'Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today' diff viewer (2/3)

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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today	Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
2020-06-17 16:10:30 UTC	2020-06-18 02:49:00 UTC (about 11 hours 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 Food and Drug Administration revoked its emergency authorization for two malaria drugs — chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine — to treat Covid-19 in hospitalized patients.	The Food and Drug Administration revoked its emergency authorization for two malaria drugs — chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine — to treat Covid-19 in hospitalized patients.
More than half of all four-year colleges in the U.S. won’t require SAT or ACT scores for applicants this fall.	More than half of all four-year colleges in the U.S. won’t require SAT or ACT scores for applicants this fall.
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.
States in the South, West and Southwest are seeing upticks in their coronavirus case counts — and in some cases setting records — as a troubling pattern emerges in areas that began lifting restrictions earlier than others.	States in the South, West and Southwest are seeing upticks in their coronavirus case counts — and in some cases setting records — as a troubling pattern emerges in areas that began lifting restrictions earlier than others.
South Carolina, which was among the last states to issue stay-at-home orders and among the first to start reopening, recorded its highest number of new cases in one day — 840 — on Sunday. One representative from the state, Tom Rice, a Republican, announced today that he had the virus.	South Carolina, which was among the last states to issue stay-at-home orders and among the first to start reopening, recorded its highest number of new cases in one day — 840 — on Sunday. One representative from the state, Tom Rice, a Republican, announced today that he had the virus.
“It’s not just the number of states that have growth, but it’s also the rate of growth we’re seeing,” our colleague Mitch Smith, who has been helping with The Times’s coronavirus tracking project, told us.	“It’s not just the number of states that have growth, but it’s also the rate of growth we’re seeing,” our colleague Mitch Smith, who has been helping with The Times’s coronavirus tracking project, told us.
The Sun Belt has seen particularly alarming surges. In Arizona, which reopened pools and gyms in recent weeks, hospitals have been urged to activate emergency plans to handle a flood of Covid-19 patients. In Texas, cases are rising rapidly around the largest cities, including Houston, San Antonio and Dallas.	The Sun Belt has seen particularly alarming surges. In Arizona, which reopened pools and gyms in recent weeks, hospitals have been urged to activate emergency plans to handle a flood of Covid-19 patients. In Texas, cases are rising rapidly around the largest cities, including Houston, San Antonio and Dallas.
Florida on Saturday reported its highest single-day case count yet: 2,581. The number of new infections has topped 1,000 for the past six days. Across the state, bars have started voluntarily shuttering their dining rooms after workers tested positive for the virus.	Florida on Saturday reported its highest single-day case count yet: 2,581. The number of new infections has topped 1,000 for the past six days. Across the state, bars have started voluntarily shuttering their dining rooms after workers tested positive for the virus.
Some officials have attributed the rise in cases to expanded testing, but in the Sun Belt at least, the percentages of positive tests and hospitalizations have also increased, suggesting more transmissions.	Some officials have attributed the rise in cases to expanded testing, but in the Sun Belt at least, the percentages of positive tests and hospitalizations have also increased, suggesting more transmissions.
Some areas are working to reverse their upward trends. The governors of Utah and Oregon recently announced pauses to their states’ reopenings. In Nashville, the mayor has said the city will wait to enter the next phases of lifting restrictions.	Some areas are working to reverse their upward trends. The governors of Utah and Oregon recently announced pauses to their states’ reopenings. In Nashville, the mayor has said the city will wait to enter the next phases of lifting restrictions.
“This virus isn’t going away,” Mitch told us. “It’s going to be something that we just have to watch really closely for the foreseeable future.”	“This virus isn’t going away,” Mitch told us. “It’s going to be something that we just have to watch really closely for the foreseeable future.”
From the epicenter: Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York called on local officials to enforce social-distancing rules after widespread reports of violations over the weekend. He warned that if people continued to flout the rules, the state could suspend or roll back reopening plans in some areas.	From the epicenter: Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York called on local officials to enforce social-distancing rules after widespread reports of violations over the weekend. He warned that if people continued to flout the rules, the state could suspend or roll back reopening plans in some areas.
China is rushing to contain a fresh outbreak in Beijing after 79 new infections were linked to a food market in the south of the city.	China is rushing to contain a fresh outbreak in Beijing after 79 new infections were linked to a food market in the south of the city.
While the number of cases may seem low, the authorities have desperately tried to keep the virus out of the crowded metropolis of 21 million people, and this was the first cluster of cases reported in eight weeks. Containment measures in Beijing have tended to be strict — local officials shut down the market, along with residential buildings in the surrounding neighborhood, and are in the process of testing 90,000 nearby residents.	While the number of cases may seem low, the authorities have desperately tried to keep the virus out of the crowded metropolis of 21 million people, and this was the first cluster of cases reported in eight weeks. Containment measures in Beijing have tended to be strict — local officials shut down the market, along with residential buildings in the surrounding neighborhood, and are in the process of testing 90,000 nearby residents.
The Communist Party treated the outbreak as an embarrassing affront, but an epidemiologist said that China should get used to the idea that there will be fresh outbreaks even as the overall number of cases trends downward. As of Sunday, Beijing has recorded 499 cases of the virus and nine deaths.	The Communist Party treated the outbreak as an embarrassing affront, but an epidemiologist said that China should get used to the idea that there will be fresh outbreaks even as the overall number of cases trends downward. As of Sunday, Beijing has recorded 499 cases of the virus and nine deaths.
Updated June 16, 2020	Updated June 16, 2020
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.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
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.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.	Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.	The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’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.
A month after reopening, Pakistan has recorded 100,000 new virus cases as hospitals become overwhelmed and health care workers fall ill.	A month after reopening, Pakistan has recorded 100,000 new virus cases as hospitals become overwhelmed and health care workers fall ill.
President Emmanuel Macron of France declared a “first victory” over the virus and said all business could resume this week.	President Emmanuel Macron of France declared a “first victory” over the virus and said all business could resume this week.
In England, stores that sell nonessential goods reopened with restrictions today, and for the first time people taking public transit must wear face coverings.	In England, stores that sell nonessential goods reopened with restrictions today, and for the first time people taking public transit must wear face coverings.
The United States Tennis Association is set to announce this week that it will hold the 2020 United States Open as originally scheduled starting Aug. 31, but without spectators.	The United States Tennis Association is set to announce this week that it will hold the 2020 United States Open as originally scheduled starting Aug. 31, but without spectators.
Here’s a roundup of restrictions in all 50 states.	Here’s a roundup of restrictions in all 50 states.
Recent retractions from respected medical journals are alarming scientists who fear that the rush for research on the virus has opened the door to fraud, and threatened the credibility of prestigious publications.	Recent retractions from respected medical journals are alarming scientists who fear that the rush for research on the virus has opened the door to fraud, and threatened the credibility of prestigious publications.
Illnesses and deaths from preventable diseases like measles have skyrocketed in many poor countries after mass immunization efforts were halted because of the coronavirus.	Illnesses and deaths from preventable diseases like measles have skyrocketed in many poor countries after mass immunization efforts were halted because of the coronavirus.