CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP 

THE STATS:

18, 203, 944 vaccines administered across NYC 1,005 new hospitalizations 6,759 new cases (wear your masks) 3, 197 Monkeypox cases in NY

GOOD NEWS

Student Loan Forgiveness is Tax Free in NY! – In last week’s newsletter, we wrote about the potential of the student loan forgiveness and many of you asked…would we have to pay taxes on them. The answer is NO! NY state will keep student loan forgiveness state and income TAX FREE!

BAD NEWS

Get Your Free At-Home Covid Tests Before They Run Out! – Starting September 2nd, you’ll no longer be able to get free at-home COVID tests delivered to your door. The gov’t has shut down the program due to a lack of funding.

TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS

2. THE 20 YEAR, $7 BILLION DOLLAR PLAN TO BUILD….OFFICE SPACE IN PENN STATION?

WTF IS HAPPENING? Who else thought remote work was here to stay? Earlier this Summer, Governor Kathy Hochul and New York State officials announced one of the largest real estate development projects in U.S. history: 10 towers, and 16 million square feet of office space in and around Penn Station.   WHY MORE OFFICE SPACE? The plan has been around since Cuomo’s regime, and would modernize Penn Station, but where most critics are feeling the heat is the addition of TEN towers for office space. The plan would take 20 years and Gov Hochul is betting on a city that will be back to “normal” by then. Yet, offices are seeing 40% vacancy rate   SOOOO…HOW ARE WE PAYING FOR THIS?

• Biden’s Federal Infrastructure Package, which set aside $30 billion in grants.
• Tax Breaks in a system known as Payment in Lieu of Taxes or PILOTS
• Probably…your taxes!

So, what do you think? Is this an investment for the future or a waste of money and space?

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OH HEY, HELLO, ciaooo! 

3.  A NOTE FROM THE EDITORS

As we near issue 100 of our newsletter, we wanted to thank you all for being on this journey with us. When we started ciaooo!, we were just two native New Yorkers on a simple mission to make this city a better place!   With your help, we’ve gotten to do some incredible things! From recruiting thousands of New Yorkers to become mentors, to simplifying the news and heck, even throwing in person shindigs for single people to find love!    Next month, we’ll be launching our marketing agency – ciaooo! media group. We’re on a mission to empower brands and organizations that make NYC a better place. We wanted you, our lovely readers to be the first to know! Respond back to this email if you’d like to work with us.    -chau + paola

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Community-first. Women-led. ciaooo! is on a mission to empower brands and organizations that make NYC a better place. Learn more! 

Today is Election Day! Make sure you hit the polls if you haven’t already!

 CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP 

THE STATS:

18, 178, 634 vaccines administered across NYC 187 new hospitalizations 7,573 new cases (wear your masks) 2, 910 Monkeypox cases in NY

GOOD NEWS

Voting Day is Today! – It’s Election Day today! Click here to find your polling place and candidates. Polls close at 9PM today! If you need a refresher on why…check out our last email here for the rundown. So You Wanna Do the Deed with Weed?– Starting a business that is. Today, Mayor Adams and the Dept of Small Business launched Cannabis NYC, a program to help “justice-involved New Yorkers” aka black and brown people who were disproportionally indicted for marijuana related crimes apply for the first retail (CAURD) licenses. Perhaps our favorite part is the Obama inspired hashtag #YesWeCANnabis

BAD NEWS

Fetty Wap’s No Longer Needs a Trap Queen – Oh how the mighty have fallen. Fetty Wap, singer of the smash hit, “Trap Queen” is accused of distributing more than 100 kilograms of drugs in Suffolk County. I said oh hey what’s up hello…prison.

HERE’S THE RUNDOWN

2. SO WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THE STUDENT LOANS?

ARE YOUR STUDENT LOANS GETTING CANCELLED? We don’t know definitively yet. Debates surrounding student loan forgiveness have been prevalent on the Congressional floor since COVID, when payments for federal student loans were placed on pause. So far, Biden has delayed student loan payments six times and cancelled over $32 Billion in student loans.    WHEN WILL WE KNOW? Biden promised he’d make a decision before August 31, 2022, the same day the student loan payment pause ends. Many are expecting Biden to cancel student loans for federal loan borrowers who make less than $125,000. This means your loans will NOT qualify if you have:

• older FFEL loans not owned by U.S. ED and not in default;
• Perkins Loans owned by schools; and
• private student loans.

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

• If student loans are NOT cancelled, then you will have to begin payments starting September 1st. Read here for more repayment options in NY.
• You can get a refund for any autopayment between March 13, 2020 and August 31, 2022. Contact your loan servicer for help with refunds.
• If you do not know who is servicing your loan or how to contact them, you can visit StudentAid.gov/login or call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) for assistance.

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EVENTS COMING UP

3.  WIN TICKETS TO GLOBAL CITIZEN FESTIVAL BY BEING A GREAT HUMAN!

Want to feature an event? Email us if you have an event that you would like for us to share!  The Global Citizen Festival is celebrating its tenth year in Central Park with an incredible lineup, and you can join us by taking action NOW — for girls, for the planet, and to end poverty.   Since Global Citizen built its first stage in 2012, Global Citizens have taken over 30 million actions, leading to over $41.1B in dispersed funding that’s impacting the lives of over 1.15 billion people.    Download the Global Citizen app to earn points and get your free tickets to the Great Lawn by doing things like writing your senator, signing petitions and more! Headliners this year include Metallica, Mariah Carey, Rosalia, Charlie Puth and more!

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THIS WEEK’S NEWSLETTER IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

We’re stoked for the launch of chef  Aaron Frager’s catering business, Arob’s Homestyle this Saturday, August 20th. Southern food meets Chinese & Afro-Caribbean cuisine. Keep reading for more details!

 CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP 

Hey Friends! Election Day is coming up and it’s time for you to vote! We wrote a refresher on why your vote matters. This weekend marks the final Saturday of Summer Streets, and hell, almost the end of Summer. What should we do for our last hurrah before the weather turns?

THE STATS:

18, 152, 534 vaccines administered across NYC 400 new hospitalizations 5,101 new cases (wear your masks) 2, 376 Monkeypox cases in NY

GOOD NEWS

Reason 679 Why New Yorkers Don’t Need Their Drivers License- Starting late next year, cars will begin paying $9 to $23 to enter Manhattan in congestion pricing. Why? Climate Change but also, the MTA is really broke and needs some funds to keep running. We’ll still be shouting “ I’m Walking here!”. Fulton Street Fish Market is Back as the Tin Building – After 8 years, $194.6 million and the epic curation of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the Tin Building is now open with a multi-level “Eataly” with 6 full-service restaurants, 4 bars and a boatload of gourmet retail shops. Hurry and get in before the tourists do.

BAD NEWS

NYC Has lost 63 Miles of Open Streets – During COVID, 83 miles of the 5 boroughs were closed to car traffic and open to block parties, outdoor dining and overall escapes from the darkness of studio apartments. Now with businesses reopening and…congestion…the demand for car free streets has waned. What do you think…should we bring back Open Streets?

WORDS OF ADVICE

2. WHO ARE WE VOTING FOR AND WHY?

It’s Election Week y’all! Click here to find your polling place and candidates.  WHEN ARE WE VOTING? The August Primary is scheduled for August 23, 2022 with Early Voting from now to August 21st.   WHO ARE WE VOTING FOR? U.S. House of Representatives – There are 435 representatives and each state has a certain amount allotted due to the population of their state. New York has 26. Click here to find your candidates. State Senate – There are 63 seats and each state has 2 Senators. Chuck Schumer is the Senate Majority Leader and has held a Senator title since 1999. You can see candidates here. WHY SHOULD THIS MATTER TO YOU? Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and State Senate. Together, they “make all laws, declare war, regulate interstate and foreign commerce and control taxing and spending policies.” Plus, the House of Representatives and State Senate make up the bulk of the Electoral College. Your vote in this election will dictate the president in years to come!   Most importantly, bills must be passed by both the Senate AND House of Representatives. During the height of COVID, the  Stimulus Package was at a standstill for months as neither party could agree. The delay led to increased homelessness, deaths, and a reduction in Covid assistance.    Other bills that have been cruising the controversy circuit lately surround Abortion, gun safety, gay rights, student loan forgiveness and all are being debated daily in Congress. If you don’t want bills to get stuck in limbo…make sure you vote!

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EVENTS COMING UP

3.  SUNSET DATE NIGHT AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

Want to feature an event? Email us if you have an event that you would like for us to share!    Looking for a cute and unique date idea? Head to the Met’s Date Nights on Fridays (adults only) where you can scope out the art with a bevy or two. Then head to the Cantor Rooftop with a view of Central Park for a Sunset Dance party with live music.    Runs every Friday and Saturday until September 3rd. Sun Sets are free with Museum admission, which is always pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents and NY, NJ, and CT students with valid ID

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FROM OUR SPONSOR

Arob’s Homestyle is a nod to the cultural backgrounds of chef Aaron Frager’s family.  Every weekend you can get a taste of classic soul food staples with influences from Chinese & Afro-Caribbean cuisine. As Aaron’s Grandma Ruth used to say “Come get a plate baby”   Join us this Saturday, August 20th for their GRAND OPENING  at their pop up at   41-28 37th Street, Long Island City or by ordering through Doordash! Pre-order today by calling (718) 344-6426. If you would like to sponsor an upcoming newsletter, we would love to support your business. Contact us!

Hey friends!    THIS WEEK’S NEWSLETTER IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Friends, we got you the hookup. Use the code “ciaooobaby” for 15% off in the store. Keep reading to learn more about the badass Brooklyn based design studio.

 CORONAVIRUS & MONKEYPOX

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP 

Is it us or is the news exceptionally…doomsday-ish lately? There’s a trifecta of Covid, Monkeypox and Polio. Plus it seems like companies are downsizing left and right. Lucky for you – we’ve got your back. Keep reading for everything you need to know about in NYC this week. Friendly reminder…early voting starts next week. We’ll have a breakdown on the election for you in next week’s newsletter. Feel free to send all questions by replying to this email.

THE STATS:

18, 124,154 vaccines administered across NYC 73 new hospitalizations 3,204 new cases (wear your masks) 1,960 Monkeypox Cases in NY

GOOD NEWS

Save the world, one compost at a time –  Composting is coming to Queens starting this October, and it’s simpler than ever. Instead of needing to opt in, or visit special composting sites, the Dept of Sanitation will now collect compost from every building. Over 8 million pounds of compostable waste are thrown into the trash every day which are currently converted to methane. Early Voting Starts Next Week – Tired of nothing moving forward in the government? Now’s your time to shine. Get ready to vote for your officials for the US House of Representatives and Senate. Early Voting starts from August 13th to the 21st with election day taking place on the 23rd.

BAD NEWS

Food’s Getting Hella Expensive –  Why, why, why??? Inflation has been hitting NYC apartments, and now the food! Get ready $15 French Fries, $18 Sandwiches and $3.50 Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwiches.

WORDS OF ADVICE

2. A CAREER EXPERT WEIGHS IN ON HOW TO SEARCH FOR A JOB IN A PANDEMIC

This week we’re talking to Dr. Orin Davis, professor of positive psychology and a career coach on how to best utilize our time right now to find a new career.  YOU EARNED THE FIRST DOCTORATE IN POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY. WHAT IS POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY AND HOW DOES IT HELP US IN THESE CRAZY TIMES? Positive psychology is generally referred to as  “the science of human flourishing,” and focuses primarily on how we can live our best lives. There are many things we can be doing to make sure we’re not just surviving, but thriving. Cultivating gratitude, for example, can be very helpful, as can finding experiences to savor. We can also work to develop and foster high-quality connections, and seek out opportunities to experience flow. HOW CAN PEOPLE BUILD A PATH TO THE NEXT STEPS IN THEIR CAREERS? When people are thinking about pivoting their careers, they need to consider which conception of work they have, and how they want to contribute to the world (whether through skills, passions, knowledge, abilities, etc.). Build identity capital, where your unique talents are translated into an offering that the world will value and pay for.   HOW CAN I UPSKILL MYSELF? Pick up new skills by taking free classes via Coursera or any of the Ivy League schools. Find and do the things that you would do if you weren’t going to get paid for it. They not only keep you sane, they give you opportunities to develop in ways that can readily apply to the job market, your side hustle, or your next startup. Try free courses from Linkedin.

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EVENTS COMING UP

3.  DISCO ROLLER BLADING & DANCE PARTY

Want to feature an event? Email us if you have an event that you would like for us to share!    The DiscOasis is a glittering sonic fantasia for the soul. This immersive theatrical experience unites art, light, music, dance, live performances, roller skating, and good vibes at the iconic Wollman Rink in Central Park.   You can skate to timeless roller-rink classics, dance to new music from our guest DJs, explore unique and fantastical art installations, snap a few thousand photos for the ’gram, or just have a seat and a snack while you take in the best choreography on four wheels. We are a movement that celebrates community, positivity, and inclusivity.   $12 on weekdays $17 on weekends $20 evenings $39 on special event nights Excludes skate rentals.

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FROM OUR SPONSOR

This is the perfect bag for everything from running everyday errands to date night out! Handcrafted in Brooklyn, New York, each bag is hand cut and sewn by New York designer, David Lee. We are true lovers of the bag (if you run into us in the streets, we are most definitely rocking the bag) and for now, ciaooo! readers can get 15% off with the discount code “ciaooobaby”!  If you would like to sponsor an upcoming newsletter, we would love to support your business. Contact us!

In this issue:  Monkeypox, Affordable housing in LIC & Summer Streets

 CORONAVIRUS

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP  THE STATS: 18, 094, 209 vaccines administered across NYC 82 new hospitalizations 3,645 new cases (wear your masks)  1,390 Monkeypox Cases in NY

GOOD NEWS

Affordable Housing Lottery is Open –  463 brand spanking new affordable luxury apartments are up for grabs at Gotham Point in LIC. See if you can apply! Don’t forget to invite us to your pool if you get one!  24/7 Speed Cameras Installed –  This year saw NY’s deadliest year with a 44% increase in traffic deaths compared to the same time last year. This week, over 2000 speed cameras were installed across the city, with 750 of them in school zones to prevent this. If you’re a driver, you better lighten that lead foot.

BAD NEWS

Williamsburg’s Worst Problem is No Longer the G Train –  If you thought the MTA was NY’s worst problem, think again. Rising sea levels & climate change are manifesting the perfect storm conditions to flood Williamsburg, Greenpoint, LIC and the Hudson Yards by the year 2080. As for now? Expect flooding, extreme weather, and heat waves to continue to increase if Greenhouse emissions aren’t capped.

A LITTLE CONVERSATION STARTER

2. SO WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH MONKEYPOX?

For today’s issue, our reader Daniel D. wrote, “The articles I’ve been seeing did not educate me on Monkeypox. It just says Monkeypox is here, there’s a lot of cases, we are working on it. But what does this mean for me?”   WHAT IS MONKEYPOX? First, let’s talk about what Monkeypox is not. Contrary to the name, it was not transmitted by monkeys. It does not affect only men who have sex with men (MSM). Monkeypox is closely related to Smallpox – and symptoms include rash, lesions, fevers, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes and more.    Monkeypox was originally transmitted by rodents and was contained primarily in West and Central Africa for decades. Scientists are now trying to figure out how this outbreak has spread to the US, with California, Illinois and NY reporting 47% of all confirmed Monkeypox infections in the US. All 3 have declared a state emergency over Monkeypox.    WHAT ARE THE CHANCES I’LL BE AFFECTED? At the time of writing, over 98% of those currently affected in the US are within the MSM community, but can be spread to and from anyone.    While some are quick to jump the gun and blame the community or think they are safe, virologist John Skylar, PhD suggests, “It is worth mentioning that the MSM community are often hyperaware of their sexual health given the devastating events of the AIDS crisis, and it could simply be that Monkeypox is spreading among many communities and this is the one that we actually have good data about”.    Your biggest risks are from skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact with an infected person and sharing sheets, clothes or touching something that someone infected came in contact with. Best to avoid large crowds, kissing strangers and sharing beds with anyone with pustules.    WHO SHOULD GET THE MONKEYPOX VACCINE? According to the CDC, If you have been in contact with someone who has Monkeypox or in an area that has a high amount – it is best to get vaccinated within 4 days. Since there are limited supplies it is relegated to cases at high risk of exposure.    THE WHO declared Monkeypox a global health emergency last month. Over 21,000 cases have been reported in 78 countries but for many, cases will dissipate within 2-4 weeks on it’s own and mortality is considered very low.

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EVENTS COMING UP

3.  BIKING WITH BUDDIES & A YUMMY RESTAURANT

This weekend marks the official start of Summer Streets! For the first 3 weekends this month, NYC shuts down the streets to cars so you can walk, jog, run and bike from the Brooklyn Bridge to East Harlem, the longest path yet!   You can get a free Citibike this Saturday with the code SUMMER22 and there will be live music, performances, workshops and events all across the 8 mile stretch.    Save the date for: August 6th, 13th and 20th from 7AM – 1PM!    Afterwards, book a reservation at one of the restaurants participating in Restaurant Week and get a 2 course lunch or 3 course dinner for $30 – $60!

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