'At Least New Yorkers Can Still Roll Their Eyes' diff viewer (2/3)

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At Least New Yorkers Can Still Roll Their Eyes	At Least New Yorkers Can Still Roll Their Eyes
2020-06-08 16:44:22 UTC	2020-06-10 05:05:36 UTC (1 day later)
In a city already locked up and hidden away behind lowered gates and darkened doors, its people now walk behind their own personal barriers. A population known for big mouths now must speak up so as to be heard by a neighbor, a cashier, the deli counterman, gesturing to the brink of pantomime to be understood.	In a city already locked up and hidden away behind lowered gates and darkened doors, its people now walk behind their own personal barriers. A population known for big mouths now must speak up so as to be heard by a neighbor, a cashier, the deli counterman, gesturing to the brink of pantomime to be understood.
From surgeon-quality personal protection to the home-stitched square and the bandit’s bandanna, New Yorkers pulled on a newly essential accessory and ventured into a landscape that changed yet again on Friday, as of 8 p.m., with the mandated wearing of masks in public.	From surgeon-quality personal protection to the home-stitched square and the bandit’s bandanna, New Yorkers pulled on a newly essential accessory and ventured into a landscape that changed yet again on Friday, as of 8 p.m., with the mandated wearing of masks in public.
The mask felt to many like the latest sweeping affront brought by something so small — it’s taken our schoolrooms, our jobs, our handshakes and hugs, and now, half of our very faces.	The mask felt to many like the latest sweeping affront brought by something so small — it’s taken our schoolrooms, our jobs, our handshakes and hugs, and now, half of our very faces.
The new rule would be striking anywhere, but more so in New York City, where teeming crowds and if-I-can-make-it-there chutzpah are baked into the national imagination. It was as if a curtain had fallen after a grand performance, but more — eight million little curtains, actually.	The new rule would be striking anywhere, but more so in New York City, where teeming crowds and if-I-can-make-it-there chutzpah are baked into the national imagination. It was as if a curtain had fallen after a grand performance, but more — eight million little curtains, actually.
“This is just the next step,” said a retired corrections officer, Stanley Woo, 63, sitting down to play chess in a park in Forest Hills, Queens, with his old friends and his new mask.	“This is just the next step,” said a retired corrections officer, Stanley Woo, 63, sitting down to play chess in a park in Forest Hills, Queens, with his old friends and his new mask.
“Nobody likes it, but we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do,” said Amanda Neville, 43, inside her wine store, Tipsy, in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.	“Nobody likes it, but we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do,” said Amanda Neville, 43, inside her wine store, Tipsy, in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.
As part of his latest measures to contain the coronavirus, which has killed more than 12,000 people in the state and infected more than 200,000, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo rolled out the executive order this week in winding, street-level detail that could have been describing, not long ago, most any New Yorker’s average morning.	As part of his latest measures to contain the coronavirus, which has killed more than 12,000 people in the state and infected more than 200,000, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo rolled out the executive order this week in winding, street-level detail that could have been describing, not long ago, most any New Yorker’s average morning.
“So,” he said, “if you’re going to get on public transit, you’re going to get on a bus, you’re going to get on a subway, you’re going to stand on a subway platform, you’re going to walk in a neighborhood that is busy, you’re going to be on a sidewalk, you’re going to pass other people on a sidewalk, you’re not going to able to maintain social distancing, you must wear a mask or cloth or an attractive bandanna or a color-coordinated bandanna cloth, but you have to wear it in those situations.”	“So,” he said, “if you’re going to get on public transit, you’re going to get on a bus, you’re going to get on a subway, you’re going to stand on a subway platform, you’re going to walk in a neighborhood that is busy, you’re going to be on a sidewalk, you’re going to pass other people on a sidewalk, you’re not going to able to maintain social distancing, you must wear a mask or cloth or an attractive bandanna or a color-coordinated bandanna cloth, but you have to wear it in those situations.”
One imagines how the governor might describe the act of wearing a mask as the days stretch on: You’re going to forget to not touch it, you’re going to accidentally pull it down to speak, you’re going to hate the way it smells, you’re going to have to use a passcode to unlock your phone, you’re going to fog up your glasses. But you have to wear it in those situations.	One imagines how the governor might describe the act of wearing a mask as the days stretch on: You’re going to forget to not touch it, you’re going to accidentally pull it down to speak, you’re going to hate the way it smells, you’re going to have to use a passcode to unlock your phone, you’re going to fog up your glasses. But you have to wear it in those situations.
Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are requiring that masks be worn in stores; likewise in Los Angeles and some surrounding California counties. New York’s order is the most expansive, requiring face coverings anywhere in the state where two people might come within two yards of each other, though for now, there is no fine for disobeying.	Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are requiring that masks be worn in stores; likewise in Los Angeles and some surrounding California counties. New York’s order is the most expansive, requiring face coverings anywhere in the state where two people might come within two yards of each other, though for now, there is no fine for disobeying.
The new rules veered into uncharted territory; they generally apply to anyone age 2 and up, though in Pennsylvania, parents of children between 2 and 9 were told they “must make reasonable effort” to put, and keep, masks on them.	The new rules veered into uncharted territory; they generally apply to anyone age 2 and up, though in Pennsylvania, parents of children between 2 and 9 were told they “must make reasonable effort” to put, and keep, masks on them.
New Yorkers’ enthusiasm for rigid compliance landed, as one might guess, across a spectrum.	New Yorkers’ enthusiasm for rigid compliance landed, as one might guess, across a spectrum.
In Prospect Park in Brooklyn, couples young and old walked behind masks, while other families, keeping their social distance, kept theirs in pockets. Bicyclists sped past with faces covered, as if imagining a cloud of the coronavirus before them.	In Prospect Park in Brooklyn, couples young and old walked behind masks, while other families, keeping their social distance, kept theirs in pockets. Bicyclists sped past with faces covered, as if imagining a cloud of the coronavirus before them.
Robert Wagner, 41, a software engineer in Forest Hills, wore a mask in a park as he played with his toddler son, Vikram. “I think that such an order should have come sooner,” he said. “It was irresponsible to advise no masks and then turn around and say, ‘OK now everybody wear them.’”	Robert Wagner, 41, a software engineer in Forest Hills, wore a mask in a park as he played with his toddler son, Vikram. “I think that such an order should have come sooner,” he said. “It was irresponsible to advise no masks and then turn around and say, ‘OK now everybody wear them.’”
In Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, Seungjoo Kim, 25, would seem to agree.	In Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, Seungjoo Kim, 25, would seem to agree.
“I honestly think it’s too late,” she said. “Most people around the city are already covering their faces. The city should have done this weeks before quarantine.”	“I honestly think it’s too late,” she said. “Most people around the city are already covering their faces. The city should have done this weeks before quarantine.”
Elsewhere, the masks brought eye rolls, one of the few facial expressions still in play these days.	Elsewhere, the masks brought eye rolls, one of the few facial expressions still in play these days.
“Ridiculous — they’re overdoing themselves,” said a 73-year-old shopper named Esther in line outside a grocery in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene, both wearing a mask and defying the order in spirit. “I’m not scared. I’m going to die anyway.”	“Ridiculous — they’re overdoing themselves,” said a 73-year-old shopper named Esther in line outside a grocery in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene, both wearing a mask and defying the order in spirit. “I’m not scared. I’m going to die anyway.”
Once, a person wearing a mask in public stood out. But now, it’s the other way around. On Thursday, two young women studying a takeout menu in the Lower East Side’s Essex Market, chatting and maskless as if it were a different time — say, early March — drew double takes from hurried shoppers. Outside, a man smoked a cigarette — through a hole in his black mask.	Once, a person wearing a mask in public stood out. But now, it’s the other way around. On Thursday, two young women studying a takeout menu in the Lower East Side’s Essex Market, chatting and maskless as if it were a different time — say, early March — drew double takes from hurried shoppers. Outside, a man smoked a cigarette — through a hole in his black mask.
“The one thing that makes me nervous are the runners that are huffing and puffing and they go right by and they’re not wearing a mask,” said Rob Corber, 62, strolling around Washington Square Park in Manhattan with his husband. “They’ve just taken up running since the lockdown. You can tell because they’re huffing and puffing.”	“The one thing that makes me nervous are the runners that are huffing and puffing and they go right by and they’re not wearing a mask,” said Rob Corber, 62, strolling around Washington Square Park in Manhattan with his husband. “They’ve just taken up running since the lockdown. You can tell because they’re huffing and puffing.”
Many New Yorkers sought a relationship with the mask that seemed most sensible. “It’s no joke,” said R. Vincent Razor, 68, a writer in Kew Gardens, Queens, who carries two masks in his pockets when he goes out. On Friday, he pulled one off his face for good reason: “You can’t eat lunch with a mask,” he deadpanned, lifting his last sip of coffee.	Many New Yorkers sought a relationship with the mask that seemed most sensible. “It’s no joke,” said R. Vincent Razor, 68, a writer in Kew Gardens, Queens, who carries two masks in his pockets when he goes out. On Friday, he pulled one off his face for good reason: “You can’t eat lunch with a mask,” he deadpanned, lifting his last sip of coffee.
Updated June 5, 2020	Updated June 5, 2020
	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
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.
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.
In Forest Hills, the old friends managed to sit and play chess without getting too close — Mr. Woo in his mask. Of the governor’s order, he said: “I have no objection to that. It’s what you have to do.”	In Forest Hills, the old friends managed to sit and play chess without getting too close — Mr. Woo in his mask. Of the governor’s order, he said: “I have no objection to that. It’s what you have to do.”
His friend, Paul Croce, 73, a retired court officer, refused to put one on because it made him feel, as he put it, “cooped up like pigeons.”	His friend, Paul Croce, 73, a retired court officer, refused to put one on because it made him feel, as he put it, “cooped up like pigeons.”
The mask order is statewide and was met differently in some pockets of rural New York. Donald Bowles, owner of Don and Paul’s Coffee Shoppe in the Saratoga County town of Waterford, has adopted the policy, but said the same responses to the virus don’t necessarily apply upstate.	The mask order is statewide and was met differently in some pockets of rural New York. Donald Bowles, owner of Don and Paul’s Coffee Shoppe in the Saratoga County town of Waterford, has adopted the policy, but said the same responses to the virus don’t necessarily apply upstate.