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| Hotels Open as ‘Comforting Refuge’ for Health Care Workers | Hotels Open as ‘Comforting Refuge’ for Health Care Workers |
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| Days after closing for the first time in its 200-year-history, Claridge’s, the storied luxury hotel in London’s Mayfair district reopened on April 3 to 40 doctors, nurses and other National Health Service workers responding to the coronavirus pandemic. | Days after closing for the first time in its 200-year-history, Claridge’s, the storied luxury hotel in London’s Mayfair district reopened on April 3 to 40 doctors, nurses and other National Health Service workers responding to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Claridge’s is one of many hotels around the world that shuttered to the public in recent weeks to follow rules set by governments and health experts, but reopened as lodging for health care workers as it became apparent that many workers would need a place to stay. | Claridge’s is one of many hotels around the world that shuttered to the public in recent weeks to follow rules set by governments and health experts, but reopened as lodging for health care workers as it became apparent that many workers would need a place to stay. |
| “We felt that Claridge’s and all our hotels had a duty to step up,” said Paula Fitzherbert, the director of communications for the Maybourne Hotel Group. “We love London. London is part of what we are and we need to help. We need to step up the way all our health care workers are.” | “We felt that Claridge’s and all our hotels had a duty to step up,” said Paula Fitzherbert, the director of communications for the Maybourne Hotel Group. “We love London. London is part of what we are and we need to help. We need to step up the way all our health care workers are.” |
| Ms. Fitzherbert said that the Maybourne Hotel Group, which owns Claridge’s, became aware that as the virus spread, more health care workers would be asked to come to London from surrounding towns and cities, and those people likely wouldn’t have a home in the city. She said offering them a place to stay would alleviate some of their stress as well as keep people from commuting on trains. | Ms. Fitzherbert said that the Maybourne Hotel Group, which owns Claridge’s, became aware that as the virus spread, more health care workers would be asked to come to London from surrounding towns and cities, and those people likely wouldn’t have a home in the city. She said offering them a place to stay would alleviate some of their stress as well as keep people from commuting on trains. |
| Guests will be staying in rooms that typically cost £650 (about $850) a night. Ms. Fitzherbert expressed some disappointment that guests won’t be able to experience the luxurious stay the hotel is known for, but said she was glad that the hotel could still help. | Guests will be staying in rooms that typically cost £650 (about $850) a night. Ms. Fitzherbert expressed some disappointment that guests won’t be able to experience the luxurious stay the hotel is known for, but said she was glad that the hotel could still help. |
| “We’re thinking of this as a comforting refuge rather than a five-star refuge,” Ms. Fitzherbert said. “I hope they’ll be able to come in, run a bubble bath, hopefully relax before going out again.” | “We’re thinking of this as a comforting refuge rather than a five-star refuge,” Ms. Fitzherbert said. “I hope they’ll be able to come in, run a bubble bath, hopefully relax before going out again.” |
| To enter the hotel, N.H.S. workers must ring a doorbell and walk up the stairs to their room — the hotel’s famed elevator, the last person-operated elevator in London, is not operational. Breakfast and dinner will be delivered without contact and in to-go boxes, “instead of fine china,” and rooms aren’t being cleaned daily and will likely be kept empty for 48 hours after someone leaves. The meals are being prepared by kitchen staff from three Maybourne Hotel Group hotels. | To enter the hotel, N.H.S. workers must ring a doorbell and walk up the stairs to their room — the hotel’s famed elevator, the last person-operated elevator in London, is not operational. Breakfast and dinner will be delivered without contact and in to-go boxes, “instead of fine china,” and rooms aren’t being cleaned daily and will likely be kept empty for 48 hours after someone leaves. The meals are being prepared by kitchen staff from three Maybourne Hotel Group hotels. |
| Ms. Fitzherbert said that Claridge’s has “a skeleton staff staying in house,” and for those commuting, transport is being covered by the hotel, with many employees taking Ubers. When a call to staff to see who would want to volunteer was sent out, almost everyone offered, she said. | Ms. Fitzherbert said that Claridge’s has “a skeleton staff staying in house,” and for those commuting, transport is being covered by the hotel, with many employees taking Ubers. When a call to staff to see who would want to volunteer was sent out, almost everyone offered, she said. |
| Gary Neville, the soccer coach and former Manchester United player, said that at two hotels he co-owns in Manchester, staff also volunteered to come in and tend to N.H.S. workers who are being offered more than 170 rooms. Hotel employees are receiving their usual pay, even if they aren’t currently working. The hotel began planning to service N.H.S. workers in early March. | Gary Neville, the soccer coach and former Manchester United player, said that at two hotels he co-owns in Manchester, staff also volunteered to come in and tend to N.H.S. workers who are being offered more than 170 rooms. Hotel employees are receiving their usual pay, even if they aren’t currently working. The hotel began planning to service N.H.S. workers in early March. |
| “We didn’t wait for the U.K. and U.S. governments to lock down because we could see what was coming from the advice we were getting from our Singaporean counterparts,” Mr. Neville said. | “We didn’t wait for the U.K. and U.S. governments to lock down because we could see what was coming from the advice we were getting from our Singaporean counterparts,” Mr. Neville said. |
| Mr. Neville said that at the request of the health care workers, rooms are not being cleaned on a daily basis, and those inside the hotel are following social distancing rules. The rooms will remain dedicated to N.H.S. staff for as long as necessary, Mr. Neville said. | Mr. Neville said that at the request of the health care workers, rooms are not being cleaned on a daily basis, and those inside the hotel are following social distancing rules. The rooms will remain dedicated to N.H.S. staff for as long as necessary, Mr. Neville said. |
| “Medical professionals need to be able to stay away from their families,” he said. “There is no choice for them and there is no choice for us. We have to do this for them. We want to do it.” | “Medical professionals need to be able to stay away from their families,” he said. “There is no choice for them and there is no choice for us. We have to do this for them. We want to do it.” |
| At the Sophy Hyde Park, a hotel in Chicago that opened the majority of its rooms to University of Chicago Medical Center staff since March 27, contactless interactions between hotel staff and the health care workers checking in have become routine. Its rooms are open to the hospital’s employees until mid-April, at which point it will begin charging a discounted rate. | At the Sophy Hyde Park, a hotel in Chicago that opened the majority of its rooms to University of Chicago Medical Center staff since March 27, contactless interactions between hotel staff and the health care workers checking in have become routine. Its rooms are open to the hospital’s employees until mid-April, at which point it will begin charging a discounted rate. |
| “Our staff is across from the front desk, the keys are premade and in the credenza eight feet away from the front,” said Anthony Beach, the hotel’s general manager. “There’s a key-sanitizing station. There’s no handing over of credit cards or anything of that nature, so they can get their keys and go directly to their rooms.” | “Our staff is across from the front desk, the keys are premade and in the credenza eight feet away from the front,” said Anthony Beach, the hotel’s general manager. “There’s a key-sanitizing station. There’s no handing over of credit cards or anything of that nature, so they can get their keys and go directly to their rooms.” |
| In New York City, on the night of April 2, the Four Seasons on East 57th Street opened 225 rooms for medical personnel. A hundred rooms were filled three days later. Social-distancing measures begin before people enter the building, with street markers set six feet apart to mark the entryway and help curb the flow of people entering the building at any given moment. | In New York City, on the night of April 2, the Four Seasons on East 57th Street opened 225 rooms for medical personnel. A hundred rooms were filled three days later. Social-distancing measures begin before people enter the building, with street markers set six feet apart to mark the entryway and help curb the flow of people entering the building at any given moment. |
| “A single point of entry and screening station has been designated for both guests and employees,” said Bryan Barbieri, a spokesman for the hotel. “Each person will go through a screening process, one at a time, which includes a temperature check and answering a series of questions.” | “A single point of entry and screening station has been designated for both guests and employees,” said Bryan Barbieri, a spokesman for the hotel. “Each person will go through a screening process, one at a time, which includes a temperature check and answering a series of questions.” |
| The hotel’s general manager, Rudy Tauscher, said that inside the hotel, guests and hotel employees are divided into designated areas and told about “green zones” in the hotel, where they are allowed to be. | The hotel’s general manager, Rudy Tauscher, said that inside the hotel, guests and hotel employees are divided into designated areas and told about “green zones” in the hotel, where they are allowed to be. |
| Beverages and boxed meals are being provided for guests to take on the way to their rooms. After checkout each guest room will be empty for three days and then cleaned and disinfected by a professional third-party company before being cleaned again by the hotel’s housekeeping team. | Beverages and boxed meals are being provided for guests to take on the way to their rooms. After checkout each guest room will be empty for three days and then cleaned and disinfected by a professional third-party company before being cleaned again by the hotel’s housekeeping team. |
| The Fairmont Royal York, an Accor hotel in Toronto, has opened up 500 rooms to health care workers from three nearby hospital foundations. At this hotel, in-room dining is available and is being delivered without contact between the guests and the hotel staff. Guests can also order delivery from outside restaurants, to be delivered without contact. | The Fairmont Royal York, an Accor hotel in Toronto, has opened up 500 rooms to health care workers from three nearby hospital foundations. At this hotel, in-room dining is available and is being delivered without contact between the guests and the hotel staff. Guests can also order delivery from outside restaurants, to be delivered without contact. |
| Ms. Fitzherbert at Claridge’s and Mr. Neville from the Stock Exchange Hotel and Football Hotel both said that before opening to health care workers, they were in conversation with health and government authorities to figure out the best practices. | Ms. Fitzherbert at Claridge’s and Mr. Neville from the Stock Exchange Hotel and Football Hotel both said that before opening to health care workers, they were in conversation with health and government authorities to figure out the best practices. |
| In recent weeks, hotels and government officials in the United States have been criticized for not working harder to house health care workers who, in many cases, are unable to go home because they could expose someone in their home to Covid-19. There have been reports of health care employees sleeping in their cars and being verbally abused while hotel rooms have sat empty. | In recent weeks, hotels and government officials in the United States have been criticized for not working harder to house health care workers who, in many cases, are unable to go home because they could expose someone in their home to Covid-19. There have been reports of health care employees sleeping in their cars and being verbally abused while hotel rooms have sat empty. |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | Updated June 5, 2020 |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| Mr. Tauscher at the Four Seasons in New York said that he has been in discussions with the health organizations, staff at the governor’s office, as well as other hotels. | Mr. Tauscher at the Four Seasons in New York said that he has been in discussions with the health organizations, staff at the governor’s office, as well as other hotels. |
| “If you have several hundred guest rooms you have to be very careful in the logistics,” Mr. Tauscher said. “You can’t just fill up every room. You don’t want to overbook; you want to parallel schedules of cleaning and bringing people in. If we don’t have a clean and safe environment and if we don’t follow many guidelines we would put everyone at risk.” | “If you have several hundred guest rooms you have to be very careful in the logistics,” Mr. Tauscher said. “You can’t just fill up every room. You don’t want to overbook; you want to parallel schedules of cleaning and bringing people in. If we don’t have a clean and safe environment and if we don’t follow many guidelines we would put everyone at risk.” |
| In New York, a spokeswoman for the State Office of General Services wrote in an email that the state, through consultants like the construction and architecture company LiRo, looked at nearly 30 hotels in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and Westchester for housing medical staff and for patient care. The inspection process included looking at each property’s accessibility, HVAC systems, room size, fire suppression systems, lighting and telecom capabilities. | In New York, a spokeswoman for the State Office of General Services wrote in an email that the state, through consultants like the construction and architecture company LiRo, looked at nearly 30 hotels in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and Westchester for housing medical staff and for patient care. The inspection process included looking at each property’s accessibility, HVAC systems, room size, fire suppression systems, lighting and telecom capabilities. |
| “The State has looked at a number of locations throughout the NYC area, including hotels, dorms, and closed nursing facilities and hospitals to assess the possibility of using them for low acuity patient care and staff housing,” wrote Heather Groll, a spokeswoman for the state Office of General Services, in an email. | “The State has looked at a number of locations throughout the NYC area, including hotels, dorms, and closed nursing facilities and hospitals to assess the possibility of using them for low acuity patient care and staff housing,” wrote Heather Groll, a spokeswoman for the state Office of General Services, in an email. |
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