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| The Many Times It’s Been ‘Infrastructure Week’ in Washington | The Many Times It’s Been ‘Infrastructure Week’ in Washington |
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| WASHINGTON — From the moment President Trump made his 2016 campaign pledge to start a $1 trillion effort to rebuild the United States’ roads and bridges, infrastructure has become a constant motif of his presidency: his unfulfilled boasts about cutting big bipartisan deals, his quest for distractions from disastrous news cycles and his inability to tackle the nation’s pressing issues. | WASHINGTON — From the moment President Trump made his 2016 campaign pledge to start a $1 trillion effort to rebuild the United States’ roads and bridges, infrastructure has become a constant motif of his presidency: his unfulfilled boasts about cutting big bipartisan deals, his quest for distractions from disastrous news cycles and his inability to tackle the nation’s pressing issues. |
| Democrats have called for a huge infrastructure deal, as well, only to see their hopes for a compromise with Mr. Trump undermined amid squabbling about how to pay for it and derailed by the president’s anger at their investigations of his policies and conduct. | Democrats have called for a huge infrastructure deal, as well, only to see their hopes for a compromise with Mr. Trump undermined amid squabbling about how to pay for it and derailed by the president’s anger at their investigations of his policies and conduct. |
| Over the past three years, as the White House’s carefully laid plans for infrastructure-related events have repeatedly been thwarted or overshadowed by the scandal of the day, the phrase “Infrastructure Week” has become something of a joke and a metaphor for any well-intentioned proposal doomed to go nowhere. | Over the past three years, as the White House’s carefully laid plans for infrastructure-related events have repeatedly been thwarted or overshadowed by the scandal of the day, the phrase “Infrastructure Week” has become something of a joke and a metaphor for any well-intentioned proposal doomed to go nowhere. |
| But with growing consensus that the coronavirus pandemic could jump-start bipartisan efforts to enact a multitrillion-dollar infrastructure plan to create thousands of jobs, the Trump administration and Congress appear to be taking the issue seriously again. | But with growing consensus that the coronavirus pandemic could jump-start bipartisan efforts to enact a multitrillion-dollar infrastructure plan to create thousands of jobs, the Trump administration and Congress appear to be taking the issue seriously again. |
| Here is a timeline of all of the Infrastructure Weeks that could have been. | Here is a timeline of all of the Infrastructure Weeks that could have been. |
| Mr. Trump said he would spend $800 billion to $1 trillion improving America’s infrastructure, pointing to bridges across the country that were structurally precarious. His proposal was twice as much as what his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, pledged. | Mr. Trump said he would spend $800 billion to $1 trillion improving America’s infrastructure, pointing to bridges across the country that were structurally precarious. His proposal was twice as much as what his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, pledged. |
| Mr. Trump said the infrastructure improvements would be funded by government bonds purchased by investors, a plan liberal economists had pushed for. He promised to fix one bridge in particular — the Brent Spence Bridge in Cincinnati that had long plagued the region with creaks and rust. | Mr. Trump said the infrastructure improvements would be funded by government bonds purchased by investors, a plan liberal economists had pushed for. He promised to fix one bridge in particular — the Brent Spence Bridge in Cincinnati that had long plagued the region with creaks and rust. |
| At an event in the Rose Garden during the first scheduled infrastructure week, Mr. Trump accused James B. Comey, the F.B.I. director he had fired a month before, of lying under oath during congressional testimony about the investigation into the Trump campaign’s alleged ties to Russia. | At an event in the Rose Garden during the first scheduled infrastructure week, Mr. Trump accused James B. Comey, the F.B.I. director he had fired a month before, of lying under oath during congressional testimony about the investigation into the Trump campaign’s alleged ties to Russia. |
| During that week, the president also criticized Mayor Sadiq Khan of London for failing to combat terrorism and rebuffed efforts to play down his travel ban barring visitors from predominantly Muslim nations. | During that week, the president also criticized Mayor Sadiq Khan of London for failing to combat terrorism and rebuffed efforts to play down his travel ban barring visitors from predominantly Muslim nations. |
| Mr. Trump, flanked by members of his administration in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, offered an update on his infrastructure agenda. But the event turned into a combative question-and-answer session, where the president, asked about a white supremacist attack in Charlottesville, Va., returned to blaming both sides for the deadly violence. | Mr. Trump, flanked by members of his administration in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, offered an update on his infrastructure agenda. But the event turned into a combative question-and-answer session, where the president, asked about a white supremacist attack in Charlottesville, Va., returned to blaming both sides for the deadly violence. |
| “I think there is blame on both sides,” Mr. Trump said at the time. “You had a group on one side that was bad. You had a group on the other side that was also very violent. Nobody wants to say that. I’ll say it right now.” | “I think there is blame on both sides,” Mr. Trump said at the time. “You had a group on one side that was bad. You had a group on the other side that was also very violent. Nobody wants to say that. I’ll say it right now.” |
| A few days after Mr. Trump vowed to tackle infrastructure during his State of the Union address, the administration released a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan for the next decade — a fraction of which would come from federal investments. | A few days after Mr. Trump vowed to tackle infrastructure during his State of the Union address, the administration released a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan for the next decade — a fraction of which would come from federal investments. |
| The president said his plan would “spur the biggest and boldest infrastructure investment in American history.” But it faced immediate skepticism on Capitol Hill from both Republicans and Democrats. Independent analysts said the plan would likely not lead to new spending on roads and bridges. | The president said his plan would “spur the biggest and boldest infrastructure investment in American history.” But it faced immediate skepticism on Capitol Hill from both Republicans and Democrats. Independent analysts said the plan would likely not lead to new spending on roads and bridges. |
| The news of the plan was also overshadowed by the resignation of Rob Porter, then the staff secretary, after two former wives accused him of physical abuse when they were married to him, and the news that Michael D. Cohen, Mr. Trump’s longtime personal lawyer, had paid $130,000 to a pornographic film actress who had once claimed to have had an affair with Mr. Trump. | The news of the plan was also overshadowed by the resignation of Rob Porter, then the staff secretary, after two former wives accused him of physical abuse when they were married to him, and the news that Michael D. Cohen, Mr. Trump’s longtime personal lawyer, had paid $130,000 to a pornographic film actress who had once claimed to have had an affair with Mr. Trump. |
| During the State of the Union address, Mr. Trump called on both political parties to hammer out an infrastructure improvement plan that had made little progress during his first two years in office. | During the State of the Union address, Mr. Trump called on both political parties to hammer out an infrastructure improvement plan that had made little progress during his first two years in office. |
| “Both parties should be able to unite for a great rebuilding of America’s crumbling infrastructure,” Mr. Trump said. “This is not an option, this is a necessity.” | “Both parties should be able to unite for a great rebuilding of America’s crumbling infrastructure,” Mr. Trump said. “This is not an option, this is a necessity.” |
| With Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California regaining control of the gavel after Democrats won back the House in November 2018, she and other congressional leaders convened at the White House to hammer out a plan for infrastructure. | With Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California regaining control of the gavel after Democrats won back the House in November 2018, she and other congressional leaders convened at the White House to hammer out a plan for infrastructure. |
| Democratic congressional leaders emerged afterward and said that Mr. Trump had agreed to pursue a $2 trillion infrastructure plan to upgrade the nation’s highways, railroads, bridges and broadband. They planned to reconvene in three weeks to discuss how to pay for it. | Democratic congressional leaders emerged afterward and said that Mr. Trump had agreed to pursue a $2 trillion infrastructure plan to upgrade the nation’s highways, railroads, bridges and broadband. They planned to reconvene in three weeks to discuss how to pay for it. |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | Updated June 5, 2020 |
| 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. | 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. |
| Mr. Trump abruptly ended a follow-up meeting with Democrats in May, declaring that he would not work with them until they stopped investigating him and accusing Ms. Pelosi of a cover-up. | Mr. Trump abruptly ended a follow-up meeting with Democrats in May, declaring that he would not work with them until they stopped investigating him and accusing Ms. Pelosi of a cover-up. |
| While the president said that it was not possible to work with Democrats during the investigations — “we’re going to go down one track at a time” — the breakdown also gave Democrats evidence to say that Mr. Trump had never been serious about working together on infrastructure. | While the president said that it was not possible to work with Democrats during the investigations — “we’re going to go down one track at a time” — the breakdown also gave Democrats evidence to say that Mr. Trump had never been serious about working together on infrastructure. |
| “I knew he was looking for a way out,” Ms. Pelosi told her colleagues at the time. “We were expecting this.” | “I knew he was looking for a way out,” Ms. Pelosi told her colleagues at the time. “We were expecting this.” |
| House Democrats unveiled their own five-year, $760 billion legislation to rebuild the nation’s highways, airports and other infrastructure as the Senate grappled with the impeachment trial against Mr. Trump. | House Democrats unveiled their own five-year, $760 billion legislation to rebuild the nation’s highways, airports and other infrastructure as the Senate grappled with the impeachment trial against Mr. Trump. |
| While the framework included transportation and infrastructure legislation routinely addressed by Congress, Democrats also emphasized efforts to counter the effect of climate change. It was unlikely the Republican-led Senate would take up the legislation without significant changes. | While the framework included transportation and infrastructure legislation routinely addressed by Congress, Democrats also emphasized efforts to counter the effect of climate change. It was unlikely the Republican-led Senate would take up the legislation without significant changes. |
| In the final State of the Union address of his term, Mr. Trump called on Congress to take up a Senate highway bill that had passed unanimously out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. That bill authorized $287 billion over five years, and included provisions for road safety and programs to maintain and repair roads and bridges. | In the final State of the Union address of his term, Mr. Trump called on Congress to take up a Senate highway bill that had passed unanimously out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. That bill authorized $287 billion over five years, and included provisions for road safety and programs to maintain and repair roads and bridges. |
| After passing three sweeping pieces of legislation to counter the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Democratic and Republican lawmakers, as well as the president, have begun to again raise the possibility of passing a $2 trillion infrastructure package. | After passing three sweeping pieces of legislation to counter the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Democratic and Republican lawmakers, as well as the president, have begun to again raise the possibility of passing a $2 trillion infrastructure package. |