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A ‘Wartime Factory’ in Brooklyn Is Fighting Coronavirus A ‘Wartime Factory’ in Brooklyn Is Fighting Coronavirus
(3 days later)
During World War II, so many New Yorkers flocked to the Brooklyn Navy Yard to build warships that it was nicknamed the Can-Do Shipyard.During World War II, so many New Yorkers flocked to the Brooklyn Navy Yard to build warships that it was nicknamed the Can-Do Shipyard.
In recent years, it has become a hub of independently owned and innovative manufacturers that include artisanal distillers and industrial metal fabricators.In recent years, it has become a hub of independently owned and innovative manufacturers that include artisanal distillers and industrial metal fabricators.
But with the coronavirus ravaging New York City, the old Navy Yard — one of few large manufacturing centers remaining in the city — is again pitching in during a national crisis as a hub for fighting the pandemic, producing desperately needed medical supplies, such as face shields, hand sanitizer and hospital gowns.But with the coronavirus ravaging New York City, the old Navy Yard — one of few large manufacturing centers remaining in the city — is again pitching in during a national crisis as a hub for fighting the pandemic, producing desperately needed medical supplies, such as face shields, hand sanitizer and hospital gowns.
It has returned to “a wartime factory,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio as he toured a former shipbuilding hangar there on Thursday.It has returned to “a wartime factory,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio as he toured a former shipbuilding hangar there on Thursday.
“This is what people had to do, in battles, in wars, all over this world when there weren’t going to be supplies coming from someplace else,” the mayor said. “They had to make their own. That’s what’s happening here in Brooklyn.”“This is what people had to do, in battles, in wars, all over this world when there weren’t going to be supplies coming from someplace else,” the mayor said. “They had to make their own. That’s what’s happening here in Brooklyn.”
That hangar had become an events space called the Duggal Greenhouse, part of Duggal Visual Solutions, a graphic display and printing company that typically makes printed glossy graphics for such brands as Estee Lauder and Coach.That hangar had become an events space called the Duggal Greenhouse, part of Duggal Visual Solutions, a graphic display and printing company that typically makes printed glossy graphics for such brands as Estee Lauder and Coach.
But with the greenhouse’s scheduled events canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak, the space has been repurposed as a factory for making disposable face shields. The operation includes more than 300 workers, many recently laid off from restaurant jobs or nonessential businesses that the state ordered to temporarily close.But with the greenhouse’s scheduled events canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak, the space has been repurposed as a factory for making disposable face shields. The operation includes more than 300 workers, many recently laid off from restaurant jobs or nonessential businesses that the state ordered to temporarily close.
Duggal has partnered with another Navy Yard company, Bednark Studios, to make the shields.Duggal has partnered with another Navy Yard company, Bednark Studios, to make the shields.
“This isn’t about making money. This is about helping put people back to work and helping front-line medical workers who are saving New Yorkers,” said Michael Bednark, whose custom fabrication company typically makes interior displays for restaurants and retailers including Heineken, Nike and Google.“This isn’t about making money. This is about helping put people back to work and helping front-line medical workers who are saving New Yorkers,” said Michael Bednark, whose custom fabrication company typically makes interior displays for restaurants and retailers including Heineken, Nike and Google.
Leaders at the Navy Yard have been scrambling to get various companies to work together to make supplies.Leaders at the Navy Yard have been scrambling to get various companies to work together to make supplies.
Kings County Distillery, a small-batch whiskey and bourbon company, has begun distilling alcohol for hand sanitizer in partnership with EcoLogic Solutions, which makes green cleaning products, said David Ehrenberg, president of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation.Kings County Distillery, a small-batch whiskey and bourbon company, has begun distilling alcohol for hand sanitizer in partnership with EcoLogic Solutions, which makes green cleaning products, said David Ehrenberg, president of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation.
“It’s the scale of the ecosystem here that makes this possible,” said Mr. Ehrenberg, who has been speaking with city leaders about pressing needs and how to overcome bureaucratic obstacles. “No one here could do it alone.”“It’s the scale of the ecosystem here that makes this possible,” said Mr. Ehrenberg, who has been speaking with city leaders about pressing needs and how to overcome bureaucratic obstacles. “No one here could do it alone.”
Because of the order for nonessential businesses to close, Mr. Bednark had shut his shop and laid off part of his work force of 120 employees. But with the desperate call for medical equipment, he and other manufacturers huddled with Mr. Ehrenberg.Because of the order for nonessential businesses to close, Mr. Bednark had shut his shop and laid off part of his work force of 120 employees. But with the desperate call for medical equipment, he and other manufacturers huddled with Mr. Ehrenberg.
“I said, ‘We’ve got to figure out something to do. I’m not going to go down with the ship,’” said Mr. Bednark, who pivoted to making shields, a new product for his company.“I said, ‘We’ve got to figure out something to do. I’m not going to go down with the ship,’” said Mr. Bednark, who pivoted to making shields, a new product for his company.
In a scramble over a couple of days, his prototype was approved by city health officials, who ordered a first batch of 120,000 shields.In a scramble over a couple of days, his prototype was approved by city health officials, who ordered a first batch of 120,000 shields.
“We’re used to making quick products and making them very quickly with what’s available,” said Mr. Bednark, who procured plastic shields from a supplier in Long Island City, Queens, and elastic from a company in Manhattan’s garment district. A steady supplier in nearby Williamsburg came through with 360,000 foam strips with adhesive, as forehead cushions for the shields.“We’re used to making quick products and making them very quickly with what’s available,” said Mr. Bednark, who procured plastic shields from a supplier in Long Island City, Queens, and elastic from a company in Manhattan’s garment district. A steady supplier in nearby Williamsburg came through with 360,000 foam strips with adhesive, as forehead cushions for the shields.
Mr. Bednark said he called many recently laid-off employees to come back on the job and hired an additional 150 workers. He teamed up with Mr. Duggal, who has 465 workers and plenty of production space at the yard.Mr. Bednark said he called many recently laid-off employees to come back on the job and hired an additional 150 workers. He teamed up with Mr. Duggal, who has 465 workers and plenty of production space at the yard.
Duggal had also trimmed its staff recently. But then it started rehiring workers who began working long shifts making the shields.Duggal had also trimmed its staff recently. But then it started rehiring workers who began working long shifts making the shields.
Machines that had recently made sleek display stands for prominent brands were repurposed to help make thousands of shields a day.Machines that had recently made sleek display stands for prominent brands were repurposed to help make thousands of shields a day.
Duggal sterilized its 35,000-square-foot greenhouse space to house multiple assembly lines. Workers wear masks and gloves and observe social distancing.Duggal sterilized its 35,000-square-foot greenhouse space to house multiple assembly lines. Workers wear masks and gloves and observe social distancing.
Updated June 2, 2020 Updated June 5, 2020
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
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.
Since the city put out a request to local manufacturers for masks, shields, gowns and ventilators, officials said they have had more than 1,000 proposals.Since the city put out a request to local manufacturers for masks, shields, gowns and ventilators, officials said they have had more than 1,000 proposals.
Garment district companies offered to make hospital gowns and some manufacturers proposed improvised ways to make ventilators, said Carl Rodrigues, a city official appointed by the mayor to mobilize local manufacturing of supplies to fight the outbreak.Garment district companies offered to make hospital gowns and some manufacturers proposed improvised ways to make ventilators, said Carl Rodrigues, a city official appointed by the mayor to mobilize local manufacturing of supplies to fight the outbreak.
“New Yorkers have really stepped up to the plate and found a way to produce things we never thought we could produce in 36 hours,” Mr. Rodrigues said, adding that over the next three months, local manufacturers are aiming to make up to 1.5 million face shields.“New Yorkers have really stepped up to the plate and found a way to produce things we never thought we could produce in 36 hours,” Mr. Rodrigues said, adding that over the next three months, local manufacturers are aiming to make up to 1.5 million face shields.
Mr. de Blasio, in a radio interview on Friday, praised the Navy Yard efforts.Mr. de Blasio, in a radio interview on Friday, praised the Navy Yard efforts.
“This is something that wasn’t made in New York City, that now people are just taken upon themselves to go and create to protect other people,” he said. “So, even with this pain, New Yorkers are stepping up in ways that are, like, unimaginable.”“This is something that wasn’t made in New York City, that now people are just taken upon themselves to go and create to protect other people,” he said. “So, even with this pain, New Yorkers are stepping up in ways that are, like, unimaginable.”
Mr. Bednark said 50,000 shields would be delivered to the city over the weekend and an additional 70,000 by next Tuesday.Mr. Bednark said 50,000 shields would be delivered to the city over the weekend and an additional 70,000 by next Tuesday.
“It’s amazing to see New Yorkers respond to a crisis, from Hurricane Sandy to 9/11,” Mr. Duggal said. “You see the best of people, the way they band together.”“It’s amazing to see New Yorkers respond to a crisis, from Hurricane Sandy to 9/11,” Mr. Duggal said. “You see the best of people, the way they band together.”