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Parents Really Need a Break. But Is Summer Camp Too Risky? Parents Really Need a Break. But Is Summer Camp Too Risky?
(32 minutes later)
Surprise Lake Camp, one of the country’s oldest Jewish summer camps, told families on Monday that it would not be opening this year because of worries over the coronavirus.Surprise Lake Camp, one of the country’s oldest Jewish summer camps, told families on Monday that it would not be opening this year because of worries over the coronavirus.
“Every medical professional we consulted said that for a camp that opens in this environment, it’s not a matter of if — it will be there,” said Bradley Solmsen, the executive director of the camp in Cold Spring, N.Y., about 55 miles north of New York City. “Even with testing, the likelihood of us having it if we opened was very, very high.”“Every medical professional we consulted said that for a camp that opens in this environment, it’s not a matter of if — it will be there,” said Bradley Solmsen, the executive director of the camp in Cold Spring, N.Y., about 55 miles north of New York City. “Even with testing, the likelihood of us having it if we opened was very, very high.”
Surprise Lake joins many camps across the region and the country that have already decided to close this summer, even before some governors, including those in New York and New Jersey, have announced if they would be allowed to operate.Surprise Lake joins many camps across the region and the country that have already decided to close this summer, even before some governors, including those in New York and New Jersey, have announced if they would be allowed to operate.
But with summer camp a ritual for many children and a lifeline for working parents, other camps are still hoping that they will be able to welcome children.But with summer camp a ritual for many children and a lifeline for working parents, other camps are still hoping that they will be able to welcome children.
Directors believe they can keep campers and staff safe by taking steps like limiting the number of children, restricting interaction with outsiders, frequent disinfection and screening for the virus on arrival.Directors believe they can keep campers and staff safe by taking steps like limiting the number of children, restricting interaction with outsiders, frequent disinfection and screening for the virus on arrival.
“People want camp,” said Howard Salzberg, the director of Camp Modin in Maine, where the governor is allowing sleepaway camps to open. He said his phone had been ringing incessantly since he announced he would open for the season on July 9, and that nearly all his 300 regular families have committed to coming back.“People want camp,” said Howard Salzberg, the director of Camp Modin in Maine, where the governor is allowing sleepaway camps to open. He said his phone had been ringing incessantly since he announced he would open for the season on July 9, and that nearly all his 300 regular families have committed to coming back.
“Some have sent me notes saying, ‘We know it is a risk, but thank you for taking a risk for our children,’” he said.“Some have sent me notes saying, ‘We know it is a risk, but thank you for taking a risk for our children,’” he said.
The inconsistent picture for summer camps highlights the difficulty parents and operators face when so much about the coronavirus is still unknown.The inconsistent picture for summer camps highlights the difficulty parents and operators face when so much about the coronavirus is still unknown.
The new coronavirus-related inflammatory syndrome recently discovered in children, though rare, adds to the concern, and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Thursday that he needed more information about the sickness before making a decision on camps.The new coronavirus-related inflammatory syndrome recently discovered in children, though rare, adds to the concern, and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Thursday that he needed more information about the sickness before making a decision on camps.
The American Camp Association of New York and New Jersey estimated on Tuesday that at least 45 of its 400 member camps have canceled, with more doing so daily.The American Camp Association of New York and New Jersey estimated on Tuesday that at least 45 of its 400 member camps have canceled, with more doing so daily.
New York City has already canceled its Parks Department camps, and the Fresh Air Fund, a nonprofit that sends low-income children to sleepaway camps outside the city, will not do so this year.New York City has already canceled its Parks Department camps, and the Fresh Air Fund, a nonprofit that sends low-income children to sleepaway camps outside the city, will not do so this year.
Jill Kolano, a mother of two elementary school-aged children in Wayne, N.J., is still waiting to hear if a local Boys and Girls Club camp will be open, but probably won’t send her children even if it is.Jill Kolano, a mother of two elementary school-aged children in Wayne, N.J., is still waiting to hear if a local Boys and Girls Club camp will be open, but probably won’t send her children even if it is.
“I would want to know how they’re going to be cleaning and how they’re going to be distancing the kids,” she said. “I still wouldn’t really feel 100 percent comfortable.”“I would want to know how they’re going to be cleaning and how they’re going to be distancing the kids,” she said. “I still wouldn’t really feel 100 percent comfortable.”
In the New York region, Connecticut is allowing day camps to open in late June, but overnight camps must stay shuttered. In New Jersey, Gov. Philip D. Murphy said camps may be able to open with “limited in-person engagement” if public health conditions continue to improve.In the New York region, Connecticut is allowing day camps to open in late June, but overnight camps must stay shuttered. In New Jersey, Gov. Philip D. Murphy said camps may be able to open with “limited in-person engagement” if public health conditions continue to improve.
Some camp operators have already decided it is too risky to open even if they do get the green light.Some camp operators have already decided it is too risky to open even if they do get the green light.
Lauren Rutkowski, the owner and director of Camp IHC in Wayne, Pa., said that after speaking with distributors of tests for the virus, the camp decided it could not rely on their accuracy. Tests can produce up to 30 percent false negatives and research on the testing of children is limited.Lauren Rutkowski, the owner and director of Camp IHC in Wayne, Pa., said that after speaking with distributors of tests for the virus, the camp decided it could not rely on their accuracy. Tests can produce up to 30 percent false negatives and research on the testing of children is limited.
And if the virus entered her sleepaway camp, she said, “you have to accept that it is pretty much going to spread like wildfire.”And if the virus entered her sleepaway camp, she said, “you have to accept that it is pretty much going to spread like wildfire.”
But other operators have been busy coming up with safety plans. Mark Transport, the owner of Crestwood Country Day Camp on Long Island, plans to close camp on rainy days to avoid crowded indoor spaces, stagger arrival times and conduct daily temperature checks for as many as 500 campers spread over 17 acres.But other operators have been busy coming up with safety plans. Mark Transport, the owner of Crestwood Country Day Camp on Long Island, plans to close camp on rainy days to avoid crowded indoor spaces, stagger arrival times and conduct daily temperature checks for as many as 500 campers spread over 17 acres.
“We are trying to restore a sense of normalcy for kids, so you have to think out of the box,” he said.“We are trying to restore a sense of normalcy for kids, so you have to think out of the box,” he said.
Dr. David Cennimo, an infectious disease expert at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, said keeping the virus out of camps would be challenging no matter what measures operators take.Dr. David Cennimo, an infectious disease expert at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, said keeping the virus out of camps would be challenging no matter what measures operators take.
“I think if I ran a camp, I probably wouldn’t want to open,” he said. “But if you think that you could control the spread if your defenses were breached, and you have a plan to do that, you may be willing to try. You are asking people to trust that you have that plan.”“I think if I ran a camp, I probably wouldn’t want to open,” he said. “But if you think that you could control the spread if your defenses were breached, and you have a plan to do that, you may be willing to try. You are asking people to trust that you have that plan.”
Trust is a major factor for families considering sending their children to camp. Jeff Feig, of the Upper West Side, is planning to send all three of his sons to Camp Modin, which they have attended in past summers. He has faith in Mr. Salzberg, the camp’s director.Trust is a major factor for families considering sending their children to camp. Jeff Feig, of the Upper West Side, is planning to send all three of his sons to Camp Modin, which they have attended in past summers. He has faith in Mr. Salzberg, the camp’s director.
“If anyone is on top of this, he is,” he said. “His approach is thoughtful, and he is aggressive about how he is planning to manage it.”“If anyone is on top of this, he is,” he said. “His approach is thoughtful, and he is aggressive about how he is planning to manage it.”
Camp Modin’s operators plan to turn camp into a kind of “quarantine bubble.” Counselors will arrive early to quarantine and will be tested for the virus. Campers will be tested before their arrival and after they get to camp, which will have a bigger medical staff than usual.Camp Modin’s operators plan to turn camp into a kind of “quarantine bubble.” Counselors will arrive early to quarantine and will be tested for the virus. Campers will be tested before their arrival and after they get to camp, which will have a bigger medical staff than usual.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
“For many of these kids,” Mr. Salzberg said, “camp is an essential part of their existence, and if we can give it to them, it has to be worth trying.”“For many of these kids,” Mr. Salzberg said, “camp is an essential part of their existence, and if we can give it to them, it has to be worth trying.”
In some states that are further along in their reopening, including Connecticut, day camps have been deemed an essential child care service and can operate with restrictions.In some states that are further along in their reopening, including Connecticut, day camps have been deemed an essential child care service and can operate with restrictions.
They are taking cues from federal reopening guidelines and a new guide from the American Camp Association that provides extensive recommendations, including cleaning sports equipment after each use and dividing campers into small groups with designated counselors that maintain social distance from other groups.They are taking cues from federal reopening guidelines and a new guide from the American Camp Association that provides extensive recommendations, including cleaning sports equipment after each use and dividing campers into small groups with designated counselors that maintain social distance from other groups.
Camp Riverbend in Warren, N.J., is hoping to host several hundred campers if permitted.Camp Riverbend in Warren, N.J., is hoping to host several hundred campers if permitted.
“We have bought as much P.P.E. as we could find, foggers and disinfectants, hand sanitizer, and disposable gloves and face coverings for staff,” said Jill Breene Cheng, a camp director. “We are renting portable hand washing stations and portable water bottle refillers and amping up the cleaning and disinfecting.”“We have bought as much P.P.E. as we could find, foggers and disinfectants, hand sanitizer, and disposable gloves and face coverings for staff,” said Jill Breene Cheng, a camp director. “We are renting portable hand washing stations and portable water bottle refillers and amping up the cleaning and disinfecting.”
Day camps pose an extra unknown in terms of risk because campers and staff return to their families each night where they could be exposed or spread the virus, said Dr. Jessica Justman, an epidemiologist and professor of medicine at Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center.Day camps pose an extra unknown in terms of risk because campers and staff return to their families each night where they could be exposed or spread the virus, said Dr. Jessica Justman, an epidemiologist and professor of medicine at Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center.
“Will the amount of virus circulating in the community be low enough so that level of mixing will be OK, or will that trigger a second wave?” she said.“Will the amount of virus circulating in the community be low enough so that level of mixing will be OK, or will that trigger a second wave?” she said.
For some families, the risk is worth it.For some families, the risk is worth it.
“I’m going to send my kids to any and all camps that open,” said Kim Marcus, who lives in Woodbury, N.Y., and hopes her two daughters, ages 12 and 10, can still go to overnight camp, and her 7-year-old to day camp.“I’m going to send my kids to any and all camps that open,” said Kim Marcus, who lives in Woodbury, N.Y., and hopes her two daughters, ages 12 and 10, can still go to overnight camp, and her 7-year-old to day camp.
Other parents, like Stacy Mooradian of Jersey City, said that they were relieved when their camps ultimately canceled. Her 8-year-old son’s two-week sports camp at New Jersey City University made the call a month ago, and his other camp at Liberty State Park canceled this week. Her 12-year-old son’s sleepaway camp is only operating remotely at least for the beginning of the summer.Other parents, like Stacy Mooradian of Jersey City, said that they were relieved when their camps ultimately canceled. Her 8-year-old son’s two-week sports camp at New Jersey City University made the call a month ago, and his other camp at Liberty State Park canceled this week. Her 12-year-old son’s sleepaway camp is only operating remotely at least for the beginning of the summer.
“I can’t think of any other camp option, day or sleepaway, that would be able to satisfy the distancing and safety requirements the governor is recommending,” she said. “But I still need to figure out what to do with the kids.”“I can’t think of any other camp option, day or sleepaway, that would be able to satisfy the distancing and safety requirements the governor is recommending,” she said. “But I still need to figure out what to do with the kids.”
Lauren Hard contributed reporting.Lauren Hard contributed reporting.