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| Planning for the Hotel Opening, Coronavirus Be Damned | Planning for the Hotel Opening, Coronavirus Be Damned |
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| Travel and travel planning are being disrupted by the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. For the latest updates, read The New York Times’s Covid-19 coverage here. | Travel and travel planning are being disrupted by the worldwide spread of the coronavirus. For the latest updates, read The New York Times’s Covid-19 coverage here. |
| The hotelier Phil Hospod has spent the last two years building The Wayfinder, a boutique hotel in Newport, R.I. And despite the pandemic, he is still planning to open in mid-May. | The hotelier Phil Hospod has spent the last two years building The Wayfinder, a boutique hotel in Newport, R.I. And despite the pandemic, he is still planning to open in mid-May. |
| The hotel, which will have an outdoor pool deck, an on-site restaurant serving coastal cuisine and seersucker-inspired rooms, was nearing completion when Gov. Gina M. Raimondo of Rhode Island issued a strict stay-at-home order on March 28, banning all gatherings of more than five people. | The hotel, which will have an outdoor pool deck, an on-site restaurant serving coastal cuisine and seersucker-inspired rooms, was nearing completion when Gov. Gina M. Raimondo of Rhode Island issued a strict stay-at-home order on March 28, banning all gatherings of more than five people. |
| “We’re really close, which is kind of exciting, but also the painful part,” Mr. Hospod said. | “We’re really close, which is kind of exciting, but also the painful part,” Mr. Hospod said. |
| But he’s plowing ahead and says that once the government gives the green light, he could open his doors within two weeks. He has had to make some adjustments: Covid-19 has stalled deliveries — his mattresses are stuck in New York, his art in Ohio and a lobby fireplace in California. So he has begun relying more on local suppliers, and has also set up sanitation stations across the site for his construction crew (who are allowed to work). Unable to conduct job interviews in person, he’s interviewing front desk staff, bartenders, cleaning crews and more via videoconferencing. | But he’s plowing ahead and says that once the government gives the green light, he could open his doors within two weeks. He has had to make some adjustments: Covid-19 has stalled deliveries — his mattresses are stuck in New York, his art in Ohio and a lobby fireplace in California. So he has begun relying more on local suppliers, and has also set up sanitation stations across the site for his construction crew (who are allowed to work). Unable to conduct job interviews in person, he’s interviewing front desk staff, bartenders, cleaning crews and more via videoconferencing. |
| The hotel industry has shed more than four million American jobs in the wake of Covid-19, and an industry analytics company, STR, reports more than 80 percent of rooms in the U.S. are currently empty. But a handful of hotels are nevertheless moving ahead with planned openings, offering their properties as a port in a very uncertain storm. | The hotel industry has shed more than four million American jobs in the wake of Covid-19, and an industry analytics company, STR, reports more than 80 percent of rooms in the U.S. are currently empty. But a handful of hotels are nevertheless moving ahead with planned openings, offering their properties as a port in a very uncertain storm. |
| Greg Henderson, co-owner of The Roxbury at Stratton Falls, a whimsical resort comprised of themed cottages and mansion rooms in New York’s Catskill Mountains, was gearing up for a grand opening this spring. He now hopes to open June 1. | Greg Henderson, co-owner of The Roxbury at Stratton Falls, a whimsical resort comprised of themed cottages and mansion rooms in New York’s Catskill Mountains, was gearing up for a grand opening this spring. He now hopes to open June 1. |
| “From a business perspective, this is the scariest thing I’ve ever been through in my life,” he admits. | “From a business perspective, this is the scariest thing I’ve ever been through in my life,” he admits. |
| To conduct a deep cleaning of the property, he is employing a staggered schedule of cleaners who work in individual shifts, without punching timecards and without entering the hotel’s front office, where he also keeps a single employee. | To conduct a deep cleaning of the property, he is employing a staggered schedule of cleaners who work in individual shifts, without punching timecards and without entering the hotel’s front office, where he also keeps a single employee. |
| And some hotels that had opened their doors when the pandemic hit have found that it makes more economic sense to stay open, if only for one or two guests each night. | And some hotels that had opened their doors when the pandemic hit have found that it makes more economic sense to stay open, if only for one or two guests each night. |
| At The Abbey Inn and Spa in New York’s Hudson Valley, the general manager Gilbert Baeriswil finds himself on unfamiliar ground, even with more than 30 years in the hotel industry. | At The Abbey Inn and Spa in New York’s Hudson Valley, the general manager Gilbert Baeriswil finds himself on unfamiliar ground, even with more than 30 years in the hotel industry. |
| His property opened on March 18, two days before Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a stay-at-home order because of the coronavirus pandemic. | His property opened on March 18, two days before Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a stay-at-home order because of the coronavirus pandemic. |
| The Abbey, a boutique hotel in a converted convent in the Hudson Valley, had hired a staff of 45, but with reservations plummeting to single digits (including those for some emergency medical workers), it now has a skeleton crew of 10. Tables at Apropos, the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant, were first moved so guests could sit at least six feet apart; they soon made the shift to takeout only. Daily housekeeping is paused; cleaning staff, armed with masks, enter rooms only after check out. | The Abbey, a boutique hotel in a converted convent in the Hudson Valley, had hired a staff of 45, but with reservations plummeting to single digits (including those for some emergency medical workers), it now has a skeleton crew of 10. Tables at Apropos, the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant, were first moved so guests could sit at least six feet apart; they soon made the shift to takeout only. Daily housekeeping is paused; cleaning staff, armed with masks, enter rooms only after check out. |
| “We knew this was going to be a different beast than any normal opening,” said Mr. Baeriswil. But a great deal of resources had already been spent on training staff, so the owners decided it made more sense to stay open. | “We knew this was going to be a different beast than any normal opening,” said Mr. Baeriswil. But a great deal of resources had already been spent on training staff, so the owners decided it made more sense to stay open. |
| When John Castle, general manager of the AC Hotel Little Rock Downtown in Arkansas, opened the property on Feb. 18, the fallout from a pandemic was the last thing on his mind. | When John Castle, general manager of the AC Hotel Little Rock Downtown in Arkansas, opened the property on Feb. 18, the fallout from a pandemic was the last thing on his mind. |
| “We had never heard of it at that point,” he said of the virus, which has since killed more than 25,000 Americans. Arkansas is one of only seven states nationwide without a stay-at-home order, but Mr. Castle said the impact has nevertheless been brutal: Occupancy has plummeted to 5 percent. | “We had never heard of it at that point,” he said of the virus, which has since killed more than 25,000 Americans. Arkansas is one of only seven states nationwide without a stay-at-home order, but Mr. Castle said the impact has nevertheless been brutal: Occupancy has plummeted to 5 percent. |
| “I’ve been running hotels for 10 years and have never seen occupancy in the single digits,” he said. | “I’ve been running hotels for 10 years and have never seen occupancy in the single digits,” he said. |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | Updated June 22, 2020 |
| 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| Yet the AC Hotel remains open. | |
| “Even if you close a hotel completely, someone has to stay there as a caretaker. So there isn’t a huge savings as long as you’re still getting a couple rooms a night,” Mr. Castle said. | |
| In Florida, the website of The Ben, a waterfront property in West Palm Beach, informs its virtual visitors that only essential lodgers — like emergency medical workers and displaced residents — are able to book rooms (the same mandate holds in New York state). That hotel, which opened on Feb. 13, has provided each guest with a welcome letter explaining its adaptation to the crisis: its gym and pool are shuttered, food service is takeout only and housekeeping is suspended (cleaning staff waits five days after checkout before entering rooms). | In Florida, the website of The Ben, a waterfront property in West Palm Beach, informs its virtual visitors that only essential lodgers — like emergency medical workers and displaced residents — are able to book rooms (the same mandate holds in New York state). That hotel, which opened on Feb. 13, has provided each guest with a welcome letter explaining its adaptation to the crisis: its gym and pool are shuttered, food service is takeout only and housekeeping is suspended (cleaning staff waits five days after checkout before entering rooms). |
| Meanwhile, some hotels are finding more socially distanced ways to debut. | Meanwhile, some hotels are finding more socially distanced ways to debut. |
| In El Paso, the Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park is still scheduled to reopen in April after a two-year renovation, with a caveat. The property kicked off a “digital soft launch” on April 10 while staff wait for Texas’s shelter-in-place order, which went into effect on April 2, to lift. | In El Paso, the Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park is still scheduled to reopen in April after a two-year renovation, with a caveat. The property kicked off a “digital soft launch” on April 10 while staff wait for Texas’s shelter-in-place order, which went into effect on April 2, to lift. |
| The launch includes a weekly live Instagram series with Andres Padilla, executive chef at the hotel’s Ambar restaurant, who is taking viewers into the hotel’s kitchen while he makes dishes like ceviche and pork carnitas. | The launch includes a weekly live Instagram series with Andres Padilla, executive chef at the hotel’s Ambar restaurant, who is taking viewers into the hotel’s kitchen while he makes dishes like ceviche and pork carnitas. |
| The Instagram series is important, Mr. Padilla says, not just to connect with guests who can’t yet visit but also to keep up morale among his staff. | The Instagram series is important, Mr. Padilla says, not just to connect with guests who can’t yet visit but also to keep up morale among his staff. |
| “None of us have ever l lived through anything like this,” he said. “If I’m worried, they’ll never know — because then they’ll worry.” | “None of us have ever l lived through anything like this,” he said. “If I’m worried, they’ll never know — because then they’ll worry.” |
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