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N.Y.C. Commissioner Denies Racial Bias in Social Distancing Policing N.Y.C. Commissioner Denies Racial Bias in Social Distancing Policing
(3 days later)
New York City’s top police official on Wednesday forcefully defended how his officers have enforced social distancing rules after videos of recent arrests and enforcement data fueled complaints that the police were unfairly targeting black and Latino residents.New York City’s top police official on Wednesday forcefully defended how his officers have enforced social distancing rules after videos of recent arrests and enforcement data fueled complaints that the police were unfairly targeting black and Latino residents.
Police Commissioner Dermot F. Shea pushed back against assertions from some elected officials and community groups who said the arrest data and videos illustrated a racist double standard for social distancing by the police that was reminiscent of the “stop and frisk” policy.Police Commissioner Dermot F. Shea pushed back against assertions from some elected officials and community groups who said the arrest data and videos illustrated a racist double standard for social distancing by the police that was reminiscent of the “stop and frisk” policy.
Mr. Shea, who along with the mayor had previously dismissed the comparison, said that the videos were “incredibly disheartening” and that the officers would be held accountable if investigations showed they had engaged in misconduct.Mr. Shea, who along with the mayor had previously dismissed the comparison, said that the videos were “incredibly disheartening” and that the officers would be held accountable if investigations showed they had engaged in misconduct.
But he disputed the notion that the police were engaged in “racist policing,” saying those charges “could not be anything further from the truth.” He noted that the majority of the force’s officers were not white and that overall arrests and summonses had dropped to low levels even before the pandemic hit.But he disputed the notion that the police were engaged in “racist policing,” saying those charges “could not be anything further from the truth.” He noted that the majority of the force’s officers were not white and that overall arrests and summonses had dropped to low levels even before the pandemic hit.
“Our record over the last six and a half years is there for anyone to see in how we police this city with the lightest possible touch,” he said.“Our record over the last six and a half years is there for anyone to see in how we police this city with the lightest possible touch,” he said.
He added that he would “not have my police department called a racist police department.”He added that he would “not have my police department called a racist police department.”
Several elected officials, public defenders and community groups had called on the mayor to curtail the Police Department’s role in enforcing rules against large gatherings or people standing close together as videos surfaced of officers handing out masks to mostly white visitors in parks while others used force to arrest people in black and Hispanic neighborhoods.Several elected officials, public defenders and community groups had called on the mayor to curtail the Police Department’s role in enforcing rules against large gatherings or people standing close together as videos surfaced of officers handing out masks to mostly white visitors in parks while others used force to arrest people in black and Hispanic neighborhoods.
Those calls grew louder after the police released data on summonses and arrests over the past week that showed more than 90 percent of people arrested and 82 percent of those who received summonses for offenses related to the pandemic have been black or Hispanic.Those calls grew louder after the police released data on summonses and arrests over the past week that showed more than 90 percent of people arrested and 82 percent of those who received summonses for offenses related to the pandemic have been black or Hispanic.
Letitia James, the state attorney general, stepped into the fray on Wednesday, calling the disparities “deeply troubling” and warning they could deepen a divide between the police and the people they are supposed to protect.Letitia James, the state attorney general, stepped into the fray on Wednesday, calling the disparities “deeply troubling” and warning they could deepen a divide between the police and the people they are supposed to protect.
“It is inherently wrong to aggressively police one group of people yet ignore another group that commits the same infraction,” said Ms. James, who is black. “The N.Y.P.D. must better ensure that a New Yorker’s race, color, and neighborhood does not determine how they are patrolled.”“It is inherently wrong to aggressively police one group of people yet ignore another group that commits the same infraction,” said Ms. James, who is black. “The N.Y.P.D. must better ensure that a New Yorker’s race, color, and neighborhood does not determine how they are patrolled.”
She said her office had requested more expansive data about social-distancing enforcement from the Police Department, including precinct-by-precinct breakdowns of the age and race of those arrested or given summonses for failing to comply with social distancing rules.She said her office had requested more expansive data about social-distancing enforcement from the Police Department, including precinct-by-precinct breakdowns of the age and race of those arrested or given summonses for failing to comply with social distancing rules.
She also demanded documents outlining the department’s policy, directives and training. A number of elected officials, public defender groups and members of the news media have also requested the information.She also demanded documents outlining the department’s policy, directives and training. A number of elected officials, public defender groups and members of the news media have also requested the information.
The police commissioner’s comments seemed aimed at quelling discontent among officers and their labor unions, who have expressed frustration with a mandate that they say is unclear and steers officers away from fighting crime and toward a public health role in the coronavirus crisis. At the height of the pandemic, nearly 20 percent of officers were out sick, though most who were infected with the virus have recovered and returned to work.The police commissioner’s comments seemed aimed at quelling discontent among officers and their labor unions, who have expressed frustration with a mandate that they say is unclear and steers officers away from fighting crime and toward a public health role in the coronavirus crisis. At the height of the pandemic, nearly 20 percent of officers were out sick, though most who were infected with the virus have recovered and returned to work.
Mr. Shea has said in the past that his hands are tied by mandates from the mayor and the governor. On Wednesday, he again voiced his concern that enforcing social distancing might reverse the progress the police have made in rebuilding community ties, a key part of the department’s plan to push the city’s historically low crime rates down even further.Mr. Shea has said in the past that his hands are tied by mandates from the mayor and the governor. On Wednesday, he again voiced his concern that enforcing social distancing might reverse the progress the police have made in rebuilding community ties, a key part of the department’s plan to push the city’s historically low crime rates down even further.
Last Friday, the department said that between March 16 and May 5, officers had issued at least 374 summonses for violating the emergency measures and for acts likely to spread the virus. Of those, 300 summonses went to black and Hispanic people.Last Friday, the department said that between March 16 and May 5, officers had issued at least 374 summonses for violating the emergency measures and for acts likely to spread the virus. Of those, 300 summonses went to black and Hispanic people.
Of the 125 people arrested for various offenses related to the coronavirus epidemic since the city was shut down in mid-March, 83 were black and 30 were Hispanic, according to data released on Tuesday. Those incidents ranged from hate crimes to fights that started with someone jumping a line at a supermarket, the police said. One was a bank robbery in which the robber showed a teller a note saying he had the disease caused by the virus.Of the 125 people arrested for various offenses related to the coronavirus epidemic since the city was shut down in mid-March, 83 were black and 30 were Hispanic, according to data released on Tuesday. Those incidents ranged from hate crimes to fights that started with someone jumping a line at a supermarket, the police said. One was a bank robbery in which the robber showed a teller a note saying he had the disease caused by the virus.
Commissioner Shea deflected questions about what was driving those disparities on Wednesday. He said “disparities exist in every facet of life, not just in New York City, but in this country,” and suggested they were rooted in societal forces outside of the control of the police.Commissioner Shea deflected questions about what was driving those disparities on Wednesday. He said “disparities exist in every facet of life, not just in New York City, but in this country,” and suggested they were rooted in societal forces outside of the control of the police.
“But no one is talking about the disparity of the last 10 homicide victims in New York City, and I think that should be spoken about,” he added, apparently referring to the fact that the victims were mostly people of color. “Or the victims of robberies across this city.”“But no one is talking about the disparity of the last 10 homicide victims in New York City, and I think that should be spoken about,” he added, apparently referring to the fact that the victims were mostly people of color. “Or the victims of robberies across this city.”
Updated June 5, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
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.
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.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.
The police commissioner also said some officers and their families had received death threats “over 10-second videos where the police officers are dealing with individuals that, quite frankly, fight not just with the police department, they fight with everyone.” He provided no details about the threats.The police commissioner also said some officers and their families had received death threats “over 10-second videos where the police officers are dealing with individuals that, quite frankly, fight not just with the police department, they fight with everyone.” He provided no details about the threats.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Friday the racial disparities in arrests did not reflect the city’s values, but he insisted the police must play a role in enforcing social distancing. Under pressure to shift away from a police-driven approach to the rules, he announced on Sunday that the city planned to hire 2,300 civilian ambassadors to promote behavioral changes like wearing masks and gloves.Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Friday the racial disparities in arrests did not reflect the city’s values, but he insisted the police must play a role in enforcing social distancing. Under pressure to shift away from a police-driven approach to the rules, he announced on Sunday that the city planned to hire 2,300 civilian ambassadors to promote behavioral changes like wearing masks and gloves.
“We are going to engage more and more faith communities and community organizations to be the front, the sort of leading edge of the effort to educate people,” he said on Wednesday, adding the police would play a role “only when necessary.”“We are going to engage more and more faith communities and community organizations to be the front, the sort of leading edge of the effort to educate people,” he said on Wednesday, adding the police would play a role “only when necessary.”
Eric Adams, the Brooklyn borough president and a former police captain, said that threats against officers were “completely reprehensible and unacceptable.”Eric Adams, the Brooklyn borough president and a former police captain, said that threats against officers were “completely reprehensible and unacceptable.”
But he said that officials needed to be “cleareyed and honest” in recognizing that the disparities in social distancing enforcement are consistent with a long history of policing policies that disproportionately targeted people of color, including the “the unjust application of stop and frisk.”But he said that officials needed to be “cleareyed and honest” in recognizing that the disparities in social distancing enforcement are consistent with a long history of policing policies that disproportionately targeted people of color, including the “the unjust application of stop and frisk.”
Mr. Adams said videos like the one showing officers tackling a man in East New York have angered people in neighborhoods previously affected by heavy-handed policing tactics. Relying less on police and more on civilians to promote social distancing is one way, he said, of “addressing that anger, while ensuring we don’t do irreversible harm to police-community relations.”Mr. Adams said videos like the one showing officers tackling a man in East New York have angered people in neighborhoods previously affected by heavy-handed policing tactics. Relying less on police and more on civilians to promote social distancing is one way, he said, of “addressing that anger, while ensuring we don’t do irreversible harm to police-community relations.”