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De Blasio Calls for National Draft of Doctors to Fight Virus: Live Updates De Blasio Calls for National Draft of Doctors to Fight Virus: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
Mayor Bill de Blasio called Thursday night for doctors and other medical workers across the country to be drafted and sent to the places where coronavirus has hit hardest — starting in New York.Mayor Bill de Blasio called Thursday night for doctors and other medical workers across the country to be drafted and sent to the places where coronavirus has hit hardest — starting in New York.
“Unless there is a national effort to enlist doctors, nurses, hospital workers of all kinds and get them where they are needed most in the country in time,” Mr. de Blasio said on MSNBC Friday morning. “I don’t see, honestly, how we’re going to have the professionals we need to get through this crisis.”“Unless there is a national effort to enlist doctors, nurses, hospital workers of all kinds and get them where they are needed most in the country in time,” Mr. de Blasio said on MSNBC Friday morning. “I don’t see, honestly, how we’re going to have the professionals we need to get through this crisis.”
He added: “This country is not in position to deal with this crisis going forward. Whatever we’ve seen up till now, I’m guaranteeing you that next week is going to be a lot tougher.”He added: “This country is not in position to deal with this crisis going forward. Whatever we’ve seen up till now, I’m guaranteeing you that next week is going to be a lot tougher.”
New York City is the center of the outbreak in the United States. Nearly 50,000 people have tested positive, and 1,500 have died in the city, more than 1,000 of them in the past week alone. The city’s emergency medical system is overwhelmed.New York City is the center of the outbreak in the United States. Nearly 50,000 people have tested positive, and 1,500 have died in the city, more than 1,000 of them in the past week alone. The city’s emergency medical system is overwhelmed.
Mr. de Blasio has been asking for days for military medical personnel to be sent to New York but had not sought a draft of civilian doctors before.Mr. de Blasio has been asking for days for military medical personnel to be sent to New York but had not sought a draft of civilian doctors before.
He said in a statement on Thursday: “The federal government must step up and provide the reinforcements we need. The battle will be long, and we cannot fight it alone.”He said in a statement on Thursday: “The federal government must step up and provide the reinforcements we need. The battle will be long, and we cannot fight it alone.”
Mr. de Blasio repeated his warning that this coming Sunday is a crucial day in the fight against the virus — “D-Day,” he again called it on CNN Friday morning. He said that if critical supplies do not arrive soon, hundreds, and then thousands, will die.Mr. de Blasio repeated his warning that this coming Sunday is a crucial day in the fight against the virus — “D-Day,” he again called it on CNN Friday morning. He said that if critical supplies do not arrive soon, hundreds, and then thousands, will die.
One out of every six New York City police officers is out sick or in quarantine. A veteran detective and five civilian workers have died from the disease caused by the coronavirus. And two chiefs and the deputy commissioner in charge of counterterrorism are among more than 1,500 others in the department who have been infected.One out of every six New York City police officers is out sick or in quarantine. A veteran detective and five civilian workers have died from the disease caused by the coronavirus. And two chiefs and the deputy commissioner in charge of counterterrorism are among more than 1,500 others in the department who have been infected.
With weeks to go before the epidemic is expected to peak, the virus has already strained the Police Department at a time when its 36,000 officers have been asked to step up and help fight it by enforcing emergency rules intended to slow its spread.With weeks to go before the epidemic is expected to peak, the virus has already strained the Police Department at a time when its 36,000 officers have been asked to step up and help fight it by enforcing emergency rules intended to slow its spread.
The epidemic has also added a new level of risk and anxiety to police work, even as reports of most serious crimes have dropped steeply since the city imposed the new rules. Every arrest or interview now carries the potential for infection, officers say.The epidemic has also added a new level of risk and anxiety to police work, even as reports of most serious crimes have dropped steeply since the city imposed the new rules. Every arrest or interview now carries the potential for infection, officers say.
“It’s a stressful job at the best of times,” the police commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, said on Tuesday. “Right now, I don’t think you can imagine a worse point of time.”“It’s a stressful job at the best of times,” the police commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, said on Tuesday. “Right now, I don’t think you can imagine a worse point of time.”
With the coronavirus draining New York’s economy, the Legislature on early Friday passed a $177 billion budget that was laden with uncertainties. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has, for weeks, had to strike a delicate balance in his handling of President Trump and the federal response to the coronavirus. It is a daily dance that employs equal parts open flattery and indirect attack, bended knee and sleight of hand.
The number itself may be fluid: Lawmakers gave Mr. Cuomo the extraordinary power to unilaterally cut spending throughout the fiscal year if warranted. In practical terms, that plays out in the governor’s complimenting the president by name, but seldom attacking him that way — even as most other Democratic leaders criticize the Republican president at nearly every turn.
The state has spent over $1 billion to purchase medical equipment like X-ray machines and ventilators to fight the virus, and is expecting at least $10 billion less in tax revenue because of the damage caused by its spread. Mr. Trump has returned the gesture. On Thursday, the White House released a letter that he sent to Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, accusing him of failing to better prepare New York for the virus and suggesting that Mr. Schumer begin working with Mr. Cuomo “for the good of all New Yorkers.”
It is a steep gap that officials are hoping to bridge with federal aid, short-term loans and cuts. Reserves may also be tapped. “The trick to Trump is not to embarrass him in public,” said Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran Democratic political consultant who has known both men for decades. “Being a Trump whisperer means he can criticize him obliquely, by talking about the national government’s failure to respond.
“We can’t spend what we don’t have,” said Mr. Cuomo, who called the spending plan “a tough, tough budget” for everyone involved. “But he can’t attack him personally,” Mr. Sheinkopf continued, “because then he loses any opportunity to talk to him behind the scenes to get anything done.”
Little about the budget — from the raw numbers to the negotiations leading to the agreement — was typical. A few days after losing his job in March, Paul Gentile was throwing away trash outside his Brooklyn apartment building when he noticed a new sign hanging near the front door.
The virus has infected five lawmakers and reordered legislative priorities in the State Capitol. This year, deals were discussed via phone or video conference, with many lawmakers voting remotely from their offices rather than in the ornate chambers of the Senate and the Assembly. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has brought life to a near standstill in New York City and caused an untold number of people to lose their jobs, tenants in the building did not need to pay April rent, it read.
The typically bustling State Capitol was closed to the public, including the lobbyists who normally stalk the hallways. “STAY SAFE, HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS & WASH YOUR HANDS!!!” the landlord, Mario Salerno, wrote on the signs, which he posted at all of his 18 residential buildings in the borough.
The sudden collapse of the economy has left many New Yorkers stressing about how they can pay their bills, especially rent.
Across New York City, landlords have started to panic as well, as it has become clear some tenants are unable to afford rent.
But Mr. Salerno said in an interview on Thursday that he did not care about losing his rental income in April, nor did he care to calculate the amount that he would not be collecting from his 80 apartments.
His only interest, he said, was in alleviating stress for his hundreds of tenants, even those who were still employed and now working from home.
“My concern is everyone’s health,” said Mr. Salerno, 59, whose rent gesture was first reported by the local news site Greenpointers.com. “I told them just to look out for your neighbor and make sure that everyone has food on their table.”
New York City officials on Thursday advised residents to shield their faces with a scarf, bandanna or other protective covering when leaving their homes, although they reiterated that people should continue to stay at home as much as possible during the outbreak.New York City officials on Thursday advised residents to shield their faces with a scarf, bandanna or other protective covering when leaving their homes, although they reiterated that people should continue to stay at home as much as possible during the outbreak.
“This is an abundance of caution move, to make sure people are not spreading it to other people,” the mayor said on MSNBC on Friday. “It’s only pertinent when you might be close to people. If you’re socially distanced, you don’t need it. If you’re among the people you live under the same roof with, you don’t need it. If you’re in close proximity, you may use it.”“This is an abundance of caution move, to make sure people are not spreading it to other people,” the mayor said on MSNBC on Friday. “It’s only pertinent when you might be close to people. If you’re socially distanced, you don’t need it. If you’re among the people you live under the same roof with, you don’t need it. If you’re in close proximity, you may use it.”
Mr. de Blasio urged city residents not to use the surgical or N-95 masks that are desperately needed by emergency services workers, doctors, nurses and other hospital staff employees who are treating infected patients.Mr. de Blasio urged city residents not to use the surgical or N-95 masks that are desperately needed by emergency services workers, doctors, nurses and other hospital staff employees who are treating infected patients.
“You can create your own version,” Mr. de Blasio said. “You can be creative and put whatever decoration you want on it. It can be as homemade as you want. But that’s what we want you to do: something homemade.”“You can create your own version,” Mr. de Blasio said. “You can be creative and put whatever decoration you want on it. It can be as homemade as you want. But that’s what we want you to do: something homemade.”
New Jersey received 1,650 ventilators from the federal government, but some were not working, Gov. Phil Murphy said.New Jersey received 1,650 ventilators from the federal government, but some were not working, Gov. Phil Murphy said.
“Not all of them are in functioning condition,” Mr. Murphy said on NPR this morning. “At least 15 of them.” The governor did not provide elaborate on the how the machines — which can assist breathing in patients with compromised pulmonary functions — were inadequate.“Not all of them are in functioning condition,” Mr. Murphy said on NPR this morning. “At least 15 of them.” The governor did not provide elaborate on the how the machines — which can assist breathing in patients with compromised pulmonary functions — were inadequate.
Though 15 would represent only about one percent of the number the state received, each ventilator is expected to be necessary in the effort to save lives. And New Jersey is the second state to have trouble with ventilators it has received from the federal government.Though 15 would represent only about one percent of the number the state received, each ventilator is expected to be necessary in the effort to save lives. And New Jersey is the second state to have trouble with ventilators it has received from the federal government.
On Saturday, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California said that 170 ventilators that had been sent to his state by the federal government were not working, and had been rerouted to a Silicon Valley company to fix.On Saturday, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California said that 170 ventilators that had been sent to his state by the federal government were not working, and had been rerouted to a Silicon Valley company to fix.
New Jersey had reported 539 deaths from the virus as of Thursday evening, the second most in the nation after New York’s 2,653.New Jersey had reported 539 deaths from the virus as of Thursday evening, the second most in the nation after New York’s 2,653.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was asked on Thursday if New York had seen similar problems and said he had not heard of any.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was asked on Thursday if New York had seen similar problems and said he had not heard of any.
Nearly a million medical-grade masks and gloves seized this week from a Brooklyn man will go to medical workers in dire need of supplies in New York and New Jersey, the Justice Department and Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday.Nearly a million medical-grade masks and gloves seized this week from a Brooklyn man will go to medical workers in dire need of supplies in New York and New Jersey, the Justice Department and Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday.
The seized stockpile included 192,000 N95 respirator masks, 130,000 surgical masks and nearly 600,000 medical grade gloves, the agencies said.The seized stockpile included 192,000 N95 respirator masks, 130,000 surgical masks and nearly 600,000 medical grade gloves, the agencies said.
The man, Baruch Feldheim, 43, was charged with lying to federal agents about price-gouging. He charged a doctor a 700 percent markup last month on an order of masks, gowns and hazmat gear, the F.B.I. said.The man, Baruch Feldheim, 43, was charged with lying to federal agents about price-gouging. He charged a doctor a 700 percent markup last month on an order of masks, gowns and hazmat gear, the F.B.I. said.
When the doctor went to pick up his order at an auto repair shop in Irvington, N.J., which was being used as a warehouse, he saw so enough pallets of medical gear, Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer to supply an entire hospital, a criminal complaint said.When the doctor went to pick up his order at an auto repair shop in Irvington, N.J., which was being used as a warehouse, he saw so enough pallets of medical gear, Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer to supply an entire hospital, a criminal complaint said.
When federal agents first confronted Mr. Feldheim on Sunday, he coughed at them and said he had tested positive for the coronavirus, the authorities said. He was charged with one count of assault on a federal officer.When federal agents first confronted Mr. Feldheim on Sunday, he coughed at them and said he had tested positive for the coronavirus, the authorities said. He was charged with one count of assault on a federal officer.
Medical researchers are calling on New Yorkers to share information about their health in a new app aimed at track the spread of the coronavirus, identify clusters of cases and better allocate limited resources.Medical researchers are calling on New Yorkers to share information about their health in a new app aimed at track the spread of the coronavirus, identify clusters of cases and better allocate limited resources.
The web-based app, STOP COVID NYC, from Mount Sinai Health System, asks New York City residents to complete a survey about their risk factors and symptoms and then delivers daily texts asking for updates on their health with questions like: “Do you have a fever?”The web-based app, STOP COVID NYC, from Mount Sinai Health System, asks New York City residents to complete a survey about their risk factors and symptoms and then delivers daily texts asking for updates on their health with questions like: “Do you have a fever?”
Researchers said that in addition to helping track the virus in New York, the data collected by the app could help them understand how to assist the rest of the country as the virus spreads in coming months.Researchers said that in addition to helping track the virus in New York, the data collected by the app could help them understand how to assist the rest of the country as the virus spreads in coming months.
“We need our whole city to help, not just those in hospitals or with access to health care,” said Dr. Laura Huckins, a leader of the project. “Everyone is included.”“We need our whole city to help, not just those in hospitals or with access to health care,” said Dr. Laura Huckins, a leader of the project. “Everyone is included.”
Indeed, officials stressed that even healthy New Yorkers with no symptoms should procure the app by texting “COVID” to 64722.Indeed, officials stressed that even healthy New Yorkers with no symptoms should procure the app by texting “COVID” to 64722.
The warning from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Thursday was ominous: At the rate the state was using ventilators for coronavirus patients, it would run out in about five days.
The remarks imposed an urgent timeline on the guidance the governor has been giving for weeks — that if New York did not get a major infusion of the potentially lifesaving machines, and quickly, the number of virus-related deaths in the state would spike drastically.
“If a person comes in and needs a ventilator and you don’t have a ventilator, the person dies,” Mr. Cuomo said at his daily briefing yesterday in Albany. “That’s the blunt equation here. And right now we have a burn rate that would suggest we have about six days in the stockpile.”
An emergency hospital set up at the Javits Convention Center in Manhattan will now be used to treat virus patients, Mr. Cuomo said on Thursday.
The facility, which was set up by the Army Corps of Engineers, was originally intended to treat non-virus patients to free up beds at other hospitals that are being overwhelmed by the outbreak.
But with the number of virus cases continuing to surge — and only a small number of the Javits bed in use as of Wednesday — Mr. Cuomo asked President Trump if people infected with the virus could be treated at the convention hall. The president granted the request.
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, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Michael Gold, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Ashley Southall, Matt Stevens and Neil Vigdor. Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Michael Gold, Matthew Haag, Andy Newman, Azi Paybarah, Ashley Southall, Matt Stevens and Neil Vigdor.