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| Quarantined With a Newborn, Alone | Quarantined With a Newborn, Alone |
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| When I gave birth to my son at the end of January, an unexpected miracle to me at the age of 45, I never could have imagined spending my maternity leave in the middle of a pandemic. | When I gave birth to my son at the end of January, an unexpected miracle to me at the age of 45, I never could have imagined spending my maternity leave in the middle of a pandemic. |
| But by the time I brought my son home to my apartment in Queens, the coronavirus had already landed in the United States. Soon, the borough would become the epicenter of the virus, nearly collapsing the emergency medical services of nearby Elmhurst hospital. | But by the time I brought my son home to my apartment in Queens, the coronavirus had already landed in the United States. Soon, the borough would become the epicenter of the virus, nearly collapsing the emergency medical services of nearby Elmhurst hospital. |
| Single parenthood is certainly tough. Raising a newborn is already isolating; now leaving the house may be dangerous. But the pandemic has highlighted just how fragile my social networks really are, which, as a public figure and radio host who’s had her name and face splashed across billboards and tote bags, is something that’s hard to admit. | Single parenthood is certainly tough. Raising a newborn is already isolating; now leaving the house may be dangerous. But the pandemic has highlighted just how fragile my social networks really are, which, as a public figure and radio host who’s had her name and face splashed across billboards and tote bags, is something that’s hard to admit. |
| Initially, I was determined not to let the news overtake my maternity leave and just paid slight attention to the coronavirus story as it developed. My days were mostly full of bottles, swaddles, cuddles, crying, and an endless exhaustion. For the first few weeks, I slept no more than two consecutive hours in a row. I now understand how sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture. | Initially, I was determined not to let the news overtake my maternity leave and just paid slight attention to the coronavirus story as it developed. My days were mostly full of bottles, swaddles, cuddles, crying, and an endless exhaustion. For the first few weeks, I slept no more than two consecutive hours in a row. I now understand how sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture. |
| From February to early March, I had intermittent help from my mother and my son’s father and I had just secured a nanny for three nights a week so I could finally get some needed rest. But as the numbers of the infected began to increase in New York City, so did rumors of a potential shutdown. | From February to early March, I had intermittent help from my mother and my son’s father and I had just secured a nanny for three nights a week so I could finally get some needed rest. But as the numbers of the infected began to increase in New York City, so did rumors of a potential shutdown. |
| A few days before Governor Cuomo announced that only essential workers should leave their homes, my nanny, who is in her mid-20s and a mother of twins, asked me, “Is this how the world is supposed to end?” The fear and sadness was visible on her face. I pointed to the box of tissues on my dining table. She grabbed one and patted her eye before picking up my son to rock him to sleep. | A few days before Governor Cuomo announced that only essential workers should leave their homes, my nanny, who is in her mid-20s and a mother of twins, asked me, “Is this how the world is supposed to end?” The fear and sadness was visible on her face. I pointed to the box of tissues on my dining table. She grabbed one and patted her eye before picking up my son to rock him to sleep. |
| It was only a matter of time before my carefully crafted maternity leave support system fell apart. | It was only a matter of time before my carefully crafted maternity leave support system fell apart. |
| By the second week in March I was alone in my apartment with my son listening to daily briefings from our mayor, our governor (who was oddly comforting), and the president. | By the second week in March I was alone in my apartment with my son listening to daily briefings from our mayor, our governor (who was oddly comforting), and the president. |
| When it became clear that New Yorkers were going to be asked to stay home for at least a few weeks to “flatten the curve” of the viral spread, people began picking their quarantine groups and partners. It felt like a game of musical chairs where my son and I were the last ones standing because we couldn’t secure a seat in time. | When it became clear that New Yorkers were going to be asked to stay home for at least a few weeks to “flatten the curve” of the viral spread, people began picking their quarantine groups and partners. It felt like a game of musical chairs where my son and I were the last ones standing because we couldn’t secure a seat in time. |
| My mother decided to isolate with her husband. She’s in her 60s and more susceptible to the worst effects of the virus — but I still felt disappointed. If there was ever a time when you needed your mom, this was it. | My mother decided to isolate with her husband. She’s in her 60s and more susceptible to the worst effects of the virus — but I still felt disappointed. If there was ever a time when you needed your mom, this was it. |
| My son’s father, who lives in New Jersey, tried to help for a few days, but strict social distancing rules, which required minimal outside contact and only emergency trips for supplies, made his commute untenable. I worried that he might unwittingly bring the virus to us. My nanny understandably decided to stay home to protect her children. | My son’s father, who lives in New Jersey, tried to help for a few days, but strict social distancing rules, which required minimal outside contact and only emergency trips for supplies, made his commute untenable. I worried that he might unwittingly bring the virus to us. My nanny understandably decided to stay home to protect her children. |
| Unlike me, my mother and my son’s father each had a place where they could retire to for a full night’s sleep and an uninterrupted meal and shower. I had no other choice; but I was determined to find a way through. | Unlike me, my mother and my son’s father each had a place where they could retire to for a full night’s sleep and an uninterrupted meal and shower. I had no other choice; but I was determined to find a way through. |
| Riding out a global pandemic alone with a newborn means trips to the outside world are almost unthinkable. Not only do I have to protect him, but I have to make sure I don’t get sick either. I started thinking about the paperwork I needed if I were to succumb to the illness — a will, life insurance and long-term disability. I considered who I would ask to take care of my baby if my son’s father and I both got sick, and then imagined how tough those conversations would be to initiate. | Riding out a global pandemic alone with a newborn means trips to the outside world are almost unthinkable. Not only do I have to protect him, but I have to make sure I don’t get sick either. I started thinking about the paperwork I needed if I were to succumb to the illness — a will, life insurance and long-term disability. I considered who I would ask to take care of my baby if my son’s father and I both got sick, and then imagined how tough those conversations would be to initiate. |
| I imagined not being able to find a specific kind of formula my son needed as food supplies became harder to get on time. I berated myself for stopping breastfeeding the week before. At least I could have still fed him breastmilk if the supplies were hard to come by. | I imagined not being able to find a specific kind of formula my son needed as food supplies became harder to get on time. I berated myself for stopping breastfeeding the week before. At least I could have still fed him breastmilk if the supplies were hard to come by. |
| Laundry was piling up in the apartment and while I washed some onesies by hand, I knew that the minimal time I had free in between baby naps would not allow me to make much of a dent. I feared going to the communal laundry room in the building basement — after my last visit there, a neighbor asked me if he should take the warnings seriously and came a bit too close to me. | Laundry was piling up in the apartment and while I washed some onesies by hand, I knew that the minimal time I had free in between baby naps would not allow me to make much of a dent. I feared going to the communal laundry room in the building basement — after my last visit there, a neighbor asked me if he should take the warnings seriously and came a bit too close to me. |
| I felt a pit in my stomach when I tried ordering food online and the wait times were at least one week for local grocery delivery. The wait for Amazon Prime was even longer. When news of an impending strike by Instacart workers crossed my Twitter feed, I knew I had to reach out for help. | I felt a pit in my stomach when I tried ordering food online and the wait times were at least one week for local grocery delivery. The wait for Amazon Prime was even longer. When news of an impending strike by Instacart workers crossed my Twitter feed, I knew I had to reach out for help. |
| Throughout my life I’ve tried to not depend on anyone for anything, a subtle lesson I learned from my family, which valued independence over neediness. I’ve done almost everything alone — from traveling to buying a home. And the few times I’ve needed help, the surprise acquaintance or stranger has shown up and gone the extra mile. | Throughout my life I’ve tried to not depend on anyone for anything, a subtle lesson I learned from my family, which valued independence over neediness. I’ve done almost everything alone — from traveling to buying a home. And the few times I’ve needed help, the surprise acquaintance or stranger has shown up and gone the extra mile. |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| This time is no different. A Manhattan Whole Foods was still doing same day delivery so my colleague placed an order for me and offered to send it in an Uber. | This time is no different. A Manhattan Whole Foods was still doing same day delivery so my colleague placed an order for me and offered to send it in an Uber. |
| A friend in her 70s offered to sleep on my couch for the next few weeks and help with the baby, but was afraid she didn’t know whether she carried the virus. Instead, she called and sang lullabies to my son on a night when he couldn’t sleep, and has been a source of calm when the crying bouts get too loud and I run out of ideas. | A friend in her 70s offered to sleep on my couch for the next few weeks and help with the baby, but was afraid she didn’t know whether she carried the virus. Instead, she called and sang lullabies to my son on a night when he couldn’t sleep, and has been a source of calm when the crying bouts get too loud and I run out of ideas. |
| Another friend, a fellow single mother, offered me her son’s room to sleep in so I wouldn’t be alone. And countless women journalists have offered advice, text check-ins and middle-of-the-night messages of support, which I have come to rely on. | Another friend, a fellow single mother, offered me her son’s room to sleep in so I wouldn’t be alone. And countless women journalists have offered advice, text check-ins and middle-of-the-night messages of support, which I have come to rely on. |
| One thing I hope people take away from this time is never to assume that everyone has friends and family they can count on in a crisis, no matter who they are. Right now there are victims of domestic violence who are fearing for their lives amid this shut down, older Americans who have no visitors and people who have been dealing with mental health issues like depression and anxiety that are only getting worse. Social distancing is absolutely necessary, but it also stands to magnify our national empathy gap, which is evidenced by the soaring rates of loneliness and suicide. | One thing I hope people take away from this time is never to assume that everyone has friends and family they can count on in a crisis, no matter who they are. Right now there are victims of domestic violence who are fearing for their lives amid this shut down, older Americans who have no visitors and people who have been dealing with mental health issues like depression and anxiety that are only getting worse. Social distancing is absolutely necessary, but it also stands to magnify our national empathy gap, which is evidenced by the soaring rates of loneliness and suicide. |
| The current moment will require social networks, familial or not, in order to survive. We will need places to shelter in place, people to forge for food and care for our children and for our elders. We will be forced to recognize that asking and accepting help is not a moral failing but a human need. Social animals require society in order to survive. | The current moment will require social networks, familial or not, in order to survive. We will need places to shelter in place, people to forge for food and care for our children and for our elders. We will be forced to recognize that asking and accepting help is not a moral failing but a human need. Social animals require society in order to survive. |
| Despite all of the challenges, this moment has also pulsated with deep emotion. Being alone with my son has let us bond in ways that I couldn’t have imagined. We’ve visited family via video chats and shared lots (and lots!) of snuggles and smiles. | Despite all of the challenges, this moment has also pulsated with deep emotion. Being alone with my son has let us bond in ways that I couldn’t have imagined. We’ve visited family via video chats and shared lots (and lots!) of snuggles and smiles. |
| I’ve gotten into a routine that starts around 5 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m., which includes making some meals when the baby naps and coordinating stealth food deliveries with help from my son’s father, friends and the most essential workers — delivery folks. I bought a cheap portable washer that cleans about a dozen onesies at a time. You might see them hanging off my small brick balcony from a makeshift clothesline, drying in the sunlight. | I’ve gotten into a routine that starts around 5 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m., which includes making some meals when the baby naps and coordinating stealth food deliveries with help from my son’s father, friends and the most essential workers — delivery folks. I bought a cheap portable washer that cleans about a dozen onesies at a time. You might see them hanging off my small brick balcony from a makeshift clothesline, drying in the sunlight. |
| Tanzina Vega is the host of “The Takeaway” from WNYC and PRX. | Tanzina Vega is the host of “The Takeaway” from WNYC and PRX. |