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| As the Virus Surges in South Florida, a Trump Resort Joins the Rush to Reopen | As the Virus Surges in South Florida, a Trump Resort Joins the Rush to Reopen |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Poolside at President Trump’s resort near Miami, dozens of guests sunned last weekend on lounge chairs and chatted in cabanas. Golfers fanned out across multiple courses, and the hotel lobby hummed with activity for the first time in months. | Poolside at President Trump’s resort near Miami, dozens of guests sunned last weekend on lounge chairs and chatted in cabanas. Golfers fanned out across multiple courses, and the hotel lobby hummed with activity for the first time in months. |
| But the reopening of Trump National Doral, the most important source of revenue for the president’s strained family business, came as new cases of the coronavirus spiked in surrounding Miami-Dade County and public health officials urged caution about resuming normal activity. | But the reopening of Trump National Doral, the most important source of revenue for the president’s strained family business, came as new cases of the coronavirus spiked in surrounding Miami-Dade County and public health officials urged caution about resuming normal activity. |
| Virus cases in Florida exceeded 100,000 on Monday, with more than 3,100 deaths. About one-quarter of the cases have been in Miami-Dade County, a per capita rate twice the number statewide. On Tuesday, the county reported an average positive test rate of 12.4 percent in recent weeks. The latest single-day positive rate rose to 25.9 percent. | Virus cases in Florida exceeded 100,000 on Monday, with more than 3,100 deaths. About one-quarter of the cases have been in Miami-Dade County, a per capita rate twice the number statewide. On Tuesday, the county reported an average positive test rate of 12.4 percent in recent weeks. The latest single-day positive rate rose to 25.9 percent. |
| “We don’t really have too much good news going on countywide, said Mary Jo Trepka, chair of the epidemiology department at Florida International University. “We have to assume that people are going to be at some level of risk when they encounter other people.” | “We don’t really have too much good news going on countywide, said Mary Jo Trepka, chair of the epidemiology department at Florida International University. “We have to assume that people are going to be at some level of risk when they encounter other people.” |
| At the Doral resort last weekend, steps were being taken to prevent infections, even as many visitors and some staff members did not wear masks — something the president himself has been reluctant to do in public. | At the Doral resort last weekend, steps were being taken to prevent infections, even as many visitors and some staff members did not wear masks — something the president himself has been reluctant to do in public. |
| Ordering a meal at the poolside restaurant required a cellphone, as no menus were given out. Tables and chaise longues were disinfected between guests. On the golf courses, there were no ball-washers, coolers, or ice and water machines, among other changes. | Ordering a meal at the poolside restaurant required a cellphone, as no menus were given out. Tables and chaise longues were disinfected between guests. On the golf courses, there were no ball-washers, coolers, or ice and water machines, among other changes. |
| Just as their father has, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., who run the family business, have eagerly awaited the lifting of shutdown mandates in Florida and elsewhere. “At some point you have to open back up our country,” Eric Trump told Fox News on Saturday, when he was in Oklahoma for his father’s re-election rally. | Just as their father has, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., who run the family business, have eagerly awaited the lifting of shutdown mandates in Florida and elsewhere. “At some point you have to open back up our country,” Eric Trump told Fox News on Saturday, when he was in Oklahoma for his father’s re-election rally. |
| The financial strain of the shutdowns on the Trump Organization has been real. The company’s revenue from its hotel operations is way down this year, and it recently requested a rent abatement from Palm Beach County, where the Trumps operate two golf courses on county land. It also negotiated with Deutsche Bank to reduce or delay its payments on loans from the bank, including about $125 million the Trump Organization borrowed when it was buying Doral in 2012, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. | The financial strain of the shutdowns on the Trump Organization has been real. The company’s revenue from its hotel operations is way down this year, and it recently requested a rent abatement from Palm Beach County, where the Trumps operate two golf courses on county land. It also negotiated with Deutsche Bank to reduce or delay its payments on loans from the bank, including about $125 million the Trump Organization borrowed when it was buying Doral in 2012, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. |
| The bank agreed to a break, in line with those offered to other borrowers, but the Trump Organization concluded that the offer was not worth taking and turned it down, the people said. | The bank agreed to a break, in line with those offered to other borrowers, but the Trump Organization concluded that the offer was not worth taking and turned it down, the people said. |
| Eric Trump, in an interview, said the company would “come out as strong” because it had relatively little debt and steady revenue from office buildings. The company also cut personnel and other costs at its hotels. | Eric Trump, in an interview, said the company would “come out as strong” because it had relatively little debt and steady revenue from office buildings. The company also cut personnel and other costs at its hotels. |
| “I had to make some of the worst decisions hopefully that I’ll ever have to make in my life,” he said, referring to furloughs and layoffs. | “I had to make some of the worst decisions hopefully that I’ll ever have to make in my life,” he said, referring to furloughs and layoffs. |
| Nationally, the company and entities associated with it filed notifications with state officials in March that it intended to lay off or furlough at least 1,500 employees. Notices were also sent to some of those employees, including at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, that their health insurance was being cut off. | Nationally, the company and entities associated with it filed notifications with state officials in March that it intended to lay off or furlough at least 1,500 employees. Notices were also sent to some of those employees, including at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, that their health insurance was being cut off. |
| Congress included language in a federal relief package that prohibited the Trump family from taking part in assistance programs controlled by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and the company decided not to seek loans from the Small Business Administration. | Congress included language in a federal relief package that prohibited the Trump family from taking part in assistance programs controlled by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and the company decided not to seek loans from the Small Business Administration. |
| The four golf courses at Doral have been busy, with much of the play from members who live in the Miami area. But the resort’s 643-room hotel, which had seen declines in sales after Mr. Trump was elected, continues to face low room occupancy along with the broader hotel industry. | The four golf courses at Doral have been busy, with much of the play from members who live in the Miami area. But the resort’s 643-room hotel, which had seen declines in sales after Mr. Trump was elected, continues to face low room occupancy along with the broader hotel industry. |
| Rooms can be booked for about $100, less than the standard rate in the summer off-season in recent years. Two thirds of Miami-area hotel rooms were vacant as of the second week of June, according to STR, which tracks industry performance. | Rooms can be booked for about $100, less than the standard rate in the summer off-season in recent years. Two thirds of Miami-area hotel rooms were vacant as of the second week of June, according to STR, which tracks industry performance. |
| With the reopening on Monday of the Trump Organization’s Ferry Point golf course in the Bronx, all of the 20 Trump properties in the United States are up and running again, at least in part; even the tasting room at the Trump Winery in Charlottesville, Va., is once again welcoming visitors. | With the reopening on Monday of the Trump Organization’s Ferry Point golf course in the Bronx, all of the 20 Trump properties in the United States are up and running again, at least in part; even the tasting room at the Trump Winery in Charlottesville, Va., is once again welcoming visitors. |
| The president has done his part to raise the profile of his properties. He returned in recent weeks to courses in New Jersey and Virginia after two and a half months without playing golf, the longest break since he became president. And last month, as his company announced the reopening of its Los Angeles course, Mr. Trump celebrated in a post on Twitter. | The president has done his part to raise the profile of his properties. He returned in recent weeks to courses in New Jersey and Virginia after two and a half months without playing golf, the longest break since he became president. And last month, as his company announced the reopening of its Los Angeles course, Mr. Trump celebrated in a post on Twitter. |
| Updated June 24, 2020 | |
| Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. | |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | 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. |
| 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. |
| “So great to see our Country starting to open up again!” he wrote. | “So great to see our Country starting to open up again!” he wrote. |
| Even so, the Trump family operations are only partly back in business. | Even so, the Trump family operations are only partly back in business. |
| In Washington, the lobby at the hotel that served as a magnet for lobbyists and Trump administration officials remains closed, as does BLT Prime, the high-end restaurant at the hotel. The main restaurants at Trump hotels in New York, Hawaii, Miami and Chicago also are still closed. | |
| “Since the pandemic began, we have had to make many difficult decisions,” Mickael Damelincourt, the managing director of the Washington hotel, said in a letter last month to employees. | “Since the pandemic began, we have had to make many difficult decisions,” Mickael Damelincourt, the managing director of the Washington hotel, said in a letter last month to employees. |
| Internationally, the family’s hotel in Vancouver remains closed. Trump Doonbeg, the golf resort in Ireland, is also closed, and the hotel there is not accepting reservations online until mid-July. Trump Dubai, a golf club in the United Arab Emirates, is open, but players are required to wear masks, even when on the golf course, the website says. | Internationally, the family’s hotel in Vancouver remains closed. Trump Doonbeg, the golf resort in Ireland, is also closed, and the hotel there is not accepting reservations online until mid-July. Trump Dubai, a golf club in the United Arab Emirates, is open, but players are required to wear masks, even when on the golf course, the website says. |
| As they reopen, some Trump properties have drawn people protesting police brutality and the president’s statements about demonstrators after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. | As they reopen, some Trump properties have drawn people protesting police brutality and the president’s statements about demonstrators after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. |
| “We wanted to bring this to his doorstep because we see how he speaks in discriminatory and inflammatory language,” said Nathalie Polo, 23, who led a protest outside the Doral property this month. “I felt like it was important to do something, and specifically, do something that might grab his attention.” | “We wanted to bring this to his doorstep because we see how he speaks in discriminatory and inflammatory language,” said Nathalie Polo, 23, who led a protest outside the Doral property this month. “I felt like it was important to do something, and specifically, do something that might grab his attention.” |
| On Saturday, a lawyer dressed as the grim reaper was outside the Doral hotel. The lawyer, Daniel Uhlfelder, said he opposed the handling of the pandemic by the president and the Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, who has followed Mr. Trump’s lead in pushing for a rapid return to business-as-usual even as the virus continues to spread. | On Saturday, a lawyer dressed as the grim reaper was outside the Doral hotel. The lawyer, Daniel Uhlfelder, said he opposed the handling of the pandemic by the president and the Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, who has followed Mr. Trump’s lead in pushing for a rapid return to business-as-usual even as the virus continues to spread. |
| “He is the model messenger of misinformation,” Mr. Uhlfelder said of Mr. Trump. “We have been fighting for several months to get Florida to do the right thing.” | “He is the model messenger of misinformation,” Mr. Uhlfelder said of Mr. Trump. “We have been fighting for several months to get Florida to do the right thing.” |
| Experts say it is possible for businesses like Trump National Doral to operate safely, but they also acknowledge that the president’s properties present a special case. | Experts say it is possible for businesses like Trump National Doral to operate safely, but they also acknowledge that the president’s properties present a special case. |
| “The bottom line is, can a leader lead by example?” said Dr. Aileen Marty, an infectious disease expert with Florida International University who helped design Miami-Dade County’s safety protocols for businesses. “That’s what needs to happen at every type of business — wear a mask, practice hygiene, social distance.” | “The bottom line is, can a leader lead by example?” said Dr. Aileen Marty, an infectious disease expert with Florida International University who helped design Miami-Dade County’s safety protocols for businesses. “That’s what needs to happen at every type of business — wear a mask, practice hygiene, social distance.” |
| When the president recently visited his golf club in Bedminster, N.J., while in the area to speak at the West Point graduation ceremony, temperature checks were required, but only when he was on the property, a person familiar with the situation said. There is no requirement that golfers or guests at Bedminster wear masks, and almost no one has done so, other than food service employees, the person said. | When the president recently visited his golf club in Bedminster, N.J., while in the area to speak at the West Point graduation ceremony, temperature checks were required, but only when he was on the property, a person familiar with the situation said. There is no requirement that golfers or guests at Bedminster wear masks, and almost no one has done so, other than food service employees, the person said. |
| David Enrich contributed reporting. | David Enrich contributed reporting. |