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U.S. Sends Funds to Needy Nations to Fight the Virus, but Maybe Not for Masks U.S. Sends Funds to Needy Nations to Fight the Virus, but Maybe Not for Masks
(1 day later)
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is considering new rules that would limit how American humanitarian aid is used to buy masks, plastic gloves and other protective medical equipment to combat the coronavirus in some of the world’s neediest nations.WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is considering new rules that would limit how American humanitarian aid is used to buy masks, plastic gloves and other protective medical equipment to combat the coronavirus in some of the world’s neediest nations.
Instead, the administration is working to secure those supplies for Americans first as the pandemic sweeps around the world.Instead, the administration is working to secure those supplies for Americans first as the pandemic sweeps around the world.
The internal debate is the latest example of a global race for limited medical gear that puts countries that are poor, are unstable or have deficient health systems at a deadly disadvantage.The internal debate is the latest example of a global race for limited medical gear that puts countries that are poor, are unstable or have deficient health systems at a deadly disadvantage.
Already, officials have told some nonprofit aid groups that they cannot use money from the United States Agency for International Development to buy personal protective equipment for needy nations while American health providers face dwindling supplies.Already, officials have told some nonprofit aid groups that they cannot use money from the United States Agency for International Development to buy personal protective equipment for needy nations while American health providers face dwindling supplies.
A draft presidential memorandum, described to The New York Times on Thursday, would allow funds to be used to buy only protective gear that was produced in the countries where it was needed.A draft presidential memorandum, described to The New York Times on Thursday, would allow funds to be used to buy only protective gear that was produced in the countries where it was needed.
The issue is still under debate, officials said, and could be broadened to prohibit the government from paying to provide equipment to foreign medical systems when it is needed in the United States. Parts of the White House memo were first reported by Politico.The issue is still under debate, officials said, and could be broadened to prohibit the government from paying to provide equipment to foreign medical systems when it is needed in the United States. Parts of the White House memo were first reported by Politico.
“Where there is a critical shortfall in the United States, obviously, we can’t pay for donations of materials that we can’t actually procure,” Jim Richardson, the director of the State Department’s foreign assistance resources, told reporters on March 26.“Where there is a critical shortfall in the United States, obviously, we can’t pay for donations of materials that we can’t actually procure,” Jim Richardson, the director of the State Department’s foreign assistance resources, told reporters on March 26.
Four international aid officials said humanitarian workers in vulnerable communities had been informally alerted to the funding shift before the official White House decision. The aid workers spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fears that the Trump administration would withhold funding to their humanitarian organizations if they publicly criticized the policy.Four international aid officials said humanitarian workers in vulnerable communities had been informally alerted to the funding shift before the official White House decision. The aid workers spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fears that the Trump administration would withhold funding to their humanitarian organizations if they publicly criticized the policy.
Michael Klosson, the vice president for public policy and humanitarian response at Save the Children, said he had heard of the new U.S.A.I.D. guidance but did not know if it would become policy.Michael Klosson, the vice president for public policy and humanitarian response at Save the Children, said he had heard of the new U.S.A.I.D. guidance but did not know if it would become policy.
“We want to make sure the front-line health workers, wherever they are, are protected,” said Mr. Klosson, whose organization receives funding from the U.S. aid agency and the State Department.“We want to make sure the front-line health workers, wherever they are, are protected,” said Mr. Klosson, whose organization receives funding from the U.S. aid agency and the State Department.
“We’ve seen what’s happened in developed countries, where very advanced health systems and social safety nets have been overwhelmed,” he added. “Just imagine the challenges as this thing kind of multiplies in sub-Saharan Africa and places like that, with countries with much weaker health systems and much weaker social safety nets.”“We’ve seen what’s happened in developed countries, where very advanced health systems and social safety nets have been overwhelmed,” he added. “Just imagine the challenges as this thing kind of multiplies in sub-Saharan Africa and places like that, with countries with much weaker health systems and much weaker social safety nets.”
The U.S. aid agency has shipped about 150,000 N95 masks and thousands of scrubs, coveralls and face shields to health care workers in Oregon from its warehouse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Andrew Phelps, Oregon’s director of emergency management, said last week that it “will make a huge difference in Oregon’s ability to fight this outbreak.”The U.S. aid agency has shipped about 150,000 N95 masks and thousands of scrubs, coveralls and face shields to health care workers in Oregon from its warehouse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Andrew Phelps, Oregon’s director of emergency management, said last week that it “will make a huge difference in Oregon’s ability to fight this outbreak.”
In March, the aid agency was sending personal protective equipment from its own stockpiles to nations in need.In March, the aid agency was sending personal protective equipment from its own stockpiles to nations in need.
That changed after a meeting later in the month. Officials who were gathered from across the government were surprised to hear that those shipments were continuing and told the agency to stop, according to a senior administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.That changed after a meeting later in the month. Officials who were gathered from across the government were surprised to hear that those shipments were continuing and told the agency to stop, according to a senior administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
A representative from the aid agency who was at the meeting asked for a memo to formalize the shipment freeze, the senior administration official said. Within weeks, and faced with a projected shortage in the Strategic National Stockpile of medical supplies, President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to prohibit the export of face masks to other countries.A representative from the aid agency who was at the meeting asked for a memo to formalize the shipment freeze, the senior administration official said. Within weeks, and faced with a projected shortage in the Strategic National Stockpile of medical supplies, President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to prohibit the export of face masks to other countries.
The aid agency and the State Department have provided about $508 million to the United Nations and nonprofit humanitarian aid organizations to help confront the virus in 104 needy nations and the Palestinian territories. Announcing the funding on April 8, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described it as an example of “the unmatched generosity of the American people.”The aid agency and the State Department have provided about $508 million to the United Nations and nonprofit humanitarian aid organizations to help confront the virus in 104 needy nations and the Palestinian territories. Announcing the funding on April 8, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described it as an example of “the unmatched generosity of the American people.”
“The United States is the undisputed leader in the provision of health and humanitarian aid, around the world,” Mr. Pompeo said.“The United States is the undisputed leader in the provision of health and humanitarian aid, around the world,” Mr. Pompeo said.
That money has largely paid for messaging campaigns to educate people on how to protect themselves from the virus, to provide water and sanitation services like hand-washing stations, and to offer health services to refugees, migrants and other homeless people. Some of the funds have been spent on what an agency fact sheet released Thursday described as “infection prevention and control.”That money has largely paid for messaging campaigns to educate people on how to protect themselves from the virus, to provide water and sanitation services like hand-washing stations, and to offer health services to refugees, migrants and other homeless people. Some of the funds have been spent on what an agency fact sheet released Thursday described as “infection prevention and control.”
Updated June 1, 2020 Updated June 2, 2020
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.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.
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.
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
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.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
The agency did not answer questions about whether that included personal protective equipment, although the fact sheet said funding could be used for “health commodities that are not required for the U.S. domestic response” in Italy and Eswatini, also known as Swaziland. Masks and other gear were not listed on the document.The agency did not answer questions about whether that included personal protective equipment, although the fact sheet said funding could be used for “health commodities that are not required for the U.S. domestic response” in Italy and Eswatini, also known as Swaziland. Masks and other gear were not listed on the document.
The fact sheet also omitted mention of millions of dollars in aid previously designated for the World Health Organization. On Tuesday, Mr. Trump announced that the United States would halt funding to the W.H.O., which he faulted for mismanaging the global response to the coronavirus.The fact sheet also omitted mention of millions of dollars in aid previously designated for the World Health Organization. On Tuesday, Mr. Trump announced that the United States would halt funding to the W.H.O., which he faulted for mismanaging the global response to the coronavirus.
Representatives from the aid agency and the State Department’s office of foreign assistance resources declined to comment when asked about the funding and whether it could be used to buy personal protective equipment.Representatives from the aid agency and the State Department’s office of foreign assistance resources declined to comment when asked about the funding and whether it could be used to buy personal protective equipment.
It is not clear whether the funding limits, if enacted, would be lifted once the domestic demand for protective medical gear eased in the United States.It is not clear whether the funding limits, if enacted, would be lifted once the domestic demand for protective medical gear eased in the United States.
J. Stephen Morrison, the director of the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the guidelines were not surprising, given that the United States and other major donor countries confronting the virus have “turned inward and are adopting very narrow, nationalistic policies.”J. Stephen Morrison, the director of the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the guidelines were not surprising, given that the United States and other major donor countries confronting the virus have “turned inward and are adopting very narrow, nationalistic policies.”
But if the limits remain, he said, it raises the risk that “low-income countries are just left in a catastrophic condition, walled off without hope of not much containment or recovery.”But if the limits remain, he said, it raises the risk that “low-income countries are just left in a catastrophic condition, walled off without hope of not much containment or recovery.”
“They stand at risk of losing a generation of development progress,” said Mr. Morrison, who had also heard of the proposed guidance from a colleague based in Africa. “They stand at risk of having massive setbacks, demographically, in terms of health status. There’s a huge amount at risk.”“They stand at risk of losing a generation of development progress,” said Mr. Morrison, who had also heard of the proposed guidance from a colleague based in Africa. “They stand at risk of having massive setbacks, demographically, in terms of health status. There’s a huge amount at risk.”
Mr. Klosson of Save the Children said that many aid groups, including his own, received donations from other governments and private contributors that could be used to buy the equipment for health workers in needy communities. The organization works overseas and in rural areas in the United States.Mr. Klosson of Save the Children said that many aid groups, including his own, received donations from other governments and private contributors that could be used to buy the equipment for health workers in needy communities. The organization works overseas and in rural areas in the United States.
“We want to make sure that front-line health workers in the United States are protected as well — it’s not an either-or thing,” he said.“We want to make sure that front-line health workers in the United States are protected as well — it’s not an either-or thing,” he said.
Zolan Kanno-Youngs contributed reporting.Zolan Kanno-Youngs contributed reporting.