Life in the quarantine zone: what is happening in the suburbs of New York - the epicenter of the disease COVID-19

Life in the city of New Rochelle in the state of New York has changed a lot since the authorities announced the creation of the first quarantine zone in the United States. Schools do not work, people are forced to stay at home, which causes them anxiety and excitement. About how life goes on in this place, told the publication The New York Times.

Why was the quarantine zone created?

On March 3, a coronavirus was confirmed at a parishioner of the Young Israel synagogue in New Rochelle, New York. He became the first resident of the city who discovered COVID-19. After that, people began to get sick on a massive scale, in connection with which it was decided to create a quarantine zone in this place. Behind the decision is State Governor Andrew Cuomo, who hopes in this way to curb the outbreak.

As of Wednesday, March 11, 121 positive cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the city. Many of the patients are somehow related to the local synagogue, the source said. According to the Department of Health, this is the largest cluster in the state and one of the largest in the United States.

On March 12, the National Guard arrived in New Rochelle. Half a dozen military brought food to local residents. The main task of the military, according to Cuomo, is to deliver food to residents who are in quarantine at home, and to disinfect public places. In total, about 80 thousand people live in New Rochelle.

The brought foodstuffs will be delivered for school breakfasts by almost 3000 students, whose classes were canceled for the next two weeks. This food is intended for children who are entitled to free or reduced-price meals, the source said.

What is prohibited due to quarantine

Within the quarantine zone, crowded meetings are not permitted for the next two weeks. Dozens of schools and community centers, several houses of worship, and one country club will also be closed during this period.

Shops continue to work so that people can freely buy everything they need.

New Rochelle measures could be a harbinger of similar, perhaps more restrictive measures across America.

New Rochelle “is the single most problematic area in the state,” Governor Cuomo said at a March 10 news conference, adding that the quarantine zone was set up to prevent mass gatherings where there is a greater risk of contracting the virus. “This is called common sense,” said the governor.

On the subject: New quarantine zone to be created in New York due to COVID-2019

Population testing

A new coronavirus testing center is being set up in New Rochelle. It is also planned to create more than two dozen private laboratories, which will also begin testing on COVID-19.

In addition, last week a medical center was established here, located a few kilometers from the localization zone. Workers at this center conduct home-based testing for locals who have expressed such a desire over the phone.

How Quarantine Affected City Life

On March 11, officials provided dozens of laptops for temporary use to some of the more than 5000 quarantined public school students. On the same day, school staff in New Rochelle delivered laptops to students home.

Quarantine has affected various areas of the city. So, a block from the Young Israel synagogue, restaurants are almost empty; among the few who stood at bus stops or walked along the sidewalks nearby, several masked people could be seen.

More than 100 families who are parishioners of the synagogue are on a two-week self-quarantine.

Even New York State prisoners who manufacture a new hand sanitizer have stepped in to fight against coronavirus. The City Hall of New Rochelle will distribute large quantities of this tool in public places. It is noted that it is impossible to buy disinfectants in most stores today - the shelves are empty.

What the locals say

According to Citizen New Rochelle, 66-year-old Eli Epstein, today because of quarantine, the population of the city is cut off from outside life. “This is a mixture of boredom and anxiety,” he stated. “We are cut off from our lives, from our friends, from our families.” We are stuck at home. ” Epstein is worried because he does not understand how long forced isolation will last.

There are signs in the courthouse less than one and a half kilometers from the synagogue warning that everyone who has visited China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran over the past 14 days is not allowed inside.

“I have not left my apartment since last Tuesday,” said Mark Semer, a resident and former president of the synagogue. - It is very difficult". He only left the house a few times in the backyard to play basketball with his son on the driveway or to take out the trash on the sidelines. Now Mark works remotely, being at home with his wife and three children. “This is uncomfortable,” he complains. “I like my routine.”

Patrick Flores, a 34-year-old physical education teacher, said he lives less than a kilometer from the synagogue. Before, he went to work every day and did not contact any of those suspected of being infected with the coronavirus. But Flores is still worried, he regularly washes his hands and even changes clothes as soon as he returns home. “I'm just worried about my parents,” he added. “They are both already old, so I make sure everything is in order with them.”

Mayor Rochelle Noam Bramson also lives in the quarantine zone. “It so happened that I live in a quarantine zone,” said Bramson. “I note that this has a significant impact on New Rochelle,” he said, implying possible problems with childcare because schools are closed.

The greatest concern is older people and those who have problems with the respiratory tract, or who have weakened immunity, he added. Therefore, visiting the nursing homes is prohibited in the city.

Answering the question whether the extension of quarantine is possible, the mayor said that at present there are no such plans. “But we must admit that this situation is developing. It changes not only by the day, but also by the hour. So, over time, additional measures will obviously be required, ”he concluded.