'With Schools Closed, Bringing Books to Students in Need' diff viewer (13/14)

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With Schools Closed, Bringing Books to Students in Need	With Schools Closed, Bringing Books to Students in Need
2020-06-24 14:58:56 UTC	2020-07-02 19:50:19 UTC (8 days later)
Like many students who have shifted to remote learning, Leslie Novoa’s three children are jumping on Zoom calls and missing their classmates.	Like many students who have shifted to remote learning, Leslie Novoa’s three children are jumping on Zoom calls and missing their classmates.
“We try to keep them entertained as much as possible,” Ms. Novoa said. “They want to go back to school more than anything.”	“We try to keep them entertained as much as possible,” Ms. Novoa said. “They want to go back to school more than anything.”
Ms. Novoa and her family live in a shelter in Brooklyn run by the nonprofit organization Win, a major provider of shelter for homeless families in New York. On Tuesday, her little ones heard some good news: Win was distributing free books to the children in the facility.	Ms. Novoa and her family live in a shelter in Brooklyn run by the nonprofit organization Win, a major provider of shelter for homeless families in New York. On Tuesday, her little ones heard some good news: Win was distributing free books to the children in the facility.
“They were excited,” Ms. Novoa said. Her two oldest children love reading, and her toddler often grabs books and pretends to read, though she’s not quite there yet.	“They were excited,” Ms. Novoa said. Her two oldest children love reading, and her toddler often grabs books and pretends to read, though she’s not quite there yet.
The books came from First Book, a nonprofit that provides free and inexpensive books and learning materials to children in need. To help organizations like First Book as they assist some of those most impacted by the coronavirus, The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund has started a Covid-19 Relief Campaign. This monthlong campaign will benefit First Book and three other agencies offering support to those affected by the outbreak.	The books came from First Book, a nonprofit that provides free and inexpensive books and learning materials to children in need. To help organizations like First Book as they assist some of those most impacted by the coronavirus, The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund has started a Covid-19 Relief Campaign. This monthlong campaign will benefit First Book and three other agencies offering support to those affected by the outbreak.

Ms. Novoa’s eldest daughter, who is 7, chose the picture book “Drawn Together.” Her 5-year-old son picked a book about the Marvel character Black Panther. And her youngest, a daughter who is 3, chose one with shapes and Disney characters on the cover.	Ms. Novoa’s eldest daughter, who is 7, chose the picture book “Drawn Together.” Her 5-year-old son picked a book about the Marvel character Black Panther. And her youngest, a daughter who is 3, chose one with shapes and Disney characters on the cover.
First Book has about 475,000 members in its network, including schools in low-income communities, early childhood programs and libraries. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, many of the organization’s members said they needed books to send home to their students to help prevent them from falling behind.	First Book has about 475,000 members in its network, including schools in low-income communities, early childhood programs and libraries. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, many of the organization’s members said they needed books to send home to their students to help prevent them from falling behind.
It’s common for children to forget lessons when school is out, usually called “summer slide.” In places where schools will now stay closed for the rest of the academic year, low-income students are facing the prospect of a severe “summer slide,” said Kyle Zimmer, the president and chief executive of First Book, partly because they don’t have computers at home to keep them up to speed and won’t be able to reach libraries.	It’s common for children to forget lessons when school is out, usually called “summer slide.” In places where schools will now stay closed for the rest of the academic year, low-income students are facing the prospect of a severe “summer slide,” said Kyle Zimmer, the president and chief executive of First Book, partly because they don’t have computers at home to keep them up to speed and won’t be able to reach libraries.
“What is challenging for people of means is a crisis for people who don’t have those resources,” Ms. Zimmer said.	“What is challenging for people of means is a crisis for people who don’t have those resources,” Ms. Zimmer said.
In an effort to keep children engaged, First Book hopes to distribute about eight million free books — all of which have been donated by publishers — to its network of educators. It has already sent out about 1.7 million books to distribution hubs such as emergency feeding sites and homeless shelters.	In an effort to keep children engaged, First Book hopes to distribute about eight million free books — all of which have been donated by publishers — to its network of educators. It has already sent out about 1.7 million books to distribution hubs such as emergency feeding sites and homeless shelters.
After New York City’s public schools began remote learning in March, Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, wondered how Win was addressing the digital divide, as most of the city’s shelters do not have Wi-Fi access.	After New York City’s public schools began remote learning in March, Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, wondered how Win was addressing the digital divide, as most of the city’s shelters do not have Wi-Fi access.
“It’s been a real struggle,” said Christine C. Quinn, the president and chief executive of Win.	“It’s been a real struggle,” said Christine C. Quinn, the president and chief executive of Win.
The Department of Education announced it would send devices with built-in internet to students in transitional housing. But the students in Win’s shelters did not receive them until more than a week after remote learning had started, Ms. Quinn said.	The Department of Education announced it would send devices with built-in internet to students in transitional housing. But the students in Win’s shelters did not receive them until more than a week after remote learning had started, Ms. Quinn said.
“The crisis has just exasperated and exposed every inequality” in the country, Ms. Weingarten said.	“The crisis has just exasperated and exposed every inequality” in the country, Ms. Weingarten said.
To help ensure homeless students continue learning, the American Federation of Teachers offered to buy more than 10,000 books and other materials, like pencils and bookmarks, from First Book and distribute them to about 2,500 children in Win’s shelters. The books, which First Book provides at a discount, will help keep the students’ reading skills up to par, and will also help ease anxiety during the lockdown, Ms. Quinn said.	To help ensure homeless students continue learning, the American Federation of Teachers offered to buy more than 10,000 books and other materials, like pencils and bookmarks, from First Book and distribute them to about 2,500 children in Win’s shelters. The books, which First Book provides at a discount, will help keep the students’ reading skills up to par, and will also help ease anxiety during the lockdown, Ms. Quinn said.
“If anybody has cabin fever, it’s our children,” she added. “This is going to make a big difference.”	“If anybody has cabin fever, it’s our children,” she added. “This is going to make a big difference.”
The need for books is widespread.	The need for books is widespread.
Katy Burkett teaches the first grade at Wa He Lut Indian School in Olympia, Wash., a public school that serves Native American students. Most of them live in poverty, and many don’t have food at home, let alone educational supplies, Ms. Burkett said.	Katy Burkett teaches the first grade at Wa He Lut Indian School in Olympia, Wash., a public school that serves Native American students. Most of them live in poverty, and many don’t have food at home, let alone educational supplies, Ms. Burkett said.
The school shut down in March and will remain closed for the rest of the academic year.	The school shut down in March and will remain closed for the rest of the academic year.
A plan to send laptops and portable hot spots to students is in the works. In the meantime, the school’s staff members have been delivering paper packets to students’ homes. But Ms. Burkett sees a grave threat to her students’ education.	A plan to send laptops and portable hot spots to students is in the works. In the meantime, the school’s staff members have been delivering paper packets to students’ homes. But Ms. Burkett sees a grave threat to her students’ education.
~~Updated June ~~24,~~ 2020~~	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.	Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.	A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.	The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.	The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
“They’re going to need access to technology, to books, to basic resources like pencils, paper, erasers, crayons,” Ms. Burkett said. “Every parent that I’ve talked to is concerned.”	“They’re going to need access to technology, to books, to basic resources like pencils, paper, erasers, crayons,” Ms. Burkett said. “Every parent that I’ve talked to is concerned.”
First Book was able to relieve some of that burden. The organization gave the school $750, enough to purchase class sets of books for its roughly 130 students. Ms. Burkett said they always look forward to having books of their own.	First Book was able to relieve some of that burden. The organization gave the school $750, enough to purchase class sets of books for its roughly 130 students. Ms. Burkett said they always look forward to having books of their own.
“Anytime I give the students books, they freak out,” she said. “You’d think that they were getting toys.”	“Anytime I give the students books, they freak out,” she said. “You’d think that they were getting toys.”
Before the donation came in, Ms. Burkett had purchased books from the organization to send to her students’ younger siblings who are missing out on early learning programs. She did not want them to go without an education, she said, so she paid for the books out of her own pocket.	Before the donation came in, Ms. Burkett had purchased books from the organization to send to her students’ younger siblings who are missing out on early learning programs. She did not want them to go without an education, she said, so she paid for the books out of her own pocket.