Brooklyn Coronavirus Update and Open Thread: When Will It End? (4/13/20)

We’re in the fifth week of sheltering in place and the 15th day of home schooling for New York City schools. They will continue distance learning through the end of the year, Mayor de Blasio announced Saturday. (Now Cuomo says it’s his call.)

As social distancing has flattened the curve in New York and beyond, 52 percent of people in the U.S. under the age of 45 have lost their job, had their hours or pay cut, or been furloughed, according to a report from Data for Progress. Of those, 41 percent cannot meet basic costs such as housing and food. Experts predict a “record” number of bankruptcies will be filed in the next year, Bloomberg reported.

When can the economy reopen? President Trump has said some areas could partly reopen in May, while others say it could take longer. Based on the experience of China, some predict a limited reopening could take place as early as July, particularly if widespread testing and monitoring are available. Social distancing measures such as wearing masks and placing diners far apart in restaurants would still be in place.

How is your Passover going or how was your Easter weekend, if you celebrate either? What are you doing at home and what are your concerns and thoughts? What do you think should be done here in New York City 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.