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Coronavirus Live Updates: Tally of New Cases Rises in the U.S., Partly Because of Expanded Testing Coronavirus Live Updates: Trump Administration Selects 5 Companies Most Likely to Produce a Vaccine
(32 minutes later)
The Trump administration has selected five companies as the most likely candidates to produce a vaccine for the coronavirus, senior officials said, a critical step in the White House’s effort to deliver on its promise of being able to start widespread inoculation of Americans by the end of the year.
By winnowing the field in a matter of weeks from a pool of around a dozen companies, the government is betting that it can identify the most promising vaccine projects at an early stage, speed along the process of determining which will work and ensure that the winner or winners can be quickly manufactured in huge quantities and distributed across the country.
Noah Weiland and David E. Sanger of The New York Times report that the five companies are Moderna, a Massachusetts-based biotechnology firm, which Dr. Fauci said he expected would enter into the final phase of clinical trials next month; the combination of Oxford University and AstraZeneca, on a similar schedule; and three large pharmaceutical companies: Johnson & Johnson, Merck and Pfizer. Each is taking a somewhat different approach.
The announcement of the decision will be made at the White House in the next few weeks, government officials said. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the federal government’s top epidemiologist and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, hinted at the coming action on Tuesday when he told a medical seminar that “by the beginning of 2021 we hope to have a couple of hundred million doses.”
Despite promising early results and the administration’s strong interest in nurturing a government-industry partnership, substantial hurdles remain, and many scientists consider President Trump’s goal of having a vaccine widely available by early next year to be optimistic, if not unrealistic. Vaccine development is notoriously difficult and time-consuming; the record is four years, and a decade is not unusual.
Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and the Oxford-AstraZeneca group have already received a total of $2.2 billion in federal funding to support their vaccine programs. Their selection as finalists, along with Merck and Pfizer, will give all five companies access to additional government money, help in running clinical trials and financial and logistical support for a manufacturing base that is being built even before it is clear which if any of the vaccines in development will work. More funding is likely to be announced soon, officials said.
U.s. Round up
Police brutality, protests and unrest may have knocked the pandemic from the lead of many U.S. newscasts, but the outbreak is continuing to spread. Even as some Northeast states are seeing improvements, in others, daily case numbers are reaching new highs.Police brutality, protests and unrest may have knocked the pandemic from the lead of many U.S. newscasts, but the outbreak is continuing to spread. Even as some Northeast states are seeing improvements, in others, daily case numbers are reaching new highs.
That is partly a consequence of the country’s vastly expanded testing capacity. Earlier in the pandemic, when test kits were scarce, many people who contracted the virus were not tested and not included in official counts. Here is a look around the country.That is partly a consequence of the country’s vastly expanded testing capacity. Earlier in the pandemic, when test kits were scarce, many people who contracted the virus were not tested and not included in official counts. Here is a look around the country.
In California, daily case reports exceeded 3,000 twice in the past week, a threshold the state had not crossed before. In Northern California, six chief health officers said in a statement that they were “encouraged by what we are seeing in some areas and concerned about what we are seeing in others.” As more businesses were allowed to reopen, they said, “each decision we make involves difficult trade-offs.”In California, daily case reports exceeded 3,000 twice in the past week, a threshold the state had not crossed before. In Northern California, six chief health officers said in a statement that they were “encouraged by what we are seeing in some areas and concerned about what we are seeing in others.” As more businesses were allowed to reopen, they said, “each decision we make involves difficult trade-offs.”
Arizona, Wisconsin, Tennessee, at least 12 other states and Puerto Rico are also seeing an upward trend of newly reported cases, and some are reaching new highs.Arizona, Wisconsin, Tennessee, at least 12 other states and Puerto Rico are also seeing an upward trend of newly reported cases, and some are reaching new highs.
In Mississippi, the 439 cases announced Saturday were the most yet on a single day. In Alaska, which has so far avoided the worst of the virus, cases have soared to their highest levels in recent days.In Mississippi, the 439 cases announced Saturday were the most yet on a single day. In Alaska, which has so far avoided the worst of the virus, cases have soared to their highest levels in recent days.
With New York City still working toward lifting some virus-related restrictions on June 8 — despite a nightly curfew imposed to curb looting — Mayor Bill de Blasio called on the agency that runs the city’s subways and buses to limit capacity. “It is crucial that every other seat be blocked off so that it’s clear that you never end up sitting next to someone,” he said. The agency had said it would take some steps to encourage and enforce social distancing, including putting floor markings at all subway stations.With New York City still working toward lifting some virus-related restrictions on June 8 — despite a nightly curfew imposed to curb looting — Mayor Bill de Blasio called on the agency that runs the city’s subways and buses to limit capacity. “It is crucial that every other seat be blocked off so that it’s clear that you never end up sitting next to someone,” he said. The agency had said it would take some steps to encourage and enforce social distancing, including putting floor markings at all subway stations.
President Trump’s high-stakes feud with Democratic officials in North Carolina is disrupting planning for the Republican National Convention. His speech will be moved out of Charlotte, party officials said Tuesday night, after indications that the entire event might be relocated. Mr. Trump’s high-stakes feud with Democratic officials in North Carolina is disrupting planning for the Republican National Convention. His speech will be moved out of Charlotte, party officials said Tuesday night, after indications that the entire event might be relocated.
In Dallas County, Texas, case numbers have continued to rise, and the 16 deaths announced Tuesday were the most of any day so far. Clay Jenkins, Dallas County’s chief elected official, said there was also no improvement in data on hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions. He called for residents to use caution even though restrictions had eased.In Dallas County, Texas, case numbers have continued to rise, and the 16 deaths announced Tuesday were the most of any day so far. Clay Jenkins, Dallas County’s chief elected official, said there was also no improvement in data on hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions. He called for residents to use caution even though restrictions had eased.
Chicago moved to its third phase of reopening, which eases restrictions on businesses combined with new precautions. Child care centers are reopening, but children are screened for signs of illness, and parents and teachers must wear face coverings. Restaurants will reopen with outdoor dining only. And riders will be encouraged to wear face masks while using public transportation.Chicago moved to its third phase of reopening, which eases restrictions on businesses combined with new precautions. Child care centers are reopening, but children are screened for signs of illness, and parents and teachers must wear face coverings. Restaurants will reopen with outdoor dining only. And riders will be encouraged to wear face masks while using public transportation.
In New Jersey, restaurants and bars can offer outdoor dining on June 15, the governor said. There were an additional 112 virus-related deaths.
GLOBAL ROUNDUPGLOBAL ROUNDUP
Germany will lift its travel ban on 29 European countries, including Britain and Iceland, on June 15 and replace it with travel advisories, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said.Germany will lift its travel ban on 29 European countries, including Britain and Iceland, on June 15 and replace it with travel advisories, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said.
The ban was imposed on March 17, when infections were rising exponentially in Europe.The ban was imposed on March 17, when infections were rising exponentially in Europe.
Still, Mr. Maas urged caution. “We must not lull ourselves into a false sense of security,” he said in a statement. “Together we must prevent the resumption of tourism from leading to a second wave of the coronavirus infections, here or elsewhere.”Still, Mr. Maas urged caution. “We must not lull ourselves into a false sense of security,” he said in a statement. “Together we must prevent the resumption of tourism from leading to a second wave of the coronavirus infections, here or elsewhere.”
The loosening of the ban covers the 26 other European Union members, other states that are part of the Schengen free-travel agreement, and Britain.The loosening of the ban covers the 26 other European Union members, other states that are part of the Schengen free-travel agreement, and Britain.
The decision to allow tourists to travel abroad, taken by Ms. Merkel’s cabinet Wednesday morning in Berlin, is based on relatively low infection rates in Europe. According to the new rules, if regional infections should mount, bans to specific countries could be reinstated.The decision to allow tourists to travel abroad, taken by Ms. Merkel’s cabinet Wednesday morning in Berlin, is based on relatively low infection rates in Europe. According to the new rules, if regional infections should mount, bans to specific countries could be reinstated.
Germany was initially hard hit by the virus, but its percentage of fatal cases has been remarkably low, leaving other countries to look to its actions as an example.Germany was initially hard hit by the virus, but its percentage of fatal cases has been remarkably low, leaving other countries to look to its actions as an example.
The foreign minister said that while he was removing the blanket travel ban, his ministry would not hesitate to issue warnings for individual countries if the virus threat merited it.The foreign minister said that while he was removing the blanket travel ban, his ministry would not hesitate to issue warnings for individual countries if the virus threat merited it.
Here’s what else is happening around the world:Here’s what else is happening around the world:
Italy lifted travel restrictions on Wednesday, allowing Italians and foreign travelers to cross its regional and national borders. Tourism accounts for 13 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. A powerful cyclone slammed into India’s coast, pushing thousands of people into emergency shelters in the commercial hub of Mumbai, which is struggling to contain a rising number of infections. More than 100 Covid-19 patients had been evacuated from a makeshift hospital to higher ground.
Sweden’s restrictions should have been tighter, the architect of its no-lockdown policy, Anders Tegnell, said on Wednesday. Mr. Tegnell, Sweden’s state epidemiologist, told Radio Sweden: “If we encountered the same disease, knowing what we know today, I think we would end up doing something in the middle between what Sweden did, and what the rest of the world did.” Sweden currently has 38,589 confirmed cases and 4,468 deaths.Sweden’s restrictions should have been tighter, the architect of its no-lockdown policy, Anders Tegnell, said on Wednesday. Mr. Tegnell, Sweden’s state epidemiologist, told Radio Sweden: “If we encountered the same disease, knowing what we know today, I think we would end up doing something in the middle between what Sweden did, and what the rest of the world did.” Sweden currently has 38,589 confirmed cases and 4,468 deaths.
Joblessness in Europe ticked up slightly in April, as government-backed furlough programs designed to limit mass unemployment cushioned the blow of a devastating economic downturn. The eurozone unemployment rate rose to 7.3 percent from 7.1 percent in March, although it was down from 7.6 percent a year ago.Joblessness in Europe ticked up slightly in April, as government-backed furlough programs designed to limit mass unemployment cushioned the blow of a devastating economic downturn. The eurozone unemployment rate rose to 7.3 percent from 7.1 percent in March, although it was down from 7.6 percent a year ago.
The Trump administration on Wednesday said that it planned to block Chinese airlines from flying into or out of the United States starting on June 16, after the Chinese government effectively prevented U.S. airlines from resuming service between the countries. Italy lifted coronavirus travel restrictions on Wednesday, hoping to restore some of the tourism that usually makes up 13 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. But it’s clear that some Italians have new skepticism about that level of economic dependence.
The dispute stems from a March 26 decision by China’s aviation regulators that limited foreign carriers to one flight per week based on the flight schedules they had in place earlier that month. But all three U.S. airlines that fly between China and the United States had stopped all service to the country by then because of the pandemic. As a result, the Chinese government had effectively banned them from flying between the two countries. Chinese airlines, by contrast, have been flying to American cities. The country’s addiction to tourism has priced many residents out of historic centers and crowded out creativity, entrepreneurialism and authentic Italian life.
Delta Air Lines and United Airlines had hoped to resume flights to China this month. Both companies appealed to the Civil Aviation Authority of China but did not receive a response. The U.S. Transportation Department also pressed Chinese officials to allow flights by American companies during a call on May 14, arguing that China was violating a 1980 agreement that governs flights between the countries and aims to ensure that rules “equally apply to all domestic and foreign carriers” in both countries. Of all Italy’s cities, Venice — a tourism cash cow worth 3 billion euros, or about $3.3 billion — changed most drastically during the months of lockdown.
Tensions between the United States and China have escalated to heights not seen in the trade war as the countries scuffle over the origin of the pandemic and China’s recent move to tighten its authority over Hong Kong. Without visits by giant cruise ships and hordes of day-trippers, the city’s alleys, porticoes and campos reverberated with conversations in Italian, and even with the Venetian dialect. The lack of big boats reduced the waves on the canals, allowing locals to take their small boats and kayaks out on cleaner water. Residents even ventured to St. Mark’s Square, which they usually avoid.
With the presidential election just five months away, Mr. Trump and his campaign team have taken a much tougher stand against the country, blaming China for allowing the virus to spread so widely and wreck the American economy. “This is a tragedy that has touched us all, but Covid could be an opportunity,” said Marco Baravalle, a leader of the anti-cruise-ship movement in Venice who called the absence of big boats and of the passengers they carry, “magnificent.”
During an interview with Fox News Radio on Wednesday, Mr. Trump suggested without evidence that China allowed the virus to leave its borders, while protecting it from spreading across its country. A few days ago, hundreds of Venetians gathered in a square, standing on chalk asterisks drawn several feet apart to protest a new dock that would bring boatloads of tourists through one of the city’s last livable neighborhoods.
An early effort by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to contain the virus in the United States collapsed when the agency’s antiquated data systems failed to collect and deliver prompt, accurate information about American travelers returning from overseas. Officials were presented with duplicative records, inaccurate phone numbers and incomplete addresses. “This can be a working city, not just a place for people to visit,” said the protest’s organizer, Andrea Zorzi, a 45-year-old law professor. He argued that the virus, as tragic as it was, had demonstrated that Venice could be a better place. “It can be normal,” he said.
The C.D.C., long considered the world’s premier health agency, also made early testing mistakes, which contributed to a cascade of problems that persist today as the country tries to reopen, according to a New York Times review of thousands of emails and interviews with more than 100 state and federal officials, public health experts, C.D.C. employees and medical workers. Long considered the world’s premier public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made missteps that undermined America’s response to the most urgent public health emergency in the agency’s 74-year history — a virus that has killed more than 100,000 people in the United States.
The agency failed to provide timely counts of infections and deaths, hindered by a fractured reporting system and aging technology. And it hesitated to absorb the lessons of other countries, including the danger of silent carriers spreading the infection. It also struggled to adjust its cautious, bureaucratic tendencies to accommodate the need to move fast as the coronavirus ravaged the country. A New York Times review of thousands of emails, and interviews with more than 100 state and federal officials, public health experts, C.D.C. employees and medical workers, revealed how the pandemic shook longstanding confidence in the agency and its leader, Dr. Robert R. Redfield. These are some of the key findings.
Given its record and resources, the C.D.C. might have become the undisputed leader in the global fight against the virus. Instead, it made missteps that undermined America’s response, report, Eric Lipton, Abby Goodnough, Michael D. Shear, Megan Twohey, Apoorva Mandavilli, Sheri Fink and Mark Walker. Aging data systems left the agency with blind spots. As the virus began to spread in the United States in January, the C.D.C.’s response was hampered by an antiquated data system and a fractured public health reporting system. The C.D.C. could not produce accurate counts of how many people were being tested, compile complete demographic information on confirmed cases or even keep timely tallies of deaths.
“The C.D.C. is no longer the reliable go-to place,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, the director of the Harvard Global Health Institute. The C.D.C. clashed with White House aides who viewed them as the “deep state.” As the crisis deepened, tensions between the agency and the White House increased, with aides to Mr. Trump referring to the scientists at the C.D.C. as members of the “deep state” who were eager to wound him politically by leaking to the press. At the same time, some C.D.C. employees watched with growing alarm as Mr. Trump, facing criticism for his administration’s response, repeatedly undermined the agency. And they paled at what they saw as meddling by politically motivated Trump aides.
The C.D.C.’s most consequential failure was its inability, early on, to provide state laboratories around the country with an effective diagnostic test. The C.D.C.’s culture slowed its response. The culture at the C.D.C. — risk-averse, perfectionist and ill suited to improvising in a quickly evolving crisis — shaped its scientists’ ambitions and contributed to some of its failures as it tried to respond to the pandemic.
And as the number of suspected cases — and deaths — mounted, the C.D.C. struggled to record them accurately. It rushed to hire extra workers to process emails from hospitals. Still, many officials turned to Johns Hopkins University, which became the primary source for up-to-date counts. Even the White House cited its numbers instead of the C.D.C.’s. Redfield felt he was ‘on an island’ between his agency and the White House. The pandemic underscored the need for Dr. Redfield to manage the mercurial demands of the president who appointed him and the expectations of the career scientists at the agency he leads. Although he is on the White House coronavirus task force, Dr. Redfield soon found himself eclipsed by Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s chief — and most famous — infectious disease specialist, and Dr. Deborah Birx, an AIDS expert and former C.D.C. physician.
Some staff members were mortified when a Seattle teenager managed to compile virus data faster than the agency, creating a website that attracted millions of daily visitors. “If a high schooler can do it, someone at C.D.C. should be able to do it,” said one longtime employee. Confusing guidance left doctors, public officials and others to look elsewhere. The C.D.C. struggled at times to provide clear and timely guidance, leading many to say they looked to universities, mailing lists or online research articles for detailed recommendations about how to safely care for infected patients.
The billowing clouds of tear gas that the authorities are sending through protest crowds across the United States may increase the risk that the virus could spread through the gatherings.The billowing clouds of tear gas that the authorities are sending through protest crowds across the United States may increase the risk that the virus could spread through the gatherings.
Along with the immediate pain that can cause watering eyes and burning throats, tear gas may cause damage to people’s lungs and make them more susceptible to getting a respiratory illness, according to studies on the risks of exposure. The gas can also incite coughing, which can further spread the virus from an infected person.Along with the immediate pain that can cause watering eyes and burning throats, tear gas may cause damage to people’s lungs and make them more susceptible to getting a respiratory illness, according to studies on the risks of exposure. The gas can also incite coughing, which can further spread the virus from an infected person.
Sven-Eric Jordt, a researcher at Duke University who has studied the effects of tear gas agents, said he had been shocked to watch how much the authorities had turned to the control method in recent days.Sven-Eric Jordt, a researcher at Duke University who has studied the effects of tear gas agents, said he had been shocked to watch how much the authorities had turned to the control method in recent days.
“I’m really concerned that this might catalyze a new wave of Covid-19,” Mr. Jordt said.“I’m really concerned that this might catalyze a new wave of Covid-19,” Mr. Jordt said.
The protests after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis have already raised alarm among health experts who have watched as protesters gathered by the thousands in cities around the country. While some demonstrators have worn masks and gloves, the crowds have often involved shouting and chanting in close quarters — a risky activity for a virus spread by respiratory droplets. Epidemiologists have said the protests would almost certainly lead to more cases.The protests after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis have already raised alarm among health experts who have watched as protesters gathered by the thousands in cities around the country. While some demonstrators have worn masks and gloves, the crowds have often involved shouting and chanting in close quarters — a risky activity for a virus spread by respiratory droplets. Epidemiologists have said the protests would almost certainly lead to more cases.
Because of delays between exposure and the start of symptoms, the impact of protests on the virus likely won’t be known for several weeks.Because of delays between exposure and the start of symptoms, the impact of protests on the virus likely won’t be known for several weeks.
On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said that the virus “is still in people and in society.”On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said that the virus “is still in people and in society.”
“We’re still battling that,” he said. Statewide, the number of virus-related deaths announced by the governor was under 50 for the first time since March 23. Hospitalizations continue to decline.“We’re still battling that,” he said. Statewide, the number of virus-related deaths announced by the governor was under 50 for the first time since March 23. Hospitalizations continue to decline.
Beyond cinema, the drive-in format never really found a place within live-event culture. But amid a pandemic, its time has perhaps come.
Across Europe and the United States, pastors have set up drive-in churches, and promoters have set up drive-in concerts and drive-in plays. In an era of social distancing, it turns out there are few better distancing devices than a car door.
Few have embraced this concept like the owners of Index, a family-run nightclub in Schüttorf, a small German town just east of the Dutch border, where Dopebwoy, a Dutch rapper, played last Friday.
Index has been one of the pioneers of the lockdown drive-in, holding a drive-in disco every weekend since early May. Revelers arrive at the club in their cars, park in the adjacent parking lot and then stay behind their wheels to watch performances from singers and D.J.s.
The events have proved surprisingly popular, despite lacking most of the physical experiences generally deemed essential to a successful club night. It’s a good thing, too, because nightclubs like Index are not expecting to reopen their dance floors until 2021.
“This feels like Saturday again!” said Ronan Zwaagstra, a 19-year-old student attending Dopebwoy’s show in his hatchback.
Then he paused.
“But without the drinking.”
Another pause.
“Or the dancing.”
But he likes the drive-in club experience so much that he drives nearly 60 miles to attend, and crosses a national border in the process. (Travel between the Netherlands and Germany has been less tightly regulated than other European borders during the pandemic.)
Can people still flirt in a disco without a dance floor?
“Yes,” said Jenny Kollak, 24, a bank manager. “Oh yes.”
People write their numbers on balloons and hold them up to people in nearby cars.
Or, said Ms. Kollak: “We scream at them. They scream at us.”
Black and Asian people in London were more likely to be fined under England’s coronavirus lockdown rules than white people, according to figures released on Wednesday by the city’s police service.Black and Asian people in London were more likely to be fined under England’s coronavirus lockdown rules than white people, according to figures released on Wednesday by the city’s police service.
Black Londoners make up 12 percent of the city’s population but received 26 percent of the 973 lockdown-related fines from late March to mid-May. Asian people, who are 18 percent of the city’s population, were given 23 percent of the fines. White people make up 59 percent of London’s population but received 46 percent of the penalties.Black Londoners make up 12 percent of the city’s population but received 26 percent of the 973 lockdown-related fines from late March to mid-May. Asian people, who are 18 percent of the city’s population, were given 23 percent of the fines. White people make up 59 percent of London’s population but received 46 percent of the penalties.
The figures were released amid marches in London over the death of George Floyd, who died after being handcuffed and pinned down by a police officer in Minneapolis, and racism in Britain. They mirror differences by race in enforcement of the lockdown rules in New York.The figures were released amid marches in London over the death of George Floyd, who died after being handcuffed and pinned down by a police officer in Minneapolis, and racism in Britain. They mirror differences by race in enforcement of the lockdown rules in New York.
The Metropolitan Police, London’s main police force, acknowledged that there were “some differences in the use of Covid-19 related enforcement” with regard to to gender, age and race.The Metropolitan Police, London’s main police force, acknowledged that there were “some differences in the use of Covid-19 related enforcement” with regard to to gender, age and race.
It said that enforcement of the lockdown tended to be heaviest in places that were already “priority areas for policing, such as high-violence areas,” and that officers had stepped up proactive policing of drugs, robbery and domestic abuse.It said that enforcement of the lockdown tended to be heaviest in places that were already “priority areas for policing, such as high-violence areas,” and that officers had stepped up proactive policing of drugs, robbery and domestic abuse.
Black people in England and Wales are more likely to die from the virus than white people, even accounting for differences in class and in some underlying health measures, according to official figures.Black people in England and Wales are more likely to die from the virus than white people, even accounting for differences in class and in some underlying health measures, according to official figures.
The police in London also arrested 747 people on charges of breaching lockdown regulations, but 711 of those arrests were primarily for a separate criminal offense, like drug possession, theft or assault. Officers made only 36 arrests exclusively for breaking the lockdown rules, the police said.The police in London also arrested 747 people on charges of breaching lockdown regulations, but 711 of those arrests were primarily for a separate criminal offense, like drug possession, theft or assault. Officers made only 36 arrests exclusively for breaking the lockdown rules, the police said.
In the wake of the pandemic, patients and their families have grown more fearful of a trusted institution: the hospital.In the wake of the pandemic, patients and their families have grown more fearful of a trusted institution: the hospital.
“You know everything you would hear on the news and social media about the hospitals being at capacity and, you know, ready to explode — it was true,” said Tommy Wittmer, a longtime paramedic.“You know everything you would hear on the news and social media about the hospitals being at capacity and, you know, ready to explode — it was true,” said Tommy Wittmer, a longtime paramedic.
Families have been forced to make difficult decisions: to send their loved ones to a hospital — where they may die alone — or to fight illnesses at home without medical intervention.Families have been forced to make difficult decisions: to send their loved ones to a hospital — where they may die alone — or to fight illnesses at home without medical intervention.
Often, the decision comes down to a matter of minutes, starting the moment a medic arrives in their homes to check their loved one’s blood oxygen levels and ending as they are loaded into the ambulance. Once at the hospital, visitors are no longer allowed in Covid-19 units, so the patients face their uncertain fates alone.Often, the decision comes down to a matter of minutes, starting the moment a medic arrives in their homes to check their loved one’s blood oxygen levels and ending as they are loaded into the ambulance. Once at the hospital, visitors are no longer allowed in Covid-19 units, so the patients face their uncertain fates alone.
“The whole pandemic definitely changed people’s thought process,” said Mr. Wittmer.“The whole pandemic definitely changed people’s thought process,” said Mr. Wittmer.
In our video, we rode along with Mr. Wittmer and Jessica Hundertmark, two critical care supervisors with SeniorCare, a private ambulance service in New York City that partners with Mount Sinai to treat patients at home.In our video, we rode along with Mr. Wittmer and Jessica Hundertmark, two critical care supervisors with SeniorCare, a private ambulance service in New York City that partners with Mount Sinai to treat patients at home.
The medics are bringing new ways of providing care to the bedside, and guiding families through their most difficult decisions.The medics are bringing new ways of providing care to the bedside, and guiding families through their most difficult decisions.
As the virus spread, visits to emergency rooms in the United States decreased 42 percent over four weeks in April, compared to the same period in 2019, according to a new analysis released Wednesday by the C.D.C. The declines were greatest among children 14 and younger, women and in geographic areas like the Northeast.
While the C.D.C. noted that there had been a recent rebound in visits, the volume of visits remained significantly lower. Visits to the emergency room were down 26 percent in the last week of May, compared to a year earlier.
The agency’s report highlights the months-long decline in general hospital care as the virus took hold and overwhelmed some hospitals. Across the nation, hospitals stopped performing elective procedures, whether a routine mammogram or a knee replacement, even if they were not experiencing a surge in Covid-19 patients. While hospitals have slowly begun resuming care, many patients, concerned about potential infection, continue to avoid them.
While E.R. treatment for complaints of minor ailments were far fewer this year, agency officials pointed to a more disconcerting drop in the number of people seeking emergency care for chest pain, including those undergoing a heart attack. There were also declines in children requiring emergency help for conditions like asthma.
C.D.C. officials also said the drop in emergency room visits could affect people’s ability to get care when they have no other alternative sources.
The analysis of visits from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program, which collects real-time electronic health data, representing nearly three quarters of all U.S. emergency room visits, was published in an early release of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report by the C.D.C.
Two prominent Afghan officials in a province hammered by Taliban attacks died of the coronavirus this week, laying bare the costs of the country’s dual wars against the pandemic and the militants.Two prominent Afghan officials in a province hammered by Taliban attacks died of the coronavirus this week, laying bare the costs of the country’s dual wars against the pandemic and the militants.
Brig. Gen. Abdul Rashid Bashir was the police chief of Kunduz Province, and Ahmad Fahim Qarloq was the governor of one of its most dangerous districts, Qala-I-Zal.Brig. Gen. Abdul Rashid Bashir was the police chief of Kunduz Province, and Ahmad Fahim Qarloq was the governor of one of its most dangerous districts, Qala-I-Zal.
Halting the spread of the virus has been a formidable challenge for the northern province, where testing capacity remains extremely limited, like must of the rest of the country. According to official figures, there are 133 cases of the virus in the province, but local officials say that more than 60 percent of the population is likely infected.Halting the spread of the virus has been a formidable challenge for the northern province, where testing capacity remains extremely limited, like must of the rest of the country. According to official figures, there are 133 cases of the virus in the province, but local officials say that more than 60 percent of the population is likely infected.
“There is no laboratory in Kunduz to test samples, so we send it to Kabul,” said Ehsanullah Fazli, Kunduz’s provincial health director. “We sent more than 150 samples to Kabul last week, but up to now we have not received the results.”“There is no laboratory in Kunduz to test samples, so we send it to Kabul,” said Ehsanullah Fazli, Kunduz’s provincial health director. “We sent more than 150 samples to Kabul last week, but up to now we have not received the results.”
The area has had to fight off Taliban attacks on the outskirts of Kunduz city amid the pandemic. In May, the militants targeted at least 17 government outposts and bases in the area. The city had been captured by the Taliban twice before, in 2015 and 2016.The area has had to fight off Taliban attacks on the outskirts of Kunduz city amid the pandemic. In May, the militants targeted at least 17 government outposts and bases in the area. The city had been captured by the Taliban twice before, in 2015 and 2016.
On Wednesday, Wahidullah Majrooh, a deputy health minister, said the government had performed 1,323 coronavirus tests across the country in the past 24 hours, with 758 coming back positive. That brought the number of confirmed cases nationwide to 17,267, with 294 deaths, though the actual numbers are likely much higher.On Wednesday, Wahidullah Majrooh, a deputy health minister, said the government had performed 1,323 coronavirus tests across the country in the past 24 hours, with 758 coming back positive. That brought the number of confirmed cases nationwide to 17,267, with 294 deaths, though the actual numbers are likely much higher.
International travel has always been a proxy for trust among nations and people, but the pandemic has poisoned the air. Now, relationships are being rebuilt under enormous economic pressure, with a wary eye on a pathogen that is not going away anytime soon. The Trump administration on Wednesday said that it planned to block Chinese airlines from flying into or out of the United States starting on June 16, after the Chinese government effectively prevented U.S. airlines from resuming service between the countries.
The calculations of risk and reward vary. Some countries are seeking ways to reopen to traditionally important sources of trade and tourism even if they are still struggling with the virus, like the United States. Others are scanning the globe for safer, if less lucrative, partners. The dispute stems from a March 26 decision by China’s aviation regulators that limited foreign carriers to one flight per week based on the flight schedules they had in place earlier that month. But all three U.S. airlines that fly between China and the United States had stopped all service to the country by then because of the pandemic. As a result, the Chinese government had effectively banned them from flying between the two countries. Chinese airlines, by contrast, have been flying to American cities.
The challenge involves both epidemiology and psychology — enough restrictions to make travelers feel safe, but not so many that no one wants to bother. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines had hoped to resume flights to China this month. Both companies appealed to the Civil Aviation Authority of China but did not receive a response. The U.S. Transportation Department also pressed Chinese officials to allow flights by American companies during a call on May 14, arguing that China was violating a 1980 agreement that governs flights between the countries and aims to ensure that rules “equally apply to all domestic and foreign carriers” in both countries.
In interviews, airport executives, tourism officials and travel analysts, investors, doctors and government officials predicted masks, fever checks, contact-tracing apps and even coronavirus throat swabs. Fewer flights will mean more connections and longer journeys. But discounts and smaller crowds will soften the blow. Tensions between the United States and China have escalated to heights not seen in the trade war as the countries scuffle over the origin of the pandemic and China’s recent move to tighten its authority over Hong Kong.
With every phase of reopening, officials said, more movement means more risk and more work, for governments but also travelers. With the presidential election just five months away, Mr. Trump and his campaign team have taken a much tougher stand against the country, blaming China for allowing the virus to spread so widely and wreck the American economy.
“It’s just not going to be as free-flowing and spontaneous as it once was,” said Margy Osmond, the chief executive of Australia’s largest tourism association and co-chair of the group working on travel between that country and New Zealand. “I don’t know that it will be more expensive — the jury is still out on that — but it will mean the average traveler has to take more responsibility.” During an interview with Fox News Radio on Wednesday, Mr. Trump suggested without evidence that China allowed the virus to leave its borders, while protecting it from spreading across its country.
The Arolsen Archives, the world’s largest devoted to the victims of Nazi persecution, have gotten a hand from people who are stranded at home because of the pandemic. Reporting was contributed by Fahim Abed, Liz Alderman, Yousur Al-Hlou, Mike Baker, Michael Cooper, Andrew Curry, Melissa Eddy, Thomas Erdbrink, Sheri Fink, Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Abby Goodnough, Jason Horowitz, Patrick Kingsley, Eric Lipton, Apoorva Mandavilli, Sarah Mervosh, Benjamin Mueller, Andy Newman, Najim Rahim, Luis Ferré Sadurní, Dagny Salas, David E. Sanger, Christopher F. Schuetze, Michael D. Shear, Kaly Soto, Megan Twohey, Tracey Tully, Mark Walker, Noah Weiland and Karen Zraick.
The archive’s “Every Name Counts” project has attracted thousands of online volunteers to help index names from an enormous collection of papers. To date, they have added over 120,000 names, birth dates and prisoner numbers in the database.
The archive has more than 30 million original documents, containing information on the wartime experiences of as many as 40 million people, including Jews executed in extermination camps and forced laborers conscripted from across Nazi-occupied Europe.
It began scanning and digitizing its collection in the late 1980s. In the last year, 26 million scanned documents have been posted online. Most, however, are still not indexed by name, making it hard to find references to a specific person.
“We’ve had 20 or 30 staffers indexing documents day in and day out for 20 years, but we have 30 million documents,” said the archive’s director, Floriane Ms. Azoulay. “It’s just not feasible to do it all ourselves.”
The archive had been working with Zooniverse, a crowdsourcing platform for academic research. With the pandemic, it decided to scale up that work.
On April 24, the archive posted tens of thousands of documents from the Buchenwald, Dachau and Sachsenhausen concentration camps to the platform. Soon, volunteers from around the world were poring over the records.
Patrick Kingsley, an international correspondent, and Laetitia Vancon, a photojournalist, are driving more than 3,700 miles to explore the reopening of the European continent after coronavirus lockdowns. Read all their dispatches.
In De Wallen, the main red-light district of Amsterdam, a locksmith is open, as are a few bars and the shops selling sex toys, whips, handcuffs and the odd latex dress.
As much of the economy in the Netherlands has begun reopening, this area, typically packed with tourists, has remained largely empty because the trade at its heart remains shut down. Brothels and their sex workers have been told to wait until September to start doing business again, about two months after gyms and saunas are scheduled to resume operations.
For many sex workers, the continuing shutdown has meant poverty — or a surreptitious, and hazardous, return to their trade.
Charlotte DeVries, the professional name of an escort working in Amsterdam, said she knew seven sex workers who had decided to work in secret, just to pay their rent, even though they knew they could be especially vulnerable to abusive clients.
Before the coronavirus crisis, if a client became violent, “you would go to the police,” Ms. DeVries said. “But now you can’t do that, because what you’re doing is illegal.”
Though prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, many sex workers prefer not to declare their profession to the government because the trade still carries a social stigma and because some of them are not fully licensed. As a result, many did not qualify for emergency unemployment funds.
In a survey of 108 sex workers in the Netherlands conducted online by SekswerkExpertise, a research group in Amsterdam, 56 percent of the respondents said they had applied for coronavirus support. Of those applicants, only 13 percent said they had received help.
Reporting was contributed by Fahim Abed, Liz Alderman, Mike Baker, Andrew Curry, Melissa Eddy, Thomas Erdbrink, Sheri Fink, Eric Lipton, Abby Goodnough, Apoorva Mandavilli, Sarah Mervosh, Benjamin Mueller, Najim Rahim, Christopher F. Schuetze, Michael D. Shear, Kaly Soto, Megan Twohey, Andy Newman, Luis Ferré Sadurní, Dagny Salas, Tracey Tully, Mark Walker, Noah Weiland and Karen Zraick.