Coronavirus Relief Plan Would Give Each NYC Dweller $550: Speaker

NEW YORK CITY — New Yorkers could get $550 per adult and $275 per child under a $12 billion novel coronavirus relief plan pitched by Council Speaker Corey Johnson Thursday.

The proposal builds on the Washington plan to give every American a $1,000 check as the battle to fight the disease's spread shut down businesses and cost New Yorkers their jobs.

“This plan will provide relief not just for our economy, but also for the small businesses and workers that are the heart and soul of New York City,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the city should come up with the cash if the federal government did not fund the relief, but Mayor Bill de Blasio said the money would have to come from the Trump Administration.

"The reality right now is there's tremendous need for relief," de Blasio said. "But that has to come from the federal government."

The speaker called on the fe to fund his proposals. Failing that, he wants the city to raise cash by selling bonds.

Johnson also wants to extend unemployment benefits to gig economy workers and increase all unemployment payments by 30 percent.