'Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today' diff viewer (12/13)

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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today	Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
2020-06-24 14:26:44 UTC	2020-07-02 19:18:47 UTC (8 days 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.
China eased its lockdown of Wuhan, where the coronavirus first emerged, but the city is profoundly damaged.	China eased its lockdown of Wuhan, where the coronavirus first emerged, but the city is profoundly damaged.
Wisconsin went ahead with in-person voting in its election on Tuesday despite stay-at-home orders.	Wisconsin went ahead with in-person voting in its election on Tuesday despite stay-at-home orders.
President Trump ousted the chief watchdog overseeing trillions of dollars in federal pandemic relief.	President Trump ousted the chief watchdog overseeing trillions of dollars in federal pandemic relief.
Get the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverage	Get the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverage
Figures from several American states and cities show a disturbing trend: The coronavirus is disproportionately infecting and killing black people.	Figures from several American states and cities show a disturbing trend: The coronavirus is disproportionately infecting and killing black people.
In Louisiana, about 70 percent of the people who have died are African-American, though only one-third of the state’s population is black. Around Milwaukee, where 27 percent of residents are black, African-Americans who test positive outnumber whites two to one. Chicago is a bit less than one-third African-American, but black people account for 72 percent of the virus-linked deaths.	In Louisiana, about 70 percent of the people who have died are African-American, though only one-third of the state’s population is black. Around Milwaukee, where 27 percent of residents are black, African-Americans who test positive outnumber whites two to one. Chicago is a bit less than one-third African-American, but black people account for 72 percent of the virus-linked deaths.
There’s no reason to think the virus discriminates. Rather, the racial disparities in who is getting sick and dying reflect entrenched inequalities in American society.	There’s no reason to think the virus discriminates. Rather, the racial disparities in who is getting sick and dying reflect entrenched inequalities in American society.
African-Americans are less likely to be insured, more likely to have existing health conditions and more likely to be denied testing and treatment than people of other races, public health experts say. Black Americans are more likely to use public transportation, live in rented housing and hold jobs that can’t be done from home — all pointing to more frequent contact with strangers, and therefore more risk of infection.	African-Americans are less likely to be insured, more likely to have existing health conditions and more likely to be denied testing and treatment than people of other races, public health experts say. Black Americans are more likely to use public transportation, live in rented housing and hold jobs that can’t be done from home — all pointing to more frequent contact with strangers, and therefore more risk of infection.
“If you walk outside and see who is actually still working,” said Elaine Nsoesie of the Boston University School of Public Health, “the data don’t seem surprising.”	“If you walk outside and see who is actually still working,” said Elaine Nsoesie of the Boston University School of Public Health, “the data don’t seem surprising.”
Put at risk by policy: Our colleague Nikole Hannah-Jones, who writes about race for The Times Magazine, notes in an extensive Twitter thread that many of the states with the largest shares of black residents — those in the Deep South — also refused to expand Medicaid.	Put at risk by policy: Our colleague Nikole Hannah-Jones, who writes about race for The Times Magazine, notes in an extensive Twitter thread that many of the states with the largest shares of black residents — those in the Deep South — also refused to expand Medicaid.
And they have been slow to order social distancing measures: South Carolina’s statewide order, one of the least restrictive, takes effect Tuesday evening; those in Alabama, Georgia and Florida have been in place for only a few days.	And they have been slow to order social distancing measures: South Carolina’s statewide order, one of the least restrictive, takes effect Tuesday evening; those in Alabama, Georgia and Florida have been in place for only a few days.
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.
Americans are understandably anxious to get back to normal as soon as possible. But any “reopening” in the foreseeable future may not look the way we imagine.	Americans are understandably anxious to get back to normal as soon as possible. But any “reopening” in the foreseeable future may not look the way we imagine.
Instead of a swift return to our pre-coronavirus lives, we’re more likely to see a gradual easing of some restrictions while many others remain in place. It may be less about putting the pandemic behind us and more about learning to live with it, perhaps for a long time.	Instead of a swift return to our pre-coronavirus lives, we’re more likely to see a gradual easing of some restrictions while many others remain in place. It may be less about putting the pandemic behind us and more about learning to live with it, perhaps for a long time.
That is what’s happening in several countries that are farther down the road than the U.S.	That is what’s happening in several countries that are farther down the road than the U.S.
A few European nations that were quick to enact strict policies are cautiously relaxing them now: Austria will let some shops reopen next week, and Denmark is reopening day care centers and primary schools on April 15. Both said they would clamp down again if they spotted any signs of a second wave of infections.	A few European nations that were quick to enact strict policies are cautiously relaxing them now: Austria will let some shops reopen next week, and Denmark is reopening day care centers and primary schools on April 15. Both said they would clamp down again if they spotted any signs of a second wave of infections.
In a symbolically important move, China lifted the lockdown of Wuhan on Tuesday. The city of 11 million people had been shut down and sealed off for 10 weeks.	In a symbolically important move, China lifted the lockdown of Wuhan on Tuesday. The city of 11 million people had been shut down and sealed off for 10 weeks.
Shops have reopened, but many have set up counters by the street so customers can make purchases while remaining outside. Residents can now leave the city, but only after the authorities review their travel and medical histories. Buses and subway trains are running again, but officials are still telling everyone to stay home as much as possible, and schools remain closed.	Shops have reopened, but many have set up counters by the street so customers can make purchases while remaining outside. Residents can now leave the city, but only after the authorities review their travel and medical histories. Buses and subway trains are running again, but officials are still telling everyone to stay home as much as possible, and schools remain closed.
Life is creeping back in Wuhan, according to our colleagues Raymond Zhong and Vivian Wang, but the trauma from the epidemic “could linger for decades,” and true normalcy is nowhere in sight.	Life is creeping back in Wuhan, according to our colleagues Raymond Zhong and Vivian Wang, but the trauma from the epidemic “could linger for decades,” and true normalcy is nowhere in sight.
The pandemic has forced a vast majority of college students in the U.S. off campus and into challenging new realities that are cleaving largely along socioeconomic lines.	The pandemic has forced a vast majority of college students in the U.S. off campus and into challenging new realities that are cleaving largely along socioeconomic lines.
As video chats replace classroom teaching, some liberal arts colleges are finding they are no longer the “great equalizer” they aspire to be.	As video chats replace classroom teaching, some liberal arts colleges are finding they are no longer the “great equalizer” they aspire to be.
For a political science course at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, one student logs in from a vacation home in Maine, while another in Florida arrives late because she was looking for meat for her mother’s Puerto Rican food truck. A student from Russia was still in her dorm, because her mother couldn’t afford her airfare home.	For a political science course at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, one student logs in from a vacation home in Maine, while another in Florida arrives late because she was looking for meat for her mother’s Puerto Rican food truck. A student from Russia was still in her dorm, because her mother couldn’t afford her airfare home.
“This crisis is exposing that a lot of people don’t have anywhere to go,” she said.	“This crisis is exposing that a lot of people don’t have anywhere to go,” she said.
With nearly all flights to and from China canceled, more than a million Chinese students studying abroad have been stranded, including about 400,000 in the U.S. The Chinese government worries that their return could set off another outbreak.	With nearly all flights to and from China canceled, more than a million Chinese students studying abroad have been stranded, including about 400,000 in the U.S. The Chinese government worries that their return could set off another outbreak.
Because of the hardships brought on by the epidemic, many students are pushing their schools to abolish grades for the term. Colleges are responding by instituting pass/fail grading on a scale not seen since antiwar protests disrupted classes in the 1960s.	Because of the hardships brought on by the epidemic, many students are pushing their schools to abolish grades for the term. Colleges are responding by instituting pass/fail grading on a scale not seen since antiwar protests disrupted classes in the 1960s.
It took more than a month for the United States to reach 5,000 deaths. Five days later, the toll had surpassed 10,000. Here’s a look at how quickly the totals have climbed across the country, and which cities are being hit the hardest in proportion to their population.	It took more than a month for the United States to reach 5,000 deaths. Five days later, the toll had surpassed 10,000. Here’s a look at how quickly the totals have climbed across the country, and which cities are being hit the hardest in proportion to their population.
~~Updated June ~~24,~~ 2020~~	Updated June 30, 2020
	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.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.	Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.	A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.	The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
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.	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.	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.
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.
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.