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| Mayor Resisted Drastic Steps on Virus. Then Came a Backlash From His Aides. | Mayor Resisted Drastic Steps on Virus. Then Came a Backlash From His Aides. |
| (2 days later) | |
| For most of last week, as Mayor Bill de Blasio continued to urge New Yorkers to mostly go about their daily lives — sending their children to school, frequenting the city’s businesses — some of his top aides were furiously trying to change the mayor’s approach to the coronavirus outbreak. | For most of last week, as Mayor Bill de Blasio continued to urge New Yorkers to mostly go about their daily lives — sending their children to school, frequenting the city’s businesses — some of his top aides were furiously trying to change the mayor’s approach to the coronavirus outbreak. |
| There had been arguments and shouting matches between the mayor and some of his advisers; some top health officials had even threatened to resign if he refused to accept the need to close schools and businesses, according to several people familiar with the internal discussions. | There had been arguments and shouting matches between the mayor and some of his advisers; some top health officials had even threatened to resign if he refused to accept the need to close schools and businesses, according to several people familiar with the internal discussions. |
| Teachers were threatening not to show up to school on Monday. A growing number of public health experts and politicians were calling for much of the city to be shut down to curb the spread of the virus. | Teachers were threatening not to show up to school on Monday. A growing number of public health experts and politicians were calling for much of the city to be shut down to curb the spread of the virus. |
| On Sunday, the mayor was shown a graph depicting the sharp upward trajectory of the coronavirus epidemic curve, and another showing the capacity of the city’s health systems to handle the influx. | On Sunday, the mayor was shown a graph depicting the sharp upward trajectory of the coronavirus epidemic curve, and another showing the capacity of the city’s health systems to handle the influx. |
| The information painted a disastrous picture of the days and weeks to come unless the mayor took immediate action. | The information painted a disastrous picture of the days and weeks to come unless the mayor took immediate action. |
| “We all realized from the public health outcomes and political reality this needed to happen,” said a person familiar with the mayor’s deliberations who spoke under the condition of anonymity. “He just had to process it himself.” | “We all realized from the public health outcomes and political reality this needed to happen,” said a person familiar with the mayor’s deliberations who spoke under the condition of anonymity. “He just had to process it himself.” |
| A few hours later, Mr. de Blasio announced a plan for schools to close starting Monday until at least April 20. Later that evening, the mayor announced a plan to close bars and restaurants. | A few hours later, Mr. de Blasio announced a plan for schools to close starting Monday until at least April 20. Later that evening, the mayor announced a plan to close bars and restaurants. |
| “Clearly the city moved in a completely different direction yesterday, not just on the school system, but everything else,” said Michael Mulgrew, the president of the city’s teachers’ union, who was among those trying to persuade the mayor to shift his position. “All the policy. It was sudden.” | “Clearly the city moved in a completely different direction yesterday, not just on the school system, but everything else,” said Michael Mulgrew, the president of the city’s teachers’ union, who was among those trying to persuade the mayor to shift his position. “All the policy. It was sudden.” |
| Mr. de Blasio said on Monday that he knew of no offer or threat to resign. | Mr. de Blasio said on Monday that he knew of no offer or threat to resign. |
| “I know nothing about that. I know people have had serious conversations, trying to make citizens’ decisions together,” the mayor said at a news conference late Monday afternoon. “I know when someone comes up to me and says, ‘I want to resign,’ that has not happened.” | “I know nothing about that. I know people have had serious conversations, trying to make citizens’ decisions together,” the mayor said at a news conference late Monday afternoon. “I know when someone comes up to me and says, ‘I want to resign,’ that has not happened.” |
| “Does everyone agree on everything all the time? No. Are there different factors? Does health think the same way as education? Guess what? No,” the mayor added later. “They have different imperatives and we have to make sense of them for example, but no one threatened to resign. Period.” | “Does everyone agree on everything all the time? No. Are there different factors? Does health think the same way as education? Guess what? No,” the mayor added later. “They have different imperatives and we have to make sense of them for example, but no one threatened to resign. Period.” |
| As fears over the coronavirus outbreak rose with each new reported case in New York City, Mr. de Blasio has tried to do his best to project a sense of calm. He stressed that the vast majority of people who contracted the virus in New York would recover after a mild illness. | As fears over the coronavirus outbreak rose with each new reported case in New York City, Mr. de Blasio has tried to do his best to project a sense of calm. He stressed that the vast majority of people who contracted the virus in New York would recover after a mild illness. |
| He also continued to travel from Gracie Mansion in Manhattan to work out at a Y.M.C.A. in Park Slope, Brooklyn, a longstanding routine that has garnered intense criticism. | He also continued to travel from Gracie Mansion in Manhattan to work out at a Y.M.C.A. in Park Slope, Brooklyn, a longstanding routine that has garnered intense criticism. |
| Even on Monday, hours before all gyms in New York had to close, the mayor was seen getting one last workout in at the Y — attracting a new furious round of criticism. | Even on Monday, hours before all gyms in New York had to close, the mayor was seen getting one last workout in at the Y — attracting a new furious round of criticism. |
| “No current or former staff member should be asked to defend this,” Rebecca Katz, a former adviser to Mr. de Blasio, wrote on Twitter. Jonathan Rosen, once one of Mr. de Blasio’s closest advisers, agreed with Ms. Katz on Twitter, calling the mayor’s gym visit “pathetic, self-involved, inexcusable.” | “No current or former staff member should be asked to defend this,” Rebecca Katz, a former adviser to Mr. de Blasio, wrote on Twitter. Jonathan Rosen, once one of Mr. de Blasio’s closest advisers, agreed with Ms. Katz on Twitter, calling the mayor’s gym visit “pathetic, self-involved, inexcusable.” |
| In a subsequent interview, Ms. Katz said, “Staffers are working 24 hours to put together plans for the city. That’s not the right message to send right now.” | In a subsequent interview, Ms. Katz said, “Staffers are working 24 hours to put together plans for the city. That’s not the right message to send right now.” |
| The mayor’s press secretary, Freddi Goldstein, said that the Y.M.C.A. was “a huge part of his and his family’s life,” adding, “It’s clear that’s about to change, and before that, the mayor wanted to visit a place that keeps him grounded one last time.” | The mayor’s press secretary, Freddi Goldstein, said that the Y.M.C.A. was “a huge part of his and his family’s life,” adding, “It’s clear that’s about to change, and before that, the mayor wanted to visit a place that keeps him grounded one last time.” |
| In many ways, the mayor’s visit to the gym on Monday captured his reluctance to completely embrace the need for radical changes. Even after declaring a state of emergency on Thursday, Mr. de Blasio continued to suggest that more drastic actions were not yet needed. | In many ways, the mayor’s visit to the gym on Monday captured his reluctance to completely embrace the need for radical changes. Even after declaring a state of emergency on Thursday, Mr. de Blasio continued to suggest that more drastic actions were not yet needed. |
| The mayor’s stance derived from a two-part strategy to deal with the coronavirus: containment and mitigation. | The mayor’s stance derived from a two-part strategy to deal with the coronavirus: containment and mitigation. |
| City health officials said that the goal is not to necessarily reduce the overall number of cases, but to slow its spread and stretch it out over time. Doing so would lower the number of cases at any given time, which health officials say is of critical importance. | City health officials said that the goal is not to necessarily reduce the overall number of cases, but to slow its spread and stretch it out over time. Doing so would lower the number of cases at any given time, which health officials say is of critical importance. |
| “What you’re doing is blunting the height so you never have the day when there is 5,000 people, 10,000, or 20,000 people looking for health care and they’re so overcapacity that grandma can’t get chemotherapy,” Dr. Demetre C. Daskalakis, the deputy commissioner for disease control at New York City’s Department of Health, explained in a speech last week to doctors and medical students at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Capacity of health care — that is what this is all about.” | “What you’re doing is blunting the height so you never have the day when there is 5,000 people, 10,000, or 20,000 people looking for health care and they’re so overcapacity that grandma can’t get chemotherapy,” Dr. Demetre C. Daskalakis, the deputy commissioner for disease control at New York City’s Department of Health, explained in a speech last week to doctors and medical students at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Capacity of health care — that is what this is all about.” |
| Mitigation calls for social-distancing measures, such as reducing crowds by banning large-scale events like sporting events and concerts, and closing schools. | Mitigation calls for social-distancing measures, such as reducing crowds by banning large-scale events like sporting events and concerts, and closing schools. |
| Updated June 16, 2020 | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| Mr. de Blasio had been resistant to embracing shutdowns, saying he was worried about how they would affect the city’s sense of normalcy and what impact they would have on the most vulnerable New Yorkers. | Mr. de Blasio had been resistant to embracing shutdowns, saying he was worried about how they would affect the city’s sense of normalcy and what impact they would have on the most vulnerable New Yorkers. |
| People close to the mayor said that as the virus spread, he knew that the city would need to shut more things down; the debate was over the timing. | People close to the mayor said that as the virus spread, he knew that the city would need to shut more things down; the debate was over the timing. |
| “We need people to have their livelihoods,” Mr. de Blasio said on Friday, the day after he signed the declaration of emergency. “We need folks to show up at work.” | “We need people to have their livelihoods,” Mr. de Blasio said on Friday, the day after he signed the declaration of emergency. “We need folks to show up at work.” |
| In his first six years in office, the mayor has received praise for leading the city through multiple global health epidemics such as a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in 2015 that killed at least a dozen people. | In his first six years in office, the mayor has received praise for leading the city through multiple global health epidemics such as a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in 2015 that killed at least a dozen people. |
| When an Ebola scare ripped through the city during his first year as mayor, Mr. de Blasio hugged an Ebola patient and ate at a restaurant where that man had dined, part of a strategy to reduce panic and to urge New Yorkers to mostly go about their lives. | When an Ebola scare ripped through the city during his first year as mayor, Mr. de Blasio hugged an Ebola patient and ate at a restaurant where that man had dined, part of a strategy to reduce panic and to urge New Yorkers to mostly go about their lives. |
| The mayor has said that he was trying to strike a balance between public health and affecting people’s livelihoods. | The mayor has said that he was trying to strike a balance between public health and affecting people’s livelihoods. |
| But as more New Yorkers tested positive for the coronavirus, it was clear that more decisive action was needed. | But as more New Yorkers tested positive for the coronavirus, it was clear that more decisive action was needed. |
| The turning point came over the weekend, as numerous advisers met with Mr. de Blasio and showed him the charts of the disease trajectory and the city’s ability to handle the cases. | The turning point came over the weekend, as numerous advisers met with Mr. de Blasio and showed him the charts of the disease trajectory and the city’s ability to handle the cases. |
| Mr. de Blasio acknowledged on Sunday that “seeing the latest models” and “talking thorough the ramifications” helped change his mind. | Mr. de Blasio acknowledged on Sunday that “seeing the latest models” and “talking thorough the ramifications” helped change his mind. |
| Another person close to the deliberations described the mayor as an intelligent over-processor. “He doesn’t trust experts in the field until he has processed it himself,” the person said. | Another person close to the deliberations described the mayor as an intelligent over-processor. “He doesn’t trust experts in the field until he has processed it himself,” the person said. |
| Michael Gold contributed reporting. | Michael Gold contributed reporting. |