Some people have asked me if I’m worried that the protests we have seen across the state and nation will lead to an increase in COVID cases. Yes, I am worried. That’s why I’m asking New Yorkers who have attended a recent protest to
get tested for COVID and to act as if you may have been exposed. Anyone who attended a recent protest is eligible for a test and there’s no good reason not to get one (testing is free at all state-run COVID testing sites). We’ve made terrific progress in fighting this virus and it would be devastating to have any of that progress reversed now. So please — get tested, wear a mask and be smart.
Photo of the Day: A kitten sits next to a social distancing marker in Quezon City, Philippines, next to a line of commuters (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
Here’s what else you need to know tonight:
1.
The state is launching a new focused testing strategy in NYC to closely monitor reopening. The state will perform approximately 35,000 tests per day in New York City, which enters phase 1 of reopening tomorrow. Additionally, the state is prioritizing 15 testing sites across the city for individuals who have participated in protests. More information on where and how to get tested for COVID-19 is available at
coronavirus.health.ny.gov.
2.
Learn more about the reopening process in NYC. A detailed guide of which businesses will reopen in New York City as part of Phase 1 and Phase 2 is available
here. Read how the MTA is preparing for Phase 1
here. Finally, you can monitor for yourself the data for the city on testing/tracing targets, hospital capacity, new infections and more at
this link.
3. Outdoor, socially distanced graduation ceremonies of up to 150 people will be allowed beginning June 26th. This is subject to any outbreaks or significant changes in the metrics.
4. The Mid-Hudson Valley is still on track to enter Phase 2 on Tuesday, June 9th. Long Island is on track to enter Phase 2 on Wednesday, June 10th, following a review of regional data by global public health experts.
5. Good news on Coronavirus testing results. The state tested 60,435 people yesterday for COVID. Of those, only 781 were positive — about 1% of the total. That’s very encouraging news to see as we accelerate reopening the state.
6. The total number of COVID hospitalizations continues to decline. Total hospitalizations fell to 2,427, from 2,603 the day before. Tragically, we lost 45 New Yorkers to the virus, up slightly from 35 the previous day.
Tonight’s “Deep Breath Moment”: A floral design company has installed elaborate flower displays in unlikely spots on the streets of New York City as a tribute to front line workers. The flower arrangements have popped up on a lamp post outside of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, near a Midtown taxi stand and by an old phone booth. “With the city being so desolate and people being stuck inside, and it being a cold, dismal spring, we needed hope,” said Lewis Miller, the owner of Lewis Miller Design,
in an interview with CNN. “Doing it for the health care workers was a no-brainer.”
If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe to New York State’s Coronavirus Updates here.
Ever Upward,
