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This Working Man Was Ready to Retire. But the Virus Took Him. This Working Man Was Ready to Retire. But the Virus Took Him.
(3 days later)
HAZLETON, Pa. — Just off Wyoming Street in Pennsylvania’s hilly, working-class city of Hazleton, Laury Sorensen and her husband, Emil, lugged groceries from a pickup truck upstairs to her parents’ wood-frame home.HAZLETON, Pa. — Just off Wyoming Street in Pennsylvania’s hilly, working-class city of Hazleton, Laury Sorensen and her husband, Emil, lugged groceries from a pickup truck upstairs to her parents’ wood-frame home.
They sought to spare Ms. Sorensen’s father, Rafael Benjamin, a trip to the supermarket in a time of infectious plague. He ran enough risk working for Cargill Meat Solutions in an industrial park outside the city.They sought to spare Ms. Sorensen’s father, Rafael Benjamin, a trip to the supermarket in a time of infectious plague. He ran enough risk working for Cargill Meat Solutions in an industrial park outside the city.
The Pennsylvania governor had issued a shutdown order but exempted Cargill, which packages meat in plastic wrap. Mr. Benjamin, a good-natured man who rarely missed a day of work, said colleagues labored shoulder to shoulder in March without masks and gloves, and he worried it had become a petri dish for sickness.The Pennsylvania governor had issued a shutdown order but exempted Cargill, which packages meat in plastic wrap. Mr. Benjamin, a good-natured man who rarely missed a day of work, said colleagues labored shoulder to shoulder in March without masks and gloves, and he worried it had become a petri dish for sickness.
A few days later, Mr. Benjamin could not come to the phone. “He got sick on Tuesday,” his son-in-law texted. “He’s on a respirator.”A few days later, Mr. Benjamin could not come to the phone. “He got sick on Tuesday,” his son-in-law texted. “He’s on a respirator.”
Then another text: “He was six days from retirement.”Then another text: “He was six days from retirement.”
This is the tale of the virus as it swept down Wyoming Street in a city of 25,000 tucked into the wooded, still-leafless foothills of the Poconos. Five days spent along a few blocks of old, worn rowhouses and storefronts revealed the virus to be all around. All anyone spoke about was the people falling ill.This is the tale of the virus as it swept down Wyoming Street in a city of 25,000 tucked into the wooded, still-leafless foothills of the Poconos. Five days spent along a few blocks of old, worn rowhouses and storefronts revealed the virus to be all around. All anyone spoke about was the people falling ill.
Workers along these blocks, particularly those from Hazleton’s many factories and warehouses, faced a primal calculus. They could not leave jobs, even as co-workers fell sick and some brought the virus home with them.Workers along these blocks, particularly those from Hazleton’s many factories and warehouses, faced a primal calculus. They could not leave jobs, even as co-workers fell sick and some brought the virus home with them.
Economic margins of life were thin. Rafael Polanco, a tax preparer who owns two buildings, said that none of his tenants had paid April rent. Chaskin Jewelers was shuttered as was Roxana’s Afro-Latina Hair Extensions.Economic margins of life were thin. Rafael Polanco, a tax preparer who owns two buildings, said that none of his tenants had paid April rent. Chaskin Jewelers was shuttered as was Roxana’s Afro-Latina Hair Extensions.
Willy’s Barber Shop, into which Wilfredo Soto had poured his life savings, was closed, his towel and sheet still neatly folded over his barber chair.Willy’s Barber Shop, into which Wilfredo Soto had poured his life savings, was closed, his towel and sheet still neatly folded over his barber chair.
Tap on the glass door of Tom Wagner’s sporting goods store and Mr. Wagner himself opened up. He had lost Little League sales to the virus and was staying afloat on a surge in virus-fed gun sales.Tap on the glass door of Tom Wagner’s sporting goods store and Mr. Wagner himself opened up. He had lost Little League sales to the virus and was staying afloat on a surge in virus-fed gun sales.
“Long guns, handguns, shotguns, you name it,” he said.“Long guns, handguns, shotguns, you name it,” he said.
Leandro Noboa, 35, who had the easy stride of a former athlete, walked out of an apartment building on Wyoming Street, cradling an air-conditioner. He was loading his family’s furniture into a U-Haul truck and talked through his medical mask.Leandro Noboa, 35, who had the easy stride of a former athlete, walked out of an apartment building on Wyoming Street, cradling an air-conditioner. He was loading his family’s furniture into a U-Haul truck and talked through his medical mask.
He had just purchased a house on the South Side of Hazleton. He had worked steadily since he was a teenager, but co-workers of his at a clothing factory had been sickened and that worried him. State officials had designated his factory — like Cargill and Amazon — essential businesses. If he walked away, he would not collect unemployment.He had just purchased a house on the South Side of Hazleton. He had worked steadily since he was a teenager, but co-workers of his at a clothing factory had been sickened and that worried him. State officials had designated his factory — like Cargill and Amazon — essential businesses. If he walked away, he would not collect unemployment.
He had a 13-year-old son and a wife who had lupus, a disease of the immune system. His sleep was restless.He had a 13-year-old son and a wife who had lupus, a disease of the immune system. His sleep was restless.
“I can’t afford to stop working,” Mr. Noboa said. “And I can’t afford to bring that virus home with me.”“I can’t afford to stop working,” Mr. Noboa said. “And I can’t afford to bring that virus home with me.”
By late March, Hazleton had recorded only a dozen confirmed cases of the virus. But Mayor Jeff Cusat heard too many people coughing and too many whispers of fevers. He worked with a hospital to put up testing tents.By late March, Hazleton had recorded only a dozen confirmed cases of the virus. But Mayor Jeff Cusat heard too many people coughing and too many whispers of fevers. He worked with a hospital to put up testing tents.
Within two days, testing uncovered 300 infections. Ten days later, more than 1,000 tests had come back positive. Hazleton, once known for its anthracite coal, textiles, electric street cars and bloody labor strikes, had become one of the hottest coronavirus spots per capita in the nation.Within two days, testing uncovered 300 infections. Ten days later, more than 1,000 tests had come back positive. Hazleton, once known for its anthracite coal, textiles, electric street cars and bloody labor strikes, had become one of the hottest coronavirus spots per capita in the nation.
Eighteen years ago, Cesar Soriano drove 155 miles west from his native Brooklyn and fell in love with Hazleton. An amateur boxer, he purchased a house for $40,000 and took over the Hennesy Thrift Shop, which he rents for $750 per month. Neighbors said he was a generous spirit and after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and some people from the island arrived in Hazleton, he gave away couches, tables and clothes.Eighteen years ago, Cesar Soriano drove 155 miles west from his native Brooklyn and fell in love with Hazleton. An amateur boxer, he purchased a house for $40,000 and took over the Hennesy Thrift Shop, which he rents for $750 per month. Neighbors said he was a generous spirit and after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and some people from the island arrived in Hazleton, he gave away couches, tables and clothes.
“I’m supposed to let kids sleep on the floor?” Mr. Soriano replied when asked about his reputation.“I’m supposed to let kids sleep on the floor?” Mr. Soriano replied when asked about his reputation.
What about the virus?What about the virus?
He stood on the stoop outside his shuttered shop and pointed to an upstairs apartment. A hacking cough could be heard from the sidewalk. Two sisters live there, he said, and one has the virus. Over there — he pointed to an apartment atop a closed cellphone repair shop; two factory workers who share the place with other workers, sleeping in shifts, had fallen ill, he said.He stood on the stoop outside his shuttered shop and pointed to an upstairs apartment. A hacking cough could be heard from the sidewalk. Two sisters live there, he said, and one has the virus. Over there — he pointed to an apartment atop a closed cellphone repair shop; two factory workers who share the place with other workers, sleeping in shifts, had fallen ill, he said.
“There’s not a lot of money out here, but these people, they’re my friends,” he said.“There’s not a lot of money out here, but these people, they’re my friends,” he said.
What about him? He shrugged. “I’m going broke,” he said.What about him? He shrugged. “I’m going broke,” he said.
Frankie’s Pizzeria sat another 50 feet down the street. Lauren Sacco, 33, is inside. She tends to three family businesses, and last year was elected to the City Council and gave birth to a daughter. Ms. Sacco is a many generations daughter of Hazleton and calls the governor’s office daily to demand that inspectors do something about the infection rate in the factories.Frankie’s Pizzeria sat another 50 feet down the street. Lauren Sacco, 33, is inside. She tends to three family businesses, and last year was elected to the City Council and gave birth to a daughter. Ms. Sacco is a many generations daughter of Hazleton and calls the governor’s office daily to demand that inspectors do something about the infection rate in the factories.
Some days it feels like the virus hangs heavy in the air in her city.Some days it feels like the virus hangs heavy in the air in her city.
“I leave my house at 6:30 each morning and I don’t get into bed until near midnight, and my brain is like scrambled eggs,” she said. “Dear Lord Jesus, sometimes I turn to my husband and ask, ‘Do you think we’ll catch it?’”“I leave my house at 6:30 each morning and I don’t get into bed until near midnight, and my brain is like scrambled eggs,” she said. “Dear Lord Jesus, sometimes I turn to my husband and ask, ‘Do you think we’ll catch it?’”
This corner of Hazleton has sharp elbows. Wages are low and some young men drift into drug dealing and gangs. Tensions bubble up, at times, between longtime residents who are white and newer residents from places like the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, who make up 60 percent of the population, over jobs and language.This corner of Hazleton has sharp elbows. Wages are low and some young men drift into drug dealing and gangs. Tensions bubble up, at times, between longtime residents who are white and newer residents from places like the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, who make up 60 percent of the population, over jobs and language.
But a working-class ethos holds. Some landlords cut rent for unemployed tenants. And outside Frankie’s, Anthony Colombo, a councilman, loaded frozen hams and chickens into his van. He spent his afternoon calling on the aging and ailing.But a working-class ethos holds. Some landlords cut rent for unemployed tenants. And outside Frankie’s, Anthony Colombo, a councilman, loaded frozen hams and chickens into his van. He spent his afternoon calling on the aging and ailing.
“No stopping now,” he said, slipping a camouflage medical mask over his grizzled stubble.“No stopping now,” he said, slipping a camouflage medical mask over his grizzled stubble.
As the virus swept through Hazleton, van services that ferry Dominicans between Hazleton and extended families in New York became points of contention amid fear of transmission.As the virus swept through Hazleton, van services that ferry Dominicans between Hazleton and extended families in New York became points of contention amid fear of transmission.
Mayor Cusat spoke with the owners of the van services, who agreed to suspend services to New York, where the virus was devastating neighborhoods.Mayor Cusat spoke with the owners of the van services, who agreed to suspend services to New York, where the virus was devastating neighborhoods.
County and city officials imposed a curfew on Hazleton. Too many young people were paying too little attention to social distancing.County and city officials imposed a curfew on Hazleton. Too many young people were paying too little attention to social distancing.
Ms. Sacco decided to stage a Facebook video one night for her constituents after she put the baby to sleep. She sat in her living room and talked, plain and no baloney, about where to get masks, food, tests, health care — and how to handle fear. She enlisted a friend, Jomaira Montero, to translate her message into Spanish and that video attracted 7,000 views.Ms. Sacco decided to stage a Facebook video one night for her constituents after she put the baby to sleep. She sat in her living room and talked, plain and no baloney, about where to get masks, food, tests, health care — and how to handle fear. She enlisted a friend, Jomaira Montero, to translate her message into Spanish and that video attracted 7,000 views.
One of the comments she received on her Facebook page that night was from an older white man she knew, who blamed the spread of the coronavirus on Latinos. Ms. Sacco’s jaw went tight as a wire. “If you are going to send ignorant comments through the thread, you are going to be kicked off,” she said to her audience. “We’re one. Whether you are black, white, Dominican, Italian — get with it.”One of the comments she received on her Facebook page that night was from an older white man she knew, who blamed the spread of the coronavirus on Latinos. Ms. Sacco’s jaw went tight as a wire. “If you are going to send ignorant comments through the thread, you are going to be kicked off,” she said to her audience. “We’re one. Whether you are black, white, Dominican, Italian — get with it.”
Updated June 5, 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.
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.
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.
Some business owners tried to pay employees. Barry Chaskin, the 77-year-old jeweler, has two employees of more than a quarter-century each. His pockets are not deep, but he pays. “I can’t do this forever,” he said, “but I can’t live with myself if I stop.”Some business owners tried to pay employees. Barry Chaskin, the 77-year-old jeweler, has two employees of more than a quarter-century each. His pockets are not deep, but he pays. “I can’t do this forever,” he said, “but I can’t live with myself if I stop.”
Mr. Soriano, the thrift shop owner, sat at the desk in his darkened shop last week and had a reckoning with his bank account. He could pay his idled employee two months more before he hit bottom.Mr. Soriano, the thrift shop owner, sat at the desk in his darkened shop last week and had a reckoning with his bank account. He could pay his idled employee two months more before he hit bottom.
The greatest danger is found in the industrial parks that sit across the city line in Hazle Township. You could drive those roads for an hour, slicing down factory canyons the length of many football fields. About 13,000 worked there, some in union jobs, and that was a source of pride for a lot of people who worked along Wyoming Street.The greatest danger is found in the industrial parks that sit across the city line in Hazle Township. You could drive those roads for an hour, slicing down factory canyons the length of many football fields. About 13,000 worked there, some in union jobs, and that was a source of pride for a lot of people who worked along Wyoming Street.
State officials allowed most of these warehouses and factories — American Eagle, Tootsie Roll, AutoZone — to remain open, declaring their products essential for the economy. Each night, workers returned to Hazleton. More than 200 workers at Cargill fell ill, one-fifth of the work force, when the company closed for a week. Other facilities have been hit.State officials allowed most of these warehouses and factories — American Eagle, Tootsie Roll, AutoZone — to remain open, declaring their products essential for the economy. Each night, workers returned to Hazleton. More than 200 workers at Cargill fell ill, one-fifth of the work force, when the company closed for a week. Other facilities have been hit.
Mr. Noboa opened the door to his new home on South Wyoming Street. He walked into his living room, where boxes lay unpacked, curtain rods on the floor. He sat across the living room so as not to risk infection.Mr. Noboa opened the door to his new home on South Wyoming Street. He walked into his living room, where boxes lay unpacked, curtain rods on the floor. He sat across the living room so as not to risk infection.
Born on the south coast of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Noboa came to the United States as a teenage minor league pitcher. A shoulder injury extinguished those dreams, and he moved to New York, Providence and now Hazelton, always working.Born on the south coast of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Noboa came to the United States as a teenage minor league pitcher. A shoulder injury extinguished those dreams, and he moved to New York, Providence and now Hazelton, always working.
He frowned, looked away. He says he hears dry coughs at the factory where he works and sees colleagues walk off to the bathrooms to catch their breath and spit up into toilets.He frowned, looked away. He says he hears dry coughs at the factory where he works and sees colleagues walk off to the bathrooms to catch their breath and spit up into toilets.
More than 13,000 people labor for 100 companies in three industrial parks on the outskirts of town. Most have stayed open, and township supervisors said they had recorded many hundreds of infections.More than 13,000 people labor for 100 companies in three industrial parks on the outskirts of town. Most have stayed open, and township supervisors said they had recorded many hundreds of infections.
“If I give the sickness to my wife, I cannot live with myself,” he said. “I think about this all the time.”“If I give the sickness to my wife, I cannot live with myself,” he said. “I think about this all the time.”
Mr. Noboa’s wife’s joint pain, he said, was electric this day. Mr. Noboa stepped onto the porch, as a north wind drove rain slantwise. Every day he said he woke up and touched his forehead to see if it was hot.Mr. Noboa’s wife’s joint pain, he said, was electric this day. Mr. Noboa stepped onto the porch, as a north wind drove rain slantwise. Every day he said he woke up and touched his forehead to see if it was hot.
In mid-April, another text arrived from Emil Sorensen with an update about his ailing father-in-law, Mr. Benjamin: “He’s still hanging in there. They moved him to a hospital in Allentown.”In mid-April, another text arrived from Emil Sorensen with an update about his ailing father-in-law, Mr. Benjamin: “He’s still hanging in there. They moved him to a hospital in Allentown.”
A week later, another text: “My father in law passed.”A week later, another text: “My father in law passed.”
Mr. Benjamin’s children had worried in late March that their father might get infected and so they gave him goggles and gloves to wear at the factory. His son, Larry Benjamin, said that the supervisors told him to put those away. “They said that it would scare the other workers,” his son said.Mr. Benjamin’s children had worried in late March that their father might get infected and so they gave him goggles and gloves to wear at the factory. His son, Larry Benjamin, said that the supervisors told him to put those away. “They said that it would scare the other workers,” his son said.
Cargill’s general manager, Aaron Humes, confirmed that more than 200 workers were infected with Covid-19 at the Cargill plant in Hazleton. One other worker has died.Cargill’s general manager, Aaron Humes, confirmed that more than 200 workers were infected with Covid-19 at the Cargill plant in Hazleton. One other worker has died.
Mr. Humes said he knew nothing of a dispute over Mr. Benjamin’s goggles, although he noted that Mr. Benjamin was widely respected. Mr. Humes said that state officials gave Cargill no guidance on extra safety measures in March. In early April, the company began to hand out masks and gloves to workers, and placed protective curtains between each work station.Mr. Humes said he knew nothing of a dispute over Mr. Benjamin’s goggles, although he noted that Mr. Benjamin was widely respected. Mr. Humes said that state officials gave Cargill no guidance on extra safety measures in March. In early April, the company began to hand out masks and gloves to workers, and placed protective curtains between each work station.
Mr. Benjamin was already infected by then, his family said.Mr. Benjamin was already infected by then, his family said.
The plant shut down for a week of cleaning and retrofitting, and Cargill now takes temperature readings of workers every day.The plant shut down for a week of cleaning and retrofitting, and Cargill now takes temperature readings of workers every day.
“We didn’t think it was going to move so fast,” Mr. Humes said. “We scratch our heads and ask, ‘Why didn’t we know this a month ago?’”“We didn’t think it was going to move so fast,” Mr. Humes said. “We scratch our heads and ask, ‘Why didn’t we know this a month ago?’”
Mr. Benjamin’s son, Larry, was driving north to Hazleton from Atlanta with one of his sisters when their father died. They never saw his body.Mr. Benjamin’s son, Larry, was driving north to Hazleton from Atlanta with one of his sisters when their father died. They never saw his body.
“Seventeen years he worked there, ready for retirement, and now he’s dead,” his son said. “The virus took him away.”“Seventeen years he worked there, ready for retirement, and now he’s dead,” his son said. “The virus took him away.”