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| What Governors Say About Trump’s Response to Coronavirus | What Governors Say About Trump’s Response to Coronavirus |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| Vice President Mike Pence, fresh from a conference call with nearly all of the nation’s governors, spoke this week about how much those governors appreciated President Trump’s leadership in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. | Vice President Mike Pence, fresh from a conference call with nearly all of the nation’s governors, spoke this week about how much those governors appreciated President Trump’s leadership in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. |
| “The president’s leadership has made the difference here,” Mr. Pence said at a White House news conference on Monday. “I heard it again today from 47 governors.” | “The president’s leadership has made the difference here,” Mr. Pence said at a White House news conference on Monday. “I heard it again today from 47 governors.” |
| The governors, who find themselves grappling with an escalating national health crisis, have begun raising their own voices in a mix of frustration, gratitude, alarm and pleas for assistance. | The governors, who find themselves grappling with an escalating national health crisis, have begun raising their own voices in a mix of frustration, gratitude, alarm and pleas for assistance. |
| The usual partisan stances have been scrambled. Mr. Trump has won praise, particularly from Republican governors, but other members of his party have criticized him for confusing messages and a sluggish response from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the same time, some Democrats who are usually critics of the president have praised the federal government and urged a spirit of cooperation, even those Mr. Trump has verbally pummeled. | The usual partisan stances have been scrambled. Mr. Trump has won praise, particularly from Republican governors, but other members of his party have criticized him for confusing messages and a sluggish response from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the same time, some Democrats who are usually critics of the president have praised the federal government and urged a spirit of cooperation, even those Mr. Trump has verbally pummeled. |
| But across the board, governors from both parties say that they are hesitant to be too publicly cutting at a time when their states desperately need federal resources. And as the coronavirus crisis deepens by the day, they have made a realization: They are on the front lines. | But across the board, governors from both parties say that they are hesitant to be too publicly cutting at a time when their states desperately need federal resources. And as the coronavirus crisis deepens by the day, they have made a realization: They are on the front lines. |
| “What I have been saying to other governors is, ‘You’re on our own,’” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said on Wednesday. | “What I have been saying to other governors is, ‘You’re on our own,’” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York said on Wednesday. |
| One split reality in federal-state relations — political rancor at the top but working relationships in lower ranks — has been most evident in Washington State, where more than 200 cases of the coronavirus have been reported. | One split reality in federal-state relations — political rancor at the top but working relationships in lower ranks — has been most evident in Washington State, where more than 200 cases of the coronavirus have been reported. |
| Mr. Trump said last week that he had a lot of problems with Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, calling him a “snake.” Yet Mr. Inslee’s office reported a productive relationship with the federal government. | Mr. Trump said last week that he had a lot of problems with Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, calling him a “snake.” Yet Mr. Inslee’s office reported a productive relationship with the federal government. |
| Last week, Mr. Inslee, who has been an outspoken critic of Mr. Trump on issues like immigration and school safety, hosted Mr. Pence, the head of the federal coronavirus task force. The two men greeted each other with a friendly (and virus-conscious) elbow bump. Some 33 federal workers were dispatched to Washington State, state officials said, and a request for supplies from the strategic national stockpile — additional N95 respirators, masks, gowns and gloves — has been fulfilled. Another batch of supplies is on the way. | Last week, Mr. Inslee, who has been an outspoken critic of Mr. Trump on issues like immigration and school safety, hosted Mr. Pence, the head of the federal coronavirus task force. The two men greeted each other with a friendly (and virus-conscious) elbow bump. Some 33 federal workers were dispatched to Washington State, state officials said, and a request for supplies from the strategic national stockpile — additional N95 respirators, masks, gowns and gloves — has been fulfilled. Another batch of supplies is on the way. |
| “The vice president has made himself available to governors on a regular basis, has done regular check-ins and has moved the ball forward on some key asks that we’ve made of the federal government, including expanding who can be tested,” Casey Katims, an adviser to Mr. Inslee, said on Tuesday. | “The vice president has made himself available to governors on a regular basis, has done regular check-ins and has moved the ball forward on some key asks that we’ve made of the federal government, including expanding who can be tested,” Casey Katims, an adviser to Mr. Inslee, said on Tuesday. |
| Some governors, even those who appear frustrated with Mr. Trump over a dearth of coronavirus testing kits, have been hesitant to attract his wrath on Twitter. Others have been less reserved. | Some governors, even those who appear frustrated with Mr. Trump over a dearth of coronavirus testing kits, have been hesitant to attract his wrath on Twitter. Others have been less reserved. |
| In an interview on Tuesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, a Democrat, said the federal government had “not lived up to its expectations” when it came to making coronavirus tests available. Mr. Cuomo of New York, a Democrat and a frequent critic of the president, has described the administration’s response as “bad government and poor planning.” | In an interview on Tuesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, a Democrat, said the federal government had “not lived up to its expectations” when it came to making coronavirus tests available. Mr. Cuomo of New York, a Democrat and a frequent critic of the president, has described the administration’s response as “bad government and poor planning.” |
| Mr. Trump, for his part, has accused Mr. Cuomo and his brother, the CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, of politicizing the outbreak in an effort to harm him. | Mr. Trump, for his part, has accused Mr. Cuomo and his brother, the CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, of politicizing the outbreak in an effort to harm him. |
| One Republican governor, Larry Hogan of Maryland, mixed criticism and praise. Mr. Trump, he said on Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” “hasn’t communicated the way I would and the way I might like him to.” | One Republican governor, Larry Hogan of Maryland, mixed criticism and praise. Mr. Trump, he said on Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” “hasn’t communicated the way I would and the way I might like him to.” |
| Mr. Hogan hastened to add that “the rest of the team has been doing a pretty good job.” | Mr. Hogan hastened to add that “the rest of the team has been doing a pretty good job.” |
| Mark Sanford, a Republican and a former governor of South Carolina said he was not surprised that governors and administration officials had found a way to work together amid the coronavirus crisis. There is professionalism among the federal government’s disaster response ranks, he said, and the reality that governors must often be practical problem solvers, rather than strict ideologues. | Mark Sanford, a Republican and a former governor of South Carolina said he was not surprised that governors and administration officials had found a way to work together amid the coronavirus crisis. There is professionalism among the federal government’s disaster response ranks, he said, and the reality that governors must often be practical problem solvers, rather than strict ideologues. |
| “I’d suspect most governors would sort of take as a simple reality that Trump likes to be obnoxious and to attempt to push people around,” said Mr. Sanford, a noted critic of the president who briefly sought the Republican nomination for president. “Different governors will come up with different strategies in dealing with that, some more confrontational than others, but at the end of the day their motivation is going to be that they’re able to meet a challenge and be credited for meeting that challenge.” | “I’d suspect most governors would sort of take as a simple reality that Trump likes to be obnoxious and to attempt to push people around,” said Mr. Sanford, a noted critic of the president who briefly sought the Republican nomination for president. “Different governors will come up with different strategies in dealing with that, some more confrontational than others, but at the end of the day their motivation is going to be that they’re able to meet a challenge and be credited for meeting that challenge.” |
| Alex Conant, a Republican strategist who worked in the George W. Bush administration, said that governors and the president’s team stood to benefit from appearing to be collaborating in such circumstances. “In times like these, voters don’t want to see their political leaders sniping at each other,” he said. “They want to see competent, nonpartisan cooperation.” | Alex Conant, a Republican strategist who worked in the George W. Bush administration, said that governors and the president’s team stood to benefit from appearing to be collaborating in such circumstances. “In times like these, voters don’t want to see their political leaders sniping at each other,” he said. “They want to see competent, nonpartisan cooperation.” |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | 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. | 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. |
| One notable flash of peace came on Sunday from Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, a Democrat and one of Mr. Trump’s most vocal critics. At a news conference, Mr. Newsom described the process of managing a cruise ship on which at least 21 people tested positive for the virus. He also praised Mr. Trump, saying the president had said “everything we could have hoped for” during a phone call. | |
| “We are very grateful for this partnership,” Mr. Newsom said. | “We are very grateful for this partnership,” Mr. Newsom said. |
| The administration’s challenge in delivering coronavirus testing kits to the states has been one of the most pressing concerns among governors. On Friday in Atlanta, Mr. Trump said “anyone who wants a test can get a test.” His health and human services secretary, Alex M. Azar II, later clarified that only people who have consulted with a doctor or medical professional could get a test. | The administration’s challenge in delivering coronavirus testing kits to the states has been one of the most pressing concerns among governors. On Friday in Atlanta, Mr. Trump said “anyone who wants a test can get a test.” His health and human services secretary, Alex M. Azar II, later clarified that only people who have consulted with a doctor or medical professional could get a test. |
| In New York, Andrew Cuomo said he had been frustrated by a testing process hampered by federal bureaucracy. | In New York, Andrew Cuomo said he had been frustrated by a testing process hampered by federal bureaucracy. |
| About 1,000 people in the state have been tested, and Mr. Cuomo estimated that hundreds of thousands more were awaiting testing. The process has been slowed because New York is waiting for private laboratories to be allowed to test for the virus, a step that requires federal approval, he said. While Mr. Cuomo said he was hoping to ramp up testing in the coming days, “It depends how fast they can authorize these private labs.” | About 1,000 people in the state have been tested, and Mr. Cuomo estimated that hundreds of thousands more were awaiting testing. The process has been slowed because New York is waiting for private laboratories to be allowed to test for the virus, a step that requires federal approval, he said. While Mr. Cuomo said he was hoping to ramp up testing in the coming days, “It depends how fast they can authorize these private labs.” |
| For states with a small number of cases, testing does not appear to be troubled, he said. But in New York, where more than 170 people already have tested positive for the virus, that is not the case. | For states with a small number of cases, testing does not appear to be troubled, he said. But in New York, where more than 170 people already have tested positive for the virus, that is not the case. |
| “What number of tests do you need?” Mr. Cuomo said. “I have a population of 18 million. What do I need, two million?” | “What number of tests do you need?” Mr. Cuomo said. “I have a population of 18 million. What do I need, two million?” |
| He declined to characterize the federal government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak on the whole. | He declined to characterize the federal government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak on the whole. |
| “I try not to comment,” he said, “because the president then tweets nasty things about me.” | “I try not to comment,” he said, “because the president then tweets nasty things about me.” |