News Room

As Covid-19 cases took off in New York in March, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo imposed a lockdown of nonessential businesses to slow the spread of the coronavirus, calling it “the most drastic action we can take.” Now researchers say more targeted approaches — in New York and elsewhere — might have protected public health with less economic pain.

In the fight against the coronavirus, assuming the best-case scenario — the population continuing to maintain social distancing and hand hygiene; keeping the elderly protected by sheltering in place; wearing masks; robust testing; and “really good contact tracing” — we’ll see the virus smolder. Absent that good behavior, we may see a potentially devastating second wave in the fall.

The coronavirus appears to be in retreat in regions that moved decisively to contain it after being hit hard, including New York and New Jersey. But the virus is persisting — and, in some places, spreading aggressively — in parts of the South, Midwest and West, including in states that were among the last to impose shutdowns and the first to lift them.

As summer approaches and the weather gets warmer, you might be wondering how many of your typical activities can go on as planned right now given the COVID-19 pandemic. Though outdoor activities are generally safer than indoor ones, anything where you come in direct contact with other people will generally drive the risk of infection up.

So while you may feel OK about going for a bike ride or running on an empty trail, how about our favorite summer pastime: barbecues? We consulted an expert to see when and if you can fire up the grill with peace of mind this summer.

There is light at the end of the coronavirus tunnel. States like California have released their phased reopening plans and others, like Georgia, have already started reopening their states. In these phased responses, the first phase has typically consisted of reopening  lower-risk businesses and venues. Voluntary compliance with virus transmission mitigation practices like hand washing, social distancing and face mask use has been in everyone’s best interest and will continue to be since a resurgence of cases may lead governors to reinstate shelter-in-place orders, effectively squelching any economic rebounds. With that said, every state reopening represents an opportunity to collect data and identify best practices that can benefit other states.