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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
(30 days 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.
The White House announced it would soon wind down its coronavirus task force.The White House announced it would soon wind down its coronavirus task force.
As outbreaks shutter packing plants, meat is getting scarcer in grocery aisles and drive-throughs.As outbreaks shutter packing plants, meat is getting scarcer in grocery aisles and drive-throughs.
A Paris fishmonger who became ill in December had the coronavirus, weeks before it was known to be present in Europe.A Paris fishmonger who became ill in December had the coronavirus, weeks before it was known to be present in Europe.
Get the latest updates here, plus maps, a tracker for U.S. metro areas, and full coverage.Get the latest updates here, plus maps, a tracker for U.S. metro areas, and full coverage.
More than two dozen children have been admitted to a New York hospital in recent weeks with a mysterious illness that appears to be linked to the coronavirus.More than two dozen children have been admitted to a New York hospital in recent weeks with a mysterious illness that appears to be linked to the coronavirus.
The condition, which has also shown up in children in Europe, shares symptoms with Kawasaki disease, a rare and puzzling pediatric illness involving inflammation of the blood vessels. But many of the children have gone into shock — a complication not usually associated with Kawasaki disease.The condition, which has also shown up in children in Europe, shares symptoms with Kawasaki disease, a rare and puzzling pediatric illness involving inflammation of the blood vessels. But many of the children have gone into shock — a complication not usually associated with Kawasaki disease.
Some doctors suspect that what they are seeing is a massive, harmful overreaction to Covid-19 by the body’s immune system, an indication that the virus’s risk to children may be greater than anticipated. While none of the children have died, some have needed ventilators.Some doctors suspect that what they are seeing is a massive, harmful overreaction to Covid-19 by the body’s immune system, an indication that the virus’s risk to children may be greater than anticipated. While none of the children have died, some have needed ventilators.
New York City’s health department put out a bulletin on Monday warning health care providers and parents to keep an eye out for the symptoms, which include fever, a rash, reddened tongues, vomiting and diarrhea. Doctors in Britain, Italy and Spain have also been warned to look out for the condition in children.New York City’s health department put out a bulletin on Monday warning health care providers and parents to keep an eye out for the symptoms, which include fever, a rash, reddened tongues, vomiting and diarrhea. Doctors in Britain, Italy and Spain have also been warned to look out for the condition in children.
Can children spread the virus? Contrary to popular belief, the answer seems to be yes. Fewer children than adults catch the virus, and their cases tend to be mild. But two new studies suggest that they can transmit the infection just as readily, in part because they tend to have many more contacts in a day, especially at school.Can children spread the virus? Contrary to popular belief, the answer seems to be yes. Fewer children than adults catch the virus, and their cases tend to be mild. But two new studies suggest that they can transmit the infection just as readily, in part because they tend to have many more contacts in a day, especially at school.
A way to test school reopenings: Two Norwegian medical researchers have proposed a randomized clinical trial to see whether it’s safe to open schools again.A way to test school reopenings: Two Norwegian medical researchers have proposed a randomized clinical trial to see whether it’s safe to open schools again.
They suggest opening one district’s schools for a couple of weeks with half the usual number of students and six-foot social distancing, while a neighboring district stays closed. All students and teachers would be tested for the virus beforehand and afterward.They suggest opening one district’s schools for a couple of weeks with half the usual number of students and six-foot social distancing, while a neighboring district stays closed. All students and teachers would be tested for the virus beforehand and afterward.
If transmission didn't increase in the reopened schools, the trial would be repeated with more students and less distance each time, until, with luck, the schools could reopen normally.If transmission didn't increase in the reopened schools, the trial would be repeated with more students and less distance each time, until, with luck, the schools could reopen normally.
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.
The White House is planning to wind down its coronavirus task force in the next few weeks, even though the pandemic continues to rage in the U.S.The White House is planning to wind down its coronavirus task force in the next few weeks, even though the pandemic continues to rage in the U.S.
“We’re having conversations about that, and about what the proper time is for the task force to complete its work,” Vice President Mike Pence said on Monday. He added that the panel may shut down by early June.“We’re having conversations about that, and about what the proper time is for the task force to complete its work,” Vice President Mike Pence said on Monday. He added that the panel may shut down by early June.
It is not clear what, if anything, would replace it. A group led by Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, that has been acting as something of a shadow task force is likely to continue.It is not clear what, if anything, would replace it. A group led by Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, that has been acting as something of a shadow task force is likely to continue.
Mr. Trump has often brushed aside his task force’s advice, and many states are defying its recommendations about when it would be safe to reopen. The panel’s meetings were canceled on Saturday and Monday, and Mr. Trump has stopped arraying its members around him at public appearances.Mr. Trump has often brushed aside his task force’s advice, and many states are defying its recommendations about when it would be safe to reopen. The panel’s meetings were canceled on Saturday and Monday, and Mr. Trump has stopped arraying its members around him at public appearances.
Even so, the task force has been the closest thing the White House had to a coordinated national response to the pandemic. Disbanding would probably intensify the widespread questions about the administration’s handling of the crisis.Even so, the task force has been the closest thing the White House had to a coordinated national response to the pandemic. Disbanding would probably intensify the widespread questions about the administration’s handling of the crisis.
Illness, financial strain and rising tension: A journey down several blocks in Hazleton, Pa., tells the story of the virus in America, our reporter Michael Powell writes.Illness, financial strain and rising tension: A journey down several blocks in Hazleton, Pa., tells the story of the virus in America, our reporter Michael Powell writes.
The virus spread quickly among the area’s residents, many of whom work shoulder to shoulder in factories and warehouses for Amazon, Tootsie Roll, American Eagle or Auto Zone that have stayed open. Life in working-class Hazleton is often lived on a thin economic margin, and many people had to go on working even as co-workers fell ill and some took the virus home with them.The virus spread quickly among the area’s residents, many of whom work shoulder to shoulder in factories and warehouses for Amazon, Tootsie Roll, American Eagle or Auto Zone that have stayed open. Life in working-class Hazleton is often lived on a thin economic margin, and many people had to go on working even as co-workers fell ill and some took the virus home with them.
Rafael Benjamin, a good-natured man who rarely missed a day of work, had a job at a Cargill plant that packages meat in plastic wrap. He was six days away from retirement when he fell ill.Rafael Benjamin, a good-natured man who rarely missed a day of work, had a job at a Cargill plant that packages meat in plastic wrap. He was six days away from retirement when he fell ill.
“Seventeen years he worked there, ready for retirement, and now he’s dead,” his son Larry said. “The virus took him away.”“Seventeen years he worked there, ready for retirement, and now he’s dead,” his son Larry said. “The virus took him away.”
Updated June 2, 2020
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.
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.
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
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.
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.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo offered a plan for reopening New York State region by region as each shows progress on key metrics.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo offered a plan for reopening New York State region by region as each shows progress on key metrics.
California will allow some stores to reopen on Friday, and individual counties will be allowed to relax restrictions further if they take precautions.California will allow some stores to reopen on Friday, and individual counties will be allowed to relax restrictions further if they take precautions.
In India, chaos erupted at liquor stores as they reopened for the first time in weeks.In India, chaos erupted at liquor stores as they reopened for the first time in weeks.
Taiwan has begun to hold its professional baseball season, but with no fans in the stadiums and with players’ temperatures checked several times a day.Taiwan has begun to hold its professional baseball season, but with no fans in the stadiums and with players’ temperatures checked several times a day.
Here’s a roundup of restrictions in all 50 states.Here’s a roundup of restrictions in all 50 states.
Watch something new. With productions on hold, TV writers have become TV watchers. We asked 11 of them which shows they are bingeing.Watch something new. With productions on hold, TV writers have become TV watchers. We asked 11 of them which shows they are bingeing.
Listen. When much of your life is effectively on pause, it’s a good opportunity to listen to those who are close to you — and those you wish were closer.Listen. When much of your life is effectively on pause, it’s a good opportunity to listen to those who are close to you — and those you wish were closer.
Check on your stimulus check. If you are eligible but have yet to receive a payment, here’s what to do.Check on your stimulus check. If you are eligible but have yet to receive a payment, here’s what to do.
A team of scientists has developed an experimental prototype for a fairly quick, cheap test to diagnose the coronavirus using a gene-editing technology known as Crispr. The test can give results as simply as a pregnancy test.A team of scientists has developed an experimental prototype for a fairly quick, cheap test to diagnose the coronavirus using a gene-editing technology known as Crispr. The test can give results as simply as a pregnancy test.
Pfizer and BioNTech began human trials in the United States of a possible coronavirus vaccine. If successful, the vaccine could be ready for emergency use as early as September.Pfizer and BioNTech began human trials in the United States of a possible coronavirus vaccine. If successful, the vaccine could be ready for emergency use as early as September.
A fund-raising conference organized by the European Union brought pledges from countries around the world to fund the production of a vaccine. The U.S. didn’t contribute.A fund-raising conference organized by the European Union brought pledges from countries around the world to fund the production of a vaccine. The U.S. didn’t contribute.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan is urging the world to fight the epidemic using a Japanese-made medication that may cause birth defects.Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan is urging the world to fight the epidemic using a Japanese-made medication that may cause birth defects.
Irish people are donating money to Native American tribes hit hard by the virus, inspired by a 173-year-old act of kindness from the Choctaw people during the potato famine.Irish people are donating money to Native American tribes hit hard by the virus, inspired by a 173-year-old act of kindness from the Choctaw people during the potato famine.
Many employees who are working from home are happier, are more efficient and want to continue the benefits when the pandemic ends.Many employees who are working from home are happier, are more efficient and want to continue the benefits when the pandemic ends.
I uncovered a box of family photographs and have been digitizing the oldest and most fragile, sending the images to my siblings who I haven’t seen for months. Some of the photographs date back to the mid 19th century. We identify the people in the pictures and share stories. This has led me to start working on a family tree.I uncovered a box of family photographs and have been digitizing the oldest and most fragile, sending the images to my siblings who I haven’t seen for months. Some of the photographs date back to the mid 19th century. We identify the people in the pictures and share stories. This has led me to start working on a family tree.
— Cathy Rosa Klimaszewski, Groton, N.Y.— Cathy Rosa Klimaszewski, Groton, N.Y.
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Lara Takenaga and Jonathan Wolfe helped write today’s newsletter.Lara Takenaga and Jonathan Wolfe helped write today’s newsletter.