'2 Brothers Died of Covid-19. They’re Being Denied Their Last Wish.' diff viewer (10/11)

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2 Brothers Died of Covid-19. They’re Being Denied Their Last Wish.	2 Brothers Died of Covid-19. They’re Being Denied Their Last Wish.
2020-06-15 21:20:29 UTC	2020-06-16 21:55:17 UTC (1 day later)
When Javier Morales, 48, died at a hospital in Hackensack, N.J., his family decided not to tell his brother Martin right away. Martin Morales was also battling the coronavirus, and they worried about how he would handle the news.	When Javier Morales, 48, died at a hospital in Hackensack, N.J., his family decided not to tell his brother Martin right away. Martin Morales was also battling the coronavirus, and they worried about how he would handle the news.
But Mr. Morales, 39, found out from a friend later that night, in his New Jersey home. The next day, on April 7, he died, too.	But Mr. Morales, 39, found out from a friend later that night, in his New Jersey home. The next day, on April 7, he died, too.
“My family likes to think that he could not live without his older brother. They were best friends,” said Melanie Cruz Morales, 19, the niece of both men. “They had to go together.”	“My family likes to think that he could not live without his older brother. They were best friends,” said Melanie Cruz Morales, 19, the niece of both men. “They had to go together.”
Since then, Ms. Cruz and her twin sister have been trying to raise thousands of dollars and navigate the bureaucracies of two countries to grant the last wish of their uncles — to be buried in their birthplace, the tiny village of Santa Catarina Yosonotú in Oaxaca, Mexico.	Since then, Ms. Cruz and her twin sister have been trying to raise thousands of dollars and navigate the bureaucracies of two countries to grant the last wish of their uncles — to be buried in their birthplace, the tiny village of Santa Catarina Yosonotú in Oaxaca, Mexico.
If the coronavirus outbreak has transformed life around New York City, it has also transformed death. Lonely deaths are followed by lonely burials. Urns are handed over without the usual ceremonies and tributes to the lost.	If the coronavirus outbreak has transformed life around New York City, it has also transformed death. Lonely deaths are followed by lonely burials. Urns are handed over without the usual ceremonies and tributes to the lost.
For the area’s Mexican immigrants — a community already hit hard by the virus — the pandemic has brought another cruel change. Mexican families typically send bodies home, for flower-strewn Catholic burials, and to give relatives the chance to glimpse their loved ones again after long separations. The tradition is so important that Mexican consulates around the country have long helped to repatriate the bodies of immigrants.	For the area’s Mexican immigrants — a community already hit hard by the virus — the pandemic has brought another cruel change. Mexican families typically send bodies home, for flower-strewn Catholic burials, and to give relatives the chance to glimpse their loved ones again after long separations. The tradition is so important that Mexican consulates around the country have long helped to repatriate the bodies of immigrants.
But that sacred rite has come to a halt.	But that sacred rite has come to a halt.
More than 250 Mexican immigrants are known to have died of Covid-19 in the New York area, according to the Mexican government. But officials in the area are not issuing the transit permits needed for repatriation, and parts of Mexico have closed their borders to bodies, fearing contagion. The Mexican Consulate in New York, which has temporarily shut its doors, is advising families who call to consider cremation; ashes can far more easily be sent home.	More than 250 Mexican immigrants are known to have died of Covid-19 in the New York area, according to the Mexican government. But officials in the area are not issuing the transit permits needed for repatriation, and parts of Mexico have closed their borders to bodies, fearing contagion. The Mexican Consulate in New York, which has temporarily shut its doors, is advising families who call to consider cremation; ashes can far more easily be sent home.
Ms. Cruz said her family was crushed to hear this news. “Because my grandmother who is back in Mexico, all she ever wanted was to see her sons.”	Ms. Cruz said her family was crushed to hear this news. “Because my grandmother who is back in Mexico, all she ever wanted was to see her sons.”
“Mexican families always love to bring their loved one back home,” said Stephanie García Morales, a funeral director at International Funeral Service of New York, and herself the child of Mexican immigrants. “They want the body there. They don’t want ashes there. They want the physical body. The person there in Mexico.”	“Mexican families always love to bring their loved one back home,” said Stephanie García Morales, a funeral director at International Funeral Service of New York, and herself the child of Mexican immigrants. “They want the body there. They don’t want ashes there. They want the physical body. The person there in Mexico.”
The blow is not just emotional. When the consulate still shipped bodies back, families usually paid only the modest price of a burial in Mexico. Now, relatives who in many cases have lost jobs and drained their savings to pay medical bills also have to come up with thousands of dollars to pay for cremations, a cost that often includes a storage fee, because of the deep backlog at crematories.	The blow is not just emotional. When the consulate still shipped bodies back, families usually paid only the modest price of a burial in Mexico. Now, relatives who in many cases have lost jobs and drained their savings to pay medical bills also have to come up with thousands of dollars to pay for cremations, a cost that often includes a storage fee, because of the deep backlog at crematories.
In New York City, such families have faced an added strain: Until very recently, they were given two weeks to find a funeral home to claim their loved one’s bodies, or they would be buried in the city’s potter’s field on Hart Island.	In New York City, such families have faced an added strain: Until very recently, they were given two weeks to find a funeral home to claim their loved one’s bodies, or they would be buried in the city’s potter’s field on Hart Island.
This week, city officials revised the plan, announcing bodies will be frozen to give families more time to claim them before they are interred on Hart Island.	This week, city officials revised the plan, announcing bodies will be frozen to give families more time to claim them before they are interred on Hart Island.
The fear of losing a loved one to a mass grave was profound. “That’s what you’re accustomed to seeing in war-torn countries,” said Francisco Moya, a councilman from a part of Queens ravaged by the outbreak. For some immigrant communities, the comparison was all too real.	The fear of losing a loved one to a mass grave was profound. “That’s what you’re accustomed to seeing in war-torn countries,” said Francisco Moya, a councilman from a part of Queens ravaged by the outbreak. For some immigrant communities, the comparison was all too real.
Rather than wait, dozens of Mexican families have turned to social media and to crowdfunding sites, seeking to raise money from their communities and beyond to cremate their relatives’ remains and send their ashes back to hometowns.	Rather than wait, dozens of Mexican families have turned to social media and to crowdfunding sites, seeking to raise money from their communities and beyond to cremate their relatives’ remains and send their ashes back to hometowns.
In the process, GoFundMe has become the closest thing to a memorial that exists for the Mexican victims of Covid-19 around New York.	In the process, GoFundMe has become the closest thing to a memorial that exists for the Mexican victims of Covid-19 around New York.
There are pages for women and men; construction workers, kitchen workers, hotel employees, nursing home attendants, babysitters. The victims include recent arrivals and immigrants who came decades ago, such as Edmundo García, 62, who worked at Salem and Sons Bakery in Union City, N.J., for 21 years, until the day he got sick.	There are pages for women and men; construction workers, kitchen workers, hotel employees, nursing home attendants, babysitters. The victims include recent arrivals and immigrants who came decades ago, such as Edmundo García, 62, who worked at Salem and Sons Bakery in Union City, N.J., for 21 years, until the day he got sick.
The victims are often remembered with a single grainy photograph. The pleas are humble; the reason families give for needing help are often the same: “We want Adrián to be sent to Mexico,” says the page for 39-year-old Adrián Hernández, who worked at Carmine’s Italian Restaurant in Times Square and supported his two children in Puebla.	The victims are often remembered with a single grainy photograph. The pleas are humble; the reason families give for needing help are often the same: “We want Adrián to be sent to Mexico,” says the page for 39-year-old Adrián Hernández, who worked at Carmine’s Italian Restaurant in Times Square and supported his two children in Puebla.
David Rosales Flores, whose father, Remigio Rosales Flores, died in his Brooklyn home, said families like his have been through ordeals. All they want now is to give their relatives in Mexico the chance for a final goodbye — “el último adiós.”	David Rosales Flores, whose father, Remigio Rosales Flores, died in his Brooklyn home, said families like his have been through ordeals. All they want now is to give their relatives in Mexico the chance for a final goodbye — “el último adiós.”
The pages barely hint at the hardships: the mountain of bills, the unemployed spouses and confused children, the squabbles with relatives. “My aunts were really upset that we made the page,” said Leslie Puebla, who lost her father, Tomás Puebla, a longtime line cook at diners on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. “They said, ‘A lot of people are jobless and they’re struggling to make ends meet.’”	The pages barely hint at the hardships: the mountain of bills, the unemployed spouses and confused children, the squabbles with relatives. “My aunts were really upset that we made the page,” said Leslie Puebla, who lost her father, Tomás Puebla, a longtime line cook at diners on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. “They said, ‘A lot of people are jobless and they’re struggling to make ends meet.’”
But Ms. Puebla, 22, did not know how else to raise $5,200 for a funeral service for the father she adored, she said. Her mother, a housekeeper, is out of work. She still has a job, doing outreach for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, but earns $22 an hour.	But Ms. Puebla, 22, did not know how else to raise $5,200 for a funeral service for the father she adored, she said. Her mother, a housekeeper, is out of work. She still has a job, doing outreach for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, but earns $22 an hour.
“It’s brutal what’s happening right now,” said Javier H. Valdés, the co-director of Make the Road New York, an advocacy organization that has lost 40 of its working-class Latino members to Covid-19. “There’s a lot of anxiety and frustration. First and foremost, how do you cover the cost?”	“It’s brutal what’s happening right now,” said Javier H. Valdés, the co-director of Make the Road New York, an advocacy organization that has lost 40 of its working-class Latino members to Covid-19. “There’s a lot of anxiety and frustration. First and foremost, how do you cover the cost?”
When Gregorio Rosales, a 69-year-old livery cabdriver, died at a hospital in the Bronx, his nieces wondered the same thing. Mr. Rosales — their Tío Goyo — was a single father who worked sporadically while shuttling his 13-year-old to medical appointments. She had been born with a host of health issues, and her mother had died of cancer.	When Gregorio Rosales, a 69-year-old livery cabdriver, died at a hospital in the Bronx, his nieces wondered the same thing. Mr. Rosales — their Tío Goyo — was a single father who worked sporadically while shuttling his 13-year-old to medical appointments. She had been born with a host of health issues, and her mother had died of cancer.
~~Updated June ~~12,~~ 2020~~	Updated June 16, 2020
	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.
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.
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.