As winter and the pandemic continues, it can be a challenging time for many members of our community.
Below are a few resources that may be helpful for you, colleagues, or loved ones. If you run a theater or small company, NYC has provided this a Winter 2022 COVID-19 Surge Guidance for Employers pdf.
At-Home COVID-19 Tests
As you likely heard, the U.S. federal government website for free home test kits has gone live.
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of four free at-home tests. There is a limit of one order per residential address. Orders will ship free starting in late January.
COVID-19 Testing and Vaccines
Many are continuing to report long lines at testing sites. You can use this website to find updated information about testing locations in New York.
If you need to receive your vaccine or a booster, you can use this website to find vaccination sites, mobile buses, and pop-ups closest to you. You can search by sites that accept walk-ups, offer or require appointments, are accessible for people with disabilities, or provide a specific vaccine type. You can use this page for general vaccine information.
Resources for Renters Facing Evictions
The New York State moratorium on evictions expired on January 15. If you or someone you know is facing an eviction, please know that you have a right-to-counsel
Under New York City’s Right-to-Counsel (RTC) law, DSS/HRA’s Office of Civil Justice (OCJ) provides tenants facing eviction in Housing Court or NYCHA administrative proceedings with access to free legal representation and advice provided by nonprofit legal services organizations from across the five boroughs.
Right-to-Counsel legal services are free, available in every ZIP code, and available regardless of immigration status.
if you have a notice of a court date or an illegal lockout:
– Call 718-557-1379 or 212-962-4795 from Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm
– Call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline
– Email the Office of Civil Justice at civiljustice@hra.nyc.gov. Provide a name, telephone number, and housing court case index number for your eviction case (if known) in your email.
Additional Winter Resources
This winter, we’ve experienced very cold weather. This website from NYC Health provides advice on handling dangerously low temperatures, heavy snow, strong winds, ice, sleet, and freezing rain.
Don’t forget to do the following:
– Ensure carbon monoxide detectors are working
– Check on your neighbors and friends to make sure they have heat
– Make sure you have warm clothing you can layer
Finally, don’t forget to review our NYC Mental Health Offerings for January blog post. We share a monthly catalog of FREE classes and workshops in the NYC Boroughs and Online Virtual options. Check out recurring and one-time classes offered throughout the month of January!
If you have additional resources that you think the indie theater community would benefit from, please share them with us. You can email us at info@indiespace.org.
Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash
