Brooklyn Coronavirus Update and Open Thread: Flawed Antibody Tests (4/20/20)

We’re in the sixth week of sheltering in place and the 20th day of home schooling for New York City schools.

Cuomo’s plan for a phased-in reopening in New York City and beyond depends on antibody tests, and they are proving unreliable, with false results in the 80 percent range.

After loans to small businesses — crucial to Brooklyn — proved insufficient, Congress is considering more. Subways are reported deserted at off hours except for the homeless, some of whom have been dying on platforms of COVID, according to reports.

As for unemployment, even after New Yorkers succeed in filing, they are not receiving their money. New York State has issued some funds on debit cards that have gone astray in the mail or do not work. The paper apparently had no trouble finding people who had less than $1 left in their bank accounts and were struggling to feed themselves.

How are you weathering the shutdown, and what are your concerns and thoughts? What do you think should be done in Brooklyn to combat the spread of the virus and save local businesses and jobs? Please feel free to comment in a respectful manner (please, no personal attacks, nothing libelous). If you are not already logged in, go up to the top right hand side of the page and log in to be able to comment.