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| Virus’s Toll on N.Y. Police: 1 in 6 Officers Is Out Sick | Virus’s Toll on N.Y. Police: 1 in 6 Officers Is Out Sick |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| One out of every six New York City police officers is out sick or in quarantine. A veteran detective and seven civilian workers have died from the disease caused by the coronavirus. And two chiefs and the deputy commissioner in charge of counterterrorism are among more than 1,500 others in the department who have been infected. | One out of every six New York City police officers is out sick or in quarantine. A veteran detective and seven civilian workers have died from the disease caused by the coronavirus. And two chiefs and the deputy commissioner in charge of counterterrorism are among more than 1,500 others in the department who have been infected. |
| With weeks to go before the epidemic is expected to peak, the virus has already strained the Police Department at a time when its 36,000 officers have been asked to step up and help fight it by enforcing emergency rules intended to slow its spread. | With weeks to go before the epidemic is expected to peak, the virus has already strained the Police Department at a time when its 36,000 officers have been asked to step up and help fight it by enforcing emergency rules intended to slow its spread. |
| The epidemic has also added a new level of risk and anxiety to police work, even as reports of most serious crimes have dropped steeply since the city imposed the new rules. Every arrest or interview now carries the potential for infection, officers say. | The epidemic has also added a new level of risk and anxiety to police work, even as reports of most serious crimes have dropped steeply since the city imposed the new rules. Every arrest or interview now carries the potential for infection, officers say. |
| “It’s a stressful job at the best of times,” the police commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, said on Tuesday in a live stream. “Right now, I don’t think you can imagine a worse point of time.” | “It’s a stressful job at the best of times,” the police commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, said on Tuesday in a live stream. “Right now, I don’t think you can imagine a worse point of time.” |
| Police departments across the country are facing similar challenges. In Detroit, for instance, a fifth of the police force is quarantined, and the chief of police is one of about 40 officers infected. But the magnitude of the crisis for police in New York dwarfs the dozens of cases reported in other big-city police departments and sheriffs offices, like those in Houston and Los Angeles. | Police departments across the country are facing similar challenges. In Detroit, for instance, a fifth of the police force is quarantined, and the chief of police is one of about 40 officers infected. But the magnitude of the crisis for police in New York dwarfs the dozens of cases reported in other big-city police departments and sheriffs offices, like those in Houston and Los Angeles. |
| On Thursday, 6,498 New York officers called in sick — about 18 percent of the force — with most of them reporting flulike symptoms. The numbers have been steadily climbing for about three weeks, Mr. Shea said. The department’s weekly Compstat meetings, usually devoted to dissecting crime patterns, have been usurped by daily meetings to address the pandemic, he said. | On Thursday, 6,498 New York officers called in sick — about 18 percent of the force — with most of them reporting flulike symptoms. The numbers have been steadily climbing for about three weeks, Mr. Shea said. The department’s weekly Compstat meetings, usually devoted to dissecting crime patterns, have been usurped by daily meetings to address the pandemic, he said. |
| In Manhattan, a third of the officers in two precincts — the 30th in Harlem and the 33rd in Washington Heights — were out sick this week. So were dozens of officers from the 43rd Precinct in the Bronx, one that has some of the city’s highest crime rates. | In Manhattan, a third of the officers in two precincts — the 30th in Harlem and the 33rd in Washington Heights — were out sick this week. So were dozens of officers from the 43rd Precinct in the Bronx, one that has some of the city’s highest crime rates. |
| Police commanders in New York have begun taking pages from disaster plans designed for blackouts, hurricanes and terror attacks, and officials are making revisions by the hour. “There’s no blueprint,” said a sergeant who tested positive for Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. “It’s a worst-case scenario across the board.” | Police commanders in New York have begun taking pages from disaster plans designed for blackouts, hurricanes and terror attacks, and officials are making revisions by the hour. “There’s no blueprint,” said a sergeant who tested positive for Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. “It’s a worst-case scenario across the board.” |
| The plight of the department has reached Washington. The White House, responding to what an official described on Thursday as an “urgent S.O.S.” from the Police Department, arranged shipments of 4,000 Tyvek suits for homicide detectives processing suspected Covid-19 deaths and 6,000 gallons of hand sanitizer. | The plight of the department has reached Washington. The White House, responding to what an official described on Thursday as an “urgent S.O.S.” from the Police Department, arranged shipments of 4,000 Tyvek suits for homicide detectives processing suspected Covid-19 deaths and 6,000 gallons of hand sanitizer. |
| In New York, security officers have been posted outside precincts to screen people entering in an effort to minimize foot traffic, and face masks are being used inside some precinct station houses. Some commanders have moved their daily roll calls outdoors so that officers can spread out. Officers on patrol are carrying N95 masks to pop on if they feel endangered. | In New York, security officers have been posted outside precincts to screen people entering in an effort to minimize foot traffic, and face masks are being used inside some precinct station houses. Some commanders have moved their daily roll calls outdoors so that officers can spread out. Officers on patrol are carrying N95 masks to pop on if they feel endangered. |
| Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has promised to send state police, if necessary, to fill in for sick officers, but Commissioner Shea has declined the offer for now. He has also said he does not see a need, yet, to ask officers to work 12-hour tours to cover staff shortages. | Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has promised to send state police, if necessary, to fill in for sick officers, but Commissioner Shea has declined the offer for now. He has also said he does not see a need, yet, to ask officers to work 12-hour tours to cover staff shortages. |
| While paramedics were responding to a record surge in emergency calls, Commissioner Shea said the calls funneled to police were down. There have also been no parades or large gatherings. | While paramedics were responding to a record surge in emergency calls, Commissioner Shea said the calls funneled to police were down. There have also been no parades or large gatherings. |
| Since the city imposed emergency rules, reports of the seven most serious crimes — including rape, robbery and assault — have dropped to about 187 a day, compared with about 267 a day in the 11 days before the rules went into effect. “Nobody’s on street and that’s really helping us,” Mr. Shea has said. | Since the city imposed emergency rules, reports of the seven most serious crimes — including rape, robbery and assault — have dropped to about 187 a day, compared with about 267 a day in the 11 days before the rules went into effect. “Nobody’s on street and that’s really helping us,” Mr. Shea has said. |
| But at the same time, nearly 700 officers have been assigned to enforce Mayor Bill de Blasio’s new social-distancing rules. That has pulled officers from specialized assignments, like film and narcotics, onto patrol. | But at the same time, nearly 700 officers have been assigned to enforce Mayor Bill de Blasio’s new social-distancing rules. That has pulled officers from specialized assignments, like film and narcotics, onto patrol. |
| The nature of police work and the officers’ lack of training in public health puts them at a greater risk of contracting the virus, researchers say. So far, almost 4 percent of the force has tested positive, and the number increased sevenfold last week. | The nature of police work and the officers’ lack of training in public health puts them at a greater risk of contracting the virus, researchers say. So far, almost 4 percent of the force has tested positive, and the number increased sevenfold last week. |
| “When a cop is patrolling, they have to go into homes, they have to go into stores, they experience a whole different world of environments,” said Timothy Akers, an assistant vice president at Morgan State University in Baltimore who studies the emerging field of epidemiological criminology. | “When a cop is patrolling, they have to go into homes, they have to go into stores, they experience a whole different world of environments,” said Timothy Akers, an assistant vice president at Morgan State University in Baltimore who studies the emerging field of epidemiological criminology. |
| Some of the department’s most sensitive work has been slowed by the virus. More than half of the special victims squad in Queens is sick or in quarantine, and precinct domestic violence officers have also curtailed visits to homes with histories of complaints. | Some of the department’s most sensitive work has been slowed by the virus. More than half of the special victims squad in Queens is sick or in quarantine, and precinct domestic violence officers have also curtailed visits to homes with histories of complaints. |
| Most of the department’s civilian staff are working from home, a move that Commissioner Shea said was unprecedented. The offices inside Police Headquarters have been reduced to skeletal staff. | Most of the department’s civilian staff are working from home, a move that Commissioner Shea said was unprecedented. The offices inside Police Headquarters have been reduced to skeletal staff. |
| As the virus has spread, the availability of masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfectant has become a point of contention between police commanders and the rank and file. Police officials say the department has a sufficient supply of respirator masks, gloves and disinfectants, but it has instructed officers to use the equipment sparingly. | As the virus has spread, the availability of masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfectant has become a point of contention between police commanders and the rank and file. Police officials say the department has a sufficient supply of respirator masks, gloves and disinfectants, but it has instructed officers to use the equipment sparingly. |
| The dearth of supplies has forced the police to stretch what they have. A department memo on Wednesday advised officers to hold on to their empty hand sanitizer bottles because it was possible the department would acquire 55-gallon drums to refill them. | The dearth of supplies has forced the police to stretch what they have. A department memo on Wednesday advised officers to hold on to their empty hand sanitizer bottles because it was possible the department would acquire 55-gallon drums to refill them. |
| Police union leaders say the department did not distribute enough of the equipment in the early days of the crisis and supplies are still short. For instance, one police official said, the special victims squad in Brooklyn received just 15 masks for 28 detectives, who sometimes must visit hospitals that have coronavirus patients to meet victims of sex crimes and retrieve rape kits. | Police union leaders say the department did not distribute enough of the equipment in the early days of the crisis and supplies are still short. For instance, one police official said, the special victims squad in Brooklyn received just 15 masks for 28 detectives, who sometimes must visit hospitals that have coronavirus patients to meet victims of sex crimes and retrieve rape kits. |
| Updated June 16, 2020 | |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| In recent days, the department has said it distributed more supplies and accepted donations from large charities and local businesses; so have the labor unions. “The problem we are running into is that things aren’t moving fast enough,” said Ed Mullins, the president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association said. | In recent days, the department has said it distributed more supplies and accepted donations from large charities and local businesses; so have the labor unions. “The problem we are running into is that things aren’t moving fast enough,” said Ed Mullins, the president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association said. |
| Some officers said in interviews that they believe a shortage of masks and gloves, especially in the early days of crisis, was partly to blame for the rapid rise in infections in their ranks. They requested anonymity to speak without department approval. | Some officers said in interviews that they believe a shortage of masks and gloves, especially in the early days of crisis, was partly to blame for the rapid rise in infections in their ranks. They requested anonymity to speak without department approval. |
| One Brooklyn detective who contracted the virus said in a text message that he had been given only one N95 mask and two disinfectant wipes to use over several days. He said he had no choice but to reuse the mask on a daily basis. | One Brooklyn detective who contracted the virus said in a text message that he had been given only one N95 mask and two disinfectant wipes to use over several days. He said he had no choice but to reuse the mask on a daily basis. |
| “They are one-time use only mask,” the detective wrote. “I mean, there’s only one mask. So it’s either we reuse or we don’t have anything.” He was later diagnosed with the coronavirus after getting a sore throat, headaches and a dry cough. | “They are one-time use only mask,” the detective wrote. “I mean, there’s only one mask. So it’s either we reuse or we don’t have anything.” He was later diagnosed with the coronavirus after getting a sore throat, headaches and a dry cough. |
| Another detective said that, aside from being given meager supplies — including four surgical face masks, four sets of plastic gloves and eight sanitizer wipes to use while on assignment — she was not given much guidance from supervisors. | Another detective said that, aside from being given meager supplies — including four surgical face masks, four sets of plastic gloves and eight sanitizer wipes to use while on assignment — she was not given much guidance from supervisors. |
| “It’s so disappointing given the fact that we are revered as the best in the world,” she said. | “It’s so disappointing given the fact that we are revered as the best in the world,” she said. |
| An officer assigned to the South Bronx, who fears passing the virus to his young children, was more blunt: “It’s a damn shame that a city like New York that is the epicenter of the coronavirus and the financial capital of the world can’t afford a $3 mask.” | An officer assigned to the South Bronx, who fears passing the virus to his young children, was more blunt: “It’s a damn shame that a city like New York that is the epicenter of the coronavirus and the financial capital of the world can’t afford a $3 mask.” |
| For many officers, the hazards of the pandemic were put into sharp relief last week by the death of Detective Cedric Dixon, a veteran who had not missed a day of work because of illness in seven years. | For many officers, the hazards of the pandemic were put into sharp relief last week by the death of Detective Cedric Dixon, a veteran who had not missed a day of work because of illness in seven years. |
| The 32nd precinct, where Detective Dixon worked, is one of dozens of commands where, union officials said, there were shortages of protective gear. | The 32nd precinct, where Detective Dixon worked, is one of dozens of commands where, union officials said, there were shortages of protective gear. |
| Monique Dixon, 45, Detective Dixon’s younger sister, said her brother did not complain about the lack of masks and gloves. He was the type to head toward danger without thinking twice, she said, holding back tears. | Monique Dixon, 45, Detective Dixon’s younger sister, said her brother did not complain about the lack of masks and gloves. He was the type to head toward danger without thinking twice, she said, holding back tears. |
| “People need to understand that this is real,” she said. “Please stay home.” | “People need to understand that this is real,” she said. “Please stay home.” |
| David Goodman, Edgar Sandoval and William K. Rashbaum contributed reporting. Alain Delaquérière contributed research. | David Goodman, Edgar Sandoval and William K. Rashbaum contributed reporting. Alain Delaquérière contributed research. |