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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
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Deaths from the coronavirus in the U.S. have passed 100,000, according to a Times database.Deaths from the coronavirus in the U.S. have passed 100,000, according to a Times database.
Disney announced that its Florida theme parks would reopen in mid-July.Disney announced that its Florida theme parks would reopen in mid-July.
California became the fourth state with at least 100,000 known cases.California became the fourth state with at least 100,000 known cases.
Get the latest updates here, plus maps and a tracker for U.S. metro areas.Get the latest updates here, plus maps and a tracker for U.S. metro areas.
This afternoon we received a grim note from Mitch Smith, one of the reporters who keep track of The Times’s database of coronavirus-related deaths: “We crossed 100,000 known deaths at about 3:40 E.T. with new data from Illinois.”This afternoon we received a grim note from Mitch Smith, one of the reporters who keep track of The Times’s database of coronavirus-related deaths: “We crossed 100,000 known deaths at about 3:40 E.T. with new data from Illinois.”
One hundred thousand deaths. It’s a staggering toll, larger than the number of American casualties in every military conflict since the Korean War. As we pass this milestone — one that, just last month, President Trump predicted we would never reach — we are reminded how quickly this all happened, and how incomplete our knowledge of the virus remains.One hundred thousand deaths. It’s a staggering toll, larger than the number of American casualties in every military conflict since the Korean War. As we pass this milestone — one that, just last month, President Trump predicted we would never reach — we are reminded how quickly this all happened, and how incomplete our knowledge of the virus remains.
A new study revises the timeline for when the virus began to spread in the West. According to an analysis of the virus’s genome, the earliest known infections in the United States and Europe petered out before they could ignite outbreaks. Instead, the study says, the pandemic was seeded weeks later by a different set of infections.A new study revises the timeline for when the virus began to spread in the West. According to an analysis of the virus’s genome, the earliest known infections in the United States and Europe petered out before they could ignite outbreaks. Instead, the study says, the pandemic was seeded weeks later by a different set of infections.
Carl Zimmer, who writes about science for The Times, said the study demonstrated that most people who get the virus do not end up passing it on; rather, outbreaks stem from a small number of super-spreaders.Carl Zimmer, who writes about science for The Times, said the study demonstrated that most people who get the virus do not end up passing it on; rather, outbreaks stem from a small number of super-spreaders.
“The virus probably arrived a number of times in the United States, before the virus showed up that really set off some of these big outbreaks,” Carl told us.“The virus probably arrived a number of times in the United States, before the virus showed up that really set off some of these big outbreaks,” Carl told us.
If correct, the study backs up what public health experts have been arguing for months: that in order to identify the people who could become super-spreaders, we needed rigorous contact tracing and testing early on.If correct, the study backs up what public health experts have been arguing for months: that in order to identify the people who could become super-spreaders, we needed rigorous contact tracing and testing early on.
“If there had been large-scale testing in the United States, as there was in South Korea, we could have seen these little sparks of the virus showing up and could have kept an eye on them to see if any were leading to outbreaks,” Carl said. “Instead, scientists are having to be historians now.”“If there had been large-scale testing in the United States, as there was in South Korea, we could have seen these little sparks of the virus showing up and could have kept an eye on them to see if any were leading to outbreaks,” Carl said. “Instead, scientists are having to be historians now.”
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.
They saw it coming over a decade ago: Government-supported researchers predicted that a pandemic would one day cause a severe shortage of medical masks. To prepare, multiple federal agencies urged hospitals and policymakers to consider stockpiling elastomeric respirators — industrial masks that can be cleaned and reused, and are certified to protect as well as N95 masks. But the warnings went unheeded.They saw it coming over a decade ago: Government-supported researchers predicted that a pandemic would one day cause a severe shortage of medical masks. To prepare, multiple federal agencies urged hospitals and policymakers to consider stockpiling elastomeric respirators — industrial masks that can be cleaned and reused, and are certified to protect as well as N95 masks. But the warnings went unheeded.
Now, even as U.S. hospitals face a severe shortage of N95s, the Trump administration has not tried to produce or distribute more elastomerics, a Times investigation found. At the same time, federal regulators have allowed single-use N95s to be worn multiple times and cleaned using unproven decontamination methods.Now, even as U.S. hospitals face a severe shortage of N95s, the Trump administration has not tried to produce or distribute more elastomerics, a Times investigation found. At the same time, federal regulators have allowed single-use N95s to be worn multiple times and cleaned using unproven decontamination methods.
While elastomerics have practical challenges, like fitting and cleaning, they have failed to catch on largely because of their industrial look and a general reluctance to consider alternatives to N95s, which had been cheap and plentiful before the coronavirus struck.While elastomerics have practical challenges, like fitting and cleaning, they have failed to catch on largely because of their industrial look and a general reluctance to consider alternatives to N95s, which had been cheap and plentiful before the coronavirus struck.
But administrators at hospitals where elastomerics are being used have credited them with helping to prevent shortages of protective equipment, and health care workers have praised them.But administrators at hospitals where elastomerics are being used have credited them with helping to prevent shortages of protective equipment, and health care workers have praised them.
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.
Maggie Astor, one of our political reporters based in New York, became sick with Covid-19 in late March. She wrote about the ordeal and shared some valuable insight, especially on how to maintain a healthy state of mind during the illness:Maggie Astor, one of our political reporters based in New York, became sick with Covid-19 in late March. She wrote about the ordeal and shared some valuable insight, especially on how to maintain a healthy state of mind during the illness:
Having Covid-19 is intensely stressful. It’s not unusual to feel depressed or anxious, or to have panic attacks. Don’t be embarrassed to talk to your doctor about your mental health — it’s just as important as your physical health.Having Covid-19 is intensely stressful. It’s not unusual to feel depressed or anxious, or to have panic attacks. Don’t be embarrassed to talk to your doctor about your mental health — it’s just as important as your physical health.
It’s also OK to not be OK. You don’t have to handle this “well,” whatever that means. You just have to get through each day. So go ahead and cry, binge Netflix, do a jigsaw puzzle, reread the entire “Animorphs” series — whatever gets you through the day.It’s also OK to not be OK. You don’t have to handle this “well,” whatever that means. You just have to get through each day. So go ahead and cry, binge Netflix, do a jigsaw puzzle, reread the entire “Animorphs” series — whatever gets you through the day.
Some people have mild symptoms for the first few days and then suddenly get sicker. Some have fevers that go up and down repeatedly. Some are sick for two weeks straight, then have a few symptom-free days, then relapse. Some have lingering symptoms for months.Some people have mild symptoms for the first few days and then suddenly get sicker. Some have fevers that go up and down repeatedly. Some are sick for two weeks straight, then have a few symptom-free days, then relapse. Some have lingering symptoms for months.
This is both maddening and very common. Give yourself as much time to rest as your job and financial situation will allow.This is both maddening and very common. Give yourself as much time to rest as your job and financial situation will allow.
The National Hockey League announced a plan to complete its season, with a 24-team playoff tournament hosted in empty arenas in two hub cities.The National Hockey League announced a plan to complete its season, with a 24-team playoff tournament hosted in empty arenas in two hub cities.
Spain began 10 days of national mourning for victims of the virus. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez waited to begin the period until the whole country had entered its first reopening phase.Spain began 10 days of national mourning for victims of the virus. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez waited to begin the period until the whole country had entered its first reopening phase.
After months of lockdown, many people in Italy are hitting the beach, and some are flouting social-distancing measures.After months of lockdown, many people in Italy are hitting the beach, and some are flouting social-distancing measures.
In Switzerland, events of up to 300 people and spontaneous gatherings of up to 30 will be allowed starting June 6.In Switzerland, events of up to 300 people and spontaneous gatherings of up to 30 will be allowed starting June 6.
Here’s a roundup of reopenings and restrictions in all 50 states.Here’s a roundup of reopenings and restrictions in all 50 states.
Take time to disconnect. Overcome Zoom fatigue by designating certain times of the day to be device-free. If you want to decline a call, you don’t need a big excuse — just be honest.Take time to disconnect. Overcome Zoom fatigue by designating certain times of the day to be device-free. If you want to decline a call, you don’t need a big excuse — just be honest.
Have a good first date. Getting to know someone virtually? It’s helpful to start with your cameras off, come prepared with a few questions and have a loose plan for the meetup.Have a good first date. Getting to know someone virtually? It’s helpful to start with your cameras off, come prepared with a few questions and have a loose plan for the meetup.
Prepare your pup for alone time. Dogs may experience behavioral issues once their owners start leaving home more often. Help transition them to a less social life by leaving them in a familiar safe space and finding new ways to engage their brains.Prepare your pup for alone time. Dogs may experience behavioral issues once their owners start leaving home more often. Help transition them to a less social life by leaving them in a familiar safe space and finding new ways to engage their brains.
Only half of Americans say they plan to get a coronavirus vaccination when one arrives, according to a survey by The Associated Press and the National Opinion Research Center.Only half of Americans say they plan to get a coronavirus vaccination when one arrives, according to a survey by The Associated Press and the National Opinion Research Center.
France is no longer allowing hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid-19 patients.France is no longer allowing hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid-19 patients.
The United States is on the precipice of a compounding crisis of evictions, as protections and payments extended to millions of renters begin to run out.The United States is on the precipice of a compounding crisis of evictions, as protections and payments extended to millions of renters begin to run out.
The U.S. House of Representatives held its first partly remote vote, using a new proxy voting system instituted for the pandemic.The U.S. House of Representatives held its first partly remote vote, using a new proxy voting system instituted for the pandemic.
A Michelin-starred chef is helping to feed the destitute in India who have suffered during coronavirus lockdowns.A Michelin-starred chef is helping to feed the destitute in India who have suffered during coronavirus lockdowns.
I shop for two other senior families. When shopping, I take my iPhone and do FaceTime with one of the family members, walk around the store, and they can see the products. It’s like they’re right there with me in a virtual sense, picking out their own groceries.I shop for two other senior families. When shopping, I take my iPhone and do FaceTime with one of the family members, walk around the store, and they can see the products. It’s like they’re right there with me in a virtual sense, picking out their own groceries.
— Lynne Shapiro, Brea, Calif.— Lynne Shapiro, Brea, Calif.
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.
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Carole Landry contributed reporting.Carole Landry contributed reporting.