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COVID-19 Digest: August 17

COVID-19 Digest: August 17

August 17, 2020 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes

COVID-19 Digest

Monday, August 17, 2020As NYC’s reopening and recovery efforts continue, the digest will focus on the resources that help you make decisions about your businesses and your lives as New Yorkers.Below and in our resource guide, you’ll find the latest information on government resources for businesses, city and state reopening measures, and return-to-office preparedness plans. If this can be useful to your colleagues and network, encourage them to sign up here.

The Latest in New York

The latest: Gyms get guidelines for reopening; House will return this week to troubleshoot USPS; Columbia to be remote-only this fall for undergrads, walking back earlier plans; only 26 percent of Manhattanites to return to offices by year’s end, says new survey. Confirmed Cases:

New York State: 425,916 (+408)
New York City: 230,458 (+235)
Statewide Fatalities: 25,256 (+6)
Daily NYC Infection Rate: 0.9 percent (no change)

General Updates:

New York marked its tenth straight day of a COVID-19 infection rate under one percent. (NYS) But with schools soon to reopen and more activities moving indoors as the weather cools, officials are ramping up plans to fend off a second wave in the fall. (New York Times) Flu shots could prove all the more urgent. (New York Times)
Gov. Cuomo announced guidance for reopening gyms, museums, and bowling alleys this month. (USA Today) More details on that below.
New York is maintaining a relatively low infection rate as lockdown restrictions continue to loosen. However, that success is contingent on human behavior — this past weekend, the NYPD broke up two underground parties with hundreds of attendees in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, which is facing rising case numbers. (New York Post) Further, the state’s travel advisory may not be doing enough to encourage returning travelers to comply. (New York Times)
The House has been called back from its summer recess early to address mounting US Postal Service problems. (POLITICO) The USPS is expected to play a bigger role in this year’s elections as millions more Americans will rely on mail-in voting due to coronavirus concerns.
The (almost completely virtual) Democratic National Convention begins tonight with two hours of speakers and performances each night through Thursday. Among those kicking things off tonight are former first lady Michelle Obama, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and interestingly, four Republican officials. (Axios) Also making an appearance tonight is New York’s own Gov. Cuomo. (Wall Street Journal) Here’s a full rundown of who’s speaking and where to watch.

One opportunity: Humans Ventures is accepting applications for Humans in the Wild, a 100-day, no equity incubation program for early-stage founders. The Fall 2020 cohort will support entrepreneurs focused on the future of work. Applications are due Sept. 9. Get more details here.Two good, complementary reads: Want to Flee The City for Suburbia? Think Again (New York Times) Moving to New York, Despite the Pandemic (New York Times)

Survey

The latest results: Over the course of the pandemic, how have your podcast listening habits changed?

15.5%: I’ve listened to podcasts more often
43.1%: I’ve listened to podcasts less often
16.1%: I’ve listened to podcasts the same amount
25.3%: I never listened to podcasts

Today’s poll: It’s easy to envision going to a museum safely at reduced capacity — there are spacious rooms, people speak softly and move slowly, and there’s usually good ventilation to protect the art. Gyms are a very different story, with people grunting, sweating, and sharing a lot of equipment. But Gov. Cuomo believes it can be done. Assuming all safety protocols are in place, are you comfortable returning to a gym or fitness studio?

*|SURVEY: Yes, I would be comfortable returning when they reopen this month|*
*|SURVEY: No, I would be comfortable returning only later this year or in 2021|*
*|SURVEY: No, I would be comfortable returning only when there is a vaccine|*

Find the poll results from all previous editions of this newsletter here.

What You Need to Know

What to Know: Reopening:

Gyms will be allowed to reopen as early as August 24. (NY1) But before they get the greenlight, local health officials must ensure a list of safety protocols are in place no later than Sept. 2:
- They may reopen to 33 percent maximum capacity and masks must be worn at all times;
- They will be required to maintain sign-in and sign-out sheets to make contact tracing easier should there be an outbreak;
- They will be required to have installed air filtration systems that meet high efficiency ventilation standards.
- But NYC will not allow indoor gym classes by that date, despite the state’s approval. (Gothamist) Local officials must conduct inspections on gym facilities before they can reopen, and the mayor’s office indicated it is prioritizing school and child care reopenings and will not conduct gym inspections in time to meet the state’s timeline.
Museums may reopen on the same date, August 24. (NPR) Capacity must be limited to 25 percent and masks are required at all times. Rules designed to enforce social distancing and regulate the flow of crowds must also be in place.
Bowling alleys may reopen beginning today. (Gothamist) Capacity must be limited to 50 percent and spaced out, with every other lane closed, and masks are required at all times. For NYC bowling alleys, food and alcohol service must remain closed.
Another 16 streets and five pedestrian plazas were reallocated to serve as outdoor dining locations every weekend. Here are the latest additions. (Eater NY)
About two-third of NYC’s public schools have had their reopening plans approved so far. (New York Post) All of them opted for a mix of in-person and remote instruction and none requested all-remote classes.
And here’s what several of NYC’s private schools are doing to get their students back in class. (Bloomberg)
Columbia University is moving all of its undergraduate classes online for the fall semester. (Gothatmist) This is a significant reversal from its original plan to bring 60 percent of its undergraduate students back to campus.