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N.Y.C. Begins Reopening: Here’s What It Looks Like N.Y.C. Begins Reopening: Here’s What It Looks Like
(1 day later)
Michael Gilsenan celebrated the first day of New York City’s reopening by treating himself to coffee and cheesecake at his neighborhood bakery in Greenwich Village.Michael Gilsenan celebrated the first day of New York City’s reopening by treating himself to coffee and cheesecake at his neighborhood bakery in Greenwich Village.
He doesn’t even like cheesecake, but it was a chance to get back to the little things he never realized he would miss until the coronavirus took them away.He doesn’t even like cheesecake, but it was a chance to get back to the little things he never realized he would miss until the coronavirus took them away.
“These are markers of your life in the city,” Mr. Gilsenan, a university professor, said. “It’s a sense that against all the odds — and I think it is against all of the odds — that they’re still around today.”“These are markers of your life in the city,” Mr. Gilsenan, a university professor, said. “It’s a sense that against all the odds — and I think it is against all of the odds — that they’re still around today.”
Further uptown, Ashok Kumar couldn’t wait to throw open the doors to his plant and flower shop and drag out two dozen potted begonias and hydrangea onto the sidewalk for their first sunlight and fresh air in months. “It’s going to take a long time, but over the next few weeks we are going to try to catch up to where we were,” said Mr. Kumar, who lost about $70,000 in plants that withered away while the shop, in Chelsea, was closed.Further uptown, Ashok Kumar couldn’t wait to throw open the doors to his plant and flower shop and drag out two dozen potted begonias and hydrangea onto the sidewalk for their first sunlight and fresh air in months. “It’s going to take a long time, but over the next few weeks we are going to try to catch up to where we were,” said Mr. Kumar, who lost about $70,000 in plants that withered away while the shop, in Chelsea, was closed.
It was a perfect day — sunny but not too hot — as glimpses of the old New York that had seemed to disappear almost overnight now beckoned tantalizingly to virus-weary residents and commuters. After months of wondering whether the city would ever return to normal, there were small but reassuring signs that it would.It was a perfect day — sunny but not too hot — as glimpses of the old New York that had seemed to disappear almost overnight now beckoned tantalizingly to virus-weary residents and commuters. After months of wondering whether the city would ever return to normal, there were small but reassuring signs that it would.
Commuters headed back to the subway, wearing face masks as they gripped morning coffees, checked phones and boarded freshly scrubbed trains that smelled of cleaning solutions. Construction workers reported for work, lining up for temperature checks so they could get back to building the city. And neighborhood stores unlocked their doors and prepared to welcome customers.Commuters headed back to the subway, wearing face masks as they gripped morning coffees, checked phones and boarded freshly scrubbed trains that smelled of cleaning solutions. Construction workers reported for work, lining up for temperature checks so they could get back to building the city. And neighborhood stores unlocked their doors and prepared to welcome customers.
New York City was officially back in business on Monday, with as many as 400,000 workers returning to construction jobs, manufacturing sites and retail stores in the first of the state’s four-phase reopening plan.New York City was officially back in business on Monday, with as many as 400,000 workers returning to construction jobs, manufacturing sites and retail stores in the first of the state’s four-phase reopening plan.
Still, the city remained a shadow of itself, like a patient with a long recovery ahead. The usual surge of people and the cacophony of street noise were largely absent. Along Fifth Avenue, Manhattan’s celebrated shopping strip, many stores remained closed. Private security guards stood watch in front of Saks Fifth Avenue, where plywood boards covered its window displays.Still, the city remained a shadow of itself, like a patient with a long recovery ahead. The usual surge of people and the cacophony of street noise were largely absent. Along Fifth Avenue, Manhattan’s celebrated shopping strip, many stores remained closed. Private security guards stood watch in front of Saks Fifth Avenue, where plywood boards covered its window displays.
But there was relief and hope in returning to the routines of going to work, shopping and just moving around on the streets and subway after the coronavirus brought nearly everything to a screeching stop.But there was relief and hope in returning to the routines of going to work, shopping and just moving around on the streets and subway after the coronavirus brought nearly everything to a screeching stop.
It was more than three months ago that the first virus 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 virus 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 officials try to move forward, one of the 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 officials try to move forward, one of the 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, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday a significant revamping of the city’s streets: The city would install five busways to give buses priority on some of the busiest thoroughfares, including Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, largely by banning cars.In an effort to provide alternatives, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday a significant revamping of the city’s streets: The city would install five busways to give buses priority on some of the busiest thoroughfares, including Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, largely by banning cars.
New York City officials have been under pressure from bus riders and transportation experts to expand on the city’s first busway, created on 14th Street in Manhattan last fall. The 14th Street busway has increased bus speeds and has drawn many new riders.New York City officials have been under pressure from bus riders and transportation experts to expand on the city’s first busway, created on 14th Street in Manhattan last fall. The 14th Street busway has increased bus speeds and has drawn many new riders.
Even as the city began reopening, there were reminders that the virus had not gone away. Office towers posted signs that anyone who entered must wear a mask. Companies held safety orientations for employees on how to avoid catching and spreading the illness.Even as the city began reopening, there were reminders that the virus had not gone away. Office towers posted signs that anyone who entered must wear a mask. Companies held safety orientations for employees on how to avoid catching and spreading the illness.
Some construction workers sported blue wristbands that showed they had passed a virus check. At Hudson Yards, the city’s newest neighborhood on the Far West Side of Manhattan, a sign showed a construction worker in overalls, hard hat and face mask — with two thumbs up.Some construction workers sported blue wristbands that showed they had passed a virus check. At Hudson Yards, the city’s newest neighborhood on the Far West Side of Manhattan, a sign showed a construction worker in overalls, hard hat and face mask — with two thumbs up.
“We’ve been home for two months, going a little stir crazy,” said Anthony Gianfrancesco, 45, a construction shop steward, as he started the day with a half-dozen workers in the East Village.“We’ve been home for two months, going a little stir crazy,” said Anthony Gianfrancesco, 45, a construction shop steward, as he started the day with a half-dozen workers in the East Village.
Jaye Kang, a buyer and web director for Blue Sky, a jewelry wholesaler in Manhattan, said she had emailed customers that the store was reopening with a three-person limit. “Everybody seemed happy, but I haven’t seen anyone yet,” she said.Jaye Kang, a buyer and web director for Blue Sky, a jewelry wholesaler in Manhattan, said she had emailed customers that the store was reopening with a three-person limit. “Everybody seemed happy, but I haven’t seen anyone yet,” she said.
Ms. Kang added that she worried about the challenges ahead, including a possible resurgence of the virus. “I’m concerned about the second wave,” she said.Ms. Kang added that she worried about the challenges ahead, including a possible resurgence of the virus. “I’m concerned about the second wave,” she said.
The city’s reopening came a day after Mr. de Blasio lifted a curfew — the city’s first since World War II — that was imposed last week after looters ransacked businesses in Manhattan and the Bronx during the marches 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 — that was imposed last week after looters ransacked businesses in Manhattan and the Bronx during the marches for racial justice that erupted across the city after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Paragon Sports near Union Square was hit by looters, but recovered in time for the reopening. Outside the store, a sign offered color-coded instructions for where to wait for curbside pickup.Paragon Sports near Union Square was hit by looters, but recovered in time for the reopening. Outside the store, a sign offered color-coded instructions for where to wait for curbside pickup.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
“Our team swept up the glass and boarded up the windows,” said Zachary Blank, the Paragon Sports chief operating officer. “We kept on track.”“Our team swept up the glass and boarded up the windows,” said Zachary Blank, the Paragon Sports chief operating officer. “We kept on track.”
The first phase of the reopening allows 200,000 to 400,000 people to return to workplaces. On Monday, transit officials were rolling out sweeping changes to protect public health; an estimated 300,000 riders are expected to return to public transportation during the initial phase.The first phase of the reopening allows 200,000 to 400,000 people to return to workplaces. On Monday, transit officials were rolling out sweeping changes to protect public health; an estimated 300,000 riders are expected to return to public transportation during the initial phase.
Those changes included ramping up service, deploying transit workers to enforce mask wearing, increasing disinfection, placing floor markings and wall decals to encourage social distancing, and offering free hand sanitizer to riders.Those changes included ramping up service, deploying transit workers to enforce mask wearing, increasing disinfection, placing floor markings and wall decals to encourage social distancing, and offering free hand sanitizer to riders.
Sarah Feinberg, interim president of New York City Transit, said there was a “clear uptick” in ridership on Monday. “There are absolutely more people in the system,” she added.Sarah Feinberg, interim president of New York City Transit, said there was a “clear uptick” in ridership on Monday. “There are absolutely more people in the system,” she added.
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.
Still, New York City’s usual bustle — and the many tourists who help feed it — was mostly missing. Foot traffic was light in many corners. Food trucks, a staple of the cheap city lunch, were not back in force. Outside one pub in the Hell’s Kitchen section of Manhattan, customers took their burgers and fries to outdoor tables and chairs set up in a bus lane.Still, New York City’s usual bustle — and the many tourists who help feed it — was mostly missing. Foot traffic was light in many corners. Food trucks, a staple of the cheap city lunch, were not back in force. Outside one pub in the Hell’s Kitchen section of Manhattan, customers took their burgers and fries to outdoor tables and chairs set up in a bus lane.
In Long Island City, Queens, there was the beginnings of a lunch crowd beside Alex Galicia’s food truck, Fiesta Mexican Kitchen. “There’s more action on the street,” said Mr. Galicia, 30, as he bagged a Cuban sandwich.In Long Island City, Queens, there was the beginnings of a lunch crowd beside Alex Galicia’s food truck, Fiesta Mexican Kitchen. “There’s more action on the street,” said Mr. Galicia, 30, as he bagged a Cuban sandwich.
In another Queens neighborhood, Jackson Heights, where many stores remained shuttered, the Rainbow Bakery waited for customers. “Normally, we have a lot of people picking up things on the way to work,” said Colleen Lau, 28, a server who wore a plastic face shield over a surgical mask, while standing behind a plexiglass counter barrier.In another Queens neighborhood, Jackson Heights, where many stores remained shuttered, the Rainbow Bakery waited for customers. “Normally, we have a lot of people picking up things on the way to work,” said Colleen Lau, 28, a server who wore a plastic face shield over a surgical mask, while standing behind a plexiglass counter barrier.
Many stores and businesses said they were not sure they could just pick up again, but they had to try.Many stores and businesses said they were not sure they could just pick up again, but they had to try.
Bob Jasty, who owns a wholesale women’s apparel shop in the garment district in Manhattan, did not know how many customers he had left. “Most of my customers are mom-and-pop stores, and they were very badly hurt,” he said.Bob Jasty, who owns a wholesale women’s apparel shop in the garment district in Manhattan, did not know how many customers he had left. “Most of my customers are mom-and-pop stores, and they were very badly hurt,” he said.
In Brooklyn, Maggie Russo was behind the counter of her gift shop, ready to sell yellow taxi magnets, Statue of Liberty trinkets and a puzzle of the city’s subway map.In Brooklyn, Maggie Russo was behind the counter of her gift shop, ready to sell yellow taxi magnets, Statue of Liberty trinkets and a puzzle of the city’s subway map.
The store has been open for 35 years, she said, but may not make it to 36.The store has been open for 35 years, she said, but may not make it to 36.
“I’m happy I’m alive and I didn’t get the virus, but do you want to be alive and broke and not have money to pay the rent?” she said. “What are you going to do? It’s a scary situation.”“I’m happy I’m alive and I didn’t get the virus, but do you want to be alive and broke and not have money to pay the rent?” she said. “What are you going to do? It’s a scary situation.”
Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Christina Goldbaum, Angela Macropoulos, Derek M. Norman, Sean Piccoli, Dana Rubinstein and Matthew Sedacca contributed reporting.Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Christina Goldbaum, Angela Macropoulos, Derek M. Norman, Sean Piccoli, Dana Rubinstein and Matthew Sedacca contributed reporting.