Covid-19 Information

Covid-19 Resources

• (3/18/20) MPIPHP Participants, please read MPI’s COVID-19 Notice here
• (3/20/20) IANBF Participants, please read IANBF’s COVID-19 Notice here
• (3/25/20) MPIPHP Participants, please read MPI’s COVID-19 Update here
• (4/2/20)  IANBF Participants, please read IANBF’s COVID-19 Update here
• (4/7/20) Important Notice Pertaining to the IANBF Annuity Fund. Please click here
• (4/10/20) MPIPHP Participants, please read MPI’s COVID-19 Update here
• (4/17/20) MPIPHP Participants, please read MPI’s Eligibility FAQs. Please click here
• (5/11/20) MPIPHP Participants, please read MPI’s COVID-19 Update here
• (5/15/20) IANBF Important Information regarding Department of Labor / IRS deadline extensions for benefit   claims and appeals as well as COBRA. Please click here
• (5/19/20) MPIPHP Participants, please read MPI’s COVID-19 Update here
• (6/25/20) MPIPHP Participants, please read MPI’s COVID-19 Update here
• (7/21/20) IANBF Participants, please read IANBF’s COVID-19 Update here
• (8/4/20) IANBF Participants, please read IANBF’s Update here
• (8/13/20) IANBF Participants, please read IANBF’s Update here

(6/12/20) Press release and ‘The Safe Way Forward‘ Joint Report from the DGA, SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, and Teamsters on COVID-19 Safety Guidelines to Provide Safe Workplaces in a Pre-Vaccine World. 

(6/1/20) The Industry Wide Labor Management Safety Committee has submitted  “White Paper” document to U.S. governors in order to begin the process of restarting our industry in a way that will allow our members to safely return to work.  Read it here. Please be aware that this is the first step in the process; this paper will be the foundation for upcoming discussions by our Union with the AMPTP regarding the specific, comprehensive applications of these safe return to work protocols.  

(4/20/20) Message from NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and COVID-19 Financial Survival Toolkit for New Yorkers. Please click here.

4/8/20 Lender’s COVID-19 Mortgage Plans provided by our sisters & brothers from Local 600. Please click here.

4/2/20 Fact sheet provided by AFSCME has useful details on provisions of The CARES Act. Please click here.

(3/27/20) Press release regarding the successful passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security “CARES” Act by Congress moments ago: https://www.iatse.net/news/congress-passes-cares-act-providing-immediate-economic-relief-entertainment-workers This bill will provide tangible and immediate economic relief for entertainment workers across the United States. Most notably, the bill increases and extends unemployment benefits, sends one time direct payments, establishes the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program for those who would otherwise not qualify, and increases federal arts funding.

Flowchart – produced by the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) in partnership with the IATSE and other arts, entertainment, media industry unions – to provide initial guidance on how to access the expanded unemployment insurance benefits. Click here.

In addition, here is the National Employment Law Project factsheet on the unemployment provisions in the “CARES” Act: https://www.nelp.org/publication/unemployment-insurance-provisions-coronavirus-aid-relief-economic-security-cares-act/

(3/26/20)  Make A Difference – Volunteer for IATSE C.A.R.E.S.

IATSE C.A.R.E.S. (Coronavirus Active Response and Engagement Service) is a new initiative designed to provide support to our most at-risk, elderly, and/or disabled members during the COVID-19 crisis. This website will also be used to provide information about future Mutual Aid efforts from the IATSE. For example, IATSE CARES creates a buddy system where members in need may sign up to have a volunteer check in with them as often as they choose. We have also created a safe and free delivery system which connects trained and healthy IATSE Young Worker volunteers with older IATSE members in need. Members in need may request supplies, groceries, or whatever else they may need, and another IATSE member will bring it to their doorstep through our volunteer database. Sign-Up Here: https://iatsecares.org/volunteer/

Here is an update on the IATSE’s legislative efforts and the current state of play in Washington, DC: https://www.iatse.net/news/iatse-facilitates-80000-letters-congress-campaign-support-displaced-entertainment-workers.

• The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) was passed into law yesterday evening. It will provide relief to workers in other industries, but the expanded paid leave benefits won’t apply to many displaced entertainment workers because of the requirements for days worked on a job to qualify. This was the second coronavirus relief bill passed into law, and work has immediately begun on a third relief package.

• IATSE members and supporters have sent 80,000+ emails to their Members of Congress urging inclusion of displaced entertainment workers in a coronavirus relief package. THANK YOU, to those who have sent emails and asked your local membership to do the same. Our input is critical at this juncture to ensure entertainment workers are included in the next bill. Please continue to utilize the email advocacy campaign: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-to-include-displaced-workers-in-relief-package?source=direct_link&. 

• Congress has heard us and is beginning to respond. A congressional sign-on letter was organized by Rep. Adam Schiff and sent to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy with 37 signatories. The letter calls for Congress to provide economic support for arts and entertainment workers in a tailored policy that fits creative professionals’ unique employment arrangements.
• If you are a participant in Union Plus Mortgage, their Credit Card, Personal Loan, or supplemental insurance programs, you may be eligible for additional hardship assistance. Please see their Hardship Help section for eligibility requirements.

Social Security offices are now closed to the public. Their secure online services remain available at www.socialsecurity.gov. If you cannot complete your Social Security business online, please call them at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Justice Policies (New York)
Advocates have continued fighting for justice during this pandemic. Their efforts bear fruit that gives us hope. Here are some highlights:

• Governor Cuomo and Attorney General James temporarily suspended state debt collection in response to coronavirus. The state will temporarily halt the collection of medical and student debt owed to the State of New York and referred to the Office of the Attorney General for collection, for at least a 30-day period, in response to growing financial impairments resulting from the spread of 2019 novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Apply here.
• Evictions in NYC are suspended indefinitely. Housing Court will also be closed indefinitely, except for emergency cases (such as illegal lock-out, post eviction, emergency repair cases). Tenants will receive a postcard with a new date to go to court. People with emergencies should call the court. Questions can be addressed with the Housing Court Answers hotline at 212.962.4795 that is open M-F 9am-5pm. NYCHA hearings are also cancelled. Con Edison has temporarily suspended any electric and gas shutoffs for customers that are having payment difficulties related to COVID-19 coronavirus.
• The Governor, Senate, and Assembly have reached an agreement on Paid Leave for New York State workers. Consider applying for a Coronavirus Financial Impact Loan from the Hebrew Free Loan Society.

Education (New York)
Free Meals
Public Schools are offering free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch this week, 7:30am-1pm. You can go to your closest school, it does not have to be the one your child attends. You do not have to have a child at the school and your child does not even have to be school age. You can pick up both meals at the same time, no need to come back a second time. If the school is locked, ring the bell.

DOE Schedule March 17 – 23

• Tuesday, March 17-Thursday, March 19: All staff reports to schools. Professional development in remote learning will be held for Teachers and Principals. Some administrators will also be present. 
• Thursday, March 19-Friday, March 20: Students in need will be able to begin the process of picking up laptops for remote learning.
• Monday, March 23: Remote learning begins.
• Monday, March 23: Regional Enrichment Centers will be available for the children of first responders, healthcare workers, and our most vulnerable populations.

Special Education Concerns

• Families with questions and concerns should reach out to specialeducation@schools.nyc.gov.
• DOE is developing family-facing resources including developing information about tech supports and resources which will be made available to families on their website.
• The DOE aims to start delivering related services by telepractice.
• Learn at home resources for Students with special needs.

NYC Schools Account
Please sign up for a NYC Schools Account. You must have a New York City Schools Account for your children to access remote learning programs. You can sign up for your account HERE [https://mystudent.nyc/].

DOE “Learn at Home” Resources
In addition to “remote learning,” the Department of Education is providing supplementary learning resources to students and parents for use during the school closure. The DOE has shared resources for students in all grades. These materials should not replace “remote learning” plans, but during this unusual time, it is important that students supplement their course work.

New York Public Library (NYPL)
You can find a comprehensive list of NYPL’s digital resources on their website. This includes access to e-books, research e-journals, online newspapers, and resources for young learners. If you have any questions, please refer to their reference service, Ask NYPL.

Starting yesterday, Charter cable is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription, and installation fees will be waived for new student households. To enroll in the free broadband service, call 844.488.8395. Because this is the standard customer service line, use the “new service” or “add service” option. To avoid long wait times, call early in the morning or later in the evening, until 1am.

Small Businesses (New York)
Effective Tuesday, March 17th at 9 a.m. the Mayor has restricted restaurants, bars, and cafes to take-out and delivery only and has ordered that bars that do not serve food, clubs, movie theaters, smaller theaters, concert venues and gyms will be closed.

Sign up here to receive COVID-19 updates from NYC Small Business Services
NYC will provide relief for small businesses across the city that are experiencing a reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 outbreak. If your business has fewer than 100 employees, and has seen a decrease in sales of 25% or more, you will be eligible for zero interest loans of up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit. The City will also offer a grant for those businesses with less than 5 employees to cover 40% of payroll costs.

• Assistance & guidance for businesses impacted by novel coronavirus, including information about possible financial assistance for your business
• General NYC guidance for businesses and non-healthcare settings
• Guidance for small business owners from New York City’s Small Business Services
• Emergency planning checklist for small businesses

Healthcare
In the event that the novel coronavirus crisis worsens, the State needs the help of qualified retired health and related professionals AND students to supplement our hospital capacity on a temporary basis to treat seriously ill coronavirus patients including those who may need to be intubated. The NYS Dept. of Health will recertify individuals for the purpose. Please sign up here.

The city is also mobilizing a Medical Reserve Corps of retired and licensed medical workers, and is also seeking help from all healthcare workers right now.

Many hospitals are canceling elective procedures, including NewYork-Presbyterian, which has several locations within our district. If you were scheduled to receive an elective procedure in the coming weeks, be sure to consult your doctor’s office to see whether that procedure has been postponed.

Information + Resources (New York)
Up-to-date information is available at the State and Local levels:

• NYC is providing updates on the coronavirus situation locally that you can subscribe to receive by texting COVID to 692-692.
• If you have questions about coronavirus, please call the NYS hotline at 888.364.3065. This hotline is staffed 24/7 and in multiple languages by public health workers.
• If you see price gouging of soap, wipes, masks, or other important health products, call the NYS toll-free hotline at 800.697.1220 so the Attorney General’s office can step in.