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| The Doctor Came to Save Lives. The Co-op Board Told Him to Get Lost. | The Doctor Came to Save Lives. The Co-op Board Told Him to Get Lost. |
| (8 days later) | |
| At the end of seven hours in mask, gown and gloves at Bellevue Hospital Center on Monday, Dr. Richard Levitan finally had a chance to look at his phone. | At the end of seven hours in mask, gown and gloves at Bellevue Hospital Center on Monday, Dr. Richard Levitan finally had a chance to look at his phone. |
| Dr. Levitan, an emergency physician who lives in northern New Hampshire, had volunteered to work for 10 days at Bellevue, in Manhattan, as coronavirus patients besieged New York City hospitals. Monday was his first shift there. | Dr. Levitan, an emergency physician who lives in northern New Hampshire, had volunteered to work for 10 days at Bellevue, in Manhattan, as coronavirus patients besieged New York City hospitals. Monday was his first shift there. |
| A text had arrived from his older brother, who was letting him use an apartment on the Upper West Side. It read: “Hey Richard — We are so proud of you and your heroism. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but looks like our apartment building doesn’t want you staying in our apt.” | A text had arrived from his older brother, who was letting him use an apartment on the Upper West Side. It read: “Hey Richard — We are so proud of you and your heroism. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but looks like our apartment building doesn’t want you staying in our apt.” |
| The building’s board of directors wanted him out. | The building’s board of directors wanted him out. |
| That took a minute to sink in. | That took a minute to sink in. |
| On the one hand, Dr. Levitan was answering the state’s urgent plea for help in the worst public health crisis in decades. | On the one hand, Dr. Levitan was answering the state’s urgent plea for help in the worst public health crisis in decades. |
| On the other, his brother was dealing with the idiosyncratic creature known as a New York City co-op, run by a board of apartment owners. Within their four walls, co-ops are tiny nation-states, like thousands of Vatican Cities inside the five boroughs. | On the other, his brother was dealing with the idiosyncratic creature known as a New York City co-op, run by a board of apartment owners. Within their four walls, co-ops are tiny nation-states, like thousands of Vatican Cities inside the five boroughs. |
| So, while Dr. Levitan was working to save the lives of strangers, his brother was pleading with his neighbors on the board to let his sibling lay his head in the apartment. He got nowhere. The board had heard what he was doing and did not want him around. | So, while Dr. Levitan was working to save the lives of strangers, his brother was pleading with his neighbors on the board to let his sibling lay his head in the apartment. He got nowhere. The board had heard what he was doing and did not want him around. |
| That kind of thing is rampant and emerges in many shapes, if rarely so outrageously as the shunning of a medical volunteer. Governors were talking about pulling over cars with New York plates, and people in rural areas were mad about city residents who had fled to their second homes. In the city, people want to know if anyone in their building has tested positive, though with the virus so widespread, the only safe course is to assume that some neighbor has it or had it, and to take precautions. | That kind of thing is rampant and emerges in many shapes, if rarely so outrageously as the shunning of a medical volunteer. Governors were talking about pulling over cars with New York plates, and people in rural areas were mad about city residents who had fled to their second homes. In the city, people want to know if anyone in their building has tested positive, though with the virus so widespread, the only safe course is to assume that some neighbor has it or had it, and to take precautions. |
| Fear can make ordinary people turn valorous or villainous or just unattractive. | Fear can make ordinary people turn valorous or villainous or just unattractive. |
| As it happens, when Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo implored medical volunteers around the country to come to New York, he might have been speaking directly to Dr. Levitan. | As it happens, when Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo implored medical volunteers around the country to come to New York, he might have been speaking directly to Dr. Levitan. |
| Born in New York City, Dr. Levitan, 58, trained at Bellevue under Lewis R. Goldfrank, a towering, pioneering figure in emergency medicine. Dr. Levitan later practiced in Philadelphia and became a teaching guru on managing the human airway — including performing the tricky but vital task of intubation, threading a breathing tube into people who are not getting enough oxygen. | Born in New York City, Dr. Levitan, 58, trained at Bellevue under Lewis R. Goldfrank, a towering, pioneering figure in emergency medicine. Dr. Levitan later practiced in Philadelphia and became a teaching guru on managing the human airway — including performing the tricky but vital task of intubation, threading a breathing tube into people who are not getting enough oxygen. |
| The coronavirus assaults the lungs. | The coronavirus assaults the lungs. |
| “This is the airway challenge of the century,” Dr. Levitan said. “I’m an airway guy. I’m not going to sit this one out.” | “This is the airway challenge of the century,” Dr. Levitan said. “I’m an airway guy. I’m not going to sit this one out.” |
| On Saturday, he emailed the Four Seasons Hotel, which had recently announced that it would provide rooms for visiting medical workers. But the hotel replied that it was not yet ready for bookings and that when it was, they would be managed by “local medical associations.” | On Saturday, he emailed the Four Seasons Hotel, which had recently announced that it would provide rooms for visiting medical workers. But the hotel replied that it was not yet ready for bookings and that when it was, they would be managed by “local medical associations.” |
| (The governor’s office said on Thursday that it was working with a tourism organization in the city to set up a portal for visiting medical workers to make hotel reservations, but details were not available.) | (The governor’s office said on Thursday that it was working with a tourism organization in the city to set up a portal for visiting medical workers to make hotel reservations, but details were not available.) |
| So, Dr. Levitan turned to his older brother and his family, who were out of town and have an apartment in the West 60s near Central Park. They arranged with the building to have a key waiting for him. | So, Dr. Levitan turned to his older brother and his family, who were out of town and have an apartment in the West 60s near Central Park. They arranged with the building to have a key waiting for him. |
| When Dr. Levitan arrived on Saturday, he said he was handed a sheet listing the co-op’s rules for the pandemic — one family at a time in the elevator, dog walkers must be met in the lobby and so on. Near the top, it said: “No one except building residents; family members; nannies and home health care aides will be allowed into the building.” | When Dr. Levitan arrived on Saturday, he said he was handed a sheet listing the co-op’s rules for the pandemic — one family at a time in the elevator, dog walkers must be met in the lobby and so on. Near the top, it said: “No one except building residents; family members; nannies and home health care aides will be allowed into the building.” |
| Though it has nearly 300 apartments, the building was quiet. “The place is a ghost town,” Dr. Levitan said. “Anybody with money has left.” | Though it has nearly 300 apartments, the building was quiet. “The place is a ghost town,” Dr. Levitan said. “Anybody with money has left.” |
| He chatted casually with the doorman about why he was in town. Then he was off to the field of battle. | He chatted casually with the doorman about why he was in town. Then he was off to the field of battle. |
| Updated June 30, 2020 | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| Bellevue and its emergency room have physically changed since Dr. Levitan trained there, but he knew the ground. “I walked in and 10 minutes later we were doing an intubation and putting someone on a ventilator,” he said. Virtually every new patient had the coronavirus. | Bellevue and its emergency room have physically changed since Dr. Levitan trained there, but he knew the ground. “I walked in and 10 minutes later we were doing an intubation and putting someone on a ventilator,” he said. Virtually every new patient had the coronavirus. |
| The disease is “a slow-moving MCI,” or mass casualty incident, in which the number of patients overwhelms medical resources, Dr. Levitan said. Health systems are often ready for a bombing or tornado, but now face a siege that could last months. | The disease is “a slow-moving MCI,” or mass casualty incident, in which the number of patients overwhelms medical resources, Dr. Levitan said. Health systems are often ready for a bombing or tornado, but now face a siege that could last months. |
| Back at the apartment building on Monday evening, he confirmed the news from his brother: The doorman told him that he was not allowed in, and called the superintendent. Dr. Levitan video-recorded the conversation. | Back at the apartment building on Monday evening, he confirmed the news from his brother: The doorman told him that he was not allowed in, and called the superintendent. Dr. Levitan video-recorded the conversation. |
| “You’re telling me I’m not welcome to stay in this apartment?” Dr. Levitan asked. | “You’re telling me I’m not welcome to stay in this apartment?” Dr. Levitan asked. |
| “I’m afraid, doctor, that is not my decision, unfortunately, but that is the situation, unfortunately,” the superintendent responded, sounding miserable. | “I’m afraid, doctor, that is not my decision, unfortunately, but that is the situation, unfortunately,” the superintendent responded, sounding miserable. |
| “Why is that?” | “Why is that?” |
| “I guess they’re afraid of you bringing this virus with you,” the superintendent said. | “I guess they’re afraid of you bringing this virus with you,” the superintendent said. |
| Dr. Levitan got his belongings and found another place. He wondered how many people in the building he had been barred from were already infected. “I came from rural New Hampshire where my risk was very low,” he said. | Dr. Levitan got his belongings and found another place. He wondered how many people in the building he had been barred from were already infected. “I came from rural New Hampshire where my risk was very low,” he said. |
| When asked by The New York Times about the episode, the building’s manager would not comment, but offered to pass on an inquiry to the board. No one replied to that, or to phone messages and emails left with board members. | When asked by The New York Times about the episode, the building’s manager would not comment, but offered to pass on an inquiry to the board. No one replied to that, or to phone messages and emails left with board members. |
| “In war, there are a million stories of people’s behavior” going bad, Dr. Levitan said. | “In war, there are a million stories of people’s behavior” going bad, Dr. Levitan said. |
| He asked a favor on behalf of his brother and family, who were concerned that the little nation-state of the co-op could retaliate for his interview if the family ever tries to sell the apartment. | He asked a favor on behalf of his brother and family, who were concerned that the little nation-state of the co-op could retaliate for his interview if the family ever tries to sell the apartment. |
| “Could you leave the building address out?” Dr. Levitan asked. | “Could you leave the building address out?” Dr. Levitan asked. |
| Under the circumstances, it seemed like a worry to take seriously. | Under the circumstances, it seemed like a worry to take seriously. |