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| Chinese-Americans, Facing Abuse, Unite to Aid Hospitals in Coronavirus Battle | Chinese-Americans, Facing Abuse, Unite to Aid Hospitals in Coronavirus Battle |
| (3 days later) | |
| Dr. Peter Lee, an emergency room doctor from Montville, N.J., was close to an emotional breakdown by the time he took to WeChat, the social media app, last month. | Dr. Peter Lee, an emergency room doctor from Montville, N.J., was close to an emotional breakdown by the time he took to WeChat, the social media app, last month. |
| He was under siege on all fronts. At work, he was constantly dodging exposure to the coronavirus. At home, he was worried about infecting his pregnant wife and young daughters. And in his everyday life, he was suddenly navigating a new bias against Chinese-Americans. | He was under siege on all fronts. At work, he was constantly dodging exposure to the coronavirus. At home, he was worried about infecting his pregnant wife and young daughters. And in his everyday life, he was suddenly navigating a new bias against Chinese-Americans. |
| “Comments like calling this ‘the Chinese virus’ have ramifications for someone like me,” said Dr. Lee, 34, whose father moved from Beijing to Albany, N.Y., with $60 in his pocket in 1986. “They fuel a certain prejudice against my kind.” | “Comments like calling this ‘the Chinese virus’ have ramifications for someone like me,” said Dr. Lee, 34, whose father moved from Beijing to Albany, N.Y., with $60 in his pocket in 1986. “They fuel a certain prejudice against my kind.” |
| But his March 20 post on WeChat was about the most imminent danger facing him and his co-workers: a lack of personal protection equipment, particularly masks and gowns. | But his March 20 post on WeChat was about the most imminent danger facing him and his co-workers: a lack of personal protection equipment, particularly masks and gowns. |
| Three days later, Dr. Lee’s desperate plea for protective gear had worked. Members of the Millburn Short Hills Chinese Association, based about 20 miles from Montville, saw his post and took action, raising more than $50,000 and obtaining 10,000 masks, gowns and other pieces of equipment from a Chinese company with a warehouse in Queens. The gear was distributed to Envision Physician Services, Dr. Lee’s employer, as well as to other organizations. | Three days later, Dr. Lee’s desperate plea for protective gear had worked. Members of the Millburn Short Hills Chinese Association, based about 20 miles from Montville, saw his post and took action, raising more than $50,000 and obtaining 10,000 masks, gowns and other pieces of equipment from a Chinese company with a warehouse in Queens. The gear was distributed to Envision Physician Services, Dr. Lee’s employer, as well as to other organizations. |
| At the same time in New York State, the Long Island Chinese American Association was delivering more than 10,000 masks to three hospitals and nearly 8,000 surgical masks to the Visiting Nursing Service of New York. | At the same time in New York State, the Long Island Chinese American Association was delivering more than 10,000 masks to three hospitals and nearly 8,000 surgical masks to the Visiting Nursing Service of New York. |
| Throughout New York and New Jersey, small groups from the Chinese-American community are uniting to fight the pandemic in this country even as they face racist remarks and some physical attacks. Using mostly WeChat, they are creating vast networks and rallying their contacts here and in China to procure supplies for doctors and nurses in need. | Throughout New York and New Jersey, small groups from the Chinese-American community are uniting to fight the pandemic in this country even as they face racist remarks and some physical attacks. Using mostly WeChat, they are creating vast networks and rallying their contacts here and in China to procure supplies for doctors and nurses in need. |
| Some of the equipment has come directly from China, from companies like Dasheng in Shanghai. A few companies require bulk shipments, which can be too much and too expensive for one local group, but networking with multiple groups on WeChat has helped with that issue, said Tingzhou Wu, a spokeswoman for the association in Millburn. “We’re saying, ‘Let’s chat. Do you guys want to buy this together?’” she said. | Some of the equipment has come directly from China, from companies like Dasheng in Shanghai. A few companies require bulk shipments, which can be too much and too expensive for one local group, but networking with multiple groups on WeChat has helped with that issue, said Tingzhou Wu, a spokeswoman for the association in Millburn. “We’re saying, ‘Let’s chat. Do you guys want to buy this together?’” she said. |
| The organizing on WeChat — which many Chinese-Americans prefer because their friends and relatives in China can use the app — is not unusual, said Mae Ngai, a professor of Asian-American studies and history at Columbia University. | The organizing on WeChat — which many Chinese-Americans prefer because their friends and relatives in China can use the app — is not unusual, said Mae Ngai, a professor of Asian-American studies and history at Columbia University. |
| “The community itself, just in general, is organized,” she said. “Chinese have all kinds of associations, some based on profession and some based on the region your family comes from in China,” she said. “There’s a history of networks, and a history of coming together when there’s an issue.” | “The community itself, just in general, is organized,” she said. “Chinese have all kinds of associations, some based on profession and some based on the region your family comes from in China,” she said. “There’s a history of networks, and a history of coming together when there’s an issue.” |
| The Coalition of Asian-Americans in Private Practice, a New York group with more than 1,000 members, has raised close to $250,000 since January and expects to get 80,000 N95 masks to New York hospitals this month. A group of Chinese-American professors at Rutgers University raised $12,000 and collected more than 4,000 masks to support a hospital in New Brunswick. A church in Parsippany donated thousands of masks to hospitals and even to local gas stations, where attendants are still required to pump gas by law. | The Coalition of Asian-Americans in Private Practice, a New York group with more than 1,000 members, has raised close to $250,000 since January and expects to get 80,000 N95 masks to New York hospitals this month. A group of Chinese-American professors at Rutgers University raised $12,000 and collected more than 4,000 masks to support a hospital in New Brunswick. A church in Parsippany donated thousands of masks to hospitals and even to local gas stations, where attendants are still required to pump gas by law. |
| Shen Tong, a Tiananmen Square massacre-era dissident who is now a writer and impact financier in Manhattan, has leveraged his various friend groups on Facebook — including Burning Man and Occupy Wall Street — to raise money and find supplies. | Shen Tong, a Tiananmen Square massacre-era dissident who is now a writer and impact financier in Manhattan, has leveraged his various friend groups on Facebook — including Burning Man and Occupy Wall Street — to raise money and find supplies. |
| His college alumni group, for example, has so far raised about $100,000, first to help China and now the United States. The group donated medical supplies to SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, Lenox Hill in Manhattan and other city hospitals. “We’ve quickly allocated more than 10,000 masks with that money,” he said. | His college alumni group, for example, has so far raised about $100,000, first to help China and now the United States. The group donated medical supplies to SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, Lenox Hill in Manhattan and other city hospitals. “We’ve quickly allocated more than 10,000 masks with that money,” he said. |
| Mr. Shen noted that donations had come from both Americans and Chinese nationals, but many Chinese companies are secretive about being named. “One of the reasons is compliance and F.D.A. certification, or lack thereof,” he said. | Mr. Shen noted that donations had come from both Americans and Chinese nationals, but many Chinese companies are secretive about being named. “One of the reasons is compliance and F.D.A. certification, or lack thereof,” he said. |
| The foundations of business leaders including Jack Ma and Joe Tsai, co-founders of Alibaba, recently pledged to send one million surgical masks and one million N95 masks to New York state. Over the weekend, the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation and the Chinese government coordinated a shipment of 1,000 ventilators to Kennedy International Airport in New York. Li Lu, the chairman of Himalaya Capital Management, has also spearheaded major donations, and the Committee of 100, a Chinese-American leadership organization, has raised $1 million. | The foundations of business leaders including Jack Ma and Joe Tsai, co-founders of Alibaba, recently pledged to send one million surgical masks and one million N95 masks to New York state. Over the weekend, the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation and the Chinese government coordinated a shipment of 1,000 ventilators to Kennedy International Airport in New York. Li Lu, the chairman of Himalaya Capital Management, has also spearheaded major donations, and the Committee of 100, a Chinese-American leadership organization, has raised $1 million. |
| Deep pockets help. But Mr. Shen noted that the grass-roots efforts of smaller groups and individuals had produced significant and immediate results. | Deep pockets help. But Mr. Shen noted that the grass-roots efforts of smaller groups and individuals had produced significant and immediate results. |
| “As a trained sociologist, what’s been amazing to see is the inability of large institutions to respond, and how the opposite is true with close-knit, high-affinity groups,” Mr. Shen said. “Call me a new immigrant, but I’m confident in the importance of this ad hoc effort.” | “As a trained sociologist, what’s been amazing to see is the inability of large institutions to respond, and how the opposite is true with close-knit, high-affinity groups,” Mr. Shen said. “Call me a new immigrant, but I’m confident in the importance of this ad hoc effort.” |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | Updated June 12, 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. | 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. | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Eight hospitals have asked the Millburn association for help since it began its initiative. At last count, close to 50 Chinese manufacturers of masks and other protective gear had been screened by about 100 volunteers. | Eight hospitals have asked the Millburn association for help since it began its initiative. At last count, close to 50 Chinese manufacturers of masks and other protective gear had been screened by about 100 volunteers. |
| “Our volunteers can tell what’s fake and what’s not in one second,” said Maria Wu, another spokeswoman for the Millburn association. Once hospitals sign a waiver, the masks are theirs. | “Our volunteers can tell what’s fake and what’s not in one second,” said Maria Wu, another spokeswoman for the Millburn association. Once hospitals sign a waiver, the masks are theirs. |
| By mid-April, the Millburn association expects to receive at least 5,000 more masks and 650 coveralls directly from China. | By mid-April, the Millburn association expects to receive at least 5,000 more masks and 650 coveralls directly from China. |
| “It’s been a community consensus,” Maria Wu said. “We need to stand up and do something to protect the people who are protecting us.” | “It’s been a community consensus,” Maria Wu said. “We need to stand up and do something to protect the people who are protecting us.” |
| Especially since some of those people are dealing with discrimination on the front lines. | Especially since some of those people are dealing with discrimination on the front lines. |
| “There’s been a few attacks against Asians, and patients are very cautious around Chinese doctors,” said Sun-Hoo Foo, a neurologist at NYU Langone Medical Center’s Tisch Hospital, who is also a member of the Coalition of Asian-Americans in Private Practice. | “There’s been a few attacks against Asians, and patients are very cautious around Chinese doctors,” said Sun-Hoo Foo, a neurologist at NYU Langone Medical Center’s Tisch Hospital, who is also a member of the Coalition of Asian-Americans in Private Practice. |
| Although Dr. Foo is currently recovering from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, at his home in Alpine, N.J., he said he is eager to return to the hospital. “If I could go back to work now, I would,” he said. “My only concern is spreading the virus to someone else.” | Although Dr. Foo is currently recovering from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, at his home in Alpine, N.J., he said he is eager to return to the hospital. “If I could go back to work now, I would,” he said. “My only concern is spreading the virus to someone else.” |
| Dr. Ngai, of Columbia, said Dr. Foo’s attitude is the prevailing one. Some individuals’ bias toward Chinese-Americans would not prevent the community from helping to end the crisis, she said. “Hopefully, when people see what Chinese groups are doing, they’ll dial back some of this attitude,” she said. | Dr. Ngai, of Columbia, said Dr. Foo’s attitude is the prevailing one. Some individuals’ bias toward Chinese-Americans would not prevent the community from helping to end the crisis, she said. “Hopefully, when people see what Chinese groups are doing, they’ll dial back some of this attitude,” she said. |
| Dr. Lee hopes so, too. “I hope people understand that the American Chinese community is very much vested in American life,” he said. “We’re born Chinese, but we’re Americans by heart.” | Dr. Lee hopes so, too. “I hope people understand that the American Chinese community is very much vested in American life,” he said. “We’re born Chinese, but we’re Americans by heart.” |