This news came out after our daily newsletter was sent out yesterday. Governor Cuomo announced that President Trump had approved the deployment of the 1000-bed Navy hospital ship the USNS Comfort to New York Harbor. Read more about the boat here, which was last in New York City after 9/11.
Second Coronavirus Relief Bill Passes
Yesterday, Congress has passed the second coronavirus relief bill and President Trump has signed it into law. This isn’t the plan to offer checks to every American, that may come in a third bill to come. But this bill provides funding for many existing key programs like the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program, Emergency Food Assistance Program, the Defense Health Program. It also offers up to two weeks paid seek leave for those who have been tested for coronavirus, being treated for it, or told by a doctor or government official to stay home because of exposure or symptoms. In addition, it includes free COVID-19 testing with no co-pays or deductibles. Governor Cuomo also signs a bill to guarantee paid leave for New Yorkers under mandatory or precautionary quarantine due to COVID-19.
Two Members of Congress Test Positive
Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Florida) and Ben McAdams (D-Utah) are the first to test positive for coronavirus in Congress. They had contact with other members of Congress to the Capitol physician is on the task. Many members are already self-quarantining.
No New Cases of Coronavirus in China
Some hope from Wuhan, ground zero for the coronavirus epidemic. There were no new cases reported yesterday. TIME magazine writes, “The news offered a rare glimmer of hope for the rest of the world as it battles the virus, and perhaps a lesson in the strict measures needed to halt its spread.”
Kevin Bacon Announces Six Degrees of Social Distancing
Before there were memes, there was the six degrees of Kevin Bacon. The joke posited that everyone was within six degrees of Bacon, because of the sheer number of movies he had done. Those who came of age in the ’90s will remember it. Well, Bacon is taking advantage of the pre-meme to encourage people to stay home. In a video posted on social media, he says, “Hi, folks. You know me, right? I’m technically only six degrees away from you.”
Filling out the Census
Something to do while we’re all waiting this out: you can fill out the 2020 Census online.
Today’s cello: from sonata by Rachmaninoff for cello and piano. Charlotte speaking her Frenchlish here and offering everyone her raspberries. pic.twitter.com/8TqrLTa4dJ
Yesterday, our founder Michelle Young continued her daily cello recordings with a Rachmaninoff sonata (sans piano), which you can find on her Instagram and Twitter. Please stay safe, readers. We are thinking of you. If you are able, you can support Untapped New York through these challenging times by reading and sharing our content, and dream about future tours by getting a gift card! Please reach out to us with any questions, comments, or ideas — we’ve heard from many of you directly and the messages have been very heartening. The best way to reach us is through email, as our customer service phone line has been inundated. For questions about tours, contact tours@untappedcities.com. For questions regarding our Insiders member events, you can email insiders@untappedcities.com. For editorial and general comments and questions, email info@untappedcities.com.
