Daily Coronavirus News Update: New York is on PAUSE

It’s week two of our coronavirus daily news updates (we took a break on Sunday).

Latest Numbers

Mayor de Blasio’s office last night put the numbers at 10,764 cases in New York City as of 6 PM with 99 deaths. Brooklyn goes back into the lead with 3,154 cases. Queens has 3,050, Manhattan has 2,324, the Bronx has 1,564 and Staten Island has an ominous 666. New York State Department of Health website was last updated yesterday at 2:15 PM, with New York City cases  at 15,168 state wide

Army Corps Will Build 4 Temporary Hospitals

With the sites approved over the weekend, the Army Corps of Engineers will build four temporary hospitals in New York: SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY Westbury, Westchester County Center and Jacob K. Javits Center. FEMA will build the four hospitals within the Javits Center. In addition, New York State has leased a 600-bed capacity nursing home facility in Brooklyn to convert into a temporary hospital.

Lack of Social Distancing Will Be Addressed

1. Effective at 8PM on Sunday, March 22, all non-essential businesses statewide will be closed;
2. Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time;
3. Any concentration of individuals outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced;
4. When in public individuals must practice social distancing of at least six feet from others;
5. Businesses and entities that provide other essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet;
6. Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where they come in close contact with other people;
7. Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least six feet from other riders;
8. Sick individuals should not leave their home unless to receive medical care and only after a telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health;
9. Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations; and
10. Use precautionary sanitizer practices such as using isopropyl alcohol wipes.

Economic Stabilization Package Has Not Passed Yet

Democrats (and some Republicans), have blocked the passage of the economic stabilization package in the Senate because they say it does not have “adequately protect workers or impose strict enough restrictions on bailed-out businesses,” according to the New York Times. The party is in talks with the White House on how a compromise might be struck.

Cuomo Channels FDR’s Fireside Chats

Saturday, Cuomo went into FDR mode a little, concluding his press conference with reflection. Part of the speech, which you can read in full here (or watch above), included:
So what do we learn about ourselves? I think what we are saying already is a crisis really brings out the truth about ourselves first of all and about others. And your see people’s strengths and you see people’s weaknesses. You see society’s strengths and you see society’s weaknesses. You see both the beauty and the vulnerability. You see the best in people and you see the worst in people. You see people rise to the occasion and you see people fall from the burden of the emotion…
My last point is practice humanity. We don’t talk about practicing humanity, but now if ever there is a time to practice humanity the time is now. The time is now to show some kindness, to show some compassion to people, show some gentility – even as a New Yorker. Yes, we can be tough. Yes, this is a dense environment. It can be a difficult environment. It can also be the most supportive, courageous community that you have ever seen. And this is a time for a little gentility. It is a time for a smile when you are walking past someone. It is a time for a nod. It is a time to say hello. It is a time for patience and don’t let the little things get you annoyed. That’s New York at its best. That was New York after 9/11.

Daily Cello Performances by Our Founder

Yesterday, our founder Michelle Young continued her daily cello recordings with Bach Cello Suite #1, which you can find on her Instagram and Twitter.
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