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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
(6 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.
For the 11th time in a month, the U.S. shattered its record for new cases on Thursday, reaching more than 75,600.For the 11th time in a month, the U.S. shattered its record for new cases on Thursday, reaching more than 75,600.
Cases in India topped one million, prompting some cities and states to reimpose partial or total lockdowns.Cases in India topped one million, prompting some cities and states to reimpose partial or total lockdowns.
Get the latest updates here, as well as maps and trackers for U.S. metro areas and vaccines in development.Get the latest updates here, as well as maps and trackers for U.S. metro areas and vaccines in development.
The United States continues to set daily infection records, with hospitalization and death rates on the rise — and Americans still can’t stop fighting about masks.The United States continues to set daily infection records, with hospitalization and death rates on the rise — and Americans still can’t stop fighting about masks.
More than half of the country has some form of face mask requirement in place: Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Colorado all issued statewide mask mandates in the last few days. But there is staunch resistance from those who see mask mandates as an attack on personal liberty.More than half of the country has some form of face mask requirement in place: Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Colorado all issued statewide mask mandates in the last few days. But there is staunch resistance from those who see mask mandates as an attack on personal liberty.
In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp suspended all mask mandates and filed a lawsuit against Atlanta challenging the city’s mask requirement, even though a federal report recommended that Georgia require face masks in public. (Mr. Kemp also advised that residents wear them anyway, but refused to allow legal mandates.) In Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt tested positive for the virus but said he still opposed a mask order.In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp suspended all mask mandates and filed a lawsuit against Atlanta challenging the city’s mask requirement, even though a federal report recommended that Georgia require face masks in public. (Mr. Kemp also advised that residents wear them anyway, but refused to allow legal mandates.) In Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt tested positive for the virus but said he still opposed a mask order.
Public health officials say wearing a simple cloth mask is one of the most basic ways to prevent the spread of the virus. But the issue became increasingly partisan after President Trump eschewed them and downplayed their benefits. In many surveys, there is a 20-point partisan split, with Republicans much less likely to wear masks. A recent study found that your political affiliation is the best predictor of whether you wear a mask, even more than your age or where you live.Public health officials say wearing a simple cloth mask is one of the most basic ways to prevent the spread of the virus. But the issue became increasingly partisan after President Trump eschewed them and downplayed their benefits. In many surveys, there is a 20-point partisan split, with Republicans much less likely to wear masks. A recent study found that your political affiliation is the best predictor of whether you wear a mask, even more than your age or where you live.
Even so, self-reported mask use in the U.S. is high: About 80 percent of Americans said they wore masks frequently or always when they were close to other people — a higher rate than in France, Canada or Australia.Even so, self-reported mask use in the U.S. is high: About 80 percent of Americans said they wore masks frequently or always when they were close to other people — a higher rate than in France, Canada or Australia.
In California, most schools will teach only remotely this fall. In New York City and many other large districts, children will be in class for only a few days a week. Such policies have “angered both exhausted parents, who feel that it is not nearly enough, and many teachers, who fear it as way too much,” writes Ginia Bellafante, The Times’s Big City columnist. But there is one possible stopgap that isn’t getting enough attention: holding classes outdoors.In California, most schools will teach only remotely this fall. In New York City and many other large districts, children will be in class for only a few days a week. Such policies have “angered both exhausted parents, who feel that it is not nearly enough, and many teachers, who fear it as way too much,” writes Ginia Bellafante, The Times’s Big City columnist. But there is one possible stopgap that isn’t getting enough attention: holding classes outdoors.
“One of the few things we know about the coronavirus with any degree of certainty is that the risk of contracting it diminishes outside — a review of 7,000 cases in China recorded only one instance of fresh-air transmission,” Ginia writes. There is ample historical precedent, even in more northern climates like New England during the winter. During the early 20th century, when epidemics of flu and tuberculosis were common, hundreds of outdoor schools were created, with students swaddled in blankets in the winter to learn in the open air.“One of the few things we know about the coronavirus with any degree of certainty is that the risk of contracting it diminishes outside — a review of 7,000 cases in China recorded only one instance of fresh-air transmission,” Ginia writes. There is ample historical precedent, even in more northern climates like New England during the winter. During the early 20th century, when epidemics of flu and tuberculosis were common, hundreds of outdoor schools were created, with students swaddled in blankets in the winter to learn in the open air.
Like most routines and rituals during the pandemic, vacations are anything but normal this summer. But for a few writers itching to get away, the extra steps to ensure their health and safety were worth it.Like most routines and rituals during the pandemic, vacations are anything but normal this summer. But for a few writers itching to get away, the extra steps to ensure their health and safety were worth it.
For Eric Lipton, a Times investigative reporter in Washington, that meant heading to the wilds of Maine with his wife and their three young children — an adventure requiring an 11-hour car ride and two weeks of self-quarantine.For Eric Lipton, a Times investigative reporter in Washington, that meant heading to the wilds of Maine with his wife and their three young children — an adventure requiring an 11-hour car ride and two weeks of self-quarantine.
“When we arrived at our house rental in Maine late that afternoon, we knew immediately we had made the right choice, even if this trip was going to be very unusual,” Eric wrote. Though they couldn’t interact with other people, his family took carefully organized day trips and found a lifeline in curbside pickup.“When we arrived at our house rental in Maine late that afternoon, we knew immediately we had made the right choice, even if this trip was going to be very unusual,” Eric wrote. Though they couldn’t interact with other people, his family took carefully organized day trips and found a lifeline in curbside pickup.
Updated July 22, 2020
But not everyone is retreating to the woods. For the workers who make many vacations possible — at hotels, restaurants, bars, airlines and tour companies — returning to the job has elicited a range of emotions.But not everyone is retreating to the woods. For the workers who make many vacations possible — at hotels, restaurants, bars, airlines and tour companies — returning to the job has elicited a range of emotions.
Several employees told the The Times how they’re navigating the new tourism industry. One room attendant at a luxury hotel in Miami said: “Everything has changed. We walk in fear, we work in fear, we don’t have the same compassion with each other because it’s just scary to be in there.”Several employees told the The Times how they’re navigating the new tourism industry. One room attendant at a luxury hotel in Miami said: “Everything has changed. We walk in fear, we work in fear, we don’t have the same compassion with each other because it’s just scary to be in there.”
A few tips. If you decide to travel, first research the restrictions for your desired destination. You may also want to look up the transmission rate and how easy it is to isolate yourself, if necessary. Finally, consider whether you will need to quarantine when you return home.A few tips. If you decide to travel, first research the restrictions for your desired destination. You may also want to look up the transmission rate and how easy it is to isolate yourself, if necessary. Finally, consider whether you will need to quarantine when you return home.
Israel announced new restrictions as its case count ballooned, including the shuttering of gyms and eat-in restaurants.Israel announced new restrictions as its case count ballooned, including the shuttering of gyms and eat-in restaurants.
In Barcelona, Spain, residents have been told to stay indoors to help contain a new outbreak in the Catalonia region, and outdoor gatherings of 10 or more people have been banned.In Barcelona, Spain, residents have been told to stay indoors to help contain a new outbreak in the Catalonia region, and outdoor gatherings of 10 or more people have been banned.
In Australia, the state of Victoria reported 428 new cases, another single-day record.In Australia, the state of Victoria reported 428 new cases, another single-day record.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined a road map for easing restrictions in Britain but warned that there may not be any “significant return to normality” until the end of the year.Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined a road map for easing restrictions in Britain but warned that there may not be any “significant return to normality” until the end of the year.
Here’s a roundup of restrictions in all 50 U.S. states.Here’s a roundup of restrictions in all 50 U.S. states.
A vaccine from the University of Oxford has rapidly leapfrogged other contenders and might finish its final-stage trials in September, before others even start testing at that level.A vaccine from the University of Oxford has rapidly leapfrogged other contenders and might finish its final-stage trials in September, before others even start testing at that level.
How do you build a vaccine? Our science correspondent Carl Zimmer got a behind-the-scenes look at Johnson & Johnson’s round-the-clock effort.How do you build a vaccine? Our science correspondent Carl Zimmer got a behind-the-scenes look at Johnson & Johnson’s round-the-clock effort.
Prioritize public health. Extend unemployment benefits. Spend what it takes to reopen schools safely: Here’s what the U.S. government could do to save the economy.Prioritize public health. Extend unemployment benefits. Spend what it takes to reopen schools safely: Here’s what the U.S. government could do to save the economy.
With their homes, family and friends minutes away, Orlando Magic players feel conflicted as they resume the N.B.A. season in quarantine at Walt Disney World.With their homes, family and friends minutes away, Orlando Magic players feel conflicted as they resume the N.B.A. season in quarantine at Walt Disney World.
Sitting here day after day watching the news and feeling helpless was depressing, but I saw a commercial in May about joining a clinical trial so I applied thinking I was too old, at 71. Surprisingly, I received a call. They scheduled a physical to verify my suitability, and now I’m in. I travel about an hour to and from the site, and so far have had a lot of blood drawn, three nasal swab tests and two vaccines. I expect to participate through the spring of 2021, and feel proud that I am hopefully making a small contribution to finding a vaccine for Covid-19.Sitting here day after day watching the news and feeling helpless was depressing, but I saw a commercial in May about joining a clinical trial so I applied thinking I was too old, at 71. Surprisingly, I received a call. They scheduled a physical to verify my suitability, and now I’m in. I travel about an hour to and from the site, and so far have had a lot of blood drawn, three nasal swab tests and two vaccines. I expect to participate through the spring of 2021, and feel proud that I am hopefully making a small contribution to finding a vaccine for Covid-19.
— Karen Beltz, Bluffton, S.C.— Karen Beltz, Bluffton, S.C.
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.
Adam Pasick contributed to today’s newsletter.Adam Pasick contributed to today’s newsletter.
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