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The Complicated Calculus of Helping Neighbors During a Pandemic The Complicated Calculus of Helping Neighbors During a Pandemic
(2 months later)
For more than a week, Clark Hamel has not left his Brooklyn apartment. He cannot risk exposure to the coronavirus: Since he was a teenager, he has been on drugs that suppress his immune system so he will not experience the excruciating symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.For more than a week, Clark Hamel has not left his Brooklyn apartment. He cannot risk exposure to the coronavirus: Since he was a teenager, he has been on drugs that suppress his immune system so he will not experience the excruciating symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Still, Mr. Hamel, 24, and his partner have not been alone. In a gesture of friendship, another young couple in their building has also effectively shut themselves off from the outside world in order to protect Mr. Hamel. They venture out only to pick up groceries, leaving the food outside his apartment in bags and disinfecting milk cartons with bleach wipes.Still, Mr. Hamel, 24, and his partner have not been alone. In a gesture of friendship, another young couple in their building has also effectively shut themselves off from the outside world in order to protect Mr. Hamel. They venture out only to pick up groceries, leaving the food outside his apartment in bags and disinfecting milk cartons with bleach wipes.
The arrival of the coronavirus has led to many similar arrangements in New York, a city usually famous for neighbors who mind their own business. People who until recently limited their interaction to a nod in the elevator are now knocking on doors, offering to fetch a prescription or an extra C-Town grocery special, or to act as contacts with older neighbors’ children in other states.The arrival of the coronavirus has led to many similar arrangements in New York, a city usually famous for neighbors who mind their own business. People who until recently limited their interaction to a nod in the elevator are now knocking on doors, offering to fetch a prescription or an extra C-Town grocery special, or to act as contacts with older neighbors’ children in other states.
But in this particular crisis, as New York becomes the country’s epicenter of a virus that can be fatal, the danger of spreading infection has added a note of tension to what might otherwise be simple acts of generosity.But in this particular crisis, as New York becomes the country’s epicenter of a virus that can be fatal, the danger of spreading infection has added a note of tension to what might otherwise be simple acts of generosity.
As offers of help proliferate across WhatsApp, Slack, laundry rooms and lobbies, and college students band together to grab groceries for older people, elected officials and others warn that selflessness might be putting vulnerable people at greater risk.As offers of help proliferate across WhatsApp, Slack, laundry rooms and lobbies, and college students band together to grab groceries for older people, elected officials and others warn that selflessness might be putting vulnerable people at greater risk.
“There’s no doubt that New Yorkers want to help their neighbors,” said Carlos Menchaca, a Democratic councilman from Brooklyn, who is asking volunteers to wait for guidance from medical experts. “But before we self-activate, we need to pause and put together guidelines that allow us to do it in a safe way. ”“There’s no doubt that New Yorkers want to help their neighbors,” said Carlos Menchaca, a Democratic councilman from Brooklyn, who is asking volunteers to wait for guidance from medical experts. “But before we self-activate, we need to pause and put together guidelines that allow us to do it in a safe way. ”
People are sounding the same warning about safety from London to Minneapolis, as a so-called mutual-aid movement gains momentum around the world. Mutual-aid networks are a community-organizing tool often used after events such as natural disasters, and consist in neighbors serving each other in a building or a block.People are sounding the same warning about safety from London to Minneapolis, as a so-called mutual-aid movement gains momentum around the world. Mutual-aid networks are a community-organizing tool often used after events such as natural disasters, and consist in neighbors serving each other in a building or a block.
Mr. Menchaca said he felt it was necessary to ask people to “pause” as he saw mutual-aid Google documents and intake forms pop up everywhere last week, while witnessing countless offers to help in his own neighborhood of Red Hook.Mr. Menchaca said he felt it was necessary to ask people to “pause” as he saw mutual-aid Google documents and intake forms pop up everywhere last week, while witnessing countless offers to help in his own neighborhood of Red Hook.
“We are trying to flatten the curve — in the city and the country — but a neighborhood has to think that way, too,” Mr. Menchaca said.“We are trying to flatten the curve — in the city and the country — but a neighborhood has to think that way, too,” Mr. Menchaca said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has applauded the efforts of New Yorkers to help each other. But a sense of alarm has grown in recent days as the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in New York has increased. As of Tuesday morning, New York State had more than 25,000 cases, with almost 15,000 of those in densely-packed New York City.Mayor Bill de Blasio has applauded the efforts of New Yorkers to help each other. But a sense of alarm has grown in recent days as the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in New York has increased. As of Tuesday morning, New York State had more than 25,000 cases, with almost 15,000 of those in densely-packed New York City.
The city’s health department said in a statement to The Times that New Yorkers could help each other most by connecting by phone and video to offer “emotional support.” If a sick neighbor needs groceries, the city advised to “leave them on the door step.”The city’s health department said in a statement to The Times that New Yorkers could help each other most by connecting by phone and video to offer “emotional support.” If a sick neighbor needs groceries, the city advised to “leave them on the door step.”
Javier López, the chief strategy officer with the Red Hook Initiative, a youth development organization, said the ways of helping that developed after Hurricane Sandy hit the neighborhood in 2012 have had to be “tweaked."Javier López, the chief strategy officer with the Red Hook Initiative, a youth development organization, said the ways of helping that developed after Hurricane Sandy hit the neighborhood in 2012 have had to be “tweaked."
Staffers from the initiative have been working through a list of 2,000 phone numbers for residents of the Red Hook Houses, one of the largest public housing projects in the city, to create a map for who might need help.Staffers from the initiative have been working through a list of 2,000 phone numbers for residents of the Red Hook Houses, one of the largest public housing projects in the city, to create a map for who might need help.
“But throughout the process,” he said, “there is hesitancy. This is not Sandy. This is different. It’s a different response. They’re checking in through social distancing.”“But throughout the process,” he said, “there is hesitancy. This is not Sandy. This is different. It’s a different response. They’re checking in through social distancing.”
When it comes time to distribute food and supplies, he added, there will not be central collection spots as there were after Sandy.When it comes time to distribute food and supplies, he added, there will not be central collection spots as there were after Sandy.
Large volunteering organizations like New York Cares are also changing, requiring volunteers to meet certain health requirements, and community partners to have hand-washing stations and adequate spacing between staff.Large volunteering organizations like New York Cares are also changing, requiring volunteers to meet certain health requirements, and community partners to have hand-washing stations and adequate spacing between staff.
The question of how to help can be a complicated calculus.The question of how to help can be a complicated calculus.
“Having weighed things out, I worry more about our vulnerable population withering in the dark than the slight possibility of transmission,” said Kimi Weart, a Brooklyn resident who joined an effort in her building in Lefferts Gardens to help frail or older neighbors. Helpers there are trying to reach such people by phone, said Ms. Weart, a graphic designer. If they can’t, they knock on doors with their elbows, she said, then quickly move back six feet.“Having weighed things out, I worry more about our vulnerable population withering in the dark than the slight possibility of transmission,” said Kimi Weart, a Brooklyn resident who joined an effort in her building in Lefferts Gardens to help frail or older neighbors. Helpers there are trying to reach such people by phone, said Ms. Weart, a graphic designer. If they can’t, they knock on doors with their elbows, she said, then quickly move back six feet.
As the city has largely shut down and people have been asked to remain indoors, efforts to help beyond one’s own building have also increased, an expression of the perceived need for assistance in a city with 1.73 million residents over age 60, as well as the large numbers of people restlessly stuck at home, wishing they could do something.As the city has largely shut down and people have been asked to remain indoors, efforts to help beyond one’s own building have also increased, an expression of the perceived need for assistance in a city with 1.73 million residents over age 60, as well as the large numbers of people restlessly stuck at home, wishing they could do something.
Students sent home early from college helped create a website, Invisible Hands, to take groceries to the homebound. No-contact courier services modeled on those in Wuhan, China, have also surfaced. And New Yorkers are offering all manner of help on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, and on new neighborhood Slack channels like #BedStuyStrong.Students sent home early from college helped create a website, Invisible Hands, to take groceries to the homebound. No-contact courier services modeled on those in Wuhan, China, have also surfaced. And New Yorkers are offering all manner of help on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, and on new neighborhood Slack channels like #BedStuyStrong.
Some are offering child care, or help navigating Google classrooms. Others have collected monthly MetroCards for workers who still have to commute, and pooled rent money for the newly unemployed. In Manhattan’s Inwood neighborhood, one man offered to share his “Inwood Quarantine Sourdough Starter” so others could also bake their own bread.Some are offering child care, or help navigating Google classrooms. Others have collected monthly MetroCards for workers who still have to commute, and pooled rent money for the newly unemployed. In Manhattan’s Inwood neighborhood, one man offered to share his “Inwood Quarantine Sourdough Starter” so others could also bake their own bread.
Invisible Hands drew nearly 7,000 volunteers in just over a week, said Liam Elkind, a junior at Yale University and one of its creators. “People need food now, and we are trying to get them food as quickly as possible,” he said.Invisible Hands drew nearly 7,000 volunteers in just over a week, said Liam Elkind, a junior at Yale University and one of its creators. “People need food now, and we are trying to get them food as quickly as possible,” he said.
By Monday, Invisible Hands volunteers had delivered groceries and other goods to more than 250 homes. Mr. Elkind said recipients slide cash under the door to the volunteers, who sanitize the bags they are delivering. The service asks volunteers to follow guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and to wear gloves and clean their delivery baskets.By Monday, Invisible Hands volunteers had delivered groceries and other goods to more than 250 homes. Mr. Elkind said recipients slide cash under the door to the volunteers, who sanitize the bags they are delivering. The service asks volunteers to follow guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and to wear gloves and clean their delivery baskets.
Updated June 5, 2020
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
After Mr. Elkind delivered groceries to one woman in her 70s, he said, she invited him in for cookies and tea. “I said, ‘No, this is the opposite of what this is about!’ The whole point is we are minimizing physical contact.’”After Mr. Elkind delivered groceries to one woman in her 70s, he said, she invited him in for cookies and tea. “I said, ‘No, this is the opposite of what this is about!’ The whole point is we are minimizing physical contact.’”
Organizations that bring food to homebound people, such as God’s Love We Deliver, City Harvest, and Citymeals on Wheels, have said that while demand has increased recently, the volunteer pool has shrunken, in part because volunteers are usually older New Yorkers.Organizations that bring food to homebound people, such as God’s Love We Deliver, City Harvest, and Citymeals on Wheels, have said that while demand has increased recently, the volunteer pool has shrunken, in part because volunteers are usually older New Yorkers.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, has encouraged people to create mutual-aid networks in their buildings or blocks — creating “pods” of neighbors — to bridge the gap.Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York, has encouraged people to create mutual-aid networks in their buildings or blocks — creating “pods” of neighbors — to bridge the gap.
“It’s really important because we can choose to share instead of hoard,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said on a recent call to promote the idea. Would-be helpers were encouraged to grocery shop during off-peak hours and to avoid public transit and face-to-face exchanges, tips her office said were consistent with the city’s public health guidance. A “tool kit” that was distributed after the call also suggests that people avoid touching doorbells with their fingers.“It’s really important because we can choose to share instead of hoard,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said on a recent call to promote the idea. Would-be helpers were encouraged to grocery shop during off-peak hours and to avoid public transit and face-to-face exchanges, tips her office said were consistent with the city’s public health guidance. A “tool kit” that was distributed after the call also suggests that people avoid touching doorbells with their fingers.
In Brooklyn, Emily Claypoole has taken such precautions when she shops for her neighbor, Mr. Hamel. They knew each other in college but ended up in the same Bedford-Stuyvesant building by coincidence last year, she said. Now, they are connected in ways neither could have imagined.In Brooklyn, Emily Claypoole has taken such precautions when she shops for her neighbor, Mr. Hamel. They knew each other in college but ended up in the same Bedford-Stuyvesant building by coincidence last year, she said. Now, they are connected in ways neither could have imagined.
Ms. Claypoole, who just lost her serving job at a Manhattan restaurant, sanitizes her hands often while making grocery runs, and wipes down packaged items with Clorox wipes before leaving the bags outside Mr. Hamel’s door. She covers her hand with her jacket sleeve or a cloth when opening doors. Helping her neighbor “has been a pleasure, it has not been a burden,” she said.Ms. Claypoole, who just lost her serving job at a Manhattan restaurant, sanitizes her hands often while making grocery runs, and wipes down packaged items with Clorox wipes before leaving the bags outside Mr. Hamel’s door. She covers her hand with her jacket sleeve or a cloth when opening doors. Helping her neighbor “has been a pleasure, it has not been a burden,” she said.
“The thing I would caution against is doing it out of guilt,” said Ms. Claypoole, 24. “Just because you’re not symptomatic, doesn’t mean you can’t pass it along.”“The thing I would caution against is doing it out of guilt,” said Ms. Claypoole, 24. “Just because you’re not symptomatic, doesn’t mean you can’t pass it along.”
Mr. Hamel, who described himself as “an extrovert to the heart and core,” is hunkering down patiently with his partner, Alex Harwood, and their cat, Basil. He urged well-meaning volunteers to think about the real danger they could pose to people like himself, especially when the medical system is becoming more strained.Mr. Hamel, who described himself as “an extrovert to the heart and core,” is hunkering down patiently with his partner, Alex Harwood, and their cat, Basil. He urged well-meaning volunteers to think about the real danger they could pose to people like himself, especially when the medical system is becoming more strained.
Ms. Claypoole said that because of Mr. Hamel, she and her boyfriend skip random jaunts to the corner store for a forgotten item, and forgo all but the most important outings. “We are even more cautious,” she said, “and it even feels like that’s helpful for me and my boyfriend, and the community at large.”Ms. Claypoole said that because of Mr. Hamel, she and her boyfriend skip random jaunts to the corner store for a forgotten item, and forgo all but the most important outings. “We are even more cautious,” she said, “and it even feels like that’s helpful for me and my boyfriend, and the community at large.”
Tracey Tully and Jim Dwyer contributed reporting.Tracey Tully and Jim Dwyer contributed reporting.