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Coronavirus in N.Y.C.: Disease Detectives Coronavirus in N.Y.C.: Disease Detectives
(about 5 hours later)
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It’s Monday.It’s Monday.
Weather: Expect a sunny day, with a high near 70.Weather: Expect a sunny day, with a high near 70.
Alternate-side parking: In effect today. Suspended tomorrow for Purim.Alternate-side parking: In effect today. Suspended tomorrow for Purim.
In just over a week, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in New York State has jumped to at least 106, with about 4,000 people being isolated in their homes as a precaution.In just over a week, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in New York State has jumped to at least 106, with about 4,000 people being isolated in their homes as a precaution.
And yesterday, Scarsdale, a suburb in Westchester County, shut its public schools until March 18 after a faculty member tested positive. Columbia University shut classes for two days.And yesterday, Scarsdale, a suburb in Westchester County, shut its public schools until March 18 after a faculty member tested positive. Columbia University shut classes for two days.
[Coronavirus in N.Y.: Governor Cuomo attacked the C.D.C. over delays in testing.] [Coronavirus in N.Y.: Thousands of students face shuttered schools.]
Figuring out who might have been exposed to the virus — and who might need to be tested or get medical attention — requires some detective work by epidemiologists.Figuring out who might have been exposed to the virus — and who might need to be tested or get medical attention — requires some detective work by epidemiologists.
I spoke to one, Dr. Kryssie Woods, a hospital epidemiologist and the medical director of infection prevention at Mount Sinai West in Manhattan. She and her colleagues are working with health officials to track the coronavirus in New York.I spoke to one, Dr. Kryssie Woods, a hospital epidemiologist and the medical director of infection prevention at Mount Sinai West in Manhattan. She and her colleagues are working with health officials to track the coronavirus in New York.
The interview has been edited for clarity.The interview has been edited for clarity.
What do people say when you tell them you’re an epidemiologist, an infectious disease doctor?What do people say when you tell them you’re an epidemiologist, an infectious disease doctor?
People ask if I’m like the character from the television show “House.” It’s amazing how many people say that. I never watched it.People ask if I’m like the character from the television show “House.” It’s amazing how many people say that. I never watched it.
When you get a patient, what are you trying to figure out?When you get a patient, what are you trying to figure out?
We have to find out where a person has been and whom they’ve been in contact with.We have to find out where a person has been and whom they’ve been in contact with.
Get an informed guide to the global outbreak with our daily coronavirusGet an informed guide to the global outbreak with our daily coronavirus
newsletter. newsletter.
You’re basically drawing two different maps. One is a timeline of symptoms, and separately you’re drawing a map of where different groups of people might fit into, and how someone was feeling at that time.You’re basically drawing two different maps. One is a timeline of symptoms, and separately you’re drawing a map of where different groups of people might fit into, and how someone was feeling at that time.
What do you do for work? How do you get to work? Are you always on the 5 a.m. bus out of Scarsdale? Do you pick up coffee from a coffee cart on your way into the office?What do you do for work? How do you get to work? Are you always on the 5 a.m. bus out of Scarsdale? Do you pick up coffee from a coffee cart on your way into the office?
We even ask about extramarital affairs.We even ask about extramarital affairs.
What have we learned about coronavirus?What have we learned about coronavirus?
We’re still coming to an understanding of how it spreads. During the 2003 SARS outbreak, people initially thought it spread only through droplets. Later, there was evidence of airborne spread, which is when the idea of wearing N95 respirator masks came in.We’re still coming to an understanding of how it spreads. During the 2003 SARS outbreak, people initially thought it spread only through droplets. Later, there was evidence of airborne spread, which is when the idea of wearing N95 respirator masks came in.
The coronavirus may be somewhere in between droplets and airborne spread, depending on the situation.The coronavirus may be somewhere in between droplets and airborne spread, depending on the situation.
Have you ever seen anything like the coronavirus?Have you ever seen anything like the coronavirus?
A few years ago, the hospital I worked at in Queens had an early case of the H1N1 swine flu. That was similar in that it was new and infecting people in a very different way than prior flus.A few years ago, the hospital I worked at in Queens had an early case of the H1N1 swine flu. That was similar in that it was new and infecting people in a very different way than prior flus.
Is your work harder in a place like New York City?Is your work harder in a place like New York City?
It’s kind of hard. There are going to be people that may have some kind of exposure, but you’re not going to be able to track them — like on a packed A train. I don’t know who was in there. The patient can only tell you that they were on it more or less at a certain time.It’s kind of hard. There are going to be people that may have some kind of exposure, but you’re not going to be able to track them — like on a packed A train. I don’t know who was in there. The patient can only tell you that they were on it more or less at a certain time.
Governor Cuomo announced over the weekend that New York is in a state of emergency. Is that helpful?Governor Cuomo announced over the weekend that New York is in a state of emergency. Is that helpful?
For hospitals, it’s a good thing. It allows us to access a bunch of different resources, like testing supplies and equipment, much faster. It also allows us to use more space for housing patients.For hospitals, it’s a good thing. It allows us to access a bunch of different resources, like testing supplies and equipment, much faster. It also allows us to use more space for housing patients.
Are you seeing signs that the coronavirus is changing the city?Are you seeing signs that the coronavirus is changing the city?
I’ve noticed an insane number of people driving. When I have taken the train or the bus, it’s much emptier. My sister went to a bar in the West Village and said practically nobody was there.I’ve noticed an insane number of people driving. When I have taken the train or the bus, it’s much emptier. My sister went to a bar in the West Village and said practically nobody was there.
[New York in the age of coronavirus.][New York in the age of coronavirus.]
My colleague at the hospital said that at times like this, we can either be a thermometer or a thermostat. A thermometer measures temperature and is reactive. A thermostat sets the temperature and is proactive. Thermostats impact how people feel and behave.My colleague at the hospital said that at times like this, we can either be a thermometer or a thermostat. A thermometer measures temperature and is reactive. A thermostat sets the temperature and is proactive. Thermostats impact how people feel and behave.
Coronavirus in Connecticut: Governor Announces First Case of ResidentCoronavirus in Connecticut: Governor Announces First Case of Resident
Coronavirus Bandits? 2 Armed Men in Surgical Masks Rob RacetrackCoronavirus Bandits? 2 Armed Men in Surgical Masks Rob Racetrack
For the Autistic, a Place Where Life Comes at You, but More QuietlyFor the Autistic, a Place Where Life Comes at You, but More Quietly
Want more news? Check out our full coverage.Want more news? Check out our full coverage.
The Mini Crossword: Here is today’s puzzle.The Mini Crossword: Here is today’s puzzle.
Some motorists spend up to $900 a month to park their cars in the city. [New York Post]Some motorists spend up to $900 a month to park their cars in the city. [New York Post]
Andy Byford, the former subway chief, said he was undermined “to a large extent” by Governor Cuomo. [CBS New York]Andy Byford, the former subway chief, said he was undermined “to a large extent” by Governor Cuomo. [CBS New York]
When asked about abortion rights, candidates vying to become the Queens borough president “remained silent.” [Queens Chronicle]When asked about abortion rights, candidates vying to become the Queens borough president “remained silent.” [Queens Chronicle]
The Latinx Project hosts Ismael García Colón, the author of “Colonial Migrants at the Heart of Empire: Puerto Rican Workers on U.S. Farms,” for a discussion at 20 Cooper Square in Manhattan. 5 p.m. [Free with R.S.V.P.]The Latinx Project hosts Ismael García Colón, the author of “Colonial Migrants at the Heart of Empire: Puerto Rican Workers on U.S. Farms,” for a discussion at 20 Cooper Square in Manhattan. 5 p.m. [Free with R.S.V.P.]
A discussion with Kimmery Martin, the author of “The Antidote For Everything,” at the WORD Bookstore in Brooklyn. 7 p.m. [$5]A discussion with Kimmery Martin, the author of “The Antidote For Everything,” at the WORD Bookstore in Brooklyn. 7 p.m. [$5]
Learn about the Egyptian capital’s art and architecture in “Cairo: The City of 1,000 Minarets” at the National Arts Club in Manhattan. 8 p.m. [R.S.V.P.; $10 suggested donation]Learn about the Egyptian capital’s art and architecture in “Cairo: The City of 1,000 Minarets” at the National Arts Club in Manhattan. 8 p.m. [R.S.V.P.; $10 suggested donation]
— Melissa Guerrero— Melissa Guerrero
Events are subject to change, so double-check before heading out. For more events, see the going-out guides from The Times’s culture pages.Events are subject to change, so double-check before heading out. For more events, see the going-out guides from The Times’s culture pages.
Upper West Side.Upper West Side.
Upper East Side.Upper East Side.
Lower East Side.Lower East Side.
Some neighborhoods in New York City have names that need no explanation. In Manhattan, real estate pressure helped usher in several generic, geographically oriented names that have no real connection to New York history, according to the journalist C.J. Hughes.Some neighborhoods in New York City have names that need no explanation. In Manhattan, real estate pressure helped usher in several generic, geographically oriented names that have no real connection to New York history, according to the journalist C.J. Hughes.
Before that happened, neighborhoods had unique or historically relevant names.Before that happened, neighborhoods had unique or historically relevant names.
The Upper West Side used to be called San Juan Hill, named after the site in Cuba of a battle in the Spanish-American War.The Upper West Side used to be called San Juan Hill, named after the site in Cuba of a battle in the Spanish-American War.
The Upper East Side went by the name Jones Wood because the area was first settled by John Jones, a merchant.The Upper East Side went by the name Jones Wood because the area was first settled by John Jones, a merchant.
The Lower East Side used to be called Mackarelville because fish vendors once worked along Avenue A.The Lower East Side used to be called Mackarelville because fish vendors once worked along Avenue A.
In the city’s four other boroughs, where real estate pressure was less intense, some of the old neighborhood names are still in use.In the city’s four other boroughs, where real estate pressure was less intense, some of the old neighborhood names are still in use.
Astoria, in Queens, is named for John Jacob Astor.Astoria, in Queens, is named for John Jacob Astor.
Brownsville, in Brooklyn, is where Charles S. Brown turned farms into apartment buildings.Brownsville, in Brooklyn, is where Charles S. Brown turned farms into apartment buildings.
Mott Haven, in the Bronx, got its name after Jordan L. Mott established a foundry there.Mott Haven, in the Bronx, got its name after Jordan L. Mott established a foundry there.
It’s Monday — know your neighborhood.It’s Monday — know your neighborhood.
Dear Diary:Dear Diary:
I was on the F train headed to an afternoon doctor’s appointment. As I usually do, I stood against the doors across from the ones that opened at each station.I was on the F train headed to an afternoon doctor’s appointment. As I usually do, I stood against the doors across from the ones that opened at each station.
There were not many other passengers in the car. A man sitting next to where I was standing was reading one of the tabloids. A headline about the travails of Harry and Meghan declaring their independence from the British royal family jumped out at me.There were not many other passengers in the car. A man sitting next to where I was standing was reading one of the tabloids. A headline about the travails of Harry and Meghan declaring their independence from the British royal family jumped out at me.
I wanted to know what was next for them. I had to crane my neck to read even the headline. The man holding the paper looked up at me and adjusted it so that I could see it more easily.I wanted to know what was next for them. I had to crane my neck to read even the headline. The man holding the paper looked up at me and adjusted it so that I could see it more easily.
When I got ready to get off the train, he looked up again and smiled.When I got ready to get off the train, he looked up again and smiled.
I blushed.I blushed.
“Thank you,” I said.“Thank you,” I said.
— Michael Brenner— Michael Brenner
New York Today is published weekdays around 6 a.m. Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at nytoday.com.New York Today is published weekdays around 6 a.m. Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at nytoday.com.
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