'Congress Races to Respond to Pandemic While Defying Ban on Mass Gatherings' diff viewer (15/16)

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Congress Races to Respond to Pandemic While Defying Ban on Mass Gatherings	Congress Races to Respond to Pandemic While Defying Ban on Mass Gatherings
2020-06-24 10:18:35 UTC	2020-06-24 15:27:24 UTC (about 5 hours later)
WASHINGTON — When Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin rushed to the Capitol on Tuesday to pitch Senate Republicans on a $1 trillion coronavirus relief package, the chamber had already moved into crisis mode as lawmakers confronted a growing sense of urgency to act before much of the nation shuts down.	WASHINGTON — When Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin rushed to the Capitol on Tuesday to pitch Senate Republicans on a $1 trillion coronavirus relief package, the chamber had already moved into crisis mode as lawmakers confronted a growing sense of urgency to act before much of the nation shuts down.
Senate Democrats abandoned their weekly policy luncheon for a teleconference, while about four dozen Republicans, joined by Mr. Mnuchin, practiced social distancing by moving their lunch from their usual 80-seat room in the Capitol to one across the street that seats 200. Instead of 10 senators at each table, there were five. The buffet line was gone; gloved servers dished out tuna, egg salad and chicken.	Senate Democrats abandoned their weekly policy luncheon for a teleconference, while about four dozen Republicans, joined by Mr. Mnuchin, practiced social distancing by moving their lunch from their usual 80-seat room in the Capitol to one across the street that seats 200. Instead of 10 senators at each table, there were five. The buffet line was gone; gloved servers dished out tuna, egg salad and chicken.
Despite public health officials’ pleas to employers to keep their workers at home, the Senate — whose members include a high volume of septuagenarians and octogenarians considered particularly vulnerable to coronavirus — has continued to meet. One reason is that lawmakers are rushing to pass legislation to provide relief to workers and businesses. Another is that they are reluctant to shutter the Capitol, a potent symbol in the United States and around the world of a functioning government in trying times.	Despite public health officials’ pleas to employers to keep their workers at home, the Senate — whose members include a high volume of septuagenarians and octogenarians considered particularly vulnerable to coronavirus — has continued to meet. One reason is that lawmakers are rushing to pass legislation to provide relief to workers and businesses. Another is that they are reluctant to shutter the Capitol, a potent symbol in the United States and around the world of a functioning government in trying times.
But on Wednesday, they received a sobering reminder of the risks. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, Republican of Florida, and Representative Ben McAdams, Democrat of Utah, became the first members of Congress to discover they were infected with the coronavirus. The House is on recess, but the Senate soldiered on.	But on Wednesday, they received a sobering reminder of the risks. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, Republican of Florida, and Representative Ben McAdams, Democrat of Utah, became the first members of Congress to discover they were infected with the coronavirus. The House is on recess, but the Senate soldiered on.
“The continuation of government is a critical aspect to the recovery,” Senator Kevin Cramer, Republican of North Dakota, said. “Congress needs to either find new ways to meet or make a commitment to being here until the job is done.”	“The continuation of government is a critical aspect to the recovery,” Senator Kevin Cramer, Republican of North Dakota, said. “Congress needs to either find new ways to meet or make a commitment to being here until the job is done.”
Senator John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming and a medical doctor who is also a member of leadership, said lawmakers were impatient to act quickly and decisively: “Go big. Go fast. Get it right,” he said in a telephone interview on Tuesday.	Senator John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming and a medical doctor who is also a member of leadership, said lawmakers were impatient to act quickly and decisively: “Go big. Go fast. Get it right,” he said in a telephone interview on Tuesday.
The result is that hundreds of lawmakers, aides, police officers and other support staff (as well as journalists) are spending the week huddled under a cast-iron dome, fueling anxieties not only about the fate of the nation but about the health of those involved. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, has made clear that he had no plans to allow his members to work from home until they confront the spiraling crisis.	The result is that hundreds of lawmakers, aides, police officers and other support staff (as well as journalists) are spending the week huddled under a cast-iron dome, fueling anxieties not only about the fate of the nation but about the health of those involved. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, has made clear that he had no plans to allow his members to work from home until they confront the spiraling crisis.
“The Senate will not leave town,” he declared on Tuesday, “until we have passed another bill to address this emergency.”	“The Senate will not leave town,” he declared on Tuesday, “until we have passed another bill to address this emergency.”
But whether lawmakers themselves will be able to weather the growing storm is an entirely different question. With each passing day, more institutions — schools, businesses, even entire cities — are closing down, and lawmakers put themselves and their staff at greater risk. And once they leave Washington, it is not clear whether lawmakers will be able to easily return, with cities and states pondering travel restrictions and President Trump under pressure to institute a nationwide quarantine and curbs on domestic travel.	But whether lawmakers themselves will be able to weather the growing storm is an entirely different question. With each passing day, more institutions — schools, businesses, even entire cities — are closing down, and lawmakers put themselves and their staff at greater risk. And once they leave Washington, it is not clear whether lawmakers will be able to easily return, with cities and states pondering travel restrictions and President Trump under pressure to institute a nationwide quarantine and curbs on domestic travel.
More than a dozen lawmakers have already elected to quarantine themselves, and even more have closed their offices and sent their staffs home, citing an abundance of caution. While Mr. Barrasso said there was no talk of leaving — “No one was saying, ‘Can I go?’ Not one” — some of his colleagues were sounding increasingly uneasy.	More than a dozen lawmakers have already elected to quarantine themselves, and even more have closed their offices and sent their staffs home, citing an abundance of caution. While Mr. Barrasso said there was no talk of leaving — “No one was saying, ‘Can I go?’ Not one” — some of his colleagues were sounding increasingly uneasy.
“We cannot operate here under the assumption that we can just keep coming back every week and passing bills,” Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, said on Fox News. “We’re going to need to do as much as we can while we are here, because we really don’t know what happens seven, 10, 15 days from now. We don’t, and we shouldn’t pretend that we do, and we should operate under the assumption that we can’t just come quickly together and act.”	“We cannot operate here under the assumption that we can just keep coming back every week and passing bills,” Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, said on Fox News. “We’re going to need to do as much as we can while we are here, because we really don’t know what happens seven, 10, 15 days from now. We don’t, and we shouldn’t pretend that we do, and we should operate under the assumption that we can’t just come quickly together and act.”
That may be easier said than done. Congress has already passed an $8.3 billion package of emergency funding to help treat and control the spread of coronavirus, and Mr. McConnell put the second relief measure, approved by the House last week before its members returned to their districts for a one-week recess, on the floor for debate Wednesday afternoon.	That may be easier said than done. Congress has already passed an $8.3 billion package of emergency funding to help treat and control the spread of coronavirus, and Mr. McConnell put the second relief measure, approved by the House last week before its members returned to their districts for a one-week recess, on the floor for debate Wednesday afternoon.
The House, Senate and White House are now negotiating a third, $1 trillion economic stabilization package of the sort that Mr. Mnuchin discussed at the Senate lunch.	The House, Senate and White House are now negotiating a third, $1 trillion economic stabilization package of the sort that Mr. Mnuchin discussed at the Senate lunch.
“This is a herculean task,” Mr. McConnell said.	“This is a herculean task,” Mr. McConnell said.
In the House, a growing number of Democrats and Republicans, wary about the implications of traveling to and from Washington as the crisis deepens, are pushing leaders to embrace remote voting on an emergency basis. The divide appears to be generational, with younger lawmakers and those with young children more enthusiastic about the idea.	In the House, a growing number of Democrats and Republicans, wary about the implications of traveling to and from Washington as the crisis deepens, are pushing leaders to embrace remote voting on an emergency basis. The divide appears to be generational, with younger lawmakers and those with young children more enthusiastic about the idea.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is 79, and Representative Steny H. Hoyer, Democrat of Maryland and the majority leader, who is 80, have been extremely resistant to remote voting. Ms. Pelosi said last week that like captains of a ship, members of Congress would be the last to leave. Mr. Hoyer said last week that remote voting would set a bad precedent.	Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is 79, and Representative Steny H. Hoyer, Democrat of Maryland and the majority leader, who is 80, have been extremely resistant to remote voting. Ms. Pelosi said last week that like captains of a ship, members of Congress would be the last to leave. Mr. Hoyer said last week that remote voting would set a bad precedent.
But Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the 49-year-old chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said in an interview Tuesday that leadership would have to consider making some accommodations so that 435 House members are not milling about the chamber to vote at a time when public health officials are telling Americans to limit their gatherings to groups of 10.	But Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the 49-year-old chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said in an interview Tuesday that leadership would have to consider making some accommodations so that 435 House members are not milling about the chamber to vote at a time when public health officials are telling Americans to limit their gatherings to groups of 10.
“When there is legislation to be voted on then some decisions are going to have to be made in terms of how to do that in the most appropriate fashion,” Mr. Jeffries said.	“When there is legislation to be voted on then some decisions are going to have to be made in terms of how to do that in the most appropriate fashion,” Mr. Jeffries said.
Ms. Pelosi’s deputies are exploring ways to limit the number of lawmakers that can be on the chamber floor at a given time. But that would still require lawmakers like Representative Katie Porter, Democrat of California and a proponent of remote voting, to travel back from their districts.	Ms. Pelosi’s deputies are exploring ways to limit the number of lawmakers that can be on the chamber floor at a given time. But that would still require lawmakers like Representative Katie Porter, Democrat of California and a proponent of remote voting, to travel back from their districts.
Ms. Porter, a freshman and a single mother whose artful grilling last week of the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention went viral on Twitter, said remote voting would set an example for Americans being urged not to gather in groups. And, she said, it could function as a continuity of business initiative that could help ensure the House is reflecting the views of the country even when lawmakers inevitably go into quarantine or are unable to travel to Washington.	Ms. Porter, a freshman and a single mother whose artful grilling last week of the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention went viral on Twitter, said remote voting would set an example for Americans being urged not to gather in groups. And, she said, it could function as a continuity of business initiative that could help ensure the House is reflecting the views of the country even when lawmakers inevitably go into quarantine or are unable to travel to Washington.
~~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.
“Congress is allowing itself to be an exception rather than being an example, which we should be,” Ms. Porter said in an interview.	“Congress is allowing itself to be an exception rather than being an example, which we should be,” Ms. Porter said in an interview.
In the Senate, Mr. McConnell flatly rejected the idea of remote voting, telling reporters: “We’ll not be doing that.”	In the Senate, Mr. McConnell flatly rejected the idea of remote voting, telling reporters: “We’ll not be doing that.”
But Mr. McConnell said the Senate could pursue other, unusual means to keep senators and their staff from clustering too closely together like extending any given roll call vote over the span of hours so senators could vote one by one.	But Mr. McConnell said the Senate could pursue other, unusual means to keep senators and their staff from clustering too closely together like extending any given roll call vote over the span of hours so senators could vote one by one.
“We will deal with the social distancing issue without fundamentally changing the Senate rules,” he said.	“We will deal with the social distancing issue without fundamentally changing the Senate rules,” he said.