'Canceled War Games. Video Meetings. The Military Guards Against Coronavirus.' diff viewer (4/5)

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Canceled War Games. Video Meetings. The Military Guards Against Coronavirus.	Canceled War Games. Video Meetings. The Military Guards Against Coronavirus.
2020-06-06 06:52:32 UTC	2020-06-08 23:21:18 UTC (3 days later)
WASHINGTON — At the Pentagon, figuring out how to respond to the coronavirus has been a stop-and-go mission.	WASHINGTON — At the Pentagon, figuring out how to respond to the coronavirus has been a stop-and-go mission.
The Army recently suspended deployments for troops and their families into South Korea and Italy, two hard-hit countries. But deployments for Marines, Air Force and Navy personnel continued through Wednesday, when top Defense Department officials announced that the other services would follow suit.	The Army recently suspended deployments for troops and their families into South Korea and Italy, two hard-hit countries. But deployments for Marines, Air Force and Navy personnel continued through Wednesday, when top Defense Department officials announced that the other services would follow suit.
The United States and its military partners in South Korea and Europe have canceled planned exercises in the Arctic, the Middle East and South Korea. But troops who had already arrived for another large-scale exercise, in Eastern Europe along the border with Russia, will continue with the planned war games, albeit on a smaller scale.	The United States and its military partners in South Korea and Europe have canceled planned exercises in the Arctic, the Middle East and South Korea. But troops who had already arrived for another large-scale exercise, in Eastern Europe along the border with Russia, will continue with the planned war games, albeit on a smaller scale.
And on Monday, officials working at the Defense Department began “social distancing” for meetings inside the Pentagon, spreading across multiple rooms while video conferencing, and sitting several feet apart when at the same table.	And on Monday, officials working at the Defense Department began “social distancing” for meetings inside the Pentagon, spreading across multiple rooms while video conferencing, and sitting several feet apart when at the same table.
But uniformed troops were still conducting tours on Wednesday for visitors at the building, where groups clustered in front of paintings and points of interests.	But uniformed troops were still conducting tours on Wednesday for visitors at the building, where groups clustered in front of paintings and points of interests.
The Pentagon, as it turns out, is a microcosm of the inherent contradictions in how companies, government agencies and people across the country are trying to battle the coronavirus.	The Pentagon, as it turns out, is a microcosm of the inherent contradictions in how companies, government agencies and people across the country are trying to battle the coronavirus.
The sprawling five-sided building is a workplace for close to 30,000 people, including civilian and military workers who parachute in from hot spots all over the world. It has its own bank, post office, dry cleaners, “clothier,” drugstore, food courts, restaurants, gymnasium, auditorium and clinic.	The sprawling five-sided building is a workplace for close to 30,000 people, including civilian and military workers who parachute in from hot spots all over the world. It has its own bank, post office, dry cleaners, “clothier,” drugstore, food courts, restaurants, gymnasium, auditorium and clinic.
Its labyrinthine corridors are filled with people, most of them strangers to one another. And it is responsible for keeping healthy more than a million active-duty service members around the world, including the ones overseas and in the United States where the coronavirus has taken hold.	Its labyrinthine corridors are filled with people, most of them strangers to one another. And it is responsible for keeping healthy more than a million active-duty service members around the world, including the ones overseas and in the United States where the coronavirus has taken hold.
And like companies across the country, the Defense Department is grappling with just how draconian it should get in its guidelines for how to respond to, and contain, the virus. The contradictions abound.	And like companies across the country, the Defense Department is grappling with just how draconian it should get in its guidelines for how to respond to, and contain, the virus. The contradictions abound.
At the heavily trafficked subway entrance to the building on Tuesday, a stand of handsanitizer appeared. But putting such stands throughout the building, with its miles of corridors, has yet to become standard practice.	At the heavily trafficked subway entrance to the building on Tuesday, a stand of handsanitizer appeared. But putting such stands throughout the building, with its miles of corridors, has yet to become standard practice.
The mixed nature of the Defense Department’s response is mirrored around Washington. On Capitol Hill, where many congressional members are in the older cohort most endangered by the virus, some representatives were observing hand-washing and no-touching protocols (a lot of the first, not much of the last) while others were not. In Alexandria, Va., two local health workers who had just insisted that they were observing no-touching protocols before seeing elderly patients then went on to hug a colleague they had not seen in some time.	The mixed nature of the Defense Department’s response is mirrored around Washington. On Capitol Hill, where many congressional members are in the older cohort most endangered by the virus, some representatives were observing hand-washing and no-touching protocols (a lot of the first, not much of the last) while others were not. In Alexandria, Va., two local health workers who had just insisted that they were observing no-touching protocols before seeing elderly patients then went on to hug a colleague they had not seen in some time.
“All of this emanates from the fact that we haven’t shifted into full red-zone mode yet,” said Stephen Morrison, the director of the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “We’re still in a kind of amber light or yellow zone. So you have people choosing, electing one path or another. There’s a lot of variance.”	“All of this emanates from the fact that we haven’t shifted into full red-zone mode yet,” said Stephen Morrison, the director of the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “We’re still in a kind of amber light or yellow zone. So you have people choosing, electing one path or another. There’s a lot of variance.”
Part of that variance stems from the fact that the slow pace of testing for the virus in the United States has meant that Americans are not aware of the extent of contagion here. In fact, the Pentagon acknowledged on Tuesday that the military’s official tally of service members and Defense Department civilians who had been infected probably undercounts the total.	Part of that variance stems from the fact that the slow pace of testing for the virus in the United States has meant that Americans are not aware of the extent of contagion here. In fact, the Pentagon acknowledged on Tuesday that the military’s official tally of service members and Defense Department civilians who had been infected probably undercounts the total.
“I think that it is likely, given what we are seeing around the world, and the fact that we have people all over the world, that there are more,” Brig. Gen. Paul Friedrichs, the joint staff surgeon, said during a news briefing. That is an important detail because the low average age and good health of American troops means that they are better able to withstand the virus if they get it. But it also means that they are more likely to become carriers who do not show symptoms, yet may infect other people.	“I think that it is likely, given what we are seeing around the world, and the fact that we have people all over the world, that there are more,” Brig. Gen. Paul Friedrichs, the joint staff surgeon, said during a news briefing. That is an important detail because the low average age and good health of American troops means that they are better able to withstand the virus if they get it. But it also means that they are more likely to become carriers who do not show symptoms, yet may infect other people.
The Army was the first to order its troops to defer from deployment to Italy and South Korea. “Force health protection is the Army’s top priority,” the Army said in a statement. Referring to the disease caused by the new coronavirus, it continued, “Protecting the force includes mitigating the spread of the virus and ensuring personnel have the most up-to-date information on appropriate measures to prevent potential spread of Covid-19.”	The Army was the first to order its troops to defer from deployment to Italy and South Korea. “Force health protection is the Army’s top priority,” the Army said in a statement. Referring to the disease caused by the new coronavirus, it continued, “Protecting the force includes mitigating the spread of the virus and ensuring personnel have the most up-to-date information on appropriate measures to prevent potential spread of Covid-19.”
The Navy, Marines and Air Force followed suit on Wednesday.	The Navy, Marines and Air Force followed suit on Wednesday.
This means that troops changing their home station to anywhere in South Korea or Italy must now put their plans on hold. For those in transit, according to one Army officer, they are stuck in travel limbo, wedged between their last duty station and awaiting some sort of clarity on where to go next.	This means that troops changing their home station to anywhere in South Korea or Italy must now put their plans on hold. For those in transit, according to one Army officer, they are stuck in travel limbo, wedged between their last duty station and awaiting some sort of clarity on where to go next.
“D.O.D. is taking steps within its senior leadership to lead by example on common sense preventative actions we can take to avoid the spread,” the Pentagon press secretary, Alyssa Farah, said in an email. “Other measures include eliminating handshakes, postponing international travel, limiting in-person meetings and instituting social distancing measures like rearranging seating when in person meetings are necessary or hosting meetings via teleconference.”	“D.O.D. is taking steps within its senior leadership to lead by example on common sense preventative actions we can take to avoid the spread,” the Pentagon press secretary, Alyssa Farah, said in an email. “Other measures include eliminating handshakes, postponing international travel, limiting in-person meetings and instituting social distancing measures like rearranging seating when in person meetings are necessary or hosting meetings via teleconference.”
“Additional measures are under consideration and will likely be implemented soon,” she added.	“Additional measures are under consideration and will likely be implemented soon,” she added.
In Naples, Italy, where a sailor became the first American service member to test positive for the virus in Europe this month, the Navy base is on lockdown. Base gyms are closed indefinitely, according to a Navy official, and commanders are coordinating with Italian officials daily. According to the official, leaders at the base were caught off guard by the Italians severely restricting movement in the country and it took roughly a day for the American military to institute new policies on the base.	In Naples, Italy, where a sailor became the first American service member to test positive for the virus in Europe this month, the Navy base is on lockdown. Base gyms are closed indefinitely, according to a Navy official, and commanders are coordinating with Italian officials daily. According to the official, leaders at the base were caught off guard by the Italians severely restricting movement in the country and it took roughly a day for the American military to institute new policies on the base.
Updated June 5, 2020	Updated June 5, 2020
	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.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.	Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
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.
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.
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.
On Okinawa, a Japanese island that is host to a sizable Marine base and acts as a hub for American forces transiting the Pacific Ocean, Marines are growing increasingly concerned that there will be an outbreak.	On Okinawa, a Japanese island that is host to a sizable Marine base and acts as a hub for American forces transiting the Pacific Ocean, Marines are growing increasingly concerned that there will be an outbreak.
This month, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, about 200 Marines were not stringently screened when they returned from a training exercise in South Korea. The person described tests being conducted by what seemed to be untrained medical personnel with masks. One Navy doctor was present, the person said. The group also had to sign paperwork saying they had been properly screened.	This month, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, about 200 Marines were not stringently screened when they returned from a training exercise in South Korea. The person described tests being conducted by what seemed to be untrained medical personnel with masks. One Navy doctor was present, the person said. The group also had to sign paperwork saying they had been properly screened.
Some officials on Okinawa are pressuring Marine leaders to close the base, at least for now, because many of the Japanese residents around its periphery are elderly.	Some officials on Okinawa are pressuring Marine leaders to close the base, at least for now, because many of the Japanese residents around its periphery are elderly.
One thing the Pentagon cannot control: rumors.	One thing the Pentagon cannot control: rumors.
Known often as scuttlebutt, rumint (rumor intelligence), the lance corporal underground or the E-4 mafia, the chatter flows like a game of telephone from headquarters to the ranks, often serving as a nexus of information about possible troop deployments, extended weekends and palace intrigue.	Known often as scuttlebutt, rumint (rumor intelligence), the lance corporal underground or the E-4 mafia, the chatter flows like a game of telephone from headquarters to the ranks, often serving as a nexus of information about possible troop deployments, extended weekends and palace intrigue.