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Why Are California and New York Different in the Virus Crisis? Why Are California and New York Different in the Virus Crisis?
(about 2 hours later)
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Two weeks ago, leaders in the Bay Area ordered residents to shelter in place and leave their homes only to buy food, get medicine or perform other “essential tasks,” making the region the first to venture into a life-altering experiment.Two weeks ago, leaders in the Bay Area ordered residents to shelter in place and leave their homes only to buy food, get medicine or perform other “essential tasks,” making the region the first to venture into a life-altering experiment.
The idea, they said, was to slow the spread of Covid-19, and prevent infected patients from overwhelming hospitals and health care systems.The idea, they said, was to slow the spread of Covid-19, and prevent infected patients from overwhelming hospitals and health care systems.
Days later, on March 19, Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded the directive to all of California, home to almost 40 million people.Days later, on March 19, Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded the directive to all of California, home to almost 40 million people.
[See which states and cities have told residents to stay home.][See which states and cities have told residents to stay home.]
It would be days more before Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York put the state “on pause,” a different label for a very similar order.It would be days more before Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York put the state “on pause,” a different label for a very similar order.
Now, New York City is the center of the pandemic. New York State had reported 965 deaths from the virus, compared with 130 in California, as of Sunday, according to The Times’s tracking.Now, New York City is the center of the pandemic. New York State had reported 965 deaths from the virus, compared with 130 in California, as of Sunday, according to The Times’s tracking.
It’s much too soon to say why New York has been hit harder — and whether early containment measures by California officials are paying off.It’s much too soon to say why New York has been hit harder — and whether early containment measures by California officials are paying off.
Testing has been significantly less available here than in New York, and public health officials have repeated that as testing becomes more widespread in California, it’s likely to reveal many more cases.Testing has been significantly less available here than in New York, and public health officials have repeated that as testing becomes more widespread in California, it’s likely to reveal many more cases.
But The Associated Press noted that California’s shortage of tests in the early weeks of the crisis doesn’t alone explain the differences between the states.But The Associated Press noted that California’s shortage of tests in the early weeks of the crisis doesn’t alone explain the differences between the states.
[Read more about debates over how much the public should know about the state’s coronavirus cases.][Read more about debates over how much the public should know about the state’s coronavirus cases.]
Certainly, as my colleagues have reported, New York City’s density hasn’t helped keep people apart. (Although, as my colleagues have also reported, density will also be a source of resilience in the difficult recovery.)Certainly, as my colleagues have reported, New York City’s density hasn’t helped keep people apart. (Although, as my colleagues have also reported, density will also be a source of resilience in the difficult recovery.)
And over the weekend, Mr. Newsom and other California officials got some tentative thumbs up from experts who said that California’s restrictions — provided that they continue and that residents adhere to them — may help the state’s biggest urban areas avoid the kind of devastating scenes playing out in New York City.And over the weekend, Mr. Newsom and other California officials got some tentative thumbs up from experts who said that California’s restrictions — provided that they continue and that residents adhere to them — may help the state’s biggest urban areas avoid the kind of devastating scenes playing out in New York City.
“When history is written,” California leaders including Mayor London Breed of San Francisco and Mr. Newsom, “should get credit for saving hundreds of lives,” Dr. Bob Wachter said on Twitter. He is a professor and chair of the University of California, San Francisco’s department of medicine.“When history is written,” California leaders including Mayor London Breed of San Francisco and Mr. Newsom, “should get credit for saving hundreds of lives,” Dr. Bob Wachter said on Twitter. He is a professor and chair of the University of California, San Francisco’s department of medicine.
Nevertheless, officials across the state are scrambling to meet demand for hospital beds and health care. And they’re still pleading with residents to stay home.Nevertheless, officials across the state are scrambling to meet demand for hospital beds and health care. And they’re still pleading with residents to stay home.
“Only time will tell us if that time you didn’t go out saved a life,” Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles said on Sunday as he laid out plans to add more hospital beds at the Los Angeles Convention Center. “We’re racing against time.”“Only time will tell us if that time you didn’t go out saved a life,” Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles said on Sunday as he laid out plans to add more hospital beds at the Los Angeles Convention Center. “We’re racing against time.”
[Read more about the arrival of a 1,000-bed Navy hospital ship at the Port of Los Angeles.][Read more about the arrival of a 1,000-bed Navy hospital ship at the Port of Los Angeles.]
We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.
Mr. Newsom on Friday announced a statewide halt of evictions until May 31 for those affected by the outbreak in a long-sought move that activists have said would at least temporarily help newly unemployed Californians stay in their homes. But that rent will have to be paid eventually, which is troubling for those who were already living paycheck to paycheck.Mr. Newsom on Friday announced a statewide halt of evictions until May 31 for those affected by the outbreak in a long-sought move that activists have said would at least temporarily help newly unemployed Californians stay in their homes. But that rent will have to be paid eventually, which is troubling for those who were already living paycheck to paycheck.
Read more about bills due this week and what that means for the economy. [The New York Times]Read more about bills due this week and what that means for the economy. [The New York Times]
The U.S. tried to build a new fleet of now desperately needed ventilators. Here’s how the mission failed. [The New York Times]The U.S. tried to build a new fleet of now desperately needed ventilators. Here’s how the mission failed. [The New York Times]
Also, Los Angeles got 170 broken ventilators from the federal government. So a Silicon Valley company is fixing them. [The Los Angeles Times]Also, Los Angeles got 170 broken ventilators from the federal government. So a Silicon Valley company is fixing them. [The Los Angeles Times]
A Lancaster teenager whose death has been linked to Covid-19 was turned away from urgent care because he didn’t have health insurance, the city’s mayor said. [Gizmodo]A Lancaster teenager whose death has been linked to Covid-19 was turned away from urgent care because he didn’t have health insurance, the city’s mayor said. [Gizmodo]
Instacart workers, who shop for and deliver groceries, are set to go on strike today, saying they haven’t been given adequate protection from infection at supermarkets. [The New York Times]Instacart workers, who shop for and deliver groceries, are set to go on strike today, saying they haven’t been given adequate protection from infection at supermarkets. [The New York Times]
Also, here’s what to know before you go to the grocery store. [The New York Times]Also, here’s what to know before you go to the grocery store. [The New York Times]
My colleague Emma Goldberg wondered about the impulse to make art to reflect troubled times. Here’s her dispatch on art in the coronavirus era:My colleague Emma Goldberg wondered about the impulse to make art to reflect troubled times. Here’s her dispatch on art in the coronavirus era:
Making art amid a pandemic can raise thorny questions. David Goodsell, a computational biologist by day and amateur painter by night, has spent years making watercolors of viruses — Ebola, Zika, H.I.V. — to show their cellular structures.Making art amid a pandemic can raise thorny questions. David Goodsell, a computational biologist by day and amateur painter by night, has spent years making watercolors of viruses — Ebola, Zika, H.I.V. — to show their cellular structures.
When he tweeted his image of the coronavirus, he was surprised by the outpouring of responses it provoked, some critical of his decision to glamorize something so deadly.When he tweeted his image of the coronavirus, he was surprised by the outpouring of responses it provoked, some critical of his decision to glamorize something so deadly.
“You have to admit, these viruses are so symmetrical that they’re beautiful,” said Mr. Goodsell, an associate professor at Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla. “Are bright colors and pretty stuff the right approach? The jury’s still out. I’m not trying to make these things look dangerous, I want people to understand how they’re built.”“You have to admit, these viruses are so symmetrical that they’re beautiful,” said Mr. Goodsell, an associate professor at Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla. “Are bright colors and pretty stuff the right approach? The jury’s still out. I’m not trying to make these things look dangerous, I want people to understand how they’re built.”
Seeing the infection count rise, Mr. Goodsell said he worried about the health of his aging parents in Los Angeles. But he hopes his painting can quell fears about the novel coronavirus by educating people on the virus’s workings: “I want people to think of viruses as being an entity that we can learn about and fight. They’re not nebulous nothings.”Seeing the infection count rise, Mr. Goodsell said he worried about the health of his aging parents in Los Angeles. But he hopes his painting can quell fears about the novel coronavirus by educating people on the virus’s workings: “I want people to think of viruses as being an entity that we can learn about and fight. They’re not nebulous nothings.”
Across the country, artists, sellers and buyers are wrestling with the ethics of crafting virus-themed works. Earlier this month, Etsy removed all products mentioning Covid-19, which affected hundreds of items, including “I Survived Coronavirus 2020” T-shirts and crochet models of the virus.Across the country, artists, sellers and buyers are wrestling with the ethics of crafting virus-themed works. Earlier this month, Etsy removed all products mentioning Covid-19, which affected hundreds of items, including “I Survived Coronavirus 2020” T-shirts and crochet models of the virus.
An Etsy spokesperson said that its ban aimed to ensure no one would “exploit the developing coronavirus situation.”An Etsy spokesperson said that its ban aimed to ensure no one would “exploit the developing coronavirus situation.”
The decision rankled some artists who, like Mr. Goodsell, view their works as educational. One Etsy seller, Sydni Rubio, who had posted Covid-19 stickers for $4 a piece, wrote a petition protesting the ban; she said virus art “brings awareness to the epidemic.”The decision rankled some artists who, like Mr. Goodsell, view their works as educational. One Etsy seller, Sydni Rubio, who had posted Covid-19 stickers for $4 a piece, wrote a petition protesting the ban; she said virus art “brings awareness to the epidemic.”
Updated June 16, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
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.
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.
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.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
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.
But for some creatives, Covid-19 works are more personal. In early March, Duyi Han, a designer in Los Angeles, was messaging daily with his grandparents quarantined in their Wuhan home, two miles from the seafood market where the outbreak began. He thought mournfully of the city he visited as a child, whose cherry blossom-lined streets had been deserted.But for some creatives, Covid-19 works are more personal. In early March, Duyi Han, a designer in Los Angeles, was messaging daily with his grandparents quarantined in their Wuhan home, two miles from the seafood market where the outbreak began. He thought mournfully of the city he visited as a child, whose cherry blossom-lined streets had been deserted.
So Mr. Han created an oil painting and mural design, called “The Saints Wear White,” that depicts a chapel in Hubei province filled with coronavirus medical workers in decontamination suits.So Mr. Han created an oil painting and mural design, called “The Saints Wear White,” that depicts a chapel in Hubei province filled with coronavirus medical workers in decontamination suits.
“When I work on it, it’s kind of a spiritual experience,” Mr. Han said. “When I paint those figures I really put my faith in them.” More than 3,000 Chinese health care workers have been infected from the outbreak.“When I work on it, it’s kind of a spiritual experience,” Mr. Han said. “When I paint those figures I really put my faith in them.” More than 3,000 Chinese health care workers have been infected from the outbreak.
To Mr. Han, seeking beauty from crisis is a timeworn tradition, one he’s thought about since studying Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica.” He comforted his family in Wuhan by sending them photos of his art; in return, they sent pictures of food and masks to assure him they were safe.To Mr. Han, seeking beauty from crisis is a timeworn tradition, one he’s thought about since studying Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica.” He comforted his family in Wuhan by sending them photos of his art; in return, they sent pictures of food and masks to assure him they were safe.
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Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, graduated from U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter, @jillcowan.Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, graduated from U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter, @jillcowan.
California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.