Storefronts on Main Street in Beacon have been preparing for pandemic protection for the week prior to the shutdown of all non-essential businesses mandated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday, to go into effect on Sunday night (March 22, 2020) at 8 pm.
If you are vising Beacon this weekend - or any day, now that every day could be a weekend day depending on what industry you work in - you won’t find a shopping experience. We are social distancing, walking past closed shops, longing to go inside, our faces pressed up against the storefront glass. We are walking as families, as dog owners, as solo people. We are trying to stay in our spheres - meaning that tight-knit group of people you live with - to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.
The people we pass on the street might be two or four friends getting out of New York City for the day to get fresh air. Totally understandable. But you have got to get it. You have got to sphere-up. You have got to not walk so close to your friends. Seriously. It’s awkward. Every single celebrity is telling you to do it. Every single celebrity in California and New York are out of work because their production literally has been shut down, or their huge concert canceled.
We HAVE to spread out from one another and stay in out sphere if we want this thing to end and for shops to re-open and for movies to come back into the theaters.
The First Round Of Closures
The first round of closures, with the 50% occupancy mandate, was pretty shocking. Then the mandate of movie theaters and gym closures came. That was devastating to those industries. In one day, everyone got to know the Zoom app (what is this thing?!) when kids started using it for digital playdates, and the parents were using it for work meetings, therapy sessions, and now yoga and Pilates classes to retain an ounce of normalcy.
Can The Internet Hold It All?
The Internet started breaking. Gov. Cuomo mandated that data providers provide more data to customers regardless of what plan they purchased (this is a different problem than all of the bandwidth being sucked up… although it’s a freebie solution that may or may not be possible as infinite data is sucked down into smartphones everywhere).
Netflix throttled streaming in Europe, and today, Disney+ took similar action by limiting streaming by 25% in a move requested by European government. “[Disney+] said Thursday it will limit the streaming quality of its content for the next 30 days for users in Europe to relax the strain on communications networks caused by the coronavirus lockdown,” according to an article in Deadline.
Businesses in Beacon
Businesses in Beacon quickly shifted to online shopping. If some had been doing it only a little bit, they jumped in with both feet to figure out how to make it work.
A Little Beacon Blog is tracking it all in our Shopping Guide. Visit that Guide and refresh it on your phone. As we learn of updates and changes to what shops are delivering, how they are offering contact-less payment, etc. the shop’s information will be updated in the Shopping Guide and Restaurant Guide.
This Tearful (Temporary) Goodbye (But Available For Pick-Up!) From Flora Good Times
This Saturday morning, the saddest Instagram post came up. Sad but truthful and appreciated. It’s from Flora Good Times. Owner Corinne Bryson bought the shop from the former Mary Fris (read her interview with ALBB here after that transition). Within the year she has been told to shut her new business, a move she supports in the name of public health, but one that is not without deep struggle and hardship.
We will leave you with Flora Good Times’s temporary goodbye post. Read it, and then go back and buy from her. She does pickup, and you’ll want to experience whatever energy you can from that sweet shop.
“I know the news is changing so quickly it feels like whiplash these days.
”A few things have changed for us over here today. Previously posted that we would be open tomorrow and Sunday. This is partially true, but only Saturday and only for curbside pickups or pre-orders! Our little store is not easy to socially distance within, so for the next while, only appointments/pickups allowed inside the shop. Sunday we will be closed.
”Secondly, I posted today that I wasn't sure about curbside pickups next week and moving forward. I think we will make it happen for you. I'll take orders Sunday-Tuesday for Wednesday and Friday pickup at designated times. What we have available is on our highlights, but please ask if you're looking for something you might not see. The store is full of treasures!
”Finally, I will not be focusing on flowers until I can properly reopen. We have cleaned out the fresh flower area as it's typically the part of our business running on the smallest margins with the most physical loss. We do have dried flowers available, or if you are looking for fresh flowers, I am happy to turn you to a handful of wonderful local florists who are slinging flowers however they can.
”Today has been weird. No shame in saying I've cried in the grocery store every time I've been in it this week. But, I've also spent a lot of time remembering that this pandemic is really teaching us something that I've been told all along -- health is the most important thing. And I'm grateful that I am healthy and those that I love are healthy. I hope you are also healthy and surrounding yourself with light in whatever way you can ♥️ Last thing, I heard a lovely Norwegian proverb today that I'm holding with me for the foreseeable future: "It will either go well or it will pass." Either sound great to me right about now.”
Wishing all of our Main Street business friends the very best as we soldier through this. Please continue to make your life happy by ordering the treasures you find inside. How fun to shop differently now: by gazing through the storefront window, and the shop owner brings you something.
On Saturday afternoon at 5 pm, just as the day shifts into evening and instincts to socially gather kick into higher gear, Mayor Kyriacou issued a friendly reminder about Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s current emergency orders.
Here is the transcript of what he said (did you not get this call? Click here to sign up for Beacon’s Robo-Call System). Robo-messages from the City of Beacon can also be emailed to you.
“I will regularly communicate official information on COVID-19, as well as about its impacts on our lives here in Beacon.
”Please rely on New York State and Dutchess County as official sources. The experts are focused on ‘flattening the curve’ of transmission – to protect at-risk individuals and prevent an overload of our healthcare system.
”The current emergency orders from the Governor include:
Non-essential private workers must stay home after Sunday 8 pm
Non-essential gatherings of any size are temporarily banned;
The closure of non-essential stores is extended to retail malls and personal care services – takeout/delivery is okay for food establishments.
”Go to state and county websites for information – you can sign up to receive emails from them:
With all the hand-washing going on, your hands are a wreck. Fortunately for you, Beacon is filled with people who make the most amazing creams and balms. SallyeAnder Soaps is a brand you see in a lot of shops in Beacon, and you’ve seen it online or in other shops in other states as well. It’s a major brand that is manufactured right here in Beacon, in the same building as Brett’s Hardware, Beacon Pilates, CineHub, BCAP, and a few others whose names aren’t coming to the forefront at moment.
This blogger’s hands were dry from the hand-washing, which triggered eczema flare-ups across the whole back of the hand. If you’ve never had eczema, it’s quite annoying because it can feel differently at different times. Sometimes it makes for scaly skin on a certain area of the finger, for example. This first happened to this blogger while being a dishwasher in a French cafe.
These days, the eczema can cause cracks that split like paper cuts. When a sensation of stress happens, the stress feels can spread across the entire hand in a burning sensation.
Enter in: SallyeAnder’s “Heavy Duty Hand Therapy Moisturizing Balm.” Put a little dab on the dry area, and begin feeling the sensation. SallyeAnder was started by a dad, Gary Austin, who was trying with his wife Karen to heal his son’s eczema as a baby; the company is now run by his daughter. That was back in 1982. Now their daughter, Sallye, runs the soap manufacturing business here in Beacon.
Want some soaps to switch off from what you normally use every now and then? Try the best selling soaps: Milk & Mint and Lavender Moon. Says their project manager (and megastar food photographer) Eva Deitch about the balm: “All of our soaps are safe and effective to use for severely dry or eczema-prone skin and won't contribute to drying your hands with constant washing. This is because we use an olive oil base for our soaps.”
This week was a little rough. It was the first Learn From Home Week for parents, the Internet got glitchy, and last night, California did go on a "Don't Leave Your House This Evening" drill (they've already been living in a Stay At Home state). That was the first time most of us saw something like that happen. At least lately, LOL. The national media has woken up to coronavirus, possibly in part because their offices have been shut down for COVID-19 prevention, and their coverage has gone wild. It is helpful to have the information, but it's a lot all at once.
This morning while outside, a long siren sounded. ALBB has gotten questions about it in the past, but we never pursued it. So today, we pursued it. People walking around, who might normally be at work in New York City but are housebound now, might have been little spooked to hear that old-fashioned sound. Turns out, it's just a regular old fire announcement siren from across the river that traveled here especially loudly because of the humid, foggy day, according to Beacon's fire chief. The sirens are used to alert volunteer firefighters to the call of duty. Beacon does not have sirens, says the chief, because the fire department uses other technology to mobilize their force. Awesome to know this bit of Beacon trivia.
Beacon businesses have been preparing for a 100% closure of non-essential businesses all week. In one week, we saw statewide mandates for bars to close, movie theaters, gyms, casinos, and others. The mandate to close barber shops and salons came next, and shortly after that, the 100% just-close-everything-that-is-non-essential.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been stressing the importance of regional cooperation, so that states next to us don't get flooded with people seeking what they need. Therefore, Connecticut and New Jersey are working together to make the same policies as New York. Ohio is also a few days ahead of us in policies that New York eventually makes. So policies are spreading and catching on. Just like Social Distancing.
Gov. Cuomo has been reassuring to listen to during this crisis, mind-bending as it is. But we need a leader. A general. As he describes it, we are in a war fighting this pandemic. In one week, we are at war mentality. One of the best things he has done is providing context to his announcements. He leads us down the path of what he needs (ventilators, ICU beds, buildings to put those beds in, etc.), and then delivers a dramatic mandate to help slow the spread in order to give him time to get this preparation work done.
A Little Beacon Blog is going to take that cause-based approach in our article production as we cover coronavirus. Headlines alone can be shocking. We need to know the why behind the headline, and why now. We are going to do our best to deliver to you timely information. But we are only publishing articles after we listen to a press conference, grab a significant amount of quotes, and present what just happened.
HOW A LITTLE BEACON BLOG IS DOING
Good. Katie will always tell you "good," but ALBB will provide preparation-type articles that may sometimes be uncomfortable to face.
TEAM: A Little Beacon Blog is paying our people in place. That is a little wobbly, because our business is based on advertisers, many of whose businesses have just been cut. In this time, Team ALBB has never been more at-the-ready to jump in and make something happen. Team ALBB will get paid as long as we can hold out! One of our revenue streams is website production, and we did have a client pull out from the VC medical device world, but we are getting requests for other projects, so we shall see.
We are stretching everything we can to bring on more writers to bring you developments in a more timely fashion. You may hear something on national news, but it can be a lot to take in at once. We are going to cover it with an angle on how it impacts Beaconites.
Katie's spouse works in the film industry, and they are completely shut down for at least two months, but are not going down without a fight. As you may have seen, Savannah Guthrie of the TODAY Show has COVID-19 symptoms, and filmed from her home basement, and Conan O'Brien announced he will record his show on his iPhone while his crew works from home. Love this resilience.
ADVERTISERS & SPONSORS: As we are seeing, businesses are responding in new ways to still get their product to their clients and customers. Business people are some of the most resilient and creative people we've met. A Little Beacon Blog is super-focused on their needs, and will help promote whatever they are doing when they need it. If now is the time you want to get a permanent spot in our promotion, do it. We're ecstatic to have you, and to get your message to the people eager to help you and buy from you.
A Little Beacon Blog has further enhanced our Restaurant and Shopping Guides. Both Guides rank No. 1 in Google when people search for where to shop or eat in Beacon, so repurposing these into a Coronavirus Cheat Sheet is the most efficient way we can show people how to reach our Main Street businesses right now.
This includes updates for ALL of the Restaurants and Shops on Main Street. We look through their social media, and take insider tips as well. The basic update is done at no cost to the business. The support from our current advertisers of A Little Beacon Blog (see below) are how we make this happen, and we are able to show you more of what our sponsors are doing through their regular placements. If you would like to show more of what you offer, you can look into that here for Restaurants, and here for Shopping. Other types of businesses (fitness, beauty, etc) can look into our Business Directory.
EAT CHURCH (Closed For Now)
While the food truck has powered down for now, they are posting recipes! This one is for the Pumpkin Chutney. It is called the ISOLATION RECIPE. Get the details here >
BARB'S BUTCHERY
Thank gosh for essential businesses. Meat has been flying out of Barb's Butchery. Watch her Instagram for food announcements and reserve your order ahead for curbside pickup. The grill has powered down for menu items; the shop is taking meat orders only. Get details >
LUXE OPTIQUE
Don't think the Luxe Optique team isn't here for you. If you need something for your frames or eyes, you can contact them to make a special arrangement. Help them now by voting Best Of Hudson Valley!
LAMBS HILL BRIDAL BOUTIQUE
The gorgeous boutique is closed for now, but the staff is ready to help with online viewing and ordering! Browse dresses >
BINNACLE BOOKS
Jenny Odell's “How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy” - well, if that isn't more fitting for these times... Order via Binnacle's super easy order form! Pickup or Delivery. Get Details >
PTACEK Home
When not in the store, PTACEK Home is in their happy place building and designing furniture from reclaimed wood. They could even design you a bathroom vanity and have it delivered... Get Details >
LLTO (LIVE LIGHT TRAVEL OFTEN)
The WiFi Pillow. An essential for any person right now connecting with others online. Block-printed indigo by hand and perfectly designed, understated modern beauty. Buy Online! >
COLD FIT CRYOTHERAPY
The essential treatment for pain, and even a little weight loss. We have heard from some of you who've tried it, and you're hooked. Buy A Gift Certificate Online! >
ANTALEK & MOORE
Ever the planners, Antalek & Moore is telling you to plan ahead. In this case, it's a short budget exercise. Do It >
TIN SHINGLE
Katie from ALBB also runs Tin Shingle, an empowerment and education platform for businesses to get the word out. She has started daily Morning Messages as we walk through this time together. They are short, like two minutes. Watch and learn! Find On Instagram >
GOV. CUOMO ISSUES DIRECTIVE TO NEW YORK STATE MORTGAGE COMPANIES TO PAUSE BILLING FOR 90 DAYS
ALBB was chasing this story all week. Emailing local banks. We were getting receptive answers, but nothing concrete. And then Gov. Cuomo made that choice for them. Those of us still using Big Banks still need to fend for ourselves. Maybe the Fed will issue something... Get The Article >
ANTALEK & MOORE CONFIRMS PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE IS OPEN TO FLEXIBILITY
Another crack in the world of big bills. Will this work more broadly? Who knows! But it's nice to know that options are opening. Get The Article >
BEACON'S CITY COUNCIL MET FOR FIRST TIME - SOCIALLY DISTANCED
Calling in to ask your questions during the City Council meetings is possible, and the phone number will be available soon. Meanwhile, this article gives a brief recap of the CoronaCoverage during the meeting. Get The Article >
THE INTERNET IS GETTING OVERLOADED - NETFLIX LIMITS BANDWIDTH IN EUROPE
With all of our kids learning online (OK, that's a theory, and let's face it, they are all just having digital playdates at this point), and fitness centers doing their routines via Zoom, the Internet is getting a workout. Get The Article >
KEY FOOD ONE OF FIRST GROCERY STORES TO RESERVE 7-8AM FOR SENIORS-ONLY SHOPPING
This article talks about the trend in custom shopping, and includes tips for helping your older neighbors keep themselves safe. Get The Article >
LIST OF LINKS ALBB USES FOR ARTICLES
ALBB made this List of Links to easily reference major websites, as you follow health changes and legislative updates. We update our list as new resources become available. Get The List >
A MESSAGE FROM HOWLAND CULTURAL CENTER
Art In The Time Of Coronavirus Get The Article >
EVEN MORE HEADLINES AT ALBB
We're telling you, we were busy this week!! Hopefully we will send you shorter emails as we get into the groove of CoronaCoverage.
We got a suggestion from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce. Even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this!
If you are feeling like you want to send ALBB anything as a reader (different from advertising programs, we do have those!) then visit the new link in the ABOUT tab, called: “I Want To Support ALBB!” Different amounts are available, starting at $5. Click here or the graphic above to learn more on how you can help! Support Here! >
READERS WHO SUPPORTED THIS WEEK: Ellen Verdibello - “Thanks for all you do to keep Beacon informed!”
Marissa Howlett
Deborah Bigelow - "@gildedtwig thanks Katie and the entire ALBB team for continuing to publish informative posts, as well as personal and business updates on Instagram. Your work is supporting readers - even in far-flung burbs like Somers, NY - to find community and a bit of humor in this hard time. Thank you!!!"
As the City of Beacon Works to define and clarify its zoning to standards that work for today’s community, one zoning tool includes working with and around historic buildings. The project of identifying properties that would be warrent historic designation was an active project in the administration prior to this, under Mayor Randy Casale when he and now Mayor Lee Kyriacou, would walk Beacon’s streets together to identify properties. Since then, 35 homes and commercial buildings were identified as having met a certain set of criteria that would qualify a local historic designation.
Implications For Neighboring, Non-Historic Buildings
ALBB asked Beacon’s City Planner, John Clark, about the implications for homes or buildings located next door to or nearby a home or building that has been designated historic by the City of Beacon. He answered: “Positive implications for neighboring properties include that the character of adjacent historic structures will be protected and that any alteration or new construction in the Historic District and Landmark Overlay (HDLO) must be compatible with surrounding historic properties and the neighborhood, consistent with the standards in Section 134-7.”
“The only direct implications for neighboring properties is in the Central Main Street district, where any Special Permit request for a 4th story on a parcel abutting a property in the HDLO zone must be approved by the City Council, not the Planning Board. The Council may reduce a permitted building height to be no more than six feet higher than an existing building on an adjoining HDLO parcel for a distance of 30 feet along the frontage from the historic structure (see 223-41.18 E(7)).”
“The Council is also currently considering changes to the CMS district to extend the above Special Permit requirements for both 4th stories and corner towers to properties directly across the street from an HDLO parcel.”
What Are The Criteria?
According to the Historic District and Landmark Overlay Zone (HDLO) proposal, the properties must meet a certain set of criteria. Proposed nominations are subject to the criteria in the Historic Preservation Chapter, Section 134-4 B Designation of landmarks or historic districts:
Distinguishing architectural characteristics of period or style;
Special value as part of the cultural or social history of the community;
Eligible for State or National Register of Historic Places
Looking for an example, ALBB asked John Clark about the recognizable yellow house with the tower on Mattie Cooper by the Springfield Baptist Church that is not in a historic district. ALBB asked John to explain how that house, if designated historic, would conform to new zoning, if it was “spot-zoning,” and it the property would get additional usage rights, like being able to operate as bed and breakfast.
John’s answer: “If a parcel, like the house with the tower, was to be designated as a historic building, it would have to comply with the standards of two zones - the underlying district and the Historic District and Landmark Overlay (HDLO) zone. The HDLO overlay zone is not spot zoning. It just adds an extra layer of protections and requirements for multiple parcels across the City for a legally enabled public purpose.”
“Under Zoning Section 223-24.7, an HDLO parcel is allowed additional uses if granted a Special Permit by the City Council. Uses, with certain size limitations, include an artist studio, antique shop, restaurant, bed and breakfast, professional office, multifamily residential, and artist live/work space.”
Why The Desire To Designate These Buildings Now?
During the building boom, Beaconites grew uncomfortable with buildings that were growing taller - to 4 floors. The lightening rod of a building was 344 Main Street, which for a variety of reasons that were noted mistakes for the City, zoning changes became a priority of Mayor Kyriacou (then City Council Member). Mayor Kyriacou is also a property owner of residential and commercial property in Beacon, some of which is already in a Historic zone, and his wife is a realtor.
4 Cross St. - 2-story brick building - Arched brick lintels - Stone sills - Two bricked-in windows - Newer windows - Green
11 Digger Phelps Ct. - Wood frame building - Original Porch - Scalloped details - Newer windows - Green
9 Mattie Cooper Sq. - Wood Frame building - Original porch - Bay windows - Replacement vinyl siding - Newer windows - Green
11 North Elm St. - Wood frame building - Intact Arts & Crafts house - Chain link fencing - Green
4 North Elm St. - Brick and stucco building - Intact Second Empire - Green
27 Church St. - Wood frame building - Wraparound porch - Replacement asbestos siding - Newer windows - Green
232 Main St. - 3-story brick building - Bracketed cornice - Historic-quality storefront - Red
250 Main St. - 3-story brick building - Bracketed cornice - Arched brick lintels - Historic-quality storefront - Bricked-up side windows - Red
257 Main St. - 2-story brick building - Brick projecting cornice - Stone sills - Historic-quality storefronts - Green
274 Main St. - 3-story brick building - Bracketed cornice - Stone sills and lintels - Side bay window - Non-historic storefront - Green
159 Fishkill Ave. - Wood frame building - Complex roof, arched dormers - Corner bay, bracketed cornice - Elaborately ornamented porch - Red
189 Fishkill Ave. - Wood frame building - Front bay window - Birthplace of James Forrestal, Sec. of Navy and Defense - Loss of all original details - Replacement vinyl siding - Green
194 Fishkill Ave. - Wood frame building - Multiple porches - Replacement vinyl siding - Newer windows - Green
19 Commerce St. - Wood frame building - Decorated verge board - Detailed front porch - Side bay window - Asphalt and vinyl siding - Green
11 Commerce St. - 2-story brick building - Wide frieze cornice - Stone lintels and sills - Side bay window - Porch looks newer - Green
26 South Ave. - Wood frame building - Elaborate verge board - Front bay window - Detailed wraparound porch - Replacement vinyl siding - Frontage chain link fence - Green
30 South Ave. - 2-story building - Bracketed cornices - South bay window - Newer side addition - Frontage chain link fence - Green
Editor’s Note: The following is written by Craig Wolf, the President of The Howland Cultural Center. The HCC is currently closed to the public from all events and regular meetings until further notice.
Ah, so here we are, with normal life brought to a standstill as we scurry around trying to avoid a virus and cope with the civil restrictions that it brings.
With apologies to Gabriel Garcia Marquez for cloning the title of his great novel, it does seem to offer a bit of a parallel. His heroine is involved with two lovers. Here, we all have two loves. We love our arts. And we love to stay healthy.
Not much is happening publicly here at our little nonprofit. We are an arts center that normally produces and presents performances and exhibits, largely administered by volunteers. We can’t do that right now.
COVID-19 isn’t quite cholera, but it’s serious. And we are serious about getting back to business when they let us. We regret that the postponements include our now-annual gala event, which will have to be rescheduled.
Meanwhile, we continue to work behind the scenes to plan a future, so that this bulletin will once again be filled with art events. We do expect this story to have a happy ending.
But for now, the impact of not producing events is a significant loss of revenue. It is through doing what we do that we earn a good chunk of our keep. What’s left on the revenue side for now is just donations. Thankfully, many friends have recently responded to our annual campaign, which we now call Friends of the Howland Center. And we thank you again.
So, if you have yet to help, now would be a good time. A really good time.
How do you become a friend at a social distance? Good thing we invented the internet. You just click right here.
Best to all of you from the Howland crew, and stay tuned.
Early in March, the federal SBA (Small Business Administration) announced that businesses impacted by coronavirus could apply for a low-interest federal disaster loans.
Small Businesses in Dutchess County Now Eligible for Disaster Relief 03/17/2020
Poughkeepsie ... The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). SBA acted under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, to declare a disaster following a request received from Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont on March 15, 2020.
“Our small businesses are the lifeblood of our community. This first wave of assistance from the federal government is essential to provide some stability to our businesses and not-for-profits struggling with cash flow. I am grateful to the SBA for including Dutchess in this declaration.”
— Dutchess County Executive, Marcus J. Molinaro
The disaster declaration made SBA assistance available in Connecticut, as well as the contiguous counties of Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester in New York.
“SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist small businesses with federal disaster loans. We will be swift in our efforts to help these small businesses recover from the financial impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19),” said Administrator Jovita Carranza.
Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro said, “Our small businesses are the lifeblood of our community. This first wave of assistance from the federal government is essential to provide some stability to our businesses and not-for-profits struggling with cash flow. I am grateful to the SBA for including Dutchess in this declaration.”
SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and explain the application process.
Who Can Apply For The Disaster Relief Loan
“Access to EIDL funds will help businesses cover basic essentials, such as payroll and fixed costs, in the short term and will bring much needed certainty and stability at a time when it’s needed most. The Chamber and Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center is here to assist organizations with navigating this program and gaining access to low interest capital.”
— Frank Castella, Presdient of the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce
“Small businesses, private nonprofit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) since Jan. 31, 2020, may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred,” said Carranza.
“These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing,” Carranza added.
Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Frank Castella, Jr., said, “Access to EIDL funds will help businesses cover basic essentials, such as payroll and fixed costs, in the short term and will bring much needed certainty and stability at a time when it’s needed most. The Chamber and Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center is here to assist organizations with navigating this program and gaining access to low-interest capital. We remain hopeful [that] consumer confidence and demand will be steady, supportive drivers for local businesses and nonprofit organizations — as this is essential, now more than ever, in moving the economy forward.”
“We know the impacts that the COVID-19 situation is causing and look forward to doing all we can to help our small businesses here in Dutchess County get through this challenge,” said SBA Regional Administrator Steve Bulger.
Who Is Eligible For Economic Injury Disaster Loans?
Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for private nonprofit organizations is 2.75%. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.
How To Apply
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Connection points include:
Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at: (800) 659-2955
Email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339.
Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration Processing and Disbursement Center 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Deadline To Apply
The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 16, 2020.
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov.
Photo Credit: Ruby Martin (my 9-year-old assistant, taking this photo safely from a passenger seat of the car.
A Little Beacon Blog has been pursuing this story for two weeks. We have made inquires to local, state-based banks to see if they were thinking of pausing billing - tacking these months of payments to future months. We received some positive answers, but nothing concrete to publish. Also note: it is not clear what this means for non-state issued banks. Like Quicken Loans (who we are with), who has been fabulous throughout our loan management process, but figuring out who to call (first) tomorrow to pursue this loan modification will take several deep breaths. Looks like this is a win in the direction of going with a local bank. :)
While this photo is not a directive to any one financial institution in particular, it was a billboard that we saw while on our daily drive-around as we drive my toddler into his nap. (He’s normally in daycare but we paused that in the name of #flattenthecurve… and it’s SO HARD to also substitute-teach two the older kids at home while the little one is running around chasing us, squirting us with cleaning supplies he finds!)
Back to the point. The main point. The point about how Governor Cuomo just issued a directive to banks to pause mortgage payments for those in financial hardship because of the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak. Which is all of us who just lost jobs. Part-time jobs. Gig jobs. Full-time jobs. Client jobs.
In Governor Cuomo’s own words, here is how this directive will work. The details are most likely being fleshed out, but here is the direction. Not being an economic expert here, I’m not sure that this will work because money needs money to keep churning. But am hoping that the invisible hand of both spending money with our local businesses (keeping membership payments in place, buying takeout from restaurants, buying from the websites of our Main Street boutiques, etc.) will help.
We're also going to take a bold action but a necessary action, offering 90-day relief of mortgage payments. Waiving payments based on financial hardship. Meaning, if you are not working. If you are working only part-time. We are going to have the banks and financial institutions waive mortgage payments for 90 days. That will be a real-life economic benefit. It will also be a stress reliever for many families.
Waiving these payments will not have a negative effect on your credit report. There will be a grace period for loan modification. We are not exempting people from the mortgage payments, we are just adjusting the mortgage to include those payments on the back end.
No late fees or online payments fee. Postponing or suspending any foreclosures during this time. And waiving those fees for ATMs and credit cards. This is a real-life benefit. People are under tremendous economic pressure. Making a mortgage can be a No. 1 stressor. Eliminating that stressor for 90 days I think will go a long way. We will reassess as the situation goes on, if that should be extended or not.
(Toward the end of the press conference, he added this): You're going to have time with your family. You're going to have time at home. In this busy, hurry-up world.
When you started working from home, you may have thought that your Internet was glitchy. Your kids may have been throwing fits at the Xbox because it kept skipping. You are not alone. The Internet is getting clogged because none of us want to be alone. We are all connecting at once through Zoom, Google Classroom, GoToWebinar, Live Instagram/Facebook/Twitter/YouTube, streaming videos on YouTube. Streaming shows on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+. Press conferences. So much streaming.
Netflix announced today (3/19/2020) that it will limit streaming in Europe. This has been a discussion for a while over there, as people are having trouble uploading and downloading content.
As reported by Deadline: “The European Union’s Internal Market and Services Commissioner, Thierry Breton, has called on streaming platforms such as Netflix and YouTube to take measures to prevent internet gridlock as the response to the coronavirus places additional strain on communications networks.”
More from the article: “In a call placed Wednesday, he urged Netflix CEO Reed Hastings to serve only standard-definition content to users in times of peak demand. With vast numbers of people now working from home, and using video chat and digital messages to stay in touch with friends and family, and as users increase their time spent on streaming platforms, Breton said streamers had a role to play in ensuring telecom operators weren’t overwhelmed.”
Please read the full article here, but please use these ideas to conserve and free up the Internet. The goal is to spread out our global usage of the Internet. We need the videos from you! From our teachers, our fitness studios, everyone who is doing creative things to try to stay in business digitally.
Try to check your social at certain times of the day. Not all day.
Maybe don’t make live videos all day. Maybe don’t watch the live videos. Every single person coming on there is contributing to bandwidth usage. I want everyone to make live videos so badly, but maybe we just need to limit it at certain times.
Music: If you stream music from Apple or Spotify or something, just go buy some albums from iTunes. Put a bunch of the CDs in your basement onto your computer (OK, that’s from my own to-do list because I’ve never been a music streamer… I never trusted the cloud! ‘Clouds can blow away,’ is what I always said, though I subscribe to a bunch of them…keep your subscriptions! We will emerge from this.)
Limit kid video playdates to certain times.
Having a lot of meetings on Zoom? Maybe tell your boss that you need to conserve teleconferencing bandwidth. GoToWebinar is already very slow at times (worked great when it worked, just took a while for it to start) and I have been hearing that downloading Zoom is taking a long time. Sorry, Boss!
Not sure if these work, but: close unused tabs in your browser and on your phone. Don’t use these and reminder placeholders anymore.
If a press conference is happening right now, maybe watch it later. Not live. (Or watch on regular TV instead of streaming.)
Get cable! I was never a cord-cutter. I always knew that streaming would get expensive because we’d be signing up for so many services! So get that cable box back, LOL! (But to be honest, I don’t know the technology of cable; it might all run on WiFi anyway at this point.)
Call it the Adult Swim of the Coronavirus Era: Seniors are getting a dedicated block of time, 7 to 8 am every day, to shop in Key Food so as to limit exposures to others (especially those who may be asymptomatic or feeling only mild symptoms). “Seniors” are considered to be anyone 60 and older. Key Food also offers delivery, as well as online ordering and delivery through InstaCart.
Other grocery stores have set similar hours, including Adams Fairacre Farms, Dollar General, Stop and Shop, and ShopRite. One follower of Adams, Brittany Mackey, a holistic health practitioner, suggested on Adams’ social media that stores consider this a permanent trend after the pandemic is over: “How about we keep this going after all this is said and done!!”
Beacon Natural Market has taken the route of not limiting hours by customers’ age, and is going with the strategy of not wanting to foster the unintended consequences of clustering an age group or increasing the number of people in the store at once. Bettina Fries, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Medicine, had concerns about the dedicated hours, and told the Washington Post: “I hope the scattered shopping hours would lead to seniors being in a store with less people,” she said. “It’s less likely that you will have [a] senior with coronavirus in a store because they’re less likely to be asymptomatic.”
On the other hand, grocery stores do need time to re-stock. Said Beacon Natural to A Little Beacon Blog: “We’re also hoping to use some extra morning hours to have our staff restock without customers in the store, thereby reducing their exposure. But we certainly support any and all efforts stores are doing to help serve their communities. We’re all making this up as we go along. There is no precedent.”
A Tip For Protecting Older People
With recommendations from the CDC that older people and people with heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes are at higher risk for being in serious condition from coronavirus/COVID-19, there are a few extra things you can do to protect seniors - sometimes from themselves. According to the CDC today (3/19/2020), data coming in shows that older people 65+ are tending to get hospitalized the most. However, those in their 20s are also not risk-free. The best things to do are grocery delivery for everyone, have a super-reduced number of people in a store, and constantly wipe surfaces at the check-out line, front and exit door, and other commonly touched surfaces.
Talk To, But Back Away From, Seniors: An older person might not know about social distancing, and might not believe in or know about the pandemic. If you have an older neighbor who has early-stage dementia, for instance, and if that older neighbor sees you on the sidewalk, and rushes out of their house to come say Hi! to you and even hug you, back away. If this happens while you are with your children, who don’t know how to react in that situation, gently move your child back with you and tell the older person you are being careful because you might have a little cold (even if you don’t). This happened to me with one of our very jubilant and social neighbors, so it seemed like a good bit to pass along.
Give A Senior Space: If you’re shopping in the grocery store and a senior is near you, back away and take another direction.
A Senior In Denial: You may know a person who is 60+ and is in great shape. They may be in denial about their exposure, and they may be out and about. Wave to them from afar, and make sure to walk with the minimum 6 feet of social distance between you.
Don’t Visit Grandparents Right Now: Even if you have young and healthy grandparents, they are probably over 60 years old. It’s easy to forget that your own mom or dad are “older” and at risk. So just FaceTime or MarcoPolo them, or walk at a far social distance in the woods. Scenic areas are picking up with humans as we all try to social distance, so if it’s too crowded even in nature, look for a different nature spot. (This is why green space is important to preserve in cities as they plan development, and why Scenic Hudson does a lot of great work purchasing and maintaining open land!)
Seniors Need Socializing: So we need to connect with and talk to our senior friends. They may be at home all day watching any news channel that is producing good but scary reporting. Or propagating conspiracy theories. If you see a senior out and about, keep your distance, but let them talk to you, and answer them in a reassuring way.
Seniors Sometimes Don’t Ask For Help: Keep an eye on your older neighbor. If they deny your offer to help, just start trying to observe what they might need.
Use the Mutual Aid Beacon Group of Volunteers: This is a growing group of people from Beacon who have signed up to be volunteers to help get things for people who can’t do it themselves. No task or request is too small. Visit their website here.
Let’s be real. The links dubbed as “official” are coming in fast and furious. We have started adding them to this dedicated page. When we add a new one, we consider who shared it with us (like if that person was a government source or a respected media outlet), we will indicate that source, and move the publication date up of this article so that it’s at the top of your article collection as you read our articles on the Coronavirus tag.
NEW YORK STATE
New York State 24/7 Coronavirus Hotline 24/7: 1-888-364-3065
New York State Mental and Emotional Counseling Hotline: 844-863-9314 Open 8am-10pm 7 days a week.
Emotional Support For Health Care Workers: Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access 24/7 emotional support services.
New York State’s Coronavirus Page New York State’s Official Coronavirus Page. Updated daily. A bullet list at the top of the page lists the major developments of the day. https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
New York State’s Phased Reopening Plan Industries Reopening By Phase An updated page of industries with descriptions of the industry, and plans that need to be met by the businesses in order to open.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Twitter An amazing updating of what is happening hour-by-hour, sometimes minute-by-minute. An easy way to listen to daily briefings on your phone. https://twitter.com/NYGovCuomo
Testing for Coronavirus - Get the up-to-date information at the New York State COVID-19 Website. The experience of how to get tested changes. As it changes, New York State updates their COVID-19 website. According to the New York State Website: - (As of 3/21/2010) “Testing is free to all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider or by calling the NYS COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-364-3065.”
New York State and Dutchess County urge you to not go to your doctor or an Urgent Care without calling them first. The medical professionals need to prepare to see you. If you are infected with COVID-19, you could expose their office and other patients.
WHO (World Health Organization) A very clear way to hear about the latest things researchers have learned about coronavirus, and the state of the health care management system and its needs. https://www.who.int/
City Of Beacon City Council Meetings Board meetings (City Council, Zoning, Planning) are now being held via video conferencing. City Council Meetings or Workshops every Monday at 7pm. Get to their channel here.
Beacon’s Mayor’s Update via Emergency Robo-Call System Want periodic updates phone-calls and emails from the Mayor? Or announcements of important updates? Sign Up Here >
Quarantined In Beacon And Need Help? The Mutual Aid of Beacon Group formed and has at least 80 local volunteers ready to help if you cannot leave your house and need help getting things. Take a look at the website - it is really neat! Makes you feel safe living in Beacon. It is a system of connected people who can help. Even if a person doesn’t use technology, there are neighbors who want to look out for them. Call (845) 206-9836 or email mutualaidbeacon@gmail.com http://www.beaconmutualaid.com/ Facebook Link
SUPPORTING MAIN STREET BUSINESSES IN BEACON
Restaurants in Beacon: Who is still open, with COVID-19 updates as we learn them. Free. Businesses can submit as needed. Shopping Boutiques in Beacon: Who is still open, with COVID-19 updates as we learn them. Free. Businesses can submit as needed. Source: A Little Beacon Blog, edited by Marilyn Perez
DUTCHESS COUNTY
Dutchess County Coronavirus Hotline: 845-486-3555 Open 9am-5pm 7 days a week
Dutchess County’s COVID-19 Case Tracker (aka “Community Impact Dashboard”) Statistics on positive COVID-19 cases by city/town/municipality, deaths, recovered, etc. Details >
Orange County COVID-19 Case Tracker Statistics on positive COVID-19 cases in Newburgh and City of Newburgh. Details >
Dutchess Responds A website coordinate volunteer efforts, urgent requests for PPE (masks, sanitizer, gowns, face shields, etc.). If you have any to donate, or if your business can manufacture them. Details >
Tela-mental-health 24/7 (stress, anxiety, depression, drugs and alcohol): 888-692-9355
Dutchess Business Notification Network A website and notification email of updates in the local business world. https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home Source: Dutchess County (Ron Hicks) and Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce (Frank Castella)
nCoV2019 A website created by a 17-year old named Avi Schiffmann. He started it in December 2019 when COVID-19 started in Wuhan, China. His website pulls information from local health department websites via a method called “web scraping.” He builds upon the website based on user feedback. As of 3/19/2019, the website shows stats for: confirmed cases, total deceased, total serious, total recovered. https://ncov2019.live/ Source: Democracy Now
For those who have inquired, Dutchess County's Household Waste and Electronics Recycling Event, originally scheduled for Saturday, March 28, has been canceled pursuant to the local State of Emergency limiting social gatherings to stem a possible community spread of coronavirus. We are unable to schedule an alternate date.
Those who registered for this event will receive a refund: Those who paid by credit card will have their cards credited; those who paid by check or cash will receive a refund check or their voided check in the mail; refund checks are anticipated to be mailed on Thursday, March 19.
As of today, the next such collection event is Saturday, June 20, with registration opening on Wednesday, May 20. Those dates may change, depending on the status of the coronavirus pandemic. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we progress as a community through this evolving health situation.
When medical and student debt goes beyond hitting a collection agency who sends you those letters trying to collect, it goes to New York Attorney General Letitia James. During the time of coronavirus/COVID-19, she doesn’t want to collect, and has temporarily suspended medical and student debt referred to her office for 30 days, through April 15, 2020, as reported by ABC News.
She said via a statement: “In this time of crisis, my office will not add undue stress or saddle New Yorkers with unnecessary financial burden. New Yorkers need to focus on keeping themselves safe and healthy from the coronavirus, and therefore can rest assured that state medical and student debt referred to my office will not be collected against them for at least 30 days."
In this time of coronavirus/COVID-19, people are looking at their bill pile, as they socially distance or deal with any emerging health situation, especially if they were one of the many people in this country who were forced to temporarily close their business or leave a job. Among those everyday bills: insurance. A Little Beacon Blog reached out to Susan Antalek Pagones, of Beacon’s Antalek & Moore insurance agency to see if they had heard anything, and indeed they had.
“It is a case-by-case situation,” Susan says. “Currently, Progressive has stated they will work with customers regarding bills but we need to call them directly on behalf of customers. I am awaiting answers from other companies, but we are at their mercy as they decide how they want to handle.” Here is Progressive’s full statement about the position they are taking, and developing in an ongoing way.
Pictured here is Susan in her socially distanced position, behind the door. Antalek & Moore is currently closed to the public, but is allowing customers to open the first of two doors to pay a bill to whatever insurance carrier they use. The staff is inside, socially distanced from each other.
Editor’s Note: Antalek & Moore is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog, but this article is totally unrelated to their campaign. Because we know them and work with them so often, they were a quick source to go to as we pursued this story. Additionally, we have always tried explaining what an insurance agency does, compared with directly dealing with the insurer company . This seemed like a pretty good example!
The City of Beacon sent this awareness piece issued by Dutchess County out to the media, to help spread the word and increase comfort levels as people do their thing to protect themselves. You can see more information like this at DutchessNY.gov/coronavirus
From the flyer:
Viruses don’t discriminate, and neither should we. Learn more about coronavirus and the stigma that comes with it.
Coronavirus Doesn’t Recognize Race, Nationality, or Ethnicity
2019 novel coronavirus started in Wuhan, China. That’s just geography. Having Chinese ancestry - or any other ancestry - does not make a person more vulnerable to this illness.
Wearing A Mask Does Not Mean A Person Is Ill
People wear masks for a variety of reasons, including to avoid pollen and air pollution and for cultural and social reasons. We should not judge someone for wearing a mask or assume they are sick.
You Can Interrupt Stigma. Start By Sharing Accurate Information
Avoid spreading misinformation. Stay informed through reputable, trusted resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
New York State Department of Health
Dutchess Country Department of Behavioral & Community Health
Speak Up If You Hear, See, Or Read Misinformation Or Harassment
Gently correct the false information, and remind the speaker: Prejudiced language and actions make us all less safe. If a serious harassment occurs, consider reporting it.
Show Compassion And Support For Those Most Closely Impacted
In schools and workplaces, create learning opportunities for students and staff that dispel racist and misinformed ideas. Listen to, acknowledge and, with permission, share the stories of people experiencing stigma, along with a message that bigotry is not acceptable in your community.
More information can be found at DutchessNY.gov/Coronavirus or via the Coronavirus Hotline, (845) 486-3555
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A podcast from A Little Beacon Blog. Your hosts: Katie Hellmuth martin & Brandon Lillard.
The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.
