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2,500 Mourners Jam a Hasidic Funeral, Creating a Flash Point for de Blasio 2,500 Mourners Jam a Hasidic Funeral, Creating a Flash Point for de Blasio
(about 20 hours later)
Soon after a revered Hasidic rabbi died of the coronavirus in Brooklyn on Tuesday, his fellow congregants informed the Police Department of an unexpected decision: Despite the coronavirus restrictions now in place, they would hold a public funeral.Soon after a revered Hasidic rabbi died of the coronavirus in Brooklyn on Tuesday, his fellow congregants informed the Police Department of an unexpected decision: Despite the coronavirus restrictions now in place, they would hold a public funeral.
The local police precinct did not stand in their way, a testament to the Hasidic community’s influence in the Williamsburg neighborhood. By 3:30 p.m., police officers began erecting barricades, expecting a small number of mourners to show up. Loudspeakers were put up to help mourners hear while keeping their distance.The local police precinct did not stand in their way, a testament to the Hasidic community’s influence in the Williamsburg neighborhood. By 3:30 p.m., police officers began erecting barricades, expecting a small number of mourners to show up. Loudspeakers were put up to help mourners hear while keeping their distance.
But by 7:30 p.m., an estimated 2,500 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men had arrived to mourn Rabbi Chaim Mertz, packing together shoulder-to-shoulder on the street and on the steps of brownstones, clearly violating social distancing guidelines and turning the funeral into one of the most fraught events of the virus crisis for Mayor Bill de Blasio.But by 7:30 p.m., an estimated 2,500 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men had arrived to mourn Rabbi Chaim Mertz, packing together shoulder-to-shoulder on the street and on the steps of brownstones, clearly violating social distancing guidelines and turning the funeral into one of the most fraught events of the virus crisis for Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Police began to disperse the mourners, some of whom were not wearing masks. Word of the gathering soon reached City Hall, where the mayor decided to go to Brooklyn to oversee the dispersal himself.Police began to disperse the mourners, some of whom were not wearing masks. Word of the gathering soon reached City Hall, where the mayor decided to go to Brooklyn to oversee the dispersal himself.
After the crowd had been broken up, Mr. de Blasio lashed out on Twitter at “the Jewish community, and all communities,” saying he had instructed the Police Department “to proceed immediately to summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups.”After the crowd had been broken up, Mr. de Blasio lashed out on Twitter at “the Jewish community, and all communities,” saying he had instructed the Police Department “to proceed immediately to summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups.”
Mr. de Blasio spent much of Wednesday on the defensive over his handling of the funeral and his use of the phrase “Jewish community” in his public criticism of the mourners. But the episode also underscored the challenges that officials have faced in addressing the flouting of social distancing rules in insular and close-knit Hasidic neighborhoods around the New York region.Mr. de Blasio spent much of Wednesday on the defensive over his handling of the funeral and his use of the phrase “Jewish community” in his public criticism of the mourners. But the episode also underscored the challenges that officials have faced in addressing the flouting of social distancing rules in insular and close-knit Hasidic neighborhoods around the New York region.
People in these neighborhoods have long voiced distrust of state and local authorities, even as they have been able to band together to exert political power. Hasidic Jews have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, which has killed hundreds in their community, including influential religious leaders.People in these neighborhoods have long voiced distrust of state and local authorities, even as they have been able to band together to exert political power. Hasidic Jews have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, which has killed hundreds in their community, including influential religious leaders.
The challenge of monitoring gatherings may become even more daunting as the weather gets warmer and more New Yorkers are tempted to leave their homes for the first time in weeks, taking long walks or meeting in parks — even as the pandemic appears to have no clear end in sight.The challenge of monitoring gatherings may become even more daunting as the weather gets warmer and more New Yorkers are tempted to leave their homes for the first time in weeks, taking long walks or meeting in parks — even as the pandemic appears to have no clear end in sight.
On Wednesday, Mr. de Blasio defended his remarks at a news conference and said he “spoke last night out of passion.”On Wednesday, Mr. de Blasio defended his remarks at a news conference and said he “spoke last night out of passion.”
“People’s lives were in danger before my eyes and I was not going to tolerate it,” he told reporters. “I regret if the way I said it in any way gave people a feeling of being treated the wrong way, that was not my intention. It was said with love, but it was tough love, it was anger and frustration.”“People’s lives were in danger before my eyes and I was not going to tolerate it,” he told reporters. “I regret if the way I said it in any way gave people a feeling of being treated the wrong way, that was not my intention. It was said with love, but it was tough love, it was anger and frustration.”
Jonathan Greenblatt, the head of the Anti-Defamation League, said the mayor’s remarks were unfair to the more than one million Jewish people who live in New York City. “The few who don’t social distance should be called out — but generalizing against the whole population is outrageous especially when so many are scapegoating Jews,” he wrote on Twitter. “This erodes the very unity our city needs now more than ever.”Jonathan Greenblatt, the head of the Anti-Defamation League, said the mayor’s remarks were unfair to the more than one million Jewish people who live in New York City. “The few who don’t social distance should be called out — but generalizing against the whole population is outrageous especially when so many are scapegoating Jews,” he wrote on Twitter. “This erodes the very unity our city needs now more than ever.”
Jacob Mertz, a spokesman for the rabbi’s synagogue, Kahal Tolath Yakov, said in a statement that it had tried to organize the funeral to stay within social distancing guidelines but “unfortunately, this didn’t pan out, and NYPD had to disperse the crowds.”Jacob Mertz, a spokesman for the rabbi’s synagogue, Kahal Tolath Yakov, said in a statement that it had tried to organize the funeral to stay within social distancing guidelines but “unfortunately, this didn’t pan out, and NYPD had to disperse the crowds.”
“We came up with a plan to have many streets closed, so that mourners can participate and walk the coffin while following the social distancing rules and wearing masks,” Mr. Mertz said in a statement. “New Yorkers walk the streets daily, thus, a funeral — we thought — shouldn’t be different, as long the rules are followed.”“We came up with a plan to have many streets closed, so that mourners can participate and walk the coffin while following the social distancing rules and wearing masks,” Mr. Mertz said in a statement. “New Yorkers walk the streets daily, thus, a funeral — we thought — shouldn’t be different, as long the rules are followed.”
Mr. de Blasio has longstanding ties to the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, which supported him as he rose through the political ranks from the City Council, then as public advocate and as mayor.Mr. de Blasio has longstanding ties to the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, which supported him as he rose through the political ranks from the City Council, then as public advocate and as mayor.
When Mr. de Blasio needed donations to his flailing presidential campaign to qualify for the democratic debates, he turned to Orthodox donors.When Mr. de Blasio needed donations to his flailing presidential campaign to qualify for the democratic debates, he turned to Orthodox donors.
But the mayor has run into frequent political headaches related to public health issues in the ultra-Orthodox community, including the measles outbreak and his policy on a circumcision ritual, metzitzah b’peh, that led to multiple children becoming infected with herpes.But the mayor has run into frequent political headaches related to public health issues in the ultra-Orthodox community, including the measles outbreak and his policy on a circumcision ritual, metzitzah b’peh, that led to multiple children becoming infected with herpes.
Rather than restrict the practice, the mayor instructed parents to ask the mohel performing the rite whether he was infected with herpes.Rather than restrict the practice, the mayor instructed parents to ask the mohel performing the rite whether he was infected with herpes.
“The mayor has boxed himself into a corner with the Orthodox community to the point that he has had trouble when it comes to policing necessary regulations that are designed to prevent the spread of communicable diseases,” said Menashe Shapiro, a political consultant and founder of Shapiro Consulting Group. “Whether it’s measles, coronavirus or the bris fiasco, he has demonstrated a tremendous weak spot with this community.”“The mayor has boxed himself into a corner with the Orthodox community to the point that he has had trouble when it comes to policing necessary regulations that are designed to prevent the spread of communicable diseases,” said Menashe Shapiro, a political consultant and founder of Shapiro Consulting Group. “Whether it’s measles, coronavirus or the bris fiasco, he has demonstrated a tremendous weak spot with this community.”
Most of the Orthodox Jewish leaders who have died during the pandemic have not had big crowds at their funerals, and religious leaders say those who violate stay-at-home guidelines represent a small portion of their community.Most of the Orthodox Jewish leaders who have died during the pandemic have not had big crowds at their funerals, and religious leaders say those who violate stay-at-home guidelines represent a small portion of their community.
Jewish leaders and groups reacted with outrage to Mr. de Blasio’s remarks about the funeral, which took place on the same day as a military flyover by pilots from the Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds, drawing throngs of New Yorkers to watch from parks and sidewalks.Jewish leaders and groups reacted with outrage to Mr. de Blasio’s remarks about the funeral, which took place on the same day as a military flyover by pilots from the Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds, drawing throngs of New Yorkers to watch from parks and sidewalks.
Shia Katz, who attended the funeral, said loudspeakers and Police Department barricades were set up to help control the crowd, which was mostly composed of young men because many older people stayed home out of fear of the virus.Shia Katz, who attended the funeral, said loudspeakers and Police Department barricades were set up to help control the crowd, which was mostly composed of young men because many older people stayed home out of fear of the virus.
Mr. Katz said that the speakers were not turned on, however, causing the people already assembled on the street to crowd closer together. The gathering quickly turned into “chaos,” he said.
Updated June 22, 2020Updated 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.
Mr. Katz said that the speakers were not turned on, however, causing the people already assembled on the street to crowd closer together. The gathering quickly turned into “chaos,” he said.
“They’re not bad people, they’re lost people,” Mr. Katz said. He said gathering to mourn was “just as important as the fighter jets in the sky.”“They’re not bad people, they’re lost people,” Mr. Katz said. He said gathering to mourn was “just as important as the fighter jets in the sky.”
At the news conference on Wednesday, Mr. de Blasio said that mourners had to realize they were risking the health, and possibly even the lives, of those around them.At the news conference on Wednesday, Mr. de Blasio said that mourners had to realize they were risking the health, and possibly even the lives, of those around them.
“We have to understand what it means to hold a large gathering in New York City today,” he said. “It means unfortunately that people who go to that gathering, some will be sick with this disease. That’s just a fact. We know this. Some will spread the disease to others. People as a result will die.”“We have to understand what it means to hold a large gathering in New York City today,” he said. “It means unfortunately that people who go to that gathering, some will be sick with this disease. That’s just a fact. We know this. Some will spread the disease to others. People as a result will die.”
At the same news conference, Dermot F. Shea, the New York City police commissioner, said the Police Department had dispatched officers to monitor the funeral on Tuesday alongside members of the neighborhood Hasidic safety patrol, known as shomrim.At the same news conference, Dermot F. Shea, the New York City police commissioner, said the Police Department had dispatched officers to monitor the funeral on Tuesday alongside members of the neighborhood Hasidic safety patrol, known as shomrim.
The department had thought it was “unlikely” a large crowd would gather. A senior law enforcement official said on Wednesday that no more than a hundred mourners had been expected.The department had thought it was “unlikely” a large crowd would gather. A senior law enforcement official said on Wednesday that no more than a hundred mourners had been expected.
“We didn’t know it would be this size gathering,” the official said. “Obviously this took us aback.”“We didn’t know it would be this size gathering,” the official said. “Obviously this took us aback.”
The virus has strained the Police Department, which has seen nearly 20 percent of its uniformed ranks sidelined by the pandemic. Thirty-seven officers and civilian members of the department have died of Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.The virus has strained the Police Department, which has seen nearly 20 percent of its uniformed ranks sidelined by the pandemic. Thirty-seven officers and civilian members of the department have died of Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Twelve summonses were issued at the funeral for failure to disperse, out of 146 summonses that have been issued citywide for similar violations of social distancing. Mr. Shea said Wednesday that the department was “beyond, at this point, asking people to comply” with public health guidelines.Twelve summonses were issued at the funeral for failure to disperse, out of 146 summonses that have been issued citywide for similar violations of social distancing. Mr. Shea said Wednesday that the department was “beyond, at this point, asking people to comply” with public health guidelines.
When people gather in large groups, he said, they are “putting members of my department at risk.”When people gather in large groups, he said, they are “putting members of my department at risk.”
That concern was shared by others, like Yvonne Moore, a home health aide who encountered the funeral during her commute home to Canarsie on Tuesday night. She wove her way through the crowd in a mask and gloves, which she said many of the mourners around her did not have.That concern was shared by others, like Yvonne Moore, a home health aide who encountered the funeral during her commute home to Canarsie on Tuesday night. She wove her way through the crowd in a mask and gloves, which she said many of the mourners around her did not have.
When she got home, she said, she struggled to reconcile the idea of mourning a loss in a way that risked exposing others to the same kind of death. She said she had never seen such a large crowd in more than a decade working in South Williamsburg.When she got home, she said, she struggled to reconcile the idea of mourning a loss in a way that risked exposing others to the same kind of death. She said she had never seen such a large crowd in more than a decade working in South Williamsburg.
“I’ve seen weddings, I’ve seen funerals, this took the cake,” she said. “I was saying, ‘Oh my God,’ it was so crowded.”“I’ve seen weddings, I’ve seen funerals, this took the cake,” she said. “I was saying, ‘Oh my God,’ it was so crowded.”
Jeffery C. Mays, Edgar Sandoval, Nate Schweber and Ashley Southall contributed reporting.Jeffery C. Mays, Edgar Sandoval, Nate Schweber and Ashley Southall contributed reporting.