'Ban on Large Gatherings in N.Y. as Coronavirus Cases Rise Sharply' diff viewer (7/8)

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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
2020-06-02 05:26:31 UTC	2020-06-03 01:28:52 UTC (about 20 hours 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.
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.”
~~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.