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Cuomo Dismisses Trump’s Idea for N.Y. Region Quarantine: Live Updates Cuomo Dismisses Trump’s Idea for N.Y. Region Quarantine: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
Minutes after President Trump floated the possibility of a quarantine for the New York region, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Saturday dismissed the idea, calling it “unworkable.”Minutes after President Trump floated the possibility of a quarantine for the New York region, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Saturday dismissed the idea, calling it “unworkable.”
“I spoke to the president about the ship coming up and the four sites, I didn’t speak to him about any quarantine,” Mr. Cuomo said at a briefing on Saturday afternoon, referring to a hospital ship and the four emergency sites being built in New York. “I spoke to the president about the ship coming up and the four sites, I didn’t speak to him about any quarantine,” Mr. Cuomo said at an afternoon briefing, referring to a hospital ship and four emergency hospitals being installed in New York.
“I don’t even know what that means,” he said. “I don’t know how that could be legally enforceable. From a medical point of view, I don’t know what you would be accomplishing. I don’t even like the sound of it.” “I don’t even know what that means,” the governor said of a potential quarantine of New York. “I don’t know how that could be legally enforceable. From a medical point of view, I don’t know what you would be accomplishing. I don’t even like the sound of it.”
President Trump had said he was considering imposing an enforceable quarantine in New York, New Jersey and certain parts of Connecticut, and restricting travel to and from those places, to stop the spread of coronavirus from those hot spots. He did not offer specifics. Mr. Trump, speaking to reporters on the White House lawn, had said earlier in the day that he was considering imposing what he called, without elaborating, an “enforceable” quarantine that would restrict travel in and out of New York, New Jersey and parts of Connecticut.
“Some people would like to see New York quarantined because it’s a hot spot — New York, New Jersey, one or two other places, certain parts of Connecticut, quarantined,” Mr. Trump told reporters on the White House lawn. “I’m thinking about that right now. We might not have to do it, but there is a possibility that sometime today we’ll do a quarantine, short term, two weeks, on New York, probably New Jersey, certain parts of Connecticut,” adding that he would “restrict travel.”
“They’re having problems down in Florida,” Mr. Trump said in explaining his reasoning for potentially sealing off the metropolitan region. “A lot of New Yorkers going down, we don’t want that, heavily infected.”
“I’d rather not do it,” he added. “But we may need it.”
Among the other highlights from Mr. Cuomo’s briefing:
Four new emergency medical sites have been approved — in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens and on Staten Island — that would add another 4,000 hospital beds. Some city hospitals will also soon be reserved for treating coronavirus patients exclusively.
New York’s presidential primary was postponed to June 23, and the state tax deadline extended to July 15.
The governor said that the state Department of Health had received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to start an antibody test to determine whether people have been infected with the virus and whether “they have an immunity to the antibodies.” Mr. Cuomo said it would be a “big breakthrough if that happens.”
The U.S.N.S. Comfort, a Navy ship with medical personnel and 1,000 beds, is on its way to New York from Virginia and is set to arrive on Monday. “We’ll use this to backfill and take pressure off a hospital,” Mr. Cuomo said.
The statewide death toll has reached 728, and the total number of cases stands at more than 52,000. There was some promising news: I.C.U. admissions dropped to 172 on Friday, from 374 the day before. “I wouldn’t put too much stock in any one number. But you could argue that the trend is slowing,” Mr. Cuomo said.
A veteran detective with the New York City Police Department has died due to complications from the coronavirus, the department said Saturday.A veteran detective with the New York City Police Department has died due to complications from the coronavirus, the department said Saturday.
Detective Cedric Dixon worked in the 32nd Precinct, in Harlem, and had worked for the department for 23 years, officials said. He is the first officer from the Police Department to die from the virus.Detective Cedric Dixon worked in the 32nd Precinct, in Harlem, and had worked for the department for 23 years, officials said. He is the first officer from the Police Department to die from the virus.
Two civilian employees of the police department also died this week after becoming infected with the virus. Dennis Dixon, 62, died Thursday. Mr. Dixon was a custodian who worked at Police Headquarters in downtown Manhattan. Later Thursday, Giacomina Barr-Brown, 61, died due to complications of the virus. Ms. Barr-Brown worked in the roll call office in the 49th precinct.Two civilian employees of the police department also died this week after becoming infected with the virus. Dennis Dixon, 62, died Thursday. Mr. Dixon was a custodian who worked at Police Headquarters in downtown Manhattan. Later Thursday, Giacomina Barr-Brown, 61, died due to complications of the virus. Ms. Barr-Brown worked in the roll call office in the 49th precinct.
“We have lost three members of our family in a little over 48 hours,” Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said at a news conference on Saturday. “As I stand here I cannot begin to describe what we are feeling.”“We have lost three members of our family in a little over 48 hours,” Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said at a news conference on Saturday. “As I stand here I cannot begin to describe what we are feeling.”
According to data released by the department on Friday, 442 officers and 70 civilian employees of the police department had tested positive for the virus. A total of 4,111 uniformed employees were out sick, which is about 11 percent of the department’s police force.According to data released by the department on Friday, 442 officers and 70 civilian employees of the police department had tested positive for the virus. A total of 4,111 uniformed employees were out sick, which is about 11 percent of the department’s police force.
The department has faced criticism in recent weeks for not properly outfitting officers with protective equipment, like gloves and masks. Earlier this month, as the coronavirus crisis worsened in the city, the city’s largest police union filed a lawsuit against the department accusing it of failing to provide necessary equipment to protect officers from the virus.The department has faced criticism in recent weeks for not properly outfitting officers with protective equipment, like gloves and masks. Earlier this month, as the coronavirus crisis worsened in the city, the city’s largest police union filed a lawsuit against the department accusing it of failing to provide necessary equipment to protect officers from the virus.
“We try to minimize risks, but it is impossible to eliminate risks,” Commissioner Shea said Saturday. “For first responders, you just don’t often have the opportunity to isolate.”“We try to minimize risks, but it is impossible to eliminate risks,” Commissioner Shea said Saturday. “For first responders, you just don’t often have the opportunity to isolate.”
Several governors this week ordered people traveling from New York to self-quarantine for two weeks upon arriving, hoping to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus in their states.Several governors this week ordered people traveling from New York to self-quarantine for two weeks upon arriving, hoping to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus in their states.
Gov. Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island has gone further.Gov. Gina Raimondo of Rhode Island has gone further.
Ms. Raimondo, a Democrat, said on Friday that state troopers would begin stopping drivers with New York license plates so that National Guard officials could collect contact information and inform anyone coming from New York that they were subject to a mandatory, 14-day quarantine.Ms. Raimondo, a Democrat, said on Friday that state troopers would begin stopping drivers with New York license plates so that National Guard officials could collect contact information and inform anyone coming from New York that they were subject to a mandatory, 14-day quarantine.
Ms. Raimondo also said the National Guard would begin going door-to-door in coastal communities this weekend to find anyone who had recently arrived from New York and tell them of the quarantine order.Ms. Raimondo also said the National Guard would begin going door-to-door in coastal communities this weekend to find anyone who had recently arrived from New York and tell them of the quarantine order.
The National Guard had already been deployed to bus stations, train stations and the airport to enforce Ms. Raimondo’s order, which also applies to anyone who has been to New York in the past 14 days.The National Guard had already been deployed to bus stations, train stations and the airport to enforce Ms. Raimondo’s order, which also applies to anyone who has been to New York in the past 14 days.
“I know it’s unusual. I know it’s extreme, and I know some people disagree with it,” Ms. Raimondo said at a news conference on Friday.“I know it’s unusual. I know it’s extreme, and I know some people disagree with it,” Ms. Raimondo said at a news conference on Friday.
She added: “Right now we have a pinpointed risk. That risk is called New York City.”She added: “Right now we have a pinpointed risk. That risk is called New York City.”
Mr. Cuomo said on Saturday that he did not know the details of the Rhode Island restrictions, but an aide noted that members of the governor’s staff would be contacting Ms. Raimondo’s office later in the day.Mr. Cuomo said on Saturday that he did not know the details of the Rhode Island restrictions, but an aide noted that members of the governor’s staff would be contacting Ms. Raimondo’s office later in the day.
Ms. Raimondo insisted that her emergency powers gave her the authority to impose the measures, but the American Civil Liberties Union called her move an “ill-advised and unconstitutional plan.”Ms. Raimondo insisted that her emergency powers gave her the authority to impose the measures, but the American Civil Liberties Union called her move an “ill-advised and unconstitutional plan.”
Texas, Florida, Maryland and South Carolina are among the other states that have ordered people arriving from New York to self-quarantine.Texas, Florida, Maryland and South Carolina are among the other states that have ordered people arriving from New York to self-quarantine.
Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut, where many wealthy New Yorkers own second homes, this week urged all travelers from New York City to self-quarantine for two weeks upon entering the state, but he stopped short of issuing an order requiring it.Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut, where many wealthy New Yorkers own second homes, this week urged all travelers from New York City to self-quarantine for two weeks upon entering the state, but he stopped short of issuing an order requiring it.
Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City has questioned the wisdom of such orders.Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City has questioned the wisdom of such orders.
“I think there’s a little bit of a lack of recognition right now of just how much this disease has already spread around the country,” he said at a news briefing on Wednesday.“I think there’s a little bit of a lack of recognition right now of just how much this disease has already spread around the country,” he said at a news briefing on Wednesday.
Though New York City public schools are closed, 9-year-old Trayvon Lee spent his Tuesday inside a school building on West 93rd Street in Manhattan.Though New York City public schools are closed, 9-year-old Trayvon Lee spent his Tuesday inside a school building on West 93rd Street in Manhattan.
“We are washing our hands all the time,” Trayvon said as his mother picked him up. “I just washed my hands before I left.”“We are washing our hands all the time,” Trayvon said as his mother picked him up. “I just washed my hands before I left.”
He attended one of New York City’s 93 new “regional enrichment centers” in schools across the city — part of a new program designed to provide free child care for those on the front lines of the pandemic. This week, thousands of public school students whose parents work in public health jobs returned to classrooms inside the centers.He attended one of New York City’s 93 new “regional enrichment centers” in schools across the city — part of a new program designed to provide free child care for those on the front lines of the pandemic. This week, thousands of public school students whose parents work in public health jobs returned to classrooms inside the centers.
The program, which opened on Monday and has so far enrolled roughly 8,000 children, provides a space where students can do class work at spaced-apart desks, eat three hot meals a day and learn how to protect themselves from the virus.The program, which opened on Monday and has so far enrolled roughly 8,000 children, provides a space where students can do class work at spaced-apart desks, eat three hot meals a day and learn how to protect themselves from the virus.
The enrichment centers are an attempt to compensate for some of what has been lost while the schools are shuttered — recreation, meals, and sometimes laundry. It is a major social experiment for the city.The enrichment centers are an attempt to compensate for some of what has been lost while the schools are shuttered — recreation, meals, and sometimes laundry. It is a major social experiment for the city.
“We’ve never done something like this before,” said Miranda Barbot, a spokeswoman for the New York City Department of Education. “We’ve made these centers available to thousands of families who need them, and are serving all of the ones who’ve said that they do.”“We’ve never done something like this before,” said Miranda Barbot, a spokeswoman for the New York City Department of Education. “We’ve made these centers available to thousands of families who need them, and are serving all of the ones who’ve said that they do.”
Two weeks ago, an unexpected cluster of coronavirus cases in New Rochelle, N.Y., seemed to be an unnerving sign that an outbreak that had devastated China and Italy was taking hold in the New York region and could spread rapidly.Two weeks ago, an unexpected cluster of coronavirus cases in New Rochelle, N.Y., seemed to be an unnerving sign that an outbreak that had devastated China and Italy was taking hold in the New York region and could spread rapidly.
The state took drastic measures that stirred a backlash, including creating a containment zone. But now, the latest data indicates that the measures may be starting to work.The state took drastic measures that stirred a backlash, including creating a containment zone. But now, the latest data indicates that the measures may be starting to work.
The outbreak, which Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo once said was advancing “unabated” in New Rochelle, has appeared to slow: Over the last four days, only 38 new cases were reported to Westchester County.The outbreak, which Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo once said was advancing “unabated” in New Rochelle, has appeared to slow: Over the last four days, only 38 new cases were reported to Westchester County.
“Everybody talks about flattening the curve, and I think that’s exactly what we were able to do in New Rochelle,” said Dr. Sherlita Amler, the Westchester health commissioner. “We know we can’t stop every single case, but our goal was to reduce the number of cases, and I do think the measures were successful in doing that.”“Everybody talks about flattening the curve, and I think that’s exactly what we were able to do in New Rochelle,” said Dr. Sherlita Amler, the Westchester health commissioner. “We know we can’t stop every single case, but our goal was to reduce the number of cases, and I do think the measures were successful in doing that.”
In a park along the Hudson River in Manhattan’s Battery Park City, New Yorkers are queuing up — six feet apart, of course — for their turn to play with a wall.In a park along the Hudson River in Manhattan’s Battery Park City, New Yorkers are queuing up — six feet apart, of course — for their turn to play with a wall.
It’s a gray slab surrounded by a chained fence that looks like it might have once been part of a racquetball court. A month ago, the drab-looking wall would have been easily overshadowed by the sleek private gyms close by.It’s a gray slab surrounded by a chained fence that looks like it might have once been part of a racquetball court. A month ago, the drab-looking wall would have been easily overshadowed by the sleek private gyms close by.
But now locals are lining up to have their turn with it.But now locals are lining up to have their turn with it.
Christian Jorg, 56, who runs two start-up accelerators, gets there at 7 a.m. “There is no system really,” he said. “It’s first come first served.”Christian Jorg, 56, who runs two start-up accelerators, gets there at 7 a.m. “There is no system really,” he said. “It’s first come first served.”
An avid tennis player, he normally plays at a tennis club in Westchester. But now that it’s closed and he’s isolating, he’s playing against the wall.An avid tennis player, he normally plays at a tennis club in Westchester. But now that it’s closed and he’s isolating, he’s playing against the wall.
“I don’t have any other choice,” he said. “But it’s actually fun. The ball comes back to me quickly, so I can do volleys and backhands. It’s also good for concentration.”“I don’t have any other choice,” he said. “But it’s actually fun. The ball comes back to me quickly, so I can do volleys and backhands. It’s also good for concentration.”
Zara Chadowitz, 35, a senior program manager at Amazon who lives in the West Village, refuses to disclose the location of her wall, which she discovered last week during a grocery run.Zara Chadowitz, 35, a senior program manager at Amazon who lives in the West Village, refuses to disclose the location of her wall, which she discovered last week during a grocery run.
“I felt like it was the first day I was sort of winning Corona,” she said. “I hadn’t played tennis in so long. I got the exercise, the endorphins. There was a meditative aspect to it.”“I felt like it was the first day I was sort of winning Corona,” she said. “I hadn’t played tennis in so long. I got the exercise, the endorphins. There was a meditative aspect to it.”
She now feels as if she’s part of a secret community. “There was a cute old guy who was throwing a ball against a wall in his surgical gloves, and a basketball guy playing alone in a surgical mask,” she said. “It looks like people are using the wall for whatever they want.”She now feels as if she’s part of a secret community. “There was a cute old guy who was throwing a ball against a wall in his surgical gloves, and a basketball guy playing alone in a surgical mask,” she said. “It looks like people are using the wall for whatever they want.”
Reporting was contributed by Melina Delkic, Nicole Hong, Annie Karni, Alyson Krueger, Sarah Maslin Nir, Jeffery C. Mays, Sharon Otterman, Nate Schweber, Ed Shanahan, Liam Stack and Ali Watkins.Reporting was contributed by Melina Delkic, Nicole Hong, Annie Karni, Alyson Krueger, Sarah Maslin Nir, Jeffery C. Mays, Sharon Otterman, Nate Schweber, Ed Shanahan, Liam Stack and Ali Watkins.