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N.Y. Braces for Months Under Coronavirus Restrictions: Live Updates Hospital Ship Headed to New York as Virus Count Spikes: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said Wednesday morning that President Trump had agreed to dispatch a 1,000-bed hospital ship, the U.S.N.S Comfort, to New York Harbor as the state struggles to deal with a stark jump in coronavirus cases. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said Wednesday morning that President Trump had agreed to dispatch a 1,000-bed hospital ship to New York Harbor as the state struggles to deal with a stark jump in coronavirus cases.
As of Wednesday morning, 2,382 people had tested positive in New York State, an increase of more than 800 since Tuesday. In New York City, 1,339 people have tested positive, up from 814 yesterday.As of Wednesday morning, 2,382 people had tested positive in New York State, an increase of more than 800 since Tuesday. In New York City, 1,339 people have tested positive, up from 814 yesterday.
Mr. Cuomo also said he was enacting a statewide requirement that no business can have more than half its workforce report to work outside the home. Mr. Cuomo said that much of the jump is attributable to an increase in testing. Of the 14,597 people who have been tested so far, nearly 5,000 were tested yesterday.
Mr. Cuomo also issued a statewide order that no business can have more than half its work force report to work outside the home.
“We’ll see if that reduces the spread,” Mr. Cuomo said. “If it doesn’t slow the spread, then we will reduce the numbers even further.”
The 894-foot hospital ship, the U.S.N.S. Comfort, has been deployed to natural disaster zones, including to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in 2017.
“It has operating rooms,” Mr. Cuomo said, adding that the ship “was going to be dispatched immediately.” Drawing further on military resources, Mr. Cuomo said he would meet with the Army Corps of Engineers this afternoon as he seeks their help rapidly creating more hospital beds.
The governor said Pennsylvania would join New York’s existing coalition with New Jersey and Connecticut to formulate uniform rules meant to reduce the spread across all four states.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, appearing on The Times’s podcast “The Daily” this morning, emphasized that his priority remained halting the spread of coronavirus — and not the economic fallout from mandatory closings and restrictions that have been put in place.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, appearing on The Times’s podcast “The Daily” this morning, emphasized that his priority remained halting the spread of coronavirus — and not the economic fallout from mandatory closings and restrictions that have been put in place.
“You are past the time of monetizing these decisions,” he said.“You are past the time of monetizing these decisions,” he said.
“You are at a point of deciding: how many people are going to live, how many people are going to die?”“You are at a point of deciding: how many people are going to live, how many people are going to die?”
Mr. Cuomo’s comments came halfway through a week in which the authorities have eliminated most public gatherings, shuttered many nonessential businesses and all public schools in the state, as well as in New Jersey and Connecticut.Mr. Cuomo’s comments came halfway through a week in which the authorities have eliminated most public gatherings, shuttered many nonessential businesses and all public schools in the state, as well as in New Jersey and Connecticut.
For the past week, the number of people who have tested positive for the virus in New York State has increased by about 35 percent per day, a rate that if it kept up for the next two weeks would yield over 90,000 cases.For the past week, the number of people who have tested positive for the virus in New York State has increased by about 35 percent per day, a rate that if it kept up for the next two weeks would yield over 90,000 cases.
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“We are seeing the enemy on the horizon, and they are approaching very quickly and we don’t have our defense in place,” Mr. Cuomo said. He said the hospital system was likely to be overwhelmed. “There is no way they can handle this.”“We are seeing the enemy on the horizon, and they are approaching very quickly and we don’t have our defense in place,” Mr. Cuomo said. He said the hospital system was likely to be overwhelmed. “There is no way they can handle this.”
He continued: “I’m watching the increase in cases, and you take one measure and you see what the effect was. You take another measure and you see what the effect was. And nothing was having an effect. Nothing we were doing.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Wednesday morning that the United States military should get involved in helping to coordinate the medical response to the disease.Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Wednesday morning that the United States military should get involved in helping to coordinate the medical response to the disease.
“The military has extraordinary medical capacity,” Mr. de Blasio said on “The Today Show.” “It’s needed in places like New York right now.” He added that the medical resources and logistical know-how of the armed forces were not being deployed as they could.“The military has extraordinary medical capacity,” Mr. de Blasio said on “The Today Show.” “It’s needed in places like New York right now.” He added that the medical resources and logistical know-how of the armed forces were not being deployed as they could.
“The American military is being sidelined when they should be given a chance to get in this game and help us all.”“The American military is being sidelined when they should be given a chance to get in this game and help us all.”
Mr. de Blasio also continued to insist on the importance of a discussion about shelter-in-place-measures in the city, and said that he would have a conversation with the governor — who has strongly opposed the idea of such measures — later Wednesday.Mr. de Blasio also continued to insist on the importance of a discussion about shelter-in-place-measures in the city, and said that he would have a conversation with the governor — who has strongly opposed the idea of such measures — later Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Mr. de Blasio offered few details on what such an order would look like in New York City. A similar directive in California’s Bay Area requires people to stay at home except for essential activities. But Mr. Cuomo tamped down any suggestion that a shelter-in-place order was imminent. On Wednesday, Mr. Cuomo renewed his opposition to a shelter-in-place order.
“There’s not going to be any quarantine, where we contain people within an area, or we block people from an area,” Mr. Cuomo said. “Individual mobility is what we’re all about. There’s not going to be any you-have-to-stay-in-your-house rule.” With the shelter-in-place policy, he said, “ you close down your health care system, you close down your food system, you close down your transportation system.”
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Most of New York City’s hotels have been struggling since the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to leisure and business travel.Most of New York City’s hotels have been struggling since the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to leisure and business travel.
But with very few guests and virtually no reservations for the next several weeks, several hotels, including one of the biggest, are shutting their doors and sending their employees home.But with very few guests and virtually no reservations for the next several weeks, several hotels, including one of the biggest, are shutting their doors and sending their employees home.
On Tuesday, Hilton Hotels said it would close the massive New York Hilton Midtown indefinitely on Friday. It is one of more than a dozen hotels in the city that has decided this week to close, either for a while or forever, industry officials said.On Tuesday, Hilton Hotels said it would close the massive New York Hilton Midtown indefinitely on Friday. It is one of more than a dozen hotels in the city that has decided this week to close, either for a while or forever, industry officials said.
Peter Ward, president of the Hotel Trades Council, which represents about 40,000 hotel workers, said that more than 20,000 of his members have been laid off. All 6,000 of the members of the union’s casino division were laid off when the casinos across the state closed over the weekend, he said.Peter Ward, president of the Hotel Trades Council, which represents about 40,000 hotel workers, said that more than 20,000 of his members have been laid off. All 6,000 of the members of the union’s casino division were laid off when the casinos across the state closed over the weekend, he said.
“This is a very dark moment not just for the hotel industry,” Mr. Ward said. “It’s a dark moment for the retail industry, for the restaurant and bar business, for Broadway.”“This is a very dark moment not just for the hotel industry,” Mr. Ward said. “It’s a dark moment for the retail industry, for the restaurant and bar business, for Broadway.”
Mr. Ward said he expected hotels to fail if restrictions on travel and commerce last more than a few weeks. “I think you will see bankruptcies, I think you will see foreclosures,” he said.Mr. Ward said he expected hotels to fail if restrictions on travel and commerce last more than a few weeks. “I think you will see bankruptcies, I think you will see foreclosures,” he said.
Union officials have been negotiating with hotel operators to get them to pay laid-off workers for all the sick days, vacation days and holidays they could have taken this year. More than 100 hotels have also agreed to bring some workers back as cleaning crews to sanitize lobbies and other common spaces, said Richard Maroko, the union’s general counsel.Union officials have been negotiating with hotel operators to get them to pay laid-off workers for all the sick days, vacation days and holidays they could have taken this year. More than 100 hotels have also agreed to bring some workers back as cleaning crews to sanitize lobbies and other common spaces, said Richard Maroko, the union’s general counsel.
But Hilton’s decision to “temporarily suspend hotel operations” at its Midtown landmark, which occupies a full block on Sixth Avenue between 53rd and 54th streets, was a painful blow to hopes for a quick rebound.But Hilton’s decision to “temporarily suspend hotel operations” at its Midtown landmark, which occupies a full block on Sixth Avenue between 53rd and 54th streets, was a painful blow to hopes for a quick rebound.
The Hilton, which has more than 1,900 rooms, has been a fixture of Manhattan for so long that the Beatles stayed there when they performed on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964.
A Hilton spokesman estimated that the hotel had more than 1,300 employees. He emphasized that the closing was “a temporary measure.”A Hilton spokesman estimated that the hotel had more than 1,300 employees. He emphasized that the closing was “a temporary measure.”
For some New Yorkers, the new restrictions put in place to fight the coronavirus have cut off a key link to society: senior centers, an outlet from their homes and a place to gather and socialize.
About 30,000 people a day typically visit the nearly 250 senior centers scattered across the five boroughs.
Now, by order of the mayor, all on-site activities are canceled, though the centers can still provide meals to go.
At a center on the Upper East Side on Monday morning, Anna Reifman came for fellowship but ended up simply taking a meal to warm in her toaster oven.
“I’m really isolated now,” said Ms. Reifman, 69. “This isn’t just about lunch. I come here to talk to people other than my cat.”
New York’s Department of Labor is continuing to have trouble keeping up with the flood of applications for unemployment insurance benefits. On Tuesday, it added staff, expanded hours and instituted a new system limiting filings to certain days of the week, based on applicants’ last names.New York’s Department of Labor is continuing to have trouble keeping up with the flood of applications for unemployment insurance benefits. On Tuesday, it added staff, expanded hours and instituted a new system limiting filings to certain days of the week, based on applicants’ last names.
Those with last names starting with the letters A through F can file on Mondays. Tuesdays are for surnames starting with G through N, and Wednesdays are for the rest of the alphabet. On Thursdays and Fridays, anyone can apply.Those with last names starting with the letters A through F can file on Mondays. Tuesdays are for surnames starting with G through N, and Wednesdays are for the rest of the alphabet. On Thursdays and Fridays, anyone can apply.
The changes came in reaction to a filing system that was overwhelmed by new filers on Monday and Tuesday as service industries like restaurants, hotels and stores shut down and laid off their workers en masse.The changes came in reaction to a filing system that was overwhelmed by new filers on Monday and Tuesday as service industries like restaurants, hotels and stores shut down and laid off their workers en masse.
By noon on Tuesday, the department received more than 21,000 calls and 110,000 visits to its website, compared to 2,000 calls and 42,000 logins last Tuesday, it said.By noon on Tuesday, the department received more than 21,000 calls and 110,000 visits to its website, compared to 2,000 calls and 42,000 logins last Tuesday, it said.
“Our dedicated staff are working as hard as we can to ensure that all benefits are paid and we will continue to do so,” the department said in a statement. “We appreciate the public’s patience.”“Our dedicated staff are working as hard as we can to ensure that all benefits are paid and we will continue to do so,” the department said in a statement. “We appreciate the public’s patience.”
At any other time, the three white tents set against Long Island Sound in the middle of a public park, with a line of vehicles waiting to get in, could have been the scene of a wedding or a garden party.At any other time, the three white tents set against Long Island Sound in the middle of a public park, with a line of vehicles waiting to get in, could have 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 New York 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, just north of New York City, an epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.It is New York 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, just north of New York City, an epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.
New York is among roughly 10 states that have set up 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 drive-through testing centers, as state and local leaders look to compensate for an acute shortage of tests in the United States.
More than 200 people gathered for a wedding in Williamsburg on Tuesday, dancing in the street after the Fire Department broke up the party following complaints from neighbors (and one of the wedding musicians). Gatherings of more than 50 people have been banned in New York State since Monday.More than 200 people gathered for a wedding in Williamsburg on Tuesday, dancing in the street after the Fire Department broke up the party following complaints from neighbors (and one of the wedding musicians). Gatherings of more than 50 people have been banned in New York State since Monday.
“Everything was exactly how it would have been if there hadn’t been any kind of a pandemic,” said one of the musicians, who declined to be named because he feared losing future jobs. “I was assuming it would be canceled.”“Everything was exactly how it would have been if there hadn’t been any kind of a pandemic,” said one of the musicians, who declined to be named because he feared losing future jobs. “I was assuming it would be canceled.”
Several large weddings have been held in New York’s Hasidic community in recent days, community activists said, highlighting the challenges of persuading people to follow public-health restrictions.Several large weddings have been held in New York’s Hasidic community in recent days, community activists said, highlighting the challenges of persuading people to follow public-health restrictions.
They also raised questions about coronavirus preparedness in the Hasidic community, which was hit hard by a measles outbreak that began in 2018.They also raised questions about coronavirus preparedness in the Hasidic community, which was hit hard by a measles outbreak that began in 2018.
Mordy Getz, a local businessman, called the gatherings “very painful” and said they did not represent the mainstream Hasidic community in New York. He blamed the influence of a small number of “extremist leaders.”Mordy Getz, a local businessman, called the gatherings “very painful” and said they did not represent the mainstream Hasidic community in New York. He blamed the influence of a small number of “extremist leaders.”
“There has been a total disrespect to everything medical authorities and the government have been telling us to do,” Mr. Getz said. “It is total defiance.”“There has been a total disrespect to everything medical authorities and the government have been telling us to do,” Mr. Getz said. “It is total defiance.”
A correction officer at a checkpoint leading to Rikers Island tested positive for the coronavirus, a union official said Wednesday.A correction officer at a checkpoint leading to Rikers Island tested positive for the coronavirus, a union official said Wednesday.
The officer’s job is to check the credentials of staff entering the jail complex, said Elias Husamudeen, president of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association.The officer’s job is to check the credentials of staff entering the jail complex, said Elias Husamudeen, president of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association.
The officer had been out for about five days after he felt ill, Mr. Husamudeen said, adding that city Correction Department officials were tracking down people the officer may have been in contact with.The officer had been out for about five days after he felt ill, Mr. Husamudeen said, adding that city Correction Department officials were tracking down people the officer may have been in contact with.
Mr. Husamudeen said his officers still needed more supplies, including masks and hand sanitizer. He has asked the city for higher-grade masks to better protect officers if the virus breaks out in the jails.Mr. Husamudeen said his officers still needed more supplies, including masks and hand sanitizer. He has asked the city for higher-grade masks to better protect officers if the virus breaks out in the jails.
“We can’t not come to work,” Mr. Husamudeen said. “We need to be protected.”“We can’t not come to work,” Mr. Husamudeen said. “We need to be protected.”
New York City’s public transportation system, the largest in North America, is seeking a $4 billion federal bailout as the coronavirus pandemic triggers an extraordinary free fall in ridership as part of what is likely to be the local economy’s worst crisis in decades.New York City’s public transportation system, the largest in North America, is seeking a $4 billion federal bailout as the coronavirus pandemic triggers an extraordinary free fall in ridership as part of what is likely to be the local economy’s worst crisis in decades.
In a letter on Tuesday to New York’s congressional delegation, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the city’s subway and buses and two commuter railroads, said that subway ridership had plunged 60 percent and bus ridership had fallen 49 percent on Monday compared with the same day last year.In a letter on Tuesday to New York’s congressional delegation, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the city’s subway and buses and two commuter railroads, said that subway ridership had plunged 60 percent and bus ridership had fallen 49 percent on Monday compared with the same day last year.
Ridership was down 90 percent on the Metro-North Railroad, which serves communities north of New York City, and 67 percent on the Long Island Rail Road.Ridership was down 90 percent on the Metro-North Railroad, which serves communities north of New York City, and 67 percent on the Long Island Rail Road.
“The M.T.A. is now facing financial calamity,” Patrick J. Foye, chairman of the transit authority, said in the letter.“The M.T.A. is now facing financial calamity,” Patrick J. Foye, chairman of the transit authority, said in the letter.
Almost a dozen calls with five health care providers over five hours. Two hours of hold music. Two hours in a hospital. Four days of anxiously checking an online portal for results. And lots of confusion.Almost a dozen calls with five health care providers over five hours. Two hours of hold music. Two hours in a hospital. Four days of anxiously checking an online portal for results. And lots of confusion.
That’s the winding path through bureaucracy that took me from placing my first phone call last Wednesday to getting my positive coronavirus test results on Monday night. Five days in limbo.That’s the winding path through bureaucracy that took me from placing my first phone call last Wednesday to getting my positive coronavirus test results on Monday night. Five days in limbo.
I’m 33 years old and healthy without any existing respiratory conditions, so the illness itself is perfectly manageable. It feels like a medium-grade flu, with some extra coughing and chest pain.I’m 33 years old and healthy without any existing respiratory conditions, so the illness itself is perfectly manageable. It feels like a medium-grade flu, with some extra coughing and chest pain.
But the process to get me here was a maze of inefficiency, and I’m one of the fortunate ones.But the process to get me here was a maze of inefficiency, and I’m one of the fortunate ones.
Jonah Engel Bromwich, Christina Goldbaum, Matthew Haag, Tim Herrera, Patrick McGeehan, Sarah Maslin Nir, Andy Newman, Jan Ransom and Liam Stack contributed reporting.Jonah Engel Bromwich, Christina Goldbaum, Matthew Haag, Tim Herrera, Patrick McGeehan, Sarah Maslin Nir, Andy Newman, Jan Ransom and Liam Stack contributed reporting.