'Islands in the U.S. Are Barring All Outsiders to Keep Coronavirus at Bay' diff viewer (7/8)

This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on March 17, 2020 19:36 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/us/north-carolina-and-maine-coronavirus.html

The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Next version

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Next version

Version 7	Version 8
Islands in the U.S. Are Barring All Outsiders to Keep Coronavirus at Bay	Islands in the U.S. Are Barring All Outsiders to Keep Coronavirus at Bay
2020-06-16 22:04:14 UTC	2020-06-17 18:11:17 UTC (about 20 hours later)
Two famous island resorts in the Eastern United States are trying to seal themselves off by barring all visitors, taking the extraordinary measures in an effort to prevent the coronavirus from coming ashore.	Two famous island resorts in the Eastern United States are trying to seal themselves off by barring all visitors, taking the extraordinary measures in an effort to prevent the coronavirus from coming ashore.
One island, North Haven, off the coast of Maine, is a summer retreat for blue-blooded American dynasties including the Cabots, the Bushes, the Welds and the current governor of Connecticut, Ned Lamont.	One island, North Haven, off the coast of Maine, is a summer retreat for blue-blooded American dynasties including the Cabots, the Bushes, the Welds and the current governor of Connecticut, Ned Lamont.
In North Carolina, officials in Dare County, which includes much of the Outer Banks, announced on Tuesday that they would be establishing checkpoints to turn away visitors.	In North Carolina, officials in Dare County, which includes much of the Outer Banks, announced on Tuesday that they would be establishing checkpoints to turn away visitors.
“While there are currently no individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 in Dare County, officials weighed the potential benefits for community health along with the tremendous impacts these restrictions have on our community,” the county said in a statement, referring to the disease caused by the virus.	“While there are currently no individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 in Dare County, officials weighed the potential benefits for community health along with the tremendous impacts these restrictions have on our community,” the county said in a statement, referring to the disease caused by the virus.
With its hundreds of miles of Atlantic beaches, the Outer Banks draw millions of tourists every year, breaking records summer after summer.	With its hundreds of miles of Atlantic beaches, the Outer Banks draw millions of tourists every year, breaking records summer after summer.
In Maine, the four members of the North Haven Select Board voted this week to bar outsiders from the island. It lies 12 miles off the coast, with a year-round population of about 375 that swells to some 1,200 in the summer.	In Maine, the four members of the North Haven Select Board voted this week to bar outsiders from the island. It lies 12 miles off the coast, with a year-round population of about 375 that swells to some 1,200 in the summer.
For both islands, it was a highly unusual step to take given their economic dependence on their visitors, but both feared that their resources, medical and otherwise, would be overwhelmed if they lost control over the number of potentially sick visitors.	For both islands, it was a highly unusual step to take given their economic dependence on their visitors, but both feared that their resources, medical and otherwise, would be overwhelmed if they lost control over the number of potentially sick visitors.
Relying on the ocean has often been considered insurance to stave off disease, although there is also widespread skepticism about the ability of any island to avoid a rampantly spreading virus. Any seal is bound to be imperfect, observers argue, and such measures will only delay the inevitable.	Relying on the ocean has often been considered insurance to stave off disease, although there is also widespread skepticism about the ability of any island to avoid a rampantly spreading virus. Any seal is bound to be imperfect, observers argue, and such measures will only delay the inevitable.
The select board of North Haven, an island in Maine’s Penobscot Bay that is reachable only by boat or aircraft, said that it struggled with the decision made on Sunday night that limits access to year-round residents, but that it did not have the resources to handle even a few cases.	The select board of North Haven, an island in Maine’s Penobscot Bay that is reachable only by boat or aircraft, said that it struggled with the decision made on Sunday night that limits access to year-round residents, but that it did not have the resources to handle even a few cases.
Seventeen cases of the coronavirus have been reported in Maine, with none in North Haven.	Seventeen cases of the coronavirus have been reported in Maine, with none in North Haven.
But residents expressed worry at an annual town meeting that seasonal residents and travelers could carry the virus to the island, which has a single clinic that is not licensed or operated as an emergency medical facility, a lone nurse practitioner and one ambulance.	But residents expressed worry at an annual town meeting that seasonal residents and travelers could carry the virus to the island, which has a single clinic that is not licensed or operated as an emergency medical facility, a lone nurse practitioner and one ambulance.
It takes one hour and 10 minutes to travel to the mainland, according to Kathleen Macy, a lifelong resident who serves as town clerk. It would take a minimum of three hours to get to a hospital, she added.	It takes one hour and 10 minutes to travel to the mainland, according to Kathleen Macy, a lifelong resident who serves as town clerk. It would take a minimum of three hours to get to a hospital, she added.
“People don’t understand how fragile we are if something catastrophic happened because we don’t have quick access,” she said on Tuesday. “We’re a pretty hardy bunch, but we’ve never had this situation before.”	“People don’t understand how fragile we are if something catastrophic happened because we don’t have quick access,” she said on Tuesday. “We’re a pretty hardy bunch, but we’ve never had this situation before.”
The reaction was mixed, ranging from outrage by some property owners denied access to their expensive mansions to others who accepted that the medical situation warranted the precaution.	The reaction was mixed, ranging from outrage by some property owners denied access to their expensive mansions to others who accepted that the medical situation warranted the precaution.
“I am sympathetic, I think they are very vulnerable,” said Nicholas Platt, 84, a retired American diplomat and former president of the Asia Society, who said he had spent virtually every summer there since he was born. His grandfather first bought a house there in 1923, and his three sons, including the actor Oliver Platt, all own homes in an idyllic place that he described as “Where God takes his vacation in August.”	“I am sympathetic, I think they are very vulnerable,” said Nicholas Platt, 84, a retired American diplomat and former president of the Asia Society, who said he had spent virtually every summer there since he was born. His grandfather first bought a house there in 1923, and his three sons, including the actor Oliver Platt, all own homes in an idyllic place that he described as “Where God takes his vacation in August.”
Mr. Platt said he did not think the decision would cause a permanent rift between the local residents and their affluent visitors, but others were less sure given the outrage and anger expressed on Facebook and elsewhere.	Mr. Platt said he did not think the decision would cause a permanent rift between the local residents and their affluent visitors, but others were less sure given the outrage and anger expressed on Facebook and elsewhere.
Lisa Shields, a realtor, said she had fielded phone calls from summer residents who said the islanders were turning it into “an us-versus-them situation.”	Lisa Shields, a realtor, said she had fielded phone calls from summer residents who said the islanders were turning it into “an us-versus-them situation.”
Each side has a sense of propriety about the island, both those who have lived there and those who have summered there for generations. “For the seasonal people, it is where they get married, where they hold funerals,” said Kris Davidson, another realtor. “This is a very meaningful place for them.”	Each side has a sense of propriety about the island, both those who have lived there and those who have summered there for generations. “For the seasonal people, it is where they get married, where they hold funerals,” said Kris Davidson, another realtor. “This is a very meaningful place for them.”
Although some rancor lingers between the two groups, the relationship has improved in recent decades as both sides came to understand that they need each other, residents said. Occasionally they have even intermarried.	Although some rancor lingers between the two groups, the relationship has improved in recent decades as both sides came to understand that they need each other, residents said. Occasionally they have even intermarried.
The summer people rely on those in the town to keep their houses in working order, not to mention maintain some life on the island, while the residents are almost utterly dependent on their visitors economically.	The summer people rely on those in the town to keep their houses in working order, not to mention maintain some life on the island, while the residents are almost utterly dependent on their visitors economically.
Mrs. Shields said she hoped that the decision would be seen as an effort to protect everyone involved. If one of the seasonal people got sick and the lone ambulance had already whisked someone away, there could be dire consequences, she noted.	Mrs. Shields said she hoped that the decision would be seen as an effort to protect everyone involved. If one of the seasonal people got sick and the lone ambulance had already whisked someone away, there could be dire consequences, she noted.
“There is a lot of confusion, a lot of fear and a lot of trepidation and self-examination,” she said, calling the ban less a move against the summer people than an effort to keep some control over what happens on the island in a crisis.	“There is a lot of confusion, a lot of fear and a lot of trepidation and self-examination,” she said, calling the ban less a move against the summer people than an effort to keep some control over what happens on the island in a crisis.
It was also not entirely clear whether the ban was legal and could be enforced. The Maine State Ferry Service has been operating its normal schedule to the island. County and state officials are also reviewing the order.	It was also not entirely clear whether the ban was legal and could be enforced. The Maine State Ferry Service has been operating its normal schedule to the island. County and state officials are also reviewing the order.
Updated June 16, 2020	Updated June 16, 2020
	The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.	The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.	Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.	The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.	If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.