'When Pet Owners Fall Ill With Coronavirus, What Happens Next?' diff viewer (7/8)

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When Pet Owners Fall Ill With Coronavirus, What Happens Next?	When Pet Owners Fall Ill With Coronavirus, What Happens Next?
2020-06-13 03:56:42 UTC	2020-06-16 09:42:40 UTC (3 days later)
MADRID — The coronavirus strikes. The patient — at home, sometimes alone — becomes desperately ill. The ambulance finally arrives to take the person away.	MADRID — The coronavirus strikes. The patient — at home, sometimes alone — becomes desperately ill. The ambulance finally arrives to take the person away.
Then, a second team, clad in hazmat gear, follows to rescue a household member abandoned in the chaos and suddenly in need of a new caregiver: the patient’s pet.	Then, a second team, clad in hazmat gear, follows to rescue a household member abandoned in the chaos and suddenly in need of a new caregiver: the patient’s pet.
The teams, from the Madrid animal shelter El Refugio, end up placing the pets in foster homes with people who will care for them temporarily while Spain’s strict lockdown is in place and so much is in flux.	The teams, from the Madrid animal shelter El Refugio, end up placing the pets in foster homes with people who will care for them temporarily while Spain’s strict lockdown is in place and so much is in flux.
Thousands of animals in Spain have been left behind amid one of the world’s largest and deadliest coronavirus outbreaks — something that has been mirrored around the world, from Wuhan, China, where the pandemic originated, to Israel and India. At the same time, the demand to adopt dogs and cats has surged during the lockdown.	Thousands of animals in Spain have been left behind amid one of the world’s largest and deadliest coronavirus outbreaks — something that has been mirrored around the world, from Wuhan, China, where the pandemic originated, to Israel and India. At the same time, the demand to adopt dogs and cats has surged during the lockdown.
“The great news is that there are far more people who have now offered to look after a pet than the number we have had to rescue,” said Nacho Paunero, the president of El Refugio.	“The great news is that there are far more people who have now offered to look after a pet than the number we have had to rescue,” said Nacho Paunero, the president of El Refugio.
But the intensity of the country’s outbreak is raising some ethical and practical questions for animal protection workers. They are concerned that the rush to adopt pets may not always be in the animals’ best interests and in some cases have started to put limits in place.	But the intensity of the country’s outbreak is raising some ethical and practical questions for animal protection workers. They are concerned that the rush to adopt pets may not always be in the animals’ best interests and in some cases have started to put limits in place.
Shelter administrators are wondering how committed the adoptive owners are to keeping their new pets — or whether they will then abandon them after the emergency passes. Because dog walking is one of the few activities exempt from Spain’s stringent lockdown, animal shelter workers worry that this drove up the demand for adoptions.	Shelter administrators are wondering how committed the adoptive owners are to keeping their new pets — or whether they will then abandon them after the emergency passes. Because dog walking is one of the few activities exempt from Spain’s stringent lockdown, animal shelter workers worry that this drove up the demand for adoptions.
Since March 14, the country has kept its 47 million residents under strict and closely monitored control, forbidding almost everyone — including all children — from taking even a short stroll outside the house.	Since March 14, the country has kept its 47 million residents under strict and closely monitored control, forbidding almost everyone — including all children — from taking even a short stroll outside the house.
“If you’re in a hurry to adopt, I see that as a very bad signal, particularly as it’s clear there are people who want to adopt in order to have an excuse to walk the streets — which in turn means that these animals could be either returned to us or abandoned,” said Javier Rodellar, the president of Anerpa, an animal protection association.	“If you’re in a hurry to adopt, I see that as a very bad signal, particularly as it’s clear there are people who want to adopt in order to have an excuse to walk the streets — which in turn means that these animals could be either returned to us or abandoned,” said Javier Rodellar, the president of Anerpa, an animal protection association.
Mr. Rodellar said his group suspended all adoptions and limited even temporary placements to its circle of volunteers and supporters when Spain went into lockdown in mid-March. It has rejected at least 50 adoption requests since.	Mr. Rodellar said his group suspended all adoptions and limited even temporary placements to its circle of volunteers and supporters when Spain went into lockdown in mid-March. It has rejected at least 50 adoption requests since.
Anerpa is sheltering all its animals for now, Mr. Rodellar said, a decision that is stretching its finances considerably. He acknowledged that Spain’s animal welfare associations were split over the issue, with some reasoning that any caregiver is better than none at all.	Anerpa is sheltering all its animals for now, Mr. Rodellar said, a decision that is stretching its finances considerably. He acknowledged that Spain’s animal welfare associations were split over the issue, with some reasoning that any caregiver is better than none at all.
Luz Vaillo, who runs a shelter in the city of Salamanca, said she expected many of the seven dogs adopted the day before Spain’s lockdown took effect to be returned but was confident that they would be well treated in the meantime.	Luz Vaillo, who runs a shelter in the city of Salamanca, said she expected many of the seven dogs adopted the day before Spain’s lockdown took effect to be returned but was confident that they would be well treated in the meantime.
“It’s impossible to know what exactly motivates somebody, so we can only hope that nobody will abandon a dog again as soon as all movement restrictions are lifted,” Ms. Vaillo said.	“It’s impossible to know what exactly motivates somebody, so we can only hope that nobody will abandon a dog again as soon as all movement restrictions are lifted,” Ms. Vaillo said.
El Refugio is placing pets only in foster care for now.	El Refugio is placing pets only in foster care for now.
“I make a distinction between an adoption, which is forever, and the need to find a temporary emergency solution,” said Mr. Paunero, of El Refugio.	“I make a distinction between an adoption, which is forever, and the need to find a temporary emergency solution,” said Mr. Paunero, of El Refugio.
In some cases, pet owners fell ill with shocking swiftness.	In some cases, pet owners fell ill with shocking swiftness.
“In the more dramatic cases, we have, sadly, had to pick up an animal from an apartment just after the emergency services had removed the corpse of its owner,” Mr. Paunero said.	“In the more dramatic cases, we have, sadly, had to pick up an animal from an apartment just after the emergency services had removed the corpse of its owner,” Mr. Paunero said.
What happens next for the pets is often improvisation.	What happens next for the pets is often improvisation.
While El Refugio deploys rescue missions in Madrid, the fates of other pets in Spain often hang on word of mouth: a neighbor asking around if somebody can help, an emergency worker trying to locate a relative. Typically, if the owner has a chance of recovery, the new arrangement is temporary.	While El Refugio deploys rescue missions in Madrid, the fates of other pets in Spain often hang on word of mouth: a neighbor asking around if somebody can help, an emergency worker trying to locate a relative. Typically, if the owner has a chance of recovery, the new arrangement is temporary.
Updated June 12, 2020	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.
	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.
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.
For Antonio Viñas, 46, hospitalized in Madrid, “it just all happened a bit too suddenly” to make contingency plans for his dog, Augustus, a white German Spitz with a cream-colored face. Augustus was placed informally in the home of nearby residents, as many emergency placements have been made in Spain.	For Antonio Viñas, 46, hospitalized in Madrid, “it just all happened a bit too suddenly” to make contingency plans for his dog, Augustus, a white German Spitz with a cream-colored face. Augustus was placed informally in the home of nearby residents, as many emergency placements have been made in Spain.
The neighbors, Ariel Framis, 15, and his mother, Alicia, had never met Mr. Viñas, but they agreed to take in Augustus after hearing from a friend that a dog in their neighborhood urgently needed care.	The neighbors, Ariel Framis, 15, and his mother, Alicia, had never met Mr. Viñas, but they agreed to take in Augustus after hearing from a friend that a dog in their neighborhood urgently needed care.
Now, Ariel and his mother send daily updates to Mr. Viñas, sharing photos and stories about Augustus that “clearly bring some joy to his hospital bed,” Ms. Framis said.	Now, Ariel and his mother send daily updates to Mr. Viñas, sharing photos and stories about Augustus that “clearly bring some joy to his hospital bed,” Ms. Framis said.
Ariel has benefited from taking care of Augustus, too.	Ariel has benefited from taking care of Augustus, too.