Big Name Pols, Local Concerns: See CB6 Coronavirus 'Check-In'

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — A kaleidoscope of local and state politicians filled up computer screens just for Brooklyn neighborhoods covered by Community Board 6 — and it was mostly all about the new coronavirus.

There was state Attorney General Letitia James talking about going after price gouging and protecting tenants who can't pay their rent.

Then City Comptroller Scott Stringer laying out the money — $6 to $7 billion — and the 900,000 jobs that likely will be lost in the city during the pandemic.

City council members and state elected officials followed. And curious Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus or Red Hook residents who missed the meeting can watch it here:

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James was arguably the highest-profile official on the call. She rattled off a long list of initiatives her office has undertaken amid the coronavirus.

For instance, she talked about how officials made progress on price gouging for protective and cleaning products, but have recently seen inflated costs move over to foodstuffs like eggs.

Beware of any coronavirus medicines or cures you see online, she said. They're likely fake and the FDA has not approved at home tests, she said.

A big fear shared among out of work New York City residents is paying rent. Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently extended an eviction moratorium until August, but James worried what would happen next.

“When that executive order is lifted, my fear is that landlords will go to court and will seek judgments of eviction,” she said. “What we need to do is provide them some financial assistance on the federal level.”

Other officials on the call included Park Slope City Councilman Brad Lander, state Assembly Members Robert Carroll — who spoke about legislation to force insurers to pay out for small businesses affected by the coronavirus — Tremaine Wright and Jo Anne Simon and state Sen. Brian Kavanagh.

The elected officials emphasized their offices can provide help with unemployment insurance.

CB6 residents can keep track of local goings-on by texting "BKCB6" to 22828. They can also sign up for a daily newsletter here.

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