you’re doing. Wait a few hours before you pick up the remote.

If your phone is your constant companion, you will be getting pinged each time a news outlet updates a Coronavirus story. Getting multiple pings doesn’t mean the world is ending faster than anticipated. It simply means each outlet is doing its job. Pay attention to the news, not the number of pings.

And, when it comes to social media, remember it’s the land of reaction and animal videos, not a reliable source of fact-checked information. So, unless you’re friends with a bunch of infectious disease experts, don’t go to Facebook for your news. Don’t share information from unnamed sources, or advice from people who aren’t recognized authorities. That’s what got people making hand sanitizer with vodka. (Spoiler alert: It doesn’t work.)

Break things down for yourself so it’s not you against “the media.” Tune in to reporters that you trust. Look for those who put their stories into perspective. A quality news report should make you feel armed with facts.

Last, but not least, pay attention to what the news is doing to your kids. While you may be setting limits on the amount of time they are online or watching television, you may not realize that news playing in the background is something they can actively absorb. While you may know images of people wearing facemasks are coming from remote places, a small child sees it happening in his or her living room. Be sure to talk to children about what’s happening and offer reassurance they are safe.

When all is said and done, the news should empower you. Don’t waste your time on anything less than that.

Upcoming Webinars for Small Businesses Seeking Relief Loans

While this process is still evolving, businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and provide all required documentationfor relief loans from the Small Business Administration. Representatives from the SBA will follow up with questions.

Webinars will be held to help guide businesses through the application process, the times are as follows:

April 8th, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Zoom link here, Phone number: 1-929-436-2866

April 14th, 12 pm to 1 pm. Zoom link here. Phone number: 1-929-436-2866

April 15th, 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Zoom link here. Phone number: 1-929-436-2866

April 16th, 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Zoom link here. Phone number: 1-929-436-2866

CDC Guidelines on Coronavirus Prevention

As concern about the ever-expanding impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) grows, we can minimize or prevent the spread of coronavirus by taking these steps:

These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.

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