This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/25/nyregion/new-york-memorial-day-coronavirus-summer.html

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
New Yorkers Embark on a Summer of Uncertainty New Yorkers Embark on a Summer of Uncertainty
(32 minutes 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.
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.
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.
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.