THE DEUTSCH REPORT: COVID-19 Updates and Passover Information

Here are some COVID-19 updates:

1. Governor Cuomo announced today that hospitalization rates are slowing down, although statewide deaths are up today, after two days of holding steady. With G-d's help, this could mean we may see a decrease in deaths in the next few days. Either way, data proves that social distancing is slowing down infection rates, which is a positive sign.

2. Mayor de Blasio announced this morning that the number of patients requiring urgent medical care has slowed down, which reflects the data shift that the Governor is seeing statewide.

3. I've been constantly in touch with the Governor's office regarding the struggle to file for unemployment, and I received the following updates just a few hours ago:

4. I am working closely with funeral home directors and the Department of Health to ensure that the process for obtaining death certificates and burial approval is rapid and streamlined. The DOH has already assigned more personnel to death registration, to ensure that there is no significant wait time.

We must continue to remain vigilant and careful in the face of this COVID-19 outbreak. It's been nearly a month of isolation and quarantine for many, and I understand that it's an extremely stressful situation. That said, we cannot afford to be lax about personal safety precautions and social distancing. Please see the letter I wrote below, along with more than 30 prominent community and spiritual leaders.

Also below is an update for our veteran community, as well as some Pesach/Passover Sanitation information.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Dear Veterans Community,

I hope you and your family are continuing to stay healthy and safe during this challenging time.

With the number of veterans with coronavirus at the VA Harbor Healthcare System and the Bronx VA Medical Center increasing, it remains one of my top priorities ensuring veterans remain safe and informed; therefore I’m writing to update you on items that may affect you.

Recently, the VA asked veterans to help lead our communities in practicing social distancing from other people. As those who served our nation, it’s important to step-up once again and show families and neighbors what leadership looks like. Additionally, new studies are showing that pre-symptomatic people may be infectious, so New York City is advising everyone to wear face coverings when outside and near people to help prevent spreading COVID to others.

Our office received several inquiries regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) opening local VA hospitals to non-veterans. We reached out and were informed FEMA had asked the VA to open 50 beds (35 acute care and 15 intensive care) within the NY VA Harbor Healthcare System for non-COVID patients. We’re told only a handful of beds are currently being used and that it would not impact veteran care.

As such, VA hospitals are open and continue to receive veterans for inpatient and outpatient services, however the majority of outpatient clinics have moved to telehealth appointments. Veterans are asked to call their local VA medical center or doctor before going to a clinic or emergency room. Veterans are also being asked to register on the My HealtheVet system for secure messaging with doctors and obtaining medication refills. For help in registering on My HealtheVet, visit the VA’s quick guide.

If a veteran has a cold, cough, flu-like symptoms or believe they have a viral illness, they can call the VA’s Nurse Triage at 1-800-877-6976. This number is open 24-hours a day for virtual care and support; and is staffed with live VA clinicians ready to provide assessments of medical conditions.

Again, VA hospitals are screening all patients, visitors and employees so allow for extra time if visiting. Visitors and children under 18 are no longer permitted to enter the VA hospitals or clinics unless there is an end-of-life situation; or if the visitor is a caregiver and the patient rely on the caregiver for transportation, mobility or consent. This includes emergency room visits.

For the latest information regarding coronavirus, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or the New York City Department of Health coronavirus’ page.

The VA announced that all veterans’ benefits and services provided to veterans, families and survivors will continue to be delivered throughout the duration of this crisis and all VA Regional Offices, including the New York Regional Office, will remain open. However, they are closed to the public. If you need information regarding benefits, visit the VA’s website or call (800) 827-1000.

Veterans can still file a claim for benefits, including Compensation & Pension (disability) claims, as well as extensions, by contacting their local Veteran Service Organization (VSO), legal provider or reaching out to the NY State Division of Veterans Services call center at (888) 838-7697.

The VA also announced that as a result of the COVID outbreak, it’s suspending all actions on veteran debts under the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department; as well as suspending collection action or extending repayment terms on preexisting VA debts, whichever the veteran prefers. To make arrangements for a benefit debt, veterans can contact the VA Debt Management Center at 1-800-827-0648. For health care debt, veterans should contact the Health Resource Center at 1-800-827-4817.

Continued self-care is very important. Many veterans, particularly those with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) can experience social withdrawal and isolation. When you see yourself demonstrating this behavior, it's important to remember to reach out to friends and family members, connect with fellow veterans, get proper sleep, eat healthy food and get exercise.

For additional mental health resources, ThriveNYC is now offering a list of mental health support New Yorkers can access while staying home, including NYC Well. You can also reach out to Make the Connection or the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Center at NYU Langone and as always, if you find yourself in crisis, you can talk to someone 24-hours a day, 7 days a week by calling the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, press 1.

Finally, my office has been in continuous contact with the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) Commissioner and his team. They’ve informed us that while in-person community engagement at their Veterans Resource Centers throughout the five boroughs has been suspended, you can still reach out to them for constituent services and general guidance on where to locate services. They can be reached either by e-mail at: connect@veterans.nyc.gov or by calling 212-416-5250. Additionally, VetConnectNYC is still open to connect veterans to organizations that provide services; and you can also visit DVS’s COVID-19 Resource page for additional services.

I will continue to provide updates as the need arises and if you have any questions, please reach out. I know this outbreak is hard on all of us and our loved ones, but I have confidence in the resiliency of New Yorkers. We will all get through this together and we will come out stronger.

Thanks to Assemblymember Helene Weinstein, supplemental containers have been placed in the following local locations through Wednesday, April 8th:

Extra collections will be occurring beginning this evening (Tuesday, April 7th). Please place trash outside as early as possible. Be patient - DSNY is short-staffed because of COVID, and they are doing their best to get to all locations.

My friends,