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Thousands of Students in New York Face Shuttered Schools Thousands of Students in New York Face Shuttered Schools
(3 days later)
As thousands of students in New York learned that their schools would be mostly or entirely shuttered for the entire week, state officials and educators grappled on Monday morning with the possibility that more schools would need to close to fight the coronavirus outbreak.As thousands of students in New York learned that their schools would be mostly or entirely shuttered for the entire week, state officials and educators grappled on Monday morning with the possibility that more schools would need to close to fight the coronavirus outbreak.
The virus has spread quickly throughout the New York region. On Monday morning, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that 142 cases had been confirmed statewide, including the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Rick Cotton.The virus has spread quickly throughout the New York region. On Monday morning, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that 142 cases had been confirmed statewide, including the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Rick Cotton.
In the afternoon, New Jersey officials announced 5 new cases of the virus, bringing that state’s total to 11. In three of the new cases, the patients are hospitalized.In the afternoon, New Jersey officials announced 5 new cases of the virus, bringing that state’s total to 11. In three of the new cases, the patients are hospitalized.
Late Monday, Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency, effective immediately.Late Monday, Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency, effective immediately.
[Read our full Coronavirus in New York coverage here.][Read our full Coronavirus in New York coverage here.]
The move, which allows state agencies to move more quickly to prepare for a broader spread of the virus, follows a similar move by Mr. Cuomo over the weekend.The move, which allows state agencies to move more quickly to prepare for a broader spread of the virus, follows a similar move by Mr. Cuomo over the weekend.
New York officials said on Monday that they were weighing whether to shut down public schools in and around New Rochelle, which Mr. Cuomo called a “significant hot spot” for the virus, for a number of weeks.New York officials said on Monday that they were weighing whether to shut down public schools in and around New Rochelle, which Mr. Cuomo called a “significant hot spot” for the virus, for a number of weeks.
Already, Scarsdale, a New York City suburb in Westchester County, announced that it would close its public school district until March 18 after a teacher at its middle school tested positive for the virus.Already, Scarsdale, a New York City suburb in Westchester County, announced that it would close its public school district until March 18 after a teacher at its middle school tested positive for the virus.
Columbia, Fordham, Hofstra, Princeton and Yeshiva universities all said they would be canceling classes or suspending in-person classes. Several were taking the steps after members of the school had either tested positive or were exhibiting symptoms after being near someone who had tested positive.Columbia, Fordham, Hofstra, Princeton and Yeshiva universities all said they would be canceling classes or suspending in-person classes. Several were taking the steps after members of the school had either tested positive or were exhibiting symptoms after being near someone who had tested positive.
As of Monday morning, there were no plans to shutter any of New York City’s 1,800 public schools, and no confirmed cases related to the public schools. Several private schools in the city were canceled despite not having connections to confirmed positive diagnoses.As of Monday morning, there were no plans to shutter any of New York City’s 1,800 public schools, and no confirmed cases related to the public schools. Several private schools in the city were canceled despite not having connections to confirmed positive diagnoses.
“We would only consider closing any particular school for very specific reas‎ons and for as brief a period of time as possible,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said.“We would only consider closing any particular school for very specific reas‎ons and for as brief a period of time as possible,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
Later on Monday, he said that the city was taking a “pinpoint” approach to possible closures: Any school that has a positive case will be automatically closed for 24 hours and cleaned while disease detectives reach out to possibly affected students and staff and students who have serious pre-existing medical conditions. “We would want to reopen as quickly as possible,” Mr. de Blasio said.Later on Monday, he said that the city was taking a “pinpoint” approach to possible closures: Any school that has a positive case will be automatically closed for 24 hours and cleaned while disease detectives reach out to possibly affected students and staff and students who have serious pre-existing medical conditions. “We would want to reopen as quickly as possible,” Mr. de Blasio said.
[Read our full Coronavirus in New York coverage here.][Read our full Coronavirus in New York coverage here.]
He added that evidence indicated that coronavirus presented “minimal risk” to healthy children, and said “the schools are not the place we’d be looking first” to mitigate the virus.He added that evidence indicated that coronavirus presented “minimal risk” to healthy children, and said “the schools are not the place we’d be looking first” to mitigate the virus.
Mr. Cuomo said on Monday that eight of the 142 patients in New York State who had been confirmed as having the virus — including 98 in Westchester County and 19 in New York City — had been hospitalized.Mr. Cuomo said on Monday that eight of the 142 patients in New York State who had been confirmed as having the virus — including 98 in Westchester County and 19 in New York City — had been hospitalized.
One of the cases in the city involved a 7-year-old girl from the Bronx who was “doing well” and quarantined at home, Mr. de Blasio said.One of the cases in the city involved a 7-year-old girl from the Bronx who was “doing well” and quarantined at home, Mr. de Blasio said.
Mr. Cotton, who oversees the region’s airports and other transportation infrastructure and had been visiting Port Authority facilities, was being quarantined, Mr. Cuomo said. His team was also being tested for the virus.Mr. Cotton, who oversees the region’s airports and other transportation infrastructure and had been visiting Port Authority facilities, was being quarantined, Mr. Cuomo said. His team was also being tested for the virus.
Mr. Cotton is one of the most prominent public officials in the United States to have contracted the virus.Mr. Cotton is one of the most prominent public officials in the United States to have contracted the virus.
The governor also said that the state would soon require that if a student in New York tested positive for the virus, their school would be closed for an initial 24 hours while health officials assessed the situation.The governor also said that the state would soon require that if a student in New York tested positive for the virus, their school would be closed for an initial 24 hours while health officials assessed the situation.
On Monday evening, the New York Fire Department announced that an Emergency Medical Service worker had tested positive for the virus after coming into contact with a person who had traveled overseas.On Monday evening, the New York Fire Department announced that an Emergency Medical Service worker had tested positive for the virus after coming into contact with a person who had traveled overseas.
The worker was asymptomatic, the department said in a statement, but had worked three shifts at a firehouse and had treated 11 patients in the time before testing positive. All of those patients had been notified of the worker’s positive test result by the Department of Health, the statement said. The worker’s colleagues had been directed to self-quarantine.The worker was asymptomatic, the department said in a statement, but had worked three shifts at a firehouse and had treated 11 patients in the time before testing positive. All of those patients had been notified of the worker’s positive test result by the Department of Health, the statement said. The worker’s colleagues had been directed to self-quarantine.
In response to concerns over availability and price gouging, Mr. Cuomo said the state had asked Corcraft, a state entity that uses prison labor to manufacture products, to make 100,000 gallons of hand sanitizer a week.In response to concerns over availability and price gouging, Mr. Cuomo said the state had asked Corcraft, a state entity that uses prison labor to manufacture products, to make 100,000 gallons of hand sanitizer a week.
The state planned to distribute the product for free in the communities and government agencies most impacted, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.The state planned to distribute the product for free in the communities and government agencies most impacted, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
The governor has criticized the federal government, blaming “mixed messages” from President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for delays in testing that Mr. Cuomo says have kept New York from knowing the full extent of the disease’s spread.The governor has criticized the federal government, blaming “mixed messages” from President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for delays in testing that Mr. Cuomo says have kept New York from knowing the full extent of the disease’s spread.
Early Monday, President Trump fired back, saying his administration had been consistent in its statements and attacking the governor of New York and his brother.Early Monday, President Trump fired back, saying his administration had been consistent in its statements and attacking the governor of New York and his brother.
“There are no mixed messages, only political weaponization by people like you and your brother, Fredo!” Mr. Trump wrote.“There are no mixed messages, only political weaponization by people like you and your brother, Fredo!” Mr. Trump wrote.
The president has sometimes mocked the governor’s brother, the CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, by referring to him as Fredo Corleone, the most ineffectual of the fictional brothers in the movie “The Godfather.”The president has sometimes mocked the governor’s brother, the CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, by referring to him as Fredo Corleone, the most ineffectual of the fictional brothers in the movie “The Godfather.”
Later on Monday, Mr. Cuomo said he had spoken to Mr. Pence about increasing the state’s testing capacity.Later on Monday, Mr. Cuomo said he had spoken to Mr. Pence about increasing the state’s testing capacity.
Long-term closures present enormous challenges for all types of schools.Long-term closures present enormous challenges for all types of schools.
Most schools have not had to rely on distance learning for any significant period of time, and educators are scrambling to figure out how to bring their classes online. While large lecture courses at Columbia can be streamed relatively easily, for example, an official at the school said it would not be so simple to translate other types of classes into an online format.Most schools have not had to rely on distance learning for any significant period of time, and educators are scrambling to figure out how to bring their classes online. While large lecture courses at Columbia can be streamed relatively easily, for example, an official at the school said it would not be so simple to translate other types of classes into an online format.
In a message to parents, the Scarsdale district said it would spend the next few days determining how to translate its classes to remote learning.In a message to parents, the Scarsdale district said it would spend the next few days determining how to translate its classes to remote learning.
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Large-scale, extended school closures could wreak havoc on the city’s enormous school system of 1.1 million students, about 750,000 of whom are low-income and many of whom rely on school for meals and medical care.Large-scale, extended school closures could wreak havoc on the city’s enormous school system of 1.1 million students, about 750,000 of whom are low-income and many of whom rely on school for meals and medical care.
Mass closures would present a huge strain for the city’s working families unless essential services are also closed.Mass closures would present a huge strain for the city’s working families unless essential services are also closed.
Updated June 2, 2020 Updated June 5, 2020
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
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.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.
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.
Several universities around the country have already switched to remote learning in an attempt to control the virus.Several universities around the country have already switched to remote learning in an attempt to control the virus.
Columbia University in Manhattan announced it would not hold classes on Monday or Tuesday and would switch to remote learning for the rest of the week. And Fordham University said it was indefinitely suspending in-person classes on all its campuses. All Fordham classes will be taught online starting Wednesday; the school said it hoped to resume in-person classes by March 30.Columbia University in Manhattan announced it would not hold classes on Monday or Tuesday and would switch to remote learning for the rest of the week. And Fordham University said it was indefinitely suspending in-person classes on all its campuses. All Fordham classes will be taught online starting Wednesday; the school said it hoped to resume in-person classes by March 30.
On Monday evening, New York University announced that it would be switching to online only classes on Wednesday, which would continue until at least March 27. The school’s spring break, as with most other colleges, begins next week.On Monday evening, New York University announced that it would be switching to online only classes on Wednesday, which would continue until at least March 27. The school’s spring break, as with most other colleges, begins next week.
In New Jersey, Princeton University announced that it would move its classes online on March 23, after its spring break, for at least two weeks. In a statement, the university’s president, Chris Eisgruber, encouraged students to consider staying home after the break.In New Jersey, Princeton University announced that it would move its classes online on March 23, after its spring break, for at least two weeks. In a statement, the university’s president, Chris Eisgruber, encouraged students to consider staying home after the break.
At Hofstra University, on Long Island, classes were canceled for the rest of the week and spring break starts at the end of the week, so school is effectively paused for the next two weeks. Class work will be made up later in the semester, and the school will not use remote learning.At Hofstra University, on Long Island, classes were canceled for the rest of the week and spring break starts at the end of the week, so school is effectively paused for the next two weeks. Class work will be made up later in the semester, and the school will not use remote learning.
Yeshiva University, which also canceled classes for the rest of the week, said in a statement that it was preparing “for the contingency of online classes.”Yeshiva University, which also canceled classes for the rest of the week, said in a statement that it was preparing “for the contingency of online classes.”
It was unusually quiet on Monday morning at Columbia, which also starts spring break at the end of the week.It was unusually quiet on Monday morning at Columbia, which also starts spring break at the end of the week.
Robyn Fohouo, 19, a first-year student from Maryland, said she had not changed her routine, even in light of the cancellations.Robyn Fohouo, 19, a first-year student from Maryland, said she had not changed her routine, even in light of the cancellations.
“I’m just going to go about my day,” she said. “Obviously, I am going to stay in my room more often than I usually do but I’m not going to get too in my head about it because that really won’t help me.”“I’m just going to go about my day,” she said. “Obviously, I am going to stay in my room more often than I usually do but I’m not going to get too in my head about it because that really won’t help me.”
Also on Monday morning, the chief judge for the Southern District of New York — one of the country’s biggest and busiest federal legal regions — issued an order barring a number of people who might have been exposed to the virus from entering any of the district’s courthouses in Lower Manhattan and Westchester County.Also on Monday morning, the chief judge for the Southern District of New York — one of the country’s biggest and busiest federal legal regions — issued an order barring a number of people who might have been exposed to the virus from entering any of the district’s courthouses in Lower Manhattan and Westchester County.
The included people who have been contact with anyone who had traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Italy or Iran, as well anyone who had been found to have the coronavirus or been in contact with anyone who has been infected.The included people who have been contact with anyone who had traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Italy or Iran, as well anyone who had been found to have the coronavirus or been in contact with anyone who has been infected.
Similar restrictions have not been put in place for the Eastern District of New York, which encompasses Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, Eugene Corcoran, the district executive wrote in an email Monday morning.Similar restrictions have not been put in place for the Eastern District of New York, which encompasses Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, Eugene Corcoran, the district executive wrote in an email Monday morning.
Reporting was contributed by Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Jeffery C. Mays, Ben Smith, Anjali Tsui, Tracey Tully and Ali Watkins.Reporting was contributed by Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Jeffery C. Mays, Ben Smith, Anjali Tsui, Tracey Tully and Ali Watkins.