'Facing Food Insecurity on the Front Lines' diff viewer (5/6)

This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on April 10, 2020 12:12 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/10/neediest-cases/feeding-america-food-banks-coronavirus.html

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Next version

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Next version

Version 5	Version 6
Facing Food Insecurity on the Front Lines	Facing Food Insecurity on the Front Lines
2020-06-09 09:02:26 UTC	2020-06-10 01:24:45 UTC (about 16 hours later)
In an average year, meeting the needs of hungry New Yorkers is challenging.	In an average year, meeting the needs of hungry New Yorkers is challenging.
In 2020, food banks in New York and beyond are finding that taking on this mission requires resourcefulness, resilience and the rethinking of how those in need can be served.	In 2020, food banks in New York and beyond are finding that taking on this mission requires resourcefulness, resilience and the rethinking of how those in need can be served.
Food Bank for New York City usually supplies about 1,000 institutions, such as food pantries and soup kitchens, with groceries. Now, 40 percent of them have suspended operations because of the coronavirus outbreak, said Leslie Gordon, chief executive of Food Bank for New York City. In response, it has come up with new ways to get food into the hands of New Yorkers.	Food Bank for New York City usually supplies about 1,000 institutions, such as food pantries and soup kitchens, with groceries. Now, 40 percent of them have suspended operations because of the coronavirus outbreak, said Leslie Gordon, chief executive of Food Bank for New York City. In response, it has come up with new ways to get food into the hands of New Yorkers.
“We’re trying to meet people where they are,” Ms. Gordon said.	“We’re trying to meet people where they are,” Ms. Gordon said.

As part of that goal, the food bank recently set up pop-up food distribution sites in 15 New York City Housing Authority locations. It is also planning to deliver groceries, snacks and hygiene items to roughly 30,000 medical professionals at the city’s public hospitals and clinics.	As part of that goal, the food bank recently set up pop-up food distribution sites in 15 New York City Housing Authority locations. It is also planning to deliver groceries, snacks and hygiene items to roughly 30,000 medical professionals at the city’s public hospitals and clinics.
The pantries in the food bank’s network that have remained opened have had to be extremely cautious. Some have lined sidewalks with yellow cones six feet apart to ensure clients follow social distancing rules.	The pantries in the food bank’s network that have remained opened have had to be extremely cautious. Some have lined sidewalks with yellow cones six feet apart to ensure clients follow social distancing rules.
“It’s a little challenging to be far apart at a time like this,” Ms. Gordon said. The outbreak “has turned a city that is very close and community-oriented into a city that is a bit anxiety-ridden.”	“It’s a little challenging to be far apart at a time like this,” Ms. Gordon said. The outbreak “has turned a city that is very close and community-oriented into a city that is a bit anxiety-ridden.”
Food Bank for New York City is part of Feeding America, a network of 200 food banks around the country, many of which have faced a surge in demand as operating expenses have risen. This month, Feeding America said it would need $1.4 billion over the next six months to ensure its food banks have enough resources to serve their communities.	Food Bank for New York City is part of Feeding America, a network of 200 food banks around the country, many of which have faced a surge in demand as operating expenses have risen. This month, Feeding America said it would need $1.4 billion over the next six months to ensure its food banks have enough resources to serve their communities.
To help organizations like Feeding America as they assist some of those most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund has started a Covid-19 Relief Campaign. This monthlong campaign will benefit Feeding America and three other beneficiaries offering support amid the outbreak.	To help organizations like Feeding America as they assist some of those most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund has started a Covid-19 Relief Campaign. This monthlong campaign will benefit Feeding America and three other beneficiaries offering support amid the outbreak.
City Harvest, also in New York and part of Feeding America’s network, has seen more than 85 of the 400 food programs it works with shut down. In response, City Harvest has created seven emergency relief sites to bring food to vulnerable neighborhoods. It plans on introducing 22 more.	City Harvest, also in New York and part of Feeding America’s network, has seen more than 85 of the 400 food programs it works with shut down. In response, City Harvest has created seven emergency relief sites to bring food to vulnerable neighborhoods. It plans on introducing 22 more.
It is also rescuing pallets of perishable produce that are going untouched as Americans stock up on shelf staples.	It is also rescuing pallets of perishable produce that are going untouched as Americans stock up on shelf staples.
“We’re able to save all that from going to waste and get it into the hands of people that can use it,” said Jennifer McLean, the chief operating officer of City Harvest.	“We’re able to save all that from going to waste and get it into the hands of people that can use it,” said Jennifer McLean, the chief operating officer of City Harvest.
As Ms. McLean sees it, the turmoil of recent weeks has surpassed the aftermath of other tragedies that the city has endured, including Sept. 11 and Hurricane Sandy. “It is so severe,” she said.	As Ms. McLean sees it, the turmoil of recent weeks has surpassed the aftermath of other tragedies that the city has endured, including Sept. 11 and Hurricane Sandy. “It is so severe,” she said.
She and her team have been trying to keep their spirits high. A Red Hot Chili Peppers playlist blares from speakers in their warehouse, and every day, volunteers show up, some sporting vibrant handmade masks.	She and her team have been trying to keep their spirits high. A Red Hot Chili Peppers playlist blares from speakers in their warehouse, and every day, volunteers show up, some sporting vibrant handmade masks.
The needs outside New York have been strong as well, requiring food banks to mobilize in new ways. When the outbreak started showing signs of upending life in the United States last month, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County organized its first drive-through food distribution site.	The needs outside New York have been strong as well, requiring food banks to mobilize in new ways. When the outbreak started showing signs of upending life in the United States last month, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County organized its first drive-through food distribution site.
Harald Herrmann, the chief executive of the food bank, arrived at the site just before 7 a.m., two hours before it was scheduled to open, and found hundreds of cars already. “We got crushed with demand,” he said.	Harald Herrmann, the chief executive of the food bank, arrived at the site just before 7 a.m., two hours before it was scheduled to open, and found hundreds of cars already. “We got crushed with demand,” he said.
Some drivers waited up to three hours for their allotment. By the early afternoon, the food bank had distributed groceries to more than 2,700 households.	Some drivers waited up to three hours for their allotment. By the early afternoon, the food bank had distributed groceries to more than 2,700 households.
Social distancing guidelines have brought on tremendous logistical challenges to food banks as well. The nonprofits in Feeding America’s network have lost nearly 60 percent of their volunteers because of precautionary measures and because many volunteers are older and vulnerable to the virus.	Social distancing guidelines have brought on tremendous logistical challenges to food banks as well. The nonprofits in Feeding America’s network have lost nearly 60 percent of their volunteers because of precautionary measures and because many volunteers are older and vulnerable to the virus.
Those providing service are witnessing firsthand just how dire the situation is for some.	Those providing service are witnessing firsthand just how dire the situation is for some.
One morning in late March, staff members of the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana were setting up a drive-through distribution site at a baseball stadium in Shreveport. Martha Marak, the executive director of the food bank, was among those perplexed to see a man stand in line with reusable grocery bags.	One morning in late March, staff members of the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana were setting up a drive-through distribution site at a baseball stadium in Shreveport. Martha Marak, the executive director of the food bank, was among those perplexed to see a man stand in line with reusable grocery bags.
After filling his bags, he was painstakingly considering how much food he could carry on his four-mile walk home. Then a member of the food bank’s staff recognized him and offered a lift.	After filling his bags, he was painstakingly considering how much food he could carry on his four-mile walk home. Then a member of the food bank’s staff recognized him and offered a lift.
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.
“It was very sobering,” Ms. Marak said.	“It was very sobering,” Ms. Marak said.
While such heart-wrenching scenes speak to the despair brought on by the coronavirus, volunteers continue to step up.	While such heart-wrenching scenes speak to the despair brought on by the coronavirus, volunteers continue to step up.