Photo Credit: Stephanie Keith/Bloomberg
February 28, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sabrina Rezzy
rezzys@nyassembly.gov
718-940-0428
State To Lift School Mask Mandate on March 2

amid the Coronavirus pandemic

NYS To Establish Mobile Medication Units; NYC Will Lift Mask Mandates in Schools & Vaccine Mandates for Indoor Dining & Entertainment on March 7; and More!
RODNEYSE IN THE NEWS
  • Pix11 - Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn is honored as an 'influential Black woman in politics'. Watch above, and view on YouTube here.
  • BKReader - ‘My Son Did Not Die in Vain:’ BK Pols March for Affordable Maternal Healthcare. Read more here.
  • eparchitalk podcast- Celebrating Black Leaders: A Conversation with Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. Listen here.
  • Caribbean Today - Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's US Supreme Court Nomination Welcomed in the Caribbean Community. Read more here.
  • Brooklyn Daily Eagle - Brooklyn officials hail Judge Jackson's nomination to US Supreme Court. Read more here.
STATE GOVERNMENT
Photo credit: Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
  • Governor Hochul announced a plan to end the state mask requirement for schools starting on Wednesday March 2, 2022. The plan includes children 2 years and older in childcare facilities. Read more here.
  • Counties and cities may still require masks in school, and parents and guardians may still choose to send children to school in masks.
  • Statewide mask requirement still in effect at:
  • State regulated healthcare settings
  • State regulated adult care facilities and nursing homes
  • Correctional facilities
  • Homeless shelters
  • Domestic violence shelters
  • buses and bus stations, trains and train station, subways and subway stations, planes and airports.
  • The governor signed an executive order to direct all New York State agencies and authorities to review and divest public funds from Russia.
  • This is following Russia's attack on the sovereign nation of Ukraine. Read more here.
  • Governor Hochul announced the availability of up to $1 million to establish mobile medication units
  • These units will provide medications to treat substance use disorder. Read more here.
CITY GOVERNMENT
Photo credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
  • Mayor Adams announced the following changes regarding masks and vaccines:
  • Vaccine passports are no longer required starting March 7.
  • School mask will no longer be required starting March 7. Read more here.
  • The mayor will make a determination on whether to lift the Key2NYC on Friday March 4.
  • The Key2NYC requires vaccines for restaurants, gyms and entertainment venues. Read more here.
  • After ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the mayor announced that NYC is seeking to rebuild the economy by providing more opportunities to Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and women. Read more here.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Photo credit: Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press
  • President Biden has selected Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee to the Supreme Court, replacing Justice Stephen Breyer following his retirement. Read more here.
  • The Capitol’s Office of Attending Physician Dr. Brian P. Monahan announced that masks will be optional for Capital Hill leaders as Congress’ return to Washington since the rate of positive COVID tests have decreased. Read more here.
  • The International Crime Court will open an investigation into Russia for potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.
  • President Biden said today that Americans do not need to be worried about a nuclear war, after Russian President Vladimir Putin put his nuclear forces on high alert on Sunday.
  • More live updates here.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Tuesday March 1, 2022 is the last day to apply to middle school. Submitting your child’s application by the deadline is your best chance at getting an offer to a program you choose!
  • Log in to your MySchools.nyc account to explore your child’s middle school options.
  • Add up to 12 program choices to your application. Put choices in your true order of preference, with your favorite program as #1. There is no better strategy. 
  • Apply one of the following ways: 
  • Online at MySchools.nyc ––Recommended!
  • Through your child’s current school counselor (for public DOE or charter school families) or a Family Welcome Center(for private or parochial school families)
The city-run vaccine site at Flatbush YMCA (1401 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210) will be closing on March 13th, 2022
  • The site will be temporarily replaced with a mobile vaccine unit starting on March 14th, 2022.
BROOKLYN TESTING SITES
COVID-19 VACCINATION SITES
If you or someone you love would like to schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit here or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).
New York State is partnering with counties to provide in-home vaccinations for those who can't travel to a vaccine provider for medical or nonmedical reasons.

COVID VACCINE SCAM ALERT
DON'T FORGET YOUR MASK
MUTUAL AID NYC FOOD RESOURCES
Mutual Aid NYC is providing food assistance, resources, and other services. To get more information call their hotline at which you can call at 646-437-8080.
NYC SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE NETWORK
The NYC Small Business Resource Network is a unique private/public partnership that provides our local businesses with the free, personalized guidance they need right now to survive the pandemic. If you have a small business, you can sign up for this network today.

Once you fill out the brief intake form, you will be matched with a business support specialist. Through this program, all five borough Chambers of Commerce have specialists offering one-on-one support to businesses in their boroughs.
 
The program is funded by a $2.8 million grant from the New York City-based Peter G. Peterson Foundation and supported by in-kind contributions from other partners, this collaboration, led by the Partnership for New York City, the NYC Economic Development Corporation and all five Chambers of Commerce, leverages the city’s corporate, financial and professional services sectors, as well as universities, philanthropies and expert volunteers to help small business owners gain access to a range of programs and services.
COVID-19 RAPID TESTING BROOKLYN LOCATIONS
STOP THE SPREAD
WEARING FACE COVERINGS
AVOID SCAMS
Photo Credit: Pixabay/CDC
  • Notify NYC: Beware of COVID-19 scams!
  • Report price gouging to 311 or NYC.gov/dcwp. You can also file a complaint to the Attorney General's office by filling out a complaint form.
  • NYS Price Gouging Hotline: 800-697-1220.
  • CDC staff will NOT go door-to-door. If you experience this, call 911.
SERVICES AND RESOURCES
Photo Credit: Ansi.org
Due to the impact of COVID-19 on New York City's workforce, the City of New York has developed a list of resources for those who may be unemployed due to COVID-19 or are seeking additional assistance. The list below will be updated frequently.

It has information on the following categories:
  • Employment Resources
  • Food Assistance
  • Health & Medical Assistance
  • Financial Assistance
  • Rent Arrears and Public Assistance
  • Emotional Support & Spiritual Care
  • Other Assistance

Visit this website for resources.

NYS Department of Health Hotline for people who want to be assessed and get appointment for test (888-364-3065). NYC residents should call (844-692-4692).


The Hebrew Educational Society in partnership with MET Council has a food pantry that is open to all. To reserve a spot, visit here.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn covering Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood. She is currently the Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), Chair of the Task Force on Women's Issues and serves on the following committees: Housing, Government Operations, Education, Banks, Health, and Higher Education. She also sits on Governor Hochul's Domestic Violence Advisory Council and Mayor Adams MWBE Task Force.

As a current Assemblymember, District Leader, and Chair of Brooklyn Democratic Party, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn has been an outspoken advocate on issues concerning immigration, education, economic development, unemployment, education reform, health care access, senior citizen centers, affordable housing, school safety, women's and LGBTQ rights, as well as other issues affecting the quality of life in the community.

  
Learn more about 
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn by visiting her websites: