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Brooklyn High School Principal, 36, Dies from Coronavirus Brooklyn High School Principal, 36, Dies from Coronavirus
(about 3 hours later)
Dez-Ann Romain, principal of the Brooklyn Democracy Academy, a public high school, always kept her office neat and freshened with new flowers, and kept the school decorated with inspirational quotes.Dez-Ann Romain, principal of the Brooklyn Democracy Academy, a public high school, always kept her office neat and freshened with new flowers, and kept the school decorated with inspirational quotes.
“She was one of the most innovative school leaders I’ve ever worked with — her students just adored her,” said Courtney Winkfield, a New York City schools official who mentored Ms. Romain.“She was one of the most innovative school leaders I’ve ever worked with — her students just adored her,” said Courtney Winkfield, a New York City schools official who mentored Ms. Romain.
Ms. Romain died Monday from complications of the coronavirus — the first known death of a New York City public school staff member from the virus.Ms. Romain died Monday from complications of the coronavirus — the first known death of a New York City public school staff member from the virus.
As of Tuesday, there were 15,597 confirmed coronavirus cases in New York City, with 192 deaths connected to the disease.As of Tuesday, there were 15,597 confirmed coronavirus cases in New York City, with 192 deaths connected to the disease.
While the authorities warn that there will be many more fatalities from the virus, Ms. Romain’s struck a chord — the early death of a prominent New Yorker who has touched many people’s lives.While the authorities warn that there will be many more fatalities from the virus, Ms. Romain’s struck a chord — the early death of a prominent New Yorker who has touched many people’s lives.
Ronda Phillips, 48, the principal at Kappa V High School, which uses the same building as the academy, is also hospitalized, school officials said.Ronda Phillips, 48, the principal at Kappa V High School, which uses the same building as the academy, is also hospitalized, school officials said.
Ms. Romain’s death drove home what the authorities have been warning all along, that the virus does not just kill the old and medically frail. As of now, only five people under the age of 45 in New York City have died from the virus.Ms. Romain’s death drove home what the authorities have been warning all along, that the virus does not just kill the old and medically frail. As of now, only five people under the age of 45 in New York City have died from the virus.
“She was a healthy, vibrant, energetic 36-year-old woman who had one of the toughest jobs anybody could have, and she did it with resilience,” Ms. Winkfield said.“She was a healthy, vibrant, energetic 36-year-old woman who had one of the toughest jobs anybody could have, and she did it with resilience,” Ms. Winkfield said.
Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza sent a letter to the academy community on Monday night notifying them of Ms. Romain’s death.Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza sent a letter to the academy community on Monday night notifying them of Ms. Romain’s death.
In a statement, Chancellor Carranza called Ms. Romain’s death “painful for all of us” and offered condolences to the academy community and to Ms. Romain’s family.In a statement, Chancellor Carranza called Ms. Romain’s death “painful for all of us” and offered condolences to the academy community and to Ms. Romain’s family.
Ms. Romain was in her fourth year leading the academy, a transfer school for students who were challenged by traditional high schools.Ms. Romain was in her fourth year leading the academy, a transfer school for students who were challenged by traditional high schools.
School officials said that she last reported to school on March 12, after which the school was deep-cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis.School officials said that she last reported to school on March 12, after which the school was deep-cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis.
She had begun to feel ill and was hospitalized on March 18 for pneumonia, school officials said. A day later, the academy notified its community that there was a self-reported Covid-19 case in the school, officials said.She had begun to feel ill and was hospitalized on March 18 for pneumonia, school officials said. A day later, the academy notified its community that there was a self-reported Covid-19 case in the school, officials said.
Mark Treyger, a Brooklyn city councilman who chairs the council’s education committee, called Ms. Romain’s death devastating and said Mayor Bill de Blasio had placed students, teachers and the staff at risk by failing to close schools more quickly as the virus began spreading in the city. Mr. Treyger also faulted city officials for failing to require principals to inform their communities of positive cases in individual schools.Mark Treyger, a Brooklyn city councilman who chairs the council’s education committee, called Ms. Romain’s death devastating and said Mayor Bill de Blasio had placed students, teachers and the staff at risk by failing to close schools more quickly as the virus began spreading in the city. Mr. Treyger also faulted city officials for failing to require principals to inform their communities of positive cases in individual schools.
“By failing to disclose virus cases in schools, they kept families in the dark and left more lives at risk,” Mr. Treyger said.“By failing to disclose virus cases in schools, they kept families in the dark and left more lives at risk,” Mr. Treyger said.
Jane Meyer, a spokeswoman for Mr. de Blasio, called Mr. Treyger’s claim “absolutely false” and said “the health and safety of our students and staff have been the sole driver of every decision made by the mayor and chancellor.”Jane Meyer, a spokeswoman for Mr. de Blasio, called Mr. Treyger’s claim “absolutely false” and said “the health and safety of our students and staff have been the sole driver of every decision made by the mayor and chancellor.”
Updated June 24, 2020 Miranda Barbot, a Department of Education spokeswoman, said the department was directed to close schools when the city’s health department confirmed a case “and we immediately did that for the one confirmation we received while school was still in session.”
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. Updated June 22, 2020
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
Miranda Barbot, a Department of Education spokeswoman, said the department was directed to close schools when the city’s health department confirmed a case “and we immediately did that for the one confirmation we received while school was still in session.” 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.
“The city has been at community transmission for over a week, and it’s impossible to trace the source of exposure,” she said. “But as of March 13, the city’s health department advised that a positive case in the school or workplace environment did not put others at higher risk than did anywhere else in the city.”“The city has been at community transmission for over a week, and it’s impossible to trace the source of exposure,” she said. “But as of March 13, the city’s health department advised that a positive case in the school or workplace environment did not put others at higher risk than did anywhere else in the city.”
“Regardless, we have been deep cleaning buildings daily,” she added, “and supporting schools in notifying their communities of self-confirmed cases.”“Regardless, we have been deep cleaning buildings daily,” she added, “and supporting schools in notifying their communities of self-confirmed cases.”
Colleagues described Ms. Romain as an organized administrator who had an incredible rapport with, and concern for, her school’s largely African-American student body and for Brownsville, the neighborhood where the school is.Colleagues described Ms. Romain as an organized administrator who had an incredible rapport with, and concern for, her school’s largely African-American student body and for Brownsville, the neighborhood where the school is.
She “just loved being principal,” said Ms. Winkfield, a senior strategy and policy adviser at the Department of Education’s Office of Equity and Access.She “just loved being principal,” said Ms. Winkfield, a senior strategy and policy adviser at the Department of Education’s Office of Equity and Access.
“She looked at every single kid as her personal mission,” she said. “She knew every kid’s back story, their family members, what was going on with them and how to motivate them.”“She looked at every single kid as her personal mission,” she said. “She knew every kid’s back story, their family members, what was going on with them and how to motivate them.”
Ms. Romain secured funding to create a hydroponic gardening lab at the school, and she planned on turning the program into a farmers market for local residents.Ms. Romain secured funding to create a hydroponic gardening lab at the school, and she planned on turning the program into a farmers market for local residents.
She partnered with sports companies to get athletic equipment for her students and was instrumental in helping many students get basketball scholarships to college, Ms. Winkfield said.She partnered with sports companies to get athletic equipment for her students and was instrumental in helping many students get basketball scholarships to college, Ms. Winkfield said.