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| They’re Still Working at the Airports, and They’re Scared | They’re Still Working at the Airports, and They’re Scared |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Since the coronavirus outbreak began, dozens of workers from the three major airports in the New York City area have been infected, and at least 17 have died, union officials said. | Since the coronavirus outbreak began, dozens of workers from the three major airports in the New York City area have been infected, and at least 17 have died, union officials said. |
| Those still on the job are afraid they could be next. | Those still on the job are afraid they could be next. |
| Most of the workers earn less than $20 an hour and do not have health insurance, because the cost of the coverage was more than they could afford on their salaries, they say. | Most of the workers earn less than $20 an hour and do not have health insurance, because the cost of the coverage was more than they could afford on their salaries, they say. |
| Four of those who died worked for LSG Sky Chefs, a large catering operation at Kennedy International Airport, and two worked for United Catering at Newark Liberty International, their union said. The others had a range of duties, from pushing travelers in wheelchairs to restocking airplane galleys. It’s not clear if they contracted the virus on the job. | Four of those who died worked for LSG Sky Chefs, a large catering operation at Kennedy International Airport, and two worked for United Catering at Newark Liberty International, their union said. The others had a range of duties, from pushing travelers in wheelchairs to restocking airplane galleys. It’s not clear if they contracted the virus on the job. |
| But workers who got sick said they had been worried about their working conditions. | But workers who got sick said they had been worried about their working conditions. |
| Manuel Fernandez, 64, who works at Kennedy, had given little thought to medical bills while he struggled to survive at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in Manhattan. | Manuel Fernandez, 64, who works at Kennedy, had given little thought to medical bills while he struggled to survive at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in Manhattan. |
| “I was basically saying goodbye to the world,” he said. | “I was basically saying goodbye to the world,” he said. |
| Mr. Fernandez, who was released from the hospital on Wednesday, works for LSG Sky Chefs in a building at Kennedy that receives serving carts from airplanes and cleans and restocks them. | Mr. Fernandez, who was released from the hospital on Wednesday, works for LSG Sky Chefs in a building at Kennedy that receives serving carts from airplanes and cleans and restocks them. |
| “We were all worried about the conditions because we work very close together,” Mr. Fernandez said. | “We were all worried about the conditions because we work very close together,” Mr. Fernandez said. |
| His employer, he said, did not tell him if co-workers were sick and only provided a mask when he demanded one. | His employer, he said, did not tell him if co-workers were sick and only provided a mask when he demanded one. |
| “They should have closed that kitchen,” he said, though he added that he is not certain he was infected at work. | “They should have closed that kitchen,” he said, though he added that he is not certain he was infected at work. |
| Companies and government agencies said they have taken major steps to safeguard their workers, including providing protective gear and conducting deep cleanings. | Companies and government agencies said they have taken major steps to safeguard their workers, including providing protective gear and conducting deep cleanings. |
| “We have developed and implemented comprehensive safety measures throughout all our facilities to safeguard our employees against health risks,” LSG Sky Chefs said in a statement. The plan includes social distancing, providing masks for employees who do not bring their own, health surveys and “enhanced disinfecting protocols,” it said. | “We have developed and implemented comprehensive safety measures throughout all our facilities to safeguard our employees against health risks,” LSG Sky Chefs said in a statement. The plan includes social distancing, providing masks for employees who do not bring their own, health surveys and “enhanced disinfecting protocols,” it said. |
| The company, which caters to airlines around the country, said it had placed employees on temporary leaves of absence because demand for in-flight meals had fallen 94 percent. | The company, which caters to airlines around the country, said it had placed employees on temporary leaves of absence because demand for in-flight meals had fallen 94 percent. |
| United Catering at Newark Liberty has reduced its staffing at the airport by about 85 percent and has taken several steps to protect the remaining 100 workers, said Charles Hobart, a spokesman for United Airlines. | United Catering at Newark Liberty has reduced its staffing at the airport by about 85 percent and has taken several steps to protect the remaining 100 workers, said Charles Hobart, a spokesman for United Airlines. |
| Those precautions included providing masks, gloves and hand sanitizer and taking workers’ temperatures before they enter the building. | Those precautions included providing masks, gloves and hand sanitizer and taking workers’ temperatures before they enter the building. |
| The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the three big airports that serve New York City, said it had distributed masks to employees and had increased the frequency of cleaning of airport terminals. | The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the three big airports that serve New York City, said it had distributed masks to employees and had increased the frequency of cleaning of airport terminals. |
| Though airports have stayed open, air travel has dropped to a fraction of normal levels. The Transportation Security Administration has been screening about 100,000 passengers daily across the country, down from more than 2 million before the pandemic. | Though airports have stayed open, air travel has dropped to a fraction of normal levels. The Transportation Security Administration has been screening about 100,000 passengers daily across the country, down from more than 2 million before the pandemic. |
| Thousands of airport workers have been laid off, but airlines, contractors and concessionaires have maintained small corps of employees. | Thousands of airport workers have been laid off, but airlines, contractors and concessionaires have maintained small corps of employees. |
| Two major unions that represent more than 20,000 workers at the three airports said their lists of member who have died of the virus are not comprehensive because they are counting only confirmed cases. | Two major unions that represent more than 20,000 workers at the three airports said their lists of member who have died of the virus are not comprehensive because they are counting only confirmed cases. |
| Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International said seven members had died, while Unite Here said at least 40 of its members had tested positive for the coronavirus and at least 10 had died. | Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International said seven members had died, while Unite Here said at least 40 of its members had tested positive for the coronavirus and at least 10 had died. |
| The Transportation Security Administration said 167 of its screening officers at the three airports had tested positive for the virus and one of them who worked at Newark Liberty died of Covid-19. | The Transportation Security Administration said 167 of its screening officers at the three airports had tested positive for the virus and one of them who worked at Newark Liberty died of Covid-19. |
| Donna Hampton, 60, a security officer in Terminal 7 at Kennedy, said she bought her own masks until last week, when her employer, a contractor to the terminal operator, provided her with reusable masks. | Donna Hampton, 60, a security officer in Terminal 7 at Kennedy, said she bought her own masks until last week, when her employer, a contractor to the terminal operator, provided her with reusable masks. |
| “It’s fear of the unknown, and the fear for me is real,” Ms. Hampton said. | “It’s fear of the unknown, and the fear for me is real,” Ms. Hampton said. |
| For several years, Unite Here and Local 32BJ organized protests at meetings of the Port Authority’s board of commissioners until the agency agreed to raise their minimum wage to $19 an hour, among the highest in the country. | For several years, Unite Here and Local 32BJ organized protests at meetings of the Port Authority’s board of commissioners until the agency agreed to raise their minimum wage to $19 an hour, among the highest in the country. |
| Now the unions are pushing legislation in Albany that would provide a supplement to the base wages to make health care affordable. | Now the unions are pushing legislation in Albany that would provide a supplement to the base wages to make health care affordable. |
| Juan C. Morales, who stocks a Starbucks and a Shake Shack at La Guardia Airport, said he, too, was worried — especially because he is diabetic. | Juan C. Morales, who stocks a Starbucks and a Shake Shack at La Guardia Airport, said he, too, was worried — especially because he is diabetic. |
| “It’s scary to go to work every morning,” he said. | “It’s scary to go to work every morning,” he said. |
| Mr. Morales, 46, lives in Manhattan with his wife and five children. He said he could not afford health insurance on his hourly wage of $17.60 and worried about bringing the virus home. | Mr. Morales, 46, lives in Manhattan with his wife and five children. He said he could not afford health insurance on his hourly wage of $17.60 and worried about bringing the virus home. |
| 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. |
| “My wife is very paranoid,” he said. “She’s scared. But I’ve got to provide.” | |
| Lorenzo W. Pincay, a Sky Chefs workers who died after testing positive for the coronavirus, had worked for the company at Kennedy for nearly six years, earning less than $16 an hour, said his son Luis. | |
| After a short vacation, Mr. Pincay returned to work on March 23. On his second day back, he started to feel ill, his son said. | |
| Eventually, when Mr. Pincay started having trouble breathing, his family took him to Long Island Jewish Medical Center. | |
| “It was like taking a pet to the shelter,” Luis said. “We just park in the parking lot, and we never see him again.” | “It was like taking a pet to the shelter,” Luis said. “We just park in the parking lot, and we never see him again.” |
| Doctors there quickly put Mr. Pincay into an induced coma, Luis said. The next day his father’s coronavirus test came back positive, he said. | Doctors there quickly put Mr. Pincay into an induced coma, Luis said. The next day his father’s coronavirus test came back positive, he said. |
| Reports from the hospital gave Luis and his younger sister, Monica, hope that their father would recover. But on April 9, a doctor told Luis that the family should prepare for a FaceTime call to say their last goodbyes. | Reports from the hospital gave Luis and his younger sister, Monica, hope that their father would recover. But on April 9, a doctor told Luis that the family should prepare for a FaceTime call to say their last goodbyes. |
| Two days later, Mr. Pincay was declared dead, Luis said. Flying his body home to his native Ecuador, as the family had hoped to do, was not possible. | Two days later, Mr. Pincay was declared dead, Luis said. Flying his body home to his native Ecuador, as the family had hoped to do, was not possible. |
| The only alternative was a cremation, Luis said, but the soonest he could schedule one was April 30. He did not expect to be able to collect his father’s ashes until May 10, nearly a month after his death. | The only alternative was a cremation, Luis said, but the soonest he could schedule one was April 30. He did not expect to be able to collect his father’s ashes until May 10, nearly a month after his death. |
| Luis said representatives of Sky Chefs had tried to contact him, but he had not been in the mood to talk to them. | Luis said representatives of Sky Chefs had tried to contact him, but he had not been in the mood to talk to them. |
| “I’m not blaming the company,” Luis said, but he added that he thought it could have done more to protect employees. | “I’m not blaming the company,” Luis said, but he added that he thought it could have done more to protect employees. |
| Another Sky Chefs employee, Juan Leon, 58, said he and two family members tested positive for the coronavirus. Then Mr. Leon’s 78-year-old mother, Maria Marta Abando, who lived with him in the Corona neighborhood of Queens, started showing Covid-19 symptoms. | Another Sky Chefs employee, Juan Leon, 58, said he and two family members tested positive for the coronavirus. Then Mr. Leon’s 78-year-old mother, Maria Marta Abando, who lived with him in the Corona neighborhood of Queens, started showing Covid-19 symptoms. |
| Her daughter took her to a nearby hospital, where she died, Mr. Leon said. | Her daughter took her to a nearby hospital, where she died, Mr. Leon said. |
| He has not returned to work since he first reported his illness. “I know the virus is in that kitchen,” he said. | He has not returned to work since he first reported his illness. “I know the virus is in that kitchen,” he said. |