Public Employee Press: PEP Talk
COVID-19 update
COVID TESTING SITES AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY for NYC EMPLOYEES
New York City is offering no cost, confidential COVID-19 testing by appointment only exclusively for municipal employees. WorkWell NYC has nine testing sites (at least one in each borough at this time) available for City employees who have been exposed to COVID-19 but do not have symptoms.
For the complete list of testing sites and to schedule an appointment online, go to on.nyc.gov/3HMJeOw. Any DC 37 member covered by the City’s health insurance can utilize these sites. You must wear a mask. Walk-ins are not allowed.
Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms is encouraged to stay home and self-isolate. If you or a family member are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, contact your health care provider or visit nyc.gov/covidtest for testing.
If you have any questions, go to on.nyc.gov/3HPY2Mi for a list of frequently asked questions, or contact your union rep or local president. Let’s all help stop the spread.
ORDER FREE HOME COVID-19 TEST KITS
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home antigen (not PCR) COVID-19 tests. Results are given within 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required). You can order your free at-home COVID-19 test kits at
bit.ly/3oNomPH or by calling 800.232.0233 from 8 a.m. to midnight ET, seven days a week. There is assistance in more than 150 languages.
When you purchase over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home test kits, your health insurance plan will reimburse up to eight tests per month for each person on the plan.
FREE N95 FACE MASKS
To stem the spread of COVID-19 in the United States, the Biden Administration is distributing 400 million N95 facemasks from the Strategic National stockpile. The N95 masks are available free at local pharmacies and health care centers starting in February. Three masks per person.
COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE HOTLINE
To answer any outstanding questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine mandate agreement between DC 37 and the City, DC 37 has established a COVID-19 vaccine mandate hotline. Members can call this dedicated phone line to speak to a representative for assistance. The DC 37 vaccine mandate hotline at 212.815.1100 is available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
COVID-19 VACCINE, BOOSTER & FLU SHOT
Do you need the COVID vaccine or booster, or the flu vaccine? Children ages five and up can get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. City workers can use up to four hours of excused leave for travel to get themselves or their child(ren) immunized. Excused leave does not apply to COVID-19 testing for City employees, however. Employees should give their supervisor three days’ notice. For more details, please speak to a union representative. Hundreds of sites across the city offer appointments or walk-up vaccines at no cost. Help end the pandemic. Get vaccinated. For help finding a location, go to
on.nyc.gov/3rMqeKx
IN-HOME COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
NYC offers in-home COVID-19 vaccinations to any city resident who requests one. To schedule your appointment today for your in-home vaccination, fill out a form at
forms.cityofnewyork.us/f/home
COVID-19 VACCINATION CARD OR VERIFICATION
If you are fully vaccinated but lost your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or need verification of your vaccine status, you can request a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination record by going to on.nyc.gov/3GMt8De
COVID-19 WORKERS’ COMP & SHORT-TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS
DC 37 urges members who believe they have contracted coronavirus in the line of duty to apply for New York State Workers’ Compensation. For a list of Workers’ Comp lawyers, go to bit.ly/3f1wK8z. Additionally, DC 37 Health & Security short-term disability benefits may be available for members who have filed Workers’ Comp claims. Go to bit.ly/3ptCdt0 for more information.
FEMA COVID-19 BURIAL RELIEF
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) burial relief program is accepting applications for financial aid up to $9,000 per funeral up to $35,500 per application with multiple COVID-19 decedents. FEMA federal funeral assistance can be used to help with expenses for funeral services, internment, or cremation for COVID-19 deaths that occurred on or after Jan. 20, 2020. Call the FEMA hotline at 844.684.6333 (TTY: 800.462.7585), Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. EST. For additional burial assistance programs, please visit on.nyc.gov/3HJj4w6
