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| The Met Announces Dozens of Layoffs as Potential Losses Swell to $150 Million | The Met Announces Dozens of Layoffs as Potential Losses Swell to $150 Million |
| (3 days later) | |
| Executives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan are preparing for an economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic that could be worse than initially projected. Facing a potential shortfall for the next fiscal year that might swell to $150 million — 50 percent larger than what was forecast in March — the museum announced layoffs for more than 80 employees and executive pay cuts upwards of 20 percent in a letter to staff on Wednesday. | Executives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan are preparing for an economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic that could be worse than initially projected. Facing a potential shortfall for the next fiscal year that might swell to $150 million — 50 percent larger than what was forecast in March — the museum announced layoffs for more than 80 employees and executive pay cuts upwards of 20 percent in a letter to staff on Wednesday. |
| “While we are not immune from the impact of this pandemic, the Met is a strong and enduring institution and will remain one,” Daniel Weiss, president and chief executive of the museum, said in a statement. “Our two primary objectives continue to be doing all that we can to support the health and safety of our community and to protect the long-term financial health of the Museum.” | “While we are not immune from the impact of this pandemic, the Met is a strong and enduring institution and will remain one,” Daniel Weiss, president and chief executive of the museum, said in a statement. “Our two primary objectives continue to be doing all that we can to support the health and safety of our community and to protect the long-term financial health of the Museum.” |
| A museum spokesperson said that the layoffs would amount to a 26-percent reduction in staff across the Met’s visitor services and retail departments, because of an expected decrease in attendance for a sustained period of time. Affected staff members will be paid through the first week of June. The museum had previously planned to reopen in July, but is now looking farther into the future after having to cancel its 150th anniversary summer celebrations. | A museum spokesperson said that the layoffs would amount to a 26-percent reduction in staff across the Met’s visitor services and retail departments, because of an expected decrease in attendance for a sustained period of time. Affected staff members will be paid through the first week of June. The museum had previously planned to reopen in July, but is now looking farther into the future after having to cancel its 150th anniversary summer celebrations. |
| Faced with the dimming prospect of a fast recovery from the pandemic, many museums are now winnowing their events calendars for the fall and forecasting prolonged closures. | Faced with the dimming prospect of a fast recovery from the pandemic, many museums are now winnowing their events calendars for the fall and forecasting prolonged closures. |
| On Tuesday, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston canceled all programming and events through mid-September because of Covid-19. “The current situation has forced us to take a realistic look,” said museum director Peggy Fogelman in a newsletter. “This was a painful decision, but one we know is in the best interests and safety of our visitors.” | On Tuesday, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston canceled all programming and events through mid-September because of Covid-19. “The current situation has forced us to take a realistic look,” said museum director Peggy Fogelman in a newsletter. “This was a painful decision, but one we know is in the best interests and safety of our visitors.” |
| At the Queens Museum, Sally Tallant, its president and executive director, is creating multiple timelines for when visitors might be welcomed back to the museum, located in one of America’s hardest-hit neighborhoods. “None of us want to reopen our museums and get people sick, even if we think that cultural spaces should play a role in the city’s recovery,” said Ms. Tallant, who projected a shortfall of $900,000 through July for her organization. | At the Queens Museum, Sally Tallant, its president and executive director, is creating multiple timelines for when visitors might be welcomed back to the museum, located in one of America’s hardest-hit neighborhoods. “None of us want to reopen our museums and get people sick, even if we think that cultural spaces should play a role in the city’s recovery,” said Ms. Tallant, who projected a shortfall of $900,000 through July for her organization. |
| The Jewish Museum in Manhattan, facing $600,000 in losses for every quarter spent under quarantine, has no projected opening date. But it has secured a $2.1 million federal loan, through the Paycheck Protection Program, that covers its $1.1 million monthly costs in payroll, benefits, utilities, and interest payments. To further mitigate expenses, staff members with six-figure salaries will also see their pay reduced by more than 20 percent. | The Jewish Museum in Manhattan, facing $600,000 in losses for every quarter spent under quarantine, has no projected opening date. But it has secured a $2.1 million federal loan, through the Paycheck Protection Program, that covers its $1.1 million monthly costs in payroll, benefits, utilities, and interest payments. To further mitigate expenses, staff members with six-figure salaries will also see their pay reduced by more than 20 percent. |
| But other arts organizations that had hoped to rely on government support to steer through the coronavirus crisis have not been able to access it. | But other arts organizations that had hoped to rely on government support to steer through the coronavirus crisis have not been able to access it. |
| “None of my colleagues have gotten money from the Paycheck Protection Program,” said Brett Littman, the director of the Noguchi Museum in Queens. The museum had requested $450,000 in loans to cover salaries and utilities. | “None of my colleagues have gotten money from the Paycheck Protection Program,” said Brett Littman, the director of the Noguchi Museum in Queens. The museum had requested $450,000 in loans to cover salaries and utilities. |
| The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts in Manhattan, which hosts exhibitions and subsidized artist studios, has also had trouble accessing aid. | The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts in Manhattan, which hosts exhibitions and subsidized artist studios, has also had trouble accessing aid. |
| “The funds were all taken before we could apply,” said Jane Stephenson, the foundation’s executive director. “We waited four days for the email with the form to arrive.” | “The funds were all taken before we could apply,” said Jane Stephenson, the foundation’s executive director. “We waited four days for the email with the form to arrive.” |
| Updated 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. |
| 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. |
| And resources could continue to dwindle. Last week, the Noguchi Museum began planning for a drop in support from the New York City government after Mayor Bill de Blasio’s revised executive budget proposal slashed cultural affairs spending by $10.6 million. If the cuts are passed, Mr. Littman expects to see a 30-percent decrease, about $100,000, in funding. | And resources could continue to dwindle. Last week, the Noguchi Museum began planning for a drop in support from the New York City government after Mayor Bill de Blasio’s revised executive budget proposal slashed cultural affairs spending by $10.6 million. If the cuts are passed, Mr. Littman expects to see a 30-percent decrease, about $100,000, in funding. |
| “This crisis has exposed the fragility of how museums do business,” he said. “Very few have the cash reserves needed to continue operating.” | “This crisis has exposed the fragility of how museums do business,” he said. “Very few have the cash reserves needed to continue operating.” |