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Dear partners,
We hope this email finds you well during this very stressful time for our city and nation. In an effort to be responsive to your questions and concerns, this update will focus on disinfecting efforts, and employee protections.
The section on disinfecting efforts includes information on the vendor that we have hired and the methods that they using to protect residents. We have also included important information on frequency of disinfecting in both senior and non-senior buildings.
In response to your questions on employee safety we have included information shared with us by the Department of Health on best practices.
We encourage you to share the information in these updates with your colleagues and constituents. If there is anything relevant to COVID-19 and NYCHA that you would like to see in future updates, please reach out to Adiba Chowdhury ( Adiba.Chowdhury@nycha.nyc.gov)
NYCHA Disinfects Senior Buildings to Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19
As part of its efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, NYCHA’s federal government-approved contractor, Eastco, is disinfecting common touch spots (listed below) in all of NYCHA’s 71 seniors-only buildings.
The process involves two disinfecting agents. A hospital-grade disinfecting spray that kills viruses is being applied five times a week to high-touch surfaces at these buildings, including elevator panels and buttons, mailboxes, lobby and common area doors, and trash chute doors.
The second disinfecting agent that is applied to these surfaces is a protective barrier that also destroys viruses. It remains effective on surfaces for at least 30 days, and NYCHA will reapply it every 30 days. This water-based product is safe for humans and pets.
NYCHA property management offices at seniors-only buildings are also receiving these treatments.
Together, these two disinfecting agents are an effective barrier against the coronavirus and other viruses and microbes.
NYCHA is also increasing the frequency of daily disinfecting at all of its buildings, focusing on high-touch and high-traffic areas. To learn more about NYCHA’s work to help keep its community healthy and safe, stay tuned to NYCHA’s website ( www.nyc.gov/nycha) and The NYCHA Journal ( www.nychajournal.nyc).
COVID-19 EMPLOYEE SAFETY UPDATE
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT(PPE)
- According to the latest NYC DOHMH guidance, personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators/facemasks and gloves are not required or recommended to protect NYCHA personnel from the spread of COVID-19 while performing their assignments. This equipment is currently only required for healthcare professionals (such as doctors and nurses) providing care to patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.
- NYCHA personnel are reminded to follow social distancing and practice hand hygiene in order to protect themselves from becoming infected with COVID-19.
- As before this pandemic, NYCHA personnel should be issued the correct PPE for the assigned task. For example, wearing work gloves/chaps when servicing compactors, wearing nitrile gloves when addressing a stoppage and wearing the recommended N-95 when performing RRP work.
Disinfecting
In correspondence issued to agency leaders NYCDOHMH Commissioner Barbot (click here for full text of letter), advises:
- The need to be vigilant about our routine disinfecting protocols, paying close attention to frequently touched areas. To that end, NYCHA has contracted with a vendor to provide these services at each of our senior buildings five times a week and beginning March 23rd, at the balance of our portfolio, three times a week.
- Upon receipt of a suspected/confirmed diagnosis at a facility, it is not necessary to do a “deep clean” (or disinfection) or close the facility.
Illness
In the same correspondence, Commissioner Barbot also advises the following for personnel who may be ill:
- Any employee experiencing mild or moderate symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or sore throat should stay home for 3-4 days.
- Employees should not seek medical attention unless they are not getting better. Your healthcare provider will determine whether or not testing is required.
- Employees who are sick should stay home 7 days after symptoms on set or 3 days fever free without medication, whichever is longer.
COVID-19 Protocols
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene advises New Yorkers on working together and staying home to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in New York City. DOHMH advises that if you go out for essential needs, work or to get fresh air, keep distance between yourself and others.
- If you are sick, stay home.
- Protect yourself and others, by regularly washing your hands with soap for 20 seconds
- Reduce overcrowding, telecommute if possible.
Please click here for further information on Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's protocols in protecting yourself and the City of New York.
If you have any further questions or concerns and would like to report any emergency case regarding the Coronavirus please reach out to your Intergovernmental Relations Liaison listed below:
Brian Honan
Vice President
Brian.Honan@nycha.nyc.gov
Erin Burns-Maine
Deputy Director
Erin.Burns-Maine@nycha.nyc.gov
Holly Martin
Senior Policy Analyst
Holly.Martin@nycha.nyc.gov
Emma Vitaliano
City Legislative Affairs Officer
Emma.Vitaliano@nycha.nyc.gov
Monica Martinez
Manhattan Legislative Coordinator
Monica.Martinez@nycha.nyc.gov
Adiba Chowdhury
Queens/Staten Island Legislative Coordinator
Adiba.Chowhdury@nycha.nyc.gov
Anil Sindhwani
Brooklyn Legislative Coordinator
Anil.Sindhwani@nycha.nyc.gov
Yuliya Szczepanski
Bronx Legislative Coordinator
Yuliya.Szczepanski@nycha.nyc.gov
In partnership,
Intergovernmental Relations Department
NYCHA
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