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New York City to Close Public Schools: Live Updates New York City to Close Public Schools: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
New York City’s public school system, the nation’s largest with 1.1 million students, will begin to largely shut down this week, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said on Sunday, in what is the city’s most aggressive and disruptive effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. New York City’s public school system, the nation’s largest with 1.1 million students, will begin to largely shut down this week, in what is the city’s most aggressive and disruptive effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Public schools in Long Island and Westchester will also close this week, Mr. Cuomo said on Sunday. “I’m very, very concerned that we see a rapid spread of this disease, and it’s time to take more dramatic measures,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said late Sunday afternoon. “This is a decision I have taken with no joy and a lot of pain.”
The city and union leaders are working on plans for emergency child care for essential city workers whose children attend public schools. Mr. Cuomo said earlier on Sunday that any decision to close New York City’s schools must include a plan to allow parents who are health care workers to continue to report to hospitals. Public schools in Long Island and Westchester County will also close this week, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Sunday. The governor ordered New York City school officials to develop a plan within 24 hours on how to offer child care to students of parents who work in essential industries like health care and to provide food to students who will need meals.
The decision to close the schools came after the mayor faced increasing pressure throughout the day, including from the governor. Mr. Cuomo said in an interview with The New York Times on Sunday afternoon that the schools should close “as soon as Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday.” In New York City, the schools will be closed on Monday for all students and staff, but teachers will be asked to report to work later in the week for training on how to provide remote learning, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
“I believe that the New York City schools should be closed, period,” he said. “We also need an immediate plan to provide child care for essential workers and for food programs for the children.” “These children need you,” the mayor said in an appeal to the city’s teachers. “Keep their education going.”
Some campuses will reopen on March 23 as “enrichment centers.” They will be set up to provide instruction and services for vulnerable children, likely including many of its homeless students and children with special needs.
The mayor said the goal is to reopen all the schools on April 20, though he cautioned that could be overly optimistic. He said there was a strong chance that the schools would not reopen at all this school year.
“The facts have given us no other choice,” he said.
The city and union leaders are working on plans for emergency child care for essential city workers whose children attend public schools. Mr. Cuomo said earlier on Sunday that any decision to close New York City’s schools must include a plan to allow parents who are health care workers to continue to report to hospitals.
The decision to close the schools came after the mayor faced increasing pressure throughout the day, including from the governor.
“I believe that the New York City schools should be closed, period,” Mr. Cuomo said in an interview with The New York Times on Sunday. “We also need an immediate plan to provide child care for essential workers and for food programs for the children.”
The highly influential union that represents New York City’s public health care workers, 1199SEIU, reversed course on Sunday and called on the mayor to close the city’s public schools. The union had been the only major union supporting his decision to keep schools open.The highly influential union that represents New York City’s public health care workers, 1199SEIU, reversed course on Sunday and called on the mayor to close the city’s public schools. The union had been the only major union supporting his decision to keep schools open.
Mr. Cuomo endorsed the idea of converting schools into child care centers for students whose parents are in essential jobs, such as those in hospitals.Mr. Cuomo endorsed the idea of converting schools into child care centers for students whose parents are in essential jobs, such as those in hospitals.
As recently as Friday, Mr. de Blasio had pointed to 1199SEIU’s support as a rationale for keeping schools open. The union had said it was concerned that mass school closures could keep essential medical personnel at home, caring for their children.As recently as Friday, Mr. de Blasio had pointed to 1199SEIU’s support as a rationale for keeping schools open. The union had said it was concerned that mass school closures could keep essential medical personnel at home, caring for their children.
But the leaders of 1199 and the city’s teachers union, the United Federation of Teachers, had been in negotiations throughout the weekend to provide emergency child care for the public school children of health care employees.
“I have been in discussion with other allies on the possibility of providing this much needed child care through school resource centers, and I am confident that a plan will be reached to ensure that these children receive the care they need while their parents work,” George Gresham, 1199’s president, said in a statement on Sunday afternoon.
The union’s reversal significantly ramped up the pressure on Mr. de Blasio to close city schools.
On Sunday morning, Mr. de Blasio said that all 1,800 schools would remain open, at least for the time being. “I’m very reticent to close the schools,” the mayor said during an appearance on CNN.
He said the city had begun to draw up contingency plans for possible closure, but said they were “imperfect” and would “by definition” not be able to compensate for regular, in-classroom instruction.
At the same time, pressure from parents, teachers, and politicians to close city schools accelerated. Sharon Lee, the acting Queens borough president, urged Queens parents to keep their children home from school, and some teachers were organizing a “sick out” as a show of protest.
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The union’s reversal significantly ramped up the pressure on Mr. de Blasio to close city schools.
On Sunday morning, Mr. de Blasio said that all 1,800 schools would remain open, at least for the time being. “I’m very reticent to close the schools,” the mayor said during an appearance on CNN.
All public and private schools in Nassau County, which includes some of the most densely populated areas of Long Island, will be closed starting Monday, Laura Curran, the county executive, announced Sunday.All public and private schools in Nassau County, which includes some of the most densely populated areas of Long Island, will be closed starting Monday, Laura Curran, the county executive, announced Sunday.
In New Jersey, Gov. Philip D. Murphy said Sunday that a statewide school shutdown would be “imminent.”In New Jersey, Gov. Philip D. Murphy said Sunday that a statewide school shutdown would be “imminent.”
Some elected officials raised growing alarms on Sunday that the city was moving far too slowly to place restrictions on public life.Some elected officials raised growing alarms on Sunday that the city was moving far too slowly to place restrictions on public life.
They pointed out that bars and restaurants on Saturday night in many parts of the city were still relatively crowded, elevating the risk that the coronavirus would continue to spread rapidly.They pointed out that bars and restaurants on Saturday night in many parts of the city were still relatively crowded, elevating the risk that the coronavirus would continue to spread rapidly.
City Council members, as well as Scott M. Stringer, the city comptroller, have begun calling on Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio to order the closure of restaurants and bars.City Council members, as well as Scott M. Stringer, the city comptroller, have begun calling on Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio to order the closure of restaurants and bars.
“All nonessential services must be closed, including bars and restaurants,” Corey Johnson, the Council speaker, said in a statement. “We should keep essentials like grocery stores, bodegas, pharmacies, and banks open. And restaurants that can make deliveries should be able to stay open to provide delivery service for New Yorkers.”“All nonessential services must be closed, including bars and restaurants,” Corey Johnson, the Council speaker, said in a statement. “We should keep essentials like grocery stores, bodegas, pharmacies, and banks open. And restaurants that can make deliveries should be able to stay open to provide delivery service for New Yorkers.”
Mr. Cuomo called on Sunday for private businesses to voluntarily close and have their employees work from home. He said he was considering mandatory closures.Mr. Cuomo called on Sunday for private businesses to voluntarily close and have their employees work from home. He said he was considering mandatory closures.
In addition, Mr. Cuomo asked that all nonessential state employees who work in the southern part of the state — New York City, Long Island, and Rockland and Westchester Counties — to work from home. Members of the Legislature should return to work in Albany, he said, likening them to soldiers during a war.In addition, Mr. Cuomo asked that all nonessential state employees who work in the southern part of the state — New York City, Long Island, and Rockland and Westchester Counties — to work from home. Members of the Legislature should return to work in Albany, he said, likening them to soldiers during a war.
“The government must function,” he said at a news conference on Sunday afternoon.“The government must function,” he said at a news conference on Sunday afternoon.
While he continued to call for social distancing and sounded the alarm about the lack of hospital space, the governor also urged people to remain calm.While he continued to call for social distancing and sounded the alarm about the lack of hospital space, the governor also urged people to remain calm.
Mr. de Blasio and Mr. Cuomo on Sunday did not rule out enacting more aggressive actions to restrict social interactions to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus.Mr. de Blasio and Mr. Cuomo on Sunday did not rule out enacting more aggressive actions to restrict social interactions to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
“Every option is on the table,” Mr. de Blasio said on CNN, adding he would be coordinating any further restrictions with Mr. Cuomo. Right now, bars and restaurants can remain open if they operate at 50 percent of their maximum capacity.“Every option is on the table,” Mr. de Blasio said on CNN, adding he would be coordinating any further restrictions with Mr. Cuomo. Right now, bars and restaurants can remain open if they operate at 50 percent of their maximum capacity.
No elected officials are calling for closing off the city by shutting down mass transit or roadways.No elected officials are calling for closing off the city by shutting down mass transit or roadways.
The officials have emphasized that mass transit must be running in order to ensure that the health care system continues to operate.The officials have emphasized that mass transit must be running in order to ensure that the health care system continues to operate.
If the subway were shut down, health care workers would have difficulty reaching hospitals and other health care facilities.If the subway were shut down, health care workers would have difficulty reaching hospitals and other health care facilities.
In New Jersey, the mayor of Teaneck asked the city’s 41,000 residents to self-quarantine and not to leave their homes other than to buy food or pick up medicine. There are at least 18 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Teaneck.In New Jersey, the mayor of Teaneck asked the city’s 41,000 residents to self-quarantine and not to leave their homes other than to buy food or pick up medicine. There are at least 18 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Teaneck.
Gov. Philip D. Murphy said on Sunday that a statewide curfew remains “under consideration” and that a statewide shutdown of schools “is imminent.” The New Jersey system serves 1.4 million public school students.Gov. Philip D. Murphy said on Sunday that a statewide curfew remains “under consideration” and that a statewide shutdown of schools “is imminent.” The New Jersey system serves 1.4 million public school students.
New Jersey had 98 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Sunday afternoon, an increase of 31 new cases from the day before. Two people in the state have died after testing positive for the virus.New Jersey had 98 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Sunday afternoon, an increase of 31 new cases from the day before. Two people in the state have died after testing positive for the virus.
Governor Cuomo asked President Trump on Sunday to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to help states more quickly combat the spread of the coronavirus and expand the capacity of hospitals.Governor Cuomo asked President Trump on Sunday to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to help states more quickly combat the spread of the coronavirus and expand the capacity of hospitals.
In an Op-Ed in The New York Times, Mr. Cuomo said that the Corps could “leverage its expertise, equipment and people power to retrofit and equip existing facilities — like military bases or college dormitories — to serve as temporary medical centers.”In an Op-Ed in The New York Times, Mr. Cuomo said that the Corps could “leverage its expertise, equipment and people power to retrofit and equip existing facilities — like military bases or college dormitories — to serve as temporary medical centers.”
If the worst projections become true, Mr. Cuomo said, New York State’s hospital system would not be able to handle the rush of patients, many of whom would require acute care. The state has only 3,186 intensive-care beds, he said.If the worst projections become true, Mr. Cuomo said, New York State’s hospital system would not be able to handle the rush of patients, many of whom would require acute care. The state has only 3,186 intensive-care beds, he said.
Mr. Cuomo said on Sunday that the state will likely need thousands of additional intensive-care beds.Mr. Cuomo said on Sunday that the state will likely need thousands of additional intensive-care beds.
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As of Sunday, New York State had 729 confirmed coronavirus cases, officials said. Three people have died: an 82-year-old woman in Brooklyn on Friday; a 65-year-old man from Rockland County on Thursday; and a 79-year-old woman who died on Sunday in New York City.As of Sunday, New York State had 729 confirmed coronavirus cases, officials said. Three people have died: an 82-year-old woman in Brooklyn on Friday; a 65-year-old man from Rockland County on Thursday; and a 79-year-old woman who died on Sunday in New York City.
The largest concentration of cases was in New York City, where 329 people have tested positive.The largest concentration of cases was in New York City, where 329 people have tested positive.
There were 196 confirmed cases in Westchester County, just north of New York City.There were 196 confirmed cases in Westchester County, just north of New York City.
On Long Island, there were 98 confirmed cases in Nassau County and at least 47 in Suffolk County.On Long Island, there were 98 confirmed cases in Nassau County and at least 47 in Suffolk County.
Just under 20 percent of the total cases in New York were of people who were hospitalized, Mr. Cuomo.Just under 20 percent of the total cases in New York were of people who were hospitalized, Mr. Cuomo.
Mr. Cuomo said efforts in the city and state were still focused on tamping down the disease where they could. The state tested 700 people for the virus on Friday.Mr. Cuomo said efforts in the city and state were still focused on tamping down the disease where they could. The state tested 700 people for the virus on Friday.
The governor expressed concerns about hospital capacity, particularly in intensive care. The state has approximately 3,000 I.C.U. beds, about 80 percent of which are already occupied, he said.The governor expressed concerns about hospital capacity, particularly in intensive care. The state has approximately 3,000 I.C.U. beds, about 80 percent of which are already occupied, he said.
“That’s what this is all about,” the governor said. “How do you, can you, reduce the rate of spread to a level that your hospital system can manage?”“That’s what this is all about,” the governor said. “How do you, can you, reduce the rate of spread to a level that your hospital system can manage?”
New York State’s presidential primary election could be moved from April 28 to June 23, the date of another scheduled statewide primary, in response to the coronavirus outbreak, officials said on Sunday.New York State’s presidential primary election could be moved from April 28 to June 23, the date of another scheduled statewide primary, in response to the coronavirus outbreak, officials said on Sunday.
Two other states — Louisiana and Georgia — have already postponed their primaries and other states are debating similar delays and alternatives, including mail-in balloting measures to avoid large crowds in public.Two other states — Louisiana and Georgia — have already postponed their primaries and other states are debating similar delays and alternatives, including mail-in balloting measures to avoid large crowds in public.
Douglas A. Kellner, co-chairman of the New York State Board of Elections, confirmed on Sunday that discussions were underway about the possibility of delaying the primary to curb the spread of the virus. But he said that no final decision had been reached.Douglas A. Kellner, co-chairman of the New York State Board of Elections, confirmed on Sunday that discussions were underway about the possibility of delaying the primary to curb the spread of the virus. But he said that no final decision had been reached.
Students at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., are dealing with the emotions and logistical hurdles of being told to return home because all in-person classes have been canceled for the rest of the semester.Students at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., are dealing with the emotions and logistical hurdles of being told to return home because all in-person classes have been canceled for the rest of the semester.
Cornell was one of the first universities in the country to suspend classes on campus, and the college has given students a three-week break to make the journey home before online courses begin.Cornell was one of the first universities in the country to suspend classes on campus, and the college has given students a three-week break to make the journey home before online courses begin.
The news set off a range of emotions among students, especially seniors whose college careers will not end as they had imagined.The news set off a range of emotions among students, especially seniors whose college careers will not end as they had imagined.
“I feel like a lot of experiences have been stolen from me,” Justin Welfeld, a senior, said.“I feel like a lot of experiences have been stolen from me,” Justin Welfeld, a senior, said.
The trip home is not easy for some students, particularly those who live overseas. But some students refused to leave, vowing to remain near campus even after dorms shut down later this month.The trip home is not easy for some students, particularly those who live overseas. But some students refused to leave, vowing to remain near campus even after dorms shut down later this month.
“I’m staying,” said Linden Wike, 22, a senior majoring in astronomy, who questioned the length of the pause on normal, in-person classes and the wisdom of sending people “to where it might be worse.”“I’m staying,” said Linden Wike, 22, a senior majoring in astronomy, who questioned the length of the pause on normal, in-person classes and the wisdom of sending people “to where it might be worse.”
Stacy Cowley, Anupreeta Das, Matthew Haag, Jesse McKinley, Eliza Shapiro and Tracey Tully contributed reporting.Stacy Cowley, Anupreeta Das, Matthew Haag, Jesse McKinley, Eliza Shapiro and Tracey Tully contributed reporting.