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| In Virus Hot Spot, Lining Up and Anxious at Drive-in Test Center | In Virus Hot Spot, Lining Up and Anxious at Drive-in Test Center |
| (1 day later) | |
| NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Any other place, any other time, the three white tents set against the Long Island Sound in the middle of a public park, with a line of vehicles waiting to get in, could have easily been the scene of a wedding or a garden party. | NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Any other place, any other time, the three white tents set against the Long Island Sound in the middle of a public park, with a line of vehicles waiting to get in, could have easily been the scene of a wedding or a garden party. |
| But the appearance of the people underneath the tents — in silver hazmat suits, face shields and masks — told a different story. | But the appearance of the people underneath the tents — in silver hazmat suits, face shields and masks — told a different story. |
| It is the state’s first drive-through coronavirus testing center, set in the middle of Glen Island, a 105-acre park connected by drawbridge to the mainland in New Rochelle, an epicenter of the outbreak when coronavirus first emerged in the state earlier this month. | It is the state’s first drive-through coronavirus testing center, set in the middle of Glen Island, a 105-acre park connected by drawbridge to the mainland in New Rochelle, an epicenter of the outbreak when coronavirus first emerged in the state earlier this month. |
| New York is among roughly 10 states that have set up their own drive-through testing centers, as state and local leaders look to compensate for an acute shortage of tests in the United States. | New York is among roughly 10 states that have set up their own drive-through testing centers, as state and local leaders look to compensate for an acute shortage of tests in the United States. |
| That shortage has set back the country’s efforts to respond to the pandemic, concealing the spread of the virus as unidentified cases multiply. | That shortage has set back the country’s efforts to respond to the pandemic, concealing the spread of the virus as unidentified cases multiply. |
| In the United States, only about 25,000 people had been tested as of March 11, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. South Korea has been able to test at least 10,000 people a day, for a total of 274,000 people so far, even though the two countries discovered their first cases around the same time. | In the United States, only about 25,000 people had been tested as of March 11, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. South Korea has been able to test at least 10,000 people a day, for a total of 274,000 people so far, even though the two countries discovered their first cases around the same time. |
| Part of South Korea’s aggressive approach to testing includes drive-through facilities, and New York officials said they used South Korea’s efforts as a model for the center in New Rochelle, a Westchester County suburb five miles north of New York City’s border. | Part of South Korea’s aggressive approach to testing includes drive-through facilities, and New York officials said they used South Korea’s efforts as a model for the center in New Rochelle, a Westchester County suburb five miles north of New York City’s border. |
| Since it opened on March 13, cars have snaked across the drawbridge here, filled with anxious people waiting to find out if they have the virus. | Since it opened on March 13, cars have snaked across the drawbridge here, filled with anxious people waiting to find out if they have the virus. |
| The cars pulled underneath the white tents where medical personnel in full-body hazmat suits, with yellow tape around their wrists and ankles to seal off any gaps, were waiting. Then the drivers were asked to roll down their window, tip their head back and submit to a series of nasal and throat swabs. | The cars pulled underneath the white tents where medical personnel in full-body hazmat suits, with yellow tape around their wrists and ankles to seal off any gaps, were waiting. Then the drivers were asked to roll down their window, tip their head back and submit to a series of nasal and throat swabs. |
| “We have to be careful, one mistake could be a big problem,” Lisa Baez-Alessandro, a nurse from Staten Island said, wearing a silver Tyvek suit inside the tent’s “hot zone,” where the swab tests are performed. | “We have to be careful, one mistake could be a big problem,” Lisa Baez-Alessandro, a nurse from Staten Island said, wearing a silver Tyvek suit inside the tent’s “hot zone,” where the swab tests are performed. |
| “But this is why we became nurses,” she said. “This is the time to help. If we don’t do this, what are we doing?” | “But this is why we became nurses,” she said. “This is the time to help. If we don’t do this, what are we doing?” |
| In its first four days of operation, the drive-through center tested 1,882 people in New Rochelle, in which a one-mile radius was declared a containment area by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo last week. | In its first four days of operation, the drive-through center tested 1,882 people in New Rochelle, in which a one-mile radius was declared a containment area by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo last week. |
| The numbers of those tested who were found to be infected are not yet available. | The numbers of those tested who were found to be infected are not yet available. |
| The declaration became necessary after a lawyer who lives in New Rochelle and works in Manhattan attended public gatherings, including at least one at his synagogue, Young Israel of New Rochelle, before he knew he had the coronavirus. | The declaration became necessary after a lawyer who lives in New Rochelle and works in Manhattan attended public gatherings, including at least one at his synagogue, Young Israel of New Rochelle, before he knew he had the coronavirus. |
| The testing center in New Rochelle is a model for facilities being rolled out across the state; a second, in Jones Beach State Park in Nassau County, opens Tuesday, with centers to follow in Suffolk and Rockland Counties as well as Staten Island in New York City. | The testing center in New Rochelle is a model for facilities being rolled out across the state; a second, in Jones Beach State Park in Nassau County, opens Tuesday, with centers to follow in Suffolk and Rockland Counties as well as Staten Island in New York City. |
| Federal officials are planning to open more, as well as to enable 2,000 commercial labs to use high-speed machines that can process multiple samples at the same time. | Federal officials are planning to open more, as well as to enable 2,000 commercial labs to use high-speed machines that can process multiple samples at the same time. |
| “That we are surprised in March and still scrambling to get testing in place and getting a health care system in place is inexcusable,” Governor Cuomo said on Monday. | “That we are surprised in March and still scrambling to get testing in place and getting a health care system in place is inexcusable,” Governor Cuomo said on Monday. |
| The governor said the state’s drive-through centers, as well as state-run laboratories that have been authorized to conduct tests, are part of New York’s efforts to supplement the federal response. | The governor said the state’s drive-through centers, as well as state-run laboratories that have been authorized to conduct tests, are part of New York’s efforts to supplement the federal response. |
| Since the state began testing on Feb. 29, over 10,000 people have been tested statewide. To qualify for a drive-through or other test in New York State, patients must have qualifying symptoms or be in high-risk pools, like people who are older or those with pre-existing conditions. | Since the state began testing on Feb. 29, over 10,000 people have been tested statewide. To qualify for a drive-through or other test in New York State, patients must have qualifying symptoms or be in high-risk pools, like people who are older or those with pre-existing conditions. |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | |
| 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. | 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 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. | 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. | |
| They must then get a referral from a doctor to the State Health Department, which issues an appointment. But officials said that people without appointments were not being turned away. | They must then get a referral from a doctor to the State Health Department, which issues an appointment. But officials said that people without appointments were not being turned away. |
| The state is working on streamlining the process: Soon, patients will be able to call a hotline, where they can explain their symptoms. They will receive a call back with an appointment if they are eligible for testing. | The state is working on streamlining the process: Soon, patients will be able to call a hotline, where they can explain their symptoms. They will receive a call back with an appointment if they are eligible for testing. |
| As cars pulled up to the small island on Monday, police stationed at the drawbridge called out over megaphones to remind drivers to keep their windows closed. Visitors remain in their cars as they pull through the testing tents and through a series of steps. Around the tents stood uniformed members of the state’s National Guard, which had arrived as part of the governor’s containment zone efforts. | As cars pulled up to the small island on Monday, police stationed at the drawbridge called out over megaphones to remind drivers to keep their windows closed. Visitors remain in their cars as they pull through the testing tents and through a series of steps. Around the tents stood uniformed members of the state’s National Guard, which had arrived as part of the governor’s containment zone efforts. |
| “They talk about reinventing the wheel, this is the wheel inventing right here,” said Major Patrick Cordova, a Guard spokesman. “Next time this happens, they are going to ask: ‘What did they do in New Rochelle?’” | “They talk about reinventing the wheel, this is the wheel inventing right here,” said Major Patrick Cordova, a Guard spokesman. “Next time this happens, they are going to ask: ‘What did they do in New Rochelle?’” |
| At the opening of the tents, health care workers in protective aprons — employees from Northwell Health as well as staff from state and county health departments — approached each vehicle. | At the opening of the tents, health care workers in protective aprons — employees from Northwell Health as well as staff from state and county health departments — approached each vehicle. |
| They instructed the occupants to place their identification cards on the dashboard, peering through the windshield and tapping the information into tablets they carried. | They instructed the occupants to place their identification cards on the dashboard, peering through the windshield and tapping the information into tablets they carried. |
| Next, the staff waved each car forward to the middle of the tent, known as the hot zone, to get tested by medical personnel. | Next, the staff waved each car forward to the middle of the tent, known as the hot zone, to get tested by medical personnel. |
| Finally, as vehicles pulled out of the tent, those tested were given a confirmation number. The samples are sent to BioReference Laboratories in northern New Jersey, and patients would get results in two to three days. | Finally, as vehicles pulled out of the tent, those tested were given a confirmation number. The samples are sent to BioReference Laboratories in northern New Jersey, and patients would get results in two to three days. |
| Teams of volunteers from across the state’s agencies had spent a week or so setting up the center, a process that needed to account for the state’s immediate needs and future goals. | Teams of volunteers from across the state’s agencies had spent a week or so setting up the center, a process that needed to account for the state’s immediate needs and future goals. |
| “It was basically building the airplane while you were flying it,” said Geza Hrazdina, an administrator in the state’s Office of Health Insurance Programs, who had spent six days helping construct and run the drive-through. | “It was basically building the airplane while you were flying it,” said Geza Hrazdina, an administrator in the state’s Office of Health Insurance Programs, who had spent six days helping construct and run the drive-through. |
| “When we built the protocols, we were doing it from two perspectives: One was how can we provide something that was efficient and effective in distributing and conducting testing for the community,” Mr. Hrazdina said. The second was creating a model that he said could “be replicated across the state or across the nation.” | “When we built the protocols, we were doing it from two perspectives: One was how can we provide something that was efficient and effective in distributing and conducting testing for the community,” Mr. Hrazdina said. The second was creating a model that he said could “be replicated across the state or across the nation.” |
| At the drive-through’s third and final stop, where patients get a confirmation number, one volunteer, her mouth covered by a N95 mask, stood at the exit and waved each car goodbye. She held up a handwritten sign. | At the drive-through’s third and final stop, where patients get a confirmation number, one volunteer, her mouth covered by a N95 mask, stood at the exit and waved each car goodbye. She held up a handwritten sign. |
| “Feel better,” it said. | “Feel better,” it said. |