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| When Rich New Yorkers Fled, These Workers Kept the City Running | When Rich New Yorkers Fled, These Workers Kept the City Running |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| The sidewalks of Mount Hope fill up early with essential workers. | The sidewalks of Mount Hope fill up early with essential workers. |
| The health care and construction workers come out first, followed by the delivery drivers, grocery store clerks, security guards, building porters and countless others. | The health care and construction workers come out first, followed by the delivery drivers, grocery store clerks, security guards, building porters and countless others. |
| They make their home in this hilltop neighborhood of 53,000 in the Bronx that has been an anchor against the coronavirus. From there, they disperse to all corners of the borough, the city and beyond to provide the services that other people count on in a global health crisis. | They make their home in this hilltop neighborhood of 53,000 in the Bronx that has been an anchor against the coronavirus. From there, they disperse to all corners of the borough, the city and beyond to provide the services that other people count on in a global health crisis. |
| As New York City begins reopening, nothing has really changed in Mount Hope. Many residents never stopped going to their jobs. Not when confronted by the dangers of the virus. Not when looting broke out during the protests for racial justice over the death of George Floyd. Not when many other New Yorkers began working from home, and others altogether fled the wealthiest neighborhoods in Manhattan. | As New York City begins reopening, nothing has really changed in Mount Hope. Many residents never stopped going to their jobs. Not when confronted by the dangers of the virus. Not when looting broke out during the protests for racial justice over the death of George Floyd. Not when many other New Yorkers began working from home, and others altogether fled the wealthiest neighborhoods in Manhattan. |
| The only time that Albertha Johnson, 47, has been able to stay home from her job as a supervisor for the city’s Human Resources Administration, the nation’s largest social services agency, was when she got the virus in April. | The only time that Albertha Johnson, 47, has been able to stay home from her job as a supervisor for the city’s Human Resources Administration, the nation’s largest social services agency, was when she got the virus in April. |
| After two weeks off to recover, it was back to her office in Harlem where people come in for help, from domestic abuse victims to those suffering from mental illness who may become violent. | After two weeks off to recover, it was back to her office in Harlem where people come in for help, from domestic abuse victims to those suffering from mental illness who may become violent. |
| “The type of work I decided to do requires hands-on,” she said. “You can’t tell somebody ‘stop hitting somebody’ from home. I choose it because I like what I do.” | “The type of work I decided to do requires hands-on,” she said. “You can’t tell somebody ‘stop hitting somebody’ from home. I choose it because I like what I do.” |
| The sheer number of essential workers in Mount Hope who cannot work from home is most likely why it was the only neighborhood in the city where the total number of commuting trips actually increased during the height of the pandemic, when New York came to a virtual standstill. | The sheer number of essential workers in Mount Hope who cannot work from home is most likely why it was the only neighborhood in the city where the total number of commuting trips actually increased during the height of the pandemic, when New York came to a virtual standstill. |
| The average number of weekday commutes in Mount Hope, which sits about a mile and a half north of Yankee Stadium, rose 4 percent in April from the same month the previous year, according to an analysis by StreetLight Data, a transportation data analytics company. Across the city, commutes fell 34 percent. The analysis was based primarily on the movements of millions of cellphones around the city combined with census and other data. | The average number of weekday commutes in Mount Hope, which sits about a mile and a half north of Yankee Stadium, rose 4 percent in April from the same month the previous year, according to an analysis by StreetLight Data, a transportation data analytics company. Across the city, commutes fell 34 percent. The analysis was based primarily on the movements of millions of cellphones around the city combined with census and other data. |
| Nearly all of Mount Hope’s population is black or Hispanic, according to an analysis of census data by Social Explorer, a research company. The median annual household income in the neighborhood is $30,706, compared with $38,085 for the Bronx, and $60,762 for New York City. | Nearly all of Mount Hope’s population is black or Hispanic, according to an analysis of census data by Social Explorer, a research company. The median annual household income in the neighborhood is $30,706, compared with $38,085 for the Bronx, and $60,762 for New York City. |
| Essential workers are also concentrated in other parts of the city, including the Queens neighborhoods of South Jamaica, where there was virtually no change in total commuting trips, and Woodside, where there was a 5 percent decrease. Another neighborhood with many essential workers, East Harlem in Manhattan, had a 7 percent decrease. | Essential workers are also concentrated in other parts of the city, including the Queens neighborhoods of South Jamaica, where there was virtually no change in total commuting trips, and Woodside, where there was a 5 percent decrease. Another neighborhood with many essential workers, East Harlem in Manhattan, had a 7 percent decrease. |
| In contrast, commuting trips declined by nearly 60 percent in Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill in Brooklyn, and in East Midtown and Turtle Bay in Manhattan. The analysis included trips by car, bus, subway, bike and walking. | In contrast, commuting trips declined by nearly 60 percent in Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill in Brooklyn, and in East Midtown and Turtle Bay in Manhattan. The analysis included trips by car, bus, subway, bike and walking. |
| In New York City, many essential workers who have shouldered the burden of the pandemic put in long, hard hours for not much money. | In New York City, many essential workers who have shouldered the burden of the pandemic put in long, hard hours for not much money. |
| There are more than 1 million of these front-line workers who provide health care and social services, keep the subway and buses running, make deliveries, clean buildings, and stock shelves at groceries and pharmacies, according to a report by City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. | There are more than 1 million of these front-line workers who provide health care and social services, keep the subway and buses running, make deliveries, clean buildings, and stock shelves at groceries and pharmacies, according to a report by City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. |
| In the Bronx, the borough with the highest Covid-19 death rate, many essential workers say they lacked adequate defenses against the virus. They were not provided with enough masks and protective gear and had limited access to testing and medical care until well after the outbreak had taken hold. | In the Bronx, the borough with the highest Covid-19 death rate, many essential workers say they lacked adequate defenses against the virus. They were not provided with enough masks and protective gear and had limited access to testing and medical care until well after the outbreak had taken hold. |
| State and city officials have acknowledged the challenges they faced early on, but say that they have vastly expanded testing in the Bronx and have provided enormous amounts of protective gear, like face masks. | State and city officials have acknowledged the challenges they faced early on, but say that they have vastly expanded testing in the Bronx and have provided enormous amounts of protective gear, like face masks. |
| Health officials are increasingly looking at how and why people are getting sick, including what jobs they have. Many doctors and public health experts believe that front-line workers are at higher risk because they often spend hours around other people and cannot always maintain social distancing. | Health officials are increasingly looking at how and why people are getting sick, including what jobs they have. Many doctors and public health experts believe that front-line workers are at higher risk because they often spend hours around other people and cannot always maintain social distancing. |
| Mount Hope falls within two ZIP codes, 10453 and 10457, that each had more than 2,000 reported coronavirus cases as of June 9, and ranked within the top 25 ZIP codes in the city in terms of the number of cases, though it did not have especially high rates of cases per capita, according to a New York Times analysis of health data. | Mount Hope falls within two ZIP codes, 10453 and 10457, that each had more than 2,000 reported coronavirus cases as of June 9, and ranked within the top 25 ZIP codes in the city in terms of the number of cases, though it did not have especially high rates of cases per capita, according to a New York Times analysis of health data. |
| Ruben Diaz Jr., the Bronx borough president, said the borough has attracted many essential workers partly because of its efforts to create thousands of new jobs in recent years. The Bronx’s unemployment rate dipped to 4.7 percent in February before the coronavirus crisis exploded; it soared to 16.5 percent in April, compared with 14.6 percent for the city as a whole. | Ruben Diaz Jr., the Bronx borough president, said the borough has attracted many essential workers partly because of its efforts to create thousands of new jobs in recent years. The Bronx’s unemployment rate dipped to 4.7 percent in February before the coronavirus crisis exploded; it soared to 16.5 percent in April, compared with 14.6 percent for the city as a whole. |
| “These are the soldiers we were putting on the front-line with no ammunition and no body armor to fight the enemy,” Mr. Diaz said. | “These are the soldiers we were putting on the front-line with no ammunition and no body armor to fight the enemy,” Mr. Diaz said. |
| Many Bronx neighborhoods are now struggling not only with the health impacts of the virus, but also the economic fallout as workers have been laid off. | Many Bronx neighborhoods are now struggling not only with the health impacts of the virus, but also the economic fallout as workers have been laid off. |
| “It’s a double whammy,” said Jonathan Bowles, the executive director of the Center for an Urban Future. “These are hard-luck neighborhoods. They’re really dealing with it from both sides. I don’t know how they’re coping.” | “It’s a double whammy,” said Jonathan Bowles, the executive director of the Center for an Urban Future. “These are hard-luck neighborhoods. They’re really dealing with it from both sides. I don’t know how they’re coping.” |
| 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. |
| The center found in a recent report that 1 in 4 people who live in the Bronx neighborhoods of Mount Hope, Morris Heights and Fordham South worked in industries decimated by layoffs — restaurants, hotels, retail and personal care services. | |
| Mount Hope has drawn lower-income workers and families to the west Bronx with affordable rents in aging apartment buildings and houses, and ready access to subway and bus lines. The streets are lined with family-owned pharmacies, hair and nail salons, cellphone stores, bodegas and specialty shops selling halal and African foods. | Mount Hope has drawn lower-income workers and families to the west Bronx with affordable rents in aging apartment buildings and houses, and ready access to subway and bus lines. The streets are lined with family-owned pharmacies, hair and nail salons, cellphone stores, bodegas and specialty shops selling halal and African foods. |
| Mount Hope residents commute an average of 41 minutes to work, the same as the citywide average, according to the Social Explorer analysis, and about 26 percent of neighborhood residents have commutes of an hour or more. Only about 5 percent normally work at home. | Mount Hope residents commute an average of 41 minutes to work, the same as the citywide average, according to the Social Explorer analysis, and about 26 percent of neighborhood residents have commutes of an hour or more. Only about 5 percent normally work at home. |
| John Carter, who has diabetes, said he was so scared of getting the virus that he took two weeks of vacation so he could stay home from his job as a cook in Brooklyn. But when that ended, he said, his boss told him, “You have to come to work — or.” | John Carter, who has diabetes, said he was so scared of getting the virus that he took two weeks of vacation so he could stay home from his job as a cook in Brooklyn. But when that ended, he said, his boss told him, “You have to come to work — or.” |
| Mr. Carter added, “You know what the ‘or’ means.” | Mr. Carter added, “You know what the ‘or’ means.” |
| “You talk about essential workers, putting their lives on the line, why can’t we be treated like humans?” said Mr. Carter, 44, who has to take three subway lines to work. | “You talk about essential workers, putting their lives on the line, why can’t we be treated like humans?” said Mr. Carter, 44, who has to take three subway lines to work. |
| The virus has also rattled his neighbor, Roy Lee-Bey, who now wears rubber gloves to deliver bottled water from his truck. “People need water,” said Mr. Lee-Bey, 46, who earns $63,000 a year. “And you never know when you’re going to be in need of assistance.” | The virus has also rattled his neighbor, Roy Lee-Bey, who now wears rubber gloves to deliver bottled water from his truck. “People need water,” said Mr. Lee-Bey, 46, who earns $63,000 a year. “And you never know when you’re going to be in need of assistance.” |
| Ms. Johnson, the supervisor at the city’s social services agency, has spent part of her federal stimulus check on taxi rides to her job in Harlem. She usually takes the subway but wanted to minimize her exposure to the virus. | Ms. Johnson, the supervisor at the city’s social services agency, has spent part of her federal stimulus check on taxi rides to her job in Harlem. She usually takes the subway but wanted to minimize her exposure to the virus. |
| She started coughing anyway and went to a doctor. He told her it was probably allergies. When she didn’t get better, she saw another doctor, who tested her for Covid-19. She was positive. | She started coughing anyway and went to a doctor. He told her it was probably allergies. When she didn’t get better, she saw another doctor, who tested her for Covid-19. She was positive. |
| Ms. Johnson, a single mother of one daughter, said she moved to Mount Hope 18 years ago and could never afford to leave. Her dream is to buy a house in New Jersey. “This area is collectively a working-class neighborhood,” she said. “We can’t save money. We can’t afford to sacrifice to get better.” | Ms. Johnson, a single mother of one daughter, said she moved to Mount Hope 18 years ago and could never afford to leave. Her dream is to buy a house in New Jersey. “This area is collectively a working-class neighborhood,” she said. “We can’t save money. We can’t afford to sacrifice to get better.” |
| Jennifer Lutchman, a nurse’s aide who immigrated from Guyana, begins her day by checking her own temperature before getting on a bus to go to work. | Jennifer Lutchman, a nurse’s aide who immigrated from Guyana, begins her day by checking her own temperature before getting on a bus to go to work. |
| “My patients are very scared and I’ve hardly had a good night’s sleep,” said Ms. Lutchman, 41, who has watched people around her get sick. | “My patients are very scared and I’ve hardly had a good night’s sleep,” said Ms. Lutchman, 41, who has watched people around her get sick. |
| Ms. Lutchman earns $19 an hour, barely enough to support her family. Her husband, a security guard, was laid off from the Disney store in Times Square during the pandemic. | Ms. Lutchman earns $19 an hour, barely enough to support her family. Her husband, a security guard, was laid off from the Disney store in Times Square during the pandemic. |
| When the protests erupted, she worried about getting home before the city curfew, which has since been lifted. All night long, she heard police and ambulance sirens and helicopters whirring above. Her father’s pharmacy in the middle of Mount Hope was ransacked by looters. | When the protests erupted, she worried about getting home before the city curfew, which has since been lifted. All night long, she heard police and ambulance sirens and helicopters whirring above. Her father’s pharmacy in the middle of Mount Hope was ransacked by looters. |
| But her patients needed her, she said, so she kept going to work. | But her patients needed her, she said, so she kept going to work. |
| “We don’t know what’s out there and we’re putting ourselves at risk,” she said. “We don’t know what we’re bringing home to our families.” | “We don’t know what’s out there and we’re putting ourselves at risk,” she said. “We don’t know what we’re bringing home to our families.” |
| Elaine Chen contributed reporting. | Elaine Chen contributed reporting. |