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Watch Now: Governor Cuomo Gives Coronavirus Update Coronavirus Hits Governor Cuomo’s Family: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said on Tuesday that 332 more people had died in New York since Monday morning, bringing the total dead in the state from the coronavirus to 1,550.
As he delivered the news, Mr. Cuomo’s younger brother, Chris Cuomo, 49, a CNN anchor, announced that he had tested positive for the disease. The governor addressed the family news in his briefing.
“Everyone is subject to this virus. It is the great equalizer,” the governor said. He said that his brother, whom he called his best friend, was strong (“not as strong as he thinks,” the governor joked) and that he would be fine.
Since the crisis began, Governor Cuomo has mentioned his relatives to give constituents a reference point for how the disease was affecting their loved ones. But this was the first time the governor spoke about the disease striking his own family.
He used his brother’s illness to demonstrate the importance of social distancing, even from family members, saying that he had two weeks ago he had talked his brother out of letting their mother, who lives alone, stay in his house.
“If my brother still had my mother at his house,” he said, “we’d have a much different situation, because if he was exposed, chances are she may very well have been exposed, and then we would be looking at a different situation than just my brother sitting in his basement for two weeks.”
Other takeaways from the governor’s news conference:
The daily number of new deaths has been growing at an average of 33 percent per day for the past week, and the death toll has tripled in four days.
The number of confirmed cases in New York increased by 9,298, bringing the total number of cases to 75,795 statewide as of Tuesday. In New York City, 43,139 people have tested positive.
The number of patients hospitalized passed 10,900, up 15 percent from yesterday. Of those, 2,710 are currently in intensive care rooms with ventilators.
More than 18,000 people were tested overnight, pushing the total number of people tested to about 205,000, more than 1 percent of the state’s population.
A group of workers walked off the job at an Amazon warehouse on Staten Island on Monday, and a sickout called by Whole Foods Market workers is set for today, as front line workers protest what they see as inadequate safety measures and insufficient pay for the risks they confront.A group of workers walked off the job at an Amazon warehouse on Staten Island on Monday, and a sickout called by Whole Foods Market workers is set for today, as front line workers protest what they see as inadequate safety measures and insufficient pay for the risks they confront.
Amazon fired one of the workers who led the Staten Island walkout.Amazon fired one of the workers who led the Staten Island walkout.
The spread of the coronavirus is highlighting the economic inequality that is a fact of American life. While white collar workers have begun answering emails and crafting PowerPoint slides from home, service workers and laborers — at least those who have not lost their jobs — have continued to report to work, putting themselves and their families in the path of the virus.The spread of the coronavirus is highlighting the economic inequality that is a fact of American life. While white collar workers have begun answering emails and crafting PowerPoint slides from home, service workers and laborers — at least those who have not lost their jobs — have continued to report to work, putting themselves and their families in the path of the virus.
“There’s absolutely racial and class inequities baked into this crisis,” Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said in a radio interview on Tuesday about the protests. “If you are able to stay home, you are a privileged person in this moment and in this crisis.”“There’s absolutely racial and class inequities baked into this crisis,” Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said in a radio interview on Tuesday about the protests. “If you are able to stay home, you are a privileged person in this moment and in this crisis.”
The Staten Island worker who was fired, Christian Smalls, said he had advised a colleague who was visibly ill to go home last week. She later tested positive for the virus.The Staten Island worker who was fired, Christian Smalls, said he had advised a colleague who was visibly ill to go home last week. She later tested positive for the virus.
Mr. Smalls said he had told management that the center should close for two weeks because there was no way to know how many other workers had been infected.Mr. Smalls said he had told management that the center should close for two weeks because there was no way to know how many other workers had been infected.
“She had been there the previous week,” Mr. Smalls said of his colleague, adding that other workers at the facility were complaining of symptoms like fever. “We don’t know how long she’s been positive.”“She had been there the previous week,” Mr. Smalls said of his colleague, adding that other workers at the facility were complaining of symptoms like fever. “We don’t know how long she’s been positive.”
Not long after the protest, an Amazon spokeswoman said by email that Mr. Smalls had been fired because he had violated social-distancing guidelines and had come to the site Monday after having been told to stay home, “further putting the teams at risk.”Not long after the protest, an Amazon spokeswoman said by email that Mr. Smalls had been fired because he had violated social-distancing guidelines and had come to the site Monday after having been told to stay home, “further putting the teams at risk.”
New York’s attorney general, Letitia James, called the firing “disgraceful” on Twitter and said she would ask the National Labor Relations Board to investigate.New York’s attorney general, Letitia James, called the firing “disgraceful” on Twitter and said she would ask the National Labor Relations Board to investigate.
Workers at Whole Foods have called for a sickout on Tuesday to demand paid leave for all workers who must isolate themselves and a doubling of pay to compensate for the risk of working.Workers at Whole Foods have called for a sickout on Tuesday to demand paid leave for all workers who must isolate themselves and a doubling of pay to compensate for the risk of working.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said on Tuesday that 332 more people had died in New York since Monday morning, bringing the total dead in the state from the coronavirus to 1,550.
As he delivered the news, Mr. Cuomo’s younger brother, Chris, a CNN anchor, announced that he had tested positive for the disease. The governor addressed the family news in his briefing.
“Everyone is subject to this virus. It is the great equalizer,” the governor said. He said that his brother, whom he called his best friend, was strong (“not as strong as he thinks,” the governor wisecracked) and that he would be fine.
Since the crisis began, Governor Cuomo has mentioned his relatives to give constituents a reference point for how the disease was affecting their loved ones. But this was the first time that the governor spoke about the disease striking his own family.
Other takeaways from the governor’s news conference on Tuesday morning:
The daily number of new deaths has been growing at an average of 33 percent per day for the past week, and the death toll has tripled in four days.
The number of confirmed cases in New York increased by 9,298, bringing the total number of cases to 75,795 statewide as of Tuesday. In New York City, 43,139 people have tested positive.
The number of patients hospitalized surpassed 10,900, up 15 percent from yesterday. Of those, 2,710 are currently in intensive care rooms with ventilators.
Mr. Cuomo said that the latest projections show the outbreak in New York State reaching its peak in 14 to 30 days, “depending on who you believe.”
More than 18,000 people were tested overnight, pushing the total number of people tested to about 205,000, more than 1 percent of the state’s population.
The tower lights of the Empire State Building blared red with a whirling red-and-white beacon on Monday night to pay respect to health care workers, police officers and firefighters who have confronted the spread of the coronavirus.The tower lights of the Empire State Building blared red with a whirling red-and-white beacon on Monday night to pay respect to health care workers, police officers and firefighters who have confronted the spread of the coronavirus.
“Starting tonight through the Covid-19 battle, our signature white lights will be replaced by the heartbeat of America with a white and red siren in the mast for heroic emergency workers on the front line of the fight,” the building’s Twitter account said.“Starting tonight through the Covid-19 battle, our signature white lights will be replaced by the heartbeat of America with a white and red siren in the mast for heroic emergency workers on the front line of the fight,” the building’s Twitter account said.
Some New Yorkers appreciated the tribute, but others found it less than comforting.Some New Yorkers appreciated the tribute, but others found it less than comforting.
“The intention is great, but the effect is terrifying,” said one response to the tweet. “TURN IT OFF. TURN IT OFF,” said another.“The intention is great, but the effect is terrifying,” said one response to the tweet. “TURN IT OFF. TURN IT OFF,” said another.
Many who said that they lived close to the building expressed alarm at the signal. Others made memes.Many who said that they lived close to the building expressed alarm at the signal. Others made memes.
In an unintentional nod at the city’s anxious mood, the tower also broadcast “Empire State of Mind,” the anthem by Alicia Keys.In an unintentional nod at the city’s anxious mood, the tower also broadcast “Empire State of Mind,” the anthem by Alicia Keys.
Central Park, one of the world’s most well-known gathering places, will open its East Meadow to hospital patients today as the city continues to transform itself in extraordinary ways in the battle against the coronavirus.Central Park, one of the world’s most well-known gathering places, will open its East Meadow to hospital patients today as the city continues to transform itself in extraordinary ways in the battle against the coronavirus.
A field hospital with 68 beds has been erected under tents on the meadow to treat coronavirus patients from Mount Sinai Health System’s hospitals in Brooklyn and Queens. It was put up by a nonprofit called Samaritan’s Purse, working with the city.A field hospital with 68 beds has been erected under tents on the meadow to treat coronavirus patients from Mount Sinai Health System’s hospitals in Brooklyn and Queens. It was put up by a nonprofit called Samaritan’s Purse, working with the city.
The move to leverage the park’s vast open space comes one day after a naval hospital ship docked on Manhattan’s West Side and an emergency 1,000-bed hospital at the Javits convention center opened its doors. Both of those are treating patients who are not infected with the coronavirus, to help free up beds in conventional hospitals for more virus patients.The move to leverage the park’s vast open space comes one day after a naval hospital ship docked on Manhattan’s West Side and an emergency 1,000-bed hospital at the Javits convention center opened its doors. Both of those are treating patients who are not infected with the coronavirus, to help free up beds in conventional hospitals for more virus patients.
“We’ve never seen anything like this,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said on MSNBC on Monday. “It feels like the kind of thing you experience in wartime.”“We’ve never seen anything like this,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said on MSNBC on Monday. “It feels like the kind of thing you experience in wartime.”
For five years, twin sisters have visited their 105-year-old mother every night in her nursing home in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, bringing dinner, feeding her, overseeing her medications.For five years, twin sisters have visited their 105-year-old mother every night in her nursing home in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, bringing dinner, feeding her, overseeing her medications.
But two weeks ago, nursing homes barred visitors. Now the sisters have no idea what condition their mother is in or whether anyone is taking care of her.But two weeks ago, nursing homes barred visitors. Now the sisters have no idea what condition their mother is in or whether anyone is taking care of her.
“We don’t know how she’s going to survive this,” said Gerry Baker, one of the sisters. “When we couldn’t see her, it felt as if my mom had transitioned and we were waiting to have the funeral.”“We don’t know how she’s going to survive this,” said Gerry Baker, one of the sisters. “When we couldn’t see her, it felt as if my mom had transitioned and we were waiting to have the funeral.”
New York’s nursing homes have long been chronically understaffed, leaving family members to fill critical gaps, from feeding loved ones to checking for bedsores or infection. Now those family members are locked out, and existing workers are getting sick, quarantined or quitting because the work has become too dangerous.New York’s nursing homes have long been chronically understaffed, leaving family members to fill critical gaps, from feeding loved ones to checking for bedsores or infection. Now those family members are locked out, and existing workers are getting sick, quarantined or quitting because the work has become too dangerous.
At the same time, some nursing homes say they cannot get the personal protective equipment they need because it is going to hospitals. At ArchCare, which runs five nursing homes, workers wear rain ponchos and beauticians’ gowns. By Sunday the five homes had around 150 cases of Covid-19, and a number of deaths, said Scott LaRue, the president.At the same time, some nursing homes say they cannot get the personal protective equipment they need because it is going to hospitals. At ArchCare, which runs five nursing homes, workers wear rain ponchos and beauticians’ gowns. By Sunday the five homes had around 150 cases of Covid-19, and a number of deaths, said Scott LaRue, the president.
“I can’t test, I don’t have PPE,” he said. “What am I supposed to do?”“I can’t test, I don’t have PPE,” he said. “What am I supposed to do?”
If in recent days you’ve felt like the collective anxiety in New York has been pervasive and overwhelming, a new survey suggests that you are right.If in recent days you’ve felt like the collective anxiety in New York has been pervasive and overwhelming, a new survey suggests that you are right.
According to the latest week of data collected and analyzed by the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, almost half of New York City residents — 44 percent — reported feeling nervous, anxious or on-edge three to four days a week or more. And 35 percent of city dwellers said they felt down, depressed, or hopeless a similar amount of the time.According to the latest week of data collected and analyzed by the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, almost half of New York City residents — 44 percent — reported feeling nervous, anxious or on-edge three to four days a week or more. And 35 percent of city dwellers said they felt down, depressed, or hopeless a similar amount of the time.
The researchers had not asked those questions before, so it was not clear if those numbers were higher than normal.The researchers had not asked those questions before, so it was not clear if those numbers were higher than normal.
But the percentage of respondents who said they felt “not at all socially connected” in what is normally one of the world’s most bustling cities doubled from the week before, to 43 percent.But the percentage of respondents who said they felt “not at all socially connected” in what is normally one of the world’s most bustling cities doubled from the week before, to 43 percent.
The data offers a quantitative measure of the city’s psychological well-being at a time when New Yorkers find themselves under extraordinary economic, emotional and health-related duress.The data offers a quantitative measure of the city’s psychological well-being at a time when New Yorkers find themselves under extraordinary economic, emotional and health-related duress.
The survey found that the number of people reporting that they know someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus doubled in a week’s time.The survey found that the number of people reporting that they know someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus doubled in a week’s time.
More than a third of respondents said they or someone in their household had lost a job.More than a third of respondents said they or someone in their household had lost a job.
Nearly 60 percent of those who pay rent said they feared being evicted. And a third of city residents said they were seriously considering moving.Nearly 60 percent of those who pay rent said they feared being evicted. And a third of city residents said they were seriously considering moving.
“It is clear that the economic burden of coronavirus is falling disproportionately on the people in our city who are least able to afford it,” Dr. Ayman El-Mohandes, dean of the CUNY School of Public Health, said in a statement.“It is clear that the economic burden of coronavirus is falling disproportionately on the people in our city who are least able to afford it,” Dr. Ayman El-Mohandes, dean of the CUNY School of Public Health, said in a statement.
Two more men living in city homeless shelters have died of coronavirus, bringing the number of deaths to four, as city officials struggle to contain the spread.Two more men living in city homeless shelters have died of coronavirus, bringing the number of deaths to four, as city officials struggle to contain the spread.
The city Department of Homeless Services said that as of Monday, 107 people in 66 different shelters had tested positive. The men who died were all over 50, with at least one in his eighties, the city social services department said. The city did not release their names.The city Department of Homeless Services said that as of Monday, 107 people in 66 different shelters had tested positive. The men who died were all over 50, with at least one in his eighties, the city social services department said. The city did not release their names.
A member of the New Jersey National Guard died on Saturday of complications related to the coronavirus, the first virus-related death of a U.S. service member, officials said on Monday.A member of the New Jersey National Guard died on Saturday of complications related to the coronavirus, the first virus-related death of a U.S. service member, officials said on Monday.
The National Guard member, Capt. Douglas Linn Hickock, 57, a father of four, was a drilling guardsman and a physician’s assistant who lived in Pennsylvania but was originally from Jackson, N.J., Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey said.The National Guard member, Capt. Douglas Linn Hickock, 57, a father of four, was a drilling guardsman and a physician’s assistant who lived in Pennsylvania but was originally from Jackson, N.J., Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey said.
“Today is a sad day for the Department of Defense, as we have lost our first American service member, active, reserve or Guard,” the defense secretary, Mark T. Esper said in a statement.“Today is a sad day for the Department of Defense, as we have lost our first American service member, active, reserve or Guard,” the defense secretary, Mark T. Esper said in a statement.
As The New York Times follows the spread of the coronavirus across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we need your help. We want to talk to doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, emergency services workers, nursing home managers — anyone who can share what they are seeing in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers. Even if you haven’t seen anything yet, we want to connect now so we can stay in touch in the future.As The New York Times follows the spread of the coronavirus across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we need your help. We want to talk to doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, emergency services workers, nursing home managers — anyone who can share what they are seeing in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers. Even if you haven’t seen anything yet, we want to connect now so we can stay in touch in the future.
A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.
Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Kate Conger, Michael Corkery, Luis Ferré-Sadurni, Michael Gold, Christina Goldbaum, John Leland, Andy Newman, Noam Scheiber, Matt Stevens, Tracey Tully and David Yaffe-Bellany,Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Kate Conger, Michael Corkery, Luis Ferré-Sadurni, Michael Gold, Christina Goldbaum, John Leland, Andy Newman, Noam Scheiber, Matt Stevens, Tracey Tully and David Yaffe-Bellany,