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‘Scared and Panicked’: Travelers Rush to Avoid Virus Quarantine ‘Scared and Panicked’: Travelers Rush to Avoid Virus Quarantine
(about 11 hours later)
SAN FRANCISCO — Amid canceled flights, tightening global travel restrictions and looming plans to quarantine Americans returning from China, the tension at a handful of airports still receiving flights from the country mounted on Sunday. Travelers described a scramble for the few remaining tickets out of China, as federal officials readied military bases to house hundreds of people potentially exposed to the deadly coronavirus.SAN FRANCISCO — Amid canceled flights, tightening global travel restrictions and looming plans to quarantine Americans returning from China, the tension at a handful of airports still receiving flights from the country mounted on Sunday. Travelers described a scramble for the few remaining tickets out of China, as federal officials readied military bases to house hundreds of people potentially exposed to the deadly coronavirus.
“It feels like trying to leave Paris in 1940 or something — there’s a bit of panic settling in,” said Jeffrey Phillips, 41, who was unsure when his wife, Sue, would be able to return to the United States after a trip to visit her family in China.“It feels like trying to leave Paris in 1940 or something — there’s a bit of panic settling in,” said Jeffrey Phillips, 41, who was unsure when his wife, Sue, would be able to return to the United States after a trip to visit her family in China.
Under new federal rules that apply to United States-bound flights that take off after 5 p.m. Eastern time, American citizens who have been in China’s Hubei province, the epicenter of the epidemic, in the last 14 days will be subject to a quarantine of up to two weeks. Military bases said they were expecting to house about 1,000 such “evacuees.”Under new federal rules that apply to United States-bound flights that take off after 5 p.m. Eastern time, American citizens who have been in China’s Hubei province, the epicenter of the epidemic, in the last 14 days will be subject to a quarantine of up to two weeks. Military bases said they were expecting to house about 1,000 such “evacuees.”
Other United States citizens who have visited mainland China will undergo a health screening and can be ordered to quarantine in their homes for up to 14 days, according to the Homeland Security Department.Other United States citizens who have visited mainland China will undergo a health screening and can be ordered to quarantine in their homes for up to 14 days, according to the Homeland Security Department.
Waiting for a flight to arrive in San Francisco on Sunday before the new restrictions took effect, Jancey Gui, a student from China, said she and her friends exchanged frenzied messages after the United States announced the cutoff.Waiting for a flight to arrive in San Francisco on Sunday before the new restrictions took effect, Jancey Gui, a student from China, said she and her friends exchanged frenzied messages after the United States announced the cutoff.
“I was extremely scared and panicked,” she said. Ms. Gui rushed to change a ticket for her mother, who arrived on Sunday from the Chinese city of Xian.“I was extremely scared and panicked,” she said. Ms. Gui rushed to change a ticket for her mother, who arrived on Sunday from the Chinese city of Xian.
Under the restrictions announced by the Trump administration on Friday, foreign nationals who have been in China in the last two weeks will “generally” be denied entry into the United States. Federal officials said the rules were necessary to minimize the risk of the disease spreading further in the United States, where nine cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed so far, including one in the San Francisco area on Sunday.Under the restrictions announced by the Trump administration on Friday, foreign nationals who have been in China in the last two weeks will “generally” be denied entry into the United States. Federal officials said the rules were necessary to minimize the risk of the disease spreading further in the United States, where nine cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed so far, including one in the San Francisco area on Sunday.
“We pretty much shut it down coming in from China,” President Trump said in an interview taped Saturday with the Fox News personality Sean Hannity to air before the Super Bowl. “But we can’t have thousands of people coming in who may have this problem.”“We pretty much shut it down coming in from China,” President Trump said in an interview taped Saturday with the Fox News personality Sean Hannity to air before the Super Bowl. “But we can’t have thousands of people coming in who may have this problem.”
The number of lab-confirmed cases of the coronavirus stood at around 17,000 worldwide on Sunday, with over 360 reported deaths, all but one of them in China. A number of scientists now fear that the virus will become a pandemic — an ongoing epidemic on two or more continents, with potentially painful effects on health, travel and global commerce.The number of lab-confirmed cases of the coronavirus stood at around 17,000 worldwide on Sunday, with over 360 reported deaths, all but one of them in China. A number of scientists now fear that the virus will become a pandemic — an ongoing epidemic on two or more continents, with potentially painful effects on health, travel and global commerce.
[Has your travel been affected? Please contact us at coronavirus@nytimes.com if you are willing to be contacted by a reporter or have your comments used for an upcoming story.][Has your travel been affected? Please contact us at coronavirus@nytimes.com if you are willing to be contacted by a reporter or have your comments used for an upcoming story.]
All American citizens who have traveled in China within 14 days of their arrival home to the United States will be directed to one of 11 major airports in New York, Newark, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Honolulu, Atlanta or outside Washington.All American citizens who have traveled in China within 14 days of their arrival home to the United States will be directed to one of 11 major airports in New York, Newark, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Honolulu, Atlanta or outside Washington.
Mr. Phillips, who is from the St. Louis area, scrambled on Friday when several major airlines announced that they were halting flights out of China for weeks. His wife’s flight on American Airlines for Feb. 4 was canceled.Mr. Phillips, who is from the St. Louis area, scrambled on Friday when several major airlines announced that they were halting flights out of China for weeks. His wife’s flight on American Airlines for Feb. 4 was canceled.
“We might be separated for months,” he said. “We don’t know how bad this virus is going to get.”“We might be separated for months,” he said. “We don’t know how bad this virus is going to get.”
For now, the family has a hopeful backup plan: Ms. Phillips, 37, an American citizen, is booked through another airline on Monday on a flight to Korea, where she can then connect to a flight to Los Angeles, and then to St. Louis.For now, the family has a hopeful backup plan: Ms. Phillips, 37, an American citizen, is booked through another airline on Monday on a flight to Korea, where she can then connect to a flight to Los Angeles, and then to St. Louis.
“What I’m worried about now is, every day there’s more cancellations, more countries sealing off their borders,” Mr. Phillips said.“What I’m worried about now is, every day there’s more cancellations, more countries sealing off their borders,” Mr. Phillips said.
Senator Brian Schatz, Democrat of Hawaii, criticized the Trump administration for a lack of coordination that he said was creating confusion and concern among travelers.Senator Brian Schatz, Democrat of Hawaii, criticized the Trump administration for a lack of coordination that he said was creating confusion and concern among travelers.
“The White House is simply not equipped to handle this,” he said. “They have a number of vacancies that are creating a vacuum in leadership, and the communication that is required with state and local government and with impacted communities is very close to zero.”“The White House is simply not equipped to handle this,” he said. “They have a number of vacancies that are creating a vacuum in leadership, and the communication that is required with state and local government and with impacted communities is very close to zero.”
Hawaii’s lieutenant governor, Dr. Josh Green, who works in the emergency department at Kohala Hospital on the Big Island of Hawaii, agreed that coordination was lacking. “It was rushed,” he said, adding that “the Friday announcement online sent everybody into a frenzy without a comprehensive plan, and now everyone is being forced to race to that plan.”Hawaii’s lieutenant governor, Dr. Josh Green, who works in the emergency department at Kohala Hospital on the Big Island of Hawaii, agreed that coordination was lacking. “It was rushed,” he said, adding that “the Friday announcement online sent everybody into a frenzy without a comprehensive plan, and now everyone is being forced to race to that plan.”
Before last week, it had been more than 50 years since a federal quarantine had been issued, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said at a news conference on Friday. That one was in connection with smallpox.Before last week, it had been more than 50 years since a federal quarantine had been issued, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said at a news conference on Friday. That one was in connection with smallpox.
Passengers arriving at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday described a commotion to leave China. Richard Ren, a businessman who flew from Beijing, said he paid $2,000 to move his flight up by a day and make the deadline.Passengers arriving at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday described a commotion to leave China. Richard Ren, a businessman who flew from Beijing, said he paid $2,000 to move his flight up by a day and make the deadline.
“It was extremely tense,” Mr. Ren said in Mandarin. Like most passengers, he wore a mask as he walked through the arrivals hall and described an Air China flight across the Pacific where passengers used copious hand sanitizer, all the flight attendants wore masks, and passengers were deliberately seated with empty seats between them.“It was extremely tense,” Mr. Ren said in Mandarin. Like most passengers, he wore a mask as he walked through the arrivals hall and described an Air China flight across the Pacific where passengers used copious hand sanitizer, all the flight attendants wore masks, and passengers were deliberately seated with empty seats between them.
Mr. Ren and others arriving in San Francisco said they were not screened for symptoms when they arrived. But they described many screenings in China before their departure.Mr. Ren and others arriving in San Francisco said they were not screened for symptoms when they arrived. But they described many screenings in China before their departure.
Americans whose flights left after the 5 p.m. cutoff, and who had spent time in Hubei province, would be housed at one of four military bases for up to 14 days, the Defense Department said: Fort Carson in Colorado, Travis Air Force Base near San Francisco, Lackland Air Force Base in Texas or Marine Corps Air Station Miramar near San Diego.Americans whose flights left after the 5 p.m. cutoff, and who had spent time in Hubei province, would be housed at one of four military bases for up to 14 days, the Defense Department said: Fort Carson in Colorado, Travis Air Force Base near San Francisco, Lackland Air Force Base in Texas or Marine Corps Air Station Miramar near San Diego.
Each of the bases set up for quarantine have extensive, hotel-style quarters, the military said.Each of the bases set up for quarantine have extensive, hotel-style quarters, the military said.
About 200 Americans are currently quarantined at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, Calif., after arriving Wednesday on a State Department-chartered flight from Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province.About 200 Americans are currently quarantined at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, Calif., after arriving Wednesday on a State Department-chartered flight from Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province.
At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world’s busiest, federal health officials set up screening areas for arriving passengers, said Elise Durham, an airport spokeswoman. But the airport’s direct flight to and from China, a Delta flight to Shanghai, was suspended on Saturday, she said.At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world’s busiest, federal health officials set up screening areas for arriving passengers, said Elise Durham, an airport spokeswoman. But the airport’s direct flight to and from China, a Delta flight to Shanghai, was suspended on Saturday, she said.
Updated June 1, 2020 Updated June 2, 2020
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
The Transportation Security Administration has directed the airlines to determine if passengers traveled to China before allowing them to board their flights, a Department of Homeland Security official said.The Transportation Security Administration has directed the airlines to determine if passengers traveled to China before allowing them to board their flights, a Department of Homeland Security official said.
Customs and Border Protection officers have also been told to question travelers upon their arrival at one of the designated airports and comb through a travel history database to determine if they were in China, the official said. Anyone who has been in China within the past two weeks will be referred to officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for additional screening.Customs and Border Protection officers have also been told to question travelers upon their arrival at one of the designated airports and comb through a travel history database to determine if they were in China, the official said. Anyone who has been in China within the past two weeks will be referred to officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for additional screening.
The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to questions about how travelers would be transferred from the airports to quarantine facilities.The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to questions about how travelers would be transferred from the airports to quarantine facilities.
Since the United States announced the travel restrictions on Friday, a number of other countries, including Japan and Australia, have followed with their own.Since the United States announced the travel restrictions on Friday, a number of other countries, including Japan and Australia, have followed with their own.
“A lot of us airlines are trying to figure that out, candidly,” said Lisa Hellerstedt, a spokeswoman for Delta Air Lines, which is halting all fights from China after Sunday.“A lot of us airlines are trying to figure that out, candidly,” said Lisa Hellerstedt, a spokeswoman for Delta Air Lines, which is halting all fights from China after Sunday.
A number of travelers were critical of the Trump administration’s restrictions, which they described as rushed.A number of travelers were critical of the Trump administration’s restrictions, which they described as rushed.
“The deadline was too sudden, it ruined all our plans,” Kevin Luo, a passenger who traveled from China via Hong Kong and arrived in San Francisco on Sunday, said in Mandarin.“The deadline was too sudden, it ruined all our plans,” Kevin Luo, a passenger who traveled from China via Hong Kong and arrived in San Francisco on Sunday, said in Mandarin.
Amber Gao, also arriving in San Francisco, described a “fight” for the remaining tickets to the United States over the weekend.Amber Gao, also arriving in San Francisco, described a “fight” for the remaining tickets to the United States over the weekend.
“Every family member was on a computer trying to load tickets,” she said in Mandarin. “It was nerve wracking, because every time you loaded a new page, the ticket would disappear.”“Every family member was on a computer trying to load tickets,” she said in Mandarin. “It was nerve wracking, because every time you loaded a new page, the ticket would disappear.”
Vivian Lin and Thomas Fuller reported from San Francisco, and Richard Fausset from Atlanta. Julie Bosman contributed reporting from Chicago, Zolan Kanno-Youngs from Washington, Aimee Ortiz and Mariel Padilla from New York, and Dave Philipps from Los Angeles.Vivian Lin and Thomas Fuller reported from San Francisco, and Richard Fausset from Atlanta. Julie Bosman contributed reporting from Chicago, Zolan Kanno-Youngs from Washington, Aimee Ortiz and Mariel Padilla from New York, and Dave Philipps from Los Angeles.