Environmental Noise in New York City Long-Term Care Facilities: A Window Into the COVID-19 Pandemic

One-third of all deaths attributed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)] in the United States have occurred in nursing homes (NHs), where more than 1.3 million residents live and are cared for by more than 3 million employees.1,2 Limiting the spread of COVID-19 in NHs has been uniquely challenging, likely related to asymptomatic carriers,3,4 atypical COVID-19 symptoms,5 and the need for frequent close contact between staff and residents.2 In an effort to decrease COVID-19 spread, on March 13, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance to NHs, including restriction of visitors and nonessential personnel and cancelling communal dining and group activities.