'With Schools Closed, Bringing Books to Students in Need' diff viewer (6/7)

This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on April 23, 2020 16:06 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/23/neediest-cases/first-book-school-closed-coronavirus.html

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Next version

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Next version

Version 6	Version 7
With Schools Closed, Bringing Books to Students in Need	With Schools Closed, Bringing Books to Students in Need
2020-06-09 05:38:47 UTC	2020-06-10 01:43:17 UTC (about 20 hours 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.
“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.”
Updated June 5, 2020	Updated June 5, 2020
	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.	Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
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.)
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.
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.”