PUBLISHED: Thursday, March 12, 2020

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As tweeted by Governor Cuomo during his press conference today addressing the state’s new approach to reduce density statewide in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus, so that hospitals can manage cases if and when they increase:

“We are taking new actions to reduce the density of people across the state. Starting Friday at 5 pm, gatherings with 500 people or more will not be permitted in NYS. Additionally, for facilities with an occupancy of 500 or fewer, we are reducing the legal capacity by 50%.

“For Broadway theaters in Manhattan, these rules will go into effect at 5 pm TODAY. We have already spoken to the theaters about these new measures and they agreed.”

When asked if businesses were complying, Governor Cuomo responded positively: “Everybody wants to make sure we get through this as easily as possible,” the governor said. Also stated by another official: “Businesses are eager for guidance.”

When asked about office buildings and if those were included in the density reduction strategy, an official responded: “It’s congregate places.” Governor Cuomo stressed concentrated spaces. Many businesses in New York have already instituted work-from-home policies as precautionary measures. CBS had two staffers test positive for coronavirus, and directed people to work from home, though broadcasts will still continue from other locations.

Local Businesses In Beacon

Local businesses in Beacon have been responding to the new work-from-home life. Zoned Fitness is revving up their digitally broadcast workout program, Hybrid PT, as announced via their Instagram.

The local tech flower delivery company Lovingly is offering to loan their extra laptops to staff who may have kids at home who are doing remote learning, should that happen (not happening in Beacon as of yet). This is a sign of businesses planning and pivoting to adjust to a new normal, however long that should last.

Beacon Pilates and Society of Lash both sent emails to their client lists, letting their customers know that extra cleaning is happening in their locations, and to stay home if customers feel in any way sick. Beacon’s lady barber Lucky Longo and River Therapeutic Massage also Instagrammed to their customers to stay home if they are sick.

Photo Credit: Utensil — *Photo Credit:* *Utensil*

Should this make you freak out about leaving the house? No. Leave the house (if you’re not sick… If you’re sneezing and sniffly, just binge-watch something or read a book inside). Get fresh air. Go shopping. Utensil has shown customers how they are wiping their cash register system for you.

Say hi to your neighbors. Just stay a casual distance between people (like 6 feet) so that just in case you do have it, but show no symptoms, you are part of reducing the chance of it spreading. Maybe don’t visit your grandparents right now, and call them on FaceTime instead.

Governor Cuomo Ended With This Observation

Governor Cuomo ended his press release with this: “I went through Ebola. That was frightening. That was closer to what the mindset of the public is. Ebola was hard to cure. If you got Ebola, you were in a serious situation. That is not the case here. That’s not what the numbers say. This is about having the system in place to manage it.” He stressed that they are planning “this emergency health management system… Testing and having the hospitals ready.”