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| Virus Rules Let Construction Workers Keep Building Luxury Towers | Virus Rules Let Construction Workers Keep Building Luxury Towers |
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| On the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where, like most New Yorkers, residents are largely staying home as the city reels from the coronavirus pandemic, construction workers building a luxury condominium tower are being forced to continue working in confined and often unsanitary conditions. | On the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where, like most New Yorkers, residents are largely staying home as the city reels from the coronavirus pandemic, construction workers building a luxury condominium tower are being forced to continue working in confined and often unsanitary conditions. |
| In the heart of Manhattan, work continues on an upscale Hard Rock Hotel, even after word spread that up to four workers had tested positive for the virus, prompting some laborers to storm off the site. | In the heart of Manhattan, work continues on an upscale Hard Rock Hotel, even after word spread that up to four workers had tested positive for the virus, prompting some laborers to storm off the site. |
| In Brooklyn, workers at an apartment building who have had to reuse the same masks every day were ordered back on the job even after a fellow worker had contracted the virus. | In Brooklyn, workers at an apartment building who have had to reuse the same masks every day were ordered back on the job even after a fellow worker had contracted the virus. |
| While life in New York City and the surrounding region has come to a screeching halt, the construction industry, one of the region’s main economic engines and biggest employers, is humming along as if nothing has changed. | While life in New York City and the surrounding region has come to a screeching halt, the construction industry, one of the region’s main economic engines and biggest employers, is humming along as if nothing has changed. |
| Laborers work side by side, cramming 20-people deep into service elevators and sharing the same portable restroom. | Laborers work side by side, cramming 20-people deep into service elevators and sharing the same portable restroom. |
| While Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has told New Yorkers to stay indoors in a furious effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus, construction workers have been deemed essential employees, meaning they have to continue working even as most of the work force stays home. | While Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has told New Yorkers to stay indoors in a furious effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus, construction workers have been deemed essential employees, meaning they have to continue working even as most of the work force stays home. |
| “I’m essential to the pocketbooks of rich contractors and essential for spreading the virus, but that’s about it,” said Kirk Gibbs, 57, an electrician at a new parking garage in Syracuse, N.Y. “It’s not essential for us to be here right now.” | “I’m essential to the pocketbooks of rich contractors and essential for spreading the virus, but that’s about it,” said Kirk Gibbs, 57, an electrician at a new parking garage in Syracuse, N.Y. “It’s not essential for us to be here right now.” |
| Across the country, governors and mayors have urged roughly half of the United States — at least 179 million people — to stay home. The only people who should go outside, they say, are emergency responders and those considered essential, a wide-ranging term with different meanings in each state. | Across the country, governors and mayors have urged roughly half of the United States — at least 179 million people — to stay home. The only people who should go outside, they say, are emergency responders and those considered essential, a wide-ranging term with different meanings in each state. |
| In New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and most of the country, construction workers have fallen into the essential category. In New York City, which had nearly 158,000 construction jobs in 2018, laborers are hauling hard hats and tools on nearly empty subways and trains every morning on the way to job sites. | In New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and most of the country, construction workers have fallen into the essential category. In New York City, which had nearly 158,000 construction jobs in 2018, laborers are hauling hard hats and tools on nearly empty subways and trains every morning on the way to job sites. |
| Construction sites, even during normal times, are notoriously dirty. Workers often share a single portable toilet, which rarely has soap or hand sanitizer. Running water is not common. | Construction sites, even during normal times, are notoriously dirty. Workers often share a single portable toilet, which rarely has soap or hand sanitizer. Running water is not common. |
| None of the recent safety protocols recommended by public health officials are practical at a job site, workers said. They share tools, and procedures require that they closely watch over one another. | None of the recent safety protocols recommended by public health officials are practical at a job site, workers said. They share tools, and procedures require that they closely watch over one another. |
| There is no social distancing. Some workers wear protective masks, which are in short supply. | There is no social distancing. Some workers wear protective masks, which are in short supply. |
| “They are exposing themselves in groups to the virus,” said a construction manager in New York City who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation from his employer. “You have these people getting paid very little and being forced to work to build condos for $20 million each.” | “They are exposing themselves in groups to the virus,” said a construction manager in New York City who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation from his employer. “You have these people getting paid very little and being forced to work to build condos for $20 million each.” |
| Construction sites are particularly dynamic workplaces, with new workers coming and going all the time, greatly increasing the number of people who come in contact with one another, said Jack Dennerlein, a professor at Northeastern University whose research includes health and safety issues in the construction industry. | Construction sites are particularly dynamic workplaces, with new workers coming and going all the time, greatly increasing the number of people who come in contact with one another, said Jack Dennerlein, a professor at Northeastern University whose research includes health and safety issues in the construction industry. |
| “It’s a dirty job, and one of the things they have always feared is taking their toxins home,” Professor Dennerlein said. “Now they are worried about Covid-19,” he added, referring to the disease caused by the coronavirus. | “It’s a dirty job, and one of the things they have always feared is taking their toxins home,” Professor Dennerlein said. “Now they are worried about Covid-19,” he added, referring to the disease caused by the coronavirus. |
| Mr. Cuomo signaled that his administration was open to tightening the rules on the kind of construction that should continue during his stay-at-home order. | Mr. Cuomo signaled that his administration was open to tightening the rules on the kind of construction that should continue during his stay-at-home order. |
| “We are and have been reviewing this issue, and will continue to refine the state’s essential business guidance as the public health concerns dictate,” Jack Sterne, a spokesman for the governor, said. “All construction sites must enforce social distancing.” | “We are and have been reviewing this issue, and will continue to refine the state’s essential business guidance as the public health concerns dictate,” Jack Sterne, a spokesman for the governor, said. “All construction sites must enforce social distancing.” |
| “If a site cannot guarantee the health and safety of their workers, it must close,” he added. | “If a site cannot guarantee the health and safety of their workers, it must close,” he added. |
| Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose office is working with the state on possibly stopping some construction, said some of the work, like infrastructure and low-cost housing, remained vital. | Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose office is working with the state on possibly stopping some construction, said some of the work, like infrastructure and low-cost housing, remained vital. |
| “Luxury condos are not the priority in this city, but there’s a lot of other things being worked on that are important,” the mayor told reporters at a news conference on Sunday. | “Luxury condos are not the priority in this city, but there’s a lot of other things being worked on that are important,” the mayor told reporters at a news conference on Sunday. |
| In recent weeks, Mr. Gibbs said, almost everyone he has worked with in upstate New York, including himself, have been sick with a cough, a runny nose or body aches. He said he was not aware of anyone who had been tested. | In recent weeks, Mr. Gibbs said, almost everyone he has worked with in upstate New York, including himself, have been sick with a cough, a runny nose or body aches. He said he was not aware of anyone who had been tested. |
| “They should really shut down these projects for two months,” he said. “I’d just hate to see more people die and get sick.” | “They should really shut down these projects for two months,” he said. “I’d just hate to see more people die and get sick.” |
| A 37-year-old electrician working at an apartment building in Manhattan’s Financial District said that he asked the foreman at his construction site on Friday about whether their tools would be sanitized at the end of each day. | A 37-year-old electrician working at an apartment building in Manhattan’s Financial District said that he asked the foreman at his construction site on Friday about whether their tools would be sanitized at the end of each day. |
| “He got offended and laughed at me,” said the electrician, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share his story. He added that he has been carrying around a bar of soap he recently bought at CVS to wash his hands at work. | “He got offended and laughed at me,” said the electrician, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share his story. He added that he has been carrying around a bar of soap he recently bought at CVS to wash his hands at work. |
| Before the sudden collapse of the economy, a booming construction business in New York City over the past decade had helped transform the skyline, erecting soaring skyscrapers south of Central Park, in Midtown Manhattan and on the Far West Side of Manhattan. | Before the sudden collapse of the economy, a booming construction business in New York City over the past decade had helped transform the skyline, erecting soaring skyscrapers south of Central Park, in Midtown Manhattan and on the Far West Side of Manhattan. |
| But now, while the well-off who will eventually occupy many of those buildings stay home, construction workers say they face an agonizing choice. If they refuse to work, they could lose their jobs during a cratering economy. But if they do work, they worry about contracting the virus and spreading it to their families. | But now, while the well-off who will eventually occupy many of those buildings stay home, construction workers say they face an agonizing choice. If they refuse to work, they could lose their jobs during a cratering economy. But if they do work, they worry about contracting the virus and spreading it to their families. |
| Some construction workers and their relatives have used social media to pressure Mr. Cuomo to exempt the construction industry from the list of essential workers. | Some construction workers and their relatives have used social media to pressure Mr. Cuomo to exempt the construction industry from the list of essential workers. |
| Using the hashtag #StopConstruction, they have posted photos of construction workers in tight quarters. | Using the hashtag #StopConstruction, they have posted photos of construction workers in tight quarters. |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | Updated June 5, 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. | |
| 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. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Some work sites in New York and outside the city have shut down. | Some work sites in New York and outside the city have shut down. |
| In Lower Manhattan, Facebook plans to stop all construction on an office renovation after a construction worker recently tested positive for the coronavirus. | In Lower Manhattan, Facebook plans to stop all construction on an office renovation after a construction worker recently tested positive for the coronavirus. |
| The person will not return to work until they are cleared by a doctor, a Facebook spokeswoman said. | The person will not return to work until they are cleared by a doctor, a Facebook spokeswoman said. |
| “Our general contractor has taken all necessary precautionary measures, following the advice of public health officials, as we prioritize everyone’s health and safety,” the spokeswoman, Jamila Reeves, said. | “Our general contractor has taken all necessary precautionary measures, following the advice of public health officials, as we prioritize everyone’s health and safety,” the spokeswoman, Jamila Reeves, said. |
| But many more construction sites are still active. | But many more construction sites are still active. |
| Last Friday, shortly after Mr. Cuomo issued the stay-at-home order, the roughly 400 construction workers at the sprawling Legoland New York Resort in Goshen, N.Y., about 50 miles north of New York City, were told they would be out of their jobs. | Last Friday, shortly after Mr. Cuomo issued the stay-at-home order, the roughly 400 construction workers at the sprawling Legoland New York Resort in Goshen, N.Y., about 50 miles north of New York City, were told they would be out of their jobs. |
| But they were hired back on Monday after it became clear that the governor’s order would allow for all types of construction to continue, said Todd Diorio, the business manager at Laborers Local 17. | But they were hired back on Monday after it became clear that the governor’s order would allow for all types of construction to continue, said Todd Diorio, the business manager at Laborers Local 17. |
| Mr. Diorio said construction managers at Legoland had taken extra precautions to protect workers. They eliminated shared lunch areas and have advised workers to spread apart. | Mr. Diorio said construction managers at Legoland had taken extra precautions to protect workers. They eliminated shared lunch areas and have advised workers to spread apart. |
| Construction workers, he said, would likely start a new schedule in the coming days and split into two shifts, with an hour-break in between so that the job site can be disinfected. | Construction workers, he said, would likely start a new schedule in the coming days and split into two shifts, with an hour-break in between so that the job site can be disinfected. |
| Workers would also have their temperatures taken before they were allowed onto the site. | Workers would also have their temperatures taken before they were allowed onto the site. |
| “These are different times,” Mr. Diorio said. “We are taking every precaution that we can.” | “These are different times,” Mr. Diorio said. “We are taking every precaution that we can.” |
| In Montclair, an upper middle-class suburb in New Jersey, crews of workers in hard hats and fluorescent green vests congregated at two commercial building sites on Tuesday morning. | In Montclair, an upper middle-class suburb in New Jersey, crews of workers in hard hats and fluorescent green vests congregated at two commercial building sites on Tuesday morning. |
| Police cruisers were parked with their lights flashing to divert traffic, of which there was none. | Police cruisers were parked with their lights flashing to divert traffic, of which there was none. |
| On one of the sites, slated to be a parking garage, a worker stood in a trench that was being dug by another man operating a small excavator. The garage is part of a 2½-acre project that will include apartments, offices and a performance space. | On one of the sites, slated to be a parking garage, a worker stood in a trench that was being dug by another man operating a small excavator. The garage is part of a 2½-acre project that will include apartments, offices and a performance space. |
| A woman whose father is a 58-year-old carpenter in New York City said she was worried about the health of her father and mother, whose immune system is compromised. Her father, who has a history of heart disease, is working on an office renovation in Manhattan. | A woman whose father is a 58-year-old carpenter in New York City said she was worried about the health of her father and mother, whose immune system is compromised. Her father, who has a history of heart disease, is working on an office renovation in Manhattan. |
| “Both of them are high-risk individuals if they contract Covid-19,” said the woman, Katherine, who asked that her surname not be published because she feared retribution against her father, who shares the name. | “Both of them are high-risk individuals if they contract Covid-19,” said the woman, Katherine, who asked that her surname not be published because she feared retribution against her father, who shares the name. |
| “His job, like almost all construction jobs, relies on a series of contracts between the general contractor and the subcontractors, so the job site will not shut down until the governor mandates it,” she said. | “His job, like almost all construction jobs, relies on a series of contracts between the general contractor and the subcontractors, so the job site will not shut down until the governor mandates it,” she said. |
| On Monday, at least 20 carpenters walked off the job site at the Hard Rock Hotel in Manhattan after news was shared about workers who had tested positive for the virus. | On Monday, at least 20 carpenters walked off the job site at the Hard Rock Hotel in Manhattan after news was shared about workers who had tested positive for the virus. |
| A carpenter on the project said workers had been given no extra protective gear. | A carpenter on the project said workers had been given no extra protective gear. |
| The construction site, on West 48th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenue, was shut down on Tuesday and Wednesday to be disinfected, the worker said. | The construction site, on West 48th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenue, was shut down on Tuesday and Wednesday to be disinfected, the worker said. |
| “Everyone is coughing and sneezing all the debris we are breathing in on a daily basis,” the carpenter said. “I’m scared to come to work.” | “Everyone is coughing and sneezing all the debris we are breathing in on a daily basis,” the carpenter said. “I’m scared to come to work.” |
| Patrick McGeehan contributed reporting. | Patrick McGeehan contributed reporting. |