🌱 NYC COVID Update + 2023 Law To Regulate AI Hiring Robots

Good morning, New York City!

Merry Christmas Eve and Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate. I will be taking a few days off, so expect to see the newsletter back in your inbox on Wednesday morning.

Here’s today’s headlines:

• 🦠 COVID-19 cases remain at a “stable” rate, although they have risen significantly since last month.
• 🏠 Fewer rent stabilized apartments are registered now compared to in 2019, records show.
• 🤖 New York City has big plans to regulate AI in the new year.

But first, today’s weather:

Partly sunny and windy. High: 20 Low: 17. (I hope you’re staying warm today 🥶)

Here are the top five stories today in New York City:

1. New York City had a 14.6 percent COVID-19 positivity rate just before Christmas Eve, with an average of 3,670 daily cases. The rate is holding “stable” according to state health officials, although it is significantly higher than in past months. Flu cases appear to still be on the rise, although RSV cases have decreased in recent weeks. (New York City Patch)
2. Coastal flooding during yesterday’s storm submerged the Queens neighborhood of Broad Channel, as well as parts of Lower Manhattan and a train station in Hoboken, New Jersey. The storm also caused some power outages, as Patch reported. (Gothamist)
   • Mayor Eric Adams was nowhere to be found during the storm, with a spokesperson saying he was expected to be back in the city on Saturday. (Gothamist)
3. There are tens of thousands fewer rent stabilized apartments registered in New York City now compared to in 2019 when the state passed sweeping laws aimed at preventing most forms of deregulation, meaning some tenants could be potentially paying a higher monthly rent than previously without the same rights rent-regulated tenants receive, including guaranteed lease renewals. (THE CITY)
4. More than 800 passengers were evacuated from a Staten Island Ferry on Thursday at around 5 p.m. when its engine room caught on fire, with three people transported to the hospital with minor injuries, according to the New York City Fire Department. (New York City Patch)
5. A New York City law will go into effect in 2023 limiting the ability of employers to use so-called “automated employment decision tools” such as AI and machine learning. Other new laws include pay transparency, which began in NYC this November, and was recently signed into law in its statewide form. (New York City Patch)

New York City pic of the day:

Remember to submit a photo from your neighborhood to newyorkcity@patch.com for a chance to be featured! We love skylines, bodega cats, coffee shops, streetscapes, parks and everything else that makes this city great. Please include your full name and an optional description.

This weekend in New York City:

• Every day: Check out the Christmas lights in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn (after sunset)
• Yiddish New York Festival: music, art and culture. (Dec. 24-29)
• Sunday: St. Patrick’s Cathedral Midnight…