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Photos, Video: The USNS Comfort Arrives In NYC
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 30, 2020
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 30, 2020
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The USNS Comfort arrived in New York on Monday morning, traveling from Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia to assist the city's healthcare system as the rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to increase. The floating hospital pulled up to Pier 90 just before 11 a.m., and New Yorkers documented the ship as it made its way along the Hudson River.
The ship will house 1,000 beds meant for non-coronavirus patients, alleviating strain on the city's hospitals. Another hospital has been set up at the Jacob Javits Center, which will similarly be used for patients who do not have the virus. Meanwhile, on Sunday, an emergency field hospital was built in Central Park, which will treat COVID-19 patients.
On Saturday, Governor Andrew Cuomo said during his press briefing that the USNS Comfort "also brings medical personnel, which frankly are more important than the beds in this case. And it has operating rooms... We'll use this to backfill and take pressure off the hospitals. I will greet it with open arms."
Both Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cuomo were on hand to welcome the ship this morning. The two officials, whose working relationship has had its ups and downs, appeared to be maintaining ample social distance. (Though others in attendance were not, as you'll see in our photos.)
Update, 3 p.m.: Mayor de Blasio welcome the ship this morning and said, "I think there've been times in recent days where a lot of New Yorkers have felt alone. A lot of New Yorkers have felt a sense of not being sure of what's coming next, not being sure of help would come. Well, I want to say to all New Yorkers, we have evidence here you are not alone. We are not alone. Our nation is helping us in our hour of need."
He also noted that the ship "comes an extraordinary compliment of talented individuals in service to our nation, 1,200 medical staff and sailors here to help us all. 750 beds will be put into play immediately to relieve the pressure on a hospital system ... The arrival of the Comfort – this is like adding a whole other hospital to New York City."
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COVID-19
usns comfort
coronavirus
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson 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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