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

April 13th, 2020

Quotes of Day

“I understand inter-governmental coordination can be somewhat of an oxymoron, but to the extent we can work with Connecticut and New Jersey and Rhode Island and Delaware and Pennsylvania, I want to.  While we're doing this, we have to remember to stay the course, and not jeopardize what we have achieved,"   - NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo

“We just made the decision to be the most equitable possible and remove all the barriers and to go fare free. Yes, it does have a major effect on our operating budget as we go forward… but, currently, right now, safety is the most important thing.” - NICE Bus CEO Jack Khzouz

“Like many ‘Hometowns’ we have banded together to help each other through, because it’s always in our darkest days that the Bethpage Light burns brightest! We pray for each other and all our friends and neighbors across the region to be strong, remain positive and stay well!“ - Teri Catapano Black, President, Bethpage Chamber of Commerce

"Over the last three weeks the chamber has launched a program to bring the Chamber and the Community together to support our essential workers, first responders and hard working small business owners.” - Richard Krug, President, East Meadow Chamber of Commerce.

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

Helping Main Street through the
Coronavirus Shutdown

Day 29 of shutdown – Monday April 13, 2020

The Coronavirus economic shutdown is on day 29.  One of the big news items of the day was the Governor’s announcement of strategies to reopen the economy and get people back to work.

There is still massive confusion regarding SBA loans and stimulus funds.  Local banks are overwhelmed with applications for the Payroll Protection Program with a number of stories of delays and confusion. 

More outreach with local officials who know their small business community is starting to happen on the main street level to access these resources.   NYS Senator Anna Kaplan hosted a webinar today and US Representative Kathleen Rice is hosting one tomorrow with SBA staff.

The LI Main Street Alliance will host one with the LI Director of the SBA on Wednesday so stay tuned for those details as well.  We encourage folks to take advantage of these and other 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 a print shop owner produce free we are open signs for local businesses in his community and adjacent downtowns.

Easter weekend and Passover week was spirited despite the shutdown with alternative visits by the easter bunny, socially distant egg hunts and virtual services.  We cover a round up of community driven activities.

Here are some updates:

• Governor Cuomo held his daily briefing today and he covered the status of Coronavirus cases in the state and strategies needed to reopen the economy. 

• Over 45 downtowns participated in this week’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 communities profiled today are downtown Bethpage and the hamlet of East Meadow.

• The LI Main Street Alliances “We're Open” Facebook page is now live sharing all of the local businesses still operating in 45 local communities. Like it and share it and most importantly support your Main Street.

• One of the biggest issues is still getting access to the two key SBA programs.  Very little outreach has been done to the small business community to help folks understand the benefits of these programs.  Here is the directly from the SBA:
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 our 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.  
The State Department of Labor will immediately begin making $600 in additional weekly unemployment benefits available to all New Yorkers from the federal CARES Act. This is significant because New York is the first state to be offering the benefits right away, and many other Americans won’t see these benefits for several weeks. New York is also extending the period covered by unemployment benefits for another 13 weeks, for a total of 39 weeks. A reminder for those who have difficulty enrolling for UI: any claim you file will be backdated to the date you became unemployed. If you are eligible, you will be paid all benefits due.
Here is the latest guidance from the NYS Department of Labor regarding their backlog.

• Support food for front line providers during the night shifts – There are many efforts during the day for food but night shift folks are not getting the meals as readily.  Some Main Street restaurants are stepping up to feed folks after hours – here is one Go Fund Me page from a Main Street business in Patchogue, assisting 7 hospitals!

• NY Blood Center and Mt. Sinai are looking for plasma donations from patients who have successfully recovered for COVID-19 for convalescent plasma treatments, here is the information:
NY Blood Center
While COVID has no proven treatment, it is possible that plasma taken from those who have recovered (convalescent plasma), which has antibodies against the virus, could help. If you had a positive test, AND your symptoms have been gone for 14 days, AND you are willing to DONATE, please complete and submit this form.
All information provided will be kept confidential and will only be used to qualify you as a donor.
Mount Sinai COVID-19 Plasma Donation
If you had COVID-19 and have recovered you can help save a life. Your blood may contain antibodies that fight the virus and can help critically ill people. Mount Sinai is looking to screen you as a volunteer. Please fill out this form to see if you are eligible.

• How is your mental health through this crisis?
Join Newsday’s Associate Editor Joye Brown for an informative discussion on mental health during the coronavirus pandemic with William C. Sanderson, PhD, Professor of psychology and Director of the Anxiety and Depression Clinic at Hofstra University and Ronald Brenner, MD, Chief of Behavioral Health Services at Catholic Health Services.
Tue, Apr 14, 2020 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM EDT
You can register here.

• Emails, fraudulent calls, and fake online ads are common tactics scammers are using to exploit the coronavirus, and the uneasiness everyone feels. While the Justice Department recently pledged a crackdown on these scams.  People’s United Bank has a page to  learn more about them.

• Worried about being evicted?  The Nassau/Suffolk Law Services has created an informative document on the existing rights of tenants through this crisis.

• Alfonso Castillo, Newsday’s transportation reporter did a nice profile on the challenges facing LI’s bus system that has been bringing essential workers to work and residents to health services. 

• 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 through this crisis.

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 wrap up this through this fourth week of shutdown please think about supporting your local businesses at least once if not multiple times.    We have spoken to well 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 13th message

• Nassau County Executive Laura Curran’s April 13th message

• Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone’s April 13th 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 Board Announce Economic Stimulus Plan to Help Workers Recover After COVID-19 Crisis – Pledge $40 Million Investment for Town Road Improvements

• North Hempstead is offering a way to pay taxes online as well as other resources for residents.

• The Village of Farmingdale will hold an online budget meeting tonight at 7:30 pm

• 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

• Updated NYS guidance document on essential vs nonessential businesses.

• PSEG Long Island is warning you to look out for scams and fraud feeding on the pandemic

• AT&T is providing updates to their COVID-19 response along with resources.

• US Senators Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand urge the Trump administration to protect frontline transit workers and update safety guidelines.

• Senator Schumer proposed a “Heroes Fund” of $25,000 for all first line responders as part of the newest Federal Stimulus package.

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 Federal Reserve unveiled the details of its Main Street lending program.
Here is a direct link to the Federal Reserve and initial documents.

• 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

• If you are at home do you dream about going back to your office or workplace?   If you are a boss or a manager here is what you should know from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration about making your workplace safe upon return.

• National Grid has created a targeted grants to help manufacturers who need assistance to develop new products or implement lean manufacturing, to produce critical items to support the pandemic response.

• Grants for Artists impacted by Coronavirus.

• Grants for Restaurant workers.

• The LI Herald has created a grant program that counts towards 50% discounts on advertising your business.

• 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

• Senator Schumer, Gillibrand and Congressional delegation deliver $18 million for housing and community development for Long Island’s Counties and local municipalities.

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

• Newsday has set up a page on their website for free messages for community organizations.   

• 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

• Supervisor Bosworth and the Town of North Hempstead launched a new program to provide our seniors with remote companionship during these isolating times. The “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program matches volunteers with seniors in the Project Independence program, and is designed to provide a sense of reassurance and comfort. To participate or to volunteer, call 311 or 516-869-6311

• Student loan borrowers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 can obtain relief for loans not covered by the CARES Act. Available relief includes 90 days of deferred monthly payments, waived late fees, no negative reporting to credit agencies and enrolling eligible borrowers in available long-term assistance programs. New York student loan borrowers should visit the Department of Financial Services' website at dfs.ny.gov for more information about available student loan relief.

• Resources for displaced bartenders.

• Resources for displaced hospitality workers.

• If you are an artist the NYS Foundation for the Arts has Emergency Grants.

• If you are a photographer there are small grants available.

• 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.

• Got credit card debt?  Here is an updated list of banks that are providing relief to customers affected by the Coronavirus.

• Got wireless bills?  AT&T and Verizon have given guidance on how to handle them – here is Sprint’s

• Auto insurance bills?  Many car insurance companies are providing discounts and credits to customers as a result of the dramatic reduction in driving that’s been taking place during the pandemic.  Check with your provider to see if they’re offering one, and if there are any steps you need to take in order to receive the discount.

• National Grid has updated information about their billing.

• Curious about the process for Federal Coronavirus Recovery Checks? The first round of federal relief payments began going out today, so if the federal government had your direct deposit information from a recent income tax filing, you should check your bank account!

• NYS has updated its essential list of businesses again. Check out the latest.

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.

• If you are a senior every Thursday AARP has a live Q and A call to help you manage the Coronavirus crisis.

• If you live in the Huntington area a very thorough Coronavirus Resource Guide is available from the Office of Legislator William Doc Spencer.

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 home and desperately trying to figure out what to do with your child that is remotely productive here are 16 simple things that count as learning.

• 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.

• Are you and your kids are glued to screens and losing your mind?   Here are 100 non electronic things you can do to keep your kids occupied during the lockdown.

• Do you miss Dinner and a movie?   The Cinema Arts Center offers free cooking videos to pair with your favorite independent films they can virtually screen.  Check out the story.
Here is the direct link.

• Need Chocolate Activity Kits for kids?  Chocolate Works provides Easter Bunny decorating kits, easter oreos and other home kits to make with you kids.   For every one you buy Pink Tie donates one to local food pantries in Hempstead and Medford!

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. 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

• Good news – in a throwback that was really just 45 days ago – here is a profile on the hamlet of Bay Shore and the benefits of their two decades work of revitalization.

• More Good news - Consensus emerging on the superblock project in the City of Long Beach due to collaboration with a local developer and community organizations.

• A Video session that speaks to Multifamily development weathering the storm better than other forms of development.   

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.

• Lots of social media chatter and online bullying regarding social distancing.  According to Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, NCPD received 700 calls with only 12 unfounded or easily resolved with a warning.   In Huntington Inspector William Scrima, commander of the Suffolk County Police Second Precinct said “We have gotten a number of calls about people and businesses who are not following social distancing guidelines. Many of the calls are unfounded, others are at businesses that people mistakenly believe are not designated essential.  We have encountered a few non-essential businesses that are open and a few gatherings of people in public areas. All have complied with the guidelines, when notified by our officers.”

• The Tourism industry has been severely impacted.  Here is a video with Kevin Wood from the Village of Port Jeff interviewing a representative from Danfords hotel.

• Do you care about your grocery store worker?   Check out RWDSU President Stuart Applebaum interviewed at the AFLCIO podcast on conditions for workers.

HOW CAN I HELP?

There are hundreds of thousands 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
- 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
- Owners of Shinn Estate Vineyards donate $100,000 to Eastern Long Island Hospitals
- LI Jobs with Justice Solidarity Fund
- 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.  
- The Long Island Chinese American Association volunteers, donated 10,000 masks and delivered lunch to first responders.
- Jim Hagedorn from Scotts Miracle-Gro donated $110,000 worth of protective equipment for first responders. 

• 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.

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.
- Verizon has set up a small business recovery fund.

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

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 over 425 small businesses in over 45 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 profiles, please check out our website here.

Easter Sunday

Day 28 of the Coronavirus economic shutdown was Easter Sunday and for many years this weekend would have Main Streets and local parks populated with Easter Bunnies giving out candy, Easter Egg hunts and other family gatherings. Chocolate shops and bakeries would be bustling with orders, churches would be filled and caterers were working overtime to handle family gatherings.

This year traditional Easter themed events were shut down but many villages and downtown districts found ways to keep the spirit alive.

In Valley Stream the Easter Bunny was at the park for folks to see but families stayed in their cars. In Lynbrook the Easter bunny delivered candy from a vehicle but no gathering was held. In Sayville the Easter bunny appeared on Saturday but from a safe distance.

An Easter Egg hunt continued in Huntington with an Egg Hunt Trail through Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington, Centerport and Northport. The City of Glen Cove held a "Spring Egg Hunt to Go". Lakeview held a virtual egg hunt. The Village of Port Jefferson held socially distant Easter Bunny events as well.

All sorts of individual acts of kindness happened. Anonymous folks painted rocks with rainbows and messages of hope and love and placed them at shops around Main Street in Northport.

There was private sector generosity too.... many local chocolatiers and bakeries made donations to folks in need. Chocolate Works in Plainview donated activity kits for the holiday to food pantries in Hempstead and Medford.

Many religious denominations found a way to connect their followers to services virtually. Families under stay at home orders found ways to connect to family members and friends. We can only speculate but a fair amount of praying has been happening given the health, economic and social stress and pain folks are going through.

Great to see the Easter spirit and the holiday spirit from all faiths keep Long Islanders going.

East Meadow

Day 27 of the Coronavirus economic shutdown brings us to the hamlet of East Meadow.

East Meadow is a thriving community with many small businesses serving a large population. The Chamber of Commerce, Council of East Meadow Community Organizations (Cemco), and fraternal organizations all collaborate with the library, school district and emergency services to serve the community. They have access to Nassau University Medical Center, multiple adjacent colleges and are home to Eisenhower Park which is the central park of Nassau County.

Before the Coronavirus the Chamber of Commerce would convene over 100 restaurants for a Culinary Delights fundraiser to show the diversity of offerings in the community.

After the Coronavirus like most community business districts many businesses are shuttered.

The residents and shopowners have come together in a number of charitable endeavors. Residents have pulled together to feed hospital workers and local food pantries. The Chamber is assisting as well

"Over the last three weeks the chamber has launched a program to bring the Chamber and the Community together to support our essential workers, first responders and hard working small business owners,” said Richard Krug, President, East Meadow Chamber of Commerce.

East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, also hopes to help local businesses stay afloat by letting them know about programs like the federal government’s Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

“We’ve been hosting virtual meetings to talk about the small business loan process and what that’s like,” said Richie Krug.

The Zoom videoconferences began as a way for chamber members to share ideas and how they’ve been coping during the pandemic. They have also encouraged the community to patronize the local businesses that are open.

Here is a selection of businesses that are open for takeout or delivery:

Amia’s Delicatessan & Catering
343 Merrick Ave
516-280-3157

Bagelicious
1864 Front Street
526-794-0552

The Bagel Place
487 Bellmore Ave
516-565-3917

Beverage Barn
2080 Front Street
516-794-4818

Borrelli’s Italian Family Restaurant
1580 Hempstead Turnpike
516-794-0190

Brooklyn Dip Burger
1850 Front Street
516-222-8000

Elisa’s Restaurant
2754 N. Jerusalem Rd.
516-679-4805

Frantoni’s Pizza
1928 Hempstead Tpke.
516-794-7878

The Greene Turtle
1740 Hempstead Tpke.
516-280-7251

The Halal Guys
2565 Hempstead Tpke
908-531-7224

La Novella Ristorante
364 East Meadow Ave
516-794-6248

Mama Theresa’s of East Meadow
2411 Hempstead Tpke.
516-520-5556

Margarita’s Café
1868 Front St.
516-745-0033

Pecosa Bakery
2055 Front St
516-794-0630

Pietro’ Pizza & Italian Restaurant
476 East Meadow Ave
516-794-8820

Qdoba Mexican Eats
2160 Hempstead Tpke
516-743-9890

RC Dugan’s
2314 Hempstead Tpke
516-520-0325

Ryan’s Wines
1897 Front Street
516-962-8250

Sal’s Lunch Box
2000 Hempstead Tpke
516-263-0344

Sobel East Meadow
2332 Hempstead Tpke
516-622-3355

Spice & Curry Kebab & Grill
2238 Hempstead Tpke
516-279-4654

Texas Roadhouse
2571 Hempstead Tpke
516-520-7427

Village of Bethpage

Friday Day 26 of the Coronavirus economic shutdown takes is to downtown Bethpage.

Bethpage is a tight knit community that features strong schools, a plethora of community, business and service organizations, local parks and Bethpage State Park. Their downtown business district is at a scale to service their immediate community and has commercial development and housing clustered in walking distance to their active train station.

In recent years they have been working successfully with NYS and other levels of government to fight pollution from the former Grumman facility. Simultaneously there has been an effort to revitalize their downtown and train station area led by the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce and Bethpage Community Council.
With the emergence of the Coronavirus crisis Bethpage continues to band together during these past several challenging weeks.

While many businesses are shuttered and working remotely, the streets are often lively with ‘socially distant’ walkers and bicyclists as they make their way around normally bustling streets and pathways to the adjacent Bethpage State Park.

The Chamber of Commerce strives to be a conduit of information to promote the restaurants and delicatessens that are open for take out and delivery, as well as constantly updating our members of the ever changing landscape of programs and loans available to small business owners.

Many groups and organizations band together to help out those in need. BK Sweeney’s partnered with Campagne House, Pappardelles Pizza, The Bethpage Fire Department, Ciminelli’s Pizza, C21 Catapano Homes, Zorn’s of Bethpage, Broadway Deli and the Lostritto Family of Steel Equities in running ‘Operation Hope’ which is an ongoing event to collect food and money for the food pantry of St. Martin of Tours Ministry, where there is so much need in these trying times.

Many clubs and organizations such as Kiwanis and the Bethpage Community Council and Bethpage School District all helped to promote and get the word out.

There have been other initiatives such as Pappardelles Pizza’s ‘Feeding First Responders’ and countless other random acts of kindness and collections.

“Like many ‘Hometowns’ we have banded together to help each other through, because it’s always in our darkest days that the Bethpage Light burns brightest! We pray for each other and all our friends and neighbors across the region to be strong, remain positive and stay well, “ said Teri Catapano Black, President, Bethpage Chamber of Commerce

Here are some of the independent businesses that remain open for takeout and delivery:

A&A Italian Deli
BK Sweeneys
Broadway Deli
Burguritos
Campagne House
Central Ave. Gourmet Deli
China 3
China Inn
Ciminelli's Pizza
Gino's of Bethpage
Hawaiian Kitchen
One Eyed Jack's
Opa Grill
Pappardelle's
Pinata's
Stuff a Bagel
Thai Flavors Kitchen
Villa Maria Pizzeria
Vincent's Pizza
Zorn's

Print Shop Making Signs for Open Businesses

Agora Graphics, a Bohemia based custom print production house, understands the importance of signs, and have been giving them away.

“For small businesses across the world, the COVD-19 crisis has presented a set of challenges unlike any other. As a grassroots business ourselves, we fully understand the stress of uncertainty, but we’ve decided to channel our energy towards a more positive end,” the Company explains.

 In order to help small businesses on Long Island’s Main Streets, the company has been providing WE ARE OPEN banners to local restaurants. Sales representatives Larry Farrell and Marc Zeller visited over 200 restaurants, dropping off signs for windows and doors.  They traveled through Bay Shore, Patchogue, Hauppauge, Ronkonkoma, Nesconset, Smithtown and Commack.

 “Every business was quite grateful and after driving past a couple of days later, the vast majority were displaying the signs as intended,” Larry Farrell observed.

If any business wants a sign, they are still available. Simply register on the company’s webpage and a free WE ARE OPEN vinyl sign will be shipped.  

“It's just our small way of paying back to our local Main Street businesses,” Farrell says. The Company’s generosity is their way of giving back to the community they proudly call home.

Kudos to the entire team at Agora Graphics.

Governor Cuomo Briefs on Progress in fight against Coronavirus, Plans to Re-Open Economy

Governor Cuomo’s hit a few key points in his briefing earlier today:

• The numbers show that the curve is beginning to flatten and that we are at the beginning of a plateau, but unclear how long that will last before decline.

• Total number of hospitalizations is falling as is the net change in ICU admissions.

• Intubations are also falling, which is good news as that is usually the worst case scenario.

• NYC and Long Island remain hot spots though they are stabilizing.

• Unfortunately, people are still dying, with 671 new deaths reported on Easter Sunday, driving the total number of deaths to 10,056 New Yorkers.

• New York remains the most affected state in the US by the numbers.

• Reopening is a concern, but it will be a delicate balance and no one really knows how to do it since this situation is unprecedented.

• Warning signs are there from other countries that have tried to reopen and seen a spike in cases.

• Objectives will be to ease isolation, increase economic activity, recalibrate “essential worker” economy, apply more testing and precautions, and putting safeguards in place to not increase infection rates.

• The reopening plan will be designed by experts and designed with New York and geographic neighbors to coordinate economic, transportation, schools, and other institutions to work in concert.

• Will need help from the federal government to reopen.

• This has been an extraordinary point in history and efforts are working but we need to stay the course to honor all of those who are making sacrifices for the good of all of us during this time.

You can watch Governor Cuomo’s full briefing from today here.

Here is Governor Cuomo’s message from yesterday, printed from his official website:

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced he will issue an Executive Order directing employers to provide essential workers with cloth or surgical masks free of charge to wear when directly interacting with the public.

Governor Cuomo also announced he will issue an Executive Order to expand eligibility of individuals to conduct antibody tests to help ensure as many New Yorkers as possible have access to antibody testing as the state continues to bring this critical testing to scale. The State previously provided labs with the flexibility to allow more workers to do testing for COVID-19; this executive order expands that authority so the same workers can perform antibody tests.

The Governor also joined National Governors Association Chair, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan in a bipartisan effort calling for $500 billion in aid to states. The federal CARES Act contained zero funding to offset drastic state revenue shortfalls. The Governor also reiterated his call for the Federal government to repeal SALT.

Earlier today, Governor Cuomo returned ventilators to the Pathways Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Niskayuna. Pathways Nursing home made an unsolicited contribution of these lifesaving machines to New York State as part of the ongoing efforts against COVID-19. The Governor also delivered cookies for staff and nursing home residents baked by his daughters.

"The big question for everyone right now is when do we reopen the economy, but first we need to make sure we have a smart, safe and coordinated plan in place to do it without risking public health," Governor Cuomo said. "The keys to reopening the economy are continuing to limit the spread of the virus and ramping up antibody testing. I am going to issue two executive orders - one directing employers to provide essential workers with a mask to wear when they are interacting with the public, and one to expand the number of people who are eligible to conduct the antibody test. These measures will be key to getting people back to work and making sure they are protected when they do go back."

Finally, the Governor confirmed 8,236 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 188,694 confirmed cases in New York State.

NICE Bus and Suffolk Transit still Transporting Riders during time of Crisis

In spite of the risk in the ongoing health crisis, NICE Bus and Suffolk transit are both still providing much-needed services to riders during the pandemic.

Even with a shrinking in the numbers of daily riders, NICE bus is still seeing about a third of its usual riders and Suffolk Transit about half.  At the same time, Long Island Railroad has lost almost 97% of its usual ridership.  These numbers seemingly demonstrate a need for the bus system for workers who are on the frontlines of the epidemic and providing needed services.

“They’re grocery store workers. They’re home health care aides. They’re the kind of people who need to be on the bus, and their work requires them to physically be somewhere,” said Nick Sifuentes, executive director for Tri-State Transportation Director.  “These are the folks who are the most exposed on the front lines of the crisis.”

The average bus rider has a household income less than $50,000, making the need to retain their jobs even more necessary as the economic crisis deepens.

NICE Bus is also working to keep drivers separated from riders with the first six rows roped off with riders entering the bus at the rear of the vehicle.  They will also monitor to see if a route is starting to become crowded and will dispatch extra buses to try and keep too many riders from boarding the same vehicle.  Finally, NICE Bus has suspended the needs for fares so as to minimize contact while Suffolk Transit is encouraging riders to use its app to pay before boarding.  Both systems are also disinfecting busses on a regular basis.

“We just made the decision to be the most equitable possible and remove all the barriers and to go fare free,” said NICE Bus CEO Jack Khzouz. “Yes, it does have a major effect on our operating budget as we go forward … but, currently, right now, safety is the most important thing.”

You can read more at Newsday.

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.

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 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

US Representative Kathleen Rice to host Informational Conference Call with SBA on April 14th

Please join Representative Kathleen Rice for an Informational Conference Call with the Small Business Administration tomorrow, Tuesday, April 14th, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon.

To join in the conference call please dial 516-517-4848.  Long Island SBA Branch Manager Robert Piechots will be available to answer questions about your concerns with the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program.

 If you have any questions, please contact Representative Rice’s Garden City Office at NY04.RSVP@mail,house.gov or (516) 739-3008.

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.

Our Daily Sponsor

Cronin & Cronin Law Firm, PLLC

Cronin & Cronin specializes in Tax Certiorari, protesting the real property tax assessments and condemnation for commercial properties throughout New York State. They have over 75 years of legal experience in New York State.

Theirr success in the field of Tax Certiorari is due to their reputation for honesty, integrity and excellence. Because of their reputation, as well as their extensive knowledge and years of experience in property matters, they have established a positive relationship with the various municipalities.