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4 Bright Spots Amid the Gloom of Coronavirus 4 Bright Spots Amid the Gloom of Coronavirus
(3 days later)
It can get overwhelming: a drumbeat of bleak news about the coronavirus pandemic, with events changing so fast that one week seems unrecognizable from the last.It can get overwhelming: a drumbeat of bleak news about the coronavirus pandemic, with events changing so fast that one week seems unrecognizable from the last.
“In the moment, it’s painful and miserable and it’s hard,” said Jeremy Ortman, a mental health counselor in New York. “We don’t know what it’s going to look like on the other side.”“In the moment, it’s painful and miserable and it’s hard,” said Jeremy Ortman, a mental health counselor in New York. “We don’t know what it’s going to look like on the other side.”
But he and other experts said that, to stay resilient in uncertain and frightening times, it was critical to remember that bright spots do exist, and to keep those gleams of hope in mind. “Whenever I’ve asked people what thing they’re most proud of in their lives, it’s always connected to times of pain or strife or struggle and how they got through it,” he said.But he and other experts said that, to stay resilient in uncertain and frightening times, it was critical to remember that bright spots do exist, and to keep those gleams of hope in mind. “Whenever I’ve asked people what thing they’re most proud of in their lives, it’s always connected to times of pain or strife or struggle and how they got through it,” he said.
So, you are probably asking by now, what positives are there to remember?So, you are probably asking by now, what positives are there to remember?
It’s not often that kindness and fellowship grab headlines. Maybe people are being better to each other, or maybe we’re just noticing it more.It’s not often that kindness and fellowship grab headlines. Maybe people are being better to each other, or maybe we’re just noticing it more.
People are serenading each other across windowsills. Animal shelters are reporting upticks in foster applications. Volunteers are buying groceries for their neighbors, cities are starting programs to feed the homeless, and stores are offering exclusive hours for older shoppers.People are serenading each other across windowsills. Animal shelters are reporting upticks in foster applications. Volunteers are buying groceries for their neighbors, cities are starting programs to feed the homeless, and stores are offering exclusive hours for older shoppers.
Responding to dire equipment shortages at hospitals, sewing circles organized on social media are stitching scraps of shower curtains and flowered fabric into masks, and craft distilleries are using spirits to make hand sanitizer, for free.Responding to dire equipment shortages at hospitals, sewing circles organized on social media are stitching scraps of shower curtains and flowered fabric into masks, and craft distilleries are using spirits to make hand sanitizer, for free.
Some landlords are waiving or lowering rent, and some employers are recognizing an obligation to look out for employees. Broadway producers agreed to pay actors and stage crew workers through the next several weeks, and unions and companies negotiated to increase the salaries of some grocery store employees, who have become an indispensable work force in the crisis.Some landlords are waiving or lowering rent, and some employers are recognizing an obligation to look out for employees. Broadway producers agreed to pay actors and stage crew workers through the next several weeks, and unions and companies negotiated to increase the salaries of some grocery store employees, who have become an indispensable work force in the crisis.
In Kansas, after schools were closed for the rest of the academic year, six tents were set up around Kansas City where students could pick up breakfast and lunch, school officials said.In Kansas, after schools were closed for the rest of the academic year, six tents were set up around Kansas City where students could pick up breakfast and lunch, school officials said.
More than 70 percent of the district’s 23,000 students rely on school meals.More than 70 percent of the district’s 23,000 students rely on school meals.
“We’re really just trying to let everyone know that we want to do right by the students,” said Charles Foust, the superintendent of schools in Kansas City.“We’re really just trying to let everyone know that we want to do right by the students,” said Charles Foust, the superintendent of schools in Kansas City.
In Jonesboro, Ark., Ramey Myers, a co-owner of the Parsonage, a restaurant, feared she would have to lay off employees after she and her husband shut it down except for takeout. The couple panicked this month when they took in only $50 for an entire day.In Jonesboro, Ark., Ramey Myers, a co-owner of the Parsonage, a restaurant, feared she would have to lay off employees after she and her husband shut it down except for takeout. The couple panicked this month when they took in only $50 for an entire day.
But she then got a text from her landlord: “no rent April.”But she then got a text from her landlord: “no rent April.”
With the reprieve, Ms. Myers and her husband could pay their employees for two more weeks. “Other people need to do” what her landlord did, she said, calling it, “a blessing beyond anything anyone could have done. It’s huge.”With the reprieve, Ms. Myers and her husband could pay their employees for two more weeks. “Other people need to do” what her landlord did, she said, calling it, “a blessing beyond anything anyone could have done. It’s huge.”
Everyone has a chance to be heroic, Dr. Emily Landon, the chief infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of Chicago Medicine, said at a news conference last week. “It’s really hard to feel like you’re saving the world when you’re watching Netflix from your couch,” she said. “But if we do this right, nothing happens.”Everyone has a chance to be heroic, Dr. Emily Landon, the chief infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of Chicago Medicine, said at a news conference last week. “It’s really hard to feel like you’re saving the world when you’re watching Netflix from your couch,” she said. “But if we do this right, nothing happens.”
Dr. Landon urged patience as Illinois enacted stay-at-home measures. “A successful shelter in place means that you’re going to feel like it was all for nothing,” she said. “You’d be right, because nothing means that nothing happened to your family. And that’s what we’re going for here.”Dr. Landon urged patience as Illinois enacted stay-at-home measures. “A successful shelter in place means that you’re going to feel like it was all for nothing,” she said. “You’d be right, because nothing means that nothing happened to your family. And that’s what we’re going for here.”
On the front lines of the crisis, doctors and health care workers are finding creative ways to cope with severe shortages at hospitals, and using social media to educate the public as federal health officials have receded from view at White House briefings.On the front lines of the crisis, doctors and health care workers are finding creative ways to cope with severe shortages at hospitals, and using social media to educate the public as federal health officials have receded from view at White House briefings.
In New York, hospitals are pioneering a little-tested method of “ventilator sharing,” and the Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use approval to a device, developed by a South Carolina-based company, that adapts one ventilator for use with four patients.In New York, hospitals are pioneering a little-tested method of “ventilator sharing,” and the Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use approval to a device, developed by a South Carolina-based company, that adapts one ventilator for use with four patients.
In Nebraska, administrators at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have begun an experimental procedure to decontaminate masks with ultraviolet light.In Nebraska, administrators at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have begun an experimental procedure to decontaminate masks with ultraviolet light.
In Massachusetts, Carney Hospital will be used exclusively to treat patients with the coronavirus, and in Washington State, the U.W. Medicine’s Medical Center Northwest in Seattle converted part of a four-story parking garage into a mobile testing clinic.In Massachusetts, Carney Hospital will be used exclusively to treat patients with the coronavirus, and in Washington State, the U.W. Medicine’s Medical Center Northwest in Seattle converted part of a four-story parking garage into a mobile testing clinic.
K.C. Rondello, a disaster epidemiologist at the College of Nursing and Public Health at Adelphi University in New York, said he had been trying to remember these efforts even as he despairs over the patchwork response around the country.K.C. Rondello, a disaster epidemiologist at the College of Nursing and Public Health at Adelphi University in New York, said he had been trying to remember these efforts even as he despairs over the patchwork response around the country.
“Ninety-five percent of what I’m seeing is bad news,” he said. “The silver lining is we’re learning as we go along. We’re making extraordinary efforts.”“Ninety-five percent of what I’m seeing is bad news,” he said. “The silver lining is we’re learning as we go along. We’re making extraordinary efforts.”
Major corporations are also trying to help. The Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan offered free lodging to doctors, nurses and other health care workers. Carmakers and Dyson are converting machines to build ventilators, clothing companies are making masks and the brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev is repurposing breweries for sanitizer. Facebook has donated more than 700,000 masks, and Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple, pledged to donate millions more to the United States and Europe.Major corporations are also trying to help. The Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan offered free lodging to doctors, nurses and other health care workers. Carmakers and Dyson are converting machines to build ventilators, clothing companies are making masks and the brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev is repurposing breweries for sanitizer. Facebook has donated more than 700,000 masks, and Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple, pledged to donate millions more to the United States and Europe.
Though a vaccine is expected to be at least 12 months away, doctors are scrambling to improve testing and find anti-viral treatments. A team of hundreds of scientists from New York to Paris are testing 50 drugs as treatments against the virus.Though a vaccine is expected to be at least 12 months away, doctors are scrambling to improve testing and find anti-viral treatments. A team of hundreds of scientists from New York to Paris are testing 50 drugs as treatments against the virus.
One company has developed a “smart thermometer” that can track the coronavirus in real time, and researchers are racing to deliver new medicines.One company has developed a “smart thermometer” that can track the coronavirus in real time, and researchers are racing to deliver new medicines.
Updated June 5, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
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.
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.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
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.
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.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Even the failures should be encouraging, said Dr. C. Robert Horsburgh, a professor of epidemiology at Boston University. “Doctors are practical people,” he said, noting that even tests that don’t work out can provide useful data. “If you keep trying, eventually something will work,” he said.Even the failures should be encouraging, said Dr. C. Robert Horsburgh, a professor of epidemiology at Boston University. “Doctors are practical people,” he said, noting that even tests that don’t work out can provide useful data. “If you keep trying, eventually something will work,” he said.
The mobilization in the medical field recalls organizing efforts during World War II, said Robert Citino, executive director of the Institute for the Study of War and Democracy at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.The mobilization in the medical field recalls organizing efforts during World War II, said Robert Citino, executive director of the Institute for the Study of War and Democracy at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
“I don’t think there has ever been more human ingenuity devoted to a single scientific problem than the one we’re facing right now,” he said. “I don’t think I’m being a Pollyanna when I say that, when you look at history, what you see is the immense curiosity and immense strength of human beings under crisis.”“I don’t think there has ever been more human ingenuity devoted to a single scientific problem than the one we’re facing right now,” he said. “I don’t think I’m being a Pollyanna when I say that, when you look at history, what you see is the immense curiosity and immense strength of human beings under crisis.”
This outbreak is bad, but experts say it contains important lessons for a disease with even worse factors. The innovations and procedures that cities, states and nations are putting in place now may prepare us for a pandemic with an even higher fatality rate.This outbreak is bad, but experts say it contains important lessons for a disease with even worse factors. The innovations and procedures that cities, states and nations are putting in place now may prepare us for a pandemic with an even higher fatality rate.
“What we’re facing is unprecedented, and I don’t want to downplay its seriousness, but it’s not the worst-case scenario,” said Malia Jones, a researcher who studies infectious diseases at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.“What we’re facing is unprecedented, and I don’t want to downplay its seriousness, but it’s not the worst-case scenario,” said Malia Jones, a researcher who studies infectious diseases at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
The worst-case scenario, she said, would be a new strain of flu that humans have no immunity against, with a higher death rate than the coronavirus and the potential to kill billions. That scenario is akin to movies like “Contagion” and “Outbreak,” but without a vaccine that miraculously appears before the credits roll.The worst-case scenario, she said, would be a new strain of flu that humans have no immunity against, with a higher death rate than the coronavirus and the potential to kill billions. That scenario is akin to movies like “Contagion” and “Outbreak,” but without a vaccine that miraculously appears before the credits roll.
“I hope the takeaway here is that we’ll be better prepared to deal with the next pandemic,” Dr. Jones said. “This is a good practice run for a novel influenza pandemic. That’s the real scary scenario.”“I hope the takeaway here is that we’ll be better prepared to deal with the next pandemic,” Dr. Jones said. “This is a good practice run for a novel influenza pandemic. That’s the real scary scenario.”
At the very least, if the habits people are developing now stick — washing hands for 20 seconds, not touching their faces, keeping a healthy pantry, staying home instead of working sick — they could have a positive effect on outcomes of more common illnesses, like the seasonal flu.At the very least, if the habits people are developing now stick — washing hands for 20 seconds, not touching their faces, keeping a healthy pantry, staying home instead of working sick — they could have a positive effect on outcomes of more common illnesses, like the seasonal flu.
“If we could get some basic hygiene practices as norms in the United States we would have less flu deaths,” Dr. Jones said. “That would be a wonderful outcome.”“If we could get some basic hygiene practices as norms in the United States we would have less flu deaths,” Dr. Jones said. “That would be a wonderful outcome.”