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Coronavirus in N.Y.: Rush for Jobless Benefits Crashes State Website Coronavirus in N.Y.: Rush for Jobless Benefits Crashes State Website
(about 1 hour later)
The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut announced broad restrictions on public life on Monday, with gatherings of more than 50 people banned in all three states and many nonessential businesses ordered closed.The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut announced broad restrictions on public life on Monday, with gatherings of more than 50 people banned in all three states and many nonessential businesses ordered closed.
All schools in New York State were also closed for at least two weeks, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced. The move came after New York City’s public school system, the nation’s largest, shut down for at least five weeks.All schools in New York State were also closed for at least two weeks, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced. The move came after New York City’s public school system, the nation’s largest, shut down for at least five weeks.
Casinos, gyms and movie theaters in the three states must close by 8 p.m. Monday, Mr. Cuomo of New York said on a joint call with Govs. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey and Ned Lamont of Connecticut.Casinos, gyms and movie theaters in the three states must close by 8 p.m. Monday, Mr. Cuomo of New York said on a joint call with Govs. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey and Ned Lamont of Connecticut.
Bars and restaurants will be limited to takeout and delivery, Mr. Cuomo said. Groceries, gas stations, pharmacies and some other businesses can stay open. Mr. Cuomo said he was also encouraging other businesses to close at 8 p.m.Bars and restaurants will be limited to takeout and delivery, Mr. Cuomo said. Groceries, gas stations, pharmacies and some other businesses can stay open. Mr. Cuomo said he was also encouraging other businesses to close at 8 p.m.
Some of the region’s most famous landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Empire State Building, also shut down.Some of the region’s most famous landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Empire State Building, also shut down.
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Mr. Lamont said on Monday night that the Danbury Hospital near the New York border was at capacity and that 200 nurses there could not report to work because they might have had contact with patients infected with the coronavirus.Mr. Lamont said on Monday night that the Danbury Hospital near the New York border was at capacity and that 200 nurses there could not report to work because they might have had contact with patients infected with the coronavirus.
The governor said there were not enough tests to determine whether the nurses had the virus.The governor said there were not enough tests to determine whether the nurses had the virus.
“If I could test those nurses, I could potentially get them back into the game,” he said on MSNBC.“If I could test those nurses, I could potentially get them back into the game,” he said on MSNBC.
Earlier on Monday, Mr. Murphy had asked New Jersey residents to stay at home from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. every day for now, a day after suggesting that he was considering a mandatory curfew.Earlier on Monday, Mr. Murphy had asked New Jersey residents to stay at home from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. every day for now, a day after suggesting that he was considering a mandatory curfew.
“We are strongly asking, pleading with folks, to stay home,” Mr. Murphy said on Monday night. Asked how long the recommendation would be in effect, he said: “It certainly is at least weeks, and it may be many months.”“We are strongly asking, pleading with folks, to stay home,” Mr. Murphy said on Monday night. Asked how long the recommendation would be in effect, he said: “It certainly is at least weeks, and it may be many months.”
Like Gov. Cuomo, Mr. Murphy has activated the National Guard, whose members may be asked to work at testing sites, prepare hospitals for coronavirus patients, control traffic and deliver food to students who can no longer obtain their meals at school.Like Gov. Cuomo, Mr. Murphy has activated the National Guard, whose members may be asked to work at testing sites, prepare hospitals for coronavirus patients, control traffic and deliver food to students who can no longer obtain their meals at school.
The sudden flood of laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits swamped New York’s Labor Department on Monday.The sudden flood of laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits swamped New York’s Labor Department on Monday.
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After Mr. Cuomo waived the usual seven-day waiting period to apply, workers who had been let go over the weekend immediately tried to replace some of their lost income.After Mr. Cuomo waived the usual seven-day waiting period to apply, workers who had been let go over the weekend immediately tried to replace some of their lost income.
Within hours, frustrated applicants were complaining on social media about not being able to apply online. Some said that the state’s system was crashing throughout the day.Within hours, frustrated applicants were complaining on social media about not being able to apply online. Some said that the state’s system was crashing throughout the day.
Madeleine Witenberg tried to help her partner, Irene Leon, who had just been laid off from her full-time job as a bartender and server at a restaurant in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood. Using two different computers, the women tried unsuccessfully three times to navigate the state’s system, Ms. Leon said.Madeleine Witenberg tried to help her partner, Irene Leon, who had just been laid off from her full-time job as a bartender and server at a restaurant in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood. Using two different computers, the women tried unsuccessfully three times to navigate the state’s system, Ms. Leon said.
“It just cut me off as soon as I was making progress,” she said.“It just cut me off as soon as I was making progress,” she said.
Late in the day, the department acknowledged the problem.Late in the day, the department acknowledged the problem.
“Today we experienced a massive increase in the volume of unemployment insurance claims which slowed down the server,” it said in a statement. “It is currently being addressed.”“Today we experienced a massive increase in the volume of unemployment insurance claims which slowed down the server,” it said in a statement. “It is currently being addressed.”
A department spokeswoman, Deanna Cohen, said the agency had received 8,758 calls by noon, more than triple what it got last Monday.A department spokeswoman, Deanna Cohen, said the agency had received 8,758 calls by noon, more than triple what it got last Monday.
“We are seeing a spike in volume that is comparable to post 9/11 but make no mistake, anyone entitled to these benefits is going to receive them in a timely manner,” Ms. Cohen said.“We are seeing a spike in volume that is comparable to post 9/11 but make no mistake, anyone entitled to these benefits is going to receive them in a timely manner,” Ms. Cohen said.
Mr. de Blasio announced on Monday that New York City was rushing to add more hospital beds in the next few weeks.Mr. de Blasio announced on Monday that New York City was rushing to add more hospital beds in the next few weeks.
By canceling elective surgeries and dismissing patients from hospitals more quickly, the city can free up about 7,000 patient beds in existing hospitals, the mayor said. Another 1,200 to 1,300 beds could be added by taking over unused space in existing hospitals and converting a newly built nursing home in Brooklyn that is not yet occupied.By canceling elective surgeries and dismissing patients from hospitals more quickly, the city can free up about 7,000 patient beds in existing hospitals, the mayor said. Another 1,200 to 1,300 beds could be added by taking over unused space in existing hospitals and converting a newly built nursing home in Brooklyn that is not yet occupied.
The mayor appealed for federal assistance in helping to staff the new beds. He said he would like to bring health care workers from other states that have not been hit as hard by the pandemic and to use military doctors and nurses.The mayor appealed for federal assistance in helping to staff the new beds. He said he would like to bring health care workers from other states that have not been hit as hard by the pandemic and to use military doctors and nurses.
“These are battlefield-level conditions,” he said.“These are battlefield-level conditions,” he said.
With help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the city also announced plans to open five drive-through testing sites. Details on their locations were not released. (New Jersey officials said the state would open drive-though test centers at Bergen County Community College and the PNC Bank Arts Center.)With help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the city also announced plans to open five drive-through testing sites. Details on their locations were not released. (New Jersey officials said the state would open drive-though test centers at Bergen County Community College and the PNC Bank Arts Center.)
As of Monday, New York State had 950 confirmed coronavirus cases, officials said, up from 729 on Sunday. Nine people have died from the virus, including seven in New York City; 158 people have been hospitalized. In a bright note, the City Council speaker, Corey Johnson, said 16 people who had been hospitalized had been discharged.As of Monday, New York State had 950 confirmed coronavirus cases, officials said, up from 729 on Sunday. Nine people have died from the virus, including seven in New York City; 158 people have been hospitalized. In a bright note, the City Council speaker, Corey Johnson, said 16 people who had been hospitalized had been discharged.
Cases in New Jersey nearly doubled in a day, to 178 on Monday, up from 98 on Sunday. Three people in the state died after testing positive for the virus. Connecticut reported 41 confirmed cases on Monday, up from 26 on Sunday. No coronavirus death had been reported in the state.Cases in New Jersey nearly doubled in a day, to 178 on Monday, up from 98 on Sunday. Three people in the state died after testing positive for the virus. Connecticut reported 41 confirmed cases on Monday, up from 26 on Sunday. No coronavirus death had been reported in the state.
The largest concentration of cases in New York State is in New York City, where 463 people had tested positive. There were 220 confirmed cases in Westchester County. On Long Island, there were 109 confirmed cases in Nassau County and 63 in Suffolk County.The largest concentration of cases in New York State is in New York City, where 463 people had tested positive. There were 220 confirmed cases in Westchester County. On Long Island, there were 109 confirmed cases in Nassau County and 63 in Suffolk County.
The decision to close New York City’s 1.1-million-student public school system came after days of mounting pressure on Mr. de Blasio. He had vowed to keep schools open as long as possible because so many working families depend on them not just for education but for child care and meals.The decision to close New York City’s 1.1-million-student public school system came after days of mounting pressure on Mr. de Blasio. He had vowed to keep schools open as long as possible because so many working families depend on them not just for education but for child care and meals.
The city plans to restart classes on Monday, March 23, with instruction offered online only. Students who do not have computers at home will be lent laptops, the mayor said, and the city will help students get internet access.The city plans to restart classes on Monday, March 23, with instruction offered online only. Students who do not have computers at home will be lent laptops, the mayor said, and the city will help students get internet access.
“These children need you,” Mr. de Blasio said in an appeal to the city’s teachers.“These children need you,” Mr. de Blasio said in an appeal to the city’s teachers.
The mayor said he hoped to reopen the full school system April 20 but he cautioned that schools might stay shut through the end of the academic year.The mayor said he hoped to reopen the full school system April 20 but he cautioned that schools might stay shut through the end of the academic year.
In New Jersey, where most schools were already closed, Mr. Murphy said a statewide shutdown was “imminent.”In New Jersey, where most schools were already closed, Mr. Murphy said a statewide shutdown was “imminent.”
In Connecticut, Mr. Lamont said on Sunday that all public schools in the state would shut down on Tuesday and stay closed until at least March 31.In Connecticut, Mr. Lamont said on Sunday that all public schools in the state would shut down on Tuesday and stay closed until at least March 31.
The New York Times is looking for New York City teachers to tell us about the switch to remote learning. We want to hear about lesson plans, what you’re learning from colleagues during training and how you’re planning to check on students that need the most support.The New York Times is looking for New York City teachers to tell us about the switch to remote learning. We want to hear about lesson plans, what you’re learning from colleagues during training and how you’re planning to check on students that need the most support.
If you can, send us a screenshot of your lesson, or a photo of your home classroom setup. Your name and comments may be published, but your contact information will not. A reporter or editor may follow up with you.If you can, send us a screenshot of your lesson, or a photo of your home classroom setup. Your name and comments may be published, but your contact information will not. A reporter or editor may follow up with you.
Sandra Martinez and her daughter, Nicole, wore face masks on Monday and headed to a grocery store in Jackson Heights, Queens, to pick up canned food and toilet paper.Sandra Martinez and her daughter, Nicole, wore face masks on Monday and headed to a grocery store in Jackson Heights, Queens, to pick up canned food and toilet paper.
Nicole, 11, would normally be at her middle school while her mother worked as a waitress at a Colombian restaurant. But the closing of New York City’s public school system had forced them to overhaul their routine.Nicole, 11, would normally be at her middle school while her mother worked as a waitress at a Colombian restaurant. But the closing of New York City’s public school system had forced them to overhaul their routine.
“I’m worried about the bills, the car, the rent,” said Ms. Martinez, 42, who will be out of work and unpaid for an indefinite period as restaurants and bars shift to delivery only.“I’m worried about the bills, the car, the rent,” said Ms. Martinez, 42, who will be out of work and unpaid for an indefinite period as restaurants and bars shift to delivery only.
Families across New York City were scrambling for resources and child care as the threat of the coronavirus prompted a school shutdown that put a heavy strain on parents. (About 14,000 New York City students picked up free meals at their schools on Monday, schools chancellor Richard A. Carranza said, a tiny fraction of the roughly 750,000 children who qualify for free or reduced price meals. Mr. Carranza said he expected that number to grow.)Families across New York City were scrambling for resources and child care as the threat of the coronavirus prompted a school shutdown that put a heavy strain on parents. (About 14,000 New York City students picked up free meals at their schools on Monday, schools chancellor Richard A. Carranza said, a tiny fraction of the roughly 750,000 children who qualify for free or reduced price meals. Mr. Carranza said he expected that number to grow.)
The challenge facing Ms. Martinez showed not just the impact of the schools being closed, but also the affect of the virus’s spread on New York City’s restaurant industry.The challenge facing Ms. Martinez showed not just the impact of the schools being closed, but also the affect of the virus’s spread on New York City’s restaurant industry.
“We’re completely lost,” said Odalys Rivera, pouring coffee at a new taqueria, Cena, that opened in Brooklyn’s Windsor Terrace last year, the dream of her brother and her cousin, the owners.“We’re completely lost,” said Odalys Rivera, pouring coffee at a new taqueria, Cena, that opened in Brooklyn’s Windsor Terrace last year, the dream of her brother and her cousin, the owners.
The shutdown promised to hurt everyone from owners and celebrity chefs to waiters, waitresses, bar-backs and busboys.The shutdown promised to hurt everyone from owners and celebrity chefs to waiters, waitresses, bar-backs and busboys.
“We have never experienced something like this,” said Daniel Boulud, the chef and restaurateur who owns Daniel.“We have never experienced something like this,” said Daniel Boulud, the chef and restaurateur who owns Daniel.
New York City faces the prospect of sweeping job losses and business failures, with theaters, bars, restaurants and tourism all closing down or heavily restricted.New York City faces the prospect of sweeping job losses and business failures, with theaters, bars, restaurants and tourism all closing down or heavily restricted.
James Parrott, director of economic and fiscal policies at the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School, said the city could lose up to 500,000 tourism jobs, with lost wages amounting to $1 billion a month.James Parrott, director of economic and fiscal policies at the Center for New York City Affairs at the New School, said the city could lose up to 500,000 tourism jobs, with lost wages amounting to $1 billion a month.
Scott M. Stringer, the New York City comptroller, estimated that the latest restrictions “could conservatively cost the city $3.2 billion in lost tax revenues over the next six months.”Scott M. Stringer, the New York City comptroller, estimated that the latest restrictions “could conservatively cost the city $3.2 billion in lost tax revenues over the next six months.”
“We’re facing the possibility of a prolonged recession,” he said.“We’re facing the possibility of a prolonged recession,” he said.
The mayor said on Monday that the Police Department would not enforce a law barring the use of electric bikes during the coronavirus crisis. The move would help those who use such bike to make food deliveries. He also said his administration was considering suspending alternate-side parking regulations.The mayor said on Monday that the Police Department would not enforce a law barring the use of electric bikes during the coronavirus crisis. The move would help those who use such bike to make food deliveries. He also said his administration was considering suspending alternate-side parking regulations.
In addition, New York’s courts postponed many criminal cases indefinitely and will stop performing all but their most essential functions. Eviction proceedings have also been suspended.In addition, New York’s courts postponed many criminal cases indefinitely and will stop performing all but their most essential functions. Eviction proceedings have also been suspended.
People charged with felonies who are out on bail will have their cases adjourned “until further notice,” the state’s chief administrative judge, Lawrence K. Marks, wrote.People charged with felonies who are out on bail will have their cases adjourned “until further notice,” the state’s chief administrative judge, Lawrence K. Marks, wrote.
Visits to city jails will be suspended starting on Wednesday. The city said it would increase access to phones and postal service to help detainees stay in contact, and officials said they might also establish a “televisit” system.Visits to city jails will be suspended starting on Wednesday. The city said it would increase access to phones and postal service to help detainees stay in contact, and officials said they might also establish a “televisit” system.
One agency whose operations did not appear to have been affected by the outbreak was the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, whose agents have continued to arrest immigrants around New York City over the past 10 days.One agency whose operations did not appear to have been affected by the outbreak was the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, whose agents have continued to arrest immigrants around New York City over the past 10 days.
The arrests have come in places with growing numbers of coronavirus cases like New Rochelle and Suffolk County, alarming advocates and lawyers who believe they could endanger vulnerable people who are already in custody.The arrests have come in places with growing numbers of coronavirus cases like New Rochelle and Suffolk County, alarming advocates and lawyers who believe they could endanger vulnerable people who are already in custody.
ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The New York Immigrant Family Unity Project, which provides legal representation to poor people facing deportation, said it had filed requests seeking the release of more than two dozen older and medically vulnerable clients.The New York Immigrant Family Unity Project, which provides legal representation to poor people facing deportation, said it had filed requests seeking the release of more than two dozen older and medically vulnerable clients.
Jonah Engel Bromwich, Annie Correal. Michael Gold, Matthew Haag, Patrick McGeehan, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Edgar Sandoval, Eliza Shapiro, Liam Stack, Tracey Tully and Benjamin Weiser contributed reporting.Jonah Engel Bromwich, Annie Correal. Michael Gold, Matthew Haag, Patrick McGeehan, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Edgar Sandoval, Eliza Shapiro, Liam Stack, Tracey Tully and Benjamin Weiser contributed reporting.