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| Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today | Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today |
| (7 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects 124,000 to 140,000 deaths in the U.S. by the Fourth of July. | The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects 124,000 to 140,000 deaths in the U.S. by the Fourth of July. |
| Texas, Florida and California recently reported records for their daily tallies of new cases — a troubling sign as states reopen. | Texas, Florida and California recently reported records for their daily tallies of new cases — a troubling sign as states reopen. |
| The Federal Reserve predicted a rapidly contracting G.D.P. in a grim report to Congress released today. | The Federal Reserve predicted a rapidly contracting G.D.P. in a grim report to Congress released today. |
| 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. |
| During the initial phase of the coronavirus pandemic, an apparent anomaly was puzzling health experts around the world: Why was the virus pummeling rich countries, but seemed to leave many poorer nations relatively untouched? | During the initial phase of the coronavirus pandemic, an apparent anomaly was puzzling health experts around the world: Why was the virus pummeling rich countries, but seemed to leave many poorer nations relatively untouched? |
| Theories abounded. Some speculated that developing nations were insulated from the worst effects of the virus because they had younger populations, lower rates of diabetes or warmer climates. | Theories abounded. Some speculated that developing nations were insulated from the worst effects of the virus because they had younger populations, lower rates of diabetes or warmer climates. |
| Now, things have changed. The virus is poised to explode across the developing world and is already surging in Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia and Africa — areas much less equipped to fight it. In the Central African Republic, for example, there are only three ventilators for a population of five million. In some countries, there are none at all. | Now, things have changed. The virus is poised to explode across the developing world and is already surging in Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia and Africa — areas much less equipped to fight it. In the Central African Republic, for example, there are only three ventilators for a population of five million. In some countries, there are none at all. |
| However, our colleague Nicholas Kristof, an Opinion columnist who writes about health and global affairs, told us that there was a “misfocus” in the United States on the direct medical effects of the virus in poorer countries. The real damages, he said, are the unseen effects that the virus — and the economic disaster that follows it — could have on nutrition, child mortality, vaccination rates and education. | However, our colleague Nicholas Kristof, an Opinion columnist who writes about health and global affairs, told us that there was a “misfocus” in the United States on the direct medical effects of the virus in poorer countries. The real damages, he said, are the unseen effects that the virus — and the economic disaster that follows it — could have on nutrition, child mortality, vaccination rates and education. |
| Nick noted that those problems would disproportionately affect one group in particular: girls and young women. | Nick noted that those problems would disproportionately affect one group in particular: girls and young women. |
| “We know that when families don’t have enough food, they sometimes feed their sons while starving their daughters, or they marry off their daughters as child brides,” he said. “So I’m guessing we’ll see more girls go hungry, more girls pulled out of school permanently, and more girls married in their early teens.” | “We know that when families don’t have enough food, they sometimes feed their sons while starving their daughters, or they marry off their daughters as child brides,” he said. “So I’m guessing we’ll see more girls go hungry, more girls pulled out of school permanently, and more girls married in their early teens.” |
| The fallout from the virus will also linger long after the pandemic ends, Nick said. | The fallout from the virus will also linger long after the pandemic ends, Nick said. |
| “The brains of children who are malnourished often don’t develop properly,” he told us. “So, 50 years from now, there will be adults whose cognitive capacity will be diminished because in 2020 they were malnourished.” | “The brains of children who are malnourished often don’t develop properly,” he told us. “So, 50 years from now, there will be adults whose cognitive capacity will be diminished because in 2020 they were malnourished.” |
| Of course, wealthier countries are facing their own crises and may not have the resources — or desire — to help poorer countries when the virus takes hold. But when it comes to helping the developing world, Nick told us, it’s not just our values at stake, but also our interests. | Of course, wealthier countries are facing their own crises and may not have the resources — or desire — to help poorer countries when the virus takes hold. But when it comes to helping the developing world, Nick told us, it’s not just our values at stake, but also our interests. |
| “With an infectious disease, the world is only as safe as the weakest link,” he said. “People will travel and the virus will travel, and so it’s going to be important that we address it globally.” | “With an infectious disease, the world is only as safe as the weakest link,” he said. “People will travel and the virus will travel, and so it’s going to be important that we address it globally.” |
| Going on vacation this year will most likely mean staying close to home, with many people opting for destinations within driving distance to avoid the germs and social-distancing challenges of air travel. | Going on vacation this year will most likely mean staying close to home, with many people opting for destinations within driving distance to avoid the germs and social-distancing challenges of air travel. |
| But the road trip has long presented a unique danger for black Americans, our colleague Tariro Mzezewa writes. The now-famous “Green Book,” first published in 1936, listed towns, motels and restaurants where black drivers were welcome. More than 80 years later, the fear of encountering discrimination and racism remains — particularly in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. | But the road trip has long presented a unique danger for black Americans, our colleague Tariro Mzezewa writes. The now-famous “Green Book,” first published in 1936, listed towns, motels and restaurants where black drivers were welcome. More than 80 years later, the fear of encountering discrimination and racism remains — particularly in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. |
| That isn’t stopping black Americans from hitting the road, though — often with meticulous plans to avoid areas where they might feel unsafe. Some, like Jeff Jenkins, a travel blogger who intends to visit several national parks this summer, are joining the legions of new R.V. travelers in the U.S. | That isn’t stopping black Americans from hitting the road, though — often with meticulous plans to avoid areas where they might feel unsafe. Some, like Jeff Jenkins, a travel blogger who intends to visit several national parks this summer, are joining the legions of new R.V. travelers in the U.S. |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| 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. | 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. |
| “I have pride that this is my country, and I have every right to bask in the wonders of America, like any white American,” he said. | |
| Passport delays: If you’ve planned an international trip, make sure your passport doesn’t require renewal. The State Department is working through a backlog of 1.7 million applications after the virus shut down most consular services. | Passport delays: If you’ve planned an international trip, make sure your passport doesn’t require renewal. The State Department is working through a backlog of 1.7 million applications after the virus shut down most consular services. |
| Scheduling Russia’s annual day of military parades for June 24 was meant to signal a return to normalcy, but at least a dozen major cities will skip the festivities. | Scheduling Russia’s annual day of military parades for June 24 was meant to signal a return to normalcy, but at least a dozen major cities will skip the festivities. |
| European countries including France, Italy and Britain have accelerated investments on biking infrastructure to help get workers moving again. | European countries including France, Italy and Britain have accelerated investments on biking infrastructure to help get workers moving again. |
| Puerto Rico, which had one of the earliest and strictest lockdowns in the U.S., will welcome tourists again starting July 15, and beaches will be fully open next week. | Puerto Rico, which had one of the earliest and strictest lockdowns in the U.S., will welcome tourists again starting July 15, and beaches will be fully open next week. |
| Across the U.S., recently reopened salons and barbershops are booked solid with customers clamoring to tame shaggy manes. | Across the U.S., recently reopened salons and barbershops are booked solid with customers clamoring to tame shaggy manes. |
| In Australia, which has eliminated the virus in much of the country, stadiums will be allowed to host up to 10,000 people beginning next month. | In Australia, which has eliminated the virus in much of the country, stadiums will be allowed to host up to 10,000 people beginning next month. |
| Here’s a roundup of restrictions in all 50 states. | Here’s a roundup of restrictions in all 50 states. |
| Scientists found a genetic mutation in the coronavirus that allowed it to infect more cells and become more resilient. The findings came from a tightly controlled laboratory experiment, however, and there’s no evidence that the mutation makes the virus more deadly or harmful. | Scientists found a genetic mutation in the coronavirus that allowed it to infect more cells and become more resilient. The findings came from a tightly controlled laboratory experiment, however, and there’s no evidence that the mutation makes the virus more deadly or harmful. |
| President Trump will resume indoor rallies this month, with one caveat: Attendees can’t sue his campaign or the venue if they contract the virus. | President Trump will resume indoor rallies this month, with one caveat: Attendees can’t sue his campaign or the venue if they contract the virus. |
| On today’s episode of “The Daily,” Michael Barbaro speaks to a teacher in Columbus, Ohio, about the struggles of virtual teaching during the pandemic. | On today’s episode of “The Daily,” Michael Barbaro speaks to a teacher in Columbus, Ohio, about the struggles of virtual teaching during the pandemic. |
| Peru was lauded as a model in controlling the virus early on, but deep-rooted inequality and corruption have turned it into one of the world’s worst hot spots. | Peru was lauded as a model in controlling the virus early on, but deep-rooted inequality and corruption have turned it into one of the world’s worst hot spots. |
| China has created thousands of fake accounts on Twitter to spread misinformation about its response to the virus, the social media platform said. | China has created thousands of fake accounts on Twitter to spread misinformation about its response to the virus, the social media platform said. |
| “We have grieved, grown and healed”: The latest Modern Love column features poignant stories of isolating together during the pandemic. | “We have grieved, grown and healed”: The latest Modern Love column features poignant stories of isolating together during the pandemic. |
| This has been a year for weird dreams. The Times Opinion section chose 20 submitted by readers, who described surreal encounters with Oprah, Joe Exotic and Chief Justice John Roberts. | This has been a year for weird dreams. The Times Opinion section chose 20 submitted by readers, who described surreal encounters with Oprah, Joe Exotic and Chief Justice John Roberts. |
| Every Saturday night, my husband and I get together to read a play via Zoom with eight or nine friends from community theater. Each week, someone picks a play, assigns parts and assigns someone to read stage directions. | Every Saturday night, my husband and I get together to read a play via Zoom with eight or nine friends from community theater. Each week, someone picks a play, assigns parts and assigns someone to read stage directions. |
| — Lauri Jacobs, Wynnewood, Pa. | — Lauri Jacobs, Wynnewood, Pa. |
| 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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| Email your thoughts to briefing@nytimes.com. | Email your thoughts to briefing@nytimes.com. |