COVID-19 Guidance

COVID-19 guidelines and resources are changing every day. On this page, you will find the most up to date information on how to protect yourself, your family, and your community.

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COVID-19 Symptoms
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People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms.

Most people with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms and recover on their own. Less commonly, COVID-19 may lead to breathing problems, other severe complications, hospitalization or death.

If you have mild to moderate symptoms, stay home. Do not leave home except to get essential medical care (including testing for COVID-19) or to get basic needs such as groceries, if someone can not get them for you.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE CDC GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 AS THEY CONTINUE TO UPDATE.

For fully vaccinated individuals:

If you are fully vaccinated, you can participate in many of the activities that you did before the pandemic.

  • To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
  • Wearing a mask is most important if you have a weakened immune system or if, because of your age or an underlying medical condition, you are at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated. If this applies to you or your household, you might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission in your area.
  • You should continue to wear a mask where required by laws, rules, regulations, or local guidance.
General Guidelines:

  • SOCIAL DISTANCE! Keep at least six feet from others!

  • Wear a face mask/covering at all times.

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when sneezing or coughing

  • Wash your hands with soap and water often and for at least 20 seconds. If there is no soap available, use a hand sanitizer that contains above 60% alcohol.

Please consult this list of resources for information on food, housing, medical facilities, mental health services, internet access, and more.

Food Relief:

The New York City Department of Education is committed to making three free meals available daily for any New Yorker. Any New Yorker who wants one can get three free meals a day at more than 400 Meal Hubs across the city.

  • Meals can be picked up at all Meal Hubs 7:30 am to 1:30 pm, Monday through Friday
  • Meals Hubs will operate for children and families from 7:30 am to 11:30 am, and for adults from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
  • No one will be turned away at any time
  • All adults and children can pick up three meals at one time
  • Vegetarian and halal options available at all sites
  • No dining space is available, so meals must be eaten off-premises
  • Parents and guardians may pick up meals for their children
  • No registration or ID required
  • Families can click on this link for more information as well as to locate a meal hub near them. https://www.schools.nyc.gov/freemeals

Hunger Free NYC helps connect people to food organizations and programs. Visit their website to find food and assistance guides for every neighborhood.


P-EBT Benefit for Families: NY state is launching the Pandemic-EBT Program, providing households with an EBT card containing the cash value of one school breakfast and one lunch for each day that schools are closed due to COVID-19 ($5.70 per day per child). Cards can be used for food items anywhere SNAP/EBT benefits are accepted. All families are eligible for this benefit due to their enrollment in an AF school. More information can be found here.

  • AF Families should expect to receive a P-EBT card delivered to the mailing address on file with your school. Funds and P-EBT cards will be delivered by the following schedule:
  • Households enrolled in SNAP and/or Public Assistance (PA) Benefits will be added to current EBT cards. First payment of $193 (for March/April) by early June. Second payment $227 (May and June) by the end of June.
  • Households enrolled in Medicaid but not SNAP Benefits may be added to a Medicaid Common Benefit Identification Card (CBIC) and a PIN number will be assigned. One payment of $420 for March – June will arrive at the end of June.
  • Households not enrolled in SNAP, PA, or Medicaid A card will be issued and mailed to the household address on file for each student. One payment of $420 (for March – June) will arrive between July-August.

Housing

COVID Rent Relief Program: On June 17, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed the Emergency Relief Act that created the COVID Rent Relief Program (RRP) which provides up to 4 months of rental assistance for NYS renters with the greatest rent burden. Click here to learn more.

  • NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) will open the RRP application period on Thursday, July 16 and it will be open for only 2 weeks. To qualify, applicants must have:
  • Primary residence in New York State;
  • Income below 80% Area Median Income;
  • Experienced a rent burden, defined as paying more than 30% of gross monthly income towards rent;
  • Lost income during any period between April 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020;
  • Rent not greater than 125% of Fair Market Rent; and,
  • At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or meet one of the immigration criteria found here.
  • [Households living in public housing or in receipt of Section 8 housing assistance are not eligible for RRP.]

Mental Health

Please consult these NYC Health guidelines on how to manage grief during this difficult time.

AFUP is committed to ensuring the health and safety of your children. We are actively watching the spread of the virus and will keep you informed of any updates. Thank you!