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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
(2 months 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.
The White House is expected to announce that all Americans should wear cloth masks if they go out in public.The White House is expected to announce that all Americans should wear cloth masks if they go out in public.
More than 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, doubling the record set a week earlier.More than 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, doubling the record set a week earlier.
The Democratic National Convention has been postponed to mid-August.The Democratic National Convention has been postponed to mid-August.
Get the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverageGet the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverage
U.S. employers are laying off workers at an unheard-of clip as the coronavirus outbreak plunges the economy into a deep freeze. Some 6.6 million people filed new unemployment insurance claims last week — nearly 20 times a typical week’s tally.U.S. employers are laying off workers at an unheard-of clip as the coronavirus outbreak plunges the economy into a deep freeze. Some 6.6 million people filed new unemployment insurance claims last week — nearly 20 times a typical week’s tally.
Experts say the figure should be even higher, but some state unemployment systems were so swamped that people couldn’t get through to file a claim. The monthly employment report for March, due on Friday, is likely to be ugly as well.Experts say the figure should be even higher, but some state unemployment systems were so swamped that people couldn’t get through to file a claim. The monthly employment report for March, due on Friday, is likely to be ugly as well.
This will be a recession like no other in memory. Recessions usually start with a financial or economic crisis that prompts consumers to cut their spending; the big job losses follow over time as revenue-starved businesses slash payrolls or close their doors. But with this one, the layoffs are coming right at the start, because of stay-home orders and business restrictions.This will be a recession like no other in memory. Recessions usually start with a financial or economic crisis that prompts consumers to cut their spending; the big job losses follow over time as revenue-starved businesses slash payrolls or close their doors. But with this one, the layoffs are coming right at the start, because of stay-home orders and business restrictions.
And it will be the virus, not economic forces, that will determine when a recovery can begin. No one yet knows what that recovery will look like, or how long it will take.And it will be the virus, not economic forces, that will determine when a recovery can begin. No one yet knows what that recovery will look like, or how long it will take.
Ron Lieber, the “Your Money” columnist for The Times, spoke to us about the impact of the sweeping job losses. Here are excerpts from the conversation.Ron Lieber, the “Your Money” columnist for The Times, spoke to us about the impact of the sweeping job losses. Here are excerpts from the conversation.
What’s the first thing someone who is laid off should do?What’s the first thing someone who is laid off should do?
Apply for unemployment — and you should keep trying. The new legislation allows for an extra $600 per week of assistance, and that extra money can be enough to make a difference between financial disaster and near financial calamity. And that’s why Congress offered it.Apply for unemployment — and you should keep trying. The new legislation allows for an extra $600 per week of assistance, and that extra money can be enough to make a difference between financial disaster and near financial calamity. And that’s why Congress offered it.
What do you tell people who are struggling to process all this?What do you tell people who are struggling to process all this?
It doesn’t look quite like anything we’ve seen before in our lifetime. Trying to plan or make predictions is really hard — and to tell people to embrace that uncertainty is not really helpful. I think the best thing is to talk to as many people as possible who have the same uncertainty that you do.It doesn’t look quite like anything we’ve seen before in our lifetime. Trying to plan or make predictions is really hard — and to tell people to embrace that uncertainty is not really helpful. I think the best thing is to talk to as many people as possible who have the same uncertainty that you do.
Will the U.S. economy just bounce back to where it was before, or do you expect lasting changes?Will the U.S. economy just bounce back to where it was before, or do you expect lasting changes?
If we continue to believe that capitalism and market economics are the right way to structure our country, then there probably ought to be at least some way our economic activity will revert to some level of normalcy. I would not believe anybody who is trying to predict when that will be.If we continue to believe that capitalism and market economics are the right way to structure our country, then there probably ought to be at least some way our economic activity will revert to some level of normalcy. I would not believe anybody who is trying to predict when that will be.
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.
The coronavirus outbreak is playing havoc with the political calendar. Fifteen states and one territory have postponed their primaries or switched to voting by mail with longer deadlines. And the national Democratic convention in Milwaukee, where the party formally selects its presidential candidate, has been pushed back a month to mid-August, a week before the Republican convention in Charlotte, N.C.The coronavirus outbreak is playing havoc with the political calendar. Fifteen states and one territory have postponed their primaries or switched to voting by mail with longer deadlines. And the national Democratic convention in Milwaukee, where the party formally selects its presidential candidate, has been pushed back a month to mid-August, a week before the Republican convention in Charlotte, N.C.
And then there’s Wisconsin, which is moving ahead with its primary next Tuesday, despite concerns about in-person voting during a pandemic.And then there’s Wisconsin, which is moving ahead with its primary next Tuesday, despite concerns about in-person voting during a pandemic.
Perhaps those most at risk on Election Day are the state’s poll workers, who tend to be older and have health conditions that make them vulnerable, according to Nick Corasaniti of The Times, who interviewed Wisconsin poll workers.Perhaps those most at risk on Election Day are the state’s poll workers, who tend to be older and have health conditions that make them vulnerable, according to Nick Corasaniti of The Times, who interviewed Wisconsin poll workers.
“Almost everyone I talked to was very conflicted about the risks — and many just said: ‘You know what, it’s not worth it. I can’t show up,” Nick said. “I spoke to three who were over 70, and heartbroken that they couldn’t be there. But they said they just couldn’t put themselves at risk.”“Almost everyone I talked to was very conflicted about the risks — and many just said: ‘You know what, it’s not worth it. I can’t show up,” Nick said. “I spoke to three who were over 70, and heartbroken that they couldn’t be there. But they said they just couldn’t put themselves at risk.”
The primary is forcing Wisconsinites to decide between public health and the right to vote, Nick said. One chief inspector told him, “Being complicit in putting public safety at risk seems a greater guilt to bear than letting democracy down.”The primary is forcing Wisconsinites to decide between public health and the right to vote, Nick said. One chief inspector told him, “Being complicit in putting public safety at risk seems a greater guilt to bear than letting democracy down.”
(If you are a Wisconsin voter, Thursday is the deadline to request an absentee ballot. You can sign up to vote by mail on the state’s elections website.)(If you are a Wisconsin voter, Thursday is the deadline to request an absentee ballot. You can sign up to vote by mail on the state’s elections website.)
At least 297 million Americans have been told to stay home, but millions continue to show up for work, because they can’t do their jobs from home, or can’t afford to lose income, or are considered essential to keeping the community functioning.At least 297 million Americans have been told to stay home, but millions continue to show up for work, because they can’t do their jobs from home, or can’t afford to lose income, or are considered essential to keeping the community functioning.
In their own words, workers across the country describe life in a changed world in The Times Magazine.In their own words, workers across the country describe life in a changed world in The Times Magazine.
“I would be lying to say I’m not worried about exposure to Covid-19,” said Nikki Grigalunas, a homeless-outreach worker in Chicago. “But when I’m in the field, the first thing I’m thinking about is helping our people cope. We make sure that somebody sees them. We hold hope.”“I would be lying to say I’m not worried about exposure to Covid-19,” said Nikki Grigalunas, a homeless-outreach worker in Chicago. “But when I’m in the field, the first thing I’m thinking about is helping our people cope. We make sure that somebody sees them. We hold hope.”
The Times reporter Jan Hoffman and the photographer Chang W. Lee rode along with a special unit of emergency medical workers in Paterson, N.J., as they responded to 911 calls for suspected coronavirus cases.The Times reporter Jan Hoffman and the photographer Chang W. Lee rode along with a special unit of emergency medical workers in Paterson, N.J., as they responded to 911 calls for suspected coronavirus cases.
The responders worked by three rules: Don’t go in a home, don’t touch the patient, and don’t take anyone to the hospital unless it’s absolutely necessary.The responders worked by three rules: Don’t go in a home, don’t touch the patient, and don’t take anyone to the hospital unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Stay-at-home orders have many Americans staying put, but people who live in areas without restrictions have kept in motion, according to a Times analysis of anonymous cellphone data from 15 million people.Stay-at-home orders have many Americans staying put, but people who live in areas without restrictions have kept in motion, according to a Times analysis of anonymous cellphone data from 15 million people.
Not all trips are problematic: Driving a few miles to pick up groceries would not violate stay-at-home orders. But in general, moving around more leads to more contact with others and more chances to catch or spread the disease, researchers said.Not all trips are problematic: Driving a few miles to pick up groceries would not violate stay-at-home orders. But in general, moving around more leads to more contact with others and more chances to catch or spread the disease, researchers said.
Updated June 2, 2020
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.
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.
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
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.
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.
New York State has only enough ventilators to last six more days, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said. New York City has set up 45 new mobile morgues, and crematories are now allowed to work around the clock.New York State has only enough ventilators to last six more days, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said. New York City has set up 45 new mobile morgues, and crematories are now allowed to work around the clock.
Britain reported 569 deaths on Thursday, the highest daily tally to date, raising the national toll to 2,921.Britain reported 569 deaths on Thursday, the highest daily tally to date, raising the national toll to 2,921.
In France, where more than 5,300 people have died because of the epidemic, a hall at the world’s largest wholesale food market, near Paris, will be turned into a temporary morgue.In France, where more than 5,300 people have died because of the epidemic, a hall at the world’s largest wholesale food market, near Paris, will be turned into a temporary morgue.
Lend a hand to those in need. Local newspapers and websites are aggregating ways you can give or receive help. Here are a few other lists with ways to help.Lend a hand to those in need. Local newspapers and websites are aggregating ways you can give or receive help. Here are a few other lists with ways to help.
Stop trying to be productive. You do not have to write the next great American novel or get in the best shape of your life with all your “extra time.” Sometimes, attending to basic needs is plenty.Stop trying to be productive. You do not have to write the next great American novel or get in the best shape of your life with all your “extra time.” Sometimes, attending to basic needs is plenty.
Channel your anxiety. Stress is bad for you only if you believe it’s bad for you, according to research. Try this three-step guide for adopting a “stress-is-enhancing” mind-set.Channel your anxiety. Stress is bad for you only if you believe it’s bad for you, according to research. Try this three-step guide for adopting a “stress-is-enhancing” mind-set.
Embrace the ethos of travel. Cook your way through a French cookbook, lean into fantasy worlds or use an app to discover local wildlife. Our latest 36 Hours column has more travel-inspired activities for those sheltering in place.Embrace the ethos of travel. Cook your way through a French cookbook, lean into fantasy worlds or use an app to discover local wildlife. Our latest 36 Hours column has more travel-inspired activities for those sheltering in place.
Donate to organizations on the front linesDonate to organizations on the front lines
For more than 100 years, The Times has raised donations for charity through our Neediest Cases Fund. Now we’re starting a special initiative: the Covid-19 Relief Campaign. Proceeds will go to organizations on the front lines of the pandemic. Learn more, and donate, here.For more than 100 years, The Times has raised donations for charity through our Neediest Cases Fund. Now we’re starting a special initiative: the Covid-19 Relief Campaign. Proceeds will go to organizations on the front lines of the pandemic. Learn more, and donate, here.
The U.S. approved a test for coronavirus antibodies, which could tell doctors whether a patient may have acquired some immunity.The U.S. approved a test for coronavirus antibodies, which could tell doctors whether a patient may have acquired some immunity.
New data from the C.D.C. shows the lag between when people become infected and when they start to feel symptoms.New data from the C.D.C. shows the lag between when people become infected and when they start to feel symptoms.
An irony for farm workers: They’ve been told the nation needs them to keep working despite stay-at-home orders. But because most are undocumented immigrants, that means the authorities consider them both illegal and “essential.”An irony for farm workers: They’ve been told the nation needs them to keep working despite stay-at-home orders. But because most are undocumented immigrants, that means the authorities consider them both illegal and “essential.”
The Navy removed the captain of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt after he sounded the alarm to superiors about a coronavirus outbreak on the ship and his letter was leaked.The Navy removed the captain of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt after he sounded the alarm to superiors about a coronavirus outbreak on the ship and his letter was leaked.
The C.I.A. has told White House officials that China is undercounting its coronavirus numbers.The C.I.A. has told White House officials that China is undercounting its coronavirus numbers.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease expert on the White House task force, talked about containing the virus and why he feels as though he’s making decisions in “the fog of war” on today’s episode of “The Daily.”Dr. Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease expert on the White House task force, talked about containing the virus and why he feels as though he’s making decisions in “the fog of war” on today’s episode of “The Daily.”
I established a virtual faculty lounge using Google Classroom where my teaching “family” can trade ideas, share resources, vent, and just touch each other virtually to stay connected as we dive into the unknown with distance teaching and learning.I established a virtual faculty lounge using Google Classroom where my teaching “family” can trade ideas, share resources, vent, and just touch each other virtually to stay connected as we dive into the unknown with distance teaching and learning.
— Linda Brennan, Baltimore— Linda Brennan, Baltimore
Let us know how you’re dealing with the outbreak. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.Let us know how you’re dealing with the outbreak. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.
Sign up here to get the briefing by email.Sign up here to get the briefing by email.
Remy Tumin and Jonathan Wolfe helped write today’s newsletter. Melina Delkic contributed reporting.Remy Tumin and Jonathan Wolfe helped write today’s newsletter. Melina Delkic contributed reporting.