This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . 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/2020/04/19/nyregion/coronavirus-nyc-islands-protection.html
The article has changed 26 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 11 | Version 12 |
|---|---|
| ‘Turn Around, Go Back’: Summer Islands Don’t Want Coronavirus, or You | ‘Turn Around, Go Back’: Summer Islands Don’t Want Coronavirus, or You |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Visitors to the western end of Fire Island are greeted by a large sign telling them to “Stop, turn around, go back.” | Visitors to the western end of Fire Island are greeted by a large sign telling them to “Stop, turn around, go back.” |
| In bold, red letters, the sign proclaims that the island’s residential areas are “closed to visitors” and that it has “No restrooms, no open business, no medical facility.” | In bold, red letters, the sign proclaims that the island’s residential areas are “closed to visitors” and that it has “No restrooms, no open business, no medical facility.” |
| In fact, visiting Fire Island is not banned — a resident put up the unofficial sign — but it is strongly discouraged by local officials who fear that outsiders might bring the coronavirus to this 32 mile-long barrier island east of New York City, accessible mainly by ferry from mainland Long Island. | In fact, visiting Fire Island is not banned — a resident put up the unofficial sign — but it is strongly discouraged by local officials who fear that outsiders might bring the coronavirus to this 32 mile-long barrier island east of New York City, accessible mainly by ferry from mainland Long Island. |
| Like many summer vacation areas, the region’s island communities have looked with trepidation at the encroaching virus and the visitors who might be carrying it with them. But the islands have been especially adamant about avoiding possible exposure from newcomers; the isolation that makes them so charming also makes them terrible places to fall ill. | Like many summer vacation areas, the region’s island communities have looked with trepidation at the encroaching virus and the visitors who might be carrying it with them. But the islands have been especially adamant about avoiding possible exposure from newcomers; the isolation that makes them so charming also makes them terrible places to fall ill. |
| Though their county, Suffolk, has become a virus hot spot, Fire Island, Shelter Island, Fishers Island each have had few or no documented cases. The same goes for Block Island, just beyond New York waters in Rhode Island. | Though their county, Suffolk, has become a virus hot spot, Fire Island, Shelter Island, Fishers Island each have had few or no documented cases. The same goes for Block Island, just beyond New York waters in Rhode Island. |
| And the islands want to keep it that way, fearful that an outbreak that would overwhelm their bare-bones, off-season medical and emergency rescue services. | And the islands want to keep it that way, fearful that an outbreak that would overwhelm their bare-bones, off-season medical and emergency rescue services. |
| Fishers Island, Shelter Island and Block Island each have one full-time doctor covering the island. Fire Island has no such setup. | Fishers Island, Shelter Island and Block Island each have one full-time doctor covering the island. Fire Island has no such setup. |
| The islands have managed to remain essentially virus-free partly because of their geography. Since most visitors arrive by boat, officials can monitor who arrives and check their health conditions and exposure history. They have taken measures including posting (official) notices at ferry docks, quarantining new arrivals, and conducting contact tracing of the few cases they do have. | The islands have managed to remain essentially virus-free partly because of their geography. Since most visitors arrive by boat, officials can monitor who arrives and check their health conditions and exposure history. They have taken measures including posting (official) notices at ferry docks, quarantining new arrivals, and conducting contact tracing of the few cases they do have. |
| On Fire Island, there have been no documented cases among its roughly 300 year-round residents, nor among the hundreds of summer homeowners, largely from New York City, who have flocked there in recent weeks despite the apprehension of the full-timers. | On Fire Island, there have been no documented cases among its roughly 300 year-round residents, nor among the hundreds of summer homeowners, largely from New York City, who have flocked there in recent weeks despite the apprehension of the full-timers. |
| “A lot of people called and said, ‘We’re trying to escape the virus and need to get out of the city — can you open my house?’” said Gary Cuomo, whose property management company on Fire Island opens and maintains homes for summer residents. | “A lot of people called and said, ‘We’re trying to escape the virus and need to get out of the city — can you open my house?’” said Gary Cuomo, whose property management company on Fire Island opens and maintains homes for summer residents. |
| Mr. Cuomo — no relation to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo — has opened more than 100 of them in recent weeks, though he knows some of the year-round neighbors might not be happy about it. “Obviously, they’d prefer them to stay in Manhattan and not come out here,” he said. | Mr. Cuomo — no relation to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo — has opened more than 100 of them in recent weeks, though he knows some of the year-round neighbors might not be happy about it. “Obviously, they’d prefer them to stay in Manhattan and not come out here,” he said. |
| Fishers Island, an exclusive sanctuary in the Long Island Sound just off the Connecticut coast, has set strong recommendations against migration onto and off the island and requires two-week quarantines both for newcomers and anyone who ventures off, even for a brief errand. | Fishers Island, an exclusive sanctuary in the Long Island Sound just off the Connecticut coast, has set strong recommendations against migration onto and off the island and requires two-week quarantines both for newcomers and anyone who ventures off, even for a brief errand. |
| Fishers Island has a summer population of perhaps 2,500 but only about 250 year-round residents, who help provide vital services including running the ferry, the volunteer fire department and the handful of local businesses. | Fishers Island has a summer population of perhaps 2,500 but only about 250 year-round residents, who help provide vital services including running the ferry, the volunteer fire department and the handful of local businesses. |
| Several hundred seasonal homeowners have relocated to the island, but it has had only two known cases of the virus: both seasonal residents who officials believe may have unknowingly been infected when they arrived. | Several hundred seasonal homeowners have relocated to the island, but it has had only two known cases of the virus: both seasonal residents who officials believe may have unknowingly been infected when they arrived. |
| One had to be taken to a Connecticut hospital by the island’s Sea Stretcher, a marine ambulance. Both have since recovered and returned to their primary homes off-island, island officials said. | One had to be taken to a Connecticut hospital by the island’s Sea Stretcher, a marine ambulance. Both have since recovered and returned to their primary homes off-island, island officials said. |
| Lacking test kits, island leaders feared that even a small outbreak would overwhelm the island’s only doctor, Dr. Chris Ingram, who created a confidential Covid-19 medical census to distribute to ferry passengers that gathers personal information and details about any symptoms and possible exposure to the virus. | Lacking test kits, island leaders feared that even a small outbreak would overwhelm the island’s only doctor, Dr. Chris Ingram, who created a confidential Covid-19 medical census to distribute to ferry passengers that gathers personal information and details about any symptoms and possible exposure to the virus. |
| Dr. Ingram has also begun contact-tracing of symptomatic individuals, partly to warn others who may have been exposed. | Dr. Ingram has also begun contact-tracing of symptomatic individuals, partly to warn others who may have been exposed. |
| On Block Island, there are so few medical workers that a viral outbreak “could become catastrophic very quickly here,” said Martha Ball, a town councilor. | On Block Island, there are so few medical workers that a viral outbreak “could become catastrophic very quickly here,” said Martha Ball, a town councilor. |
| Early on, some residents grew fiercely territorial, and there were calls to bar visitors and summer residents to avoid “breaking the seal,” Ms. Ball said. One resident threatened to vandalize and cut the island’s electrical power supply to discourage visitors, she said. | Early on, some residents grew fiercely territorial, and there were calls to bar visitors and summer residents to avoid “breaking the seal,” Ms. Ball said. One resident threatened to vandalize and cut the island’s electrical power supply to discourage visitors, she said. |
| Other summer island resorts in the Eastern United States — including North Haven, off the coast of Maine, and much of the Outer Banks in North Carolina — have tried to seal themselves off by barring visitors. | Other summer island resorts in the Eastern United States — including North Haven, off the coast of Maine, and much of the Outer Banks in North Carolina — have tried to seal themselves off by barring visitors. |
| In Vinalhaven, an island town in Maine, several residents cut down a tree and dragged it into the middle of a road to try to quarantine three new arrivals who they believed may have been carriers of the coronavirus. (They weren’t.) | In Vinalhaven, an island town in Maine, several residents cut down a tree and dragged it into the middle of a road to try to quarantine three new arrivals who they believed may have been carriers of the coronavirus. (They weren’t.) |
| Updated June 24, 2020 | |
| Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. | |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| The town council on Block Island, which has about 900 year-round residents, concluded that an outright ban would be illegal. They instead enacted an emergency ordinance that set a wide array of restrictions and discouraged people from relocating to, or even visiting, the island, which has year-round ferry access from mainland Rhode Island and a seasonal ferry from Long Island. Ferries to the island have been reduced to one per day, most days. | The town council on Block Island, which has about 900 year-round residents, concluded that an outright ban would be illegal. They instead enacted an emergency ordinance that set a wide array of restrictions and discouraged people from relocating to, or even visiting, the island, which has year-round ferry access from mainland Rhode Island and a seasonal ferry from Long Island. Ferries to the island have been reduced to one per day, most days. |
| The restrictions were posted online and publicized by fliers distributed at the Rhode Island dock. The message, Ms. Ball said, was “Do you want to be the person who comes here and infects Block Island?” | The restrictions were posted online and publicized by fliers distributed at the Rhode Island dock. The message, Ms. Ball said, was “Do you want to be the person who comes here and infects Block Island?” |
| The island saw its first confirmed case last week, a man who was transported to a hospital off the island. Afterward, the island’s only grocery store immediately stopped allowing customers inside, Ms. Ball said. | The island saw its first confirmed case last week, a man who was transported to a hospital off the island. Afterward, the island’s only grocery store immediately stopped allowing customers inside, Ms. Ball said. |
| With a heavy influx of summer homeowners last month from New York City, officials on Shelter Island posted quarantine notices at ferry docks and warned against hoarding at the island’s only supermarket, said Jack H. Thilberg, a town spokesman. | With a heavy influx of summer homeowners last month from New York City, officials on Shelter Island posted quarantine notices at ferry docks and warned against hoarding at the island’s only supermarket, said Jack H. Thilberg, a town spokesman. |
| “We’ve created an environment here that’s safe, and to have an influx of sick people come here would compromise that,” he said. “You’re coming here because you want to be safe with your family. So don’t make us sick.” | “We’ve created an environment here that’s safe, and to have an influx of sick people come here would compromise that,” he said. “You’re coming here because you want to be safe with your family. So don’t make us sick.” |
| The island has had six reported coronavirus cases, including two elderly residents who died and a local health care worker who recovered and is back at work, he said. | The island has had six reported coronavirus cases, including two elderly residents who died and a local health care worker who recovered and is back at work, he said. |
| On Fire Island, Mr. Cuomo, the property manager, said he had opened 125 houses in recent weeks in and around Ocean Beach, one of 17 communities on Fire Island, and provided a list to local police seeking more detailed information on new arrivals. | On Fire Island, Mr. Cuomo, the property manager, said he had opened 125 houses in recent weeks in and around Ocean Beach, one of 17 communities on Fire Island, and provided a list to local police seeking more detailed information on new arrivals. |
| At the Ocean Beach freight dock, a mix of year-rounders and summer homeowners lined up on a recent weekday to pick up food delivered by boat. | At the Ocean Beach freight dock, a mix of year-rounders and summer homeowners lined up on a recent weekday to pick up food delivered by boat. |
| Tara Schoen, a New York City schoolteacher who lives in Manhattan, picked up bleach, toilet paper and seeds for a garden she was planting. | Tara Schoen, a New York City schoolteacher who lives in Manhattan, picked up bleach, toilet paper and seeds for a garden she was planting. |
| “I’m going to live off it,” she said. “I came out here for refuge. I planted a garden and said, ‘That’s it, I’m staying.’” | “I’m going to live off it,” she said. “I came out here for refuge. I planted a garden and said, ‘That’s it, I’m staying.’” |
| Her friend Todd Pavlin, who splits his time between Manhattan and Fire Island, said staying on the island was more reassuring than in Manhattan, where some residents in his apartment building had tested positive for the virus. | Her friend Todd Pavlin, who splits his time between Manhattan and Fire Island, said staying on the island was more reassuring than in Manhattan, where some residents in his apartment building had tested positive for the virus. |
| He acknowledged the luxury and social inequality of being able to flee to a summer home and ride out the pandemic in safer, beachy surroundings. “Front-line workers like subway crews can’t afford to be on Fire Island,” he said. | He acknowledged the luxury and social inequality of being able to flee to a summer home and ride out the pandemic in safer, beachy surroundings. “Front-line workers like subway crews can’t afford to be on Fire Island,” he said. |
| Still, he added, “As soon as you get here, you feel protective, and don’t want anyone else to come.” | Still, he added, “As soon as you get here, you feel protective, and don’t want anyone else to come.” |