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| Coronavirus Crisis Threatens Push for Denser Housing | Coronavirus Crisis Threatens Push for Denser Housing |
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| SILVER SPRING, Md. — Katie and Timothy Carney were searching for a larger home to accommodate their growing family. But equally important to them was finding a place within easy distance of Washington’s Metro rail line. They finally pounced when they saw a 2,500-square-foot colonial-style house in a mixed-use development less than a mile from the nearest rail stop in Silver Spring. | SILVER SPRING, Md. — Katie and Timothy Carney were searching for a larger home to accommodate their growing family. But equally important to them was finding a place within easy distance of Washington’s Metro rail line. They finally pounced when they saw a 2,500-square-foot colonial-style house in a mixed-use development less than a mile from the nearest rail stop in Silver Spring. |
| “He can leave his office downtown and be home in 50 minutes,” Mrs. Carney said of her husband, who works as a journalist at The Washington Examiner. He can walk to the transit stop in less than 15 minutes. | “He can leave his office downtown and be home in 50 minutes,” Mrs. Carney said of her husband, who works as a journalist at The Washington Examiner. He can walk to the transit stop in less than 15 minutes. |
| That’s music to the ears of planners and housing advocates trying to address the housing crisis ravaging cities like San Francisco and Seattle. But some developers worry that the coronavirus pandemic will stop the momentum as social distancing and telecommuting become the norm. | That’s music to the ears of planners and housing advocates trying to address the housing crisis ravaging cities like San Francisco and Seattle. But some developers worry that the coronavirus pandemic will stop the momentum as social distancing and telecommuting become the norm. |
| Transportation and denser housing have been the two focal points of urban residential development for the last decade, as cities try to combat a severe shortage of affordable housing. In areas where car commute times continue to climb, and freeways are at capacity, building denser communities along transit lines is seen as a panacea. | Transportation and denser housing have been the two focal points of urban residential development for the last decade, as cities try to combat a severe shortage of affordable housing. In areas where car commute times continue to climb, and freeways are at capacity, building denser communities along transit lines is seen as a panacea. |
| These projects, known as live-leave developments or more formally as transit-oriented developments, can be no-frills projects that focus on housing and getting people in and out fast. Or they can be more centered on amenities, meant to attract not only residents but commercial developers who find the density attractive for restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques. As an added benefit, developers can usually forgo expensive surface parking lots on prime real estate, as most residents use public transportation. | These projects, known as live-leave developments or more formally as transit-oriented developments, can be no-frills projects that focus on housing and getting people in and out fast. Or they can be more centered on amenities, meant to attract not only residents but commercial developers who find the density attractive for restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques. As an added benefit, developers can usually forgo expensive surface parking lots on prime real estate, as most residents use public transportation. |
| In California, legislation has been proposed to change zoning restrictions to make building transit-oriented developments near light rail lines easier. The bill was narrowly voted down in January because of concerns that it would strip local communities of too much control. | In California, legislation has been proposed to change zoning restrictions to make building transit-oriented developments near light rail lines easier. The bill was narrowly voted down in January because of concerns that it would strip local communities of too much control. |
| But the need for transit-oriented developments will not go away, even with the pandemic, said the bill’s sponsor, Senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat who represents San Francisco. | But the need for transit-oriented developments will not go away, even with the pandemic, said the bill’s sponsor, Senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat who represents San Francisco. |
| “We need to take a deep breath and do the things we know will put an end to the pandemic,” Mr. Wiener said, referring to the need for testing and a vaccine. But after the pandemic ends, California will still have a staggering homelessness problem of more 100,000 people that can be addressed only by building more housing, he said. | “We need to take a deep breath and do the things we know will put an end to the pandemic,” Mr. Wiener said, referring to the need for testing and a vaccine. But after the pandemic ends, California will still have a staggering homelessness problem of more 100,000 people that can be addressed only by building more housing, he said. |
| Transit-oriented development also carries economic weight. Developments at six stops along the Gold Line in Pasadena, Calif., have attracted 3,500 housing units and created 250,000 square feet of retail space, along with 603,000 square feet of office space, 421,000 square feet of hotel space and 306,000 square feet for other commercial construction, according to a 2016 study by Beacon Economics, an independent research firm in Los Angeles. | Transit-oriented development also carries economic weight. Developments at six stops along the Gold Line in Pasadena, Calif., have attracted 3,500 housing units and created 250,000 square feet of retail space, along with 603,000 square feet of office space, 421,000 square feet of hotel space and 306,000 square feet for other commercial construction, according to a 2016 study by Beacon Economics, an independent research firm in Los Angeles. |
| Those numbers are comparable to what has been seen in other markets, said Adam J. Fowler, research director of Beacon Economics. He agreed that the pandemic would not change the need for transit-oriented development. | Those numbers are comparable to what has been seen in other markets, said Adam J. Fowler, research director of Beacon Economics. He agreed that the pandemic would not change the need for transit-oriented development. |
| But Isaiah Madison, a board member of Livable California, a nonprofit group that promotes local control, thinks the pandemic will force legislation on transit-oriented development in new directions. | But Isaiah Madison, a board member of Livable California, a nonprofit group that promotes local control, thinks the pandemic will force legislation on transit-oriented development in new directions. |
| “The whole discussion about housing will change. A lot of the bills and laws the Legislature have been discussing will be looked at in a different lens,” he said. | “The whole discussion about housing will change. A lot of the bills and laws the Legislature have been discussing will be looked at in a different lens,” he said. |
| Most experts say that the demand for transit-oriented development will still exist in some form after the crisis, but that the pandemic will leave a legacy. | Most experts say that the demand for transit-oriented development will still exist in some form after the crisis, but that the pandemic will leave a legacy. |
| Developers should take heed of the long-term effects of the pandemic, said Dr. Richard J. Jackson, professor emeritus in the department of environmental health sciences at the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles, who has studied transit and development. | Developers should take heed of the long-term effects of the pandemic, said Dr. Richard J. Jackson, professor emeritus in the department of environmental health sciences at the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles, who has studied transit and development. |
| “I wouldn’t make any big development decisions right now,” said Dr. Jackson, a former officer in the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. | “I wouldn’t make any big development decisions right now,” said Dr. Jackson, a former officer in the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
| The economic fallout is likely to last five years or more, he added, and people may be wearing masks for several years. Developers will have to factor the pandemic, and other crises, into their plans. | The economic fallout is likely to last five years or more, he added, and people may be wearing masks for several years. Developers will have to factor the pandemic, and other crises, into their plans. |
| “You have to plan out 100 years for building residences and creating buildings that are resilient and confront a multitude of hazards: terrorism, earthquakes, fires, climate change, energy shortages,” Dr. Jackson said. | “You have to plan out 100 years for building residences and creating buildings that are resilient and confront a multitude of hazards: terrorism, earthquakes, fires, climate change, energy shortages,” Dr. Jackson said. |
| In the same way that better sanitation came after the Spanish flu 100 years ago, post-pandemic innovations for commercial developers will emerge, said Jennifer D. Roberts, an assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Maryland School of Public Health who has studied human health as it relates to commuter rail proximity. | In the same way that better sanitation came after the Spanish flu 100 years ago, post-pandemic innovations for commercial developers will emerge, said Jennifer D. Roberts, an assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Maryland School of Public Health who has studied human health as it relates to commuter rail proximity. |
| “This is an opportunity to think in new ways, but people will still want to live close to transit,” she said. | “This is an opportunity to think in new ways, but people will still want to live close to transit,” she said. |
| The challenge for developers will be marrying density with safety, which will now require an interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Jackson said. | The challenge for developers will be marrying density with safety, which will now require an interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Jackson said. |
| The era of a single architect designing buildings is over, he said, and transit-oriented development will need to bring in the best minds from design, health and transit to come up with living spaces that are conducive to community but also the well-being of residents. | The era of a single architect designing buildings is over, he said, and transit-oriented development will need to bring in the best minds from design, health and transit to come up with living spaces that are conducive to community but also the well-being of residents. |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | Updated June 12, 2020 |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| Developers are already starting to consider new design plans. | Developers are already starting to consider new design plans. |
| Transit-oriented developments “will be much, much more focused on public health,” said John W. Hempelmann, a lawyer in Seattle and a former chairman of the Transit-Oriented Development Council of the Urban Land Institute. | Transit-oriented developments “will be much, much more focused on public health,” said John W. Hempelmann, a lawyer in Seattle and a former chairman of the Transit-Oriented Development Council of the Urban Land Institute. |
| Expect more open spaces, broader sidewalks, slimmer roads and promenades in the future, Mr. Hempelmann said. Consideration for social distancing, along with more robust preparation, will mitigate the effects of any future pandemics, he added. | Expect more open spaces, broader sidewalks, slimmer roads and promenades in the future, Mr. Hempelmann said. Consideration for social distancing, along with more robust preparation, will mitigate the effects of any future pandemics, he added. |
| Seattle has several transit-oriented developments under construction, including a 24,240-square-foot project in the University District, which will feature a mixed-use high-rise with more than 200 apartments a few blocks from a planned light rail stop. | Seattle has several transit-oriented developments under construction, including a 24,240-square-foot project in the University District, which will feature a mixed-use high-rise with more than 200 apartments a few blocks from a planned light rail stop. |
| “No one knew what T.O.D. meant 15 years ago,” Mr. Hempelmann said. “Now, it is an extraordinarily popular concept.” | “No one knew what T.O.D. meant 15 years ago,” Mr. Hempelmann said. “Now, it is an extraordinarily popular concept.” |
| But the excitement around transit-oriented development could be tempered as Americans adapt to telecommuting, decreasing the need for some to live close to mass transit, said Bob Youngentob, chief executive of EYA, a developer in Maryland that builds transit-oriented developments in the Washington area. | But the excitement around transit-oriented development could be tempered as Americans adapt to telecommuting, decreasing the need for some to live close to mass transit, said Bob Youngentob, chief executive of EYA, a developer in Maryland that builds transit-oriented developments in the Washington area. |
| The desire for denser developments might diminish, he said, and his company may switch its focus to townhomes. | The desire for denser developments might diminish, he said, and his company may switch its focus to townhomes. |
| “The forced interaction of sharing doors and elevators has caused some anxiety,” Mr. Youngentob said. “Townhomes, where you come in and out of your door, and you know you are the only one touching your door handle, provide some comfort.” | “The forced interaction of sharing doors and elevators has caused some anxiety,” Mr. Youngentob said. “Townhomes, where you come in and out of your door, and you know you are the only one touching your door handle, provide some comfort.” |
| Despite worries over the pandemic, Mrs. Carney, the Silver Spring resident, said the pandemic had not made her regret her family’s decision to move near Washington’s rail line. | Despite worries over the pandemic, Mrs. Carney, the Silver Spring resident, said the pandemic had not made her regret her family’s decision to move near Washington’s rail line. |
| “The hope is that this is not permanent, and this is why it is still worth it,” she said. “If it were permanent, it might change my thinking.” | “The hope is that this is not permanent, and this is why it is still worth it,” she said. “If it were permanent, it might change my thinking.” |