Elected officials brief Community Board 2 on federal, state relief and local needs amid COVID-19

Representatives from several federal, state and city offices updated Community Board 2 Manhattan on relief measures, testing and local needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic during the board’s March 2020 virtual meeting.

The most immediate federal action noted was the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Robert Atterberry of Congressman Jerrold Nadler’s office said the law provides “about $8,000,000,000 in funding to rapidly expand testing capacity and ensure free testing and treatment for everyone who needs it,” and that it expands paid leave, nutrition assistance and unemployment insurance. Atterberry’s office also described ongoing work in Congress on direct payments and additional support for independent contractors and small businesses.

State and city officials on the call described additional measures. State Senator Brad Hoylman said the legislature passed “comprehensive paid sick leave for those subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine,” and urged more support for restaurants, small businesses and gig workers: "We're really gonna have to step up with both federal and state support to ensure that the people who are hurt most at the bottom of the income ladder are protected." Several speakers urged a restaurant rescue plan, small-business relief and funds for mass transit to address steep drops in ridership.

Manhattan Borough President staff and local council and Assembly offices reiterated that their constituent services were fully operating remotely. Gail Brewer’s office described senior outreach and meal delivery partnerships, and Claudia from an Assemblymember’s office described letters requesting at-home testing kits and priority testing for 9/11 responders and survivors. Luke Wolf from Comptroller Scott Stringer’s office said the comptroller had rushed more than $140,000,000 in emergency contracts for devices and services for schools and emergency needs and asked credit bureaus to suspend negative reporting for missed payments.

Speakers highlighted local logistical concerns: the Small Business Administration had approved New York State’s application to provide emergency loans under its economic injury disaster loan program, but those are loans rather than direct grants; officials are also pushing for relief aimed at freelancers and gig workers who lack unemployment coverage. Atterberry noted disparate elements under active negotiation in Washington, including proposals for direct monthly payments and broader small-business grants.

Why it matters: the information gave residents and neighborhood organizations immediate points of contact and clarified where different levels of government are acting. Officials repeatedly urged residents to use official hotlines and local office channels for help with federal and state programs and to verify rapidly changing guidance on testing and benefits.

Officials offered practical next steps for residents: reach out to elected offices for constituent services, sign up for text alerts and official hotlines for state and city COVID-19 information, and consult agency websites for up-to-date details on testing eligibility and business relief. Local staff also said they were coordinating with nonprofits—such as those organizing volunteer outreach to seniors—and with city agencies on food and housing questions.

Quotes in context come from officials who spoke on the record during the meeting. The board and community organizations signaled they will continue coordinating with elected offices and nonprofit partners to connect vulnerable residents to services and to press for additional state and federal relief.