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| Defying Virus Rules, Large Hasidic Jewish Weddings Held in Brooklyn | Defying Virus Rules, Large Hasidic Jewish Weddings Held in Brooklyn |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| As city and state officials warned on Tuesday about the danger of large gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak, hundreds of revelers celebrated at a Hasidic wedding in Brooklyn and huddled together in the street after the Fire Department broke up the celebration. | As city and state officials warned on Tuesday about the danger of large gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak, hundreds of revelers celebrated at a Hasidic wedding in Brooklyn and huddled together in the street after the Fire Department broke up the celebration. |
| “Everything was exactly how it would have been if there hadn’t been any kind of a pandemic,” said a musician who played at the event, which he said drew more than 200 people. He declined to be named for fear of losing future jobs. “I was assuming it would be canceled,” he said. | “Everything was exactly how it would have been if there hadn’t been any kind of a pandemic,” said a musician who played at the event, which he said drew more than 200 people. He declined to be named for fear of losing future jobs. “I was assuming it would be canceled,” he said. |
| The coronavirus pandemic has upended life in New York and across the country, leading to school closures, restrictions on bars and restaurants and a ban on public gatherings of more than 50 people. | The coronavirus pandemic has upended life in New York and across the country, leading to school closures, restrictions on bars and restaurants and a ban on public gatherings of more than 50 people. |
| 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. Twelve people have died from the virus in New York State, including at least seven in New York City. |
| The wedding, held in South Williamsburg at a venue that also houses a religious school, was one of several large Hasidic weddings in recent days, said Mordy Getz, a local businessman and community activist. | The wedding, held in South Williamsburg at a venue that also houses a religious school, was one of several large Hasidic weddings in recent days, said Mordy Getz, a local businessman and community activist. |
| The events underscore the challenge of persuading people to adapt to the public health restrictions enacted amid the coronavirus outbreak. | The events underscore the challenge of persuading people to adapt to the public health restrictions enacted amid the coronavirus outbreak. |
| Video taken after the fire department broke up the wedding shows a large crowd of men and women mingling in the street — activity that a reporter also observed on Tuesday. | Video taken after the fire department broke up the wedding shows a large crowd of men and women mingling in the street — activity that a reporter also observed on Tuesday. |
| The wedding was broken up by two men in Fire Department jackets who arrived in a red pickup truck and dispersed a crowd that had gathered outside the venue’s door. | The wedding was broken up by two men in Fire Department jackets who arrived in a red pickup truck and dispersed a crowd that had gathered outside the venue’s door. |
| The musician said another performer had called 311 to report the large gathering, which had also drawn complaints from neighbors. | The musician said another performer had called 311 to report the large gathering, which had also drawn complaints from neighbors. |
| “This was in direct violation of the directives that are in place to protect all people’s health and safety,” James Long, the director of public information for the Fire Department, said in an interview. | “This was in direct violation of the directives that are in place to protect all people’s health and safety,” James Long, the director of public information for the Fire Department, said in an interview. |
| “We inspected it and it was recommended to end the event because of the state’s guidelines and directives regarding Covid-19,” Mr. Long said. | “We inspected it and it was recommended to end the event because of the state’s guidelines and directives regarding Covid-19,” Mr. Long said. |
| He said that officials responded to the scene because someone had called to complain, and the venue was issued a violation. | He said that officials responded to the scene because someone had called to complain, and the venue was issued a violation. |
| Norma Reyes, 51, a caseworker who lives across the street from the venue, said she watched dozens of people leave the hall. “What about social distancing?” she asked. “How can we be safe?” | Norma Reyes, 51, a caseworker who lives across the street from the venue, said she watched dozens of people leave the hall. “What about social distancing?” she asked. “How can we be safe?” |
| The celebration raised questions about pandemic preparedness for a community ravaged by a measles outbreak that began in 2018. Last April, a preschool housed in the same building as the wedding was closed by the city for violating a Health Department order that required it to provide medical and attendance records as part of efforts to fight the measles. | The celebration raised questions about pandemic preparedness for a community ravaged by a measles outbreak that began in 2018. Last April, a preschool housed in the same building as the wedding was closed by the city for violating a Health Department order that required it to provide medical and attendance records as part of efforts to fight the measles. |
| Mr. Getz said the weddings were influenced by the teachings of “extremist leaders” and did not represent the Hasidic community in New York. He pointed to the work done by Jewish volunteer and nonprofit organizations to educate people about the new restrictions on gatherings, and called the persistence of large weddings “very painful.” | Mr. Getz said the weddings were influenced by the teachings of “extremist leaders” and did not represent the Hasidic community in New York. He pointed to the work done by Jewish volunteer and nonprofit organizations to educate people about the new restrictions on gatherings, and called the persistence of large weddings “very painful.” |
| “There has been a total disrespect to everything medical authorities and the government have been telling us to do,” Mr. Getz said. “It is total defiance.” | “There has been a total disrespect to everything medical authorities and the government have been telling us to do,” Mr. Getz said. “It is total defiance.” |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | Updated June 12, 2020 |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 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.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| 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’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’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| Neither the wedding venue, Ateres Avrohom, nor the school in the same building, United Talmudical Academy, responded to messages seeking comment on Tuesday. | Neither the wedding venue, Ateres Avrohom, nor the school in the same building, United Talmudical Academy, responded to messages seeking comment on Tuesday. |
| The City Council members who represent Williamsburg, Antonio Reynoso and Stephen Levin, did not respond to messages seeking comment. | The City Council members who represent Williamsburg, Antonio Reynoso and Stephen Levin, did not respond to messages seeking comment. |
| One wedding guest, who declined to be named because he said he works for the groom, said the measles outbreak was on his mind. He criticized the “optics” of the event. | One wedding guest, who declined to be named because he said he works for the groom, said the measles outbreak was on his mind. He criticized the “optics” of the event. |
| “I don’t understand why they did this,” said the man, shaking his head. “It’s ridiculous.” | “I don’t understand why they did this,” said the man, shaking his head. “It’s ridiculous.” |
| Another guest, who gave only his first name, Chaim, said the wedding had to take place on Tuesday because it is “prohibited to postpone a wedding once it has been planned.” | Another guest, who gave only his first name, Chaim, said the wedding had to take place on Tuesday because it is “prohibited to postpone a wedding once it has been planned.” |
| “You gotta do what you gotta do,” he said. | “You gotta do what you gotta do,” he said. |
| The school above the wedding hall was packed with children on Tuesday. More than a dozen could be seen peering through windows on the third floor as wedding guests crowded on the sidewalk below. | The school above the wedding hall was packed with children on Tuesday. More than a dozen could be seen peering through windows on the third floor as wedding guests crowded on the sidewalk below. |
| At midafternoon, as the wedding was being shut down, hundreds of children poured out of the school and climbed on a yellow bus. Nearby, the Fire Department officials stood filling out paperwork against the side of their truck. | At midafternoon, as the wedding was being shut down, hundreds of children poured out of the school and climbed on a yellow bus. Nearby, the Fire Department officials stood filling out paperwork against the side of their truck. |
| Hannah Greenfeld, who lives in the neighborhood, said the gathering obeyed the letter of the law. Her daughter tried to get into the wedding and was turned away at the door by bouncers, who limited attendance to 24 men and 24 women at a time, she said. | Hannah Greenfeld, who lives in the neighborhood, said the gathering obeyed the letter of the law. Her daughter tried to get into the wedding and was turned away at the door by bouncers, who limited attendance to 24 men and 24 women at a time, she said. |
| “You write in The New York Times that the Jewish community obeyed the law,” Ms. Greenfeld said. | “You write in The New York Times that the Jewish community obeyed the law,” Ms. Greenfeld said. |