New York City faith leaders and homecare workers gathered to support the fight for a wage increase for people who care for the elderly and disabled this Thursday, at the 1199SEIU headquarters in Manhattan.

Anna Couch, a home care worker for 19 years, wants home health aides to be paid what they are worth. As she said in Spanish, “We deserve a permanent salary. We have been working on this for years, and they don’t pay us as they should.” She went on to say, “We have to pay rent, medicines, transportation, and food, and what they are paying us is not enough.”

During the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. government increased unemployment and gave taxpayers stimulus checks; some companies gave bonuses to their workers to thank them for their work during the challenging time.

Although this money prevented much hardship, Couch demands something more. “We want to be included in this year’s budget. So, we are asking for $20 or more per hour so that we can be calmer about paying for a roof,” said Couch, who at the moment makes $15 per hour, the minimum wage in New York City.

In every religion caring for one another is one of the strongest pillars. NYC clergy members showed their support through prayers and blessings. “I’m here to support you financially and spiritually,” were the words of community activist and Imam Shahbaz Ahmad Chishti, an Islamic prayer leader. 

Executive Director at New York State Council of Churches, the Reverend Peter Cook, said that his parents were at an age where they needed assistive care. “They want to stay in their homes. But when the very people who can make this path possible are not paid a living wage, it’s an injustice to our parents and to the people who care for them,” said Rev. Cook.

Rabbi Guy Austrian addressed an emotional prayer to the workers. “We ask your blessing on those in need of care and on those who give care,” Austrian said as he finished his prayer.

These community activists and workers also addressed words to New York State’s first female governor, Kathy Hochul. “We are all women here, mostly women of color. So how could you stand up to be proud to be the first governor of New York who is a woman and not fund fair pay for homeworkers?” said Bobbie Sackman, campaign leader at N.Y. Caring Majority.

“One of these days, it will be her turn, and she’ll need us. So, I hope she thinks this through and keeps it in the back of her mind,” said Couch.

While companies such as Apple, Tesla and Amazon have been profiting despite the pandemic, many New York City small businesses have closed due to the lockdowns and lack of business because of COVID-19.

In an effort to prevent the closure of local small businesses, The Citizens Committee for New York City (CitizensNY) is offering grants up to $10,000 to small business owners that are facing scarcity because of COVID-19. CitizensNYC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “help New Yorkers—especially those in low-income communities—come together and improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods.” It held a virtual information session on Feb. 3 about the grants.

Gina Ramcharan, Neighborhood Business Grants Consultant of CitizensNY, explained that businesses that are owned by women, people of color, immigrants including “undocumented immigrants that were prohibited to apply for PPP” (Paycheck Protection Program) are prioritized for the business grant.

The PPP, a federal program, “provided small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.” It ran out last May.

Ramcharan gave examples of the kinds of businesses that CitizensNY has already helped. She mentioned Figure 8 Studio, located in South Ozone Park, Queens, a business with a focus on teaching diverse dances from different cultures, was one of the many recipients that benefited from a small business grant.

The studio was forced to close during the peak of the pandemic, but with grant it was able to install HVAC filters, adapt their space to adhere to the city guidelines and purchased additional PPE (personal protective equipment).

Another grant recipient that was facing closure of his business was the owner of Enoch’s Bike Shop, Enoch Cooper, a Panamanian immigrant. Cooper sells to his community highly customizable bike parts for an affordable price.  He was able to change his business infrastructure to “allow proper social distancing. Better ventilation and sanitation. We’re proud to say we put the brakes on closing Enoch’s bicycle shop,” said Ramcharan.

“We also amplify voices across the five boroughs,” she said, explaining that the non-profit also helps the communities by conducting surveys, creating forums for the citizens who want to voice what is affecting them. “[We] bring people across our city together to generate solutions for though problems,” she said.

To be eligible for a grant, the business must have 10 or less employees and located within the five boroughs of New York City. Applicants must provide business records for the years of 2019, 2020 and 2021 and a grant spending plan, along with a snapshot of their current monthly budget.

The requirement that holds the most weight, said Ramcharan, is how their business engages the community where they are located. “How is your business a game changer in your surrounding community?”

Some New Yorkers will have to wait for shipments of N95 masks to protect them from the Omicron variant.

At midday, February 3rd, at 12pm, ten people were waiting in line for the doors to open at New York Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright’s district office at 1485 York Avenue on 79th street to receive their weekly supply of free masks, hand sanitizers, and PCR kits.

Since March of 2020, Seawright, who represents the Upper East Side, Yorkville, and Roosevelt Island, has hosted a ‘No-Cost Face Covering Give Away’ of Covid supplies every Thursday to residents in her district. Her spokesman, Michael Arena, said they get about 50 visitors a week, and have distribution sites on Roosevelt Island, at senior centers, and public housing complexes.

But with shortages of N95 masks, hand sanitizers, and PCR kits, New York City residents within this district have been having a difficult time trying to find materials. The one material that all community members were in search of was the infamous N95 mask.

Arena said the NYC Health Department currently has a shortage of N95 masks and testing kits. He could not say when the department would again be shipping the N95s, but said his office was “monitoring the situation.”

As the doors opened, many locals were chatting amongst themselves about their luck on finding a site that provides the materials they need to combat the virus, especially N95 masks.

Native New Yorker Annie, who didn’t want to give her last name, stated, “It feels good having a place where masks are being distributed.”

Annie was infected with the virus after getting her booster shot and felt relieved to have found a site where masks, hand sanitizers, and PCR kits are distributed.

A local, Tom Guerreno, who came to get N95 masks and hand sanitizers, learned he would be unable to get the mask. “There is a shortage here too, but the effort is made,” said Guerreno.

As people went in to quickly get their masks and hand sanitizers, Johanna Polanco, who has been coming to the district office for two years stated, “At first, they would distribute 10 masks. Now it’s only two masks and one small bottle of hand sanitizer or a big bottle. Last week, they started providing Covid tests and PCR kits.”

In mid-January, The New York Times reported that President Biden will provide 400 million N95 masks to all Americans free of charge with future distributions in “pharmacies and community health centers.” But the distribution is not yet taking place.

Seawright’s district office gives each person six surgical face coverings plus one hand sanitizer. If a community member needed a big hand sanitizer bottle and a PCR kit, they would have to request it. If and when N95 masks are available, the district office will distribute one N95 mask per person.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has recently updated its mask recommendations. The agency notes that people “can choose” N95 or KN95 masks and adds that N95 masks offer “the highest level of protection.”

Spokesperson Arena was optimistic about the difference their site has made. “There’s absolutely no question that our weekly distribution of masks, sanitizers, and related items and services from Assembly member Seawright’s storefront district office has become a vital resource for the community,” said Arena.

The site also provides educational services for people who are skeptical about the virus.

“Our weekly email newsletter to constituents, neighbors, and friends is packed with resources,” Arena said. “In addition, the Assembly member has hosted many Covid-19 experts on her community webcast “Town Hall Tuesday.”

He also suggested checking city, state, and federal agencies’ websites. “The city health department has frequently asked questions and answers on their website,” he said.