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| 11 Numbers That Show How the Coronavirus Has Changed N.Y.C. | 11 Numbers That Show How the Coronavirus Has Changed N.Y.C. |
| (1 day later) | |
| New York City has never looked so unlike itself. Deserted streets and vacant stores. Essential workers taking to lonely subways. Mandatory face coverings. | New York City has never looked so unlike itself. Deserted streets and vacant stores. Essential workers taking to lonely subways. Mandatory face coverings. |
| But beyond the changes we can see outright are other lifestyle shifts that reflect the struggles and needs that have emerged within the last month. | But beyond the changes we can see outright are other lifestyle shifts that reflect the struggles and needs that have emerged within the last month. |
| Unemployment, of course, is up, and the number is staggering. With the state’s shutdown extended until at least May 15, it is a desperate time for many. | Unemployment, of course, is up, and the number is staggering. With the state’s shutdown extended until at least May 15, it is a desperate time for many. |
| But some of the data shows glimmers of hope. While hundreds of food banks were forced to close, the city’s volunteer pool vastly expanded. Air pollution is down. Applications to foster abandoned animals skyrocketed. | But some of the data shows glimmers of hope. While hundreds of food banks were forced to close, the city’s volunteer pool vastly expanded. Air pollution is down. Applications to foster abandoned animals skyrocketed. |
| Our altered city, by the numbers, is just as complex as the one we remember. | Our altered city, by the numbers, is just as complex as the one we remember. |
| During the week of March 22, nearly 144,000 unemployment claims were made in New York City. That constituted a 2,637 percent increase from last year, when the same time frame yielded about 5,300 claims. | During the week of March 22, nearly 144,000 unemployment claims were made in New York City. That constituted a 2,637 percent increase from last year, when the same time frame yielded about 5,300 claims. |
| And there’s still many who have yet to file as the state’s system was overwhelmed. | And there’s still many who have yet to file as the state’s system was overwhelmed. |
| March data from the city’s Department of Sanitation shows the amount of refuse collected from Manhattan residences shrank by nearly 7 percent compared to the borough average for that month over the last five years. | March data from the city’s Department of Sanitation shows the amount of refuse collected from Manhattan residences shrank by nearly 7 percent compared to the borough average for that month over the last five years. |
| The decrease is most likely a reflection of New Yorkers who had the means to relocate. | The decrease is most likely a reflection of New Yorkers who had the means to relocate. |
| Greenwich Village, the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side, neighborhoods with some of the highest median incomes in the city, led the way with 11, 10 and 8 percent declines. | Greenwich Village, the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side, neighborhoods with some of the highest median incomes in the city, led the way with 11, 10 and 8 percent declines. |
| The rest of the city saw little change, although Staten Island logged the biggest increase, producing over 7 percent more refuse than usual. | The rest of the city saw little change, although Staten Island logged the biggest increase, producing over 7 percent more refuse than usual. |
| Interest in fostering pets has surged in the city, as many New Yorkers find themselves looking for companionship and having more time at home to care for a pet. | Interest in fostering pets has surged in the city, as many New Yorkers find themselves looking for companionship and having more time at home to care for a pet. |
| Foster Dogs, a nonprofit that works with about 30 shelters and rescue organizations in the New York City area, fielded more than 3,000 applications for fostering in March. Traffic to its website increased 250 percent. | Foster Dogs, a nonprofit that works with about 30 shelters and rescue organizations in the New York City area, fielded more than 3,000 applications for fostering in March. Traffic to its website increased 250 percent. |
| In comparison, Foster Dogs received an average of 140 applications a month in 2019. | In comparison, Foster Dogs received an average of 140 applications a month in 2019. |
| “It was more interest than we’ve ever seen before,” said Sarah Brasky, who founded the organization. | “It was more interest than we’ve ever seen before,” said Sarah Brasky, who founded the organization. |
| In March, Muddy Paws Rescue, a New York nonprofit, received seven times the number of applications for dog fostering than it had just two months earlier. | In March, Muddy Paws Rescue, a New York nonprofit, received seven times the number of applications for dog fostering than it had just two months earlier. |
| The dip began as workplaces and schools started closing, then accelerated through the rest of March. | The dip began as workplaces and schools started closing, then accelerated through the rest of March. |
| By the end of the month, the city’s energy use was down by more than 10 percent, according to the New York Independent System Operator, the agency responsible for managing the state’s electric grid. | By the end of the month, the city’s energy use was down by more than 10 percent, according to the New York Independent System Operator, the agency responsible for managing the state’s electric grid. |
| The change was most pronounced on weekday mornings, when usage would normally spike as people started their days and businesses opened. With nonessential workers ordered to stay home, it appeared that many were awakening later than usual. | The change was most pronounced on weekday mornings, when usage would normally spike as people started their days and businesses opened. With nonessential workers ordered to stay home, it appeared that many were awakening later than usual. |
| New Yorkers’ patience with noisy neighbors has run thin, particularly when it comes to blaring televisions, which prompted a 42 percent increase in 311 complaints in March compared to last year, according to NYC Open Data. | New Yorkers’ patience with noisy neighbors has run thin, particularly when it comes to blaring televisions, which prompted a 42 percent increase in 311 complaints in March compared to last year, according to NYC Open Data. |
| Complaints of loud talking and music increased by 12 and 30 percent across the city. | Complaints of loud talking and music increased by 12 and 30 percent across the city. |
| Similarly, residential noise complaints, a broad category that’s also one of the most common, rose significantly in every borough, peaking with a 33 percent increase in Staten Island. New Yorkers are especially irritated with helicopter noise; grievances about helicopters have tripled across the city. | Similarly, residential noise complaints, a broad category that’s also one of the most common, rose significantly in every borough, peaking with a 33 percent increase in Staten Island. New Yorkers are especially irritated with helicopter noise; grievances about helicopters have tripled across the city. |
| The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has struggled the last three years to improve a crumbling system, even as ridership numbers had been higher than ever. Last year, during one week in mid-April, 34 million swipes were recorded at M.T.A. stations. | The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has struggled the last three years to improve a crumbling system, even as ridership numbers had been higher than ever. Last year, during one week in mid-April, 34 million swipes were recorded at M.T.A. stations. |
| That number was whittled down to just 2.5 million rides during the week ending April 11. The steepest declines were in Manhattan, while the Bronx, which has the highest poverty rate of any of the boroughs, saw ridership drop the least. | That number was whittled down to just 2.5 million rides during the week ending April 11. The steepest declines were in Manhattan, while the Bronx, which has the highest poverty rate of any of the boroughs, saw ridership drop the least. |
| The M.T.A., which oversees the subways, buses and two commuter rails, has suffered crew shortages as thousands fall sick. So far, the agency has reduced bus service and temporarily eliminated some subway lines. Already deep in debt and heavily reliant on revenue from fares, New York City’s transit faces a tough future. | The M.T.A., which oversees the subways, buses and two commuter rails, has suffered crew shortages as thousands fall sick. So far, the agency has reduced bus service and temporarily eliminated some subway lines. Already deep in debt and heavily reliant on revenue from fares, New York City’s transit faces a tough future. |
| March began with an uptick in major crimes, such as murder and burglary, but there was soon a sharp decline in overall crime in every borough. | March began with an uptick in major crimes, such as murder and burglary, but there was soon a sharp decline in overall crime in every borough. |
| From March 12 through March 31, murders decreased by 25 percent when compared with the same period last year, according to the Police Department. Complaints of rape and grand larceny both went down as well. | From March 12 through March 31, murders decreased by 25 percent when compared with the same period last year, according to the Police Department. Complaints of rape and grand larceny both went down as well. |
| 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. |
| Reports of domestic violence fell nearly 15 percent. That drop, however, could mean victims have been less able to report abuse. | Reports of domestic violence fell nearly 15 percent. That drop, however, could mean victims have been less able to report abuse. |
| The virus has put a strain on the department: It must enforce the new restrictive rules while dealing with a diminished force. One out of every six New York City police officers is out sick or in quarantine. | The virus has put a strain on the department: It must enforce the new restrictive rules while dealing with a diminished force. One out of every six New York City police officers is out sick or in quarantine. |
| On the first Monday in March, more than 850,000 vehicles traveled across the M.T.A.’s nine city crossings, including the Queens-Midtown Tunnel and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Three weeks later, that number had plummeted to about 351,000. | On the first Monday in March, more than 850,000 vehicles traveled across the M.T.A.’s nine city crossings, including the Queens-Midtown Tunnel and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Three weeks later, that number had plummeted to about 351,000. |
| The less congested roads gave drivers a newfound sense of freedom. The city’s automated speed cameras issued nearly 25,000 speeding tickets in a single day at the end of March, double the number from the previous month, according to city data. | The less congested roads gave drivers a newfound sense of freedom. The city’s automated speed cameras issued nearly 25,000 speeding tickets in a single day at the end of March, double the number from the previous month, according to city data. |
| Still, the roads have appeared safer. Traffic accidents overall dropped nearly 60 percent, with just over 1,000 motor vehicle collisions reported during the last week in March, according to an analysis of police data by a nonprofit watchdog group. | Still, the roads have appeared safer. Traffic accidents overall dropped nearly 60 percent, with just over 1,000 motor vehicle collisions reported during the last week in March, according to an analysis of police data by a nonprofit watchdog group. |
| Many New Yorkers volunteer each year, but March alone had an increase of almost three times the number of volunteer applications, with 6,500 compared with around 2,400 last year, based on data from New York Cares, an expansive volunteer network, which partnered with the city to coordinate coronavirus relief efforts. | Many New Yorkers volunteer each year, but March alone had an increase of almost three times the number of volunteer applications, with 6,500 compared with around 2,400 last year, based on data from New York Cares, an expansive volunteer network, which partnered with the city to coordinate coronavirus relief efforts. |
| The large spike in those eager to assist their communities was often directed toward food programs and social support for older adults, the primary areas of need across the city. | The large spike in those eager to assist their communities was often directed toward food programs and social support for older adults, the primary areas of need across the city. |
| “There’s a huge surge in need for virtual volunteering, to have a friend or neighbor to talk to,” said Anusha Venkataraman, the city’s chief service officer. | “There’s a huge surge in need for virtual volunteering, to have a friend or neighbor to talk to,” said Anusha Venkataraman, the city’s chief service officer. |
| New York Cares reported that its volunteers distributed more than 130,000 meals in March — 55,000 more than the previous month. | New York Cares reported that its volunteers distributed more than 130,000 meals in March — 55,000 more than the previous month. |
| Despite the increased interest in volunteering, the heightened danger from coronavirus to those over 65 years of age has forced some food bank sites to close, particularly those run by volunteers who are older and retired. | Despite the increased interest in volunteering, the heightened danger from coronavirus to those over 65 years of age has forced some food bank sites to close, particularly those run by volunteers who are older and retired. |
| City Harvest and Food Bank for New York City, the two largest food charities in the city, have seen a reduction in the number of soup kitchens and pantries they serve. Nearly 40 percent of Food Bank’s 800 delivery sites have closed while City Harvest reported that one-third of the 284 sites it serves have closed. | City Harvest and Food Bank for New York City, the two largest food charities in the city, have seen a reduction in the number of soup kitchens and pantries they serve. Nearly 40 percent of Food Bank’s 800 delivery sites have closed while City Harvest reported that one-third of the 284 sites it serves have closed. |
| In a twist, the stay-at-home efforts have made it safer to breathe outside. | In a twist, the stay-at-home efforts have made it safer to breathe outside. |
| Air quality has vastly improved, with an average 25 percent decrease in pollution across the city, based on data by state environmental monitors of the levels of particulate matter, a pollutant tied to asthma and lung cancer. | Air quality has vastly improved, with an average 25 percent decrease in pollution across the city, based on data by state environmental monitors of the levels of particulate matter, a pollutant tied to asthma and lung cancer. |
| Staten Island showed the most dramatic drop at 35 percent. The borough has long had a reputation for noxious skies from heavy traffic and ferries and barges in New York Harbor. | Staten Island showed the most dramatic drop at 35 percent. The borough has long had a reputation for noxious skies from heavy traffic and ferries and barges in New York Harbor. |
| Reporting was contributed by Winnie Hu, Nikita Stewart, Lindsey Rogers Cook and Ashley Southall. | Reporting was contributed by Winnie Hu, Nikita Stewart, Lindsey Rogers Cook and Ashley Southall. |