Conversely, casinos and other gambling businesses, agriculture enterprises, religious and charitable organizations are ineligible.Business Interruption InsuranceMost policies exclude interruption for viruses.

Expecting a V-shaped recovery is gambling.

So its a gamble that a COVID related blemish on my credit history followed by 2 years of perfect payments would be an issue. 

It's a gamble really - my term for it is the CGT - the Consumer Gambling Threshold - That is in fact the force that sets the appraisal fee, not the appraiser.

Searching the web I've read that banks want you to use it on the primary home, the one the heloc is on, to update it and increase the value.

Get contact information from the agent or look at the policy for information on where to submit a claim or check the underwriter's web site for information on how to submit a claim. 

You truly should be hiring a professional to work with you and guide you instead of relying on a web forum. 

It is shocking to me that NYC REI would gamble on rapid appreciation over cash flow.

I wouldn't take a gamble on any single stock right now.

If there furloughed then I would tend to approve them but it might be considered a gamble to a certain degree.