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N.Y.C. May ‘Shelter in Place’ as Virus Spreads, Mayor Warns: Live Updates N.Y.C. May ‘Shelter in Place’ as Virus Spreads, Mayor Warns: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
Mayor Bill de Blasio warned New York City residents on Tuesday afternoon to prepare for the possibility of a “shelter in place” order within the next 48 hours.Mayor Bill de Blasio warned New York City residents on Tuesday afternoon to prepare for the possibility of a “shelter in place” order within the next 48 hours.
“It is definitely a possibility at this point,” the mayor said at a City Hall news conference, where he acknowledged that such a move had to be coordinated with state officials. “It is a difficult, difficult decision.” “It is definitely a possibility at this point,” the mayor said at a City Hall news conference, where he acknowledged that such a move had to be coordinated with state officials.
Not long after the mayor made his comments, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo tamped down any suggestion that a shelter-in-place order was imminent.Not long after the mayor made his comments, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo tamped down any suggestion that a shelter-in-place order was imminent.
“The emergency policies that have been issued are of statewide impact, and the governor is making every effort to coordinate these policies with our surrounding states,” Melissa DeRosa, a top aide to Mr. Cuomo, said in a statement. “Any blanket quarantine or shelter in place policy would require state action and as the governor has said, there is no consideration of that for any locality at this time.” “Any blanket quarantine or shelter in place policy would require state action and as the governor has said, there is no consideration of that for any locality at this time,” Melissa DeRosa, a top aide to Mr. Cuomo, said in a statement.
Mr. de Blasio did not elaborate on what such an order would look like, but a similar directive in California’s Bay Area requires people to stay at home except for essential activities.Mr. de Blasio did not elaborate on what such an order would look like, but a similar directive in California’s Bay Area requires people to stay at home except for essential activities.
Asked to explain the difference between “shelter in place” and “quarantine,” Mr. de Blasio said, “I don’t want to be the guy to define” the distinction. He said it was time to make a decision on the matter in consultation with Mr. Cuomo.Asked to explain the difference between “shelter in place” and “quarantine,” Mr. de Blasio said, “I don’t want to be the guy to define” the distinction. He said it was time to make a decision on the matter in consultation with Mr. Cuomo.
The mayor said that such an order could limit movement in the city to people with essential jobs like police officers, firefighters and health care workers. It could also allow people to go outside to exercise, although he noted that Italy had imposed more restrictive measures.The mayor said that such an order could limit movement in the city to people with essential jobs like police officers, firefighters and health care workers. It could also allow people to go outside to exercise, although he noted that Italy had imposed more restrictive measures.
Mr. de Blasio also said at the City Hall briefing that the city would be able to test 5,000 people a day for coronavirus, a huge increase from the current capacity of several hundred people a day. And he said that alternate-side parking rules would be suspended for at least a week. Mr. de Blasio also said that the city would be able to test 5,000 people a day for coronavirus, a major increase from the current capacity of several hundred people a day. And he said that alternate-side parking rules would be suspended for at least a week.
As of Tuesday, more than 1,500 people in New York State had tested positive for the virus, up from 950 the day before; 814 of the cases were in the city. Twelve people have died from the virus in New York State, including at least seven in New York City. As of Tuesday, more than 1,500 people in New York State had tested positive for the virus, up from 950 the day before; 814 of the cases were in the city, including one person who lives in a city homeless shelter.
New York City has about 100 shelters for single adults, and most of them resemble dormitories with shared bathrooms. Such sleeping arrangements have put shelter providers on high alert. The shelter where the person who tested positive lived, which was not identified, has been cleaned.
Twelve people have died from the virus in New York State, including at least seven in New York City.
“We are certainly going to have thousands of cases next week,” Mr. de Blasio said. “It is not that long before we hit 10,000 cases, that is a true statement.”“We are certainly going to have thousands of cases next week,” Mr. de Blasio said. “It is not that long before we hit 10,000 cases, that is a true statement.”
The number of cases in New Jersey rose to 267 on Tuesday, up from 178 on Monday, with three deaths. In Connecticut, the count reached 41 confirmed cases, up from 26 on Sunday.The number of cases in New Jersey rose to 267 on Tuesday, up from 178 on Monday, with three deaths. In Connecticut, the count reached 41 confirmed cases, up from 26 on Sunday.
Mr. Cuomo said that the outbreak was projected to peak in 45 days, around May 1. At that point, he said, the state would need 55,000 to 110,000 hospital beds and 18,600 to 37,000 intensive care beds.
The peak will likely overwhelm New York’s health care system, Mr. Cuomo said: The state currently has about 53,000 hospital beds and 3,000 intensive-care beds. Eighty percent of the intensive-care beds are already occupied, he said.
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As the city prepares for a sharp rise in patients, Mr. de Blasio said there would be a huge need for more health care workers, so roughly 6,000 recently retired medical workers in the city are being asked to return to work as volunteers.As the city prepares for a sharp rise in patients, Mr. de Blasio said there would be a huge need for more health care workers, so roughly 6,000 recently retired medical workers in the city are being asked to return to work as volunteers.
The mayor also announced that the first citywide cellphone alert about the pandemic on would be sent Tuesday at 6 p.m. The mayor also said the first citywide cellphone alert about the pandemic would be sent Tuesday at 6 p.m.
New York City’s public transportation system, the largest in North America, is seeking a $4 billion federal bailout as the coronavirus pandemic triggers an extraordinary free fall in ridership that has created what is likely to be the local economy’s worst crisis in decades.
In a letter on Tuesday to New York’s congressional delegation, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the city’s subway and buses and two commuter railroads, said that subway ridership had plunged 60 percent and bus ridership had fallen 49 percent on Monday compared with the same day last year.
Other parts of the system have experienced similarly steep drops during the Tuesday morning rush hour compared with the same day last year: 90 percent on Metro-North Railroad, which serves communities north of New York City, and 67 percent on the Long Island Rail Road.
“The M.T.A. is now facing financial calamity,” Patrick J. Foye, chairman of the transit authority, said in the letter.
The authority projects revenue losses of around $3.7 billion if ridership trends continue for the next several months, and expects coronavirus-specific expenses, like disinfecting subway cars and stations, to reach around $300 million.
New York City has issued 550 violations and $275,000 in fines to retailers accused of price gouging on items in high demand during the pandemic, officials said on Tuesday.New York City has issued 550 violations and $275,000 in fines to retailers accused of price gouging on items in high demand during the pandemic, officials said on Tuesday.
On Monday, Mr. de Blasio announced that fines would be issued to shops that charged excessive prices on items like hand sanitizer. Retailers cannot charge 10 percent more than the product’s usual price, the city said.On Monday, Mr. de Blasio announced that fines would be issued to shops that charged excessive prices on items like hand sanitizer. Retailers cannot charge 10 percent more than the product’s usual price, the city said.
The city said the fines were issued for high prices on three items: face masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes. The 10-percent restriction will remain in place for at least two months.The city said the fines were issued for high prices on three items: face masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes. The 10-percent restriction will remain in place for at least two months.
The authorities also inspected restaurants and bars on Tuesday to make sure they were following new restrictions that limit their services to takeout or delivery only. Mr. de Blasio did not disclose how many inspections had taken place so far but said that roughly 90 percent of the establishments were following the new rules.The authorities also inspected restaurants and bars on Tuesday to make sure they were following new restrictions that limit their services to takeout or delivery only. Mr. de Blasio did not disclose how many inspections had taken place so far but said that roughly 90 percent of the establishments were following the new rules.
The others received warnings, he said.The others received warnings, he said.
Mr. de Blasio of New York City has, from the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, used great disasters of the past as reference points. On Tuesday, he warned New Yorkers to brace themselves for economic hardship like something out of the Great Depression.Mr. de Blasio of New York City has, from the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, used great disasters of the past as reference points. On Tuesday, he warned New Yorkers to brace themselves for economic hardship like something out of the Great Depression.
Appearing on CNN, the mayor pleaded for the federal government to provide cash aid to people whose livelihoods have been affected, directly or indirectly, by the virus and said the city’s upended existence could last “well through the summer.”Appearing on CNN, the mayor pleaded for the federal government to provide cash aid to people whose livelihoods have been affected, directly or indirectly, by the virus and said the city’s upended existence could last “well through the summer.”
“The federal government needs to put money back in the hands of people,” said the mayor, a second-term Democrat. “We need direct income replacement at this point.”“The federal government needs to put money back in the hands of people,” said the mayor, a second-term Democrat. “We need direct income replacement at this point.”
Restrictions on the city’s 25,000 restaurants, which are now allowed only to do takeout and delivery, will likely remain in place for months. “Thank God some people will still be employed,” the mayor said.Restrictions on the city’s 25,000 restaurants, which are now allowed only to do takeout and delivery, will likely remain in place for months. “Thank God some people will still be employed,” the mayor said.
On Monday, after Mr. Cuomo waived the seven-day waiting period to apply for unemployment, the surge of new claims crashed the State Labor Department’s website. The agency said calls more than tripled from last Monday — a rush it likened to the aftermath of 9/11. (The website of New Jersey’s Labor Department experienced a similar crash.)On Monday, after Mr. Cuomo waived the seven-day waiting period to apply for unemployment, the surge of new claims crashed the State Labor Department’s website. The agency said calls more than tripled from last Monday — a rush it likened to the aftermath of 9/11. (The website of New Jersey’s Labor Department experienced a similar crash.)
“This is a deep, deep economic hole,” Mr. Cuomo said. “You’ll have businesses closed that never reopen.”“This is a deep, deep economic hole,” Mr. Cuomo said. “You’ll have businesses closed that never reopen.”
New York City will open about 100 emergency child care centers across the five boroughs on Monday, according to the city’s Department of Education. The centers will accommodate the children of emergency services workers, health care workers and transit workers who attend both public and private schools, as well as some other highly vulnerable students.New York City will open about 100 emergency child care centers across the five boroughs on Monday, according to the city’s Department of Education. The centers will accommodate the children of emergency services workers, health care workers and transit workers who attend both public and private schools, as well as some other highly vulnerable students.
The sites will provide remote learning and meals for children age 3 through 18. Each room will have no more than 12 children and at least one adult to maintain social distancing.The sites will provide remote learning and meals for children age 3 through 18. Each room will have no more than 12 children and at least one adult to maintain social distancing.
All New York City public school students will switch to remote learning as of Monday, and children at the care centers will join the same online classes that their classmates from regular school are participating in.All New York City public school students will switch to remote learning as of Monday, and children at the care centers will join the same online classes that their classmates from regular school are participating in.
The centers will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will serve three meals to students in their classrooms, rather than in cafeterias, to avoid crowding. All other children in New York under the age of 18 can pick up free food at about 100 other sites that will be identified later this week, for as long as schools are closed.The centers will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will serve three meals to students in their classrooms, rather than in cafeterias, to avoid crowding. All other children in New York under the age of 18 can pick up free food at about 100 other sites that will be identified later this week, for as long as schools are closed.
On Tuesday, about 54,000 students picked up meals at New York City schools, up from roughly 14,000 students on Monday. Schools officials expect the number to continue to grow.On Tuesday, about 54,000 students picked up meals at New York City schools, up from roughly 14,000 students on Monday. Schools officials expect the number to continue to grow.
New York City’s Board of Correction on Tuesday called for the release of detainees at high risk for coronavirus and for a reduction of the city jail population, currently at more than 5,000 inmates.New York City’s Board of Correction on Tuesday called for the release of detainees at high risk for coronavirus and for a reduction of the city jail population, currently at more than 5,000 inmates.
The board urged jail officials to prioritize releasing those who have serious health problems, are over 50, are being detained on parole violations or are serving sentences under a year.The board urged jail officials to prioritize releasing those who have serious health problems, are over 50, are being detained on parole violations or are serving sentences under a year.
“The city must drastically reduce the number of people in jail right now and limit new admissions to exceptional circumstances,” the board wrote.“The city must drastically reduce the number of people in jail right now and limit new admissions to exceptional circumstances,” the board wrote.
The board provides oversight over the jail system, which is run by the city Department of Correction. It cannot release prisoners.The board provides oversight over the jail system, which is run by the city Department of Correction. It cannot release prisoners.
The effort to reduce the jail population has been taken up by prosecutors. Brooklyn’s district attorney, Eric Gonzalez, said on Twitter that his office would stop prosecuting low-level offenses “that do not jeopardize public safety.”The effort to reduce the jail population has been taken up by prosecutors. Brooklyn’s district attorney, Eric Gonzalez, said on Twitter that his office would stop prosecuting low-level offenses “that do not jeopardize public safety.”
Mr. Gonzalez asked defense lawyers to tell him of clients who “are vulnerable to infection and who we should consider releasing during this crisis.”Mr. Gonzalez asked defense lawyers to tell him of clients who “are vulnerable to infection and who we should consider releasing during this crisis.”
On Tuesday, all New York City recreation centers and nature centers were closed to the public until further notice. Parks and playgrounds remained open.On Tuesday, all New York City recreation centers and nature centers were closed to the public until further notice. Parks and playgrounds remained open.
One caution: New York City does not regularly clean outdoor furniture and play equipment, and estimates on how long the coronavirus can survive on surfaces range widely, from minutes to days.One caution: New York City does not regularly clean outdoor furniture and play equipment, and estimates on how long the coronavirus can survive on surfaces range widely, from minutes to days.
“We have not yet committed to changing our standard operations due to coronavirus,” said Meghan Lalor, a parks department spokeswoman, “but we will continue to monitor the situation.”“We have not yet committed to changing our standard operations due to coronavirus,” said Meghan Lalor, a parks department spokeswoman, “but we will continue to monitor the situation.”
Dr. Sean O’Leary, an executive member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Infectious Diseases, said that playgrounds were “probably not the safest place right now.” He recommended going to large, wide-open parks when possible.Dr. Sean O’Leary, an executive member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Infectious Diseases, said that playgrounds were “probably not the safest place right now.” He recommended going to large, wide-open parks when possible.
The New York Times is looking for New York City teachers to tell us about the switch to remote learning. We want to hear about lesson plans, what you’re learning from colleagues during training and how you’re planning to check on students that need the most support.The New York Times is looking for New York City teachers to tell us about the switch to remote learning. We want to hear about lesson plans, what you’re learning from colleagues during training and how you’re planning to check on students that need the most support.
If you can, send us a screenshot of your lesson, or a photo of your home classroom setup. Your name and comments may be published, but your contact information will not. A reporter or editor may follow up with you.If you can, send us a screenshot of your lesson, or a photo of your home classroom setup. Your name and comments may be published, but your contact information will not. A reporter or editor may follow up with you.
Jonah Engel Bromwich, Annie Correal, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Joseph Goldstein, Jessica Grose, Matthew Haag, Corina Knoll, Patrick McGeehan, Jeffery C. Mays, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Amelia Nierenberg, Jan Ransom, Brian M. Rosenthal, Matthew Sedacca, Eliza Shapiro, Ashley Southall, Liam Stack, Tracey Tully and Michael Wilson contributed reporting.Jonah Engel Bromwich, Annie Correal, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Joseph Goldstein, Jessica Grose, Matthew Haag, Corina Knoll, Patrick McGeehan, Jeffery C. Mays, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Amelia Nierenberg, Jan Ransom, Brian M. Rosenthal, Matthew Sedacca, Eliza Shapiro, Ashley Southall, Liam Stack, Tracey Tully and Michael Wilson contributed reporting.