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‘It’s a Weird Feeling’: Seattle Hunkers Down Amid Coronavirus Outbreak ‘It’s a Weird Feeling’: Seattle Hunkers Down Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
(7 days later)
SEATTLE — Just after dawn on Thursday morning, a Microsoft shuttle bus idled at its regular stop in North Seattle — but no passengers were there to board.SEATTLE — Just after dawn on Thursday morning, a Microsoft shuttle bus idled at its regular stop in North Seattle — but no passengers were there to board.
The day went on like that: Coffee shop sales were way down. Schools were closed in one suburban area. The downtown was oddly quiet. Traffic was a breeze.The day went on like that: Coffee shop sales were way down. Schools were closed in one suburban area. The downtown was oddly quiet. Traffic was a breeze.
People were hunkering down.People were hunkering down.
A new reality has set in for the Seattle area, the first region in the United States where the authorities have issued sweeping recommendations that people stay home to slow the spread of coronavirus.A new reality has set in for the Seattle area, the first region in the United States where the authorities have issued sweeping recommendations that people stay home to slow the spread of coronavirus.
“It is a weird feeling, being ground zero of this thing,” said Anastasia Scrimgeour, a driver for Lyft and Uber who said her income had dropped by half since a week ago, when a wave of reports of coronavirus cases began in the area. “Everyone is scared of Seattle now.”“It is a weird feeling, being ground zero of this thing,” said Anastasia Scrimgeour, a driver for Lyft and Uber who said her income had dropped by half since a week ago, when a wave of reports of coronavirus cases began in the area. “Everyone is scared of Seattle now.”
A day earlier, county officials had urged people to telecommute rather than go to work, and recommended that people 60 or older stay in their homes. People with medical conditions, as well as pregnant women, were also advised not to go out. The city is hardly a ghost town, Ms. Scrimgeour said, but there were definitely fewer people out and about.A day earlier, county officials had urged people to telecommute rather than go to work, and recommended that people 60 or older stay in their homes. People with medical conditions, as well as pregnant women, were also advised not to go out. The city is hardly a ghost town, Ms. Scrimgeour said, but there were definitely fewer people out and about.
“It was so quick,” she said. “Everything just happened in a few days.”“It was so quick,” she said. “Everything just happened in a few days.”
In Washington State, 13 people have died of coronavirus. More than 60 other people have been treated for the virus in the state, leading state officials to declare an emergency.In Washington State, 13 people have died of coronavirus. More than 60 other people have been treated for the virus in the state, leading state officials to declare an emergency.
And in pockets all around Seattle, people were heeding the advice of officials and staying in. Microsoft, Amazon and many other top employers told their employees to work from home. The South Lake Union area, where thousands of tech workers typically fill the streets, was mostly empty. Parking spaces usually all but impossible to find on a weekday were wide open.And in pockets all around Seattle, people were heeding the advice of officials and staying in. Microsoft, Amazon and many other top employers told their employees to work from home. The South Lake Union area, where thousands of tech workers typically fill the streets, was mostly empty. Parking spaces usually all but impossible to find on a weekday were wide open.
“You are starting to feel people are avoiding public areas,” said Angelica Salazar, who brought her baby daughter to a library story time on Thursday.“You are starting to feel people are avoiding public areas,” said Angelica Salazar, who brought her baby daughter to a library story time on Thursday.
Story time, usually packed, was not. “Life still has to go on,” Ms. Salazar said.Story time, usually packed, was not. “Life still has to go on,” Ms. Salazar said.
Michelle Rose, who works the front desk at a hotel west of the city, said she had seen store shelves emptied.Michelle Rose, who works the front desk at a hotel west of the city, said she had seen store shelves emptied.
“People are staying home, freaking out,” she said. “We’ve got a whole folder for it — people that are canceling their reservations.”“People are staying home, freaking out,” she said. “We’ve got a whole folder for it — people that are canceling their reservations.”
Jason Foafoa, a finish carpenter, proceeded to work as usual, to a 40-story apartment building, its upper floors still skeletal as the framing and walls go up. There was a change, though, he said. Seattle’s increasingly snarled traffic has all but disappeared.Jason Foafoa, a finish carpenter, proceeded to work as usual, to a 40-story apartment building, its upper floors still skeletal as the framing and walls go up. There was a change, though, he said. Seattle’s increasingly snarled traffic has all but disappeared.
“It’s weird,” he said.“It’s weird,” he said.
Two women walked down a sidewalk carrying big computer monitors in their arms. They were heading home to work, as their employer has suggested until at least the end of March.Two women walked down a sidewalk carrying big computer monitors in their arms. They were heading home to work, as their employer has suggested until at least the end of March.
Their office of about 200 people was down to only a few, some of them packing up their stuff.Their office of about 200 people was down to only a few, some of them packing up their stuff.
At Cascade Coffee Works, located on the ground floor of one of Amazon’s buildings and on a typical weekday full of Amazon workers, the lines had vanished.At Cascade Coffee Works, located on the ground floor of one of Amazon’s buildings and on a typical weekday full of Amazon workers, the lines had vanished.
“Sales are down 50 percent today,” said Zach Cook, 27, the head roaster at Seattle Coffee Works, which has four locations in the city, including Cascade Coffee.“Sales are down 50 percent today,” said Zach Cook, 27, the head roaster at Seattle Coffee Works, which has four locations in the city, including Cascade Coffee.
Mr. Cook said the company’s other cafes were seeing a slowdown in business. “But it’s nothing drastic like this,” he said.Mr. Cook said the company’s other cafes were seeing a slowdown in business. “But it’s nothing drastic like this,” he said.
He said there had been no talk of reducing hours or jobs. “Not yet, but likely,” he said.He said there had been no talk of reducing hours or jobs. “Not yet, but likely,” he said.
Kim Kennedy, 26, who works as an aide in a physical therapy clinic in Seattle, had her work hours cut this week, from 36 to 28, as scheduled patients canceled their appointments.Kim Kennedy, 26, who works as an aide in a physical therapy clinic in Seattle, had her work hours cut this week, from 36 to 28, as scheduled patients canceled their appointments.
Updated June 16, 2020 Updated June 22, 2020
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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’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.
Ms. Kennedy said she was not terribly worried about the virus, although she was washing her hands more often as a precaution. But she did think twice when a recent therapy client casually mentioned being at a hospital that she thought cared for patients with the virus.Ms. Kennedy said she was not terribly worried about the virus, although she was washing her hands more often as a precaution. But she did think twice when a recent therapy client casually mentioned being at a hospital that she thought cared for patients with the virus.
“I just said to myself, ‘I’ll not touch anything you touch,’” she said.“I just said to myself, ‘I’ll not touch anything you touch,’” she said.
Pike Place Market seemed slower than usual for a weekday at noon, though it still had many visitors, strolling past the fish market vendors and flower stalls, buying slices of pizza or bowls of chowder.Pike Place Market seemed slower than usual for a weekday at noon, though it still had many visitors, strolling past the fish market vendors and flower stalls, buying slices of pizza or bowls of chowder.
“Don’t touch the wall!” shouted Theresa Ray as a friend leaned up to pin a piece of chewed gum on to what is widely regarded one of the city’s most disgusting — and in the best of circumstances, least sanitary — tourist attractions: the Gum Wall. In an alley near the market, mashing a piece of gum to an already covered wall has become a tourist rite of passage.“Don’t touch the wall!” shouted Theresa Ray as a friend leaned up to pin a piece of chewed gum on to what is widely regarded one of the city’s most disgusting — and in the best of circumstances, least sanitary — tourist attractions: the Gum Wall. In an alley near the market, mashing a piece of gum to an already covered wall has become a tourist rite of passage.
“It’s gross, but I’m not afraid I’m going to get coronavirus,” said Ms. Ray, a retail assistant manager from eastern Washington who was visiting the city on Thursday after driving three hours for a concert on Wednesday.“It’s gross, but I’m not afraid I’m going to get coronavirus,” said Ms. Ray, a retail assistant manager from eastern Washington who was visiting the city on Thursday after driving three hours for a concert on Wednesday.
Alexis Plutowski, 22, a nursing assistant who was visiting the city on Thursday, said she thought the anxious response to the virus had outstripped what she viewed as the real risk.Alexis Plutowski, 22, a nursing assistant who was visiting the city on Thursday, said she thought the anxious response to the virus had outstripped what she viewed as the real risk.
“It’s normal with something that people haven’t heard of before,” Ms. Plutowski said. “But more people are dying from the flu than this.”“It’s normal with something that people haven’t heard of before,” Ms. Plutowski said. “But more people are dying from the flu than this.”
At one public library, most tables were occupied but not full. Some people stayed away, while others came in search of internet access to telecommute or for public health information, Darth Nielsen, a regional manager, said.At one public library, most tables were occupied but not full. Some people stayed away, while others came in search of internet access to telecommute or for public health information, Darth Nielsen, a regional manager, said.
As offices send people home to work, “one of our concerns at the library is that we will be the last ones standing,” Mr. Nielsen said. “People still want connection. People still want to go out.”As offices send people home to work, “one of our concerns at the library is that we will be the last ones standing,” Mr. Nielsen said. “People still want connection. People still want to go out.”