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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
(2 months later)
This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the global outbreak. Sign up here to get the briefing by email.This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the global outbreak. Sign up here to get the briefing by email.
Italy closes its schoolsItaly closes its schools
One case becomes 10 in the N.Y. suburbsOne case becomes 10 in the N.Y. suburbs
A W.H.O. expert discusses China’s fightA W.H.O. expert discusses China’s fight
Get the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverageGet the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverage
The country ordered all schools — from day care centers to universities — to shut down until at least March 15 as the outbreak there grew rapidly. Italian students will join hundreds of millions of children who’ve been forced to stay home because of the coronavirus in China, South Korea, Iran, Japan, France, Pakistan, the United States and elsewhere.The country ordered all schools — from day care centers to universities — to shut down until at least March 15 as the outbreak there grew rapidly. Italian students will join hundreds of millions of children who’ve been forced to stay home because of the coronavirus in China, South Korea, Iran, Japan, France, Pakistan, the United States and elsewhere.
The closings are an extraordinary public health experiment, with many ripple effects. The burden is likely to fall particularly hard on women, who across the world still perform most child care duties.The closings are an extraordinary public health experiment, with many ripple effects. The burden is likely to fall particularly hard on women, who across the world still perform most child care duties.
Gao Mengxian, a security guard in Hong Kong, has stopped going to work so she can watch her daughters. Masks are pricey, so she ventures outside just once a week. She spends most of her time helping her daughters, 10 and 8, with their online classes, fumbling through technology that leaves her confused and her daughters frustrated.Gao Mengxian, a security guard in Hong Kong, has stopped going to work so she can watch her daughters. Masks are pricey, so she ventures outside just once a week. She spends most of her time helping her daughters, 10 and 8, with their online classes, fumbling through technology that leaves her confused and her daughters frustrated.
“They’re always saying: ‘When can we go out to play? When can we go to school?’” Ms. Gao said.“They’re always saying: ‘When can we go out to play? When can we go to school?’” Ms. Gao said.
One coronavirus case, a man of around 50, has quickly led health officials to discover at least nine more infected people around the New York City suburb of New Rochelle. They include the man’s wife and two children; a friend who drove him to the hospital; a friend who was in “close proximity” with the man; the friend’s wife, and three of their children.One coronavirus case, a man of around 50, has quickly led health officials to discover at least nine more infected people around the New York City suburb of New Rochelle. They include the man’s wife and two children; a friend who drove him to the hospital; a friend who was in “close proximity” with the man; the friend’s wife, and three of their children.
Roughly 1,000 people in the area have been told to self-quarantine, including some nurses and doctors at a nearby hospital and people who attended a funeral and a bat mitzvah at a local synagogue.Roughly 1,000 people in the area have been told to self-quarantine, including some nurses and doctors at a nearby hospital and people who attended a funeral and a bat mitzvah at a local synagogue.
The man’s daughter’s high school and his son’s college, Yeshiva University, canceled classes; so did New York Law School after a student there reported having contact with the man, who works at a law firm in Manhattan.The man’s daughter’s high school and his son’s college, Yeshiva University, canceled classes; so did New York Law School after a student there reported having contact with the man, who works at a law firm in Manhattan.
Only the man at the center of this cluster of cases has been hospitalized; he was in stable condition and improving on Wednesday. It is unclear how he initially contracted the virus.Only the man at the center of this cluster of cases has been hospitalized; he was in stable condition and improving on Wednesday. It is unclear how he initially contracted the virus.
A World Health Organization team led by Dr. Bruce Aylward just spent two weeks in China monitoring the fight against coronavirus. Donald G. McNeil Jr., our infectious-disease reporter, got the download:A World Health Organization team led by Dr. Bruce Aylward just spent two weeks in China monitoring the fight against coronavirus. Donald G. McNeil Jr., our infectious-disease reporter, got the download:
Are cases in China really going down?Are cases in China really going down?
I know there’s suspicion, but at every testing clinic we went to, people would say, “It’s not like it was three weeks ago.” It peaked at 46,000 people asking for tests a day; when we left, it was 13,000. Hospitals had empty beds. I didn’t see anything that suggested manipulation of numbers.I know there’s suspicion, but at every testing clinic we went to, people would say, “It’s not like it was three weeks ago.” It peaked at 46,000 people asking for tests a day; when we left, it was 13,000. Hospitals had empty beds. I didn’t see anything that suggested manipulation of numbers.
Is everyone catching it from everyone?Is everyone catching it from everyone?
No. Seventy-five to 80 percent of all clusters are in families. You get the odd ones in hospitals or restaurants or prisons, but the vast majority are in families.No. Seventy-five to 80 percent of all clusters are in families. You get the odd ones in hospitals or restaurants or prisons, but the vast majority are in families.
If you’re in China and think you might have coronavirus, what do they do?If you’re in China and think you might have coronavirus, what do they do?
You would be sent to a fever clinic. They would take your temperature, your symptoms, medical history, ask where you’d traveled, your contact with anyone infected. They’d whip you through a CT scan. … Each machine did maybe 200 a day. A typical hospital in the West does one or two an hour.You would be sent to a fever clinic. They would take your temperature, your symptoms, medical history, ask where you’d traveled, your contact with anyone infected. They’d whip you through a CT scan. … Each machine did maybe 200 a day. A typical hospital in the West does one or two an hour.
Who pays for testing and treatment?Who pays for testing and treatment?
The government made it clear: Testing is free. And if it was Covid-19, when your insurance ended, the state picked up everything.The government made it clear: Testing is free. And if it was Covid-19, when your insurance ended, the state picked up everything.
In the United States, that’s a barrier to speed. People think: “If I see my doctor, it’s going to cost me $100. If I end up in the I.C.U., what’s it going to cost me?” That’ll kill you.In the United States, that’s a barrier to speed. People think: “If I see my doctor, it’s going to cost me $100. If I end up in the I.C.U., what’s it going to cost me?” That’ll kill you.
Italy: Infections surged to more 3,000, while deaths shot up to 107, from 79 yesterday. The country has the most reported cases outside China and South Korea.Italy: Infections surged to more 3,000, while deaths shot up to 107, from 79 yesterday. The country has the most reported cases outside China and South Korea.
France: The second-hardest-hit European country has recorded nearly 300 cases. The French health minister has advised against greeting with cheek kisses, and the Louvre reopened, but with new rules for dealing with visitors.France: The second-hardest-hit European country has recorded nearly 300 cases. The French health minister has advised against greeting with cheek kisses, and the Louvre reopened, but with new rules for dealing with visitors.
Washington State: A 10th patient died today; all but one of the United States’ recorded deaths have taken place in the state. Amazon alerted its staff that one employee in Seattle had tested positive.Washington State: A 10th patient died today; all but one of the United States’ recorded deaths have taken place in the state. Amazon alerted its staff that one employee in Seattle had tested positive.
Los Angeles: Los Angeles County declared a state of emergency after six new cases were announced today, bringing California’s total to 51. A health screener for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who was working at Los Angeles International Airport tested positive for the virus.Los Angeles: Los Angeles County declared a state of emergency after six new cases were announced today, bringing California’s total to 51. A health screener for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who was working at Los Angeles International Airport tested positive for the virus.
India: New Delhi reported its first coronavirus patient, and the number of cases countrywide jumped to 28 — more than half of them Italian tourists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indians to cancel events for Holi, a Hindu festival that begins next week.India: New Delhi reported its first coronavirus patient, and the number of cases countrywide jumped to 28 — more than half of them Italian tourists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indians to cancel events for Holi, a Hindu festival that begins next week.
Six Americans who contracted the coronavirus talked about how they’ve coped with the loneliness of quarantines and anxiety over the disease. Here are three tips they shared:Six Americans who contracted the coronavirus talked about how they’ve coped with the loneliness of quarantines and anxiety over the disease. Here are three tips they shared:
Lean on support networks. Two men who met aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship have formed a “brotherhood of the virus,” keeping each other’s spirits up over WhatsApp.Lean on support networks. Two men who met aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship have formed a “brotherhood of the virus,” keeping each other’s spirits up over WhatsApp.
Use video-call apps like FaceTime to stay connected with friends, family and pets.Use video-call apps like FaceTime to stay connected with friends, family and pets.
Turn to stress-reducing activities that can be done alone indoors, such as exercise, meditation or prayer.Turn to stress-reducing activities that can be done alone indoors, such as exercise, meditation or prayer.
What should you know if you’re pregnant? First, try not to panic: One study found that infants born to women with the disease appeared to be healthy and virus-free at birth.What should you know if you’re pregnant? First, try not to panic: One study found that infants born to women with the disease appeared to be healthy and virus-free at birth.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
Going on a cruise? You might be able to cancel, but a doctor’s note could be necessary. If you go, there are stricter hygiene measures onboard. Here are other things to know.Going on a cruise? You might be able to cancel, but a doctor’s note could be necessary. If you go, there are stricter hygiene measures onboard. Here are other things to know.
Don’t forget the basics: The most important things you can do are to wash your hands frequently — scrubbing for at least 20 seconds — and avoid touching your face.Don’t forget the basics: The most important things you can do are to wash your hands frequently — scrubbing for at least 20 seconds — and avoid touching your face.
As more concerts and shows around the world are canceled, performers and organizations have found creative ways of bringing the arts to the people.As more concerts and shows around the world are canceled, performers and organizations have found creative ways of bringing the arts to the people.
The end of fashion month rolled out in Paris, with “a barely restrained desire to flee” replacing the usual fanfare, our chief fashion critic reports.The end of fashion month rolled out in Paris, with “a barely restrained desire to flee” replacing the usual fanfare, our chief fashion critic reports.
Watch health care workers in Iran shimmy and shake in full protective gear as they cope with stress on the front lines.Watch health care workers in Iran shimmy and shake in full protective gear as they cope with stress on the front lines.
In The New Yorker, Frank M. Snowden, a professor emeritus of history and the history of medicine at Yale, talks about how pandemics can change history.In The New Yorker, Frank M. Snowden, a professor emeritus of history and the history of medicine at Yale, talks about how pandemics can change history.
The 2011 thriller “Contagion” is trending on Amazon Prime Video, for obvious reasons. “It felt like I was watching a documentary that has all these movie stars playing real people,” said Barry Jenkins, the director of “Moonlight.”The 2011 thriller “Contagion” is trending on Amazon Prime Video, for obvious reasons. “It felt like I was watching a documentary that has all these movie stars playing real people,” said Barry Jenkins, the director of “Moonlight.”
I am a school nurse, so it is my job to educate the staff, students and families about the coronavirus. I’m trying to spread information instead of spreading germs! Some people feel that this is not a big deal, some are quite alarmist, and others are spreading misinformation. I’m doing my best to keep everyone calm, but informed.I am a school nurse, so it is my job to educate the staff, students and families about the coronavirus. I’m trying to spread information instead of spreading germs! Some people feel that this is not a big deal, some are quite alarmist, and others are spreading misinformation. I’m doing my best to keep everyone calm, but informed.
— Tammy Hartzell, Kennett Square, Pa.— Tammy Hartzell, Kennett Square, Pa.
Let us know how you’re preparing. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.Let us know how you’re preparing. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.
Melina Delkic, Adam Pasick, Lara Takenaga and Tom Wright-Piersanti contributed to today’s newsletter.Melina Delkic, Adam Pasick, Lara Takenaga and Tom Wright-Piersanti contributed to today’s newsletter.
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