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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
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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.
President Trump encouraged right-wing protests against social-distancing measures in several states.President Trump encouraged right-wing protests against social-distancing measures in several states.
Governors in Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin and Idaho began announcing plans to ease restrictions, despite persistent testing shortfalls.Governors in Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin and Idaho began announcing plans to ease restrictions, despite persistent testing shortfalls.
China’s economy shrank for the first time in nearly half a century.China’s economy shrank for the first time in nearly half a century.
Get the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverage.Get the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverage.
Since the outbreak began in the United States, there have been few deadlier places than the inside of a nursing home.Since the outbreak began in the United States, there have been few deadlier places than the inside of a nursing home.
In New Jersey, coronavirus infections have broken out in 394 long-term facilities and more than 1,500 residents have died — including 17 whose bodies were piled up in a single nursing home morgue.In New Jersey, coronavirus infections have broken out in 394 long-term facilities and more than 1,500 residents have died — including 17 whose bodies were piled up in a single nursing home morgue.
In New York, 72 facilities have had five or more deaths, including one in Brooklyn where 55 people have died, and another in Queens with 29 likely deaths.In New York, 72 facilities have had five or more deaths, including one in Brooklyn where 55 people have died, and another in Queens with 29 likely deaths.
Since the first outbreak at a nursing home in Washington in February, the virus has ripped through more than 4,000 nursing and long-term care facilities across the country, killing at least 7,000 people connected to them. About one in five deaths from the coronavirus in the United States has occurred in one of these facilities, according to a New York Times tally.Since the first outbreak at a nursing home in Washington in February, the virus has ripped through more than 4,000 nursing and long-term care facilities across the country, killing at least 7,000 people connected to them. About one in five deaths from the coronavirus in the United States has occurred in one of these facilities, according to a New York Times tally.
“They’re death pits,” Betsy McCaughey, a former lieutenant governor of New York, told The Times. “They’re crowded and they’re understaffed. One Covid-positive patient in a nursing home produces carnage.”“They’re death pits,” Betsy McCaughey, a former lieutenant governor of New York, told The Times. “They’re crowded and they’re understaffed. One Covid-positive patient in a nursing home produces carnage.”
The vulnerabilities are hard to escape: Nursing homes concentrate an aging population into small, confined spaces and are staffed by workers who move freely between rooms. But specific failures and oversights have made the crisis worse.The vulnerabilities are hard to escape: Nursing homes concentrate an aging population into small, confined spaces and are staffed by workers who move freely between rooms. But specific failures and oversights have made the crisis worse.
Virus tests and protective gear are often in short supply. Employees — many of whom have gone to heroic efforts to care for their residents — are often poorly paid, undertrained, work multiple jobs and live in at-risk communities.Virus tests and protective gear are often in short supply. Employees — many of whom have gone to heroic efforts to care for their residents — are often poorly paid, undertrained, work multiple jobs and live in at-risk communities.
The crisis has left families of the elderly scrambling. Many cannot bring older family members home because they cannot provide the extensive medical care they need, or they are afraid they may inadvertently infect them. At a time when families are already stretched for resources and personal space, it can often feel like there are no good options.The crisis has left families of the elderly scrambling. Many cannot bring older family members home because they cannot provide the extensive medical care they need, or they are afraid they may inadvertently infect them. At a time when families are already stretched for resources and personal space, it can often feel like there are no good options.
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.
Some European nations are starting to ease restrictions, but the rules for kids vary wildly.Some European nations are starting to ease restrictions, but the rules for kids vary wildly.
In Denmark, elementary schools reopened this week, in a first for Western countries on lockdown. To prevent infection, pupils have returned to smaller classes, desks are spaced six feet apart and hourly hand-washing is mandatory.In Denmark, elementary schools reopened this week, in a first for Western countries on lockdown. To prevent infection, pupils have returned to smaller classes, desks are spaced six feet apart and hourly hand-washing is mandatory.
Meanwhile, in Spain, children are not allowed to leave their homes, let alone return to their schools, which will remain shut for the rest of the academic year. Parents have reported behavioral changes in their children, and experts have warned against mental health issues that confinement may cause.Meanwhile, in Spain, children are not allowed to leave their homes, let alone return to their schools, which will remain shut for the rest of the academic year. Parents have reported behavioral changes in their children, and experts have warned against mental health issues that confinement may cause.
A dire global warning: Even though children seem to be largely unaffected by the coronavirus, the pandemic could indirectly lead to hundreds of thousands of children dying and millions becoming impoverished, according to a new report from the United Nations. As schools stay closed, parents lose work, food becomes insecure and health needs are put off, putting the young — especially those in already difficult situations —at “potentially catastrophic” risk.A dire global warning: Even though children seem to be largely unaffected by the coronavirus, the pandemic could indirectly lead to hundreds of thousands of children dying and millions becoming impoverished, according to a new report from the United Nations. As schools stay closed, parents lose work, food becomes insecure and health needs are put off, putting the young — especially those in already difficult situations —at “potentially catastrophic” risk.
In the United States, children are predicted to be among the hardest hit by rising poverty levels.In the United States, children are predicted to be among the hardest hit by rising poverty levels.
China has adjusted the official death toll from the outbreak in Wuhan, and, sadly, it was not a minor tweak. Counting deaths at home and those initially incorrectly categorized in hospitals, the number of dead in the city where the pandemic began rose by 1,290, for a new total of 3,869 lives lost.China has adjusted the official death toll from the outbreak in Wuhan, and, sadly, it was not a minor tweak. Counting deaths at home and those initially incorrectly categorized in hospitals, the number of dead in the city where the pandemic began rose by 1,290, for a new total of 3,869 lives lost.
China is facing sharp criticism, including from President Trump, about the accuracy of its numbers and calls are mounting for Beijing to answer for the global health crisis.China is facing sharp criticism, including from President Trump, about the accuracy of its numbers and calls are mounting for Beijing to answer for the global health crisis.
But such revisions are not unusual. Many countries are probably underreporting their tallies, in part because of problems with testing and the speed with which the virus has overwhelmed public health care systems.But such revisions are not unusual. Many countries are probably underreporting their tallies, in part because of problems with testing and the speed with which the virus has overwhelmed public health care systems.
New York City, the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, added 3,700 people to its death toll this week to include people who probably died of the virus, based on symptoms and medical history, but were never tested.New York City, the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, added 3,700 people to its death toll this week to include people who probably died of the virus, based on symptoms and medical history, but were never tested.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Spain has begun combing through records to verify its death toll, which now stands at close to 20,000, the highest in the world after the U.S.’s toll of more than 31,000.Spain has begun combing through records to verify its death toll, which now stands at close to 20,000, the highest in the world after the U.S.’s toll of more than 31,000.
Britain has extended its lockdown by at least three weeks, until the second week of May. It reported 861 new deaths on Thursday, 100 more than the previous day.Britain has extended its lockdown by at least three weeks, until the second week of May. It reported 861 new deaths on Thursday, 100 more than the previous day.
In France, which has 109,252 cases and 18,681 deaths, the government is considering asking people to install a contact-tracing app, but privacy protections may limit its effectiveness.In France, which has 109,252 cases and 18,681 deaths, the government is considering asking people to install a contact-tracing app, but privacy protections may limit its effectiveness.
More than a thousand sailors from the French aircraft carrier group Charles de Gaulle have tested positive for the virus.More than a thousand sailors from the French aircraft carrier group Charles de Gaulle have tested positive for the virus.
Americans and Europeans in India have been evicted from hotels and apartments and aggressively questioned on the streets amid what appears to be a rise in xenophobic incidents.Americans and Europeans in India have been evicted from hotels and apartments and aggressively questioned on the streets amid what appears to be a rise in xenophobic incidents.
Know thy enemy. Is the virus on my clothes, my shoes, my hair? We asked the experts about all the places coronavirus lurks — or doesn’t. (You’ll feel better after reading this.)Know thy enemy. Is the virus on my clothes, my shoes, my hair? We asked the experts about all the places coronavirus lurks — or doesn’t. (You’ll feel better after reading this.)
Cut your hair. Our writer employed a hairdresser — virtually — to guide her as she cut her bangs and gave her husband a trim. If that goes horribly wrong, you can always shave it off: Here’s our guide to a self-administered buzz cut.Cut your hair. Our writer employed a hairdresser — virtually — to guide her as she cut her bangs and gave her husband a trim. If that goes horribly wrong, you can always shave it off: Here’s our guide to a self-administered buzz cut.
Roommate getting on your nerves? We’ve got advice about what to do before a dispute, when tension is building, and when you’re about to snap. Also, advice on making up.Roommate getting on your nerves? We’ve got advice about what to do before a dispute, when tension is building, and when you’re about to snap. Also, advice on making up.
Make an effective mask: Fabric with a higher thread count offers the best protection. Use at least two layers, and consider sewing a pocket to hold a coffee filter or paper towel.Make an effective mask: Fabric with a higher thread count offers the best protection. Use at least two layers, and consider sewing a pocket to hold a coffee filter or paper towel.
Doctors are prescribing hydroxychloroquine, but don’t know if it works.Doctors are prescribing hydroxychloroquine, but don’t know if it works.
Ventilator shortages have spurred a wave of innovation, including the use of sleep apnea machines and hair dryer hoods.Ventilator shortages have spurred a wave of innovation, including the use of sleep apnea machines and hair dryer hoods.
Some wealthy homeowners are isolating with their household staff. Martha Stewart referred to her driver, housekeeper and gardener as “three detainees.”Some wealthy homeowners are isolating with their household staff. Martha Stewart referred to her driver, housekeeper and gardener as “three detainees.”
We followed two Salvation Army officers as they delivered food to families, giving a glimpse into the wide spectrum of need amid the pandemic.We followed two Salvation Army officers as they delivered food to families, giving a glimpse into the wide spectrum of need amid the pandemic.
Many of us are living in bubbles now, but isolating with family and roommates requires rules and trust.Many of us are living in bubbles now, but isolating with family and roommates requires rules and trust.
With billions of people stuck at home, the internet is rife with tales of a revived natural world.With billions of people stuck at home, the internet is rife with tales of a revived natural world.
I’m sewing my own graduation dress out of broken white bedsheets! I am supposed to graduate high school early June. Our ceremony at school is canceled, but I still need something nice to wear for our virtual family celebration!I’m sewing my own graduation dress out of broken white bedsheets! I am supposed to graduate high school early June. Our ceremony at school is canceled, but I still need something nice to wear for our virtual family celebration!
— Lucia Wilkinson, Stockholm— Lucia Wilkinson, Stockholm
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