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Pressure Grows for Broader Shutdown of New York: Live Updates Cuomo Says N.Y.C. Schools Should be Closed: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said Sunday that public schools in New York City, which has more than 1.1 million students, the largest in the nation, should shut down, but not without a plan to make sure students still receive meals and those with parents in the health care industry can continue to work.
He spoke not long after the highly influential union that represents New York City’s public health care workers reversed course on Sunday and called on Mayor Bill de Blasio to close the city’s public schools. The union, 1199SEIU, had been the only major union supporting Mr. de Blasio’s decision to keep schools open.
Mr. Cuomo said that some schools should be converted into child care centers for students. They would serve students whose parents are in essential jobs, such as those in hospitals.
Mr. de Blasio had pointed to the union’s support as a rationale for keeping schools open as recently as Friday. 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, have 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 ramps 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 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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
The highly influential union that represents New York City’s public health care workers reversed course on Sunday and called on Mayor Bill de Blasio to close the city’s public schools. The union, 1199SEIU, had been the only major union supporting Mr. de Blasio’s decision to keep schools open.
Mr. de Blasio pointed to the union’s support as a rationale for keeping schools open as recently as Friday. 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, have 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 ramps 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 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.”
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.
In New Jersey, Mr. Murphy encouraged people to limit contact with each other, especially students who are off school.
“There is too much business as usual,” he said. . “I can not emphasize enough how important it is to take personal responsibility and to avoid small gatherings, and especially large,” said .She added, “Our lives will change as we work together to protect our state.”The woman in her 50s, whose death was linked on Saturday night to coronavirus, is believed to have contracted the virus at a family gathering that included a relative from Bergen County; several other family members are also sick, Ms. Persichilli said.“Everyone should limit their social interactions,” Ms. Persichilli said.
””
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.
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.
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 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 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 on Saturday.“The infection rate will be massive,” he said on Saturday.
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 with the New York archdiocese and the Brooklyn diocese announced the cancellation of public Mass services after consulting with medical experts.Officials with the New York archdiocese and the Brooklyn diocese announced the cancellation of public Mass services after consulting with medical experts.
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 after a parishioner who attended Mass last Sunday at the Incarnation Roman Catholic Church in Queens tested positive for the virus.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 after a parishioner who attended Mass last Sunday at the Incarnation Roman Catholic Church in Queens tested positive for the virus.
“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.
Stacy Cowley, Anupreeta Das, Nicole Hong, Jesse McKinley, Edgar Sandoval, Eliza Shapiro and Tracey Tully contributed reporting. Stacy Cowley, Anupreeta Das, Matthew Haag, Jesse McKinley, Eliza Shapiro and Tracey Tully contributed reporting.