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Commuters in Face Masks on the Subway as N.Y.C. Begins Reopening N.Y.C. Begins Reopening: Here’s What It Looks Like
(32 minutes 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. 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.
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. 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.
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.” “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.”
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. 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.
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 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 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. 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 temperatures checks so they could get back to building the city. And neighborhood stores unlocked their doors and prepared to welcome customers.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
“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.” 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
“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.
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. 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.
“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. 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.
“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 M. Norman, Sean Piccoli, Dana Rubinstein and Matthew Sedacca contributed reporting. 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 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.
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.
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.”
Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Christina Goldbaum, Angela Macropoulos, Derek M. Norman, Sean Piccoli, Dana Rubinstein and Matthew Sedacca contributed reporting.