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The Virus Killed an Officer. His Town Lined the Streets to Mourn Him. The Virus Killed an Officer. His Town Lined the Streets to Mourn Him.
(32 minutes later)
GLEN RIDGE, N.J. — For three weeks, a small town in northern New Jersey kept vigil over Officer Charles Roberts.GLEN RIDGE, N.J. — For three weeks, a small town in northern New Jersey kept vigil over Officer Charles Roberts.
Since he had collapsed at home and had been revived by fellow officers, they had prayed for him and placed signs on their doors, windows and lawns that read “#ROBSTRONG.”Since he had collapsed at home and had been revived by fellow officers, they had prayed for him and placed signs on their doors, windows and lawns that read “#ROBSTRONG.”
They pooled money to buy food for the nurses and doctors who cared for him and in the evenings banged pots and pans to show their support.They pooled money to buy food for the nurses and doctors who cared for him and in the evenings banged pots and pans to show their support.
But Officer Roberts never made it back home to his wife and three children.But Officer Roberts never made it back home to his wife and three children.
On Thursday, three days after he died at a Manhattan hospital from complications of the coronavirus, the people of Glen Ridge, which is about 12 miles west of New York City, paid him one last honor.On Thursday, three days after he died at a Manhattan hospital from complications of the coronavirus, the people of Glen Ridge, which is about 12 miles west of New York City, paid him one last honor.
There was no central gathering spot — the state’s lockdown orders prevented it.There was no central gathering spot — the state’s lockdown orders prevented it.
Instead, by the hundreds they filed out of their homes and stood on their porches, their front yards and the sidewalks.Instead, by the hundreds they filed out of their homes and stood on their porches, their front yards and the sidewalks.
They placed their hands over their hearts as the hearse carrying his body made its way to the cemetery. Many wore blue and orange, the colors of the New York Mets, Mr. Roberts’s favorite baseball team, and saluted as the hearse drove by, escorted by dozens of police cars and motorcycles from nearby towns and cities.They placed their hands over their hearts as the hearse carrying his body made its way to the cemetery. Many wore blue and orange, the colors of the New York Mets, Mr. Roberts’s favorite baseball team, and saluted as the hearse drove by, escorted by dozens of police cars and motorcycles from nearby towns and cities.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that in this town or anything close to it,” said Stuart Patrick, the mayor of Glen Ridge.“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that in this town or anything close to it,” said Stuart Patrick, the mayor of Glen Ridge.
It was an overwhelming display of solidarity with a family many Glen Ridge residents knew personally. Officer Roberts’s wife, Alice Baker-Roberts, has taught children in the town’s school district since 1997, and Mr. Roberts, 45, was an officer in the schools’ drug education program who mentored students and who seemed to know just about every resident by name.It was an overwhelming display of solidarity with a family many Glen Ridge residents knew personally. Officer Roberts’s wife, Alice Baker-Roberts, has taught children in the town’s school district since 1997, and Mr. Roberts, 45, was an officer in the schools’ drug education program who mentored students and who seemed to know just about every resident by name.
“He’s just truly the poster image of what a Norman Rockwell police officer looks like,” said Joseph Uliano, a fellow officer in the Glen Ridge Police Department, referring to the famous painting of a police officer chatting with a small child at a soda shop.“He’s just truly the poster image of what a Norman Rockwell police officer looks like,” said Joseph Uliano, a fellow officer in the Glen Ridge Police Department, referring to the famous painting of a police officer chatting with a small child at a soda shop.
“If there was a 2020 version of that poster it would be Rob sitting at that counter with that little boy,” he said.“If there was a 2020 version of that poster it would be Rob sitting at that counter with that little boy,” he said.
Mr. Roberts had been self-quarantining on the third floor of his home since mid-April after he had lost his sense of taste and his appetite.Mr. Roberts had been self-quarantining on the third floor of his home since mid-April after he had lost his sense of taste and his appetite.
But his symptoms were mild, and his family was confident that Mr. Roberts, a marathon runner with a strong build who had coached sports for years, would recover.But his symptoms were mild, and his family was confident that Mr. Roberts, a marathon runner with a strong build who had coached sports for years, would recover.
Then he got a call from a local health official confirming that he had the coronavirus. Within moments, he collapsed, and officers from his department rushed to the house, where they revived him with a defibrillator.Then he got a call from a local health official confirming that he had the coronavirus. Within moments, he collapsed, and officers from his department rushed to the house, where they revived him with a defibrillator.
He was taken to a local hospital and then to Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, but he never regained consciousness. On Monday, Ms. Baker-Roberts and the officer’s mother, Dotty Roberts, stood by his bed wearing plastic coveralls, gloves and masks and watched as he was taken off a ventilator.He was taken to a local hospital and then to Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, but he never regained consciousness. On Monday, Ms. Baker-Roberts and the officer’s mother, Dotty Roberts, stood by his bed wearing plastic coveralls, gloves and masks and watched as he was taken off a ventilator.
Ms. Baker-Roberts left the room just after he took his last breath.Ms. Baker-Roberts left the room just after he took his last breath.
“I didn’t want to be in there,” she said. “It wasn’t him anymore.”“I didn’t want to be in there,” she said. “It wasn’t him anymore.”
Ms. Baker-Roberts said she cannot recall much about the three weeks since her husband collapsed. She has tried to focus on their last night together, when they gazed up at the stars after he had built his 10-year-old son, Gavin, a miniature hockey game in the basement.Ms. Baker-Roberts said she cannot recall much about the three weeks since her husband collapsed. She has tried to focus on their last night together, when they gazed up at the stars after he had built his 10-year-old son, Gavin, a miniature hockey game in the basement.
Mr. Roberts, who began his career in the town’s police department in 2000 as a dispatcher, met Ms. Baker-Roberts, a fourth and third grade teacher at Ridgewood Avenue School, at a community fund-raiser. He was instantly smitten.Mr. Roberts, who began his career in the town’s police department in 2000 as a dispatcher, met Ms. Baker-Roberts, a fourth and third grade teacher at Ridgewood Avenue School, at a community fund-raiser. He was instantly smitten.
“That’s the woman I am going to marry,” he told his mother that night.“That’s the woman I am going to marry,” he told his mother that night.
The couple bought a dilapidated house in town covered with cigarette stains and filled with shag carpeting. They spent a year renovating it so it would be ready for their first child, Shea, 15, a girl they named after Shea Stadium, the former home of the Mets. She was followed by two more children, Natalie, 12, then Gavin.The couple bought a dilapidated house in town covered with cigarette stains and filled with shag carpeting. They spent a year renovating it so it would be ready for their first child, Shea, 15, a girl they named after Shea Stadium, the former home of the Mets. She was followed by two more children, Natalie, 12, then Gavin.
Mr. Roberts had always wanted to be a police officer, but Mr. Roberts’s mother worried that her naturally affable son would become jaded by the work.Mr. Roberts had always wanted to be a police officer, but Mr. Roberts’s mother worried that her naturally affable son would become jaded by the work.
He never did, said Ms. Baker-Roberts.He never did, said Ms. Baker-Roberts.
“He still liked people,” she said. “He always saw the good in people.”“He still liked people,” she said. “He always saw the good in people.”
The job drew out his ability to connect with strangers and comfort them during difficult times, according to residents and fellow officers who told story after story about Mr. Roberts.The job drew out his ability to connect with strangers and comfort them during difficult times, according to residents and fellow officers who told story after story about Mr. Roberts.
There was the couple who remembered how calm he was when he helped deliver their baby in their kitchen.There was the couple who remembered how calm he was when he helped deliver their baby in their kitchen.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated 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. 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.
There was the older woman, forever grateful for the gentle way he held her hand when she broke her hip and they waited for an ambulance. And there was the father who struggled with a difficult son and remembered how Mr. Roberts looked him in the eye and reassured him that his boy was a good kid.There was the older woman, forever grateful for the gentle way he held her hand when she broke her hip and they waited for an ambulance. And there was the father who struggled with a difficult son and remembered how Mr. Roberts looked him in the eye and reassured him that his boy was a good kid.
Ms. Baker-Roberts said her husband enjoyed going to the Starbucks in town, more to chat with customers than for the coffee.Ms. Baker-Roberts said her husband enjoyed going to the Starbucks in town, more to chat with customers than for the coffee.
“He wanted to make others happy,” Ned Roberts, Officer Roberts’s father, said at his memorial service on Thursday, which was held outside the municipal building.“He wanted to make others happy,” Ned Roberts, Officer Roberts’s father, said at his memorial service on Thursday, which was held outside the municipal building.
Nearby, Gavin wore a police hat and carried an Irish Brigade flag with his father’s badge number, 69. Mr. Roberts liked collecting Irish memorabilia.Nearby, Gavin wore a police hat and carried an Irish Brigade flag with his father’s badge number, 69. Mr. Roberts liked collecting Irish memorabilia.
Officer Uliano, the president of the Glen Ridge Policemen’s Benevolent Association, recalled that Mr. Roberts often bought breakfast sandwiches and coffee for homeless people he encountered on Bloomfield Avenue.Officer Uliano, the president of the Glen Ridge Policemen’s Benevolent Association, recalled that Mr. Roberts often bought breakfast sandwiches and coffee for homeless people he encountered on Bloomfield Avenue.
Ms. Baker-Roberts said her husband was annoyed when the department got calls from residents complaining about homeless people.Ms. Baker-Roberts said her husband was annoyed when the department got calls from residents complaining about homeless people.
“That always upset him,” she said. “It didn’t make sense to him that people would call about that.”“That always upset him,” she said. “It didn’t make sense to him that people would call about that.”
Amy Owens, a Realtor in the town and a friend of the family, saw Mr. Roberts two weeks before he got sick. She had recently rented a house to a couple who had accidentally locked their 8-month-old baby in the house and had called her in a panic. She told them to call the police.Amy Owens, a Realtor in the town and a friend of the family, saw Mr. Roberts two weeks before he got sick. She had recently rented a house to a couple who had accidentally locked their 8-month-old baby in the house and had called her in a panic. She told them to call the police.
Ms. Owens rushed to the house. When she got there, Officer Roberts opened the door, grinning.Ms. Owens rushed to the house. When she got there, Officer Roberts opened the door, grinning.
“‘Amy, why would you rent them a house where the doorknobs don’t work?’” she remembered his asking.“‘Amy, why would you rent them a house where the doorknobs don’t work?’” she remembered his asking.
After he got sick, Ms. Owens went to a printer in Bloomfield, a bordering town, to make hundreds of the #ROBSTRONG signs.After he got sick, Ms. Owens went to a printer in Bloomfield, a bordering town, to make hundreds of the #ROBSTRONG signs.
When the printer heard who they were for, he refused to let her pay.When the printer heard who they were for, he refused to let her pay.
“The owner said to me, ‘I know this guy,’” she said. “ ‘We get our bagel at the same time every morning.’”“The owner said to me, ‘I know this guy,’” she said. “ ‘We get our bagel at the same time every morning.’”