'Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today' diff viewer (11/12)

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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today	Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
2020-06-24 13:42:24 UTC	2020-06-24 14:14:22 UTC (32 minutes 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 schools	Italy closes its schools
One case becomes 10 in the N.Y. suburbs	One case becomes 10 in the N.Y. suburbs
A W.H.O. expert discusses China’s fight	A W.H.O. expert discusses China’s fight
Get the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverage	Get 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.
~~Updated June ~~22,~~ 2020~~	Updated June 24, 2020
	Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.	A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.	The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.	The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
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.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
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.
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.)
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.
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.