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| Few Virus Cases, but Austin Is Reeling ‘As If a Tornado Came Through’ | Few Virus Cases, but Austin Is Reeling ‘As If a Tornado Came Through’ |
| (6 days later) | |
| AUSTIN, Texas — Even before this city, the state capital of Texas, reported its first cases of the coronavirus on Friday, it had been pummeled by the virus outbreak. | AUSTIN, Texas — Even before this city, the state capital of Texas, reported its first cases of the coronavirus on Friday, it had been pummeled by the virus outbreak. |
| Financial losses from the sudden cancellation of South by Southwest, the pop culture mega event that helped establish Austin’s funky hipster identity and had been scheduled to open on Friday, were anticipated to be enormous. | Financial losses from the sudden cancellation of South by Southwest, the pop culture mega event that helped establish Austin’s funky hipster identity and had been scheduled to open on Friday, were anticipated to be enormous. |
| “Just to put it in perspective — if I was a big-box store, this is shutting down Christmas,” said Chris Warndahl, the general manager of Miller Pro AVL, an event lighting, sound and video company in Austin that may have to let go some employees after losing about 35 percent of its annual income. | “Just to put it in perspective — if I was a big-box store, this is shutting down Christmas,” said Chris Warndahl, the general manager of Miller Pro AVL, an event lighting, sound and video company in Austin that may have to let go some employees after losing about 35 percent of its annual income. |
| The festival was ordered canceled last week, and by Friday, the first cases were announced — among them, the wife of the president of the University of Texas at Austin, the flagship state university whose burnt orange color and longhorn logo can be seen across town. | The festival was ordered canceled last week, and by Friday, the first cases were announced — among them, the wife of the president of the University of Texas at Austin, the flagship state university whose burnt orange color and longhorn logo can be seen across town. |
| “It is difficult for me to write this because the person who tested positive is my wife Carmel,” the university’s president, Gregory L. Fenves, wrote in a letter on Friday, announcing that he, his wife and another family member were in self-isolation. | “It is difficult for me to write this because the person who tested positive is my wife Carmel,” the university’s president, Gregory L. Fenves, wrote in a letter on Friday, announcing that he, his wife and another family member were in self-isolation. |
| The university canceled classes on Friday, and with almost 50 cases statewide Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster across Texas. | The university canceled classes on Friday, and with almost 50 cases statewide Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster across Texas. |
| Yet even before the latest developments, Austin had gone into disaster-recovery mode with the cancellation of South by Southwest. | Yet even before the latest developments, Austin had gone into disaster-recovery mode with the cancellation of South by Southwest. |
| At the Hotel Van Zandt downtown, the room cancellations could mean $1.2 million lost. A custom T-shirt producer, Oh Boy! Print Shop, expects a $40,000 hit. And the head bartender at Antone’s, a nightclub that helped start the careers of Stevie Ray Vaughan and other Texas musicians, says up to $4,000 in tips will vanish. | At the Hotel Van Zandt downtown, the room cancellations could mean $1.2 million lost. A custom T-shirt producer, Oh Boy! Print Shop, expects a $40,000 hit. And the head bartender at Antone’s, a nightclub that helped start the careers of Stevie Ray Vaughan and other Texas musicians, says up to $4,000 in tips will vanish. |
| “We’ve just gone from what is usually the busiest 10 days of the year to what is sort of this unknown,” said Will Bridges, the co-owner of Antone’s, which had been poised to host more than three dozen bands as an official music venue for the festival. | “We’ve just gone from what is usually the busiest 10 days of the year to what is sort of this unknown,” said Will Bridges, the co-owner of Antone’s, which had been poised to host more than three dozen bands as an official music venue for the festival. |
| “South By,” as Austin residents call it, has become a 10-day economic powerhouse, its effect on the local economy akin to hosting a Super Bowl, reaching $356 million last year, according to an analysis by a consulting firm, Greyhill Advisors. Nearly half a million people from around the world were expected to come, filling 55,000 room nights at hotels. | “South By,” as Austin residents call it, has become a 10-day economic powerhouse, its effect on the local economy akin to hosting a Super Bowl, reaching $356 million last year, according to an analysis by a consulting firm, Greyhill Advisors. Nearly half a million people from around the world were expected to come, filling 55,000 room nights at hotels. |
| But last week, before a single case of the virus had been reported in the city, the mayor of Austin, Steve Adler, announced a local state of emergency as the coronavirus emerged in the United States. His disaster declaration effectively canceled South by Southwest for the first time since the festival was founded in 1987. | But last week, before a single case of the virus had been reported in the city, the mayor of Austin, Steve Adler, announced a local state of emergency as the coronavirus emerged in the United States. His disaster declaration effectively canceled South by Southwest for the first time since the festival was founded in 1987. |
| A nonprofit foundation created the Stand With Austin Fund, where residents can donate money to those negatively affected. Festival organizers said they took the “necessary but heartbreaking step” of laying off about a third of their full-time staff. The mayor and other officials have encouraged residents to go out and spend money at local businesses, and musicians have signaled a willingness to play for free or at reduced rates to keep the venues packed for bartenders and waiters. Harold Cook, a former executive director of the Texas Democratic Party, came up with #TipForTwo — double tipping to help the service industry. | A nonprofit foundation created the Stand With Austin Fund, where residents can donate money to those negatively affected. Festival organizers said they took the “necessary but heartbreaking step” of laying off about a third of their full-time staff. The mayor and other officials have encouraged residents to go out and spend money at local businesses, and musicians have signaled a willingness to play for free or at reduced rates to keep the venues packed for bartenders and waiters. Harold Cook, a former executive director of the Texas Democratic Party, came up with #TipForTwo — double tipping to help the service industry. |
| “In some respects, we need to look at this as if a tornado came through our city,” Mr. Adler said. “There’s the cumulative number, the $350 million number, but behind that number are many, many individual stories of hardship.” | “In some respects, we need to look at this as if a tornado came through our city,” Mr. Adler said. “There’s the cumulative number, the $350 million number, but behind that number are many, many individual stories of hardship.” |
| In the days after the announcement, downtown Austin has been anything but empty, even after city officials on Monday banned most mass gatherings until May. There was a sense of defiance — and purpose — of supporting local businesses and workers. | In the days after the announcement, downtown Austin has been anything but empty, even after city officials on Monday banned most mass gatherings until May. There was a sense of defiance — and purpose — of supporting local businesses and workers. |
| On Sixth Street, an eclectic stretch of nightclubs, bars, tattoo shops and billiard parlors, the weekend crowds were thick and the celebratory atmosphere remained. Stubb’s Bar-B-Q was packed for a concert by Trippie Redd, the rapper-singer, and a man strolled down the street with two chickens, one on his shoulder and another on his head. | On Sixth Street, an eclectic stretch of nightclubs, bars, tattoo shops and billiard parlors, the weekend crowds were thick and the celebratory atmosphere remained. Stubb’s Bar-B-Q was packed for a concert by Trippie Redd, the rapper-singer, and a man strolled down the street with two chickens, one on his shoulder and another on his head. |
| South by Southwest volunteers gathered at the Dirty Dog Bar as part of a planned show of solidarity for those hurt by the cancellation. The list of those affected went on and on: nightclub owners, bartenders, pedicab drivers, dishwashers, tattoo artists, musicians, parking-lot operators. | South by Southwest volunteers gathered at the Dirty Dog Bar as part of a planned show of solidarity for those hurt by the cancellation. The list of those affected went on and on: nightclub owners, bartenders, pedicab drivers, dishwashers, tattoo artists, musicians, parking-lot operators. |
| “I think we’re just going to try to hit as many places as we can and try to share the love for all of our service industries,” said Tami Richter, the festival’s director of event staffing and resources. | “I think we’re just going to try to hit as many places as we can and try to share the love for all of our service industries,” said Tami Richter, the festival’s director of event staffing and resources. |
| Austin is by no means alone in coping with cancellations — or uncertainty. Around the country, St. Patrick’s Day parades have been postponed. Universities have emptied or called off in-person classes. Conferences and business meetings have been halted, as have concerts, music festivals and shows. | Austin is by no means alone in coping with cancellations — or uncertainty. Around the country, St. Patrick’s Day parades have been postponed. Universities have emptied or called off in-person classes. Conferences and business meetings have been halted, as have concerts, music festivals and shows. |
| And yet, different cities have responded in different ways, adding to the frustration and confusion. | And yet, different cities have responded in different ways, adding to the frustration and confusion. |
| 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| About 165 miles southeast of Austin, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, one of Texas’ biggest annual events, was open for business last week even as the South by Southwest cancellation was announced. On Wednesday, though, that was ordered closed, too, as the number of coronavirus cases in the Houston region climbed. | About 165 miles southeast of Austin, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, one of Texas’ biggest annual events, was open for business last week even as the South by Southwest cancellation was announced. On Wednesday, though, that was ordered closed, too, as the number of coronavirus cases in the Houston region climbed. |
| For South by Southwest, the pressure mounted for days before Mr. Adler, along with Travis County officials, canceled it. Facebook, Twitter and other companies backed out of attending. Mr. Adler, a 63-year-old lawyer and Democrat who has been mayor for more than five years, described his decision as agonizing. He was forced to weigh the city’s economic anchor against health care officials’ warnings about how the virus may spread, especially in large groups of people who have gathered from all over. | For South by Southwest, the pressure mounted for days before Mr. Adler, along with Travis County officials, canceled it. Facebook, Twitter and other companies backed out of attending. Mr. Adler, a 63-year-old lawyer and Democrat who has been mayor for more than five years, described his decision as agonizing. He was forced to weigh the city’s economic anchor against health care officials’ warnings about how the virus may spread, especially in large groups of people who have gathered from all over. |
| “The focus had to be on keeping the community safe,” Mr. Adler said. On Friday morning, on what was to have been the first day of the festival, officials announced that two people have tested positive for the coronavirus in the area. | “The focus had to be on keeping the community safe,” Mr. Adler said. On Friday morning, on what was to have been the first day of the festival, officials announced that two people have tested positive for the coronavirus in the area. |
| In the days before that, before any cases were found, some people had questioned the festival’s cancellation. Rob Hicks, general manager of the Dirty Dog, said the festival should not have been halted. “To shut the whole city and declare an emergency?” he said. | In the days before that, before any cases were found, some people had questioned the festival’s cancellation. Rob Hicks, general manager of the Dirty Dog, said the festival should not have been halted. “To shut the whole city and declare an emergency?” he said. |
| Mike Rawlings, the former mayor of Dallas who helped guide that city through an Ebola crisis in 2014, said the decision by Mr. Adler and other officials took leadership. | Mike Rawlings, the former mayor of Dallas who helped guide that city through an Ebola crisis in 2014, said the decision by Mr. Adler and other officials took leadership. |
| “I think it was the smart thing to do,” Mr. Rawlings said. “I know it wasn’t something he wanted to do. When I was focused on Ebola — and it’s a very different situation — I wasn’t worried so much about the economics. It’s a factor, because it’s there and you discuss it. But if it’s at all a close call, you got to go with safety.” | “I think it was the smart thing to do,” Mr. Rawlings said. “I know it wasn’t something he wanted to do. When I was focused on Ebola — and it’s a very different situation — I wasn’t worried so much about the economics. It’s a factor, because it’s there and you discuss it. But if it’s at all a close call, you got to go with safety.” |
| For the musicians in Austin, which bills itself as the live music capital of the world, the decision has hit hard. | For the musicians in Austin, which bills itself as the live music capital of the world, the decision has hit hard. |
| A nonprofit group, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, provides health insurance for low-income musicians, many of whom make less than $18,000 annually. After the festival was canceled, the group called off a fund-raiser next week that was expected to bring in up to $250,000 and would feature performances by the western swing band Asleep at the Wheel and others. The event has been rescheduled for a smaller venue, and is anticipated to bring in a smaller fund-raising total. | A nonprofit group, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, provides health insurance for low-income musicians, many of whom make less than $18,000 annually. After the festival was canceled, the group called off a fund-raiser next week that was expected to bring in up to $250,000 and would feature performances by the western swing band Asleep at the Wheel and others. The event has been rescheduled for a smaller venue, and is anticipated to bring in a smaller fund-raising total. |
| Reenie Collins, the chief executive of the health alliance, said, “We’ll take a hit, of course, just like everybody else in Austin will.” | Reenie Collins, the chief executive of the health alliance, said, “We’ll take a hit, of course, just like everybody else in Austin will.” |
| David Montgomery reported from Austin and Manny Fernandez from Houston. Sarah Mervosh contributed reporting from New York. | David Montgomery reported from Austin and Manny Fernandez from Houston. Sarah Mervosh contributed reporting from New York. |