'‘It Sort of Gives You Hope’: One Place New Yorkers Go to Escape Their Homes' diff viewer (6/7)

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‘It Sort of Gives You Hope’: One Place New Yorkers Go to Escape Their Homes	‘It Sort of Gives You Hope’: One Place New Yorkers Go to Escape Their Homes
2020-03-20 05:30:18 UTC	2020-06-16 18:06:10 UTC (3 months later)
Antsy children, frazzled mothers, seniors strolling on paved paths and young families with newfound free time all shared the familiar green spaces of New York this week as the city shut down around them as a result of the coronavirus spread. Being in a park felt both liberating and subversive, and a public statement of sorts — one made at least six feet away from stranger and friend alike.	Antsy children, frazzled mothers, seniors strolling on paved paths and young families with newfound free time all shared the familiar green spaces of New York this week as the city shut down around them as a result of the coronavirus spread. Being in a park felt both liberating and subversive, and a public statement of sorts — one made at least six feet away from stranger and friend alike.
In Central Park, a global model of urban open space, an elderly couple walked beneath the trees. “We took it for granted,” said Paul Wassarman, who turns 80 next week. “We don’t take it for granted anymore.”	In Central Park, a global model of urban open space, an elderly couple walked beneath the trees. “We took it for granted,” said Paul Wassarman, who turns 80 next week. “We don’t take it for granted anymore.”
His wife, Eveline, stood a few feet away. “There is nowhere else to go now but outside — the movies are closed, everything is closed,” she said. “And it is beautiful. And you don’t have to worry.”	His wife, Eveline, stood a few feet away. “There is nowhere else to go now but outside — the movies are closed, everything is closed,” she said. “And it is beautiful. And you don’t have to worry.”
And yet, there was plenty of worry. On Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio called for city leaders to determine whether to order people to shelter at home. He added that the order in place in San Francisco, where going outside for a walk is still permitted and parks remain open, would be “the right guidance.”	And yet, there was plenty of worry. On Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio called for city leaders to determine whether to order people to shelter at home. He added that the order in place in San Francisco, where going outside for a walk is still permitted and parks remain open, would be “the right guidance.”
“Please let them not close the park,” said Anne Powers, strolling along the lakeside in Prospect Park with her friend of 40 years, Millie Fulford. She pointed out the daffodils blooming, the magnolia trees: “It sort of gives you hope.”	“Please let them not close the park,” said Anne Powers, strolling along the lakeside in Prospect Park with her friend of 40 years, Millie Fulford. She pointed out the daffodils blooming, the magnolia trees: “It sort of gives you hope.”
At the opposite end of the sprawling, 153-year-old park, two parents with their young sons claimed a stretch of lawn for throwing a Frisbee, a new routine.	At the opposite end of the sprawling, 153-year-old park, two parents with their young sons claimed a stretch of lawn for throwing a Frisbee, a new routine.
“We’ve made it part of our schedule,” said Jesse Farrell, even as his wife, Jennifer Podorson, feared for what was next: “We have to get out when we can, because if there’s a time we can’t? We have to get out now.”	“We’ve made it part of our schedule,” said Jesse Farrell, even as his wife, Jennifer Podorson, feared for what was next: “We have to get out when we can, because if there’s a time we can’t? We have to get out now.”
The parks commissioner, Mitchell J. Silver, said there were no current plans to close parks.	The parks commissioner, Mitchell J. Silver, said there were no current plans to close parks.
“I’m optimistic,” he said. “It’s critically important to get fresh air, it builds the immune system. People are out using parks. Twenty minutes in the park reduces stress, anxiety. You see people doing that today, given the times we’re in.”	“I’m optimistic,” he said. “It’s critically important to get fresh air, it builds the immune system. People are out using parks. Twenty minutes in the park reduces stress, anxiety. You see people doing that today, given the times we’re in.”
Not in recent memory have the city’s parks been called upon to provide what Frederick Law Olmsted, one of their celebrated landscape architects, said in 1866 was “the feeling of relief experienced by those entering them, on escaping from the cramped, confined and controlling circumstances of the streets of the town.	Not in recent memory have the city’s parks been called upon to provide what Frederick Law Olmsted, one of their celebrated landscape architects, said in 1866 was “the feeling of relief experienced by those entering them, on escaping from the cramped, confined and controlling circumstances of the streets of the town.
“In other words,” he continued, “a sense of enlarged freedom is to all, at all times, the most certain and the most valuable gratification afforded by a park.”	“In other words,” he continued, “a sense of enlarged freedom is to all, at all times, the most certain and the most valuable gratification afforded by a park.”
Escape and freedom can seem scarce these days.	Escape and freedom can seem scarce these days.
“One of the most important things that they talked about is how the park is not only a place to go for health and a physical escape, but also a mental escape,” said Marie Warsh, a historian for the Central Park Conservancy. “That openness was the relief from the city being a crowded place. But now we’re experiencing that openness in new ways. The park is now the only place to escape the confines of your own house.”	“One of the most important things that they talked about is how the park is not only a place to go for health and a physical escape, but also a mental escape,” said Marie Warsh, a historian for the Central Park Conservancy. “That openness was the relief from the city being a crowded place. But now we’re experiencing that openness in new ways. The park is now the only place to escape the confines of your own house.”
New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds came together this week — but not too closely — for a few minutes or a few hours of what could feel at fleeting moments like a peaceful, early spring. (City health officials have said that keeping a distance of 6 feet from other people is important, but so too is a little fresh air.)	New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds came together this week — but not too closely — for a few minutes or a few hours of what could feel at fleeting moments like a peaceful, early spring. (City health officials have said that keeping a distance of 6 feet from other people is important, but so too is a little fresh air.)
“Thank God for the park — I say it every 10 minutes,” said Luiza Kurzyna, sitting on a bench along the edge of Prospect Park’s lake, her baby and husband at her side.	“Thank God for the park — I say it every 10 minutes,” said Luiza Kurzyna, sitting on a bench along the edge of Prospect Park’s lake, her baby and husband at her side.
There is no real-time data available for how many people are visiting the parks this week; the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation canceled its public events days ago. On average, some 42 million people visit Central Park alone in a given year. This week, the biggest difference is the distance they traveled to get there.	There is no real-time data available for how many people are visiting the parks this week; the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation canceled its public events days ago. On average, some 42 million people visit Central Park alone in a given year. This week, the biggest difference is the distance they traveled to get there.
“With work and school disrupted, we’re seeing more of those people visiting the park, and fewer tourists,” said Mary Caraccioli, a spokeswoman for the Central Park Conservancy.	“With work and school disrupted, we’re seeing more of those people visiting the park, and fewer tourists,” said Mary Caraccioli, a spokeswoman for the Central Park Conservancy.
Frequent visitors this week said attendance was robust, but measured, with little close contact. Parkgoers kept more distance, but with collegial nods and smiles, as if all on the same team.	Frequent visitors this week said attendance was robust, but measured, with little close contact. Parkgoers kept more distance, but with collegial nods and smiles, as if all on the same team.
“Wow, it feels like going for a walk now is such a novelty,” said Lauren Schlanger, 36, walking in Brooklyn’s McCarren Park with her roommate, Hannah Carroll, 29, who admitted to worrying about the optics of what might seem like a nonessential outing. She decided people might be “less judgey” if she kept moving and did not linger.	“Wow, it feels like going for a walk now is such a novelty,” said Lauren Schlanger, 36, walking in Brooklyn’s McCarren Park with her roommate, Hannah Carroll, 29, who admitted to worrying about the optics of what might seem like a nonessential outing. She decided people might be “less judgey” if she kept moving and did not linger.
“Don’t ‘escapegoat’ me,” Ms. Carroll said.	“Don’t ‘escapegoat’ me,” Ms. Carroll said.
Ms. Warsh, the historian, said the parks were ideal for face-to-face gatherings.	Ms. Warsh, the historian, said the parks were ideal for face-to-face gatherings.
	Updated June 12, 2020
	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
	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.
	Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
	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.
	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.
	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’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.
“There’s room for social distancing, but people can still feel together,” she said. “In the park, you can be with other people and get back to what it means to being a New Yorker. It’s one of the only places where you can do that now.”	“There’s room for social distancing, but people can still feel together,” she said. “In the park, you can be with other people and get back to what it means to being a New Yorker. It’s one of the only places where you can do that now.”
Nearby, Joe Peppe, a cabinetmaker, found the return to nature a balm (“I told my wife, ‘I’m definitely going outside, I won’t touch anything’”) as he watched a squirrel who in that moment was keeping an eye on a nearby hawk.	Nearby, Joe Peppe, a cabinetmaker, found the return to nature a balm (“I told my wife, ‘I’m definitely going outside, I won’t touch anything’”) as he watched a squirrel who in that moment was keeping an eye on a nearby hawk.
“It’s good to get out and see how the hawks are doing,” he said. “He’s watching the squirrel, the squirrel’s watching him, the cherry trees are blossoming. It’s incredibly important, especially right now, to get out here and see spring, see nature carrying on.”	“It’s good to get out and see how the hawks are doing,” he said. “He’s watching the squirrel, the squirrel’s watching him, the cherry trees are blossoming. It’s incredibly important, especially right now, to get out here and see spring, see nature carrying on.”