This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/03/realestate/coronavirus-manhattan-co-op.html

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
How One Manhattan Co-op Copes with Coronavirus How One Manhattan Co-op Copes with Coronavirus
(3 days later)
Until early March, Harry Konjuvca, the resident manager of a prewar co-op in the East 50s, had never heard of Zep.Until early March, Harry Konjuvca, the resident manager of a prewar co-op in the East 50s, had never heard of Zep.
But that was pre-coronavirus. Now, Mr. Konjuvca is very familiar with Zep, a line of heavy-duty cleaning products. He and his staff pour out the lemon-scented liquid disinfectant several times a day to treat the floors, the compactor rooms and other surfaces that were once bathed with standard commercial suds.But that was pre-coronavirus. Now, Mr. Konjuvca is very familiar with Zep, a line of heavy-duty cleaning products. He and his staff pour out the lemon-scented liquid disinfectant several times a day to treat the floors, the compactor rooms and other surfaces that were once bathed with standard commercial suds.
“We’re using it proactively,” said Mr. Konjuvca, who has also quadrupled his monthly order of Lysol Spray and Clorox disinfecting wipes, and quintupled his order of latex gloves. “Doormen, porters, every staff member has to wear gloves for every moment of their shift.”“We’re using it proactively,” said Mr. Konjuvca, who has also quadrupled his monthly order of Lysol Spray and Clorox disinfecting wipes, and quintupled his order of latex gloves. “Doormen, porters, every staff member has to wear gloves for every moment of their shift.”
New York City residents are adapting to a new world — and so are their residences. Mr. Konjuvca’s multibuilding complex is just one example.New York City residents are adapting to a new world — and so are their residences. Mr. Konjuvca’s multibuilding complex is just one example.
Here, as in many other buildings, the doormen in this complex of more than 400 units have new mandatory accessories for their uniforms (masks and gloves), and new responsibilities. These include making sure that theirs are the only hands that touch the doorknobs of the buildings’ front doors, and that delivery people stay outside. To help ensure success, “the doorman are staying closer to the entrances than they would normally,” Mr. Konjuvca said.Here, as in many other buildings, the doormen in this complex of more than 400 units have new mandatory accessories for their uniforms (masks and gloves), and new responsibilities. These include making sure that theirs are the only hands that touch the doorknobs of the buildings’ front doors, and that delivery people stay outside. To help ensure success, “the doorman are staying closer to the entrances than they would normally,” Mr. Konjuvca said.
One of the tasks on his ever-expanding to-do list is laying down carefully spaced strips of tape around the doorman’s station to help people maintain their social distance. Frankly, he’s hoping it won’t be necessary, “but we still have people who are coming downstairs to chitchat with the doormen. We’ve sent notes asking them to stop,” said Mr. Konjuvca, who, however, doesn’t have to be an elevator policeman. The shareholders have been extremely conscientious about limiting the number of passengers.One of the tasks on his ever-expanding to-do list is laying down carefully spaced strips of tape around the doorman’s station to help people maintain their social distance. Frankly, he’s hoping it won’t be necessary, “but we still have people who are coming downstairs to chitchat with the doormen. We’ve sent notes asking them to stop,” said Mr. Konjuvca, who, however, doesn’t have to be an elevator policeman. The shareholders have been extremely conscientious about limiting the number of passengers.
And here, as elsewhere, the co-op board, which typically meets once a month, is now teleconferencing almost daily, said the board’s president Steven R. Wagner, a real estate lawyer: “Things are changing so quickly we have to stay on top of things,” he added.And here, as elsewhere, the co-op board, which typically meets once a month, is now teleconferencing almost daily, said the board’s president Steven R. Wagner, a real estate lawyer: “Things are changing so quickly we have to stay on top of things,” he added.
The board’s coronavirus preparedness strictures lined up with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — social distancing, frequent hand-washing, cough and sneeze into your elbow, please. As the coronavirus figures began spiking, there were new protocols put into place, among them, halting renovations of any sort.The board’s coronavirus preparedness strictures lined up with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — social distancing, frequent hand-washing, cough and sneeze into your elbow, please. As the coronavirus figures began spiking, there were new protocols put into place, among them, halting renovations of any sort.
When a doorman recently reported that he wasn’t feeling well, the co-op’s management company went through the building’s video feed to pinpoint and contact the 40 or so residents who had recently interacted with him. Fortunately, his coronavirus test came back negative; contingency plans are being developed in the event that employees become ill or can’t make it to work because of more stringent shelter in place directives.When a doorman recently reported that he wasn’t feeling well, the co-op’s management company went through the building’s video feed to pinpoint and contact the 40 or so residents who had recently interacted with him. Fortunately, his coronavirus test came back negative; contingency plans are being developed in the event that employees become ill or can’t make it to work because of more stringent shelter in place directives.
There was a rather knotty item on the agenda during one co-op board conference call: whether to make it known if there was a confirmed case of Covid-19 among the shareholders. “We discussed whether we could or should disclose the floor or the particular building,” Mr. Wagner recalled. “We weren’t restricted by the HIPAA rules of confidentiality but a lot of people were saying no,” he said in reference to health care privacy guidelines.There was a rather knotty item on the agenda during one co-op board conference call: whether to make it known if there was a confirmed case of Covid-19 among the shareholders. “We discussed whether we could or should disclose the floor or the particular building,” Mr. Wagner recalled. “We weren’t restricted by the HIPAA rules of confidentiality but a lot of people were saying no,” he said in reference to health care privacy guidelines.
Finally, the board members decided simply to encourage anyone with the virus to let them know about it. They also advised shareholders to act as though they had the virus and to treat their fellow residents as though they were similarly afflicted. “Act as if you have it and your neighbor has it,” Mr. Wagner said.Finally, the board members decided simply to encourage anyone with the virus to let them know about it. They also advised shareholders to act as though they had the virus and to treat their fellow residents as though they were similarly afflicted. “Act as if you have it and your neighbor has it,” Mr. Wagner said.
“Of course, you can’t keep that kind of thing a secret.”“Of course, you can’t keep that kind of thing a secret.”
He should know. His wife, Barbara Wagner, a public relations executive, tested positive for Covid 19 in mid-March; she was the first known case in the complex. The couple immediately told two of the six neighbors on their floor, and some other friends elsewhere in the co-op. Word quickly spread.He should know. His wife, Barbara Wagner, a public relations executive, tested positive for Covid 19 in mid-March; she was the first known case in the complex. The couple immediately told two of the six neighbors on their floor, and some other friends elsewhere in the co-op. Word quickly spread.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
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.
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.
To help insure that the virus didn’t spread, too, the management company brought in a firm to disinfect the lobby, the elevator, the staff’s break room and locker room among other areas.To help insure that the virus didn’t spread, too, the management company brought in a firm to disinfect the lobby, the elevator, the staff’s break room and locker room among other areas.
The demand for the deep-cleaning procedure is skyrocketing. “Before March 1, we had never done it,” said Jeffrey Gross, the chief operating officer of Maxons, a property damage restoration firm (but not the one used by the Wagners’ co-op) “Since March 1, we’ve done 200, the majority in residential buildings.” Fees start at $5,000.The demand for the deep-cleaning procedure is skyrocketing. “Before March 1, we had never done it,” said Jeffrey Gross, the chief operating officer of Maxons, a property damage restoration firm (but not the one used by the Wagners’ co-op) “Since March 1, we’ve done 200, the majority in residential buildings.” Fees start at $5,000.
“And now,” Mr. Wagner said, “the issue is how often do we do the deep cleaning. We want people to feel safe and secure but is it worthwhile for us to repeat the procedure the next time a resident comes into the building who might have been exposed to the virus? Do we do it again and again. We’re batting it back and forth,” Mr. Wagner continued. “Cost comes into it.”“And now,” Mr. Wagner said, “the issue is how often do we do the deep cleaning. We want people to feel safe and secure but is it worthwhile for us to repeat the procedure the next time a resident comes into the building who might have been exposed to the virus? Do we do it again and again. We’re batting it back and forth,” Mr. Wagner continued. “Cost comes into it.”
With that goal of safety and security in mind, the board recently amended the coop’s house rules to include coronavirus protocols including those related to quarantine. They can be enforced through the proprietary lease.” Some law firms are urging their co-op and condo clients to take noncompliant neighbors to court. “But I think that turning to the courts at a time like this is worse than breaking quarantine,” said Mr. Wagner, who favors a strongly worded letter — if you don’t comply we will exercise our right to evict you. “That’s generally been enough to stop such behavior,” he said.With that goal of safety and security in mind, the board recently amended the coop’s house rules to include coronavirus protocols including those related to quarantine. They can be enforced through the proprietary lease.” Some law firms are urging their co-op and condo clients to take noncompliant neighbors to court. “But I think that turning to the courts at a time like this is worse than breaking quarantine,” said Mr. Wagner, who favors a strongly worded letter — if you don’t comply we will exercise our right to evict you. “That’s generally been enough to stop such behavior,” he said.
Ms. Wagner — recovering but still quarantined — has had oranges, juice and bowls of rice left outside her door daily by a parade of neighbors. (Mr. Wagner, who has a lung condition and is thus especially vulnerable, is quarantined in a hotel.) Another neighbor bathed the family dog and sprayed its leash with Clorox. “I’m grateful that no one is making me feel like a leper. I’m comforted by not feeling alone,” Ms. Wagner said.Ms. Wagner — recovering but still quarantined — has had oranges, juice and bowls of rice left outside her door daily by a parade of neighbors. (Mr. Wagner, who has a lung condition and is thus especially vulnerable, is quarantined in a hotel.) Another neighbor bathed the family dog and sprayed its leash with Clorox. “I’m grateful that no one is making me feel like a leper. I’m comforted by not feeling alone,” Ms. Wagner said.
“People are texting me. My boyfriend from college is texting me. I feel as though I’m in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ ”“People are texting me. My boyfriend from college is texting me. I feel as though I’m in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ ”
For weekly email updates on residential real estate news, sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @nytrealestate.For weekly email updates on residential real estate news, sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @nytrealestate.