Paper and Threads

New York City (NYC) is ending the first week in our Phase 1 reopening.  My husband and I both walked with social distancing and masks, which felt really good.  Each day the Government goal was to test 35,000 people in NYC and there were only 1.2% positive virus cases in Manhattan from Thursday.  Governor Cuomo, right from March, planned to reduce the number of cases based on CDC guidelines and consultation with other epidemiologists, and only then to begin Phase 1 reopening, by regions, across the state. If the numbers increase, we will be held in this phase until the number of cases drops again - or go back to partial shutdown. 

The Rt (rate of transmission) was 0.77, which means that each infected person is infecting <1 other person.  An Rt above 1.2 will mean one person is infecting more than one other person and it could be the beginning of another surge.  We've been there and don't want to do that again.  Last Sunday NY State had 2% positive cases (~50,000 tests), and yesterday it was 1.5%.  Each region has an army of trackers and a tracker contacts each positive patient, for quarantine.  Their contacts are then traced, tested, and asked to begin quarantine. I look at the increasing number of cases in other states and don't want to be there again. 

I think we can now be sure that the coronavirus will be with us for months or until we have a vaccine and robust vaccination program.  Test-Track-Quarantine is a new concept for me, but every epidemiologist says that is the only way to control a pandemic.  New Knowledge for this old MD!

Posted by Shirley at 6:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NYC entered Phase 1 of Reopening on Monday and I planned my brief escape for a morning walk in my neighborhood - of course wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing.  400,000 New York City workers were returning to jobs in manufacturing and construction - with guidelines for worker protection outlined for companies.  In addition retail stores were open for sidewalk pickup.  I walked up one Avenue and down the next for a total of 1+ miles.  I saw people walking dogs, early morning walkers, a few people who looked like they were going back to work - about 100 people in all.  Almost everyone had on masks.  But I also saw runners - who rarely wore a mask, and were running in the middle of the sidewalk, refusing to move to the side. 

Yesterday my husband and I went to Central Park and saw our daughter, one son, my daughter-in-law, and 6 of our grandkids - with 3 blankets each separated by 6 feet.  It was delightful, after months of phone calls, ZOOM, and FaceTime.  Onward....

Posted by Shirley at 6:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I was a college and medical student during the civil rights era and spent my medical career working with patients from underserved communities.  If I believed that I could protect myself and my husband from the coronavirus I would be out there protesting and marching with everyone.  I listened to Mario Cuomo's 1984 Democratic Convention speech several days ago (The Tale of Two Cities-You Tube) and it is frightening how little progress has been made since then. 

To the protesters:  Wear your masks - even though cloth masks are primarily protecting you against other people.  Social distance (>6 feet) as much as possible - this is critical.  Wash your hands or sanitize them frequently.  And don't touch your mask, face, nose, or eyes.  See link below the image for good mask information.

Since police don't seem to be wearing masks - avoid them as much as possible - 6 feet or more!!  My masked person today is faced with 3 different size coronaviruses.  Large droplets from coughing or sneezing will drop to surfaces.  Medium size coronaviruses will eventually drop, but it may take longer.  The small coronaviruses can be exhaled or released during normal speech and increase in number when using a loud voice.  There are scientific studies that demonstrate this using aerosolized particles.  Stay healthy.

Face Mask for Coronavirus: Types, Best Filters, How to Make.  

https://www.webmd.com/lung/coronavirus-face-masks  

Posted by Shirley at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

New York City is "reopening" on June 8th.  This was excellent news! Our "stay at home" shut down on March 22nd was associated with a big surge in Covid-19 cases, a peak, and then a slow decrease to meet the strict guidelines for our reopening.  Now added to the fear of many new cases in the Phase 1 reopening, there are peaceful protest marches for social justice of 1000s of people every day, with a separate group that is believed to arrive after dark in order to loot high end stores.  An 8PM curfew was set for the rest of this week, and looters are being arrested. 

Governor Cuomo was amazing during these months, and like lots of people across the US, we watched his daily briefing every day.  He used science and data to accomplish so much.  Now we are hoping that we won't have a separate peak of Coronavirus infections after so many mass gatherings.   Only 2% of virus tests are currently positive in NY- with 40,000 tests per day.  The low level of community infection, wearing masks, and marching outside may reduce the chance of a second wave after the protests.  In our age range, the fatality rate in NY is calculated at 44% and the chances of getting off a respirator is <20%.  Those statistics make me scared to reenter the world - even with a mask and gloves, and social distancing for a brisk daily walk in our neighborhood.  Looking forward to June 8th, with anxiety! 

The figures were drawn on a quarter sheet of copy paper, painted with watercolor paints, and collaged onto a background sheet made on a Gelli Arts plate. 

Posted by Shirley at 6:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Stay at Home NYC" may end soon.  Some regions of NY State are ready to move into Phase 2 of Reopening, some just started Phase 1, and if the COVID-19 Statistics remain on course we will enter Phase 1 on Monday June 8.  I have never been so happy that we live in a state where the Governor believes in scientific evidence and data determines our path.  Since New York City was the epicenter for the virus, and it spread from Europe (based on recent elegant genetic studies), we had community acquired infections before the first case was documented on March 1st.  Most came through the 3 airports - LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark.  Antibody tests show that we still have active transmission, but test, track, isolate- the golden rule for mitigation of epidemics  - may slow down spread within the City even further.  But now I'm worried about spread from the parts of the country where science means nothing!   

This is the 7th sketchbook page of my COVID-19 Drawings.  My figures are adapted from two photo books I listed several blog posts ago.  I draw on a quarter piece of scrap copy paper and use ink and watercolors to complete the drawings.  Each painting is then cut out and collaged onto a sketchbook page - frequently with a background of paste paper I made. 

Posted by Shirley at 8:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)