Alternate-side parking : Suspended through Tuesday. because of the coronavirus. Meters are in effect.
The coronavirus has continued to spread at an alarming rate in New York City, prompting the White House response coordinator to say yesterday that anyone who has left or passed through the city should put themselves into quarantine for days.
Also yesterday, Governor Cuomo warned that the rising number of cases in New York State could overwhelm the state’s health care system in about two weeks. He said the number of positive tests was doubling every three days, despite calls for people to stay indoors and for nonessential businesses to temporarily close.
Mayor de Blasio was considering shutting city parks and playgrounds. He said yesterday that he would give residents until Saturday night to show that they could practice social distancing. If not, he said, he would be prepared to close parks and playgrounds “for the foreseeable future.”
The The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will temporarily eliminate service on the B, W and Z subway lines because of an 110 percent drop in ridership. The 4, 5, 6, 7, J and D lines will run local on all or part of their routes. Bus service will also be cut by (percent.)
[Subway service is cut by a quarter because of the coronavirus.]
New York State has tested about 170, , people, Mr. Cuomo said, and has nearly 36, 07 coronavirus cases. More than 3, 599 people have been hospitalized, and more than 728 have died, including the Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally.
(New York needs up to) , 08 hospital beds, up from an earlier estimate of , 08, Mr. Cuomo said. Right now, , 07 are available. Also, 62, intensive care beds could be needed, he said. The state obtained 7, ventilators, he added, but needs , (more.)
)
Women giving birth at the NewYork-Presbyterian and Mount Sinai Health System hospital networks are being told they must go through labor without partners or others by their side. Hospital officials said the rules were intended to help protect mothers and children during the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus Decimates NYC Taxi Industry: ‘The Worst It’s Ever Been’ 
Parks Too Crowded? Meet You at the Cemetery Gates
How Helping Your Neighbor Could Hurt the Neighborhood
Want more news? (Check out our full coverage )
The Mini Crossword: (here is) (today’s puzzle) . What we’re reading
An Amazon warehouse worker in Staten Island
tested positive for the coronavirus, according to another employee . [New York Post] Election commissioners want the state to move New York’s presidential primary
from April (to June) . [State of Politics] Some companies are hiring right now . [NY1] And finally: Libraries’ virtual offerings
Library branches may be closed, but you can still tap into their resources from home.
Here are a few of the many offerings:
The New York Public Library
, which covers Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, has free one-on-one tutoring
for kindergartners to th graders. The effort is a partnership with Brainfuse, an online tutoring organization.
The tutoring is available from 2 p.m. to 23 PM daily. Educational videos about a variety of subjects, including basic math, organic chemistry and essay writing, are also online. There are free test-prep videos.
The Brooklyn Public Library is hosting virtual events on its website and social media pages.
Today’s offerings include story time at am, 2 pm and 3: 48 pm, and a Dungeons and Dragons game at 1 pm
On a Facebook page, the library is
hosting a knitting and crocheting craft circle at 2 pm; on its Instagram page , at 4 pm, is a writing session for teenagers using two-paragraph stories.
(The Queens Public Library) has audio and video recordings on the history of hip-hop , including an interview with (Darryl (DMC) McDaniels of Run-DMC) , a talk with the rapper (KRS-One) and a brief chat with the radio personality Angela Yee . Ther e’s also a (celebration of Women’s History Month) , with a chance to win free books, and a (reference desk) to ask librarians questions.
Oh, yeah: You can also check out books .
It’s Wednesday – check out a library.
(Metropolitan Diary: Breakfast special)
Dear Diary:
I was a young ballet student living in New York and attending classes in Chelsea. Early one weekday morning, I slid onto a stool at my favorite diner – really just a long, narrow countertop and two small tables – around the corner from the Flatiron Building.
I ordered my usual: a toasted bagel and coffee light. A young man sitting next to me who had apparently been there for a while was poring indecisively over the breakfast menu.
Finally, the waiter, a big man with burly arms and a white apron, leaned over the counter and, propped up on his knuckles, glowered at the young man.
“We close at 4 pm,” he said.
Kim Sonderegger
New York Today is published weekdays around 6 am Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at
(nytoday.com)
.
We’re experimenting with the format of New York Today. What would you like to see more (or less) of? Post a comment or email us: [email protected] .
It seems to spread very easily from person to person, especially in homes, hospitals and other confined spaces. The pathogen can be carried on tiny respiratory droplets that fall as they are coughed or sneezed out. It may also be transmitted when we touch a contaminated surface and then touch our face.
Is there a vaccine yet?
No. the first testing in humans of an experimental vaccine began in mid-March. Such rapid development of a potential vaccine is unprecedented, but even if it is proved safe and effective, it probably will not be available for (to) months.
What makes this outbreak so different?
Unlike the flu, there is no known treatment or vaccine, and Little is known about this particular virus so far. It seems to be more lethal than the flu, but the numbers are still uncertain. And it hits the elderly and those with underlying conditions – not just those with respiratory diseases – particularly hard.
What should I do if I feel sick?
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.
How do I get tested?
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the CDC 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.
What if somebody in my family gets sick?
If the family member does not need hospitalization and can be cared for at home, you should help him or her with basic needs and monitor the symptoms, while also keeping as much distance as possible, according to you to guidelines issued by the CDC If there’s space, the sick family member should stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom. If masks are available, both the sick person and the caregiver should wear them when the caregiver enters the room. Make sure not to share any dishes or other household items and to regularly clean surfaces like counters, doorknobs, toilets and tables. Don’t forget to wash your hands frequently.
No. Unless you’re already infected, or caring for someone who is, a face mask is not recommended.
And stockpiling them will make it harder for nurses and other workers to access the resources they need to help on the front lines. (Should I stock up on groceries?)
Plan two weeks of meals if possible. But people should not hoard food or supplies. Despite the empty shelves, the supply chain remains strong. And remember to wipe the handle of the grocery cart with a disinfecting wipe and wash your hands as soon as you get home.
Can I go to the park?
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Should I pull my money from the markets?
What should I do with my 823 (k)? 01575879
Watching your balance go up and down can be scary. You may be wondering if you should decrease your contributions – don’t! If your employer matches any part of your contributions, make sure you’re at least saving as much as you can to get that “free money.”
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