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Stark Symbol of Pandemic in N.Y.: Homeless People Huddled on the Subway Stark Symbol of Pandemic in N.Y.: Homeless People Huddled on the Subway
(31 minutes later)
Every No. 2 train that lumbered into the last stop in the Bronx late Wednesday night had, at most, a couple of dozen passengers. And when the doors swooshed open, half of them had no intention of getting off.Every No. 2 train that lumbered into the last stop in the Bronx late Wednesday night had, at most, a couple of dozen passengers. And when the doors swooshed open, half of them had no intention of getting off.
Just after 10:30 p.m., a female transit worker leaned in close to a man who was slumped in a seat against a railing. He was wearing a large hooded jacket and had a dark scarf wrapped around his mouth.Just after 10:30 p.m., a female transit worker leaned in close to a man who was slumped in a seat against a railing. He was wearing a large hooded jacket and had a dark scarf wrapped around his mouth.
“Wake up!” the woman shouted.“Wake up!” the woman shouted.
The man didn’t flinch. It took another worker rapping the railing with a metal tool to get him to stand up.The man didn’t flinch. It took another worker rapping the railing with a metal tool to get him to stand up.
The man, who gave his name only as Victor C., said in an interview on the platform that staying on the train was a point of pride: “People not wanting to burden their family, not wanting to count on the government.”The man, who gave his name only as Victor C., said in an interview on the platform that staying on the train was a point of pride: “People not wanting to burden their family, not wanting to count on the government.”
“What works for you may not work for me,” he added.“What works for you may not work for me,” he added.
Generations of homeless people have used New York City’s subway as protection against the elements and a place to unsoundly sleep.Generations of homeless people have used New York City’s subway as protection against the elements and a place to unsoundly sleep.
But with little access to showers or medical care, they have become a health hazard during the coronavirus pandemic. And with ridership down 92 percent, images of them splayed across otherwise empty cars have become searing symbols of the city’s precarious condition.But with little access to showers or medical care, they have become a health hazard during the coronavirus pandemic. And with ridership down 92 percent, images of them splayed across otherwise empty cars have become searing symbols of the city’s precarious condition.
So on Thursday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio and transit officials reached a consensus: Putting the city on track to eventual reopening, and restoring public confidence in public transportation, required an extraordinary step.So on Thursday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio and transit officials reached a consensus: Putting the city on track to eventual reopening, and restoring public confidence in public transportation, required an extraordinary step.
Beginning on Wednesday, a subway system famous for never shutting down will close each night during the pandemic from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., allowing time for intensive cleaning and disinfecting while also eliminating the overnight refuge that some homeless people depend on.Beginning on Wednesday, a subway system famous for never shutting down will close each night during the pandemic from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., allowing time for intensive cleaning and disinfecting while also eliminating the overnight refuge that some homeless people depend on.
Mr. Cuomo and Mr. de Blasio said they would work to help them get shelter.Mr. Cuomo and Mr. de Blasio said they would work to help them get shelter.
“It’s an unacceptable reality and this new plan will disrupt that unacceptable reality and allow us to actually get help to people more effectively,” Mr. de Blasio said.“It’s an unacceptable reality and this new plan will disrupt that unacceptable reality and allow us to actually get help to people more effectively,” Mr. de Blasio said.
Although no one keeps an official daily count, transit workers and homeless New Yorkers said they believed more homeless people were on the subway these days, because other public gathering spots had closed and because they feared the very places where officials want them to go.Although no one keeps an official daily count, transit workers and homeless New Yorkers said they believed more homeless people were on the subway these days, because other public gathering spots had closed and because they feared the very places where officials want them to go.
In the dormitory-style shelters where single adults sleep just a few arms’ lengths from one another, there seems to be no escape from the virus. More than 60 homeless people have died in the outbreak; nearly three out of every four were single adults who had stayed in shelters where multiple people shared rooms and bathrooms.In the dormitory-style shelters where single adults sleep just a few arms’ lengths from one another, there seems to be no escape from the virus. More than 60 homeless people have died in the outbreak; nearly three out of every four were single adults who had stayed in shelters where multiple people shared rooms and bathrooms.
At the same time, almost 100 Metropolitan Transportation Authority employees have died. Many were bus drivers and train operators, all working in confined spaces where multiple people sneeze and cough and grip the same metal poles.At the same time, almost 100 Metropolitan Transportation Authority employees have died. Many were bus drivers and train operators, all working in confined spaces where multiple people sneeze and cough and grip the same metal poles.
No passengers have stirred more public fear than those who, often because of mental illness, are unable to keep themselves clean.No passengers have stirred more public fear than those who, often because of mental illness, are unable to keep themselves clean.
Without the shutdown, cleanup crews now have about 10 to 15 minutes to scrub down cars before a train turns around, said David Duarte, a cleaner based at the Stillwell Avenue Station in Coney Island, Brooklyn, one of the largest elevated terminals in the world.Without the shutdown, cleanup crews now have about 10 to 15 minutes to scrub down cars before a train turns around, said David Duarte, a cleaner based at the Stillwell Avenue Station in Coney Island, Brooklyn, one of the largest elevated terminals in the world.
Mr. Duarte said that he and four co-workers now put on hazmat suits, masks and gloves before starting work.Mr. Duarte said that he and four co-workers now put on hazmat suits, masks and gloves before starting work.
“There can be feces, urine, a lot of trash,” he said. “The more homeless are in there, the harder it is to clean the train.”“There can be feces, urine, a lot of trash,” he said. “The more homeless are in there, the harder it is to clean the train.”
The cleaner at the last stop on the No. 2 line on Wednesday night said that homeless people had cursed her, tried to fight her and spit at her when she asked them to leave the train. Now, she works quickly, paying attention to any symptoms people who refuse to leave are showing.The cleaner at the last stop on the No. 2 line on Wednesday night said that homeless people had cursed her, tried to fight her and spit at her when she asked them to leave the train. Now, she works quickly, paying attention to any symptoms people who refuse to leave are showing.
“I try to keep my mask on and the doors open,” said the woman, who declined to give her name because she was not authorized to speak to a reporter. “And if I hear anybody cough I just run out.”“I try to keep my mask on and the doors open,” said the woman, who declined to give her name because she was not authorized to speak to a reporter. “And if I hear anybody cough I just run out.”
Sarah Feinberg, the interim president of New York City Transit, said in a statement that “the subway system should not be used as a substitute for shelter.”Sarah Feinberg, the interim president of New York City Transit, said in a statement that “the subway system should not be used as a substitute for shelter.”
“It’s not good for our customers, it’s not good for our workers, and it’s not good for homeless New Yorkers who deserve much, much better care,” she said.“It’s not good for our customers, it’s not good for our workers, and it’s not good for homeless New Yorkers who deserve much, much better care,” she said.
For decades, the concentration of homeless people on New York’s streets and trains has been viewed as an indicator of the health of the city itself. Despite growing numbers of homeless people in recent years, a boom in tax revenue has allowed the mayor to meet a legal requirement to place most of them in shelters, apartments and, in recent weeks, thousands of hotel rooms.For decades, the concentration of homeless people on New York’s streets and trains has been viewed as an indicator of the health of the city itself. Despite growing numbers of homeless people in recent years, a boom in tax revenue has allowed the mayor to meet a legal requirement to place most of them in shelters, apartments and, in recent weeks, thousands of hotel rooms.
But with the M.T.A. experiencing deep declines in ridership, the presence of homeless people in the absence of almost all other passengers has made subway cars appear to be nothing so much as rolling shelters.But with the M.T.A. experiencing deep declines in ridership, the presence of homeless people in the absence of almost all other passengers has made subway cars appear to be nothing so much as rolling shelters.
On Tuesday, Mr. Cuomo called images of unkempt homeless people on trains “disgusting.” The remark struck some people as insensitive, but it reflected a broader worry that the authority will have a hard time persuading the millions of daily riders who used the system before the pandemic to trust public transportation again.On Tuesday, Mr. Cuomo called images of unkempt homeless people on trains “disgusting.” The remark struck some people as insensitive, but it reflected a broader worry that the authority will have a hard time persuading the millions of daily riders who used the system before the pandemic to trust public transportation again.
The city and the authority have already been moving more aggressively to remove homeless people from the subway, trying to coax them into shelters and also checking whether they have virus symptoms and might need hospitalization. As is often the case with such outreach efforts, what it looks like depends on which side of the subway doors you are on.The city and the authority have already been moving more aggressively to remove homeless people from the subway, trying to coax them into shelters and also checking whether they have virus symptoms and might need hospitalization. As is often the case with such outreach efforts, what it looks like depends on which side of the subway doors you are on.
Updated June 12, 2020 Updated June 16, 2020
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.
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.
To officials, the nightly descent of police officers, transit employees and homeless services workers into the system is a concerted attempt to restore order and get the most down-and-out the help they desperately need. To homeless people and their advocates, it is an intimidating show of force that tramples individual rights and merely sweeps a problem outside without addressing its root causes.To officials, the nightly descent of police officers, transit employees and homeless services workers into the system is a concerted attempt to restore order and get the most down-and-out the help they desperately need. To homeless people and their advocates, it is an intimidating show of force that tramples individual rights and merely sweeps a problem outside without addressing its root causes.
“At the end of the day, we understand this is a very dangerous situation people are going through,” said Donte Johnson, 47, who has lived on the A and D trains for about three years. “But before this, homeless people were already going through a dangerous situation.”“At the end of the day, we understand this is a very dangerous situation people are going through,” said Donte Johnson, 47, who has lived on the A and D trains for about three years. “But before this, homeless people were already going through a dangerous situation.”
A woman who rode into the Wakefield station on Wednesday, surrounded by trash bags that took up an entire end bench and all the floor space around it, said she resented the way authority officials and the police had treated her. She said they had thrown out some of her bags. And the shelters the city was trying to get her into, she said, were hazardous.A woman who rode into the Wakefield station on Wednesday, surrounded by trash bags that took up an entire end bench and all the floor space around it, said she resented the way authority officials and the police had treated her. She said they had thrown out some of her bags. And the shelters the city was trying to get her into, she said, were hazardous.
“The shelters are full of the virus,” she said, a surgical mask flapping from one ear beneath a black ball cap decorated with colorful ribbons and a sleigh bell. The rest of her clothes were ragged.“The shelters are full of the virus,” she said, a surgical mask flapping from one ear beneath a black ball cap decorated with colorful ribbons and a sleigh bell. The rest of her clothes were ragged.
The woman, who declined to give her name and identified herself only as over 65, said her trick for keeping people away from her is to act sick, or erratic. She had taken to yelling at anyone she rode the train with — some tended to be homeless as well — who was not wearing a mask. It had kept her physically distanced, she said.The woman, who declined to give her name and identified herself only as over 65, said her trick for keeping people away from her is to act sick, or erratic. She had taken to yelling at anyone she rode the train with — some tended to be homeless as well — who was not wearing a mask. It had kept her physically distanced, she said.
All things considered, she said, she felt better protected on the subway than just about anywhere else.All things considered, she said, she felt better protected on the subway than just about anywhere else.
“It’s safer,” she said. “There’s nobody on the train.”“It’s safer,” she said. “There’s nobody on the train.”
The city is trying to mitigate the health risk at shelters by moving thousands of people into hotel rooms that are empty because of a lack of tourists. Urban Justice Center, an advocacy group, said the city had not opened enough rooms; the group has raised about $60,000 for more.The city is trying to mitigate the health risk at shelters by moving thousands of people into hotel rooms that are empty because of a lack of tourists. Urban Justice Center, an advocacy group, said the city had not opened enough rooms; the group has raised about $60,000 for more.
Gina, a 53-year-old woman who did not want to use her last name to protect her identity, moved into a hotel room about two weeks ago. The subway had been her home for more than a year. To wash up, she would buy a cup of coffee or soda from a shop where she could use the bathroom. She kept her belongings in a storage unit.Gina, a 53-year-old woman who did not want to use her last name to protect her identity, moved into a hotel room about two weeks ago. The subway had been her home for more than a year. To wash up, she would buy a cup of coffee or soda from a shop where she could use the bathroom. She kept her belongings in a storage unit.
Now, she doesn’t want to ride the subway because of the health risk. Nor does she want to go into a shelter system where people tend to be close together and where, she said, she was once sexually assaulted.Now, she doesn’t want to ride the subway because of the health risk. Nor does she want to go into a shelter system where people tend to be close together and where, she said, she was once sexually assaulted.
“There are a lot of people who are like me,” said Gina, who lost her job working at a call center in March. “Why would they send you to a shelter where people have Covid? I won’t do it. I’m still afraid.”“There are a lot of people who are like me,” said Gina, who lost her job working at a call center in March. “Why would they send you to a shelter where people have Covid? I won’t do it. I’m still afraid.”
Victor C., the man hustled off the No. 2 train on Wednesday, said he began living on the subway about five years ago after his mother died. He said he worked in construction, had “no issues” and refused to enter the shelter system. “You don’t get the help you need,” he said.Victor C., the man hustled off the No. 2 train on Wednesday, said he began living on the subway about five years ago after his mother died. He said he worked in construction, had “no issues” and refused to enter the shelter system. “You don’t get the help you need,” he said.
And he had no intention of going to a shelter now. After getting kicked off the train, he waited for 20 minutes, and then shuffled onto a train headed south toward Manhattan.And he had no intention of going to a shelter now. After getting kicked off the train, he waited for 20 minutes, and then shuffled onto a train headed south toward Manhattan.
Christina Goldbaum contributed reporting.Christina Goldbaum contributed reporting.