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‘Free Again’: New Yorkers, Virus in Mind, Head Back to Their Beaches ‘Free Again’: New Yorkers, Virus in Mind, Head Back to Their Beaches
(31 minutes later)
After more than a month of closed beaches — and pitched battles over access to the ocean — Rachel Thompson, a schoolteacher, finally frolicked in the surf at Rockaway Beach in Queens.After more than a month of closed beaches — and pitched battles over access to the ocean — Rachel Thompson, a schoolteacher, finally frolicked in the surf at Rockaway Beach in Queens.
“Yay!” she said. “It feels fantastic to have Rockaway open, to have lifeguards so kids can swim safe.”“Yay!” she said. “It feels fantastic to have Rockaway open, to have lifeguards so kids can swim safe.”
New York, transformed by the coronavirus and the protests in support of Black Lives Matter, has been cooped up, and a good, old-fashioned swim “takes the edge off,” Ms. Thompson, 45, said. She was at Rockaway on Wednesday as New York City opened its beaches for swimming — just in time for the Fourth of July weekend, when even more people are expected to pack the sand.New York, transformed by the coronavirus and the protests in support of Black Lives Matter, has been cooped up, and a good, old-fashioned swim “takes the edge off,” Ms. Thompson, 45, said. She was at Rockaway on Wednesday as New York City opened its beaches for swimming — just in time for the Fourth of July weekend, when even more people are expected to pack the sand.
Still, several beachgoers that morning, Ms. Thompson included, were feeling a bit jittery about the city’s gradual reopening. An hour after the ban on swimming was lifted, the mayor announced that indoor dining at restaurants would not resume on Monday as anticipated, citing the virus’s rapid spread in other large states.Still, several beachgoers that morning, Ms. Thompson included, were feeling a bit jittery about the city’s gradual reopening. An hour after the ban on swimming was lifted, the mayor announced that indoor dining at restaurants would not resume on Monday as anticipated, citing the virus’s rapid spread in other large states.
Even as Ms. Thompson shed her face mask, she called it sensible to slow down indoor dining.Even as Ms. Thompson shed her face mask, she called it sensible to slow down indoor dining.
“Out here, there is a breeze,” she said. “You know, there’s air moving.”“Out here, there is a breeze,” she said. “You know, there’s air moving.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio, worried that large crowds might risk transmission of the coronavirus, had kept the city’s 14 miles of beaches closed even as temperatures rose — along with frustration from long-quarantined New Yorkers.Mayor Bill de Blasio, worried that large crowds might risk transmission of the coronavirus, had kept the city’s 14 miles of beaches closed even as temperatures rose — along with frustration from long-quarantined New Yorkers.
“This is something people have been waiting patiently for — maybe not always patiently for — but it’s here,” Mr. de Blasio said at his Wednesday news briefing.“This is something people have been waiting patiently for — maybe not always patiently for — but it’s here,” Mr. de Blasio said at his Wednesday news briefing.
The mayor also said that in late July the city would open 15 of its 53 free outdoor pools in communities “hit hardest” by the virus and furthest from beaches. It was a partial reversal of his announcement in April that the pools, a vital cooling option in many lower-income neighborhoods, would not open.The mayor also said that in late July the city would open 15 of its 53 free outdoor pools in communities “hit hardest” by the virus and furthest from beaches. It was a partial reversal of his announcement in April that the pools, a vital cooling option in many lower-income neighborhoods, would not open.
Even as suburban beaches opened for swimming on Memorial Day weekend, Mr. de Blasio emphasized that the city’s beaches — which include such well-known spots as Coney Island in Brooklyn and Orchard Beach in the Bronx — were uniquely vulnerable to virus transmission.Even as suburban beaches opened for swimming on Memorial Day weekend, Mr. de Blasio emphasized that the city’s beaches — which include such well-known spots as Coney Island in Brooklyn and Orchard Beach in the Bronx — were uniquely vulnerable to virus transmission.
With an estimated million visitors total on a hot day, they are some of the country’s most crowded shorelines, and people largely access them via subways and buses.With an estimated million visitors total on a hot day, they are some of the country’s most crowded shorelines, and people largely access them via subways and buses.
The beaches at Coney Island were only partially full on Friday morning, and the water was even less crowded.The beaches at Coney Island were only partially full on Friday morning, and the water was even less crowded.
Olga Vlasenko, 35, a home health aide, splashed around in a black swimsuit and a pink Yankees hat.Olga Vlasenko, 35, a home health aide, splashed around in a black swimsuit and a pink Yankees hat.
“It’s wonderful, I feel that I’m cooling off, refreshed, that I have a little more freedom,” he said.“It’s wonderful, I feel that I’m cooling off, refreshed, that I have a little more freedom,” he said.
However, the specter of corona kept her, “a little bit nervous,” she said.However, the specter of corona kept her, “a little bit nervous,” she said.
“But we keep distance,” she said. “You can see we don’t crowd each other.”“But we keep distance,” she said. “You can see we don’t crowd each other.”
Brighton Beach was more crowded with sunbathers and swimmers than Coney Island on Friday, which made it more challenging for Paul Hirschorn to swim with his 4-year-old daughter, who asked him repeatedly about sharks.Brighton Beach was more crowded with sunbathers and swimmers than Coney Island on Friday, which made it more challenging for Paul Hirschorn to swim with his 4-year-old daughter, who asked him repeatedly about sharks.
“There’s no sharks, sweetheart,” he said as she played in the surf. The horror movie was not “Jaws” but “Contagion.”“There’s no sharks, sweetheart,” he said as she played in the surf. The horror movie was not “Jaws” but “Contagion.”
“It’s not as comfortable as it would be without Covid,” said Mr. Hirschorn, 38, a chief technical officer who lives in Brighton Beach. “It feels just quasi-normal.”“It’s not as comfortable as it would be without Covid,” said Mr. Hirschorn, 38, a chief technical officer who lives in Brighton Beach. “It feels just quasi-normal.”
On Wednesday at Rockaway Beach, the air smelled of sea salt and suntan lotion before thunderstorms rolled in.On Wednesday at Rockaway Beach, the air smelled of sea salt and suntan lotion before thunderstorms rolled in.
Ed Westley, 76, of Queens, took his first swim of the season and saw a pod of dolphins breach and frolic in the water.Ed Westley, 76, of Queens, took his first swim of the season and saw a pod of dolphins breach and frolic in the water.
Kasey Gustaveson, 18, a surfer from Queens, said that being in the water, “You feel like corona never happened.”Kasey Gustaveson, 18, a surfer from Queens, said that being in the water, “You feel like corona never happened.”
Still, worries lingered about a possible backslide in New York State, where, after reining in the virus, there have been a few alarming outbreaks, such those at a house party and graduation party in the suburbs just north of the city.Still, worries lingered about a possible backslide in New York State, where, after reining in the virus, there have been a few alarming outbreaks, such those at a house party and graduation party in the suburbs just north of the city.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is requiring visitors from more than a dozen states, including the nation’s three largest — California, Florida and Texas — to quarantine for 14 days after arriving in New York.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is requiring visitors from more than a dozen states, including the nation’s three largest — California, Florida and Texas — to quarantine for 14 days after arriving in New York.
“I just hope it’s safe; we’ll see how it plays out,” said Dragan Jenovac, 53, a crane operator from Queens visiting Rockaway Beach on Wednesday. “I’m a little concerned it’s coming back.”“I just hope it’s safe; we’ll see how it plays out,” said Dragan Jenovac, 53, a crane operator from Queens visiting Rockaway Beach on Wednesday. “I’m a little concerned it’s coming back.”
Nearby, Sal Cirone, 38, a baker from Queens, said the beach afforded him the opportunity to shed his mask and gloves and feel “somewhat normal.”Nearby, Sal Cirone, 38, a baker from Queens, said the beach afforded him the opportunity to shed his mask and gloves and feel “somewhat normal.”
“We’re in the open,” he said. “We’re not really next to anybody.” Still, he said of the pandemic, “It’s always in the back of your mind.”“We’re in the open,” he said. “We’re not really next to anybody.” Still, he said of the pandemic, “It’s always in the back of your mind.”
As the first deputy commissioner of the city’s Department of Parks, Liam Kavanagh, put it, “The beaches are going to look different from what they normally do.”As the first deputy commissioner of the city’s Department of Parks, Liam Kavanagh, put it, “The beaches are going to look different from what they normally do.”
Think: “Baywatch,” pandemic style.Think: “Baywatch,” pandemic style.
Lifeguards will patrol the shoreline in masks and carry waist packs containing a face mask, gloves and hand sanitizer.Lifeguards will patrol the shoreline in masks and carry waist packs containing a face mask, gloves and hand sanitizer.
Hundreds of city workers, deployed as social distancing ambassadors, will hand out masks, keep space between beachgoers, tally beachgoers to prevent overcrowding, tend beach entrances to limit capacity and, if necessary, direct people to less crowded sections.Hundreds of city workers, deployed as social distancing ambassadors, will hand out masks, keep space between beachgoers, tally beachgoers to prevent overcrowding, tend beach entrances to limit capacity and, if necessary, direct people to less crowded sections.
Beachgoers must keep at least six feet apart and wear face coverings when on the sand or the boardwalk.Beachgoers must keep at least six feet apart and wear face coverings when on the sand or the boardwalk.
“We don’t want it to turn into heavy-handed enforcement,” Mr. Kavanagh said, adding that education, not discipline, was the goal.“We don’t want it to turn into heavy-handed enforcement,” Mr. Kavanagh said, adding that education, not discipline, was the goal.
Restrooms will operate at half-capacity, and boardwalk concessions must offer to-go service only.Restrooms will operate at half-capacity, and boardwalk concessions must offer to-go service only.
In May, when the city was an epicenter of the outbreak and still under lockdown, Mr. de Blasio, citing concerns that crowds could lead to the spread of the virus, said beaches would not open for bathing but would be available for limited visits by local residents.In May, when the city was an epicenter of the outbreak and still under lockdown, Mr. de Blasio, citing concerns that crowds could lead to the spread of the virus, said beaches would not open for bathing but would be available for limited visits by local residents.
Once the mayor hinted, around Memorial Day, that beaches might open late, “It turned into a sprint” to open the beaches, Mr. Kavanagh said, and city officials began working furiously behind the scenes to prepare for a possible opening.Once the mayor hinted, around Memorial Day, that beaches might open late, “It turned into a sprint” to open the beaches, Mr. Kavanagh said, and city officials began working furiously behind the scenes to prepare for a possible opening.
Beach preparations typically begin in January with the recruitment, training and certification of lifeguards, and expand in March with beach preparations.Beach preparations typically begin in January with the recruitment, training and certification of lifeguards, and expand in March with beach preparations.
Updated July 7, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
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.
“All that was thrown up in the air because of the coronavirus pandemic,” Mr. Kavanagh said.“All that was thrown up in the air because of the coronavirus pandemic,” Mr. Kavanagh said.
A main challenge was coming up with enough lifeguards to open beaches before the Fourth of July, said Henry Garrido, executive director of District Council 37, the union that represents parks workers.A main challenge was coming up with enough lifeguards to open beaches before the Fourth of July, said Henry Garrido, executive director of District Council 37, the union that represents parks workers.
“You don’t just flip a switch and open the beaches,” he said.“You don’t just flip a switch and open the beaches,” he said.
Finally, the city certified 512 lifeguards. More than 600 are usually employed, Mr. Garrido said, and this season’s shortage could mean a reduction in swimming areas.Finally, the city certified 512 lifeguards. More than 600 are usually employed, Mr. Garrido said, and this season’s shortage could mean a reduction in swimming areas.
But Mr. Kavanagh said: “There’s plenty of space for everyone. There’s plenty of ocean and there’s room to spread out.”But Mr. Kavanagh said: “There’s plenty of space for everyone. There’s plenty of ocean and there’s room to spread out.”
Janet Fash, 60, a chief lifeguard at Rockaway Beach, said some lifeguards had a “bit of trepidation” about returning to work, partly because of the lack of pandemic-related training or guidelines.Janet Fash, 60, a chief lifeguard at Rockaway Beach, said some lifeguards had a “bit of trepidation” about returning to work, partly because of the lack of pandemic-related training or guidelines.
Close contact with swimmers during rescues would probably be avoided since lifeguards typically swim a flotation buoy out for the swimmer to hang onto, she said. Still, lifeguards will try to limit rescues by being more adamant about keeping swimmers away from deeper water and rip currents.Close contact with swimmers during rescues would probably be avoided since lifeguards typically swim a flotation buoy out for the swimmer to hang onto, she said. Still, lifeguards will try to limit rescues by being more adamant about keeping swimmers away from deeper water and rip currents.
On the beach issue, Mr. de Blasio tried to strike a difficult balance between maintaining public safety and providing a critical relief valve in a city with limited cooling options.On the beach issue, Mr. de Blasio tried to strike a difficult balance between maintaining public safety and providing a critical relief valve in a city with limited cooling options.
He insisted that large beach crowds might endanger the strict social distancing that has helped bring down infection rates, and kept the beaches closed, even as Mr. Cuomo coordinated with officials in New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware to open state beaches in the region.He insisted that large beach crowds might endanger the strict social distancing that has helped bring down infection rates, and kept the beaches closed, even as Mr. Cuomo coordinated with officials in New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware to open state beaches in the region.
Opponents of Mr. de Blasio’s decision countered that there was a low risk of transmitting the virus outdoors. They also called opening the city’s beaches crucial at a time when many outdoor events, summer programs and family vacations are canceled, and conventional cooling centers and many other air-conditioned spaces are closed.Opponents of Mr. de Blasio’s decision countered that there was a low risk of transmitting the virus outdoors. They also called opening the city’s beaches crucial at a time when many outdoor events, summer programs and family vacations are canceled, and conventional cooling centers and many other air-conditioned spaces are closed.
There was also backlash from municipalities outside the city who criticized the mayor’s decision and closed their beaches to New York City residents under the belief that an exodus of sun-starved New Yorkers might overwhelm their seasides and jeopardize social distancing.There was also backlash from municipalities outside the city who criticized the mayor’s decision and closed their beaches to New York City residents under the belief that an exodus of sun-starved New Yorkers might overwhelm their seasides and jeopardize social distancing.
Critics said banning swimming would create a problem of its own as the hottest days of summer arrived and New Yorkers poured out of boiling apartments in search of relief.Critics said banning swimming would create a problem of its own as the hottest days of summer arrived and New Yorkers poured out of boiling apartments in search of relief.
In late May, a 24-year-old man drowned while trying to swim off Rockaway Beach, and on Tuesday, an 82-year-old woman was found at 8 a.m. on the shoreline near Beach 17th Street in nearby Far Rockaway.In late May, a 24-year-old man drowned while trying to swim off Rockaway Beach, and on Tuesday, an 82-year-old woman was found at 8 a.m. on the shoreline near Beach 17th Street in nearby Far Rockaway.
While lifeguards would not have been on duty during these times under normal conditions, some people pointed to such incidents as proof that simply banning swimming, with no lifeguards, would lead to a surge in drownings.While lifeguards would not have been on duty during these times under normal conditions, some people pointed to such incidents as proof that simply banning swimming, with no lifeguards, would lead to a surge in drownings.
But politics was far from the mind of Ruby Deliote, Ms. Thompson’s mother, as she stood on Rockaway Beach on Wednesday.But politics was far from the mind of Ruby Deliote, Ms. Thompson’s mother, as she stood on Rockaway Beach on Wednesday.
“I haven’t been out for a long time,” Ms. Deliote, 65, said. “I feel like I’m free again.”“I haven’t been out for a long time,” Ms. Deliote, 65, said. “I feel like I’m free again.”
Nate Schweber contributed reporting.Nate Schweber contributed reporting.