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Did New Yorkers Who Fled to Second Homes Bring the Virus? Did New Yorkers Who Fled to Second Homes Bring the Virus?
(3 days later)
About two weeks ago, New Jersey’s governor, Philip D. Murphy, urged residents with second homes not to decamp to the shore.About two weeks ago, New Jersey’s governor, Philip D. Murphy, urged residents with second homes not to decamp to the shore.
When it became clear that his message had not been fully received, the governor took things a step further: He authorized towns and counties to restrict or prohibit rentals at hotels, motels and short-term lodging to stop travelers from transmitting the virus.When it became clear that his message had not been fully received, the governor took things a step further: He authorized towns and counties to restrict or prohibit rentals at hotels, motels and short-term lodging to stop travelers from transmitting the virus.
“No one should be leaving their primary residences,” Mr. Murphy said last weekend.“No one should be leaving their primary residences,” Mr. Murphy said last weekend.
But many already had.But many already had.
As the coronavirus exploded in New York City, leaders and residents of areas that are seasonal refuges and second homes for city dwellers called for outsiders to stay away. They feared that an influx of people could strain resources, from supermarkets to parks, and potentially overwhelm small exurban hospitals.As the coronavirus exploded in New York City, leaders and residents of areas that are seasonal refuges and second homes for city dwellers called for outsiders to stay away. They feared that an influx of people could strain resources, from supermarkets to parks, and potentially overwhelm small exurban hospitals.
That influx of unwanted visitors did not change the virus’s path, which has followed a logical pattern of infection, growing outward from the epicenter of New York City.That influx of unwanted visitors did not change the virus’s path, which has followed a logical pattern of infection, growing outward from the epicenter of New York City.
It also did not cause an outbreak: Although Suffolk County on Long Island now has the fourth-most confirmed cases among the state’s counties, the caseload remains low in the Hamptons.It also did not cause an outbreak: Although Suffolk County on Long Island now has the fourth-most confirmed cases among the state’s counties, the caseload remains low in the Hamptons.
Yet preliminary data and anecdotal evidence does suggest that fleeing New Yorkers may have hastened the virus’s spread.Yet preliminary data and anecdotal evidence does suggest that fleeing New Yorkers may have hastened the virus’s spread.
At the southern tip of New Jersey in Cape May, a quaint seaside resort filled with picturesque Victorian mansions and bed-and-breakfasts, a 30-year-old man from New York City was identified on March 18 as the county’s first confirmed case of the virus.At the southern tip of New Jersey in Cape May, a quaint seaside resort filled with picturesque Victorian mansions and bed-and-breakfasts, a 30-year-old man from New York City was identified on March 18 as the county’s first confirmed case of the virus.
In Greene County, N.Y., home to the Catskill Mountains, the first four confirmed coronavirus cases were all people from New York City.In Greene County, N.Y., home to the Catskill Mountains, the first four confirmed coronavirus cases were all people from New York City.
“I don’t want to give out a false notion that because we have 31 confirmed that we are somehow dodging this pandemic; we are not,” said Shaun Groden, the Greene County administrator.“I don’t want to give out a false notion that because we have 31 confirmed that we are somehow dodging this pandemic; we are not,” said Shaun Groden, the Greene County administrator.
Mr. Groden and other county leaders have emphasized how their county has no hospital, even highlighting that fact in an official statement warning New Yorkers and people from Westchester to stay away. He said that about 30 percent of the county’s residences are second homes, most of which appear to be occupied now.Mr. Groden and other county leaders have emphasized how their county has no hospital, even highlighting that fact in an official statement warning New Yorkers and people from Westchester to stay away. He said that about 30 percent of the county’s residences are second homes, most of which appear to be occupied now.
“If I was in New York City and I had a place up here, I’d be here,” he said. “But I’m not going to come here with some false sense of security that once you get upstate, you’ll be taken care of. It’s just the opposite.”“If I was in New York City and I had a place up here, I’d be here,” he said. “But I’m not going to come here with some false sense of security that once you get upstate, you’ll be taken care of. It’s just the opposite.”
Throughout the region, the virus seems to be mostly following a logical pattern of infection, growing outward from its epicenter of New York City. But there have also been small bursts of flulike symptoms in areas where New Yorkers have summer homes, like the Adirondacks, the Jersey Shore, the Catskills and the Hamptons.Throughout the region, the virus seems to be mostly following a logical pattern of infection, growing outward from its epicenter of New York City. But there have also been small bursts of flulike symptoms in areas where New Yorkers have summer homes, like the Adirondacks, the Jersey Shore, the Catskills and the Hamptons.
In mid-March, the rate of people with flulike symptoms in those areas was about double what would be normal for that time of year, according to data collected by Kinsa, a company that has used internet-connected thermometers to accurately identify coronavirus hot spots before they emerge.In mid-March, the rate of people with flulike symptoms in those areas was about double what would be normal for that time of year, according to data collected by Kinsa, a company that has used internet-connected thermometers to accurately identify coronavirus hot spots before they emerge.
“It might not have emerged yet into deaths or I.C.U. beds being filled,” said Marynia Kolak, the assistant director for health informatics at the Center for Spatial Data Science at University of Chicago, which launched the Covid-19 Atlas to analyze positive diagnoses relative to area population to identify emerging outbreaks.“It might not have emerged yet into deaths or I.C.U. beds being filled,” said Marynia Kolak, the assistant director for health informatics at the Center for Spatial Data Science at University of Chicago, which launched the Covid-19 Atlas to analyze positive diagnoses relative to area population to identify emerging outbreaks.
“But compared to all the other Covid cases in the rest of the country, at a county level, these areas are already flagged as hot spots,” she added.“But compared to all the other Covid cases in the rest of the country, at a county level, these areas are already flagged as hot spots,” she added.
Concerned municipalities have tried to stem the flow: Many Jersey towns that hug the Atlantic Ocean have closed their beaches and boardwalks in an effort to keep visitors from the north away. On Long Beach Island, a barrier island about an hour and a half from Manhattan, rentals of less than 21 days have been banned.Concerned municipalities have tried to stem the flow: Many Jersey towns that hug the Atlantic Ocean have closed their beaches and boardwalks in an effort to keep visitors from the north away. On Long Beach Island, a barrier island about an hour and a half from Manhattan, rentals of less than 21 days have been banned.
“The second-home people think that it’s Fourth of July,” said Joseph Mancini, the mayor of Long Beach Township, N.J., which this week joined several other shore towns in closing its beaches to nearly everyone but residents. “They’re out riding, biking, playing on the beach — not social distancing.”“The second-home people think that it’s Fourth of July,” said Joseph Mancini, the mayor of Long Beach Township, N.J., which this week joined several other shore towns in closing its beaches to nearly everyone but residents. “They’re out riding, biking, playing on the beach — not social distancing.”
In New York’s Adirondack mountain region, the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism has shifted its message to urging visitors to stay away instead of encouraging them to come.In New York’s Adirondack mountain region, the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism has shifted its message to urging visitors to stay away instead of encouraging them to come.
“Do we want you to be here? Of course!” its online fliers read. “But for now, we hope you are staying healthy and enjoying outdoor opportunities close to home.”“Do we want you to be here? Of course!” its online fliers read. “But for now, we hope you are staying healthy and enjoying outdoor opportunities close to home.”
While there has not been a documented case of the coronavirus in the 17 resort communities on Fire Island, the 32 mile-long strip of barrier islands only accessible by boat from Long Island, several mayors have urged visitors not to come.While there has not been a documented case of the coronavirus in the 17 resort communities on Fire Island, the 32 mile-long strip of barrier islands only accessible by boat from Long Island, several mayors have urged visitors not to come.
But Charles Sherman, the owner of the Davis Park Ferry, which offers access to the island’s easternmost tip, went a step further: On March 20, he suspended all trips for his passenger boats, a decision he said he made in conjunction with the Davis Park Association, a homeowners group.But Charles Sherman, the owner of the Davis Park Ferry, which offers access to the island’s easternmost tip, went a step further: On March 20, he suspended all trips for his passenger boats, a decision he said he made in conjunction with the Davis Park Association, a homeowners group.
“We are a small community on Fire Island. The fire department is not there, there are no medical people over there,” Mr. Sherman said. “It was the prudent thing not to run at all. We are protecting it.”“We are a small community on Fire Island. The fire department is not there, there are no medical people over there,” Mr. Sherman said. “It was the prudent thing not to run at all. We are protecting it.”
Nevertheless, he said he had watched some people cross from the mainland in private boats.Nevertheless, he said he had watched some people cross from the mainland in private boats.
And in Cape May, where the 30-year-old man from New York City tested positive at a local health care facility while visiting, year-round residents regularly call the offices of elected leaders to report out-of-state plates, according to a government official familiar with the calls.And in Cape May, where the 30-year-old man from New York City tested positive at a local health care facility while visiting, year-round residents regularly call the offices of elected leaders to report out-of-state plates, according to a government official familiar with the calls.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
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.
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.
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.
“Folks from out of state need to understand the critical need to follow stay-at-home orders,” said State Senator Michael L. Testa Jr., a Republican who represents New Jersey’s southernmost district, which cuts across Cape May and Atlantic Counties. “It’s up to them to save their fellow Americans.”“Folks from out of state need to understand the critical need to follow stay-at-home orders,” said State Senator Michael L. Testa Jr., a Republican who represents New Jersey’s southernmost district, which cuts across Cape May and Atlantic Counties. “It’s up to them to save their fellow Americans.”
The push to keep New Yorkers at their primary residences extends beyond the metropolitan area: Late last month, the governor of Florida, where many New Yorkers have vacation homes, mandated a 14-day quarantine for anyone who had arrived from the New York region in the previous three weeks.The push to keep New Yorkers at their primary residences extends beyond the metropolitan area: Late last month, the governor of Florida, where many New Yorkers have vacation homes, mandated a 14-day quarantine for anyone who had arrived from the New York region in the previous three weeks.
Similar concerns have even cropped up internationally: On Sunday, Scotland’s chief medical officer resigned after it emerged that she had violated the country’s lockdown rules by visiting her second home by the sea.Similar concerns have even cropped up internationally: On Sunday, Scotland’s chief medical officer resigned after it emerged that she had violated the country’s lockdown rules by visiting her second home by the sea.
The deluge has sent resort towns scrambling to prepare for the virus. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital said it had tripled its number of intensive care beds, to 21, and hired 40 additional nurses, housing them in a local hotel.The deluge has sent resort towns scrambling to prepare for the virus. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital said it had tripled its number of intensive care beds, to 21, and hired 40 additional nurses, housing them in a local hotel.
Catskill, a village about 35 miles south of Albany, has been training its public works employees to drive ambulances and operate its ladder truck in preparation for a run on services, said Vincent Seeley, the village president.Catskill, a village about 35 miles south of Albany, has been training its public works employees to drive ambulances and operate its ladder truck in preparation for a run on services, said Vincent Seeley, the village president.
On the ground, residents fear the virus has spread beyond the handful of cases that may be officially recorded. In East Hampton, where cases more than doubled over the past week, to 83, Kamal Jackson, a volunteer firefighter, said calls from dispatch of “FC,” fever cough — now often code for potential coronavirus — have come over his transponder nearly every day for the last three weeks.On the ground, residents fear the virus has spread beyond the handful of cases that may be officially recorded. In East Hampton, where cases more than doubled over the past week, to 83, Kamal Jackson, a volunteer firefighter, said calls from dispatch of “FC,” fever cough — now often code for potential coronavirus — have come over his transponder nearly every day for the last three weeks.
“It was imported from somewhere else,” said Mr. Jackson, 40, who also works for a pool maintenance company and does construction work. “I don’t fault them. They own property; they have a right to be here. But it was definitely brought out here from them.“It was imported from somewhere else,” said Mr. Jackson, 40, who also works for a pool maintenance company and does construction work. “I don’t fault them. They own property; they have a right to be here. But it was definitely brought out here from them.
Leaders from across Suffolk County, on the eastern half of Long Island, sent a letter to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on March 27, asking for official restrictions on travel to the area. The governor said on Sunday that he had not “heard any local officials raise concerns” about the need for more travel restrictions and had not yet considered introducing them.Leaders from across Suffolk County, on the eastern half of Long Island, sent a letter to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on March 27, asking for official restrictions on travel to the area. The governor said on Sunday that he had not “heard any local officials raise concerns” about the need for more travel restrictions and had not yet considered introducing them.
The Shinnecock Indian Nation, a tribe whose leaders signed the letter to the governor and whose 980-acre reservation is at the westernmost edge of the Hamptons, is trying its own tactic: On the edge of Sunrise Highway, the tribe’s large electronic billboards scroll President Trump’s recent advisory that residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut “refrain from nonessential domestic travel for 14 days.”The Shinnecock Indian Nation, a tribe whose leaders signed the letter to the governor and whose 980-acre reservation is at the westernmost edge of the Hamptons, is trying its own tactic: On the edge of Sunrise Highway, the tribe’s large electronic billboards scroll President Trump’s recent advisory that residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut “refrain from nonessential domestic travel for 14 days.”
“It feels like we have been invaded and they are taking advantage of our enclave,” said Bryan Polite, the chairman of the tribe. “Those people were selfish, and we have to deal with the ramifications of their actions.”“It feels like we have been invaded and they are taking advantage of our enclave,” said Bryan Polite, the chairman of the tribe. “Those people were selfish, and we have to deal with the ramifications of their actions.”
Donald G. McNeil Jr. and Azi Paybarah contributed reporting.Donald G. McNeil Jr. and Azi Paybarah contributed reporting.