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Ban on Large Gatherings in N.Y. as Coronavirus Cases Rise Sharply Ban on Large Gatherings in N.Y. as Coronavirus Cases Rise Sharply
(1 day later)
New York officials instituted a drastic set of measures to try to curb the spread of the coronavirus, placing an indefinite ban on most gatherings of more than 500 people, leading to the shuttering of Broadway shows and sharply impacting how New Yorkers work, eat and worship.New York officials instituted a drastic set of measures to try to curb the spread of the coronavirus, placing an indefinite ban on most gatherings of more than 500 people, leading to the shuttering of Broadway shows and sharply impacting how New Yorkers work, eat and worship.
The restrictions announced by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Thursday came as the number of infections in the state tripled since Sunday, with dozens of new cases in New York City, where millions of residents typically rub shoulders with millions of visitors drawn by its sparkling cultural scene.The restrictions announced by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Thursday came as the number of infections in the state tripled since Sunday, with dozens of new cases in New York City, where millions of residents typically rub shoulders with millions of visitors drawn by its sparkling cultural scene.
But on Thursday, many of those famed institutions — including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Carnegie Hall, and the Metropolitan Opera — announced closings, bowing to the reality of a global epidemic and the government’s frantic efforts to confront it.But on Thursday, many of those famed institutions — including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Carnegie Hall, and the Metropolitan Opera — announced closings, bowing to the reality of a global epidemic and the government’s frantic efforts to confront it.
Shortly after the governor spoke in the State Capitol, Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency in the city, which has nearly 100 cases of the virus.Shortly after the governor spoke in the State Capitol, Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency in the city, which has nearly 100 cases of the virus.
For weeks, the mayor has sought to allay fears over the outbreak, resisting calls to close schools or cancel large-scale events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and urging New Yorkers to continue to live their lives. But his tone shifted dramatically on Thursday; at one point, he suggested that there would be 1,000 positive cases by next week as testing increased.For weeks, the mayor has sought to allay fears over the outbreak, resisting calls to close schools or cancel large-scale events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and urging New Yorkers to continue to live their lives. But his tone shifted dramatically on Thursday; at one point, he suggested that there would be 1,000 positive cases by next week as testing increased.
“We are going to lose some of our fellow New Yorkers,” the mayor said. “That, unfortunately, is inevitable.”“We are going to lose some of our fellow New Yorkers,” the mayor said. “That, unfortunately, is inevitable.”
The emergency order will empower the mayor to take expedited measures to control the outbreak; he could, for example, implement a curfew, limit traffic to emergency vehicles or suspend certain laws.The emergency order will empower the mayor to take expedited measures to control the outbreak; he could, for example, implement a curfew, limit traffic to emergency vehicles or suspend certain laws.
As he signed the emergency order, Mr. de Blasio apologized, saying he knew it would “have a serious impact on a number of businesses.”As he signed the emergency order, Mr. de Blasio apologized, saying he knew it would “have a serious impact on a number of businesses.”
“It’s not something we ever wanted to do,” the mayor said. “It’s something we have to do.”“It’s not something we ever wanted to do,” the mayor said. “It’s something we have to do.”
Indeed, the actions of the governor and the mayor will profoundly alter life in New York. Restaurants and bars were commanded to slash their occupancy by half. Famed arenas like Madison Square Garden will go dark. Rock concerts and classical concertos will be canceled.Indeed, the actions of the governor and the mayor will profoundly alter life in New York. Restaurants and bars were commanded to slash their occupancy by half. Famed arenas like Madison Square Garden will go dark. Rock concerts and classical concertos will be canceled.
Nowhere was the impact expected to be more jarring than Broadway, a billion-dollar industry at the heart of New York’s tourist trade, which said it would be closed at least until April 12, though Mr. Cuomo offered no assurances that he would lift his edict by then.Nowhere was the impact expected to be more jarring than Broadway, a billion-dollar industry at the heart of New York’s tourist trade, which said it would be closed at least until April 12, though Mr. Cuomo offered no assurances that he would lift his edict by then.
“Let the science and let the data make the decisions,” said Mr. Cuomo, a third-term Democrat.“Let the science and let the data make the decisions,” said Mr. Cuomo, a third-term Democrat.
Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat, echoed that, saying that the restrictions on crowds and businesses could last six months.Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat, echoed that, saying that the restrictions on crowds and businesses could last six months.
“It is going to be a long painful episode,” he said.“It is going to be a long painful episode,” he said.
Under the new “density reduction guidelines,” events with more than 500 people would be commanded to cancel or postpone. Spaces with occupancies of less than 500 would be required to cut those attendance levels by 50 percent. Schools, mass transit, hospitals, shops, and public buildings are exempt, though Mr. Cuomo said the State Capitol could be closed to visitors.Under the new “density reduction guidelines,” events with more than 500 people would be commanded to cancel or postpone. Spaces with occupancies of less than 500 would be required to cut those attendance levels by 50 percent. Schools, mass transit, hospitals, shops, and public buildings are exempt, though Mr. Cuomo said the State Capitol could be closed to visitors.
The coronavirus is particularly deadly for older people, and Mr. Cuomo also said “only medically necessary visits” would be allowed at nursing homes, a policy that would isolate residents from loved ones, something he admitted sounded draconian. But, he said, “If you care about someone in a nursing home, the last thing you want is to endanger that person.”The coronavirus is particularly deadly for older people, and Mr. Cuomo also said “only medically necessary visits” would be allowed at nursing homes, a policy that would isolate residents from loved ones, something he admitted sounded draconian. But, he said, “If you care about someone in a nursing home, the last thing you want is to endanger that person.”
Both the governor and the mayor seemed resistant to closing schools, with Mr. Cuomo citing the resilience of most children to the virus. Mr. de Blasio said closing schools creates other problems, as schools provide many children with free or reduced cost meals. The mayor also announced a moratorium on evictions in public housing complexes.Both the governor and the mayor seemed resistant to closing schools, with Mr. Cuomo citing the resilience of most children to the virus. Mr. de Blasio said closing schools creates other problems, as schools provide many children with free or reduced cost meals. The mayor also announced a moratorium on evictions in public housing complexes.
Across the Hudson, New Jersey officials were also urging and encouraging the reduction of crowds, with Gov. Philip D. Murphy recommending that all public gatherings of more than 250 people be canceled across the state.Across the Hudson, New Jersey officials were also urging and encouraging the reduction of crowds, with Gov. Philip D. Murphy recommending that all public gatherings of more than 250 people be canceled across the state.
The mayor of Jersey City, Steven Fulop, announced that the city had set a curfew of 10 p.m. on nightclubs and bars. In Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka advised that all “nonessential public gatherings” of more than 50 people should be canceled for the next 30 days.The mayor of Jersey City, Steven Fulop, announced that the city had set a curfew of 10 p.m. on nightclubs and bars. In Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka advised that all “nonessential public gatherings” of more than 50 people should be canceled for the next 30 days.
Both states’ actions came amid a cascade of cancellations: Late Wednesday night, the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which typically draws two million people, was postponed after days of discussion between officials and organizers.Both states’ actions came amid a cascade of cancellations: Late Wednesday night, the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which typically draws two million people, was postponed after days of discussion between officials and organizers.
Professional baseball, soccer and hockey leagues suspended or postponed their seasons, following the lead of the N.B.A. College sports conferences canceled season-ending basketball tournaments, including the Big East tourney, which was abruptly canceled in the middle of a game on Thursday between St. John’s and Creighton at Madison Square Garden. March Madness will not happen.Professional baseball, soccer and hockey leagues suspended or postponed their seasons, following the lead of the N.B.A. College sports conferences canceled season-ending basketball tournaments, including the Big East tourney, which was abruptly canceled in the middle of a game on Thursday between St. John’s and Creighton at Madison Square Garden. March Madness will not happen.
Updated June 30, 2020
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.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
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.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
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.
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 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.
The state and city’s action also came on the heels of President Trump’s decision to suspend travel from Europe for a month for foreign nationals, a move that could have a crippling effect on many of the city’s hotels, restaurants and tourist-reliant businesses.The state and city’s action also came on the heels of President Trump’s decision to suspend travel from Europe for a month for foreign nationals, a move that could have a crippling effect on many of the city’s hotels, restaurants and tourist-reliant businesses.
On Thursday, some of those were calculating the potential loss of business.On Thursday, some of those were calculating the potential loss of business.
“We certainly understand the action he’s trying to take,” Melissa Fleischut, the president and chief executive officer of the New York State Restaurant Association, said of the governor’s actions. “But we don’t know how our restaurants are supposed to manage through this crisis.”“We certainly understand the action he’s trying to take,” Melissa Fleischut, the president and chief executive officer of the New York State Restaurant Association, said of the governor’s actions. “But we don’t know how our restaurants are supposed to manage through this crisis.”
She added that other types of businesses might be able to adapt to the coronavirus by allowing people to work from home, but that wasn’t an option in restaurants. “We’re not a telecommuting business,” Ms. Fleischut said.She added that other types of businesses might be able to adapt to the coronavirus by allowing people to work from home, but that wasn’t an option in restaurants. “We’re not a telecommuting business,” Ms. Fleischut said.
The restrictions are among the most far-reaching imposed in the United States in response to the coronavirus outbreak. In the 10 days since New York announced its first confirmed case of the virus, more than 325 people in the state have tested positive, with the highest concentration in a cluster in Westchester County. On Thursday, officials in Albany reported their first cases, as did those in Western New York.The restrictions are among the most far-reaching imposed in the United States in response to the coronavirus outbreak. In the 10 days since New York announced its first confirmed case of the virus, more than 325 people in the state have tested positive, with the highest concentration in a cluster in Westchester County. On Thursday, officials in Albany reported their first cases, as did those in Western New York.
As efforts in the city have ramped up, Mr. Cuomo also has tried to limit the spread of the virus in Westchester, creating a “containment area” in New Rochelle, closing schools, houses of worship and other large gathering spaces within one mile of a synagogue believed to be the center of the outbreak there. On Thursday, the National Guard was delivering food and sanitizing buildings in the area, even as 27 more cases were reported.As efforts in the city have ramped up, Mr. Cuomo also has tried to limit the spread of the virus in Westchester, creating a “containment area” in New Rochelle, closing schools, houses of worship and other large gathering spaces within one mile of a synagogue believed to be the center of the outbreak there. On Thursday, the National Guard was delivering food and sanitizing buildings in the area, even as 27 more cases were reported.
In Albany, the governor also seemed worried about the ability of the state’s hospitals to handle a likely surge of patients, saying that his staff was investigating using state-owned buildings as temporary medical centers. He added that he did not want to repeat the experience of Italy, which has seen more than 1,000 deaths, and whose hospital system has been frayed by the crisis.In Albany, the governor also seemed worried about the ability of the state’s hospitals to handle a likely surge of patients, saying that his staff was investigating using state-owned buildings as temporary medical centers. He added that he did not want to repeat the experience of Italy, which has seen more than 1,000 deaths, and whose hospital system has been frayed by the crisis.
“You overwhelm the health care system,” the governor said. “That’s where you get into trouble.”“You overwhelm the health care system,” the governor said. “That’s where you get into trouble.”
Mr. Cuomo added that he may request that hospitals cancel elective surgeries, which take up about a quarter of hospital beds.Mr. Cuomo added that he may request that hospitals cancel elective surgeries, which take up about a quarter of hospital beds.
For his part, Mr. de Blasio said the city was prepared to turn cafeterias and other spaces into impromptu medical wards if necessary, saying “the only analogy is war.”For his part, Mr. de Blasio said the city was prepared to turn cafeterias and other spaces into impromptu medical wards if necessary, saying “the only analogy is war.”
“We don’t want to any of this lightly,” Mr. de Blasio said. “This is difficult stuff.”“We don’t want to any of this lightly,” Mr. de Blasio said. “This is difficult stuff.”
Luis Ferré-Sadurní contributed reporting.Luis Ferré-Sadurní contributed reporting.