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St. Patrick’s Day Parade Is Postponed in New York Over Coronavirus Concerns St. Patrick’s Day Parade Is Postponed in New York Over Coronavirus Concerns
(32 minutes later)
New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the largest such celebration in the world, was postponed late Wednesday over concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, the first time in more than 250 years that the event will not go on as planned.New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the largest such celebration in the world, was postponed late Wednesday over concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, the first time in more than 250 years that the event will not go on as planned.
The announcement, made in a statement by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and parade organizers, followed the cancellation of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Chicago and Boston. Ireland on Monday canceled all parades nationwide.The announcement, made in a statement by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and parade organizers, followed the cancellation of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Chicago and Boston. Ireland on Monday canceled all parades nationwide.
“While I know the parade organizers did not make this decision lightly, public health experts agree that one of the most effective ways to contain the spread of the virus is to limit large gatherings and close contacts,” Mr. Cuomo said. “And I applaud the parade’s leadership for working cooperatively with us.”“While I know the parade organizers did not make this decision lightly, public health experts agree that one of the most effective ways to contain the spread of the virus is to limit large gatherings and close contacts,” Mr. Cuomo said. “And I applaud the parade’s leadership for working cooperatively with us.”
Sean Lane, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration Committee’s chairman, said the group looked forward “to celebrating the 259th St. Patrick’s Day Parade with the entire City of New York at a later date.”Sean Lane, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration Committee’s chairman, said the group looked forward “to celebrating the 259th St. Patrick’s Day Parade with the entire City of New York at a later date.”
The parade, traditionally held on March 17, draws an estimated 150,000 marchers and two million spectators a year to Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, including many police and military groups, firefighters, Irish musicians and student groups from across the United States. It is one of the city’s largest recurring public events.The parade, traditionally held on March 17, draws an estimated 150,000 marchers and two million spectators a year to Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, including many police and military groups, firefighters, Irish musicians and student groups from across the United States. It is one of the city’s largest recurring public events.
The celebration was first held on March 17, 1762, 14 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and over the decades it has transformed into a freewheeling festival of Irish heritage that draws revelers of every race and ethnicity.The celebration was first held on March 17, 1762, 14 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and over the decades it has transformed into a freewheeling festival of Irish heritage that draws revelers of every race and ethnicity.
That history weighed heavily on parade organizers and other Irish-American leaders, who agonized over breaking with more than two centuries of tradition even as celebrations in other cities were scrapped.That history weighed heavily on parade organizers and other Irish-American leaders, who agonized over breaking with more than two centuries of tradition even as celebrations in other cities were scrapped.
On Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the parade would go on as planned. But on Wednesday, he said his thinking on the subject had changed because of the “ancillary realities” surrounding the parade, such as the large number of people who would use public transport to get there.On Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the parade would go on as planned. But on Wednesday, he said his thinking on the subject had changed because of the “ancillary realities” surrounding the parade, such as the large number of people who would use public transport to get there.
“People crowded on the subway to get to the parade or on Metro-North for example, people going to a bar afterward,” Mr. de Blasio said. “That’s what we are assessing right now.”“People crowded on the subway to get to the parade or on Metro-North for example, people going to a bar afterward,” Mr. de Blasio said. “That’s what we are assessing right now.”
Neil Cosgrove, an official with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish diaspora group, who was not involved in discussions over the parade, said that the organizers had been looking to the city for guidance.Neil Cosgrove, an official with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish diaspora group, who was not involved in discussions over the parade, said that the organizers had been looking to the city for guidance.
“My understanding is there is a bit of a tango going on between the parade committee and the city,” said Mr. Cosgrove on Wednesday before the cancellation was announced. “I think the city doesn’t want to pull the trigger, they want the parade committee to pull the trigger.”“My understanding is there is a bit of a tango going on between the parade committee and the city,” said Mr. Cosgrove on Wednesday before the cancellation was announced. “I think the city doesn’t want to pull the trigger, they want the parade committee to pull the trigger.”
On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he had spoken to Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, whose “strong recommendation” was to “reduce large gatherings” like the parade.On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he had spoken to Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, whose “strong recommendation” was to “reduce large gatherings” like the parade.
“Why would you risk bringing thousands of people together knowing this is a virus that is easily communicable?” Mr. Cuomo said at a news conference. “St. Patrick’s Day is one of the great convenings of a large number of people.”“Why would you risk bringing thousands of people together knowing this is a virus that is easily communicable?” Mr. Cuomo said at a news conference. “St. Patrick’s Day is one of the great convenings of a large number of people.”
Updated June 30, 2020
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.
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.
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 listen to the experts, they are saying you should not have a St. Patrick’s Day convening at this time, which I believe makes sense,” the governor said.“If you listen to the experts, they are saying you should not have a St. Patrick’s Day convening at this time, which I believe makes sense,” the governor said.
St. Patrick is the patron saint of both Ireland and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, the second-largest diocese in the United States, which has traditionally played a role in the parade. Each year, the parade is reviewed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York from the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral as it marches past.St. Patrick is the patron saint of both Ireland and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, the second-largest diocese in the United States, which has traditionally played a role in the parade. Each year, the parade is reviewed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York from the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral as it marches past.
“St. Patrick’s Day is more than just going out and having a celebration,” Mr. Cosgrove said. “For a lot of families this is right behind thanksgiving and Christmas as a family event, and for a lot of business owners who are struggling this getting canceled has a big knock on impact.”“St. Patrick’s Day is more than just going out and having a celebration,” Mr. Cosgrove said. “For a lot of families this is right behind thanksgiving and Christmas as a family event, and for a lot of business owners who are struggling this getting canceled has a big knock on impact.”
Organizers and co-sponsors of the parade, which is led each year by the New York Army National Guard’s First Battalion 69th Infantry, said as recently as midweek that the parade would go ahead as planned.Organizers and co-sponsors of the parade, which is led each year by the New York Army National Guard’s First Battalion 69th Infantry, said as recently as midweek that the parade would go ahead as planned.
But that likelihood grew increasingly remote as New York emerged as an epicenter of coronavirus infection in the United States, with most of its infections centered in Westchester County, north of New York City.But that likelihood grew increasingly remote as New York emerged as an epicenter of coronavirus infection in the United States, with most of its infections centered in Westchester County, north of New York City.
Mr. Cuomo declared a state of emergency in the state on Saturday and deployed the National Guard three days later to a “containment area” in New Rochelle, in Westchester County.Mr. Cuomo declared a state of emergency in the state on Saturday and deployed the National Guard three days later to a “containment area” in New Rochelle, in Westchester County.
That area, with a one-mile radius, was designed to limit public gatherings by forcing schools and other buildings to close. It also focused the state’s resources on the area around a synagogue that has been at the center of the state’s largest cluster of cases.That area, with a one-mile radius, was designed to limit public gatherings by forcing schools and other buildings to close. It also focused the state’s resources on the area around a synagogue that has been at the center of the state’s largest cluster of cases.