New York City Bent The Curve In The Fight Against COVID-19 & Coming Back To Normalcy

Believe it or not, COVID-19 had caught us up unguarded. Besides, the trail corona left beyond borders, New York City remains the hardest-hit city in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we knew next to nothing at the start, the whole counter policies ran on a hit and trial basis. Gradually we reached the best protective measures for observing social distancing.

The cases started as early as the turn of the New Year calendar, cases of Corona in NYC sharply increased through March. Leaders remained cautiously optimistic that social distancing and a city-wide lockdown will show results as April progresses. However, as the days progressed, COVID-19 left a heavy toll of deaths behind in NYC.

Given the massive scale of COVID-infected patients, authorities struggled to produce new hospital facilities to accommodate the vast numbers of patients. They had been successful in converting the Javits Convention Center and setting up a temporary field hospital in Central Park.

However, the highly contagious nature of the Coronavirus has made it difficult to track it effectively. Because of poor early information, many people falling ill have gone to emergency departments with complaints of influenza-like illness.

The impact of Corona can be measured as the hospitals keep records of diseases and as many influenza-like illness symptoms are associated with COVID-19. It can be compared to earlier years to assess the depth of the current effect on the public. As of now, the picture is not as bleak as it looked at the start. We did a thorough study on how NYC weathered the storm and where it stands now.

The Disproportionate Effect of Corona in NYC:

So far the trend has been observed, it concludes that the virus COVID-19 does not afflict everyone equally and more men are being infected compared to women. According to the experts, the prime reason behind the disproportionate ratio may be that men do not look after their bodies as well as women do, generally.

Besides, they have a lower frequency of hand washing and poor hygiene when compared to women. To make things worse, higher levels of smoking, alcohol use, obesity, and other unhealthy behaviors add to their likelihood of being infected.

According to studies and research, immune response throughout life to everything from vaccines and infections to autoimmune diseases is typically more aggressive in women than in men. As the novel corona is a respiratory disease caused by a Coronavirus, this may be a particularly significant factor. The stats of the NYC Health department tell that the virus is certainly having a disproportionate effect on men.

Another contributing factor is age. The immune system becomes poor as the age grows and is poorer among older adults. It leaves them more exposed to such a disease. Not only does it make older people more prone to danger but also challenges the body’s ability to fend off the disease.

Setting Up Field Hospitals For Corona:

Ever since corona appeared on the horizon of NYC, authorities responded with great enthusiasm. Before the epidemic began, the NY state had 53,000 beds across its hospital system. However, in response to the pandemic, hospitals across the state have converted unused space into patient areas to increase the number above 80,000.

In addition to it, auxiliary hospitals were planned in each borough, and various temporary additions like the USNS Comfort and the Central Park field hospital were established. They did not rest there and tapped the additional sources of incorporating hotels and university dorms into the plan for backup which makes the total number well over 100,000 beds.

Bent The Curve:

NYC remained the hotspot of the Coronavirus and the worst-hit area in the country. It has left a trail of more than 20,000 deaths. It overcrowded hospitals and overwhelmed funeral homes.

At its peak in April, more than 500 people died daily. But ever since, things are getting better. The curves started flattening thanks to the unexhausted service of the authorities and the great character of the people.

The governor played a significant role in curbing the effects of Corona. He led from the front, kept the people in the loop, and shared all information about the pandemic. He held daily briefings sessions and procured medical equipment. The people of New York rate him highly and started seeing him as a man of crisis.

Returning To Normalcy:

Though we are not yet done with the pandemic, there is still a long way to go. Things have already started falling in place. It had been a 78 days lockdown with order stay-at-home which is the longest lockdown in the country.

NYC is reopening the business sector in phases which started on June 8.  All the sectors have been divided into two categories essential and non-essential. However, business resumption is subject to the implementation of health protocol. Mentioned policies and guidelines have been issued by the authority.

It means that hundreds and thousands of people may get their jobs including nonessential workers in construction and manufacture back and unemployment will fall drastically. The rest of the state is already well into the second phase but since the city was the epicenter of the Corona, it alone is a major milestone in their bid to fight against corona.

As the mayor, Bill de Blasio said, “this is a triumphant moment for New Yorkers who fought back the disease”.

Final Words:

It is no less than a miracle that things are falling back to normal in NYC. Given the effect corona left on the city, it demands great character not only from the leadership but also from the citizens to fight an invisible enemy at such a scale.

Though we are not completely out of danger yet. It is certainly a moment of relief and rejoices for the New Yorkers.