'New York to Begin Limited Reopening in Upstate Region' diff viewer (0/1)

This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on May 12, 2020 01:30 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/nyregion/reopen-new-york-coronavirus.html

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Next version

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Next version

Version 0	Version 1
New York to Begin Limited Reopening in Upstate Region	New York to Begin Limited Reopening in Upstate Region
2020-05-12 01:30:29 UTC	2020-07-02 06:10:32 UTC (about 2 months later)
In the most concrete step toward restarting his battered and shuttered state, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Monday that large chunks of New York State’s central interior will be allowed to partially reopen construction, manufacturing and curbside retail this weekend.	In the most concrete step toward restarting his battered and shuttered state, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Monday that large chunks of New York State’s central interior will be allowed to partially reopen construction, manufacturing and curbside retail this weekend.
The move toward a limited, regional reopening came 10 weeks after the state’s first confirmed case of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 26,000 people in New York and sickened hundreds of thousands more. That toll has been largely borne by New York City and its populous suburbs, with far fewer cases and fatalities thus far in the state’s more rural communities and smaller cities.	The move toward a limited, regional reopening came 10 weeks after the state’s first confirmed case of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 26,000 people in New York and sickened hundreds of thousands more. That toll has been largely borne by New York City and its populous suburbs, with far fewer cases and fatalities thus far in the state’s more rural communities and smaller cities.
Indeed, Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday offered a more sobering assessment for the city, the nation’s financial capital, saying that no reopening of any kind would be likely there until June, at the earliest.	Indeed, Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday offered a more sobering assessment for the city, the nation’s financial capital, saying that no reopening of any kind would be likely there until June, at the earliest.
And even as Mr. Cuomo, a third-term Democrat, announced that three regions — the Finger Lakes, including Rochester, a major city on Lake Ontario; the Southern Tier, which borders Pennsylvania; and the Mohawk Valley, west of Albany — have successfully met benchmarks for reopening, there still remained many hurdles to clear.	And even as Mr. Cuomo, a third-term Democrat, announced that three regions — the Finger Lakes, including Rochester, a major city on Lake Ontario; the Southern Tier, which borders Pennsylvania; and the Mohawk Valley, west of Albany — have successfully met benchmarks for reopening, there still remained many hurdles to clear.
Newly formed regional “control rooms” will be granted oversight and authority to give businesses the go-ahead to open; they can also impose their own safety requirements. They will have the authority to slow or shut down reopening plans, Mr. Cuomo said, if data about the disease shows a worsening of conditions.	Newly formed regional “control rooms” will be granted oversight and authority to give businesses the go-ahead to open; they can also impose their own safety requirements. They will have the authority to slow or shut down reopening plans, Mr. Cuomo said, if data about the disease shows a worsening of conditions.
Businesses will also carry a heavy burden, as employees return to radically altered work spaces, operating under tight controls, including social-distancing protocols, staggered shifts and frequent cleaning and disinfecting. Company cafeterias would most likely be closed, Mr. Cuomo suggested, and employees subject to testing in the case of outbreaks.	Businesses will also carry a heavy burden, as employees return to radically altered work spaces, operating under tight controls, including social-distancing protocols, staggered shifts and frequent cleaning and disinfecting. Company cafeterias would most likely be closed, Mr. Cuomo suggested, and employees subject to testing in the case of outbreaks.
“There’s no gathering,” Mr. Cuomo said. “That’s what we’re trying to avoid.”	“There’s no gathering,” Mr. Cuomo said. “That’s what we’re trying to avoid.”
Retail businesses would also be allowed to reopen for curbside service under the plan, with employees in masks. Health screening would also be required of all businesses in the first phase, which would be evaluated after two weeks to determine its impact on the spread of the disease.	Retail businesses would also be allowed to reopen for curbside service under the plan, with employees in masks. Health screening would also be required of all businesses in the first phase, which would be evaluated after two weeks to determine its impact on the spread of the disease.
“We are all anxious to get back to work,” Mr. Cuomo said, in a briefing in Irondequoit, near Rochester. “We want to do it smartly, we want to do it intelligently, but we want to do it.”	“We are all anxious to get back to work,” Mr. Cuomo said, in a briefing in Irondequoit, near Rochester. “We want to do it smartly, we want to do it intelligently, but we want to do it.”
Mr. Cuomo noted that the number of new hospitalizations statewide for Covid-19 — the disease caused by the coronavirus — was roughly the same as it was just before he issued the statewide stay-at-home order, known as New York State On Pause. The number of deaths reported on Sunday — 161 — was the lowest daily death toll since late March.	Mr. Cuomo noted that the number of new hospitalizations statewide for Covid-19 — the disease caused by the coronavirus — was roughly the same as it was just before he issued the statewide stay-at-home order, known as New York State On Pause. The number of deaths reported on Sunday — 161 — was the lowest daily death toll since late March.
In light of such statistics, the governor said other smaller semblances of normal life would be allowed to resume across the state, including drive-in movies, landscaping projects and “low-risk recreational activities,” such as tennis, a sport with built-in social distancing.	In light of such statistics, the governor said other smaller semblances of normal life would be allowed to resume across the state, including drive-in movies, landscaping projects and “low-risk recreational activities,” such as tennis, a sport with built-in social distancing.
The decision to restart the commercial and professional lives of some New Yorkers was welcomed by business leaders, who have watched as more than one million state residents have lost their jobs since early March.	The decision to restart the commercial and professional lives of some New Yorkers was welcomed by business leaders, who have watched as more than one million state residents have lost their jobs since early March.
In Rochester, the largest city eligible to reopen some of its businesses, Ashley Mayberry-O’Connell, an executive at QES Solutions, a business support company, said the firm had laid off about 85 percent of its 80-person work force, but hoped to “hire all our employees back” in light of the governor’s announcement.	In Rochester, the largest city eligible to reopen some of its businesses, Ashley Mayberry-O’Connell, an executive at QES Solutions, a business support company, said the firm had laid off about 85 percent of its 80-person work force, but hoped to “hire all our employees back” in light of the governor’s announcement.
But Mr. Cuomo’s announcement also left state business leaders with numerous questions.	But Mr. Cuomo’s announcement also left state business leaders with numerous questions.
“What’s not clear yet is exactly what the state is going to expect from you,” said Ken Pokalsky, the vice president at the Business Council of New York State. “Do you just say, ‘I have a plan’ and you’re good to go? Or are there going to be some additional details you need to provide?”	“What’s not clear yet is exactly what the state is going to expect from you,” said Ken Pokalsky, the vice president at the Business Council of New York State. “Do you just say, ‘I have a plan’ and you’re good to go? Or are there going to be some additional details you need to provide?”
Robert Duffy, the former lieutenant governor and member of the Finger Lakes control room, said it would be the companies’ responsibility to meet the safety criteria laid out by the governor.	Robert Duffy, the former lieutenant governor and member of the Finger Lakes control room, said it would be the companies’ responsibility to meet the safety criteria laid out by the governor.
And while Mr. Duffy said many business want to reopen, having taken “some huge economic hits,” he acknowledged that “there is also trepidation among employees and customers” as reopening progresses.	And while Mr. Duffy said many business want to reopen, having taken “some huge economic hits,” he acknowledged that “there is also trepidation among employees and customers” as reopening progresses.
“I don’t believe people are going to rush back to a crowded restaurant,” Mr. Duffy said. “They’re not going to jump in a plane. They may be afraid to go back to their gym or fitness center.”	“I don’t believe people are going to rush back to a crowded restaurant,” Mr. Duffy said. “They’re not going to jump in a plane. They may be afraid to go back to their gym or fitness center.”
The state’s nonessential businesses have been closed since March 22, under a stay-at-home order issued by Mr. Cuomo, and extended in mid-April.	The state’s nonessential businesses have been closed since March 22, under a stay-at-home order issued by Mr. Cuomo, and extended in mid-April.
As the state’s daily death toll began to slacken, the governor had laid out a detailed plan for reopening last week, requiring each of 10 regions around the state to fulfill seven metrics in order to prove readiness to reopen. Those include beefing up testing and contact tracing, ensuring hospital capacity and showing sustained declines in deaths and new cases of the virus.	As the state’s daily death toll began to slacken, the governor had laid out a detailed plan for reopening last week, requiring each of 10 regions around the state to fulfill seven metrics in order to prove readiness to reopen. Those include beefing up testing and contact tracing, ensuring hospital capacity and showing sustained declines in deaths and new cases of the virus.
Two other regions, in central New York and the Adirondack Mountains, are meeting six of the seven metrics. But the city and two other surrounding areas — Long Island and the Hudson Valley — continued to be hindered by stubbornly high hospitalization rates.	Two other regions, in central New York and the Adirondack Mountains, are meeting six of the seven metrics. But the city and two other surrounding areas — Long Island and the Hudson Valley — continued to be hindered by stubbornly high hospitalization rates.
	Updated June 30, 2020
	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.
	Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
	A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
On Monday, Mr. de Blasio confirmed that “unless something miraculous happens,” the city’s shutdown — and concomitant financial hardship — were “going into June.” And like the governor, the mayor said any opening was reliant on the data.	On Monday, Mr. de Blasio confirmed that “unless something miraculous happens,” the city’s shutdown — and concomitant financial hardship — were “going into June.” And like the governor, the mayor said any opening was reliant on the data.
“It’s not quite been what we need it to be, but definitely trending the right direction,” said Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat. “But we need to see it sustained in a deeper way.”	“It’s not quite been what we need it to be, but definitely trending the right direction,” said Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat. “But we need to see it sustained in a deeper way.”
With the formation of regional “control rooms,” Mr. Cuomo seemed to be ceding greater autonomy and responsibility to regional leaders for the state’s reopening, including monitoring how businesses implemented safety protocols.	With the formation of regional “control rooms,” Mr. Cuomo seemed to be ceding greater autonomy and responsibility to regional leaders for the state’s reopening, including monitoring how businesses implemented safety protocols.
Those groups — largely made up of elected officials — will also be charged with solving a battery of practical problems, like arranging child care for workers now being called back to the job, Mr. Cuomo said. The governor canceled school statewide for the rest of the academic year on May 1.	Those groups — largely made up of elected officials — will also be charged with solving a battery of practical problems, like arranging child care for workers now being called back to the job, Mr. Cuomo said. The governor canceled school statewide for the rest of the academic year on May 1.
Reopening is likely to be a slow process, even in the three regions which Mr. Cuomo cited on Monday. In addition to manufacturing and construction, the three Fs will also be allowed: farming, fishing and forestry, as well as retail, but only with customer pickups and drop-offs.	Reopening is likely to be a slow process, even in the three regions which Mr. Cuomo cited on Monday. In addition to manufacturing and construction, the three Fs will also be allowed: farming, fishing and forestry, as well as retail, but only with customer pickups and drop-offs.