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Coronavirus in N.Y.: It’s Coming. Should We Panic or Shrug? Coronavirus in N.Y.: It’s Coming. Should We Panic or Shrug?
(about 13 hours later)
This past week saw New Yorkers fully absorbing, with varying degrees of fright or indifference, that the coronavirus was destined to arrive in the nation’s biggest city, with eight million potential victims. Would the past serve as any guide to how it might be handled?This past week saw New Yorkers fully absorbing, with varying degrees of fright or indifference, that the coronavirus was destined to arrive in the nation’s biggest city, with eight million potential victims. Would the past serve as any guide to how it might be handled?
Last spring, health officials from New York and New Jersey conducted an exercise in disease preparedness that involved 70 people and a pretend Ebola patient who was transported 41 miles to Bellevue Hospital on the east side of Manhattan.Last spring, health officials from New York and New Jersey conducted an exercise in disease preparedness that involved 70 people and a pretend Ebola patient who was transported 41 miles to Bellevue Hospital on the east side of Manhattan.
The experiment was meant to test the effectiveness of a series of protocols and biocontainment devices at a moment when the second-largest Ebola outbreak in history was unfolding in the Democratic Republic of Congo and had claimed 700 lives.The experiment was meant to test the effectiveness of a series of protocols and biocontainment devices at a moment when the second-largest Ebola outbreak in history was unfolding in the Democratic Republic of Congo and had claimed 700 lives.
The biggest outbreak had occurred five years earlier, when a young doctor who had been to West Africa to treat Ebola patients returned home to New York and tested positive for the virus. By then a man had already died in Dallas and infected two nurses. In New York, the doctor’s fiancée and friends were quarantined; a bowling alley where he had been in Brooklyn was temporarily shut down.The biggest outbreak had occurred five years earlier, when a young doctor who had been to West Africa to treat Ebola patients returned home to New York and tested positive for the virus. By then a man had already died in Dallas and infected two nurses. In New York, the doctor’s fiancée and friends were quarantined; a bowling alley where he had been in Brooklyn was temporarily shut down.
The doctor survived but the broader result was to prompt an awakening among public health officials to the risks that globalization presented to the rapid migration of deadly pathogens across continents and through major cities.The doctor survived but the broader result was to prompt an awakening among public health officials to the risks that globalization presented to the rapid migration of deadly pathogens across continents and through major cities.
Before this point, New York had focused its catastrophic imaginings on the threat of terrorism at the expense, arguably, of the ways in which nature could unravel us. After 9/11, the city deployed vast resources to prevent further attacks — something it did very successfully.Before this point, New York had focused its catastrophic imaginings on the threat of terrorism at the expense, arguably, of the ways in which nature could unravel us. After 9/11, the city deployed vast resources to prevent further attacks — something it did very successfully.
But when Hurricane Sandy arrived eight years ago, the miseries it delivered seemed to come as a surprise, even though the city’s precarious infrastructure and overbuilt waterfront leave New York so obviously vulnerable to the worst outcomes of even relatively minor disruptions of the weather.But when Hurricane Sandy arrived eight years ago, the miseries it delivered seemed to come as a surprise, even though the city’s precarious infrastructure and overbuilt waterfront leave New York so obviously vulnerable to the worst outcomes of even relatively minor disruptions of the weather.
Now that the coronavirus seems like an inevitability in New York, worry is heightened in a place so heavily reliant on public transportation and its own sense of fluidity. At the level both of federal and local government, the mixed messaging has stoked anxiety as we are told simultaneously that things could get “bad” but not to “panic.” Covid-19, the disease brought on by the virus, can spread quickly and easily, and because most of us have no immunity, most of us are susceptible.Now that the coronavirus seems like an inevitability in New York, worry is heightened in a place so heavily reliant on public transportation and its own sense of fluidity. At the level both of federal and local government, the mixed messaging has stoked anxiety as we are told simultaneously that things could get “bad” but not to “panic.” Covid-19, the disease brought on by the virus, can spread quickly and easily, and because most of us have no immunity, most of us are susceptible.
The cautions suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for those who contract the virus but don’t need to be hospitalized are the sort of measures that might be workable in Denver or Houston but seem less so in New York, where the average size of an apartment built during the past 20 years is 866 square feet. They include the directive to “stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home” and to use “a separate bathroom.”The cautions suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for those who contract the virus but don’t need to be hospitalized are the sort of measures that might be workable in Denver or Houston but seem less so in New York, where the average size of an apartment built during the past 20 years is 866 square feet. They include the directive to “stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home” and to use “a separate bathroom.”
The line between an appropriate response and an excessive one is not terribly clear. This week I encountered a friend who had transitioned to Clorox wipes as a means of disinfectant because “this was not a time for Seventh Generation.” Someone else described herself as only mildly concerned about the spread of coronavirus but, nevertheless, she was planning to stock up on canned goods.The line between an appropriate response and an excessive one is not terribly clear. This week I encountered a friend who had transitioned to Clorox wipes as a means of disinfectant because “this was not a time for Seventh Generation.” Someone else described herself as only mildly concerned about the spread of coronavirus but, nevertheless, she was planning to stock up on canned goods.
At the same time, some companies have told employees who have recently been to Italy, where 400 cases of infection had been identified by Thursday, to remain at home. Members of New York’s fashion industry are at particular risk because so many have been in Milan for the Fall 2020 shows held this month. Recently, Hearst Magazines instructed editors and others who had returned home from Italy, Iran and parts of Asia during the past 30 days to work remotely for two weeks.At the same time, some companies have told employees who have recently been to Italy, where 400 cases of infection had been identified by Thursday, to remain at home. Members of New York’s fashion industry are at particular risk because so many have been in Milan for the Fall 2020 shows held this month. Recently, Hearst Magazines instructed editors and others who had returned home from Italy, Iran and parts of Asia during the past 30 days to work remotely for two weeks.
Food markets and restaurants in Chinatown are bearing the greatest burden of collective fears, even though no cases of Covid-19 have been identified in New York as of this writing. The Chinatown Partnership has estimated a 40 to 60 percent drop in sales for these businesses since the coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan, China.Food markets and restaurants in Chinatown are bearing the greatest burden of collective fears, even though no cases of Covid-19 have been identified in New York as of this writing. The Chinatown Partnership has estimated a 40 to 60 percent drop in sales for these businesses since the coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan, China.
That the safety of meat and fish is more strictly regulated in this country, Tiffany Chau, the Partnership’s policy director told me, has had little effect on shopping and eating habits. Chinatown’s retail model is built on low prices to attract a high volume of sales. Now that model is imperiled. A few weeks ago, a campaign called “Show Some Love in Chinatown’’ was devised in an attempt to lure people back.That the safety of meat and fish is more strictly regulated in this country, Tiffany Chau, the Partnership’s policy director told me, has had little effect on shopping and eating habits. Chinatown’s retail model is built on low prices to attract a high volume of sales. Now that model is imperiled. A few weeks ago, a campaign called “Show Some Love in Chinatown’’ was devised in an attempt to lure people back.
Updated June 1, 2020 Updated June 2, 2020
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
In the coming weeks, city officials will remind New Yorkers to wash their hands, cough into their elbows and wed themselves to bottles of Purell, but they are unlikely to assume any culpability for what could now or someday be the most serious rupture to the safe management of a major outbreak of infectious disease.In the coming weeks, city officials will remind New Yorkers to wash their hands, cough into their elbows and wed themselves to bottles of Purell, but they are unlikely to assume any culpability for what could now or someday be the most serious rupture to the safe management of a major outbreak of infectious disease.
Since 2004, 17 hospitals have closed in New York resulting in a net loss of beds and the chance that if the city were beset by an epidemic, it might not be able to accommodate the needs of everyone who got sick.Since 2004, 17 hospitals have closed in New York resulting in a net loss of beds and the chance that if the city were beset by an epidemic, it might not be able to accommodate the needs of everyone who got sick.
“If we reach the outer limits of what we fear,’’ Mark Levine, the chair of the City Council’s health committee said, referring to the coronavirus, “we could face a shortage of beds.”“If we reach the outer limits of what we fear,’’ Mark Levine, the chair of the City Council’s health committee said, referring to the coronavirus, “we could face a shortage of beds.”
In several instances what we have in place of hospitals are luxury condominiums. Where this is felt most poignantly is the former site of St. Vincent’s in Greenwich Village, where so many AIDS patients were treated in the 1980s and ’90s. Three years ago, a penthouse apartment in one of the buildings where the hospital stood sold for $40 million to a buyer whose anonymity was shielded by a purchase made under veil of a limited liability corporation. So often greed is the worst contagion of all.In several instances what we have in place of hospitals are luxury condominiums. Where this is felt most poignantly is the former site of St. Vincent’s in Greenwich Village, where so many AIDS patients were treated in the 1980s and ’90s. Three years ago, a penthouse apartment in one of the buildings where the hospital stood sold for $40 million to a buyer whose anonymity was shielded by a purchase made under veil of a limited liability corporation. So often greed is the worst contagion of all.