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Pressure Grows for Broader Shutdown of New York: Live Updates Pressure Grows for Broader Shutdown of New York: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
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 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.
“Something has snapped in the last 12 hours,” Councilman Mark D. Levine, a Manhattan Democrat, tweeted. “Today must be the day we move to #ShutDownNYC.”“Something has snapped in the last 12 hours,” Councilman Mark D. Levine, a Manhattan Democrat, tweeted. “Today must be the day we move to #ShutDownNYC.”
Mr. Cuomo appeared to acknowledge the pressure.Mr. Cuomo appeared to acknowledge the pressure.
“The decision each of makes now will impact us all tomorrow,” he wrote on Twitter. “STAY HOME.”“The decision each of makes now will impact us all tomorrow,” he wrote on Twitter. “STAY HOME.”
Mr. de Blasio on Sunday did not rule out enacting more aggressive actions to restrict social interactions in New York City to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus.Mr. de Blasio on Sunday did not rule out enacting more aggressive actions to restrict social interactions in New York City 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, events with more than 500 people are prohibited, but 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. Gov. Philip D. Murphy said in a radio interview Sunday that a statewide curfew remains “under consideration.”
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.”
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 only has 3,186 intensive-care beds, he said.
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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 only has 3,186 intensive-care beds, he said.
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. It is the latest system in the New York region to close.
But New York City’s public schools are the increasingly anomalous exception. Mayor Bill de Blasio reiterated on Sunday 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 on Monday. Some teachers were organizing a “sick out” as a show of protest, and some parents said they were planning on keeping their children home indefinitely starting on Monday.
Alarm spread through several school communities over the weekend after families learned of confirmed cases. Katie Dello Stritto, the principal of P.S. 58 in Brooklyn, informed parents in an email that a parent at the school had tested positive for the virus.
“I am advocating in every way that I can that our school, as well all New York City public schools, be closed at this time,” Ms. Dello Stritto wrote. “I cannot make that decision.”
Governor Cuomo announced on Saturday night that two State Assembly members from Brooklyn had tested positive for the coronavirus.Governor Cuomo announced on Saturday night that two State Assembly members from Brooklyn had tested positive for the coronavirus.
“It has come to our attention that two of our Assembly colleagues — Helene Weinstein and Charles Barron — have been diagnosed with COVID-19,” according to a statement released by Mr. Cuomo and the Assembly speaker, Carl E. Heastie.“It has come to our attention that two of our Assembly colleagues — Helene Weinstein and Charles Barron — have been diagnosed with COVID-19,” according to a statement released by Mr. Cuomo and the Assembly speaker, Carl E. Heastie.
Mr. Barron, 69, and Ms. Weinstein, 67, have not been in Albany since early March “for separate reasons,” according to the statement.Mr. Barron, 69, and Ms. Weinstein, 67, have not been in Albany since early March “for separate reasons,” according to the statement.
All legislators and staff who have come in contact with either Assembly member will be tested for the virus. The Capitol and the Legislative Office Building will go through an “intensive cleaning”; the Capitol will also be closed to visitors starting on Sunday.All legislators and staff who have come in contact with either Assembly member will be tested for the virus. The Capitol and the Legislative Office Building will go through an “intensive cleaning”; the Capitol will also be closed to visitors starting on Sunday.
Assembly members sit in tight quarters in an ornate chamber. Democrats, who dominate the 150-member Assembly, also regularly meet in a cramped conference room behind the chamber, passing a microphone from hand to hand as they speak.Assembly members sit in tight quarters in an ornate chamber. Democrats, who dominate the 150-member Assembly, also regularly meet in a cramped conference room behind the chamber, passing a microphone from hand to hand as they speak.
Ms. Weinstein said in a statement that she has not been in Albany since March 4, and had been attending to personal matters in her district. She said that she had not had any contact with her staff or constituents during that period.Ms. Weinstein said in a statement that she has not been in Albany since March 4, and had been attending to personal matters in her district. She said that she had not had any contact with her staff or constituents during that period.
“I began experiencing symptoms on the evening of March 11th and immediately self quarantined,” she said.“I began experiencing symptoms on the evening of March 11th and immediately self quarantined,” she said.
Mr. Barron could not immediately be reached for comment; he is married to a New York City councilwoman, Inez Barron, who also could not be immediately reached.Mr. Barron could not immediately be reached for comment; he is married to a New York City councilwoman, Inez Barron, who also could not be immediately reached.
As the news of the Assembly members’ positive tests came, the City Council speaker, Corey Johnson, announced that the Council this week would not hold its scheduled hearings and biweekly stated meeting, where it typically introduces and votes on legislation.As the news of the Assembly members’ positive tests came, the City Council speaker, Corey Johnson, announced that the Council this week would not hold its scheduled hearings and biweekly stated meeting, where it typically introduces and votes on legislation.
Mr. Johnson said the Council’s offices at 250 Broadway and in City Hall are also closing until further notice, and that Council staff were to work from home.Mr. Johnson said the Council’s offices at 250 Broadway and in City Hall are also closing until further notice, and that Council staff were to work from home.
Freddi Goldstein, a spokeswoman for Mayor de Blasio, declined to comment, but said the administration was moving forward with plans to offer telecommuting or a staggered work schedule for about 100,000 city employees.Freddi Goldstein, a spokeswoman for Mayor de Blasio, declined to comment, but said the administration was moving forward with plans to offer telecommuting or a staggered work schedule for about 100,000 city employees.
New York on Saturday reported its first deaths linked to coronavirus: an 82-year-old woman who died in Brooklyn on Friday night and a 65-year-old man from Rockland County who died on Thursday, officials said. As of Saturday night, New York State had 613 confirmed coronavirus cases, officials said. Two people have died: an 82-year-old woman who died in Brooklyn on Friday and a 65-year-old man from Rockland County who died on Thursday.
The woman, who was not identified, had emphysema, something Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said contributed to her death. The woman, one of the first to test positive for the coronavirus in the city, had been hospitalized on March 3, officials said.
She died Friday night at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn.
The man, who was also not identified, was from the village of Suffern, Rockland County officials said. The county’s chief medical examiner said the man had “significant health problems” that probably contributed to his death.
The governor and Mayor Bill de Blasio have taken the opportunity to criticize what they have deemed to be an inadequate response by President Trump to the outbreak. For weeks, city and state officials have been pleading with the Trump administration to speed up access to testing for the virus, he said.
“There are some, I am certain, that could had been saved if the testing were here from the beginning,” Mr. de Blasio said.
Fifty people have died from the disease nationwide, Mr. Trump said on Saturday.
As of Saturday night, New York State had 613 confirmed coronavirus cases, officials said.
The largest concentration of cases was in New York City, where 269 people have tested positive, according to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.The largest concentration of cases was in New York City, where 269 people have tested positive, according to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.
There were 178 confirmed cases in Westchester County, just north of New York City.There were 178 confirmed cases in Westchester County, just north of New York City.
On Long Island, there were 79 confirmed cases in Nassau County and at least 33 in Suffolk County.On Long Island, there were 79 confirmed cases in Nassau County and at least 33 in Suffolk County.
Just over 20 percent of the total cases in New York were of people who were hospitalized, Mr. Cuomo said on Saturday morning.Just over 20 percent of the total cases in New York were of people who were hospitalized, Mr. Cuomo said on Saturday morning.
The new totals were announced as New Yorkers prepared for a drastic shift in their daily lives. Limits on public gatherings in the state took effect at 5 p.m. Friday.The new totals were announced as New Yorkers prepared for a drastic shift in their daily lives. Limits on public gatherings in the state took effect at 5 p.m. Friday.
Mr. Cuomo reiterated on Saturday that jumps in the number of cases were more a reflection of the state’s ability to test people than of the outbreak’s severity. He also noted, however, that he expected thousands of additional cases statewide as the virus continued to spread.Mr. Cuomo reiterated on Saturday that jumps in the number of cases were more a reflection of the state’s ability to test people than of the outbreak’s severity. He also noted, however, that he expected thousands of additional cases statewide as the virus continued to spread.
“The infection rate will be massive,” he said.“The infection rate will be massive,” he said.
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?”
On Friday, the federal government said that it would allow the state’s health department to authorize local labs to perform coronavirus tests.On Friday, the federal government said that it would allow the state’s health department to authorize local labs to perform coronavirus tests.
By next week, New York could be conducting 6,000 tests a day, Mr. Cuomo said on Friday. The state has opened a “drive through” testing facility in New Rochelle, a suburb of New York City that has been at the center of the epidemic in the state.By next week, New York could be conducting 6,000 tests a day, Mr. Cuomo said on Friday. The state has opened a “drive through” testing facility in New Rochelle, a suburb of New York City that has been at the center of the epidemic in the state.
Officials in Hoboken ordered the closing of all gyms, health clubs, day care centers and movie theaters starting on Saturday. Officials with the New York archdiocese and the Brooklyn diocese announced the cancellation of public Mass services after consulting with medical experts.
The order came a day after the city had announced its first known positive case of coronavirus and had declared a state of emergency. Hoboken’s mayor said on Friday that playgrounds, recreational centers and fields would be closed through at least March 20, although the city’s parks will remain open. On Friday, the archdiocese, one of the nation’s most influential, had urged Catholics to exercise “their prudential judgment” in deciding whether to attend. The Brooklyn diocese said Masses will be canceled starting on Monday.
Officials across New Jersey announced similar steps on Saturday. In Bergen County, all movie theaters will close, and the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, N.J., will close starting Sunday.
As of Saturday afternoon, New Jersey reported 69 confirmed coronavirus cases. The state will set up a testing center at Bergen County Community College.
Officials with the New York archdiocese announced on Saturday the cancellation of public mass services after consulting with medical experts.
A day earlier, the archdiocese, one of the nation’s most influential, had urged Catholics to exercise “their prudential judgment” in deciding whether to attend.
“The policy evolved,” said Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman with the archdiocese. “Yesterday it was: mass is available, you don’t have to go. Today is: mass will not be available.”“The policy evolved,” said Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman with the archdiocese. “Yesterday it was: mass is available, you don’t have to go. Today is: mass will not be available.”
Churchgoers will have the option to listen and watch weekly morning and Sunday mass services, to be recorded at an empty St. Patrick’s Cathedral, via the archdiocese’s websites and radio partners, officials said. Churchgoers will have the option to listen and watch weekly morning and Sunday Mass services, to be recorded at an empty St. Patrick’s Cathedral, via the archdiocese’s websites and radio partners, officials said.
Churches will remain open for private prayer, Mr. Zwilling said.Churches will remain open for private prayer, Mr. Zwilling said.
New York City, long the fascination of many filmmakers, is shutting down many of its landmark movie theaters as part of an ongoing citywide effort to curb large gatherings.
Theaters that have announced closings include the Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn and Yonkers, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Film Society at Lincoln Center and Nitehawk Cinema. Many other city movie theaters are expected to also dim their light in the following days.
Earlier in the week, Broadway theaters suspended all plays and musicals through April 12.
Stacy Cowley, Anupreeta Das, Nicole Hong, Jesse McKinley, Edgar Sandoval, Eliza Shapiro and Tracey Tully contributed reporting.Stacy Cowley, Anupreeta Das, Nicole Hong, Jesse McKinley, Edgar Sandoval, Eliza Shapiro and Tracey Tully contributed reporting.