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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| New York Today: The Science of Sneezing | New York Today: The Science of Sneezing |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Updated, 8:14 a.m. | |
| Good morning on this runny Friday. | Good morning on this runny Friday. |
| Welcome back your itchy eyes, your drippy nose, that endless need for tissues and a sneeze that can range from charming squeak to violent roll of thunder. | Welcome back your itchy eyes, your drippy nose, that endless need for tissues and a sneeze that can range from charming squeak to violent roll of thunder. |
| Allergy season is upon us. | Allergy season is upon us. |
| Dr. William Reisacher, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, kindly answered a few of our questions about New Yorkers and allergies. | Dr. William Reisacher, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, kindly answered a few of our questions about New Yorkers and allergies. |
| First, he offered some background. For instance: Sneeze particles can fly over 30 feet in the air, at a velocity of up to 200 miles per hour. | First, he offered some background. For instance: Sneeze particles can fly over 30 feet in the air, at a velocity of up to 200 miles per hour. |
| Lovely. And what’s actually happening when we sneeze? | Lovely. And what’s actually happening when we sneeze? |
| “The body is overprotective, just like our parents,” he said. | “The body is overprotective, just like our parents,” he said. |
| To elaborate: The inside of your nose is coated with mucus, and when you inhale, pollutants and allergens enter the nostrils and get stuck to it, he explained. | To elaborate: The inside of your nose is coated with mucus, and when you inhale, pollutants and allergens enter the nostrils and get stuck to it, he explained. |
| Underneath the mucus are cells and nerve endings that detect these allergens as well as potentially dangerous particles, and when those nerves become irritated, they set off a reflex, he said. | Underneath the mucus are cells and nerve endings that detect these allergens as well as potentially dangerous particles, and when those nerves become irritated, they set off a reflex, he said. |
| “Like when the doctor hits your knee, but it causes us to take a deep breath in and suddenly release a forceful jet of air.” | “Like when the doctor hits your knee, but it causes us to take a deep breath in and suddenly release a forceful jet of air.” |
| We live in the concrete jungle. Can we escape pollen if we avoid the suburbs? | We live in the concrete jungle. Can we escape pollen if we avoid the suburbs? |
| Not quite. | Not quite. |
| “We get most of our pollen from New Jersey, because of the winds moving west to east, but the wind moves quickly past our buildings, creating a wind tunnel effect,” he said. | “We get most of our pollen from New Jersey, because of the winds moving west to east, but the wind moves quickly past our buildings, creating a wind tunnel effect,” he said. |
| Sometimes we may feel even worse in the city, he says, because a person standing in the middle of an avenue can get exposed to a tremendous amount of pollen. | Sometimes we may feel even worse in the city, he says, because a person standing in the middle of an avenue can get exposed to a tremendous amount of pollen. |
| Then what’s making us sneeze here? | Then what’s making us sneeze here? |
| Tree pollen — most notably from oak, maple and birch trees, he said. | Tree pollen — most notably from oak, maple and birch trees, he said. |
| And when? | And when? |
| “It’ll usually crescendo in May.” | “It’ll usually crescendo in May.” |
| Here’s what else is happening: | Here’s what else is happening: |
| Like a nose in spring, it’s going to be drippy. | Like a nose in spring, it’s going to be drippy. |
| The city is most likely to be flushed out with showers in the evening. Until then, expect watery skies, with light sprinklings — cloud sneezes. | The city is most likely to be flushed out with showers in the evening. Until then, expect watery skies, with light sprinklings — cloud sneezes. |
| Today’s high: 55. | Today’s high: 55. |
| Our gray, overcast day does have a bright side: The pollen count is low today. | Our gray, overcast day does have a bright side: The pollen count is low today. |
| • Accusations of embezzlement, a cover-up and collusion at a New York nonprofit led to a lye attack on a Queens street, and three arrests. [New York Times] | • Accusations of embezzlement, a cover-up and collusion at a New York nonprofit led to a lye attack on a Queens street, and three arrests. [New York Times] |
| • A white powder that was mailed to Donald J. Trump’s campaign office at Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan was not a threat, the authorities said. [New York Times] | • A white powder that was mailed to Donald J. Trump’s campaign office at Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan was not a threat, the authorities said. [New York Times] |
| • Street homelessness in the city dropped by 12 percent, according to an annual survey. [New York Times] | • Street homelessness in the city dropped by 12 percent, according to an annual survey. [New York Times] |
| • Investigations into Mayor Bill de Blasio’s fund-raising efforts have turned even routine appearances into dramatic events. [New York Times] | • Investigations into Mayor Bill de Blasio’s fund-raising efforts have turned even routine appearances into dramatic events. [New York Times] |
| • … Here’s why he’s is facing so many investigations. [New York Times] | • … Here’s why he’s is facing so many investigations. [New York Times] |
| • For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Friday Briefing. | • For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Friday Briefing. |
| • The Antique Garden Furniture Fair begins at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx through Sunday. 10 a.m. [$20] | • The Antique Garden Furniture Fair begins at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx through Sunday. 10 a.m. [$20] |
| • Financial Planning Day, with workshops and counseling from experts, held at the Science, Industry and Business Library in Midtown Manhattan. 10 a.m. [Free] | • Financial Planning Day, with workshops and counseling from experts, held at the Science, Industry and Business Library in Midtown Manhattan. 10 a.m. [Free] |
| • IndieCade East 2016, a three-day conference for video-game fanatics, begins at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. 10:30 a.m. [Prices vary] | • IndieCade East 2016, a three-day conference for video-game fanatics, begins at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. 10:30 a.m. [Prices vary] |
| • Watch Prince in “Purple Rain” on the Lawn at Myrtle and North Portland Avenues in Brooklyn. 5 p.m. [Free] | • Watch Prince in “Purple Rain” on the Lawn at Myrtle and North Portland Avenues in Brooklyn. 5 p.m. [Free] |
| • Sound the (18th-century) violins: It’s opera night at King Manor Museum in Rufus King Park in Queens. 6 p.m. [$25 advance, $30 door] | • Sound the (18th-century) violins: It’s opera night at King Manor Museum in Rufus King Park in Queens. 6 p.m. [$25 advance, $30 door] |
| • New York Red Bulls host FC Dallas, 7 p.m. (MLS LIVE). Yankees at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. (YES). Mets host Giants, 7:10 p.m. (SNY). | • New York Red Bulls host FC Dallas, 7 p.m. (MLS LIVE). Yankees at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. (YES). Mets host Giants, 7:10 p.m. (SNY). |
| Saturday | Saturday |
| • “Sakura Matsuri,” the annual cherry blossom festival, is at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. 10 a.m. [$25] | • “Sakura Matsuri,” the annual cherry blossom festival, is at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. 10 a.m. [$25] |
| • Learn to sail, with eight classes beginning Saturday, on Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens. 10 a.m. at the World’s Fair Boathouse. [$300] | • Learn to sail, with eight classes beginning Saturday, on Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens. 10 a.m. at the World’s Fair Boathouse. [$300] |
| • Explore vintage bazaars and food stalls at the Brooklyn Flea Market in Fort Greene. 10 a.m. [Free admission] | • Explore vintage bazaars and food stalls at the Brooklyn Flea Market in Fort Greene. 10 a.m. [Free admission] |
| • Opening day at the Bronx Brewery, featuring barbecue and live music. 12 p.m. [No admission cost; drink packages available] | • Opening day at the Bronx Brewery, featuring barbecue and live music. 12 p.m. [No admission cost; drink packages available] |
| • Enjoy some poetry afloat as actors and musicians read Irish verse on the East River Ferry, departing from Pier 11 at Wall Street. 12 p.m. [$20 suggested donation] | • Enjoy some poetry afloat as actors and musicians read Irish verse on the East River Ferry, departing from Pier 11 at Wall Street. 12 p.m. [$20 suggested donation] |
| • Islanders at Lightning, 3 p.m. (NBC). New York City FC hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 4 p.m. (YES). Mets host Giants, 4:05 p.m. (SNY). Yankees at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. (MLBN). | • Islanders at Lightning, 3 p.m. (NBC). New York City FC hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 4 p.m. (YES). Mets host Giants, 4:05 p.m. (SNY). Yankees at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. (MLBN). |
| • Watch “The New York Times Close Up,” featuring The Times’s Adam Ellick and other guests. Saturday at 10 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. on NY1. | • Watch “The New York Times Close Up,” featuring The Times’s Adam Ellick and other guests. Saturday at 10 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. on NY1. |
| Sunday | Sunday |
| • Cheer on 32,000 cyclists in the 40-mile TD Five Boro Bike Tour. Registration is full, but you can plan to watch for free along the route. Wave 1 departs at 7:30 a.m. | • Cheer on 32,000 cyclists in the 40-mile TD Five Boro Bike Tour. Registration is full, but you can plan to watch for free along the route. Wave 1 departs at 7:30 a.m. |
| • Visitors ages 65 and older can enjoy free admission to the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan. 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | • Visitors ages 65 and older can enjoy free admission to the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan. 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| • Take a tour of the Bowne House, one of the city’s oldest homes, in Flushing, Queens. 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. [Free] | • Take a tour of the Bowne House, one of the city’s oldest homes, in Flushing, Queens. 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. [Free] |
| • Close out your weekend with the Mariachi Divas, an all-female mariachi band, at St. George Theater on Staten Island. 6 p.m. [Tickets start at $29] | • Close out your weekend with the Mariachi Divas, an all-female mariachi band, at St. George Theater on Staten Island. 6 p.m. [Tickets start at $29] |
| • Mets host Giants, 1:10 p.m. (SNY). Yankees at Red Sox, 8:05 p.m. (ESPN). | • Mets host Giants, 1:10 p.m. (SNY). Yankees at Red Sox, 8:05 p.m. (ESPN). |
| • For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide. And if you seek things to do outside the city, The Times’s Metropolitan section has suggestions. See this weekend’s listings for Hudson Valley, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut. | • For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide. And if you seek things to do outside the city, The Times’s Metropolitan section has suggestions. See this weekend’s listings for Hudson Valley, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut. |
| R trains are running with delays. | |
| • Subway and PATH | • Subway and PATH |
| • Railroads: L.I.R.R., Metro-North, N.J. Transit, Amtrak | • Railroads: L.I.R.R., Metro-North, N.J. Transit, Amtrak |
| • Roads: Check traffic map or radio report on the 1s or the 8s. | • Roads: Check traffic map or radio report on the 1s or the 8s. |
| • Alternate-side parking: suspended until Sunday. | • Alternate-side parking: suspended until Sunday. |
| • Ferries: Staten Island Ferry, New York Waterway, East River Ferry | • Ferries: Staten Island Ferry, New York Waterway, East River Ferry |
| • Airports: La Guardia, J.F.K., Newark | • Airports: La Guardia, J.F.K., Newark |
| • Weekend travel hassles: Check subway disruptions and a list of street closings. | • Weekend travel hassles: Check subway disruptions and a list of street closings. |
| But we want to enjoy the outdoors! | But we want to enjoy the outdoors! |
| Especially with the mild spring weather, and Arbor Day today and a cherry blossom festival this weekend. | Especially with the mild spring weather, and Arbor Day today and a cherry blossom festival this weekend. |
| Dr. Reisacher offers tips to battle the boogers. | Dr. Reisacher offers tips to battle the boogers. |
| First, try to avoid the allergens. Pollen levels are highest from 5 to 10 a.m., he said, so keep your windows closed then. | First, try to avoid the allergens. Pollen levels are highest from 5 to 10 a.m., he said, so keep your windows closed then. |
| Shower when you head inside, and use over-the-counter saline gels and antihistamines. They work nicely. | Shower when you head inside, and use over-the-counter saline gels and antihistamines. They work nicely. |
| And finally, let it rip. | And finally, let it rip. |
| “I’ve seen a few instances of people with dizziness and hearing loss after holding in a forceful sneeze,” he said. | “I’ve seen a few instances of people with dizziness and hearing loss after holding in a forceful sneeze,” he said. |
| (There is also the toothpaste that Dr. Reisacher just developed, which he said could gradually desensitize your body to allergens and works in a similar way to allergy shots. Do let us know.) | (There is also the toothpaste that Dr. Reisacher just developed, which he said could gradually desensitize your body to allergens and works in a similar way to allergy shots. Do let us know.) |
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