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Coronavirus in N.Y.C.: Pressure to Close School System, Nation’s Largest Coronavirus in N.Y.C.: Pressure to Close School System, Nation’s Largest
(14 days later)
Across the country, school districts have shut down to curb the spread of coronavirus. But in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo have resisted doing so, despite facing mounting demands.Across the country, school districts have shut down to curb the spread of coronavirus. But in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo have resisted doing so, despite facing mounting demands.
The pressure has come from elected officials like the City Council speaker, Corey Johnson, who on Friday called on the city to temporarily close it schools. “It is not time to panic,” he wrote on Twitter. “But it is time to act.” It has come from Michael Mulgrew, the president of the city’s teachers’ union, who on Friday afternoon called on Mr. de Blasio to close the schools.The pressure has come from elected officials like the City Council speaker, Corey Johnson, who on Friday called on the city to temporarily close it schools. “It is not time to panic,” he wrote on Twitter. “But it is time to act.” It has come from Michael Mulgrew, the president of the city’s teachers’ union, who on Friday afternoon called on Mr. de Blasio to close the schools.
It has come from public health experts; three dozen infectious disease experts in New York signed a letter on Thursday calling on the mayor to close all schools.It has come from public health experts; three dozen infectious disease experts in New York signed a letter on Thursday calling on the mayor to close all schools.
And it has come from the collective actions of other school leaders: On Friday, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn said that its Catholic elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens will be closed next week, affecting more than 41,000 students at 228 elementary schools. Hours earlier, Success Academy, New York City’s largest charter school network, announced it would close its schools to its 18,000 students and transition to online learning.And it has come from the collective actions of other school leaders: On Friday, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn said that its Catholic elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens will be closed next week, affecting more than 41,000 students at 228 elementary schools. Hours earlier, Success Academy, New York City’s largest charter school network, announced it would close its schools to its 18,000 students and transition to online learning.
Yet the vast majority of the city’s 1,800 public schools are still up and running, and leaders here have insisted that they will remain open as long as possible.Yet the vast majority of the city’s 1,800 public schools are still up and running, and leaders here have insisted that they will remain open as long as possible.
“We are going to fight tooth and nail to protect our school system,” Mr. de Blasio said on Thursday, adding, “we are going to do our damnedest to keep the schools open.”“We are going to fight tooth and nail to protect our school system,” Mr. de Blasio said on Thursday, adding, “we are going to do our damnedest to keep the schools open.”
On Friday evening, he doubled down on his pledge to not close schools, despite a significant drop in student attendance.On Friday evening, he doubled down on his pledge to not close schools, despite a significant drop in student attendance.
“We shut down the school system, we might not see it for the rest of the school year, we might not see the beginning of the new school year. And that weighs heavily on me,” he said, noting that experts have found that short-term closures have little impact on flattening the curve of the outbreak.“We shut down the school system, we might not see it for the rest of the school year, we might not see the beginning of the new school year. And that weighs heavily on me,” he said, noting that experts have found that short-term closures have little impact on flattening the curve of the outbreak.
Addressing his critics, Mr. de Blasio said, “This isn’t a popularity contest, this is war.”Addressing his critics, Mr. de Blasio said, “This isn’t a popularity contest, this is war.”
Mr. Cuomo, who is responsible for schools across the state, including New York City, said on Thursday that evidence from other countries was unclear about whether children were carriers of the virus, and said schools would remain open. Still, both leaders have said the city and state were planning for all potential scenarios, including mass closure.Mr. Cuomo, who is responsible for schools across the state, including New York City, said on Thursday that evidence from other countries was unclear about whether children were carriers of the virus, and said schools would remain open. Still, both leaders have said the city and state were planning for all potential scenarios, including mass closure.
Shutting city schools would likely lead to a broader shutdown of the city, and the decision would be more far-reaching in New York than in any other major American city.Shutting city schools would likely lead to a broader shutdown of the city, and the decision would be more far-reaching in New York than in any other major American city.
Over ten thousand schools across America — including the urban school districts of Seattle and Washington D.C., along with every school in Michigan, Maryland and Ohio — are shuttered or about to close as the coronavirus spreads rapidly throughout the country. Those schools together educate many millions of children.Over ten thousand schools across America — including the urban school districts of Seattle and Washington D.C., along with every school in Michigan, Maryland and Ohio — are shuttered or about to close as the coronavirus spreads rapidly throughout the country. Those schools together educate many millions of children.
But New York’s public school system dwarfs that of any other in the country: With 1.1 million children, it enrolls over 350,000 more students than the second-largest school district, Los Angeles Unified. The city also has a highly vulnerable student population, with about 750,000 students living at or below the poverty line, including roughly 114,000 who are homeless.But New York’s public school system dwarfs that of any other in the country: With 1.1 million children, it enrolls over 350,000 more students than the second-largest school district, Los Angeles Unified. The city also has a highly vulnerable student population, with about 750,000 students living at or below the poverty line, including roughly 114,000 who are homeless.
While many local private schools and universities have already switched to online learning, that presents its own set of challenges for New York’s public school students, since nearly one million households in the city lack internet access. Mr. de Blasio has said that the city is preparing some options for remote learning, but that it is not the city’s “preference.”While many local private schools and universities have already switched to online learning, that presents its own set of challenges for New York’s public school students, since nearly one million households in the city lack internet access. Mr. de Blasio has said that the city is preparing some options for remote learning, but that it is not the city’s “preference.”
There are at least 95 confirmed cases in New York City, but only one confirmed case of a city public school student. Public health experts have found so far that children have been less likely than adults to contract the disease, but could still spread it.There are at least 95 confirmed cases in New York City, but only one confirmed case of a city public school student. Public health experts have found so far that children have been less likely than adults to contract the disease, but could still spread it.
“There’s no ideal solution, we are comparing one bad thing with one potentially extraordinarily bad thing,” said Dr. Paul Bieniasz, a virologist and professor at Rockefeller University’s Howard Hughes Medical Institute who was one of the three dozen experts who signed the letter calling on the mayor to close schools.“There’s no ideal solution, we are comparing one bad thing with one potentially extraordinarily bad thing,” said Dr. Paul Bieniasz, a virologist and professor at Rockefeller University’s Howard Hughes Medical Institute who was one of the three dozen experts who signed the letter calling on the mayor to close schools.
“The bottom line is that the potential consequences of not closing schools are really too horrible,” he added.“The bottom line is that the potential consequences of not closing schools are really too horrible,” he added.
While there is evidence that school closures helped slow the spread of disease in past pandemics, public health officials have dissenting views about how and whether school closures should be used to combat the coronavirus.While there is evidence that school closures helped slow the spread of disease in past pandemics, public health officials have dissenting views about how and whether school closures should be used to combat the coronavirus.
Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist and professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said she did not support mass closures in part because districts closing schools seemed to have no clear plan for how to handle the resulting disruption, or even when to reopen their schools.Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist and professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said she did not support mass closures in part because districts closing schools seemed to have no clear plan for how to handle the resulting disruption, or even when to reopen their schools.
“I don’t really understand what the endgame here is,” she said, adding that the two-week closures and cleaning days that some schools were adopting seemed arbitrary. “As soon as someone comes in and coughs, it’s not clean anymore.”“I don’t really understand what the endgame here is,” she said, adding that the two-week closures and cleaning days that some schools were adopting seemed arbitrary. “As soon as someone comes in and coughs, it’s not clean anymore.”
Schools would likely have to close for the extent of the epidemic, which could be many months, to be truly effective, she said.Schools would likely have to close for the extent of the epidemic, which could be many months, to be truly effective, she said.
“The public health benefits of closing schools to try to mitigate the impacts of this virus are not clear by any means,” Dr. Nuzzo said. “This is largely an experiment.”“The public health benefits of closing schools to try to mitigate the impacts of this virus are not clear by any means,” Dr. Nuzzo said. “This is largely an experiment.”
Dr. Theodora Hatziioannou, also a virologist and professor at Rockefeller, supports closures, but agreed that they would have to come with clear guidelines in order to be effective. “This doesn’t mean you roam around, it means you stay home.”Dr. Theodora Hatziioannou, also a virologist and professor at Rockefeller, supports closures, but agreed that they would have to come with clear guidelines in order to be effective. “This doesn’t mean you roam around, it means you stay home.”
The potential domino effect of mass school closures in New York is staggering.The potential domino effect of mass school closures in New York is staggering.
The mayor said on Thursday that the three things the city was most concerned about preserving were its schools, mass transit and health care, which provide essential lifelines for the city’s most vulnerable, in particular, and are tightly linked.The mayor said on Thursday that the three things the city was most concerned about preserving were its schools, mass transit and health care, which provide essential lifelines for the city’s most vulnerable, in particular, and are tightly linked.
A public hospital nurse, for example, would likely not be able to stay home from work even if her child was home from school. And home health aides who have children enrolled in public schools provide crucial support for elderly New Yorkers, who are particularly vulnerable to the virus.A public hospital nurse, for example, would likely not be able to stay home from work even if her child was home from school. And home health aides who have children enrolled in public schools provide crucial support for elderly New Yorkers, who are particularly vulnerable to the virus.
“The downsides are very well known: We know kids will miss meals, we know parents will have to stay home, including health care workers,” said Mark Levine, a Manhattan city councilman who chairs the Council’s health committee. Mr. Levine said he had spoken to hospital presidents who have said they are worried about a potential staffing shortage if public schools are shut.“The downsides are very well known: We know kids will miss meals, we know parents will have to stay home, including health care workers,” said Mark Levine, a Manhattan city councilman who chairs the Council’s health committee. Mr. Levine said he had spoken to hospital presidents who have said they are worried about a potential staffing shortage if public schools are shut.
Updated July 7, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
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.
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.
Experts agreed that it would be difficult to shut schools without other severe restrictions on city life, including strong encouragement or even a requirement to keep children at home, rather than simply excusing them from school.Experts agreed that it would be difficult to shut schools without other severe restrictions on city life, including strong encouragement or even a requirement to keep children at home, rather than simply excusing them from school.
The vulnerabilities of closings without strict social distancing measures are on display in Scarsdale, a New York City suburb where schools are closed until at least next week after a middle schoolteacher tested positive for the virus.The vulnerabilities of closings without strict social distancing measures are on display in Scarsdale, a New York City suburb where schools are closed until at least next week after a middle schoolteacher tested positive for the virus.
The district was receiving “reports of students gathering in large numbers and some posting their disregard for the risks associated with the current outbreak,” said Scarsdale’s school superintendent, Thomas Hagerman, in an email to parents on Wednesday. “Preventative measures are only effective if we embrace and implement them as a community.”The district was receiving “reports of students gathering in large numbers and some posting their disregard for the risks associated with the current outbreak,” said Scarsdale’s school superintendent, Thomas Hagerman, in an email to parents on Wednesday. “Preventative measures are only effective if we embrace and implement them as a community.”
Most public schools across the state remain open, with some major exceptions, including public schools in Scarsdale and New Rochelle in Westchester County, which is the epicenter of the state’s outbreak. Initially, only three New Rochelle public schools located in a one-mile “containment” zone closed earlier this week, but the entire district shut down on Friday following protests from families.Most public schools across the state remain open, with some major exceptions, including public schools in Scarsdale and New Rochelle in Westchester County, which is the epicenter of the state’s outbreak. Initially, only three New Rochelle public schools located in a one-mile “containment” zone closed earlier this week, but the entire district shut down on Friday following protests from families.
Inside New York City’s schools this week, educators were concerned and conflicted.Inside New York City’s schools this week, educators were concerned and conflicted.
“Thankfully, it’s not my decision,” said Liat Olenick, a teacher at the Brooklyn Arbor School in Williamsburg, of closure. “It’s a really hard one.”“Thankfully, it’s not my decision,” said Liat Olenick, a teacher at the Brooklyn Arbor School in Williamsburg, of closure. “It’s a really hard one.”
Ms. Olenick, who has a compromised immune system and is particularly concerned about the virus, said she endorsed a middle ground between complete closure and business as usual.Ms. Olenick, who has a compromised immune system and is particularly concerned about the virus, said she endorsed a middle ground between complete closure and business as usual.
That was the recommendation recently made by a group of local doctors and public health workers, who said schools could remain open as “centers for community aid” and “emergency child care” but not for students who receive adequate resources at home.That was the recommendation recently made by a group of local doctors and public health workers, who said schools could remain open as “centers for community aid” and “emergency child care” but not for students who receive adequate resources at home.
That option was also supported by several members of the City Council, including the education committee chairman, Mark Treyger. He called on officials to make a few select schools open only to students with medical needs and the children of health care professionals and emergency medical workers.That option was also supported by several members of the City Council, including the education committee chairman, Mark Treyger. He called on officials to make a few select schools open only to students with medical needs and the children of health care professionals and emergency medical workers.
“There is an extraordinary amount of fear from families,” said Mr. Treyger, who represents parts of Brooklyn.“There is an extraordinary amount of fear from families,” said Mr. Treyger, who represents parts of Brooklyn.
The vast majority of parents were still sending their children to school, though there was a notable dip in attendance. About 85 percent of city students attended school on Thursday, down from roughly 88 percent on Wednesday. The average daily attendance rate is nearly 92 percent.The vast majority of parents were still sending their children to school, though there was a notable dip in attendance. About 85 percent of city students attended school on Thursday, down from roughly 88 percent on Wednesday. The average daily attendance rate is nearly 92 percent.
By Friday morning, however, some school leaders were reporting significant drops in teacher and student attendance, contributing to a sense of growing alarm through schools across the five boroughs.By Friday morning, however, some school leaders were reporting significant drops in teacher and student attendance, contributing to a sense of growing alarm through schools across the five boroughs.
At Stuyvesant High School in Lower Manhattan, one of the city’s top public schools, teachers debated whether to continue to come into work. “We have reached a tipping point, where the reasons to close the schools outweigh the reasons not to close them,” said Annie Thoms, an English teacher at the school.At Stuyvesant High School in Lower Manhattan, one of the city’s top public schools, teachers debated whether to continue to come into work. “We have reached a tipping point, where the reasons to close the schools outweigh the reasons not to close them,” said Annie Thoms, an English teacher at the school.
Several public schools were thrown into chaos after conflicting reports of positive cases. On Thursday morning, city officials said they had closed two public schools in the South Bronx after a parent of a student reported that their child had tested positive.Several public schools were thrown into chaos after conflicting reports of positive cases. On Thursday morning, city officials said they had closed two public schools in the South Bronx after a parent of a student reported that their child had tested positive.
The two schools share a building, which was closed and deep-cleaned, as per the city’s protocol. But on Thursday evening, the city reported that the student in question did not, in fact, have the virus.The two schools share a building, which was closed and deep-cleaned, as per the city’s protocol. But on Thursday evening, the city reported that the student in question did not, in fact, have the virus.
A parent at Public School 107 in Park Slope, Brooklyn, tested positive for the virus and was in the school last week, said Brooklyn Councilman Brad Lander, who called on the city to close the school for at least a day.A parent at Public School 107 in Park Slope, Brooklyn, tested positive for the virus and was in the school last week, said Brooklyn Councilman Brad Lander, who called on the city to close the school for at least a day.
The education department declined; Mr. Lander said about 20 of the school’s 25 staff had already called in sick as of Thursday night.The education department declined; Mr. Lander said about 20 of the school’s 25 staff had already called in sick as of Thursday night.
On Friday morning, the city announced that seven additional schools across three campuses would be closed for at least a day.On Friday morning, the city announced that seven additional schools across three campuses would be closed for at least a day.
Jim Dwyer and Jeffery C. Mays contributed reporting.Jim Dwyer and Jeffery C. Mays contributed reporting.