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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
(8 days later)
This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the global outbreak. Sign up here to get the briefing by email.This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the global outbreak. Sign up here to get the briefing by email.
Forget reopening by Easter, experts say: The coronavirus is still “wildly out of control” in the U.S.Forget reopening by Easter, experts say: The coronavirus is still “wildly out of control” in the U.S.
There was still no agreement on a $2 trillion economic relief plan, but Democrats and Trump administration officials were optimistic.There was still no agreement on a $2 trillion economic relief plan, but Democrats and Trump administration officials were optimistic.
India ordered its entire population — 1.3 billion people — to stay inside their homes for three weeks.India ordered its entire population — 1.3 billion people — to stay inside their homes for three weeks.
The Summer Olympics in Tokyo will be postponed until 2021.The Summer Olympics in Tokyo will be postponed until 2021.
Get the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverageGet the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverage
Stay-at-home orders, business closures and bans on gatherings are painful for many and costly for everyone, so it’s natural to want them to end as soon as possible.Stay-at-home orders, business closures and bans on gatherings are painful for many and costly for everyone, so it’s natural to want them to end as soon as possible.
Conservatives and Wall Street executives are raising alarms about the economic harm the shutdowns from the coronavirus outbreak are doing, and President Trump said on Tuesday he “would love to have the country opened up, and just raring to go, by Easter” — less than three weeks from now.Conservatives and Wall Street executives are raising alarms about the economic harm the shutdowns from the coronavirus outbreak are doing, and President Trump said on Tuesday he “would love to have the country opened up, and just raring to go, by Easter” — less than three weeks from now.
But easing up so soon would be disastrous, public health experts say. Many more people would become infected, hospitals would be strained past the breaking point, the death toll would skyrocket — and the economic damage would only worsen.But easing up so soon would be disastrous, public health experts say. Many more people would become infected, hospitals would be strained past the breaking point, the death toll would skyrocket — and the economic damage would only worsen.
“There’s no magic wand — there’s no 15-day cure,” says Donald G. McNeil Jr., the Times science reporter who’s been talking to the leading experts on epidemics.“There’s no magic wand — there’s no 15-day cure,” says Donald G. McNeil Jr., the Times science reporter who’s been talking to the leading experts on epidemics.
The coronavirus remains “wildly out of control” in the U.S., Donald says on today’s episode of “The Daily” podcast, with little sign that the “patchwork” of restrictions in place now has begun to brake it yet.The coronavirus remains “wildly out of control” in the U.S., Donald says on today’s episode of “The Daily” podcast, with little sign that the “patchwork” of restrictions in place now has begun to brake it yet.
“To be effective, given how lax Americans are about staying in the shutdown,” he says, “we have got to have a shutdown that lasts for months and months.”“To be effective, given how lax Americans are about staying in the shutdown,” he says, “we have got to have a shutdown that lasts for months and months.”
And he says it would do more good if it were nationwide. “The only way to get on top of this disease is to stop the clusters,” he says, and as long as some people are moving about freely, new clusters will keep appearing.And he says it would do more good if it were nationwide. “The only way to get on top of this disease is to stop the clusters,” he says, and as long as some people are moving about freely, new clusters will keep appearing.
Endgame in China: Hubei province, where the outbreak erupted in late December, said on Tuesday that it was lifting some restrictions. But Hubei has been locked down for two months, much more tightly than anywhere in America. And even with new case reports near zero, some experts maintain that the epidemic there may not yet be over.Endgame in China: Hubei province, where the outbreak erupted in late December, said on Tuesday that it was lifting some restrictions. But Hubei has been locked down for two months, much more tightly than anywhere in America. And even with new case reports near zero, some experts maintain that the epidemic there may not yet be over.
The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.
New York City is now the epicenter of the virus outbreak in the U.S., with nearly 15,000 confirmed cases in the city — roughly 5 percent of the global total — and thousands more in the suburbs. The case count in New York State is doubling every three days, the governor said today.New York City is now the epicenter of the virus outbreak in the U.S., with nearly 15,000 confirmed cases in the city — roughly 5 percent of the global total — and thousands more in the suburbs. The case count in New York State is doubling every three days, the governor said today.
To understand why, we spoke to Brian Rosenthal, an investigative reporter on our Metro desk who has written about the particular challenges facing the city.To understand why, we spoke to Brian Rosenthal, an investigative reporter on our Metro desk who has written about the particular challenges facing the city.
What is it about New York City that made the virus explode here?What is it about New York City that made the virus explode here?
According to the experts, the single biggest factor is simply the density of the city. Twenty-eight thousand people live in every square mile of New York.According to the experts, the single biggest factor is simply the density of the city. Twenty-eight thousand people live in every square mile of New York.
New York has been testing a lot of people. Are the big numbers just a product of that?New York has been testing a lot of people. Are the big numbers just a product of that?
We looked into it. New York has conducted more tests than any other state. However, even after you account for that, the number of cases in New York is much higher.We looked into it. New York has conducted more tests than any other state. However, even after you account for that, the number of cases in New York is much higher.
If you just compare the percentage of tests that have come back positive, it’s about 25 percent in New York, and in California it’s about 5 percent. That doesn’t necessarily mean that five times as many people in New York have it, but it is a sign that the virus is probably more widespread in our community than in California.If you just compare the percentage of tests that have come back positive, it’s about 25 percent in New York, and in California it’s about 5 percent. That doesn’t necessarily mean that five times as many people in New York have it, but it is a sign that the virus is probably more widespread in our community than in California.
What would explain the difference?What would explain the difference?
What the experts think is that this virus was circulating in the city for much longer than we thought, and it spread before we put in place these social distancing measures. We are starting to see the ramifications of that now, days and weeks after the virus spread, because it takes time for symptoms to show up.What the experts think is that this virus was circulating in the city for much longer than we thought, and it spread before we put in place these social distancing measures. We are starting to see the ramifications of that now, days and weeks after the virus spread, because it takes time for symptoms to show up.
Does New York’s experience offer any lesson?Does New York’s experience offer any lesson?
I think the most important lesson for the general public is to take this seriously, because the number of cases can escalate extremely quickly, and it will catch you off guard.I think the most important lesson for the general public is to take this seriously, because the number of cases can escalate extremely quickly, and it will catch you off guard.
With a vaccine still at least a year away, researchers have been hunting for existing drugs that might be useful in treating Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. They see some potential in 69 compounds, including some already in use for other diseases that might be repurposed quickly.With a vaccine still at least a year away, researchers have been hunting for existing drugs that might be useful in treating Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. They see some potential in 69 compounds, including some already in use for other diseases that might be repurposed quickly.
But even with only limited, anecdotal evidence that the drugs do any good, President Trump has already lauded some of them as possible game-changers, including the malaria drug chloroquine and an experimental antiviral drug, remdesivir. Clinical trials have begun, but scientists have yet to report any results, let alone get the drugs approved for use.But even with only limited, anecdotal evidence that the drugs do any good, President Trump has already lauded some of them as possible game-changers, including the malaria drug chloroquine and an experimental antiviral drug, remdesivir. Clinical trials have begun, but scientists have yet to report any results, let alone get the drugs approved for use.
Updated August 17, 2020 Updated August 24, 2020
The publicity has prompted some doctors to start hoarding some of the drugs by writing prescriptions for themselves and their relatives. In response, state pharmacy boards are issuing emergency rules for how the drugs can be dispensed.The publicity has prompted some doctors to start hoarding some of the drugs by writing prescriptions for themselves and their relatives. In response, state pharmacy boards are issuing emergency rules for how the drugs can be dispensed.
Gilead, the maker of remdesivir, is limiting distribution in the face of overwhelming demand. The company ended its “compassionate use” program, which allowed use of remdesivir in certain cases that had no other approved treatment options.Gilead, the maker of remdesivir, is limiting distribution in the face of overwhelming demand. The company ended its “compassionate use” program, which allowed use of remdesivir in certain cases that had no other approved treatment options.
A deadly mistake: A couple in Arizona tried to self-medicate by ingesting an aquarium-cleaning additive that has the same active ingredient as chloroquine. The additive is poisonous; the husband died, and the wife was left in critical condition.A deadly mistake: A couple in Arizona tried to self-medicate by ingesting an aquarium-cleaning additive that has the same active ingredient as chloroquine. The additive is poisonous; the husband died, and the wife was left in critical condition.
In Spain, army troops have found elderly people abandoned in several nursing homes. The country has tallied 40,000 coronavirus cases and more than 2,600 deaths.In Spain, army troops have found elderly people abandoned in several nursing homes. The country has tallied 40,000 coronavirus cases and more than 2,600 deaths.
With the U.S. case count nearing 50,000, the Trump administration said it planned to use its authority under a wartime production law for the first time, to order the production of 60,000 testing kits.With the U.S. case count nearing 50,000, the Trump administration said it planned to use its authority under a wartime production law for the first time, to order the production of 60,000 testing kits.
South Africa, with 550 cases, the most in Africa, will begin a three-week national shutdown on Thursday.South Africa, with 550 cases, the most in Africa, will begin a three-week national shutdown on Thursday.
Doctors in Cuba are monitoring 38,000 patients for Covid-19 symptoms, and more than 40,000 visitors to the island have been ordered to self-isolate. The country has 40 confirmed cases.Doctors in Cuba are monitoring 38,000 patients for Covid-19 symptoms, and more than 40,000 visitors to the island have been ordered to self-isolate. The country has 40 confirmed cases.
Fight loneliness: Simply offering to help a neighbor or calling an old friend can go a long way to relieve the emotional toll from social distancing, our personal health columnist writes.Fight loneliness: Simply offering to help a neighbor or calling an old friend can go a long way to relieve the emotional toll from social distancing, our personal health columnist writes.
Read and escape: We asked more than 20 authors, including Celeste Ng, Ann Patchett and Min Jin Lee, about the books they like to lose themselves in.Read and escape: We asked more than 20 authors, including Celeste Ng, Ann Patchett and Min Jin Lee, about the books they like to lose themselves in.
Handle your kids’ disappointment: Here’s how to deal with the letdown when school and birthday parties are canceled.Handle your kids’ disappointment: Here’s how to deal with the letdown when school and birthday parties are canceled.
Flex your creativity: We’ve published a cartoon scene of New Yorkers stuck indoors (toilet paper hoarders included) that you can color right on your screen.Flex your creativity: We’ve published a cartoon scene of New Yorkers stuck indoors (toilet paper hoarders included) that you can color right on your screen.
The Trump administration and Democratic leaders were hashing out the final details on Tuesday for a roughly $2 trillion economic stimulus deal.The Trump administration and Democratic leaders were hashing out the final details on Tuesday for a roughly $2 trillion economic stimulus deal.
The virus outbreak has brought state legislatures across the country to a standstill.The virus outbreak has brought state legislatures across the country to a standstill.
American restaurant owners and customers are raising money for laid-off service industry workers, many of whom are getting their last paychecks this week.American restaurant owners and customers are raising money for laid-off service industry workers, many of whom are getting their last paychecks this week.
Here’s a compelling way to visualize which countries and states are slowing the spread of the coronavirus: Our colleagues on The Upshot charted the trajectories of death tolls around the world.Here’s a compelling way to visualize which countries and states are slowing the spread of the coronavirus: Our colleagues on The Upshot charted the trajectories of death tolls around the world.
“I worry that unless we find some way to mitigate the overwhelming isolation this virus has created, we will leave a fleet of wounded patients and family survivors in its wake,” an I.C.U. doctor who treats coronavirus patients writes in a Times Op-Ed.“I worry that unless we find some way to mitigate the overwhelming isolation this virus has created, we will leave a fleet of wounded patients and family survivors in its wake,” an I.C.U. doctor who treats coronavirus patients writes in a Times Op-Ed.
Walking a dog is one exception to the strict quarantine rules in Italy. So to get a little fresh air, some people offer to rent their neighbors’ dogs, or take fake pups for a stroll, Politico reports.Walking a dog is one exception to the strict quarantine rules in Italy. So to get a little fresh air, some people offer to rent their neighbors’ dogs, or take fake pups for a stroll, Politico reports.
As cities and states shut down all nonessential businesses to slow the virus, they are often letting marijuana dispensaries stay open.As cities and states shut down all nonessential businesses to slow the virus, they are often letting marijuana dispensaries stay open.
Liberty University is preparing to bring back up to 5,000 students from spring break this week, even as many other college campuses have closed for the semester. The university’s president, Jerry Falwell Jr., is a prominent Trump supporter who has played down the threat of the virus.Liberty University is preparing to bring back up to 5,000 students from spring break this week, even as many other college campuses have closed for the semester. The university’s president, Jerry Falwell Jr., is a prominent Trump supporter who has played down the threat of the virus.
Addi’s Diner is a local treasure. They serve a pancake that’s about the size of a car steering wheel. Addi is a Braves fan. I’m a Dodgers fan. Whenever I come in, we make a show of insulting the other’s team. Sunday I dropped by to get a $20 gift certificate. I’m going to keep doing that for a while. Addi appreciated it, but she still dissed my Dodgers. And I her Braves.Addi’s Diner is a local treasure. They serve a pancake that’s about the size of a car steering wheel. Addi is a Braves fan. I’m a Dodgers fan. Whenever I come in, we make a show of insulting the other’s team. Sunday I dropped by to get a $20 gift certificate. I’m going to keep doing that for a while. Addi appreciated it, but she still dissed my Dodgers. And I her Braves.
—Michael Jaffarian, Springfield, Ore.—Michael Jaffarian, Springfield, Ore.
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Lara Takenaga, Jonathan Wolfe and Tom Wright-Piersanti contributed to today’s newsletter.Lara Takenaga, Jonathan Wolfe and Tom Wright-Piersanti contributed to today’s newsletter.