Well, the pandemic in New York is getting worse by the minute. As of March 17th, there were at least 1374 confirmed cases of coronavirus in New York, with over 4000 cases across the US. Because the virus has spread across 100 countries, The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. A Pandemic can be defined as “the worldwide spread of a new disease”. As things get worse, a lot of us are asking ourselves how we can stay safe during NYC Coronavirus Pandemic.
Roomi is dedicated to the health and well-being of our community. Because, we’ve seen a lot of false information circulating online about COVID-19, we thought we’d set the record straight. So, we’ve carried out our own research from reputable sources. And we’ve brought to you 5 things you need to know during the NYC coronavirus pandemic.
1. State of emergency
Mayor de Blasio has declared a state of emergency in New York City. In a press conference on March 12th, he predicted that the coronavirus,
“could easily be a 6-month crisis”
He also expected the number of cases to continue to rise.
This emergency will allow the government to establish curfews, ration supplies and order people off the streets where appropriate. All of which can be helpful when trying to deal with the pandemic in New York.
But despite his concerns, he was adamant at the time that schools and public transport would not be affected. He said
“we are going to fight tooth and nail…do our damnedest to keep the schools open.”
de Blasio’s reasoned that kids need meals. Moreover, the parents need a place that can care for their children while they go to work.
2. Ban on gatherings of 500+ people because of the pandemic in New York
On March 12th, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that gatherings of more than 500 people will be banned until further notice. He has also said that venues with a capacity of less than 500 will have to halve that number.
Only exceptions to the rule are hospitals, nursing homes and mass transit.
This ban will obviously change day-to-day life for all New Yorkers. For example, bars and restaurants will have to reduce the number of patrons they serve. This ban has also led to cancellation of concerts all over the city. Tourists that visit us for our vibrant culture will be reduced for a while to cope with the pandemic in New York.
Last Sunday saw the closure of the city’s public school system. COVID has also forced bars and restaurants across the state to shut down.
3. The subway is still open despite the pandemic in New York
Mayor de Blasio has expressed has said that he would like to keep some things the unchanged. Despite the pandemic in New York becoming worse. The subway is a primary focus here; Mr. de Blasio sees public transit as the foundation of the local economy and a vital resource for working people.
On Thursday he said, “if it’s not coming from my mouth, don’t believe it.”
4. The NYPD has plans in place to protect New York’s residents
The NYPD is not only taking to Twitter to dispel myths, it’s also taking precautions. They’re also changing how it responds to emergencies and non-emergencies during NYC Coronavirus Pandemic. For instance, department has issued guideline on how to deal with interactions with people showing signs of the virus. Additionally, more gloves, masks and hand sanitizer have been given out to adequately deal with the pandemic in New York.
Union president Pat Lynch said in a statement-
“No matter how this pandemic progresses, New York City police officers will remain on the front lines and will continue to carry out our duties protecting New Yorkers…But we shouldn’t be forced to do so without adequate protection.”
At the time of writing this blog, no NYPD officers have been confirmed to have contracted COVID-19. However, that might change if the virus begin to affect manpower. For example, switches to 12-hour rotations will be put in place to deal with the pandemic in New York.
5. You can take steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19
There’s a lot of good that can come from all of us following the protocols put in place. Protect yourself and others during the pandemic in New York by taking the following precautions:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
- Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands
- Don’t shake hands with others
- Monitor your health for cold and flu-like symptoms
- Stay at home if you feel any symptoms. If they don’t reside in 24-48 hours, tell your doctor
- Avoid unnecessary gatherings and travel
- If you feel sick, stay away from people with conditions like lung disease or weak immune systems
- Consider working from home if possible
- Avoid public transport if possible
- Practise social distancing
If you’d like to keep yourself informed about the latest developments, head to nyc.gov/coronavirus.
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