'New Yorkers Want Normalcy? Fine. Go Move Your Cars.' diff viewer (5/6)

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New Yorkers Want Normalcy? Fine. Go Move Your Cars.	New Yorkers Want Normalcy? Fine. Go Move Your Cars.
2020-06-03 05:20:59 UTC	2020-06-06 11:08:41 UTC (3 days later)
As the coronavirus lockdown kept John Thomas holed up in his Manhattan apartment for weeks on end, fearful to go out even to shop, there was one silver lining that made him especially happy: He could leave his Subaru parked on the street without having to move it for the usual morning street cleaning.	As the coronavirus lockdown kept John Thomas holed up in his Manhattan apartment for weeks on end, fearful to go out even to shop, there was one silver lining that made him especially happy: He could leave his Subaru parked on the street without having to move it for the usual morning street cleaning.
That changed on Monday.	That changed on Monday.
For the first time in more than two months, alternate-side parking rules went into effect in New York City, forcing Mr. Thomas, a 70-year-old painter, to interrupt his self-quarantine and again partake in a roundly reviled ritual of life in the five boroughs.	For the first time in more than two months, alternate-side parking rules went into effect in New York City, forcing Mr. Thomas, a 70-year-old painter, to interrupt his self-quarantine and again partake in a roundly reviled ritual of life in the five boroughs.
He and other anxious New Yorkers who had left their cars on public streets for weeks donned face coverings and gloves and ventured out of their homes to start their dusty cars and abide by the restrictions, which prohibit parking on the side of the street scheduled for sweeping.	He and other anxious New Yorkers who had left their cars on public streets for weeks donned face coverings and gloves and ventured out of their homes to start their dusty cars and abide by the restrictions, which prohibit parking on the side of the street scheduled for sweeping.
There was some predictable grumbling that requiring drivers to move their cars during a pandemic seemed to contradict stay-at-home orders.	There was some predictable grumbling that requiring drivers to move their cars during a pandemic seemed to contradict stay-at-home orders.
“It’s been a pleasure not having to move the car, especially because I’m staying inside these days to avoid the virus,” said Mr. Thomas, who started his Subaru on West 108th Street in Manhattan, giving up his precious curbside parking spot to make way for the street sweeper.	“It’s been a pleasure not having to move the car, especially because I’m staying inside these days to avoid the virus,” said Mr. Thomas, who started his Subaru on West 108th Street in Manhattan, giving up his precious curbside parking spot to make way for the street sweeper.
But along with the resumed drudgery, drivers like Mr. Thomas also acknowledged that the task did pose a hopeful sign that, with the virus showing signs of retreat, the city was inching back to normalcy, even as stores, restaurants and other parts of metropolitan life remain shut down.	But along with the resumed drudgery, drivers like Mr. Thomas also acknowledged that the task did pose a hopeful sign that, with the virus showing signs of retreat, the city was inching back to normalcy, even as stores, restaurants and other parts of metropolitan life remain shut down.
“It’s tough for older people like myself to have to come out and do it,” he said, “but I have to admit, it is kind of reassuring in the sense that you realize some things in the city are going to continue.”	“It’s tough for older people like myself to have to come out and do it,” he said, “but I have to admit, it is kind of reassuring in the sense that you realize some things in the city are going to continue.”
Another driver on West 108th Street put it more bluntly.	Another driver on West 108th Street put it more bluntly.
“It’s a sign we’re coming back, abso-freaking-lutely,” said Mark Pine, a maker of sailing apparel, as he sat in his car with his usual coffee and cigarette while double parked on the downtown side of the street so that the uptown side could be swept.	“It’s a sign we’re coming back, abso-freaking-lutely,” said Mark Pine, a maker of sailing apparel, as he sat in his car with his usual coffee and cigarette while double parked on the downtown side of the street so that the uptown side could be swept.
The reinstatement is a brief one. After Sunday, the city will suspend alternate side parking again for at least two more weeks. The city’s Department of Sanitation will then assess when to schedule the next street cleaning.	The reinstatement is a brief one. After Sunday, the city will suspend alternate side parking again for at least two more weeks. The city’s Department of Sanitation will then assess when to schedule the next street cleaning.
The regulations, which make for a musical chairs-type dance to secure free spots in dense parts of the city where parking is a premium, had been suspended since mid-March — one of their longest hiatuses ever — as part of the coronavirus lockdown.	The regulations, which make for a musical chairs-type dance to secure free spots in dense parts of the city where parking is a premium, had been suspended since mid-March — one of their longest hiatuses ever — as part of the coronavirus lockdown.
Another driver nearby, Steve Bate, 61, had moved his Subaru Outback.	Another driver nearby, Steve Bate, 61, had moved his Subaru Outback.
“It’s one shred of normalcy that has come back,” he said. “Of course, it’s the one shred of normalcy we’d rather do without. But annoying as it is, it’s also a reminder of how life used to be.”	“It’s one shred of normalcy that has come back,” he said. “Of course, it’s the one shred of normalcy we’d rather do without. But annoying as it is, it’s also a reminder of how life used to be.”
In March, as the city began issuing stronger restrictions because of the outbreak, many New Yorkers and elected officials criticized Mayor Bill de Blasio for insisting that parking rules be continued so that sweepers could keep streets clean for “public health” reasons. Motorists who did not move their cars faced a $65 fine, but no cars in the area appeared to have been ticketed.	In March, as the city began issuing stronger restrictions because of the outbreak, many New Yorkers and elected officials criticized Mayor Bill de Blasio for insisting that parking rules be continued so that sweepers could keep streets clean for “public health” reasons. Motorists who did not move their cars faced a $65 fine, but no cars in the area appeared to have been ticketed.
Some drivers found surprises upon returning to their long-parked vehicles. Car owners a few blocks away even discovered that rats had taken up residency under their hoods.	Some drivers found surprises upon returning to their long-parked vehicles. Car owners a few blocks away even discovered that rats had taken up residency under their hoods.
City sanitation officials called the street sweeping necessary to clean litter and debris that had accumulated along the curb and under parked cars, even with fewer New Yorkers on the street.	City sanitation officials called the street sweeping necessary to clean litter and debris that had accumulated along the curb and under parked cars, even with fewer New Yorkers on the street.
At a news conference last week, Mayor de Blasio said that reinstating the regulations for this week would “help us reset for the future.”	At a news conference last week, Mayor de Blasio said that reinstating the regulations for this week would “help us reset for the future.”
He said the suspension “has helped people, made their lives a little easier, helped people stay inside,” and added that “the goal here is, if we do that one-week cleanup, hopefully that will last us a substantial period of time.”	He said the suspension “has helped people, made their lives a little easier, helped people stay inside,” and added that “the goal here is, if we do that one-week cleanup, hopefully that will last us a substantial period of time.”
The temporary return of the rules also served a social function on close-knit city blocks like Mr. Thomas’s stretch of West 108th Street. Being forced back into the old parking routine brought estranged neighbors together — but not too close, pal! — for spontaneous and much needed in-person chats.	The temporary return of the rules also served a social function on close-knit city blocks like Mr. Thomas’s stretch of West 108th Street. Being forced back into the old parking routine brought estranged neighbors together — but not too close, pal! — for spontaneous and much needed in-person chats.
~~Updated June 2, 2020~~	Updated June 5, 2020
	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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
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.
Clutching car keys, they reconnected in conversations shouted across streets and across the tops of cars, to ensure social distancing.	Clutching car keys, they reconnected in conversations shouted across streets and across the tops of cars, to ensure social distancing.
Many had known, or were related to, people who have died from the virus, but there were few grim conversations about deaths and hospitalizations.	Many had known, or were related to, people who have died from the virus, but there were few grim conversations about deaths and hospitalizations.
Instead, the talk was of the mundane, street-level issues that many New Yorkers love to banter about: how the shutdown did the impossible in easing the city’s notoriously horrible traffic and parking conditions. How it emptied out much of this Upper West Side neighborhood of students from nearby Columbia University, as well as people with the luxury of having second homes outside the city.	Instead, the talk was of the mundane, street-level issues that many New Yorkers love to banter about: how the shutdown did the impossible in easing the city’s notoriously horrible traffic and parking conditions. How it emptied out much of this Upper West Side neighborhood of students from nearby Columbia University, as well as people with the luxury of having second homes outside the city.
“It feels like summer already, like everyone’s away on vacation,” Mr. Pine said.	“It feels like summer already, like everyone’s away on vacation,” Mr. Pine said.
Hayden Ashton, a tennis pro, remained focused on the city’s decision to suspend the regulations.	Hayden Ashton, a tennis pro, remained focused on the city’s decision to suspend the regulations.