'From ‘Disgraceful’ to ‘Breathtaking’: La Guardia’s $4 Billion Makeover' diff viewer (8/9)

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From ‘Disgraceful’ to ‘Breathtaking’: La Guardia’s $4 Billion Makeover	From ‘Disgraceful’ to ‘Breathtaking’: La Guardia’s $4 Billion Makeover
2020-06-23 05:36:34 UTC	2020-06-23 21:57:05 UTC (about 16 hours later)
By the time New Yorkers return to traveling on planes, they may forget they ever hated La Guardia Airport.	By the time New Yorkers return to traveling on planes, they may forget they ever hated La Guardia Airport.
The airport famously derided as “third-world” by former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. will take a big leap forward on Saturday when its cramped, 56-year-old Central Terminal is jettisoned for an airy, art-filled $4 billion replacement.	The airport famously derided as “third-world” by former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. will take a big leap forward on Saturday when its cramped, 56-year-old Central Terminal is jettisoned for an airy, art-filled $4 billion replacement.
It will be a notable milestone for an airport long maligned as dingy and decrepit.	It will be a notable milestone for an airport long maligned as dingy and decrepit.
But there will not be many travelers around to enjoy the new arrivals and departures hall in Terminal B because the coronavirus pandemic has brought air traffic to a near standstill.	But there will not be many travelers around to enjoy the new arrivals and departures hall in Terminal B because the coronavirus pandemic has brought air traffic to a near standstill.
The number of passengers using La Guardia and the other airports that serve New York City has dropped by about 95 percent since the virus swept through the region. Airlines have slashed their schedules, tourist attractions have been shuttered and businesses have grounded their employees.	The number of passengers using La Guardia and the other airports that serve New York City has dropped by about 95 percent since the virus swept through the region. Airlines have slashed their schedules, tourist attractions have been shuttered and businesses have grounded their employees.
The drastic decline in movement made for a muted celebration in the gleaming new terminal on Wednesday.	The drastic decline in movement made for a muted celebration in the gleaming new terminal on Wednesday.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who has made rebuilding New York City’s airports one of his main missions, announced the opening and cut a ceremonial ribbon with a small retinue of invited guests, all of whom wore masks.	Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who has made rebuilding New York City’s airports one of his main missions, announced the opening and cut a ceremonial ribbon with a small retinue of invited guests, all of whom wore masks.
Absent were the throngs of elected officials and hangers-on who have shown up for the various groundbreakings and unveilings at La Guardia since Mr. Cuomo announced five years ago that the airport would be completely rebuilt.	Absent were the throngs of elected officials and hangers-on who have shown up for the various groundbreakings and unveilings at La Guardia since Mr. Cuomo announced five years ago that the airport would be completely rebuilt.
Still, Mr. Cuomo was clearly pleased, calling the new terminal “really breathtaking” and saying it was the type of large-scale development project that could energize the reopening of the state's economy after months of lockdown.	Still, Mr. Cuomo was clearly pleased, calling the new terminal “really breathtaking” and saying it was the type of large-scale development project that could energize the reopening of the state's economy after months of lockdown.
“We needed this today,” Mr. Cuomo said. “We needed to see New York stand up and shine.”	“We needed this today,” Mr. Cuomo said. “We needed to see New York stand up and shine.”
The pandemic did not significantly affect the completion of the main terminal, he said. But the drop in traffic has allowed the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates La Guardia, to accelerate construction of the roadways at the airport, he said.	The pandemic did not significantly affect the completion of the main terminal, he said. But the drop in traffic has allowed the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates La Guardia, to accelerate construction of the roadways at the airport, he said.
With the opening of the 840,000-square-foot building, the overhaul of La Guardia will be more than halfway complete. At the east end of the airport, Delta Air Lines is building a replacement for another terminal that is scheduled to open by the end of next year.	With the opening of the 840,000-square-foot building, the overhaul of La Guardia will be more than halfway complete. At the east end of the airport, Delta Air Lines is building a replacement for another terminal that is scheduled to open by the end of next year.
When everything is finished, it will amount to the first wholly new big-city airport in the country. The last major airport to open was Denver International Airport 25 years ago, Mr. Cuomo said.	When everything is finished, it will amount to the first wholly new big-city airport in the country. The last major airport to open was Denver International Airport 25 years ago, Mr. Cuomo said.
The replacement of the old Central Terminal, which opened in 1964, has been planned for a decade. But it was Mr. Biden’s mocking several years ago that changed everything.	The replacement of the old Central Terminal, which opened in 1964, has been planned for a decade. But it was Mr. Biden’s mocking several years ago that changed everything.
Mr. Cuomo took offense and ordered the Port Authority to think bigger and create a truly 21st-century airport. La Guardia was an “embarrassment” to the city and the state, he said.	Mr. Cuomo took offense and ordered the Port Authority to think bigger and create a truly 21st-century airport. La Guardia was an “embarrassment” to the city and the state, he said.
It also was widely reviled by travelers. A survey last year by J.D. Power ranked La Guardia as the worst large airport in the country.	It also was widely reviled by travelers. A survey last year by J.D. Power ranked La Guardia as the worst large airport in the country.
“I just want it to be fixed,” said Julian Shiff, a resident of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, who had just arrived from Denver Wednesday. “None of the New York airports are good.”	“I just want it to be fixed,” said Julian Shiff, a resident of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, who had just arrived from Denver Wednesday. “None of the New York airports are good.”
Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority, said that New York’s airports have been “substandard” and that La Guardia had become a laughingstock in skits on “Saturday Night Live.”	Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority, said that New York’s airports have been “substandard” and that La Guardia had become a laughingstock in skits on “Saturday Night Live.”
“The experience at La Guardia was disgraceful,” Mr. Cotton said after leading a tour of the new terminal. He pointed with pride to the newest security screening technology, the contactless system for ordering food and the much larger restrooms.	“The experience at La Guardia was disgraceful,” Mr. Cotton said after leading a tour of the new terminal. He pointed with pride to the newest security screening technology, the contactless system for ordering food and the much larger restrooms.
He said he hoped that the new building, filled with shops and restaurants that evoke New York, would help spur a resurgence in air travel.	He said he hoped that the new building, filled with shops and restaurants that evoke New York, would help spur a resurgence in air travel.
“Providing travelers with a first-class airport experience is a today issue,” Mr. Cotton said. “Air traffic will come back. There will be a vaccine and people will lose their fear of getting on planes.”	“Providing travelers with a first-class airport experience is a today issue,” Mr. Cotton said. “Air traffic will come back. There will be a vaccine and people will lose their fear of getting on planes.”
Before the pandemic, La Guardia was busier than it had ever been, despite all of the construction that made getting in and out aggravating. Its short runways were overburdened, and delays were among the worst of any American airport.	Before the pandemic, La Guardia was busier than it had ever been, despite all of the construction that made getting in and out aggravating. Its short runways were overburdened, and delays were among the worst of any American airport.
The rebuilt airport will sit on the same, small piece of land, wedged between the Grand Central Parkway and the East River. But the new terminals have been shifted closer to the highway, creating more space for airplanes to taxi to and from gates but no more space to take off and land.	The rebuilt airport will sit on the same, small piece of land, wedged between the Grand Central Parkway and the East River. But the new terminals have been shifted closer to the highway, creating more space for airplanes to taxi to and from gates but no more space to take off and land.
Mr. Cotton spoke to reporters on an elevated walkway 97 feet above the ground, which airplanes will be able to pass under after the old Central Terminal is demolished. That demolition will begin this month, after the switch to Terminal B is completed.
Updated June 22, 2020	Updated June 22, 2020
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.	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 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.	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.	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.	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.	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.
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.
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.)
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.
	Mr. Cotton spoke to reporters on an elevated walkway 97 feet above the ground, which airplanes will be able to pass under after the old Central Terminal is demolished. That demolition will begin this month, after the switch to Terminal B is completed.