Coronavirus Infections Spike In NYC 20-Somethings, De Blasio Says

NEW YORK CITY — New York City's 20-somethings put a damper on recent good news about New York City's recent dip in coronavirus rates.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday highlighted a "worrisome" spike in COVID-19 infections rates among New Yorkers aged 20 to 29. He contrasted young New Yorkers' rise in illnesses with steadily falling numbers in almost every coronavirus measurement — including a daylong respite from virus-linked deaths.

The pandemic has been difficult for younger adults who have spent months cooped up, disconnected and away from loved ones, de Blasio said.

"And I understand that people are just yearning to break out of that, but we've got to keep telling everyone, particularly younger adults, to stick to what has worked — the social distancing, the face coverings, getting tested," he said.

De Blasio said city officials will double down on efforts to reach younger people through "visual media," a night of outreach, mobile testing vans, mask giveaways and messages from social media influencers.

He said the efforts will remind young adults they're not "impervious" to the coronavirus.

"Everyone is susceptible to this disease and of course they could spread it to someone else they love," he said.

It's not the first time young New Yorkers have received gentle or not-so-gentle prodding from an elected leader over the coronavirus.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has often castigated young adults for not wearing masks or following social distancing guidelines. They're not Superman, he has said in a common refrain.

He also made personal calls to bars and restaurants — which are often young people hotspots — to urge to them to enforce social distancing guidelines.

De Blasio on Monday also released updated guidelines on wearing masks indoors.

"New Yorkers should wear a face covering as much as possible when around other people in an indoor setting that is not their home," the guidance stated.