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/2020/06/08/nyregion/nyc-reopening-coronavirus.html

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 21 Version 22
N.Y.C. Begins Reopening: Here’s What It Looks Like N.Y.C. Begins Reopening: Here’s What It Looks Like
(5 days 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 July 27, 2020 Updated August 3, 2020
“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.