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Version 9 Version 10
She Visited Her Husband Every Day. Then the Visits Stopped. She Visited Her Husband Every Day. Then the Visits Stopped.
(about 1 hour later)
The first stop Frankie Correa made on Monday afternoon was the Leone Funeral Home in the South Slope section of Brooklyn.The first stop Frankie Correa made on Monday afternoon was the Leone Funeral Home in the South Slope section of Brooklyn.
His aunt, Eva Candelaria, had died that morning of the coronavirus. Everyone thought she would be leaving the hospital this week for assisted living. A daughter was even trying to get a word-search puzzle book to her, expecting her mother to move from one quarantined place to the next.His aunt, Eva Candelaria, had died that morning of the coronavirus. Everyone thought she would be leaving the hospital this week for assisted living. A daughter was even trying to get a word-search puzzle book to her, expecting her mother to move from one quarantined place to the next.
Instead, Mr. Correa was shopping crematories for his aunt.Instead, Mr. Correa was shopping crematories for his aunt.
“We can take her in May,” the man at Leone told him. That seemed like an impossibly long time away. Mr. Correa got back in his car to keep looking.“We can take her in May,” the man at Leone told him. That seemed like an impossibly long time away. Mr. Correa got back in his car to keep looking.
“After I left, I began to think about it — well, May is only two weeks from now,” he said, so he called Leone to find out what that meant.“After I left, I began to think about it — well, May is only two weeks from now,” he said, so he called Leone to find out what that meant.
“When in May?”“When in May?”
“May 5.”“May 5.”
At the next funeral home, the person in charge was busy, so someone took his name and number. Four more funeral directors, same routine. “Not one called me back,” Mr. Correa said.At the next funeral home, the person in charge was busy, so someone took his name and number. Four more funeral directors, same routine. “Not one called me back,” Mr. Correa said.
The logistics of the heart were more harrowing. The family dreaded telling Eva’s husband, Abraham, 80, who was in a nursing home in Bensonhurst. Until the lockdown last month, Eva had trekked a mile to see him every day for the last three years.The logistics of the heart were more harrowing. The family dreaded telling Eva’s husband, Abraham, 80, who was in a nursing home in Bensonhurst. Until the lockdown last month, Eva had trekked a mile to see him every day for the last three years.
Mr. Correa’s mother, Angela Liciago, 73 this month, wept in Florida when he told her about Eva. They were close, sisters bringing up the rear in a line of 14 children. Another sister, Milagros Hernandez, also died from the virus, on April 2. “It is hard to hear your mother cry like a 5-year-old,” Mr. Correa said.Mr. Correa’s mother, Angela Liciago, 73 this month, wept in Florida when he told her about Eva. They were close, sisters bringing up the rear in a line of 14 children. Another sister, Milagros Hernandez, also died from the virus, on April 2. “It is hard to hear your mother cry like a 5-year-old,” Mr. Correa said.
At 76, Eva Candelaria had been in sterling health. She did not answer the phone one day in late March. A grandson found her on the floor of her apartment in Gravesend. At the hospital, they diagnosed Covid-19.At 76, Eva Candelaria had been in sterling health. She did not answer the phone one day in late March. A grandson found her on the floor of her apartment in Gravesend. At the hospital, they diagnosed Covid-19.
Even then, it seemed impossible that she would not come back. She was keen to return to seeing Abraham, who had a stroke and could no longer speak. He relished visits.Even then, it seemed impossible that she would not come back. She was keen to return to seeing Abraham, who had a stroke and could no longer speak. He relished visits.
“He’s a Mets fan, I’m a Yankee fan and when I’d go see him, I would tease him,” Mr. Correa said. “He would smile.”“He’s a Mets fan, I’m a Yankee fan and when I’d go see him, I would tease him,” Mr. Correa said. “He would smile.”
Abraham and Eva married in June 1960. They were harbor and haven for two sprawling Puerto Rican families that migrated to Brooklyn in the 1950s. There they raised four children, three of whom served in the military. He worked as a printer. She ran the house, Mr. Correa said, and Abraham followed orders.Abraham and Eva married in June 1960. They were harbor and haven for two sprawling Puerto Rican families that migrated to Brooklyn in the 1950s. There they raised four children, three of whom served in the military. He worked as a printer. She ran the house, Mr. Correa said, and Abraham followed orders.
“He still lit up when she walked in the room,” Mr. Correa said. “She would get there and tell him, ‘Give me a kiss,’ in Spanish.”“He still lit up when she walked in the room,” Mr. Correa said. “She would get there and tell him, ‘Give me a kiss,’ in Spanish.”
Dame un beso.Dame un beso.
“He would pucker up and kiss her,” Mr. Correa said. “He was in a walker with wheels. The Harvey Weinstein model.”“He would pucker up and kiss her,” Mr. Correa said. “He was in a walker with wheels. The Harvey Weinstein model.”
Starting in mid-March, visitors were not allowed into nursing homes. Eva could, of course, phone to ask how he was. But 10,000 such calls would tell her less than a single glance.Starting in mid-March, visitors were not allowed into nursing homes. Eva could, of course, phone to ask how he was. But 10,000 such calls would tell her less than a single glance.
Mr. Correa, 51, and his family had followed news reports of projections that colossal numbers of people might fall to the virus and never get up — 50,000, 100,000, one million — until they became blurs of commas and zeros.Mr. Correa, 51, and his family had followed news reports of projections that colossal numbers of people might fall to the virus and never get up — 50,000, 100,000, one million — until they became blurs of commas and zeros.
Then Auntie Milagros, Titi Milagros, died. That same day, Antonio Aviles — Tio Tony, the uncle to Mr. Correa’s wife, Alexa Aviles — died with the virus. And now Eva. Three from the family in less than two weeks.Then Auntie Milagros, Titi Milagros, died. That same day, Antonio Aviles — Tio Tony, the uncle to Mr. Correa’s wife, Alexa Aviles — died with the virus. And now Eva. Three from the family in less than two weeks.
“There’s a face behind those numbers,” Mr. Correa said. “We were hearing about all these friends and family members who had tested positive, thinking, they are going to be the numbers.”“There’s a face behind those numbers,” Mr. Correa said. “We were hearing about all these friends and family members who had tested positive, thinking, they are going to be the numbers.”
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
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.
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.
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.
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.
Everyone had expected, though, that when things got back to normal, Eva would again make daily visits to Abraham, Mr. Correa said.Everyone had expected, though, that when things got back to normal, Eva would again make daily visits to Abraham, Mr. Correa said.
As he pursued cremation for his aunt, the thought of his uncle’s loneliness followed him.As he pursued cremation for his aunt, the thought of his uncle’s loneliness followed him.
The next morning, he got a call from Renee Candelaria, a cousin in Pennsylvania and the daughter of Eva and Abraham, who was working with him on the arrangements for her mother.The next morning, he got a call from Renee Candelaria, a cousin in Pennsylvania and the daughter of Eva and Abraham, who was working with him on the arrangements for her mother.
“First thing she said: ‘Frankie, Papi’s dead,’” Mr. Correa said. Abraham had died within 24 hours of his wife, before anyone had carried the news to him. His relatives did not realize he had been showing symptoms of the virus. That made four deaths in the family this month.“First thing she said: ‘Frankie, Papi’s dead,’” Mr. Correa said. Abraham had died within 24 hours of his wife, before anyone had carried the news to him. His relatives did not realize he had been showing symptoms of the virus. That made four deaths in the family this month.
The cousins spoke for a few minutes. Abraham would not be left alone. A weight had dropped.The cousins spoke for a few minutes. Abraham would not be left alone. A weight had dropped.
“I tell her, let me call the funeral director, see what they can do,” Mr. Correa said. “The May 5th guy, he says, ‘It so happens we have an opening tomorrow.’”“I tell her, let me call the funeral director, see what they can do,” Mr. Correa said. “The May 5th guy, he says, ‘It so happens we have an opening tomorrow.’”
That suddenly available slot on a crematory calendar is why on Tuesday, a hearse stopped at the hospital to pick up the remains of Eva Candelaria, then continued to the nursing home to collect the body of her Abraham.That suddenly available slot on a crematory calendar is why on Tuesday, a hearse stopped at the hospital to pick up the remains of Eva Candelaria, then continued to the nursing home to collect the body of her Abraham.
And that moment, Mr. Correa said, brought strange but welcome consolation: the two bodies in the one hearse, rolling through the empty streets of Brooklyn where they had made their life together across six decades.And that moment, Mr. Correa said, brought strange but welcome consolation: the two bodies in the one hearse, rolling through the empty streets of Brooklyn where they had made their life together across six decades.
“It’s like she said to him, ‘You’re coming with me,’” Mr. Correa said. “It’s like they got on the bus, together.”“It’s like she said to him, ‘You’re coming with me,’” Mr. Correa said. “It’s like they got on the bus, together.”