Amazing data: how quarantine changed New York

New York has never looked so different - empty streets and empty shops. Several workers who are representatives of vital professions, and mandatory face masks. But besides the changes we can see directly, there are other lifestyle changes that reflect the struggles and needs that have arisen over the past month. Writes about it The New York Times.

The unemployment rate has grown, and this number is amazing. Since state quarantine has been extended until May 15, this is a desperate time for many.

But some evidence shows glimmers of hope. Although hundreds of food banks were forced to close, the city's volunteer fund expanded significantly. Air pollution is reduced. Applications for custody of stray animals soared to heaven.

New York in numbers

Present in several = 2637%

Increase in the number of applications for unemployment benefits

During the week of March 22, nearly 144 applications for unemployment benefits were filed in New York. This is 000% more compared to 2637, when about 2019 applications were submitted over the same time period.

And there are many more who did not manage to submit an application, since the system was overloaded.

7%

Manhattan Trash Reduction

According to utilities, the amount of garbage collected in Manhattan has decreased by almost 7% compared with the average for this month over the past five years.

The decrease is most likely a reflection of the decline in the number of New Yorkers due to those who had the means to move to another place during the pandemic.

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Greenwich Village, the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side, the areas with some of the highest average incomes in the city, are leading the way in reducing waste by 11, 10, and 8 percent.

Little has changed in the rest of the city, although Staten Island saw the largest increase in garbage - 7% more waste than usual.

3000

The number of applications for custody of animals

The city has grown an interest in raising pets, as many New Yorkers are looking for a company and have more time to care for animals.

Foster Dogs, a nonprofit organization that works with approximately 30 shelters and rescue organizations in the New York area, received more than 3000 dog applications in March. Their website traffic increased by 250%.

In comparison, Foster Dogs received an average of 140 applications per month in 2019.

In March, the Muddy Paws Rescue, a New York-based nonprofit organization, received seven times more applications for dog care than just two months ago.

Present in several = 18%

Reducing morning electricity consumption

Electricity consumption decreased when offices and schools began to close, and then increased until the end of March.

According to the independent System Operator in New York, the agency responsible for managing the state’s electric grid, by the end of the month, energy consumption in the city had dropped by more than 10%.

Changes were most noticeable in the mornings on weekdays, when usage usually increased as people started their day before work. Now, when people stay at home, it turned out that many wake up later than usual.

Present in several = 42%

Increased complaints about TV volume

According to NYC Open Data, New Yorkers' patience for noisy neighbors has run out, especially when it comes to TV volume, which led to an increase in the number of complaints by 311 in March, which is 42% compared to last year.

Complaints of loud conversations and music increased by 12 and 30 percent throughout the city.

Likewise, complaints of noise in residential premises increased significantly in each district, peaking with a 33 percent increase in Staten Island. New Yorkers are particularly annoyed by the noise of helicopters.

Present in several = 90%

Reducing the number of passengers in the subway

Over the past three years, the Transport Authority has been struggling to improve the collapsing system, even though the number of passengers was higher than ever. In 2019, during one week in mid-April, 34 million passengers were registered in the metro.

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As of April 11, the number of passengers was reduced to 2,5 million. The sharpest decline occurred in Manhattan, while in the Bronx, where the highest level of poverty among all areas, the number of passengers decreased the least.

Present in several = 19,9%

Crime reduction

March began with a surge of serious crimes such as homicide and burglary, but soon there was a sharp decline in overall crime in each area.

According to the city police department, from March 12 to March 31, the number of murders decreased by 25% compared with the same period last year. Allegations of rape and theft have also declined.

Reports of domestic violence fell by almost 15%. This fall, however, may mean that victims cannot report crimes under quarantine.

The virus creates a burden on the police: it must monitor the implementation of all quarantine rules, despite the fact that every sixth employee is sick or quarantined.

Present in several = 60%

Reduced traffic on busiest bridges and tunnels

On the first Monday of March, more than 850 vehicles passed through nine city bridges, including the Queens-Midtown Tunnel and the Verrazzano-Narrow Bridge. Three weeks later, that number dropped to 000.

Less busy roads gave drivers a new sense of freedom. City automatic speed cameras at the end of March issued about 25 coupons in one day, which, according to the city, is twice as much as in the previous month.

However, the roads were safer. Traffic accidents as a whole decreased by almost 60%, while in the last week of March a little more than 1000 accidents were registered.

Present in several = 288%

Increasing the number of people signing up for volunteering

Many New Yorkers volunteer every year, but only in March the number of applications increased almost threefold, from 6500 compared to about 2400 in 2019.

Most volunteers seek to work in food programs and provide social support to older people.

“There is a huge need for virtual volunteering in order to talk to another person so that he does not feel lonely,” said Anusha Venkataraman, chief service officer for the city.

New York Cares reported that its volunteers handed out over 130 meals in March, an increase of 000 over the previous month.

Present in several = 37%

Closure of food pantries

Despite the increased interest in volunteering, the increased risk of coronavirus for people over 65 forced the closure of some food pantries, especially those run by older volunteers.

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City Harvest and Food Bank for New York, the city’s two largest food charities, saw a reduction in the number of canteens and pantries they serve. Almost 40% of the Food Bank’s 800 outlets were closed, and a third of the 284 City Harvest outlets it serves also closed.

Present in several = 25%

Reduced air pollution throughout the city

Oddly enough, the isolation mode has made outdoor air safer.

Based on environmental monitoring data on the levels of particulate matter, pollutants associated with asthma and lung cancer, it can be argued that air quality has improved significantly: the average pollution level in the city has decreased by 25%.