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New York Officials Urge Protesters to Get Tested to Control Virus New York Officials Urge Protesters to Get Tested to Control Virus
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[This briefing has ended. For the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak in the New York area and around the globe, read Monday’s live coverage.][This briefing has ended. For the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak in the New York area and around the globe, read Monday’s live coverage.]
Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday that the thousands of protesters massing on the streets of New York this weekend to express their anger over police brutality had not changed the target date of June 8 to begin reopening the city.Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday that the thousands of protesters massing on the streets of New York this weekend to express their anger over police brutality had not changed the target date of June 8 to begin reopening the city.
But city health officials urged protesters to take whatever precautions they could while demonstrating and invited them to get tested for the virus.But city health officials urged protesters to take whatever precautions they could while demonstrating and invited them to get tested for the virus.
“In terms of impact on our reopening, I see none,” Mr. de Blasio said at his daily news briefing on Sunday, estimating that about 5,000 to 6,000 people had been involved across the city during the peak of the protests on Saturday night.“In terms of impact on our reopening, I see none,” Mr. de Blasio said at his daily news briefing on Sunday, estimating that about 5,000 to 6,000 people had been involved across the city during the peak of the protests on Saturday night.
A few weeks ago, Mr. de Blasio had branded the idea of protesting in the middle of a pandemic “idiotic,” and he had urged people to find ways to express their frustrations without gathering. Some protesters and civil rights lawyers feared public health restrictions during the pandemic were being used to curtail free speech.A few weeks ago, Mr. de Blasio had branded the idea of protesting in the middle of a pandemic “idiotic,” and he had urged people to find ways to express their frustrations without gathering. Some protesters and civil rights lawyers feared public health restrictions during the pandemic were being used to curtail free speech.
But on Sunday he acknowledged the perfect storm of anger created by the killing of George Floyd by the police in Minneapolis, combined with the impact of the pandemic on people of color.But on Sunday he acknowledged the perfect storm of anger created by the killing of George Floyd by the police in Minneapolis, combined with the impact of the pandemic on people of color.
“You have all the frustrations about injustice, combined with the frustrations about the injustice within the pandemic, because the pandemic displayed immense disparity, combined with the fact that people spent two months cooped up indoors and we don’t know what the summer brings,” he said, adding that he supported the right of people to protest peacefully.“You have all the frustrations about injustice, combined with the frustrations about the injustice within the pandemic, because the pandemic displayed immense disparity, combined with the fact that people spent two months cooped up indoors and we don’t know what the summer brings,” he said, adding that he supported the right of people to protest peacefully.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo echoed those thoughts at his daily briefing in Albany, saying, “It is not a coincidence that the protests are happening in the middle of a pandemic.”Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo echoed those thoughts at his daily briefing in Albany, saying, “It is not a coincidence that the protests are happening in the middle of a pandemic.”
Dr. Theodore Long, who is leading New York City’s contact tracing efforts with its public hospitals agency, urged anyone who had been involved in the demonstrations to get tested for the virus and to protect themselves while out.Dr. Theodore Long, who is leading New York City’s contact tracing efforts with its public hospitals agency, urged anyone who had been involved in the demonstrations to get tested for the virus and to protect themselves while out.
“We strongly encourage anybody who is out in the protests to wear a mask, practice proper hand hygiene and to the extent possible, socially distance, though we know that’s not always going to be feasible,” Dr. Long said.“We strongly encourage anybody who is out in the protests to wear a mask, practice proper hand hygiene and to the extent possible, socially distance, though we know that’s not always going to be feasible,” Dr. Long said.
Jumaane Williams, the city’s public advocate, also strongly defended people’s right to protest on the streets. But he did express concern about how the protests could increase the spread of the virus.Jumaane Williams, the city’s public advocate, also strongly defended people’s right to protest on the streets. But he did express concern about how the protests could increase the spread of the virus.
“We need to pay attention 7 to 10 days from now to any spikes that we can see,” Mr. Williams said.“We need to pay attention 7 to 10 days from now to any spikes that we can see,” Mr. Williams said.
“We have to be careful, but I don’t think we can tell people, watch someone get killed on camera again, and stay home,” Mr. Williams said.“We have to be careful, but I don’t think we can tell people, watch someone get killed on camera again, and stay home,” Mr. Williams said.
Dozens of new coronavirus deaths were reported on Sunday in New York and New Jersey, and hundreds more were newly sickened, even as focus shifted away from the pandemic and toward the widespread protests over police brutality sparked by the killing of George Floyd.Dozens of new coronavirus deaths were reported on Sunday in New York and New Jersey, and hundreds more were newly sickened, even as focus shifted away from the pandemic and toward the widespread protests over police brutality sparked by the killing of George Floyd.
New Jersey had 868 new confirmed positive cases, Gov. Phil D. Murphy announced on social media pushing the total numbers in the state to 160,445. The state lost 66 more people to the virus, pushing the total deaths in the state to 11,698.New Jersey had 868 new confirmed positive cases, Gov. Phil D. Murphy announced on social media pushing the total numbers in the state to 160,445. The state lost 66 more people to the virus, pushing the total deaths in the state to 11,698.
Mercer, Camden, and Passaic counties saw the most new cases, according to the state’s data dashboard. The state is moving steadily toward reopening, saying that day cares will be able to open with restrictions by June 15 and summer camps and some youth sports by July 6.Mercer, Camden, and Passaic counties saw the most new cases, according to the state’s data dashboard. The state is moving steadily toward reopening, saying that day cares will be able to open with restrictions by June 15 and summer camps and some youth sports by July 6.
In New York, the number of new hospitalizations for coronavirus dropped to 191, down from a peak of 3,400 per day at the pandemic’s height. The number of daily deaths continued to drop, to 56 — down from hundreds of daily deaths weeks ago, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said. Since March, nearly 30,000 New Yorkers have died in the pandemic.In New York, the number of new hospitalizations for coronavirus dropped to 191, down from a peak of 3,400 per day at the pandemic’s height. The number of daily deaths continued to drop, to 56 — down from hundreds of daily deaths weeks ago, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said. Since March, nearly 30,000 New Yorkers have died in the pandemic.
After his daily briefing, Mr. Cuomo also announced that dentists’ offices in the state would be allowed to reopen on Monday, provided they followed social distancing and other safety recommendations.After his daily briefing, Mr. Cuomo also announced that dentists’ offices in the state would be allowed to reopen on Monday, provided they followed social distancing and other safety recommendations.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
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.
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.
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.
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.
As New York City moves toward its target of reopening on June 8, Gov. Andrew M Cuomo said on Saturday that state officials were focusing on controlling hot spots in the city and preparing its hospitals to deal with a potential second surge of coronavirus patients.As New York City moves toward its target of reopening on June 8, Gov. Andrew M Cuomo said on Saturday that state officials were focusing on controlling hot spots in the city and preparing its hospitals to deal with a potential second surge of coronavirus patients.
Over the next week, officials will focus on ensuring the city’s 11 public hospitals and more than 100 private hospitals have what Mr. Cuomo called “surge and flex” capacity, or the ability to shift and share resources as needed, to deal with a potential spike of new virus patients, Mr. Cuomo said on Saturday.Over the next week, officials will focus on ensuring the city’s 11 public hospitals and more than 100 private hospitals have what Mr. Cuomo called “surge and flex” capacity, or the ability to shift and share resources as needed, to deal with a potential spike of new virus patients, Mr. Cuomo said on Saturday.
“We want to make sure we have that refined over the next week, because if we have a problem we need all these hospitals to work together,” Mr. Cuomo said during a news conference in the Bronx.“We want to make sure we have that refined over the next week, because if we have a problem we need all these hospitals to work together,” Mr. Cuomo said during a news conference in the Bronx.
Mr. Cuomo said officials would also concentrate on reducing the spread of the virus in the 10 ZIP codes in the city with the highest infection rates — which include predominately low-income and minority communities in the Bronx, Brooklyn and parts of Queens — by adding a new testing center in each area and distributing hand sanitizer.Mr. Cuomo said officials would also concentrate on reducing the spread of the virus in the 10 ZIP codes in the city with the highest infection rates — which include predominately low-income and minority communities in the Bronx, Brooklyn and parts of Queens — by adding a new testing center in each area and distributing hand sanitizer.
New York City is the only region in the state that has not begun reopening because it has not yet met two of the seven benchmarks set by the governor for reopening: the city does not have enough hospital beds available or contract tracers in place. Still, both Mr. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio have said they expect the city to meet these criteria by June 8.New York City is the only region in the state that has not begun reopening because it has not yet met two of the seven benchmarks set by the governor for reopening: the city does not have enough hospital beds available or contract tracers in place. Still, both Mr. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio have said they expect the city to meet these criteria by June 8.
Also on Saturday, Mr. Cuomo signed a bill to give death benefits to the families of public employees who had died because of the coronavirus.Also on Saturday, Mr. Cuomo signed a bill to give death benefits to the families of public employees who had died because of the coronavirus.
“You gave your lives for us,” he said. “We will be there to support your families going forward.”“You gave your lives for us,” he said. “We will be there to support your families going forward.”
As The New York Times follows the spread of the coronavirus across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we need your help. We want to talk to doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, emergency services workers, nursing home managers — anyone who can share what’s happening in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers.As The New York Times follows the spread of the coronavirus across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we need your help. We want to talk to doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, emergency services workers, nursing home managers — anyone who can share what’s happening in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers.
A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.
Reporting was contributed by Luis Ferré Sadurní, Sharon Otterman, Azi Paybarah, Dana Rubinstein and Edgar Sandoval.Reporting was contributed by Luis Ferré Sadurní, Sharon Otterman, Azi Paybarah, Dana Rubinstein and Edgar Sandoval.