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Commuters in Face Masks on the Subway as N.Y.C. Begins Reopening Commuters in Face Masks on the Subway as N.Y.C. Begins Reopening
(about 2 hours later)
Commuters wearing face masks gripped coffees and checked phones as they lined up on a subway platform in Manhattan for freshly scrubbed trains that smelled of cleaning solutions.Commuters wearing face masks gripped coffees and checked phones as they lined up on a subway platform in Manhattan for freshly scrubbed trains that smelled of cleaning solutions.
A half-dozen construction workers waited on a corner in the East Village to have their temperatures checked by a foreman so they could get back to building the city. “We’ve been home for two months, going a little stir crazy,” said Anthony Gianfrancesco, 45, a construction shop steward.A half-dozen construction workers waited on a corner in the East Village to have their temperatures checked by a foreman so they could get back to building the city. “We’ve been home for two months, going a little stir crazy,” said Anthony Gianfrancesco, 45, a construction shop steward.
Neighborhood stores unlocked their doors and prepared to welcome customers. On Fulton Street in Brooklyn, a sidewalk vendor, Sean White, 35, was setting out hats and bags next to a rack of one of his most popular items: masks in leopard prints. “No mask, no service,” he said, “unless you’re buying one on the spot.”Neighborhood stores unlocked their doors and prepared to welcome customers. On Fulton Street in Brooklyn, a sidewalk vendor, Sean White, 35, was setting out hats and bags next to a rack of one of his most popular items: masks in leopard prints. “No mask, no service,” he said, “unless you’re buying one on the spot.”
New York City was officially back in business on Monday morning, with as many 400,000 people returning to work in construction, manufacturing and some retail.New York City was officially back in business on Monday morning, with as many 400,000 people returning to work in construction, manufacturing and some retail.
The city was far from normal — the usual surge of people and the cacophony on the streets was still largely absent. But the reopening was a step toward resuming the routines of going to work, shopping and just moving around on the streets and subways after the coronavirus brought nearly everything to a screeching stop.The city was far from normal — the usual surge of people and the cacophony on the streets was still largely absent. But the reopening was a step toward resuming the routines of going to work, shopping and just moving around on the streets and subways after the coronavirus brought nearly everything to a screeching stop.
It was more than three months ago that the first coronavirus case was confirmed in New York City, but for many, it feels so much longer. More than 205,000 people were infected in the city, which became an epicenter of the global outbreak. Nearly 22,000 people died. At the worst, the virus claimed as many as 800 lives in a single day during the worst health crisis in a century.It was more than three months ago that the first coronavirus case was confirmed in New York City, but for many, it feels so much longer. More than 205,000 people were infected in the city, which became an epicenter of the global outbreak. Nearly 22,000 people died. At the worst, the virus claimed as many as 800 lives in a single day during the worst health crisis in a century.
Now, as city officials try to move forward, one of their biggest challenges will be how to get commuters safely to work and around the city. They have to worry about ensuring public health on a subway system where social distancing is essentially impossible.Now, as city officials try to move forward, one of their biggest challenges will be how to get commuters safely to work and around the city. They have to worry about ensuring public health on a subway system where social distancing is essentially impossible.
In an effort to provide alternatives to the subway, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday morning that the city would install five new busways that would give buses priority on some of the busiest streets in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens — largely by banning cars.In an effort to provide alternatives to the subway, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday morning that the city would install five new busways that would give buses priority on some of the busiest streets in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens — largely by banning cars.
City officials have been under pressure from bus riders and transportation advocates to expand on the city’s first busway, created on 14th Street in Manhattan last fall, to other locations. The busway has led to increased bus speeds.City officials have been under pressure from bus riders and transportation advocates to expand on the city’s first busway, created on 14th Street in Manhattan last fall, to other locations. The busway has led to increased bus speeds.
The city’s reopening came a day after Mr. de Blasio lifted a curfew — the city’s first since World War II — on Sunday. The curfew was imposed last week after looters targeted businesses in Manhattan and the Bronx during the protests for racial justice that erupted across the city after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.The city’s reopening came a day after Mr. de Blasio lifted a curfew — the city’s first since World War II — on Sunday. The curfew was imposed last week after looters targeted businesses in Manhattan and the Bronx during the protests for racial justice that erupted across the city after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The rat-a-tat of jackhammers could be heard again from construction projects. Manufacturing shops hummed as machines were dusted off and restarted. Retail stores were adjusting to curbside and in-store pickups of merchandise.The rat-a-tat of jackhammers could be heard again from construction projects. Manufacturing shops hummed as machines were dusted off and restarted. Retail stores were adjusting to curbside and in-store pickups of merchandise.
Outside Paragon Sports near Union Square, a sign offered color-coded instructions for where to wait for curbside pickup. The store was ready to join in Monday’s reopening even though it had been looted two Sundays ago.Outside Paragon Sports near Union Square, a sign offered color-coded instructions for where to wait for curbside pickup. The store was ready to join in Monday’s reopening even though it had been looted two Sundays ago.
“The next morning, our team swept up the glass and boarded up the windows,” said Zachary Blank, the Paragon Sports chief operating officer. “We kept on track, but it was with the hard work of our entire team that we were able to keep on track.”“The next morning, our team swept up the glass and boarded up the windows,” said Zachary Blank, the Paragon Sports chief operating officer. “We kept on track, but it was with the hard work of our entire team that we were able to keep on track.”
The reopening allows 200,000 to 400,000 people to return to city workplaces in the first of a four-phase reopening plan. Subways and buses returned to regular service schedules, though the subway system remains closed overnight. Cars and trucks filled up Midtown Manhattan streets that had been largely empty.The reopening allows 200,000 to 400,000 people to return to city workplaces in the first of a four-phase reopening plan. Subways and buses returned to regular service schedules, though the subway system remains closed overnight. Cars and trucks filled up Midtown Manhattan streets that had been largely empty.
On Friday, transit officials had released a sweeping plan to protect public health as a projected 300,000 riders prepared to return to public transportation during the initial phase.On Friday, transit officials had released a sweeping plan to protect public health as a projected 300,000 riders prepared to return to public transportation during the initial phase.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
That program included ramping up service, deploying transit workers to enforce mask usage, increasing disinfection, placing floor markings and wall decals to encourage social distancing, and offering free hand sanitizer to riders.That program included ramping up service, deploying transit workers to enforce mask usage, increasing disinfection, placing floor markings and wall decals to encourage social distancing, and offering free hand sanitizer to riders.
“We have masks in every station, hand sanitizer in every station, the decals are down,” said Sarah Feinberg, interim president of New York City Transit, referring to indicators to encourage social distancing. “Our goal was to go into reopening having built for reopening.“We have masks in every station, hand sanitizer in every station, the decals are down,” said Sarah Feinberg, interim president of New York City Transit, referring to indicators to encourage social distancing. “Our goal was to go into reopening having built for reopening.
“There is a clear uptick; there are absolutely more people in the system,” she added, referring to ridership on Monday morning.“There is a clear uptick; there are absolutely more people in the system,” she added, referring to ridership on Monday morning.
Though the virus remains a threat, new infections have fallen to about 500 a day, or roughly half the number from just weeks ago. City and state officials have significantly expanded testing, and hope that newly hired contact tracers — who have been charged with tracking the disease’s spread from person to person — can isolate the virus before it can resurge.Though the virus remains a threat, new infections have fallen to about 500 a day, or roughly half the number from just weeks ago. City and state officials have significantly expanded testing, and hope that newly hired contact tracers — who have been charged with tracking the disease’s spread from person to person — can isolate the virus before it can resurge.
New York City was the last part of the state to reopen, after meeting seven health-related metrics, including a decline in hospitalizations and deaths. Much of upstate New York has moved on to the second phase, which allows most stores, offices and hair salons to open with restrictions.New York City was the last part of the state to reopen, after meeting seven health-related metrics, including a decline in hospitalizations and deaths. Much of upstate New York has moved on to the second phase, which allows most stores, offices and hair salons to open with restrictions.
Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Angela Macropoulos, Derek Norman, Sean Piccoli, Dana Rubinstein and Matthew Sedacca contributed reporting. Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Angela Macropoulos, Derek M. Norman, Sean Piccoli, Dana Rubinstein and Matthew Sedacca contributed reporting.