'Coronavirus in N.Y.C.: Eerie Streetscapes Are Stripped of Commerce' diff viewer (15/16)

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Coronavirus in N.Y.C.: Eerie Streetscapes Are Stripped of Commerce	Coronavirus in N.Y.C.: Eerie Streetscapes Are Stripped of Commerce
2020-06-24 21:28:15 UTC	2020-07-03 02:17:06 UTC (8 days later)
Everywhere, gates lowered. Bar stools stacked upside down. The boutiques of Soho, the specialty shops of Greenwich Village — for chess, for board games, for records — all locked away and dark. Little Italy’s signature sidewalk tables for alfresco dining had been hauled inside, leaving Mulberry Street just like any other street.	Everywhere, gates lowered. Bar stools stacked upside down. The boutiques of Soho, the specialty shops of Greenwich Village — for chess, for board games, for records — all locked away and dark. Little Italy’s signature sidewalk tables for alfresco dining had been hauled inside, leaving Mulberry Street just like any other street.
New York City’s new face under coronavirus showed itself under bright, blue skies on Saturday. It was a shuttered streetscape stripped of commerce and the jangled rhythms of footfalls, honking horns and even people’s voices, a scene that might follow a blizzard, overlaid on a cool spring day.	New York City’s new face under coronavirus showed itself under bright, blue skies on Saturday. It was a shuttered streetscape stripped of commerce and the jangled rhythms of footfalls, honking horns and even people’s voices, a scene that might follow a blizzard, overlaid on a cool spring day.
Some New Yorkers ventured out from isolation, alone or in twos or threes, for a peek around, filling the stillness with their own narrations on a city’s mood.	Some New Yorkers ventured out from isolation, alone or in twos or threes, for a peek around, filling the stillness with their own narrations on a city’s mood.
“It makes people closer in a way,” said one woman, Susan Duncan, in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, as she watched the unspoken choreography of people swerving to make room for one another.	“It makes people closer in a way,” said one woman, Susan Duncan, in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, as she watched the unspoken choreography of people swerving to make room for one another.
“There is kind of a warm feeling about that,” Ms. Duncan said.	“There is kind of a warm feeling about that,” Ms. Duncan said.
But in nearby Williamsburg, Jeannie McAuley, 44, found the quiet left her in the company of her own cloud-covered thoughts. “With fewer people around, it builds the anxiety,” she said.	But in nearby Williamsburg, Jeannie McAuley, 44, found the quiet left her in the company of her own cloud-covered thoughts. “With fewer people around, it builds the anxiety,” she said.
A trickle of visitors approached the 9/11 Memorial and its reflecting pools, perhaps seeking solace during a crisis without precedent by remembering the recovery from another. Greenwich Village, normally thrumming with tourists and the young brunch-set on a given weekend, now looked as if from a bygone era.	A trickle of visitors approached the 9/11 Memorial and its reflecting pools, perhaps seeking solace during a crisis without precedent by remembering the recovery from another. Greenwich Village, normally thrumming with tourists and the young brunch-set on a given weekend, now looked as if from a bygone era.
“In the ’50s, it was like this,” said Colin Ryan, 68, an on-and-off Village lifer and denizen, scanning the handfuls of couples and children in Washington Square Park where there used to be a crush of musicians, performers and university students.	“In the ’50s, it was like this,” said Colin Ryan, 68, an on-and-off Village lifer and denizen, scanning the handfuls of couples and children in Washington Square Park where there used to be a crush of musicians, performers and university students.
“They were all families,” he said. “We were all schoolchildren.”	“They were all families,” he said. “We were all schoolchildren.”
The stillness played out beneath the relentless clamor of the unnerving news. The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of New York, giving the state access to billions of dollars of relief funds as the number of residents testing positive for the coronavirus raced past the 10,000 mark without sign of slowing.	The stillness played out beneath the relentless clamor of the unnerving news. The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of New York, giving the state access to billions of dollars of relief funds as the number of residents testing positive for the coronavirus raced past the 10,000 mark without sign of slowing.
With 6 percent of the U.S. population, New York now accounts for nearly half of the cases in the country tallied by The New York Times. And the city’s hospitals are expressing growing alarm about shortages of critical supplies, including masks and ventilators.	With 6 percent of the U.S. population, New York now accounts for nearly half of the cases in the country tallied by The New York Times. And the city’s hospitals are expressing growing alarm about shortages of critical supplies, including masks and ventilators.
On Friday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo issued a sweeping edict meant to compel New Yorkers to stay indoors as much as possible, ordering all nonessential businesses to keep their workers home.	On Friday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo issued a sweeping edict meant to compel New Yorkers to stay indoors as much as possible, ordering all nonessential businesses to keep their workers home.
Mass transit will keep running, but people should not use it unless they absolutely must. Roads will remain open, but nonessential gatherings of any size for any reason are banned.	Mass transit will keep running, but people should not use it unless they absolutely must. Roads will remain open, but nonessential gatherings of any size for any reason are banned.
Mr. Cuomo’s edict takes effect on Sunday at 8 p.m., but the impact of a series of earlier restrictions that closed restaurants, bars and other businesses was already clear on Saturday.	Mr. Cuomo’s edict takes effect on Sunday at 8 p.m., but the impact of a series of earlier restrictions that closed restaurants, bars and other businesses was already clear on Saturday.
With far more people indoors than on a typical weekend day, the emptiness outdoors presented itself in surprising ways.	With far more people indoors than on a typical weekend day, the emptiness outdoors presented itself in surprising ways.
A drive through Manhattan was shockingly swift at midday; no traffic, no tourist buses, no tourists. It was the sort of fantasy New York that New Yorkers dream about, with endless street parking and no selfie sticks in sight, but this one with a cost: nothing to do.	A drive through Manhattan was shockingly swift at midday; no traffic, no tourist buses, no tourists. It was the sort of fantasy New York that New Yorkers dream about, with endless street parking and no selfie sticks in sight, but this one with a cost: nothing to do.
“It’s a beautiful spring day,” said Missy Corcoran of the Village, walking her dog with her husband and child. “We’re just not able to really enjoy it.”	“It’s a beautiful spring day,” said Missy Corcoran of the Village, walking her dog with her husband and child. “We’re just not able to really enjoy it.”
In Central Park, a barefoot martial arts master, Derrick Williams, 62, led two young pupils through their poses with stern counsel.	In Central Park, a barefoot martial arts master, Derrick Williams, 62, led two young pupils through their poses with stern counsel.
~~Updated June ~~24,~~ 2020~~	Updated June 30, 2020
	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.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.	Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
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.
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.
“You’ve got to work hard and work smart,” he told them. “This ain’t no joke.”	“You’ve got to work hard and work smart,” he told them. “This ain’t no joke.”
He paused and thought about the city surrounding them.	He paused and thought about the city surrounding them.
“We are off balance,” he said. “Bottom line is, everyone is scattered around. Stop, find your balance, and once you find your balance, you’ll be able to ease through all.”	“We are off balance,” he said. “Bottom line is, everyone is scattered around. Stop, find your balance, and once you find your balance, you’ll be able to ease through all.”
Elsewhere, outdoor life seemed to thrive in ways that, given the constant reminders for social distancing, seemed reckless.	Elsewhere, outdoor life seemed to thrive in ways that, given the constant reminders for social distancing, seemed reckless.
The crowds at the farmers’ market in Union Square were the size of a pre-coronavirus weekend, with shoppers at one another’s elbows.	The crowds at the farmers’ market in Union Square were the size of a pre-coronavirus weekend, with shoppers at one another’s elbows.
Some neighborhoods in Queens and the Bronx showed similar robust outings. And like Central Park, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park remained an outdoor respite for people with nowhere else to go for fresh air.	Some neighborhoods in Queens and the Bronx showed similar robust outings. And like Central Park, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park remained an outdoor respite for people with nowhere else to go for fresh air.
In Harlem, the busy churches announced the cancellation of services on Sunday. A handwritten sign outside one church read “May God be with you!!”	In Harlem, the busy churches announced the cancellation of services on Sunday. A handwritten sign outside one church read “May God be with you!!”