A Message from NY Local President Rebecca Damon

Dear Member,

2021 is underway, and we need the full support of our SAG-AFTRA membership to encourage action on important legislation. Last week you heard from President Gabrielle Carteris about contacting your representatives and senators encouraging them to take action on the America Rescue Plan. Without a plan in place benefits that have helped so many of our SAG-AFTRA members get through the past year will expire in March. Contact your members of Congress and urge them to support the American Rescue Plan. You can find out who your representatives are HERE and who your senators are HERE.
 
We continue our legislative advocacy on behalf of our members on the state level as well. We will work to fund New York’s Continuation Assistance Demonstration Program for Entertainment Industry Employees, which provides a 50 percent subsidy for qualified entertainment workers who lose their health coverage. 
 
Vaccinations are underway and I encourage you to stay informed about vaccination processes in your state. Links to state COVID-19 websites are available on our NY Local COVID-19 Resources page. State COVID-19 websites are updated as supply of the vaccine increases and new groups are made eligible for a vaccine. 
 
For our members living in the Bronx, Yankee Stadium has opened as a mass vaccination site for eligible Bronx residents. The site is by appointment only. If you're a Bronx resident who is eligible for the vaccine, schedule an appointment by visiting Somosvaccinations.com or by calling (833) SOMOSNY. 
 
Starting tomorrow, Feb. 10, Citi Field will open as a 24-hour vaccine hub and will reserve half of its appointments for residents of Queens. Eligible Queens residents can start to make appointments at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov, or call (877) VAX-4NYC.
 
While we are encouraged by the hope the vaccine brings, we must remain vigilant especially in light of the potential impact of the COVID-19 variants. I am thankful to our members and our fellow industry unions for continuing to follow the guidelines established in The Safe Way Forward. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to someone who is positive, get tested. Find a NY State testing site near you. You can also call (888) 364-3065 to schedule a free appointment at a New York State-run testing location.
 
I’ll be presenting during the New York Women in Television and Film (NYWIFT) Virtual Hangout: Actors + Filmmakers Night on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 6 – 7:30 p.m. EST. We will be discussing organizational initiatives and the latest industry updates including safety and the Return to Work. For more information on this no cost event and to RSVP, please visit their link here. 
 
We are entering tax season and while the New York VITA office remains closed, they have provided some helpful information on the VITA webpage. We will also be hosting a President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach and Engagement with VITA Chair and Director Sandra Karas on Tuesday, March 9 to help SAG-AFTRA members navigate tax season during these uncertain times. Check your email for more information and an announcement.
 
Onward together,

Rebecca Damon
New York Local President