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Coronavirus Updates: NY State Pools Open For July 4th Weekend

By

Jen Chung

Published Jul 3, 2020

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A 'No Justice, No Peace' banner hanging on a wall on the Manhattan Bridge, with the bicyclist passing by

 

Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

By

Jen Chung

Published Jul 3, 2020

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This is our daily update of breaking COVID-19 news for Friday, July 3rd 2020. Previous daily updates can be found here, and up-to-date statistics are here.

New York City is in Phase 2 of reopening now, which includes outdoor dining; hair salons and barbershops; and playgrounds are open, . Here's a look at preparing for the spread of coronavirus is here, and if you have lingering questions about the virus, here is our regularly updated coronavirus FAQ. Here are some local and state hotlines for more information: NYC: 311; NY State Hotline: 888-364-3065; NJ State Hotline: 800-222-1222.

Here's the latest:

Just in time for the long weekend, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the state's outdoor pools would be open on Friday, July 3rd. The pools, operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, will have specific procedures during the pandemic.

"As we are getting ready to celebrate the Fourth of July, we must remember all the sacrifices New Yorkers have made to flatten the curve of the pandemic and be cautious in everything we do," Cuomo said in a press release. "The virus does not take a holiday, and so I urge New Yorkers who are visiting swimming pools to follow all the social distancing guidelines in effect to protect themselves and each other. When you're not in a pool, where a mask if you can't socially distance. The bottom line is be vigilant and stay safe while enjoying some time outside."

Here are the details of what visitors to pools—like Riverbank State Park in Harlem, Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx, and Jones Beach on Long Island— can expect, according to the states:

Locker rooms are also closed.

Cuomo would also really like everyone to wear a mask if they are out and about:

Cuomo's plea comes as the country experienced another 50,000-plus increase in coronavirus cases—the NY Times reports there were 55,000 on Thursday, and Florida recorded 10,109 cases, a new record for the state. According to Johns Hopkins University, there are 2,740,353 cases in the U.S., and 128,741 deaths.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott finally issued a mask order for the state, but with caveats: The order states "all Texans to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive COVID-19 cases, with few exceptions."

"Wearing a face covering in public is proven to be one of the most effective ways we have to slow the spread of COVID-19," said Governor Abbott. “We have the ability to keep businesses open and move our economy forward so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheck, but it requires each of us to do our part to protect one another—and that means wearing a face covering in public spaces."

Abbott had been resisting a mask order up until recently, even as cases were spiking in Texas. The state now has hit a new high in hospitalizations. The Texas Medical Association's president, Dr. Diana Fite, said, "The physicians of Texas are very pleased that Gov. Abbott is following the science. There is no question about it — face masks reduce the spread of COVID-19. They help protect the people wearing masks, and they help protect the people around them."

There are now 7,382 COVID-related patients in Texas hospitals; the Austin-American Statesman reports, "Thursday’s hospitalizations were up 289% from June 1, when 1,773 hospital beds were taken by COVID-19 patients."

However, one challenge is there are not enough testing sites in Texas... or they are closing for the holiday weekend:

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COVID-19

covid-19 updates

coronavirus

Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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