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| Target Apologizes for Selling N95 Masks in Seattle | Target Apologizes for Selling N95 Masks in Seattle |
| (8 days later) | |
| The retailer Target apologized on Saturday after coming under criticism for selling N95 masks, which are in acute demand by medical providers during the coronavirus pandemic, at some stores in Washington State. | The retailer Target apologized on Saturday after coming under criticism for selling N95 masks, which are in acute demand by medical providers during the coronavirus pandemic, at some stores in Washington State. |
| The masks were made available to the public for purchase “in error” in select stores in Seattle, the company said in a statement on Twitter. It said it was removing them and donating them to the Washington State Department of Health. | The masks were made available to the public for purchase “in error” in select stores in Seattle, the company said in a statement on Twitter. It said it was removing them and donating them to the Washington State Department of Health. |
| “We’re also reviewing inventory for additional masks to be donated,” the statement continued. “Target’s commitment to communities is unwavering & we apologize.’’ | “We’re also reviewing inventory for additional masks to be donated,” the statement continued. “Target’s commitment to communities is unwavering & we apologize.’’ |
| Target issued the apology after it was criticized for selling the masks, which are in short supply to health care workers during the coronavirus outbreak. Washington has been a leading state in deaths related to the virus. | Target issued the apology after it was criticized for selling the masks, which are in short supply to health care workers during the coronavirus outbreak. Washington has been a leading state in deaths related to the virus. |
| In a tweet, a journalist featured a photo of the masks lining three shelves at a Seattle store. | In a tweet, a journalist featured a photo of the masks lining three shelves at a Seattle store. |
| “Tall stacks of N95 masks @Target in Seattle, despite a shortage at hospitals,’’ wrote the journalist, Ann Dornfeld, a public radio education reporter in Seattle. | “Tall stacks of N95 masks @Target in Seattle, despite a shortage at hospitals,’’ wrote the journalist, Ann Dornfeld, a public radio education reporter in Seattle. |
| Fuse Washington, a progressive organization, also called out the company on Twitter: “Why are you selling thousands of N95 masks when local hospitals are critically short?” | Fuse Washington, a progressive organization, also called out the company on Twitter: “Why are you selling thousands of N95 masks when local hospitals are critically short?” |
| In Seattle, a union for health care workers, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, on Saturday called the mask sales “unacceptable” and demanded that Target divert them to the medical system. After working with government leaders, the union said Target planned to get the supplies to medical workers. | In Seattle, a union for health care workers, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, on Saturday called the mask sales “unacceptable” and demanded that Target divert them to the medical system. After working with government leaders, the union said Target planned to get the supplies to medical workers. |
| “We hope other retailers will follow suit,” said Jane Hopkins, a nurse who is executive vice president of the union. | “We hope other retailers will follow suit,” said Jane Hopkins, a nurse who is executive vice president of the union. |
| Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington said his office took action after hearing of the reports of the masks. | Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington said his office took action after hearing of the reports of the masks. |
| “My staff and others stepped in,” he wrote on Twitter on Saturday. “Those masks are now on their way to the health care workers who desperately need them.” | “My staff and others stepped in,” he wrote on Twitter on Saturday. “Those masks are now on their way to the health care workers who desperately need them.” |
| A Target representative, Joshua Thomas, on Sunday could not say how many masks had been for sale. “This was an unfortunate oversight and we worked quickly to address it,” he said. | A Target representative, Joshua Thomas, on Sunday could not say how many masks had been for sale. “This was an unfortunate oversight and we worked quickly to address it,” he said. |
| In Washington, officials have established a grid to determine which facilities have priority in getting access to the government’s protective equipment. | In Washington, officials have established a grid to determine which facilities have priority in getting access to the government’s protective equipment. |
| Long-term care centers with confirmed coronavirus cases and hospitals with the largest numbers of confirmed cases are at the top of the list, while sites lower on the list include homeless shelters or medical facilities that do not have confirmed cases. | Long-term care centers with confirmed coronavirus cases and hospitals with the largest numbers of confirmed cases are at the top of the list, while sites lower on the list include homeless shelters or medical facilities that do not have confirmed cases. |
| Updated June 30, 2020 | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| With tight supplies of N95 masks, the state Department of Health has told health leaders that only the highest-priority locations will get distributions of those. The agency cautioned that not all requests will be fulfilled, and leaders at places like neighborhood health clinics have already seen weeks pass without requests getting approved. | With tight supplies of N95 masks, the state Department of Health has told health leaders that only the highest-priority locations will get distributions of those. The agency cautioned that not all requests will be fulfilled, and leaders at places like neighborhood health clinics have already seen weeks pass without requests getting approved. |
| Washington State is expected to receive a shipment of supplies from the national stockpile this weekend that will include some 1.6 million N95 masks. | Washington State is expected to receive a shipment of supplies from the national stockpile this weekend that will include some 1.6 million N95 masks. |
| Mr. Inslee has also been pressuring the federal government to send a hospital ship to the state’s shores to supplement its medical capacity. But California has also made such a request, indicating an escalating rush between the states to win federal government assistance. | Mr. Inslee has also been pressuring the federal government to send a hospital ship to the state’s shores to supplement its medical capacity. But California has also made such a request, indicating an escalating rush between the states to win federal government assistance. |
| President Trump said on Saturday that the clothing company Hanes was among those that had been enlisted to start churning out masks, although the company said they would not be the N95 masks that were most effective in protecting medical workers. | President Trump said on Saturday that the clothing company Hanes was among those that had been enlisted to start churning out masks, although the company said they would not be the N95 masks that were most effective in protecting medical workers. |
| Mike Baker contributed reporting. | Mike Baker contributed reporting. |