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Coronavirus in N.Y.C.: Latest Updates Coronavirus in N.Y.C.: Latest Updates
(8 days later)
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It’s Tuesday.It’s Tuesday.
Weather: A chance of morning showers, then mostly cloudy, with a high in the upper 40s.Weather: A chance of morning showers, then mostly cloudy, with a high in the upper 40s.
Alternate-side parking: Suspended today because of the coronavirus. Meters are in effect.Alternate-side parking: Suspended today because of the coronavirus. Meters are in effect.
As a Navy hospital ship arrived in New York City yesterday to help relieve the city’s overwhelmed hospitals, Governor Cuomo announced that more than 1,200 people infected with the coronavirus had died in New York State, up from 965 on Sunday morning.As a Navy hospital ship arrived in New York City yesterday to help relieve the city’s overwhelmed hospitals, Governor Cuomo announced that more than 1,200 people infected with the coronavirus had died in New York State, up from 965 on Sunday morning.
Officials on the U.S.N.S. Comfort, the 1,000-bed ship, will handle non-virus patients to free up beds at hospitals for those with the coronavirus.Officials on the U.S.N.S. Comfort, the 1,000-bed ship, will handle non-virus patients to free up beds at hospitals for those with the coronavirus.
The Comfort, which has 12 operating rooms, a medical laboratory and more than 1,100 medical personnel, docked at Pier 90 off West 50th Street in Manhattan. Mayor de Blasio said 750 of its beds would be put to use “immediately.”The Comfort, which has 12 operating rooms, a medical laboratory and more than 1,100 medical personnel, docked at Pier 90 off West 50th Street in Manhattan. Mayor de Blasio said 750 of its beds would be put to use “immediately.”
Mr. Cuomo also reiterated that the worst of the coronavirus outbreak was yet to come, even as hundreds of people had died in the state in a 24-hour period.Mr. Cuomo also reiterated that the worst of the coronavirus outbreak was yet to come, even as hundreds of people had died in the state in a 24-hour period.
New York State reported more than 7,000 new cases of the virus yesterday, bringing the total to over 67,000. More than half of the cases were in New York City.New York State reported more than 7,000 new cases of the virus yesterday, bringing the total to over 67,000. More than half of the cases were in New York City.
[Get the latest news and updates on the coronavirus in the New York region.][Get the latest news and updates on the coronavirus in the New York region.]
More than 186,000 people have been tested for the coronavirus in New York State in March, about 1 percent of the state’s population. But while New York’s testing far outpaces that of other states, it has not reached the critical-mass level public health experts say is necessary to more precisely identify the spread of the virus.More than 186,000 people have been tested for the coronavirus in New York State in March, about 1 percent of the state’s population. But while New York’s testing far outpaces that of other states, it has not reached the critical-mass level public health experts say is necessary to more precisely identify the spread of the virus.
Fears are growing of a public health catastrophe inside New York City’s jail system. As of yesterday, nearly 170 inmates and almost 140 staff members had tested positive at the city’s jails, including the Rikers Island complex.Fears are growing of a public health catastrophe inside New York City’s jail system. As of yesterday, nearly 170 inmates and almost 140 staff members had tested positive at the city’s jails, including the Rikers Island complex.
Inside the jails, inmates, including some waiting to be released, have been struggling to protect themselves, some by diluting shampoo to disinfect cell bars and tabletops.Inside the jails, inmates, including some waiting to be released, have been struggling to protect themselves, some by diluting shampoo to disinfect cell bars and tabletops.
[‘We’re left for dead’: Fears of a virus catastrophe at Rikers][‘We’re left for dead’: Fears of a virus catastrophe at Rikers]
At least five more transit workers have died in the city from the virus, including a bus operator based in Brooklyn and a station cleaner based in the Bronx, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees the city’s subway and buses and two commuter railroads. The fatalities brought the death toll for the authority to at least seven.At least five more transit workers have died in the city from the virus, including a bus operator based in Brooklyn and a station cleaner based in the Bronx, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees the city’s subway and buses and two commuter railroads. The fatalities brought the death toll for the authority to at least seven.
Nearly 100 people living in New York City’s main homeless shelter system have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said.Nearly 100 people living in New York City’s main homeless shelter system have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said.
Governor Murphy of New Jersey yesterday announced roughly 3,400 new coronavirus cases in the state, bringing the total to more than 16,600. There have been nearly 200 deaths. Governor Lamont of Connecticut announced about 580 new cases, bringing that state’s total to nearly 2,600. There were nearly 40 deaths in Connecticut as of yesterday.Governor Murphy of New Jersey yesterday announced roughly 3,400 new coronavirus cases in the state, bringing the total to more than 16,600. There have been nearly 200 deaths. Governor Lamont of Connecticut announced about 580 new cases, bringing that state’s total to nearly 2,600. There were nearly 40 deaths in Connecticut as of yesterday.
On a hopeful note, Mr. Cuomo said that more than 4,200 people in New York State had been discharged from hospitals, and that while the number of hospitalizations continued to grow, the rate at which it was growing was tapering off. “We had a doubling of cases every two days, then a doubling every three days and a doubling every four days, then every five,” he said. “We now have a doubling of cases every six days.”On a hopeful note, Mr. Cuomo said that more than 4,200 people in New York State had been discharged from hospitals, and that while the number of hospitalizations continued to grow, the rate at which it was growing was tapering off. “We had a doubling of cases every two days, then a doubling every three days and a doubling every four days, then every five,” he said. “We now have a doubling of cases every six days.”
Another bright spot: A Twitter follower of the Harlem restaurant FieldTrip paid for 170 meals to be delivered to hospital workers in and near Harlem.Another bright spot: A Twitter follower of the Harlem restaurant FieldTrip paid for 170 meals to be delivered to hospital workers in and near Harlem.
They Can’t Afford to Quarantine. So They Brave the Subway.They Can’t Afford to Quarantine. So They Brave the Subway.
N.Y. Hospitals Face $400 Million in Cuts Even as Virus Battle RagesN.Y. Hospitals Face $400 Million in Cuts Even as Virus Battle Rages
Rabbi Dies Three Months After Hanukkah Night AttackRabbi Dies Three Months After Hanukkah Night Attack
What the ‘Cuomo 2020’ Fantasy Says About 2020 RealityWhat the ‘Cuomo 2020’ Fantasy Says About 2020 Reality
Want more news? Check out our full coverage.Want more news? Check out our full coverage.
The Mini Crossword: Here is today’s puzzle.The Mini Crossword: Here is today’s puzzle.
The owner of a Brooklyn speakeasy was arrested and charged with violating the mayor’s social distancing order. [NBC New York]The owner of a Brooklyn speakeasy was arrested and charged with violating the mayor’s social distancing order. [NBC New York]
The demand for midwives and doulas for home births is skyrocketing in New York City. [New York Post]The demand for midwives and doulas for home births is skyrocketing in New York City. [New York Post]
Service on the Staten Island Ferry was reduced to once an hour because the coronavirus outbreak has caused a decline in ridership. [NY Daily News]Service on the Staten Island Ferry was reduced to once an hour because the coronavirus outbreak has caused a decline in ridership. [NY Daily News]
Like other cultural institutions in the city, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is temporarily closed during the coronavirus outbreak. Its outdoor reflecting pools are cordoned off from the public.Like other cultural institutions in the city, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is temporarily closed during the coronavirus outbreak. Its outdoor reflecting pools are cordoned off from the public.
But one program at the museum has continued its daily tradition of laying out a white rose for each person killed in both the 2001 and 1993 terrorist attacks whose birthdays would have been celebrated that day.But one program at the museum has continued its daily tradition of laying out a white rose for each person killed in both the 2001 and 1993 terrorist attacks whose birthdays would have been celebrated that day.
Since 2013, museum employees have placed the flowers on the inscribed names of those memorialized at the fountain.Since 2013, museum employees have placed the flowers on the inscribed names of those memorialized at the fountain.
Museum officials have continued the Birthday Rose program during the closure because “we felt it was core to our mission and would be a ray of light during this intensely difficult time,” Kate Monaghan Connolly, a museum spokeswoman, said.Museum officials have continued the Birthday Rose program during the closure because “we felt it was core to our mission and would be a ray of light during this intensely difficult time,” Kate Monaghan Connolly, a museum spokeswoman, said.
Visitor services staff members typically placed the flowers daily. But with them no longer working, the task is now carried out by security and operations workers, who are classified as essential employees.Visitor services staff members typically placed the flowers daily. But with them no longer working, the task is now carried out by security and operations workers, who are classified as essential employees.
The flowers have long been donated by Floratech, a TriBeCa florist, whose owner, Michael Collarone, shut the shop because of the statewide order to close nonessential businesses.The flowers have long been donated by Floratech, a TriBeCa florist, whose owner, Michael Collarone, shut the shop because of the statewide order to close nonessential businesses.
Updated June 24, 2020
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
But Mr. Collarone, known widely as Mikey Flowers, said he was determined to keep supplying the roses “so we could have some continuity and normality in the city right now.” With his local distributor also shut, he has been ordering the flowers from a supplier in the Netherlands.But Mr. Collarone, known widely as Mikey Flowers, said he was determined to keep supplying the roses “so we could have some continuity and normality in the city right now.” With his local distributor also shut, he has been ordering the flowers from a supplier in the Netherlands.
“I want to show people that the world is not over,” said Mr. Collarone, who was in Lower Manhattan during both World Trade Center attacks. “We are going to get past this together.”“I want to show people that the world is not over,” said Mr. Collarone, who was in Lower Manhattan during both World Trade Center attacks. “We are going to get past this together.”
It’s Tuesday — carry on your traditions.It’s Tuesday — carry on your traditions.
Dear Diary:Dear Diary:
I was on Riverside Drive near the 79th Street Boat Basin on a beautiful fall morning when I noticed a jogger coming south on the sidewalk in front of the apartment buildings lining the east side of the street. Across from where I was standing, there was a building fronted by a little plaza bounded by a low wall.I was on Riverside Drive near the 79th Street Boat Basin on a beautiful fall morning when I noticed a jogger coming south on the sidewalk in front of the apartment buildings lining the east side of the street. Across from where I was standing, there was a building fronted by a little plaza bounded by a low wall.
The jogger turned in at the plaza and went immediately to the south end of the wall.The jogger turned in at the plaza and went immediately to the south end of the wall.
He took a handful of something I couldn’t recognize at a distance from his pocket, and put it on top of the wall.He took a handful of something I couldn’t recognize at a distance from his pocket, and put it on top of the wall.
Reaching down, he pulled a brick from the wall and then used it to crack what I realized were the nuts he had placed on the top of the wall.Reaching down, he pulled a brick from the wall and then used it to crack what I realized were the nuts he had placed on the top of the wall.
After cracking the nuts, he picked out the meats, ate them, returned the brick to its spot, brushed off the wall, dusted his hands and resumed his jog.After cracking the nuts, he picked out the meats, ate them, returned the brick to its spot, brushed off the wall, dusted his hands and resumed his jog.
— David Smith— David Smith
New York Today is published weekdays around 6 a.m. Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at nytoday.com.New York Today is published weekdays around 6 a.m. Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at nytoday.com.
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