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| U.S. Intelligence Contractors Say Virus Relief Funding Rules Fall Short | U.S. Intelligence Contractors Say Virus Relief Funding Rules Fall Short |
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| WASHINGTON — Federal contactors complained on Thursday that they were being given short shrift by guidelines released by the intelligence community for paying employees with coronavirus relief funds. | WASHINGTON — Federal contactors complained on Thursday that they were being given short shrift by guidelines released by the intelligence community for paying employees with coronavirus relief funds. |
| The guidelines from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence allow intelligence agencies to fund contractors for lost hours from March 27, the date President Trump signed the $2 trillion relief package into law. But federal contractors say the rules are far more restrictive than the Pentagon’s guidelines, which allow relief from losses the companies began to suffer starting at the end of January, when a national emergency was declared. | The guidelines from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence allow intelligence agencies to fund contractors for lost hours from March 27, the date President Trump signed the $2 trillion relief package into law. But federal contractors say the rules are far more restrictive than the Pentagon’s guidelines, which allow relief from losses the companies began to suffer starting at the end of January, when a national emergency was declared. |
| Because many of the nation’s intelligence agencies, like the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, are part of the military, it is not clear which set of rules applies. | Because many of the nation’s intelligence agencies, like the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, are part of the military, it is not clear which set of rules applies. |
| At stake are millions of dollars to help intelligence contractors recover from losses in recent weeks, when their workers with top-secret clearances have been blocked from going to work. Because they work with classified material, which generally can be viewed only in secured rooms or on secured electronic systems, they have been unable to perform their jobs, putting the contracts at risk. | At stake are millions of dollars to help intelligence contractors recover from losses in recent weeks, when their workers with top-secret clearances have been blocked from going to work. Because they work with classified material, which generally can be viewed only in secured rooms or on secured electronic systems, they have been unable to perform their jobs, putting the contracts at risk. |
| The Pentagon, in a memo on Wednesday, said its contractors could apply for relief for costs incurred from the end of January when a federal emergency was declared. | The Pentagon, in a memo on Wednesday, said its contractors could apply for relief for costs incurred from the end of January when a federal emergency was declared. |
| “Many Department of Defense contractors are struggling to maintain a mission-ready work force due to work site closures, personnel quarantines, and state and local restrictions on movement related to the Covid-19 pandemic that cannot be resolved through remote work,” the Pentagon memo said. “It is imperative that we support affected contractors.” | “Many Department of Defense contractors are struggling to maintain a mission-ready work force due to work site closures, personnel quarantines, and state and local restrictions on movement related to the Covid-19 pandemic that cannot be resolved through remote work,” the Pentagon memo said. “It is imperative that we support affected contractors.” |
| The rules published by the intelligence director do allow contractors to apply for relief for costs incurred before the law went into effect. But that will require contractors to use a process that is widely seen as cumbersome and can take longer than a year to resolve. | The rules published by the intelligence director do allow contractors to apply for relief for costs incurred before the law went into effect. But that will require contractors to use a process that is widely seen as cumbersome and can take longer than a year to resolve. |
| “We are talking of tens of millions of dollars,” said David Berteau, the head of the Professional Services Council, a trade organization for government contractors. “Particularly for small companies, they won’t have the resources.” | “We are talking of tens of millions of dollars,” said David Berteau, the head of the Professional Services Council, a trade organization for government contractors. “Particularly for small companies, they won’t have the resources.” |
| Some government lawyers have said the funding law prohibits blanket payments from before the time it was enacted. Outside experts dispute that reading of the law. The White House’s budget office is expected to issue further guidance about federal contracts and the relief law. | Some government lawyers have said the funding law prohibits blanket payments from before the time it was enacted. Outside experts dispute that reading of the law. The White House’s budget office is expected to issue further guidance about federal contracts and the relief law. |
| Many intelligence contactors work inside the intelligence agencies they support. As the government put into practice social distancing guidelines, they were difficult to carry out inside national security agencies. | Many intelligence contactors work inside the intelligence agencies they support. As the government put into practice social distancing guidelines, they were difficult to carry out inside national security agencies. |
| Updated June 24, 2020 | |
| 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. | 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.) |
| 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. |
| Working with classified material from home is not possible. So the intelligence agencies worked to slow the spread of the virus by limiting how many people could work in often-cramped classified work spaces. | Working with classified material from home is not possible. So the intelligence agencies worked to slow the spread of the virus by limiting how many people could work in often-cramped classified work spaces. |
| The first people told to go home were contractors. Because they could not do their work, the payments of their contracts were put in jeopardy. | The first people told to go home were contractors. Because they could not do their work, the payments of their contracts were put in jeopardy. |
| Some federal agencies, like NASA, have acted quickly to continue to pay on contracts, even when companies were not able to send their workers to their job sites, intent on keeping their highly trained work force in place. | Some federal agencies, like NASA, have acted quickly to continue to pay on contracts, even when companies were not able to send their workers to their job sites, intent on keeping their highly trained work force in place. |
| Mr. Berteau said the congressional relief act was intended to assist companies doing national security work in retaining their work force and said agencies needed to ensure that adequate funds flowed to the contractors. | Mr. Berteau said the congressional relief act was intended to assist companies doing national security work in retaining their work force and said agencies needed to ensure that adequate funds flowed to the contractors. |
| “The act was designed to keep people on the payroll because the economy needs that,” Mr. Berteau said. “Particularly for the federal contracting work force where it takes a long time to build up a skilled work force, we want to keep those workers working for the government.” | “The act was designed to keep people on the payroll because the economy needs that,” Mr. Berteau said. “Particularly for the federal contracting work force where it takes a long time to build up a skilled work force, we want to keep those workers working for the government.” |