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| Coronavirus Sweeps Through Detroit, a City That Has Seen Crisis Before | Coronavirus Sweeps Through Detroit, a City That Has Seen Crisis Before |
| (8 days later) | |
| DETROIT — It has seen its population plummet, houses fall to ruin, and the largest municipal bankruptcy in the nation. Now another crisis has descended on Detroit: the coronavirus. | DETROIT — It has seen its population plummet, houses fall to ruin, and the largest municipal bankruptcy in the nation. Now another crisis has descended on Detroit: the coronavirus. |
| In less than two weeks, 35 people with the coronavirus have died in Detroit. The police chief has tested positive for the virus, and more than 500 police officers are in quarantine. On Sunday morning, the city’s downtown, a center of Detroit’s post-bankruptcy resurgence, was quiet and mostly deserted. | In less than two weeks, 35 people with the coronavirus have died in Detroit. The police chief has tested positive for the virus, and more than 500 police officers are in quarantine. On Sunday morning, the city’s downtown, a center of Detroit’s post-bankruptcy resurgence, was quiet and mostly deserted. |
| The coronavirus has landed on this city’s doorstep, its unwelcome arrival a sign of the outbreak’s growing reach across America to cities far from the coasts and not as densely populated as New York. But the virus could place a unique burden on Detroit, a city of 670,000 people where three of 10 residents live in poverty, a large number have asthma and other chronic diseases, and hospitals are already overwhelmed. It is a city that has seen more than its share of crisis, and now finds itself staring at yet another. | The coronavirus has landed on this city’s doorstep, its unwelcome arrival a sign of the outbreak’s growing reach across America to cities far from the coasts and not as densely populated as New York. But the virus could place a unique burden on Detroit, a city of 670,000 people where three of 10 residents live in poverty, a large number have asthma and other chronic diseases, and hospitals are already overwhelmed. It is a city that has seen more than its share of crisis, and now finds itself staring at yet another. |
| Residents have been shaken by the number of people falling ill from the virus, including a well-known community activist, Marlowe Stoudamire, who died last week at the age of 43. He had attended a neighborhood pancake breakfast on March 6 where several police officers apparently were exposed. | Residents have been shaken by the number of people falling ill from the virus, including a well-known community activist, Marlowe Stoudamire, who died last week at the age of 43. He had attended a neighborhood pancake breakfast on March 6 where several police officers apparently were exposed. |
| “Everybody is starting to understand that this virus is looking for more hosts,” Mayor Mike Duggan of Detroit said in an interview on Sunday. “Even if you’re young and healthy.” | “Everybody is starting to understand that this virus is looking for more hosts,” Mayor Mike Duggan of Detroit said in an interview on Sunday. “Even if you’re young and healthy.” |
| By Monday afternoon, with more than 6,500 cases, Michigan was fourth in known cases among the states, behind New York, New Jersey and California. Across the state, at least 197 residents have died, placing Michigan fourth across the nation in deaths from the virus, behind New York, Washington and New Jersey. | By Monday afternoon, with more than 6,500 cases, Michigan was fourth in known cases among the states, behind New York, New Jersey and California. Across the state, at least 197 residents have died, placing Michigan fourth across the nation in deaths from the virus, behind New York, Washington and New Jersey. |
| No one is sure why the Detroit region is seeing a flood of cases in the weeks since officials announced the state’s first known case on March 10. Mr. Duggan said he suspected that the region’s international airport, with a significant number of flights from overseas, may have contributed to the spread. | No one is sure why the Detroit region is seeing a flood of cases in the weeks since officials announced the state’s first known case on March 10. Mr. Duggan said he suspected that the region’s international airport, with a significant number of flights from overseas, may have contributed to the spread. |
| Since then, the virus has spread to employees in the Detroit police and fire departments and other city services that have been slowly rebuilt over the last several years. | Since then, the virus has spread to employees in the Detroit police and fire departments and other city services that have been slowly rebuilt over the last several years. |
| “The city itself is underequipped,” said Dr. Howard Markel, a professor of the history of medicine at the University of Michigan. “It’s a perfect storm of poverty and very rudimentary public health conditions.” | “The city itself is underequipped,” said Dr. Howard Markel, a professor of the history of medicine at the University of Michigan. “It’s a perfect storm of poverty and very rudimentary public health conditions.” |
| Lately, Detroit has been emerging from a fiscal and economic crisis that was decades in the making, and the specter of a new crisis is dizzying. In 2013, Detroit became the largest city in the United States ever to seek bankruptcy protection, leaving its future utterly uncertain as it struggled under a mound of debt as well as tens of thousands of abandoned buildings, vacant lots and unlit streets. The bankruptcy had followed years of population decline and sliding tax revenues: The city’s role as the early heart of the American automotive industry and home to 1.8 million people in 1950 gave way to fewer than 700,000 residents now. | Lately, Detroit has been emerging from a fiscal and economic crisis that was decades in the making, and the specter of a new crisis is dizzying. In 2013, Detroit became the largest city in the United States ever to seek bankruptcy protection, leaving its future utterly uncertain as it struggled under a mound of debt as well as tens of thousands of abandoned buildings, vacant lots and unlit streets. The bankruptcy had followed years of population decline and sliding tax revenues: The city’s role as the early heart of the American automotive industry and home to 1.8 million people in 1950 gave way to fewer than 700,000 residents now. |
| But there have been many signs of recovery of late, including a rush of new construction and some bustling neighborhoods amid the city’s vast 139 square miles. Some in the city pointed to its size as one possible reason for the quick spread of the virus; people travel long distances, often on the public bus system, to get to jobs. | But there have been many signs of recovery of late, including a rush of new construction and some bustling neighborhoods amid the city’s vast 139 square miles. Some in the city pointed to its size as one possible reason for the quick spread of the virus; people travel long distances, often on the public bus system, to get to jobs. |
| “Unfortunately, the shift that I’ve seen happen is grief because people are dying now,” Khalilah Gaston, a consultant to nonprofit organizations in Detroit, said. “We’re looking at the numbers everyday. It’s a lot to process.” | “Unfortunately, the shift that I’ve seen happen is grief because people are dying now,” Khalilah Gaston, a consultant to nonprofit organizations in Detroit, said. “We’re looking at the numbers everyday. It’s a lot to process.” |
| One nurse practitioner who works at several hospitals in the Detroit area described dire scenes unfolding. | One nurse practitioner who works at several hospitals in the Detroit area described dire scenes unfolding. |
| Hospitals in the Detroit Medical Center network are putting two patients at a time into intensive care unit rooms that are made for one patient, she said. Because of a shortage of equipment, some patients are hooked to portable monitors that cannot be monitored in a single, central system. | Hospitals in the Detroit Medical Center network are putting two patients at a time into intensive care unit rooms that are made for one patient, she said. Because of a shortage of equipment, some patients are hooked to portable monitors that cannot be monitored in a single, central system. |
| “Every day I drive home, I start crying,” said the nurse, who asked that her name not be used for fear of losing her job. “I’ve been in health care for 20 years and I’ve never seen anything like this.” | “Every day I drive home, I start crying,” said the nurse, who asked that her name not be used for fear of losing her job. “I’ve been in health care for 20 years and I’ve never seen anything like this.” |
| Brian Taylor, a spokesman for the Detroit Medical Center, declined to address specific questions about how intensive care rooms were being divided or monitors were being used. But he said in an email that “the demand to care for the ever-increasing number of patients is putting a strain on our resources and staff.” | Brian Taylor, a spokesman for the Detroit Medical Center, declined to address specific questions about how intensive care rooms were being divided or monitors were being used. But he said in an email that “the demand to care for the ever-increasing number of patients is putting a strain on our resources and staff.” |
| “We are using all available space in our hospitals to care for patients,” he added, including converting operating rooms, outpatient areas and recovery rooms into patient treatment areas to handle the surge. | “We are using all available space in our hospitals to care for patients,” he added, including converting operating rooms, outpatient areas and recovery rooms into patient treatment areas to handle the surge. |
| Also emerging as a concern in a moment when handwashing has become essential is water service in Detroit homes where it had been shut off for nonpayment. City officials promised to restore water service in those homes, and hundreds of people had it restored by the weekend, city officials said. | Also emerging as a concern in a moment when handwashing has become essential is water service in Detroit homes where it had been shut off for nonpayment. City officials promised to restore water service in those homes, and hundreds of people had it restored by the weekend, city officials said. |
| The number was expected to grow in the coming days, city officials promised. But activists questioned whether city leaders even know all the homes where water is needed, and called on officials to move more rapidly to solve the problem. | The number was expected to grow in the coming days, city officials promised. But activists questioned whether city leaders even know all the homes where water is needed, and called on officials to move more rapidly to solve the problem. |
| “Put aside all of the policies and politicians and you come back to this: One of the main defenses for public hygiene is handwashing,” said Monica Lewis-Patrick, a leader of We the People of Detroit, which has advocated access to safe water for all residents. | “Put aside all of the policies and politicians and you come back to this: One of the main defenses for public hygiene is handwashing,” said Monica Lewis-Patrick, a leader of We the People of Detroit, which has advocated access to safe water for all residents. |
| Updated August 24, 2020 | |
| Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, a Democrat, issued a stay-at-home order for all residents last week, but not everyone in Detroit was heeding the calls for social distancing. | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, a Democrat, issued a stay-at-home order for all residents last week, but not everyone in Detroit was heeding the calls for social distancing. |
| Cherish Browning, 28, said she was at a house party last weekend with about 100 people. | Cherish Browning, 28, said she was at a house party last weekend with about 100 people. |
| “Everybody’s really not taking it seriously,” she said. Still, she said, many people at the party were wearing masks and gloves. | “Everybody’s really not taking it seriously,” she said. Still, she said, many people at the party were wearing masks and gloves. |
| Dale Rich, a veteran photographer who lives on Detroit’s northeast side, said he believed that generational poverty had, in some pockets of the city, limited the level of alarm over the possibility of infection from the virus. | Dale Rich, a veteran photographer who lives on Detroit’s northeast side, said he believed that generational poverty had, in some pockets of the city, limited the level of alarm over the possibility of infection from the virus. |
| “If you see prosperity when you go downtown, but every other house of your street is abandoned or falling down, you’re maybe not going to break your neck looking for hand sanitizer,” he said. “This virus is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and that renders it almost unreal. So, if we’re hungry, or trying to find rent, it’s going on the back burner.” | “If you see prosperity when you go downtown, but every other house of your street is abandoned or falling down, you’re maybe not going to break your neck looking for hand sanitizer,” he said. “This virus is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and that renders it almost unreal. So, if we’re hungry, or trying to find rent, it’s going on the back burner.” |
| In some realms, though, distancing rules have taken hold. And for social services groups, that has complicated efforts. Lisa Johanon, the executive director of Central Detroit Christian, said her organization had suspended education programs for young people and home repairs for residents, as well as job training, housing counseling and preschool services. | In some realms, though, distancing rules have taken hold. And for social services groups, that has complicated efforts. Lisa Johanon, the executive director of Central Detroit Christian, said her organization had suspended education programs for young people and home repairs for residents, as well as job training, housing counseling and preschool services. |
| The father of a child the organization works with died from the virus, Ms. Johanon said, adding: “For me and for our staff, it’s like we’ve been in shock. And now it’s like, OK, this is our new reality.” | The father of a child the organization works with died from the virus, Ms. Johanon said, adding: “For me and for our staff, it’s like we’ve been in shock. And now it’s like, OK, this is our new reality.” |
| Areas just outside Detroit have also reported large upticks in cases, with more than 3,500 additional cases and more than 100 additional deaths reported in suburban Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties. More than 80 percent of the cases identified in Michigan have been in the Detroit area. | Areas just outside Detroit have also reported large upticks in cases, with more than 3,500 additional cases and more than 100 additional deaths reported in suburban Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties. More than 80 percent of the cases identified in Michigan have been in the Detroit area. |
| In Genesee County, which includes Flint, at least 150 people are infected and seven people have died. In Washtenaw County, which includes Ann Arbor, more than 260 people are known to have the coronavirus and six have died. | In Genesee County, which includes Flint, at least 150 people are infected and seven people have died. In Washtenaw County, which includes Ann Arbor, more than 260 people are known to have the coronavirus and six have died. |
| Still, more than 1,800 of the state’s cases have come in Detroit. | Still, more than 1,800 of the state’s cases have come in Detroit. |
| “I don’t mean to sound too 30,000-foot about it, but Detroit has always been the canary in the coal mine,” said Dream Hampton, a Detroit filmmaker and writer. “We’ve been on the front lines of the truth of American hypercapitalism for decades.” | “I don’t mean to sound too 30,000-foot about it, but Detroit has always been the canary in the coal mine,” said Dream Hampton, a Detroit filmmaker and writer. “We’ve been on the front lines of the truth of American hypercapitalism for decades.” |
| “So, yes,” she added, “poor people in the hourly wage and gig economy who lack health insurance have higher rates of the kinds of underlying conditions immunologists are saying put people at risk.” | “So, yes,” she added, “poor people in the hourly wage and gig economy who lack health insurance have higher rates of the kinds of underlying conditions immunologists are saying put people at risk.” |
| On the flip side, Ms. Hampton, whose mother is working 12-hour shifts at a hospital in the region, suggested that Detroit — which has experienced a level of economic and fiscal strife unlike almost any other American city — might actually be better prepared to contend with crisis than other places. | On the flip side, Ms. Hampton, whose mother is working 12-hour shifts at a hospital in the region, suggested that Detroit — which has experienced a level of economic and fiscal strife unlike almost any other American city — might actually be better prepared to contend with crisis than other places. |
| “We know what it’s like to come together for one another,” Ms. Hampton said. “We never measured our city’s comeback by how many people moved here from Brooklyn, or how many downtown buildings a single Republican billionaire could buy. We focus on our ability to come together as a community.” | “We know what it’s like to come together for one another,” Ms. Hampton said. “We never measured our city’s comeback by how many people moved here from Brooklyn, or how many downtown buildings a single Republican billionaire could buy. We focus on our ability to come together as a community.” |
| Mary M. Chapman reported from Detroit, Julie Bosman from Chicago and John Eligon from Kansas City, Mo. Mitch Smith contributed reporting from Overland Park, Kan., and Monica Davey from Chicago. | Mary M. Chapman reported from Detroit, Julie Bosman from Chicago and John Eligon from Kansas City, Mo. Mitch Smith contributed reporting from Overland Park, Kan., and Monica Davey from Chicago. |