'‘Containment Area’ Is Ordered for New Rochelle Coronavirus Cluster' diff viewer (12/13)

This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on March 10, 2020 20:30 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/nyregion/coronavirus-new-rochelle-containment-area.html

The article has changed 38 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Next version

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Next version

Version 12	Version 13
‘Containment Area’ Is Ordered for New Rochelle Coronavirus Cluster	‘Containment Area’ Is Ordered for New Rochelle Coronavirus Cluster
2020-06-03 12:12:23 UTC	2020-06-05 17:30:38 UTC (2 days later)
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — The National Guard will move in. Schools, churches and synagogues will be shut down. Large indoor gatherings will be officially banned.	NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — The National Guard will move in. Schools, churches and synagogues will be shut down. Large indoor gatherings will be officially banned.
The sights and rituals of life in this New York City suburb, which had already been altered, took an eerie turn on Tuesday when Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced a drastic new step to try to control the spread of the coronavirus in the largest cluster in the United States.	The sights and rituals of life in this New York City suburb, which had already been altered, took an eerie turn on Tuesday when Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced a drastic new step to try to control the spread of the coronavirus in the largest cluster in the United States.
State officials created a one-mile radius “containment area” in New Rochelle, in Westchester County, a move that echoed measures taken in other health crises. The midpoint of the zone was a synagogue that is at the center of the state’s worst outbreak.	State officials created a one-mile radius “containment area” in New Rochelle, in Westchester County, a move that echoed measures taken in other health crises. The midpoint of the zone was a synagogue that is at the center of the state’s worst outbreak.
The move seemed likely to be a precursor to similar, and perhaps more severe, actions elsewhere as the virus continues to spread quickly around the country. On Monday, officials in Santa Clara County, Calif., enacted a ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people, and other locations were poised to follow suit.	The move seemed likely to be a precursor to similar, and perhaps more severe, actions elsewhere as the virus continues to spread quickly around the country. On Monday, officials in Santa Clara County, Calif., enacted a ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people, and other locations were poised to follow suit.
There are now more than 1,000 cases of the virus in the United States, including more than 170 in New York, which has the third-highest total among states after Washington and California.	There are now more than 1,000 cases of the virus in the United States, including more than 170 in New York, which has the third-highest total among states after Washington and California.
Unlike those two states, New York has yet to report a death caused by the virus, and Mr. Cuomo’s decision appeared to be geared toward stamping out a disease by eliminating close contact among large numbers of people in an area just north of the nation’s largest city.	Unlike those two states, New York has yet to report a death caused by the virus, and Mr. Cuomo’s decision appeared to be geared toward stamping out a disease by eliminating close contact among large numbers of people in an area just north of the nation’s largest city.
“This is literally a matter of life and death,” Mr. Cuomo said. “That’s not an overly rhetorical statement.”	“This is literally a matter of life and death,” Mr. Cuomo said. “That’s not an overly rhetorical statement.”
Beginning Thursday, members of the state National Guard will be deployed to New Rochelle to clean schools and to deliver food to quarantined residents and thousands of students who are now facing two weeks at home without free or reduced cost meals. Mr. Cuomo said that large gathering places in the containment area, including schools, community centers and houses of worship, would be closed for two weeks.	Beginning Thursday, members of the state National Guard will be deployed to New Rochelle to clean schools and to deliver food to quarantined residents and thousands of students who are now facing two weeks at home without free or reduced cost meals. Mr. Cuomo said that large gathering places in the containment area, including schools, community centers and houses of worship, would be closed for two weeks.
The state did not plan to close streets or to impose travel restrictions, Mr. Cuomo said, noting that he was only “containing facilities” where the virus might spread. Businesses like grocery stores and delis will remain open.	The state did not plan to close streets or to impose travel restrictions, Mr. Cuomo said, noting that he was only “containing facilities” where the virus might spread. Businesses like grocery stores and delis will remain open.
Still, the spiraling scope of infection in New Rochelle, and the increasingly disruptive measures being used to fight it, were unnerving for residents. The streets inside the zone had been fairly empty in recent days and they appeared even more so on Tuesday. And the looming arrival of the National Guard was sure to exacerbate that.	Still, the spiraling scope of infection in New Rochelle, and the increasingly disruptive measures being used to fight it, were unnerving for residents. The streets inside the zone had been fairly empty in recent days and they appeared even more so on Tuesday. And the looming arrival of the National Guard was sure to exacerbate that.
“When you see someone from the National Guard on your street, or outside your home, it is natural and human to find it somewhat unsettling, because it is a visible illustration that things in your community are not functioning as they normally do,” Noam Bramson, the city’s mayor, said at a news conference at City Hall on Tuesday.	“When you see someone from the National Guard on your street, or outside your home, it is natural and human to find it somewhat unsettling, because it is a visible illustration that things in your community are not functioning as they normally do,” Noam Bramson, the city’s mayor, said at a news conference at City Hall on Tuesday.
“But I want to emphasize that the guard is here to help us,” he continued. “They are not here to provide a military function, they are not here to provide a policing function. New Rochelle is not on martial law.”	“But I want to emphasize that the guard is here to help us,” he continued. “They are not here to provide a military function, they are not here to provide a policing function. New Rochelle is not on martial law.”
State and local officials sought to strike a balance between alerting and alarming residents, some of whom had begun to stockpile items like toilet paper, water, and medical supplies.	State and local officials sought to strike a balance between alerting and alarming residents, some of whom had begun to stockpile items like toilet paper, water, and medical supplies.
The affected area is a mix of homes and businesses, and it includes at least one country club, as well as houses of worship and a dozen schools — public, private and religious — where sporting events and student plays were already being canceled.	The affected area is a mix of homes and businesses, and it includes at least one country club, as well as houses of worship and a dozen schools — public, private and religious — where sporting events and student plays were already being canceled.
The news spread quickly around New Rochelle, by word of mouth or, in many cases, through a robocall from Mr. Bramson’s office.	The news spread quickly around New Rochelle, by word of mouth or, in many cases, through a robocall from Mr. Bramson’s office.
Anthony Bulfamante, who runs a local landscaping business, said he had received such a call at 3:43 p.m. Ten minutes later, he said, his phone rang again, and it did not stop ringing for the rest of the day, as friends from around the country checked in.	Anthony Bulfamante, who runs a local landscaping business, said he had received such a call at 3:43 p.m. Ten minutes later, he said, his phone rang again, and it did not stop ringing for the rest of the day, as friends from around the country checked in.
Two offered him places to sleep, including a secluded upstate cabin, Mr. Bulfamante said. But even though he had a heart procedure this summer, he declined.	Two offered him places to sleep, including a secluded upstate cabin, Mr. Bulfamante said. But even though he had a heart procedure this summer, he declined.
“I have no problem sleeping in New Rochelle,” he said. “You’ve got to live your life.”	“I have no problem sleeping in New Rochelle,” he said. “You’ve got to live your life.”
Mr. Bramson acknowledged that some New Rochelle businesses were already suffering, in large part “because a fair percentage of the customer base is already quarantined.” That included his mother, who lives in one of the area’s nursing homes, which have been a source of concern during the outbreak.	Mr. Bramson acknowledged that some New Rochelle businesses were already suffering, in large part “because a fair percentage of the customer base is already quarantined.” That included his mother, who lives in one of the area’s nursing homes, which have been a source of concern during the outbreak.
There were 108 patients with the virus in Westchester on Tuesday, Mr. Cuomo said, adding that most of them were in New Rochelle.	There were 108 patients with the virus in Westchester on Tuesday, Mr. Cuomo said, adding that most of them were in New Rochelle.
The Westchester cluster first came to the authorities’ attention last week, when a lawyer who lives in New Rochelle and works in Manhattan, Lawrence Garbuz, became the second person in New York to be found to have the coronavirus.	The Westchester cluster first came to the authorities’ attention last week, when a lawyer who lives in New Rochelle and works in Manhattan, Lawrence Garbuz, became the second person in New York to be found to have the coronavirus.
The Westchester health commissioner had previously ordered specific closings linked to Mr. Garbuz’s movements in the days before he received the diagnosis: The synagogue he attends, Young Israel of New Rochelle, was ordered closed, and congregants who had attended a bat mitzvah, a funeral or Shabbat services in last month were ordered to isolate themselves at home for 14 days.	The Westchester health commissioner had previously ordered specific closings linked to Mr. Garbuz’s movements in the days before he received the diagnosis: The synagogue he attends, Young Israel of New Rochelle, was ordered closed, and congregants who had attended a bat mitzvah, a funeral or Shabbat services in last month were ordered to isolate themselves at home for 14 days.
~~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.
The containment plan also included setting up a new satellite testing facility for New Rochelle that would increase officials’ ability to test for the virus in the city, which has a population of around 80,000.	The containment plan also included setting up a new satellite testing facility for New Rochelle that would increase officials’ ability to test for the virus in the city, which has a population of around 80,000.
No student, teacher or parent at the three public schools that will be closed has tested positive for the virus. The closings will affect around half of the district’s roughly 10,000 students.	No student, teacher or parent at the three public schools that will be closed has tested positive for the virus. The closings will affect around half of the district’s roughly 10,000 students.
The district has given the state a list of the 2,822 students who qualified for free and reduced-price lunched to better coordinate the National Guard’s meal deliveries.	The district has given the state a list of the 2,822 students who qualified for free and reduced-price lunched to better coordinate the National Guard’s meal deliveries.