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| Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today | Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 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. |
| Another 4.4 million people filed unemployment claims in the U.S. last week, bringing the five-week total to more than 26 million. | Another 4.4 million people filed unemployment claims in the U.S. last week, bringing the five-week total to more than 26 million. |
| Nearly 14 percent of the 3,000 people screened in New York State had antibodies for the virus, the governor said. | Nearly 14 percent of the 3,000 people screened in New York State had antibodies for the virus, the governor said. |
| The House approved a bill to provide another $484 billion for small-business loans, hospitals and testing. | The House approved a bill to provide another $484 billion for small-business loans, hospitals and testing. |
| Get the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverage. | Get the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverage. |
| Now that we can be pretty sure the coronavirus was loose in the U.S. much earlier than anyone previously knew, quite a few Americans are recalling that nasty bug that walloped them over the winter and asking, could that have been Covid-19? | Now that we can be pretty sure the coronavirus was loose in the U.S. much earlier than anyone previously knew, quite a few Americans are recalling that nasty bug that walloped them over the winter and asking, could that have been Covid-19? |
| And it’s not just civilians. Doctors are thinking back to unexplained respiratory cases among their patients. Medical examiners are looking for more misattributed deaths like the ones in California that rewrote the U.S. virus timeline this week. And local politicians are demanding investigations. | And it’s not just civilians. Doctors are thinking back to unexplained respiratory cases among their patients. Medical examiners are looking for more misattributed deaths like the ones in California that rewrote the U.S. virus timeline this week. And local politicians are demanding investigations. |
| Researchers now say that hidden outbreaks were seeping through cities like Chicago, New York, Seattle and Boston in January and February, as unaware residents were going about their lives with no restrictions on their movements. | Researchers now say that hidden outbreaks were seeping through cities like Chicago, New York, Seattle and Boston in January and February, as unaware residents were going about their lives with no restrictions on their movements. |
| Public health experts now believe that for every known coronavirus case in the U.S., there are 5 to 20 more unknown ones — people who either had no symptoms or chalked them up to some other illness, and were never tested. | Public health experts now believe that for every known coronavirus case in the U.S., there are 5 to 20 more unknown ones — people who either had no symptoms or chalked them up to some other illness, and were never tested. |
| Could you be one of them — and now possibly immune to the virus? It’s complicated, experts say. | Could you be one of them — and now possibly immune to the virus? It’s complicated, experts say. |
| If you got over it a while ago, the virus probably won’t show up in a diagnostic test now. The way to spot past exposure is with an antibody test — but the tests presently being used to survey large populations do not yield reliable results for individuals. | If you got over it a while ago, the virus probably won’t show up in a diagnostic test now. The way to spot past exposure is with an antibody test — but the tests presently being used to survey large populations do not yield reliable results for individuals. |
| More accurate antibody tests are on the way, but even if yours comes back positive, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re protected. Scientists don’t yet know how much immunity the antibodies offer, or how long it lasts. | More accurate antibody tests are on the way, but even if yours comes back positive, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re protected. Scientists don’t yet know how much immunity the antibodies offer, or how long it lasts. |
| “Everyone desperately wants to be immune to this thing,” said Andrew Noymer, an associate professor of public health at the University of California, Irvine, “and they’re projecting the hope onto the data.” | “Everyone desperately wants to be immune to this thing,” said Andrew Noymer, an associate professor of public health at the University of California, Irvine, “and they’re projecting the hope onto the data.” |
| More likely: Keep in mind that for all the focus on the coronavirus, it was also a bad winter for seasonal influenza. So if you felt lousy in January or February, that’s probably what it was, not Covid-19. | More likely: Keep in mind that for all the focus on the coronavirus, it was also a bad winter for seasonal influenza. So if you felt lousy in January or February, that’s probably what it was, not Covid-19. |
| High rates: Antibody screening tests are finding surprisingly high rates of coronavirus exposure in some states, including New York. Out of about 3,000 grocery shoppers who were checked, 14 percent statewide — and 21 percent in New York City — were positive. | High rates: Antibody screening tests are finding surprisingly high rates of coronavirus exposure in some states, including New York. Out of about 3,000 grocery shoppers who were checked, 14 percent statewide — and 21 percent in New York City — were positive. |
| Experts warned against reading too much into preliminary results, noting that the sample was far from representative. Even so, the results raised hope that many people who never became ill may now have some immunity. | Experts warned against reading too much into preliminary results, noting that the sample was far from representative. Even so, the results raised hope that many people who never became ill may now have some immunity. |
| 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. |
| With much of the American economy shut down, job losses have hit some parts of the population harder than others. African-American and Hispanic people and people in low-income households are more likely to have been laid off than others, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. | With much of the American economy shut down, job losses have hit some parts of the population harder than others. African-American and Hispanic people and people in low-income households are more likely to have been laid off than others, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. |
| Those groups have also had higher rates of infection and death from Covid-19. In New York City, black and Latino people are dying at twice the rate of white non-Hispanics, and low-income neighborhoods have seen the largest case counts. | Those groups have also had higher rates of infection and death from Covid-19. In New York City, black and Latino people are dying at twice the rate of white non-Hispanics, and low-income neighborhoods have seen the largest case counts. |
| Some workplaces have also emerged as hot spots, infecting those who are still employed. Large outbreaks have shuttered meatpacking plants and other factories in the Midwest and South. | Some workplaces have also emerged as hot spots, infecting those who are still employed. Large outbreaks have shuttered meatpacking plants and other factories in the Midwest and South. |
| Another 4.4 million Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the five-week total to more than 26 million. For some, there’s a silver lining: The extra $600 a week provided by the economic aid bill means that many low-wage workers are getting more from unemployment than their regular pay. | Another 4.4 million Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the five-week total to more than 26 million. For some, there’s a silver lining: The extra $600 a week provided by the economic aid bill means that many low-wage workers are getting more from unemployment than their regular pay. |
| Trouble in Florida: The state is one of the slowest to process claims; fewer than 16 percent of people who have filed there since March 15 have received a check. | Trouble in Florida: The state is one of the slowest to process claims; fewer than 16 percent of people who have filed there since March 15 have received a check. |
| The debacle has prompted Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint an unemployment czar and sign executive orders waiving some requirements to ease the backlog. | The debacle has prompted Gov. Ron DeSantis to appoint an unemployment czar and sign executive orders waiving some requirements to ease the backlog. |
| In the coming months there will be a lot of discussion of a messy variable that is written R0 and pronounced R-naught. | In the coming months there will be a lot of discussion of a messy variable that is written R0 and pronounced R-naught. |
| Updated June 24, 2020 | |
| 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. | 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. |
| R0 gauges the spread of a disease by estimating how many new infections stem from each case. For example, if an average of 3.6 people catch it from each person who has it, the disease’s R0 would be 3.6. | R0 gauges the spread of a disease by estimating how many new infections stem from each case. For example, if an average of 3.6 people catch it from each person who has it, the disease’s R0 would be 3.6. |
| Max Fisher, our Interpreter columnist, explained why this number matters. Here’s a condensed version. | Max Fisher, our Interpreter columnist, explained why this number matters. Here’s a condensed version. |
| What does R0 tell policymakers? | What does R0 tell policymakers? |
| An R0 below 1 suggests that the outbreak is shrinking, possibly allowing societies to open back up. An R0 above 1 means the outbreak is growing, and governments may need to respond with lockdowns. | An R0 below 1 suggests that the outbreak is shrinking, possibly allowing societies to open back up. An R0 above 1 means the outbreak is growing, and governments may need to respond with lockdowns. |
| Does an R0 below one mean the virus is defeated? | Does an R0 below one mean the virus is defeated? |
| No. An R0 of 0.8 means that 100 people would infect 80 more, and those people would go on to infect 64 more, and so on. While the spread of the virus is slowed, people can still get sick and die. | No. An R0 of 0.8 means that 100 people would infect 80 more, and those people would go on to infect 64 more, and so on. While the spread of the virus is slowed, people can still get sick and die. |
| What does the coronavirus’s R0 look like around the world? | What does the coronavirus’s R0 look like around the world? |
| In general, studies have estimated it at 2.0 to 2.5, but human and environmental factors can influence it. Germany now puts its R0 at 0.9, up from a recent low of 0.7. A French study estimates that country’s figure at 0.5, down from 3.3. The U.S. has multiple outbreaks that started at different times with different dynamics, so it’s difficult to give a national R0. | In general, studies have estimated it at 2.0 to 2.5, but human and environmental factors can influence it. Germany now puts its R0 at 0.9, up from a recent low of 0.7. A French study estimates that country’s figure at 0.5, down from 3.3. The U.S. has multiple outbreaks that started at different times with different dynamics, so it’s difficult to give a national R0. |
| The true death toll in Ecuador is 15 times its official count of 537, a Times analysis found. The port city of Guayaquil has emerged as the epicenter of the pandemic in Latin America [video]. | The true death toll in Ecuador is 15 times its official count of 537, a Times analysis found. The port city of Guayaquil has emerged as the epicenter of the pandemic in Latin America [video]. |
| Prominent Muslim clerics in Pakistan have encouraged devotees to ignore shutdown measures and gather for Ramadan. | Prominent Muslim clerics in Pakistan have encouraged devotees to ignore shutdown measures and gather for Ramadan. |
| Several medieval monasteries in Ukraine that continue to encourage visits by the faithful have had outbreaks. | Several medieval monasteries in Ukraine that continue to encourage visits by the faithful have had outbreaks. |
| Kenya has vowed to arrest and return about 50 people who escaped from a quarantine center in Nairobi. | Kenya has vowed to arrest and return about 50 people who escaped from a quarantine center in Nairobi. |
| In Romania, where there have been 10,096 cases and 527 deaths, authorities have issued more than $95 million in fines to people who have broken lockdown restrictions. | In Romania, where there have been 10,096 cases and 527 deaths, authorities have issued more than $95 million in fines to people who have broken lockdown restrictions. |
| Say the right thing. Here’s what to say — and not say — to workers on the front lines. Send messages of support, but don’t expect a reply. | Say the right thing. Here’s what to say — and not say — to workers on the front lines. Send messages of support, but don’t expect a reply. |
| Keep your glasses clear. Eyeglasses tend to fog when you are wearing a face mask. Healthcare workers have a few tricks for this vexing problem; it’ll take trial and error to find what works for you. | Keep your glasses clear. Eyeglasses tend to fog when you are wearing a face mask. Healthcare workers have a few tricks for this vexing problem; it’ll take trial and error to find what works for you. |
| Collect refunds. Here’s what you need to know about getting your money back from airlines, live events and summer camps. | Collect refunds. Here’s what you need to know about getting your money back from airlines, live events and summer camps. |
| Get your blood flowing. Here’s some expert advice for an at-home workout. | Get your blood flowing. Here’s some expert advice for an at-home workout. |
| Britain has begun Europe’s first human trial for a potential coronavirus vaccine, the BBC reports. | Britain has begun Europe’s first human trial for a potential coronavirus vaccine, the BBC reports. |
| Americans overwhelmingly favor stay-at-home orders and other efforts to slow the spread of the virus, with little difference across partisan lines, according to an Associated Press-NORC survey. | Americans overwhelmingly favor stay-at-home orders and other efforts to slow the spread of the virus, with little difference across partisan lines, according to an Associated Press-NORC survey. |
| With public pools closed, day camps canceled and summer jobs unavailable because of the pandemic, it will be a bleak summer for children in New York City. | With public pools closed, day camps canceled and summer jobs unavailable because of the pandemic, it will be a bleak summer for children in New York City. |
| Parents are postponing trips to the doctor for children’s checkups and vaccinations, putting millions at risk of contracting potentially deadly diseases like measles. | Parents are postponing trips to the doctor for children’s checkups and vaccinations, putting millions at risk of contracting potentially deadly diseases like measles. |
| When Covid-19 patients recover and are discharged, hospitals in New York are playing anthems like “Don’t Stop Believin’” and the “Rocky” theme to celebrate. | When Covid-19 patients recover and are discharged, hospitals in New York are playing anthems like “Don’t Stop Believin’” and the “Rocky” theme to celebrate. |
| People who lived through other viral outbreaks, like SARS, Ebola and the 1918 flu, spoke to Slate magazine about what it was like when the diseases faded and life began to return to normal. | People who lived through other viral outbreaks, like SARS, Ebola and the 1918 flu, spoke to Slate magazine about what it was like when the diseases faded and life began to return to normal. |
| Every morning our rabbi leads a short online service and gives a short lesson or commentary. We have been doing this for weeks now, and it is a structured way to start the day, be calm, see people and have contact with the world. | Every morning our rabbi leads a short online service and gives a short lesson or commentary. We have been doing this for weeks now, and it is a structured way to start the day, be calm, see people and have contact with the world. |
| — Stanley Stern, Mission, Kans. | — Stanley Stern, Mission, Kans. |
| Let us know how you’re dealing with the outbreak. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter. | Let us know how you’re dealing with the outbreak. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter. |
| Sign up here to get the briefing by email.Lara Takenaga and Jonathan Wolfe helped write today’s newsletter. | Sign up here to get the briefing by email.Lara Takenaga and Jonathan Wolfe helped write today’s newsletter. |