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New York Today: An Allergy Test New York Today: An Allergy Test
(about 1 hour later)
Updated, 6:39 am. Updated, 7:21 am.
Good morning on this bitter Thursday.Good morning on this bitter Thursday.
Don’t let the snowstorm and the few blooms fool you: Allergens are here. For many New Yorkers, the start of spring is synonymous with postnasal drip.Don’t let the snowstorm and the few blooms fool you: Allergens are here. For many New Yorkers, the start of spring is synonymous with postnasal drip.
Dr. William Reisacher, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, helped us set the record straight on some seasonal truths and falsehoods:Dr. William Reisacher, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, helped us set the record straight on some seasonal truths and falsehoods:
True or false? Allergies are worse in the spring than they are in the winter.True or false? Allergies are worse in the spring than they are in the winter.
False.False.
“Some people are very sensitive in the nose to changes in humidity, temperature and even barometric pressure,” Dr. Reisacher said. “When those factors are fluctuating, as we saw all winter, allergy-like symptoms can be worse.”“Some people are very sensitive in the nose to changes in humidity, temperature and even barometric pressure,” Dr. Reisacher said. “When those factors are fluctuating, as we saw all winter, allergy-like symptoms can be worse.”
Fact or myth? Allergies are worse in the suburbs because there are more trees.Fact or myth? Allergies are worse in the suburbs because there are more trees.
Myth.Myth.
“Cities in general can have more problems with allergies,” Dr. Reisacher said. “Most of the pollen in New York City actually comes to us along the prevailing winds, which move west to east. The tall buildings can make allergy symptoms worse by creating a ‘wind tunnel’ effect.”“Cities in general can have more problems with allergies,” Dr. Reisacher said. “Most of the pollen in New York City actually comes to us along the prevailing winds, which move west to east. The tall buildings can make allergy symptoms worse by creating a ‘wind tunnel’ effect.”
Definitely or debatable? Springtime sniffles are mostly the result of pollen in the air.Definitely or debatable? Springtime sniffles are mostly the result of pollen in the air.
Debatable.Debatable.
“Older buildings in the city tend to have higher amounts of indoor allergens, such as dust mites, mold and pet dander,” Dr. Reisacher said. “Nasal symptoms can also come from nonallergic sources, such as airborne chemical, pollution, and particulate matter in the air from industry and construction.”“Older buildings in the city tend to have higher amounts of indoor allergens, such as dust mites, mold and pet dander,” Dr. Reisacher said. “Nasal symptoms can also come from nonallergic sources, such as airborne chemical, pollution, and particulate matter in the air from industry and construction.”
Right or wrong? The trees are probably making me sneeze these days.Right or wrong? The trees are probably making me sneeze these days.
Right.Right.
“The most common airborne allergens this time of the year are trees, such as Maple, and mold.”“The most common airborne allergens this time of the year are trees, such as Maple, and mold.”
So really, it’s both. “When snow begins to melt,” he added, “mold spores, which have been lying dormant underneath the snow cover all winter, become airborne.”So really, it’s both. “When snow begins to melt,” he added, “mold spores, which have been lying dormant underneath the snow cover all winter, become airborne.”
Accurate or arguable? If I’m feeling under the weather today, it must be allergies.Accurate or arguable? If I’m feeling under the weather today, it must be allergies.
Arguable.Arguable.
“There is a lot of overlap between allergies and the common cold, and there is no simple rule to tell them apart,” Dr. Reisacher said.“There is a lot of overlap between allergies and the common cold, and there is no simple rule to tell them apart,” Dr. Reisacher said.
“But if you have a fever, chills and body aches, that’s a good indication that you’ve got an upper respiratory virus. If there is no fever, but you are sneezing a lot and feel itchy in the nose or eyes, then you probably are suffering with allergies.”“But if you have a fever, chills and body aches, that’s a good indication that you’ve got an upper respiratory virus. If there is no fever, but you are sneezing a lot and feel itchy in the nose or eyes, then you probably are suffering with allergies.”
Here’s what else is happening:Here’s what else is happening:
It’s cold enough to make the slush crusty.It’s cold enough to make the slush crusty.
If you enjoy a late-season chill, then today’s for you: Subfreezing temperatures and biting winds are sticking around.If you enjoy a late-season chill, then today’s for you: Subfreezing temperatures and biting winds are sticking around.
It’s one of the few remaining days, perhaps, for a tongue to stick to a pole.It’s one of the few remaining days, perhaps, for a tongue to stick to a pole.
Things should warm up a tad tomorrow.Things should warm up a tad tomorrow.
• A federal judge has blocked President Trump’s latest travel ban. [New York Times]• A federal judge has blocked President Trump’s latest travel ban. [New York Times]
• It’s budget season in Albany and lawmakers have four spending plans from which to choose. [New York Times]• It’s budget season in Albany and lawmakers have four spending plans from which to choose. [New York Times]
• Recently, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s biggest supporters have been out-of-towners. [New York Times]• Recently, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s biggest supporters have been out-of-towners. [New York Times]
• New York played it safe with Tuesday’s storm. Was the cautious approach the right response? [New York Times]• New York played it safe with Tuesday’s storm. Was the cautious approach the right response? [New York Times]
• Meteorologists at the National Weather Service knew there was a good chance that the storm would be smaller, but kept their original forecast “out of extreme caution.” [Associated Press]• Meteorologists at the National Weather Service knew there was a good chance that the storm would be smaller, but kept their original forecast “out of extreme caution.” [Associated Press]
• … And here’s a look at how recent snow forecasts have fared. [New York Times]• … And here’s a look at how recent snow forecasts have fared. [New York Times]
• Wall Street’s bonus pool rose for the first time in three years, according to the state comptroller. [Crain’s New York]• Wall Street’s bonus pool rose for the first time in three years, according to the state comptroller. [Crain’s New York]
• The Department of Transportation plans to fix the poor cycling connection to the Brooklyn Bridge. [Streetsblog NYC]• The Department of Transportation plans to fix the poor cycling connection to the Brooklyn Bridge. [Streetsblog NYC]
• Want to get involved in the city and make a difference? Here are a few suggestions. [Curbed NY]• Want to get involved in the city and make a difference? Here are a few suggestions. [Curbed NY]
• Today’s Metropolitan Diary: “A Second Avenue Stare”• Today’s Metropolitan Diary: “A Second Avenue Stare”
• For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Thursday Briefing.• For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Thursday Briefing.
• Day 1 of the Architectural Digest Design Show, through Sunday at Piers 92 and 94 in Manhattan. [Tickets start at $40]• Day 1 of the Architectural Digest Design Show, through Sunday at Piers 92 and 94 in Manhattan. [Tickets start at $40]
• Aubrey Lynch, director of dance at the Harlem School of the Arts, teaches a workshop at Greenbelt Recreation Center on Staten Island. 11 a.m. [Free]• Aubrey Lynch, director of dance at the Harlem School of the Arts, teaches a workshop at Greenbelt Recreation Center on Staten Island. 11 a.m. [Free]
• The Jewish Museum presents a concert by Charlemagne Palestine, an experimental musician known for his meditative organ tunes, at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest on the Upper East Side. 8 p.m. [$18, tickets here]• The Jewish Museum presents a concert by Charlemagne Palestine, an experimental musician known for his meditative organ tunes, at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest on the Upper East Side. 8 p.m. [$18, tickets here]
• Join writers from “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” for improv comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Chelsea. 9:30 p.m. [$7]• Join writers from “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” for improv comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Chelsea. 9:30 p.m. [$7]
• Looking ahead: Have a thriller of a night at “Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson,” on Saturday at St. George Theater on Staten Island. 8 p.m. [Tickets start at $35]• Looking ahead: Have a thriller of a night at “Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson,” on Saturday at St. George Theater on Staten Island. 8 p.m. [Tickets start at $35]
• Devils host Flyers, 7 p.m. (MSG+). Islanders host Jets, 7 p.m. (MS+2). Knicks versus Nets, 7:30 p.m. (MSG).• Devils host Flyers, 7 p.m. (MSG+). Islanders host Jets, 7 p.m. (MS+2). Knicks versus Nets, 7:30 p.m. (MSG).
• For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide.• For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide.
• 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: in effect until April 11. • Alternate-side parking: suspended through Saturday for snow removal.
• 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
This weekend, some subway stations will sound like a symphony.This weekend, some subway stations will sound like a symphony.
Musicians will perform at stations and other venues across the boroughs for “Bach in the Subways,” a celebration of the composer born 332 years ago this month.Musicians will perform at stations and other venues across the boroughs for “Bach in the Subways,” a celebration of the composer born 332 years ago this month.
The movement to honor the classical composer began less than a decade ago on the N, Q and R platform at 42nd Street in Manhattan when a musician, Dale Henderson, began to play suites on his cello.The movement to honor the classical composer began less than a decade ago on the N, Q and R platform at 42nd Street in Manhattan when a musician, Dale Henderson, began to play suites on his cello.
It has since grown to include subways far beyond New York. Last year, musicians took part in far-flung places like Budapest; Cologne, Germany; Hong Kong; Seville, Spain; Singapore; Tokyo; Venice; and Vienna. (And more.)It has since grown to include subways far beyond New York. Last year, musicians took part in far-flung places like Budapest; Cologne, Germany; Hong Kong; Seville, Spain; Singapore; Tokyo; Venice; and Vienna. (And more.)
Conquering the acoustics on a subway platform may be tough, Mr. Henderson told us, “but these amazing moments happen, when it’s quiet and there are no trains, and this sacred space is created in the most unlikely place.”Conquering the acoustics on a subway platform may be tough, Mr. Henderson told us, “but these amazing moments happen, when it’s quiet and there are no trains, and this sacred space is created in the most unlikely place.”
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