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New Yorkers Embark on a Summer of Uncertainty New Yorkers Embark on a Summer of Uncertainty
(7 days later)
Memorial Day weekend in New York City usually marks the beginning of a vibrant summer to come.Memorial Day weekend in New York City usually marks the beginning of a vibrant summer to come.
We set up smoky barbecue grills on stoops and in parks. We rush to the city’s sandy shores when beaches open. We wait on line — no, not “in line” — to ride the Wonder Wheel in Coney Island. We ride our bicycles up and down bike paths across the city. We collect the neighborhood kids and head to the public pools.We set up smoky barbecue grills on stoops and in parks. We rush to the city’s sandy shores when beaches open. We wait on line — no, not “in line” — to ride the Wonder Wheel in Coney Island. We ride our bicycles up and down bike paths across the city. We collect the neighborhood kids and head to the public pools.
The weekend serves as a peek into what the city will look like in the coming months. A taste of summer that keeps New Yorkers looking forward. But this year Memorial Day weekend occurs under the shadow of the coronavirus. For nearly three months, the city has been a shell of itself. The virus has hit New York especially hard, quickly turning this dense, energetic city into the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.The weekend serves as a peek into what the city will look like in the coming months. A taste of summer that keeps New Yorkers looking forward. But this year Memorial Day weekend occurs under the shadow of the coronavirus. For nearly three months, the city has been a shell of itself. The virus has hit New York especially hard, quickly turning this dense, energetic city into the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
There have been more than 200,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the city and more than 20,000 New Yorkers have died. The virus, shining a bright light on pre-existing inequities, has been especially devastating in black and Latino communities, making them home to the highest rates of virus deaths in the city, according to the New York City Health Department.There have been more than 200,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the city and more than 20,000 New Yorkers have died. The virus, shining a bright light on pre-existing inequities, has been especially devastating in black and Latino communities, making them home to the highest rates of virus deaths in the city, according to the New York City Health Department.
The pandemic has also created a hunger crisis. Nearly one in four New Yorkers needs food, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. New Yorkers also need money: Unemployment claims have spiked 2,637 percent in the city since March.The pandemic has also created a hunger crisis. Nearly one in four New Yorkers needs food, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. New Yorkers also need money: Unemployment claims have spiked 2,637 percent in the city since March.
Wealthier areas of the city haven’t experienced the same level of devastation. They have not seen it either; many residents of the wealthiest neighborhoods have flocked to vacation homes in the Hamptons or other beach towns and upstate hamlets.Wealthier areas of the city haven’t experienced the same level of devastation. They have not seen it either; many residents of the wealthiest neighborhoods have flocked to vacation homes in the Hamptons or other beach towns and upstate hamlets.
The New Yorkers who remained were the same New Yorkers who would normally host those stoop barbecues, starting on Friday afternoon and through dusk on Memorial Day.The New Yorkers who remained were the same New Yorkers who would normally host those stoop barbecues, starting on Friday afternoon and through dusk on Memorial Day.
They are the ones who sell the hot dogs, drive the ice cream trucks, staff the lifeguard stands, drive the city buses, care for our elderly and clean the boardwalks. They hold jobs that were essential before this crisis and that continued to be instrumental in keeping New York City humming.They are the ones who sell the hot dogs, drive the ice cream trucks, staff the lifeguard stands, drive the city buses, care for our elderly and clean the boardwalks. They hold jobs that were essential before this crisis and that continued to be instrumental in keeping New York City humming.
These are also the New Yorkers who have lost their lives.These are also the New Yorkers who have lost their lives.
People like Ferdi German, a subway car inspector for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Nita Lee, a Florida transplant who helped care for a generation of AIDS patients in the 1980s. Raymond Copeland, a sanitation worker from the South Bronx. Dr. Julie Butler, a Harlem veterinarian who never turned a patient away. Idris Bey, a former Marine and an emergency worker who responded to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. The Bronx’s own Fred the Godson, an incisive rapper with a big heart.People like Ferdi German, a subway car inspector for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Nita Lee, a Florida transplant who helped care for a generation of AIDS patients in the 1980s. Raymond Copeland, a sanitation worker from the South Bronx. Dr. Julie Butler, a Harlem veterinarian who never turned a patient away. Idris Bey, a former Marine and an emergency worker who responded to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. The Bronx’s own Fred the Godson, an incisive rapper with a big heart.
Memorial Day was established as a national holiday by Congress in 1971 as a way to honor the fallen soldiers of all wars. But before then, the city celebrated Decoration Day, which began three years after the end of the Civil War in Waterloo, N.Y. Businesses would close and flags flew at half-staff to remember the lost soldiers of that war. By the end of the century, people across several states would spend the end of May decorating the graves of the dead with flowers.Memorial Day was established as a national holiday by Congress in 1971 as a way to honor the fallen soldiers of all wars. But before then, the city celebrated Decoration Day, which began three years after the end of the Civil War in Waterloo, N.Y. Businesses would close and flags flew at half-staff to remember the lost soldiers of that war. By the end of the century, people across several states would spend the end of May decorating the graves of the dead with flowers.
Updated June 24, 2020 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.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.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 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.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.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.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.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.
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.)
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.
This Memorial Day, New Yorkers might not be able to strike a match and light their grills. Children would have to stand six feet apart from one another for the ice cream truck. Beachgoers might only dip their toes in the sand instead of jumping into the first waves of summer. The raucous laughter of city children playing at public pools would not be echoing from blocks away.This Memorial Day, New Yorkers might not be able to strike a match and light their grills. Children would have to stand six feet apart from one another for the ice cream truck. Beachgoers might only dip their toes in the sand instead of jumping into the first waves of summer. The raucous laughter of city children playing at public pools would not be echoing from blocks away.
We won’t be able to enjoy the delicious homemade burgers by the neighborhood cook, our stoops would be emptier than normal and those of us venturing out would have our faces covered.We won’t be able to enjoy the delicious homemade burgers by the neighborhood cook, our stoops would be emptier than normal and those of us venturing out would have our faces covered.
But New Yorkers have a reputation to uphold. We take care of one another. We can be shaken but not broken. We don’t give up and we do not run. We know that better days will arrive. Bars, restaurants and stores will reopen. Being New York tough is about being ready for the new tomorrow, whatever that tomorrow looks like. And being safe and protecting one another is how we can honor those New Yorkers we have lost.But New Yorkers have a reputation to uphold. We take care of one another. We can be shaken but not broken. We don’t give up and we do not run. We know that better days will arrive. Bars, restaurants and stores will reopen. Being New York tough is about being ready for the new tomorrow, whatever that tomorrow looks like. And being safe and protecting one another is how we can honor those New Yorkers we have lost.