team ciaooo, Author at ciaooo!

In this issue:

Are affordable apartments on the horizon? Plus Invisible Hands & a free museum mile festival for all you art nerds!

CORONAVIRUS

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

17,832,691 vaccines administered across NYC
37 new hospitalizations
2,910 new cases

GOOD NEWS

Will NYC ever have affordable apartments? – The Adams Administration dropped a 97 page brief diving into all aspects of housing in NYC, including plans for reducing homelessness, creating more “tiny homes” and converting abandoned hotels into affordable housing. Could this mean NYC will actually have some affordable homes…we’ll just have to wait and see.
ciaooo! 3 year launch party pictures! – A huge thank you to all who attended our anniversary party last month and have supported us throughout the years. We <3 you!

BAD NEWS

Buh-Bye Covid, Hello Monkeypox! – Dang. We just can’t win, can we? A 14th case of Monkeypox has been identified in NYC. While closely related to Smallpox, Monkeypox is transmitted through sharing of bodily fluids and still considered rare at the moment. Be safe out here folks…

COMMUNITY FEATURE

2. DO SOME GOOD FOR YOUR ‘HOOD THIS SUMMER

In this special edition of the ciaooo! newsletter, we are highlighting the work one of our community members, Nicole DeBrocky-Fusfeld, Director of Volunteer Engagement at Invisible Hands.

In the early onslaughts of the pandemic, you may recall how difficult it was to get groceries. For the elderly and immunocompromised, going out to get groceries was a life and death decision.

That is until, 3 20-somethings decided to take matters into their own hands and created a Facebook post, volunteering to pick up groceries for anyone in their community. Within months, over 10,000 New Yorkers volunteered to pick up and deliver groceries and today Invisible Hands is continuing its mission to get food into the hands of those who need it most. Read on to learn how you can get involved!

What is Invisible Hands?

Invisible Hands is a community of volunteers providing free delivery of food, medicine, and other essentials to the elderly, sick, homebound, and people with disabilities.

Born in New York in the beginning of COVID, we have united thousands of volunteers all across the city to help their neighbors in need. We are committed to fighting food insecurity, a crisis exacerbated by this Pandemic.

“75% of those experiencing food insecurity don’t go to food pantries, due to logistical challenges, scheduling issues, and social stigma”

We provide safe, efficient, anonymous deliveries to prioritize our community’s health, dignity, and valuable time.

What impact will this have on NYC?

Invisible Hands was created as an emergency response to the needs of many New Yorkers who were unable to access basic necessities during COVID. While COVID is less of a threat in 2022, the pandemic revealed a sad truth: hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers struggle to access essential needs like food and medicine.

What impact will this have on me?

By volunteering with Invisible Hands, you create a direct impact in your own community by serving your own neighbors. You will become part of our delivery corps and fight food insecurity, one person at a time, by delivering food from a food pantry directly to someone in need! You’ll become part of the Invisible Hands community and develop great relationships with those you deliver to.

How can I get involved?

You can learn more by visiting the Invisible Hands page here or by volunteering directly here. The process is simple, and you can volunteer to deliver or remotely by answering questions. Plus there’s an app so you can get started pretty quickly!

LEARN MORE

EVENTS COMING UP

3. HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO THIS WEEK!

Museum Mile Festival FREE

Tuesday, June 14th 6-9pm

It’s an Art Block Party!

Check out the Museum Mile Festival where 8 different museums are open for FREE from 6-9pm with all sorts of outdoor activities, games and more!

Museums included are:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Neue Galerie New York; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum ; The Jewish Museum; Museum of the City of New York; El Museo del Barrio; and The Africa Center. Museum of the City of New York; El Museo del Barrio, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art

LEARN MORE

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In this issue:

comedy show giveaway, the largest garment strike EVER in NYC and what to do this weekend!

CORONAVIRUS

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

17, 366, 438 vaccines administered across NYC
61 new hospitalizations
3,674 new cases

GOOD NEWS

HOW A $27 BEER SAVED US ALL – This week, the Port Authority announced they would be cracking down on vendors overcharging for food/drinks at the airport. An investigation was launched after tweet went viral showcasing a $27 USD pint of Sam Adams at LGA airport. The Port Authority announced a maximum surcharge of 10% on any foods/drinks for all 3 NY area airports.

BAD NEWS

MASK UP BABY – NYC has just officially moved into HIGH COVID alert, after an influx of hospitalizations. The health commissioner recommends wearing a face mask in all public indoor settings and crowded outdoor settings.

DID YOU KNOW?

2. HOW 20,000 CHINESE AMERICAN SEAMSTRESSES INSPIRED US LABOR LAWS

In celebration of AAPI heritage month, we are sharing this little known piece of NYC history. This piece was inspired by an article called, “How Chinese American Women Changed US Labor Law History” by Huiying b. Chan.

Did you know one of the largest garment strikes that ever took place in NYC was started by Asian women?

On June 24, 1982, over ⁠20,000 women marched all the way down Mott Street to Columbus Park right in Manhattan’s Chinatown to demand workers rights.

WHAT WAS THE SCOOP?
Overcrowding, long hours, poor ventilation, Tuberculosis and injuries were all pretty common at the 400+ factories in Chinatown. Workers were paid 50 cents per piece sewn, and owners wanted to remove holidays and benefits.

The International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union and volunteers handed out fliers, visited garment factories, and spoke to workers to come out and make a stand. By the end of the strike, every single employer signed the new union contracts.

The strike led to increased wages and benefits for thousands of workers and influenced many of our labor laws today. Read the full article by tapping below!

READ MORE

EVENTS COMING UP

3. HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO THIS WEEK!

THURSDAY, MAY 19TH AT 12:15 – 6 PM – REGISTER HERE Celebrate Mental Health Action Day in Washington Square Park with a day of fun! Think dance party, live music, jugglers, and drawing activities.

FRIDAY, MAY 20TH AT 8PM – $25 – TICKETS HERE Nobody’s Happy Comedy Show featuring headliner BRITTANY BRAVE from TBS, MTV and The Disastrous Dating Life of Diane Damone.

***We’re giving away 2 FREE TIX to this show -Reply to this newsletter to enter and follow both @ciaooomag and @brittanybrave on Instagram to enter! ***

SATURDAY, MAY 21ST AT 4PM – FREE RSVP HERE It’s our 3 year ciaooo! -versary party! We’ll have all day drink specials, chill ice breakers, comedy by Brittany Brave, a pop up shop from Smith & Parka , and giveaways from Motor Oil Coffee, Homecoming NYC food tours and more! The party takes place at Sugarburg in Williamsburg!

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In this issue:

A very special invite to YOU our dear readers

CORONAVIRUS

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

17, 340, 242 vaccines administered across NYC
53 new hospitalizations
3,212 new cases

GOOD NEWS

FORGET ATKINS, HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE PLANETARY DIET? – NYC is joining 100 cities worldwide to tackle climate change by instituting the “Planetary Health Diet” across schools, hospitals & public buildings. Step 1? Kids will start to see less meat & more veggies on their lunch plates.

DID YOU KNOW?

2. IT’S OUR 3 YEAR ciaooo! ANNIVERSARY

WHAT’S THE SCOOP?
Come celebrate our 3 year anniversary with a ciaooo! infused day par-tay on May 21st at Sugarburg in Williamsburg, Brooklyn! It’s been over 2 years since our last in person event, so we’re stoked to get everyone together again!

We’re bringing back our beloved Friend of a Friend party. For our comeback, the party will be open to everyone! Come with friends, come alone, come with a date, no matter what, you’ll have a place here 🙂

We’ll have all day drink specials, chill ice breakers, comedy by Brittany Brave, pop up shop from Smith & Parka , ciaooo! swag giveaways and more!

RSVP below and invite your friends, we can’t wait to see you! ciaooo for now!

chau & paola

RSVP HERE

EVENTS COMING UP

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

MENTAL HEALTH ACTION DAY – REGISTER HERE
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! That’s why we’re inviting you to unplug and prioritize your mental health with leading non-profit #HalfTheStory in partnership with MTV on Thursday, May 19th, the second annual Mental Health Action Day in Washington Square Park, NYC.

#HalfTheStory is a leading NGO on a mission to empower the next generation’s relationship with technology and has been at the forefront of this movement for the last 7 years.

WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU CAN CRACK YOU UP
Join us in breaking down social barriers while laughing your a$$ off! We’re super excited to partner with STRONGER THAN STIGMA for the “Nobody’s Happy Comedy Series”. All ticket donations go to spreading awareness for mental health advocacy.

Show dates are:
TICKETS: Thursday, 5/12 @ 8pm with headliner USAMA SIDDIQUEE from AMERICA’S GOT TALENT.
TICKETS: Friday, 5/20 @ 8pm with headliner BRITTANY BRAVE from TBS, MTV.
TICKETS: Thursday, 5/26 @ 8pm with headliner TRISTAN MILLER from MINNESOTA FRINGE.

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In this issue:

What’s happening with Roe v. Wade and what does that mean for NYC? Zhiwen Yang leaves behind a wife and 3 young children. Time to pop a Claritin and rock that face mask.

CORONAVIRUS

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

17, 313, 325 vaccines administered across NYC
40 new hospitalizations
2,001 new cases

TODAYS NEWS

MURDER OF A DELIVERY MAN – A Chinese delivery man was shot to death in Queens over the weekend by a man who had taunted and harassed the restaurant workers since November 2021. Despite multiple reports to the police, the man was never taken into custody. Zhiwen Yang leaves behind a wife and 3 young children. You can donate to the Gofundme here.

IS THAT COVID OR ALLERGIES?– The current COVID-19 Alert Level in NYC has increased from Low (green) to Medium (orange). Keep these cases up and the city will consider bringing back the indoor face mask requirements. Time to pop a Claritin and rock that face mask.

DID YOU KNOW?

2.WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH ROE V. WADE?

WHAT’S THE SCOOP?
A draft of the Supreme Court Decision to overturn Roe vs Wade was leaked to Politico and released late last night.

While it is still just a draft, the chances are still super high that Roe v Wade could be overturned especially after Trump appointed Amy Coney Barrett is expected to side with the other 3 Republican Justices in a majority ruling.

With a court decision set for late June, Democrats in Congress, especially our Brooklyn boy and head of the Senate, Chuck Schumer is raging hell to push Congress to “codify Roe. That would mean pushing Congress to pass a law that would protect a pregnant person’s right to abortion. In 2019, the Senate tried to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, but failed after failing to capture enough Republican support.

If overturned, Roe v Wade would not be a blanket ban across the entire country, it instead becomes a decision made individually, state by state. While Blue states like NY and California will primarily remain the same…red states are probably going to flip the electric switch.

AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE STATES?
25 States are likely to BAN abortions if they have the choice to: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming
13 States have “Trigger Laws” that WILL BAN curtail abortions immediately if Roe vs Wade is overturnedArkansas Idaho Kentucky Louisiana Mississippi Missouri North Dakota Oklahoma South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Wyoming

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR NYC?
The Senate is expected to vote next week on codifying Roe, but are most definitely going to get hit with a filibuster by the Republicans. While Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has been confirmed, she won’t be sworn in until this Summer so she will have no say on this decision. Regardless, Gov Kathy Hochul has stated NY will continue to defend and support abortion rights.

Could there be…some hope? Judges can change decisions last minute. This happened in 2012 when the Bush appointed Conservative, John Roberts voted against his party and helped to save Obamacare. Maybe he’ll change again this time?

TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS!

3. TIME TO GET MAD AS HELL

If you’re mad about Roe V Wade…then it’s time stick your heads out the window and yell,
I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” That’s an old Network quote for all you movie buffs by the way.

Otherwise…write your Senator and tell them to rebalance the courts by adding seats to the Supreme Court AND pass legislation to codify Roe.

WRITE YOUR SENATOR

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In this issue:

We’re back from a brief hiatus. We missed you! Read about NYC’s new pay transparency law, your new apartment and how to save a life.

CORONAVIRUS

1. HERE’S THE NY SCOOP

THE STATS:

17, 075,284 vaccines administered across NYC
10 new hospitalizations
591 new cases

GOOD NEWS

MAYOR ADAMS’ PLAN TO BRING BACK NYC – The Blueprint for NYC’s Economic Recovery include bringing the 2026 World Cup to NYC, creating a “cultural district” on Governors Island, attracting E-Sports and supporting small businesses.

EMPTY OFFICE SPACES COULD TURN INTO YOUR NEXT APT – Gov Hochul and Mayor Adams are beginning discussions to convert thousands of empty and overpriced midtown real estate into apartments. Even if only 10% of Midtown’s older office space was converted…that could generate over 14,000 new apartments! Later, Streeteasy!COVID recovery task force.

BAD NEWS…

ATTACKS ON THE RISE – A homeless man pummeled an Asian woman 125 times. Another murdered two homeless men in Lower Manhattan before getting caught in Washington. Consider taking a self defense class, you can find them here.

RUSSIA WITHDRAWS FROM COUNCIL OF EUROPE– which is Europe’s main governing body for overseeing human rights.

DID YOU KNOW?

2.TIME TO TALK MONEY, HONEY

SO, HOW MUCH DO YOU MAKE?
Applying to jobs, for lack of a better word, suuuuuuccckkkkks.

Searching online for hours, updating resumes, writing cover letters…the whole practice is almost as excruciating as being a single person trying to find love in NYC.

Luckily, some good news is on the way! Starting May 15, 2022, NYC employers with 4 or more workers will have to post the minimum and maximum salary range for any job within the city!

IT’S ABOUT TIME WOMEN GET PAID EQUALLY
The bill was first introduced to City Council in October 2018, by councilwoman Helen K Rosenthal in an attempt to help close the gender pay gap but wasn’t passed until January of THIS YEAR. The Committee on Civil and Human Rights will be publishing guidelines on how this should be upheld by businesses.

BUT WHAT’S THE DRAMA?
New York City is the second jurisdiction to do so after Colorado, who went public with its law in 2019. While the pay transparency protects applicants and employees, some employers are finding this law to be troublesome. Reports saw several companies excluding applicants from Colorado from applying.

Some companies argue the transparency could entice employees to leave the company with offers of higher pay and benefits…but I guess that just means they should have been paying employees what they deserved in the first place?!

Here’s to hoping this law will help to close the gap on the gender pay disparity! Write back and let us know what you think!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

3. PARTY SAFELY, Y’ALL

With warm weather on the rise and NYC opening up again, parties are going to start popping up, and with it…drug use. In 2020, opioids were involved in 85% of overdose deaths. For the fourth year in a row, Fentanyl was the most common substance involved in overdose deaths, present in 77% of overdose deaths in 2020.

Naloxone is a safe medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It only works on opioids (such as heroin, fentanyl and prescription painkillers) but is safe to use, even if opioids aren’t present.

Sign up for a free 1 hour virtual Naloxone training course and receive a Naloxone rescue kit to bring with you next time you go out.

SIGN UP HERE

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