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| Working From Home in Washington? Not So Great | Working From Home in Washington? Not So Great |
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| WASHINGTON — As a general rule, the nation’s capital is not a “work from home” kind of town, even though theoretically it could be. It’s not as if a lot of essential goods are created here in some physical plant or factory — not cars, or microprocessors, or beer or, on most days, legislation. | WASHINGTON — As a general rule, the nation’s capital is not a “work from home” kind of town, even though theoretically it could be. It’s not as if a lot of essential goods are created here in some physical plant or factory — not cars, or microprocessors, or beer or, on most days, legislation. |
| We can make it work in a pandemic by conference call, Skype or Slack, but that is not the point of Washington. The city runs on relationships and convincing others that you have a certain juice about you. It prizes backslapping, glad-handing and now, in this time of coronavirus, awkward fist-bumps, elbow-taps or whatever else you cannot do remotely. It relies, for the most part, on showing up. | We can make it work in a pandemic by conference call, Skype or Slack, but that is not the point of Washington. The city runs on relationships and convincing others that you have a certain juice about you. It prizes backslapping, glad-handing and now, in this time of coronavirus, awkward fist-bumps, elbow-taps or whatever else you cannot do remotely. It relies, for the most part, on showing up. |
| And not in your pajamas. | And not in your pajamas. |
| “So much of what we do is just looking someone in the eye,” said Tiernan Sittenfeld, the senior vice president for government affairs at the League of Conservation Voters. “When you can see a facial expression or body language, you get a much better sense if you’re making your case. It can be much more challenging to convey urgency remotely.” | “So much of what we do is just looking someone in the eye,” said Tiernan Sittenfeld, the senior vice president for government affairs at the League of Conservation Voters. “When you can see a facial expression or body language, you get a much better sense if you’re making your case. It can be much more challenging to convey urgency remotely.” |
| In the short term, there’s a novelty in working from home, Ms. Sittenfeld said. This might wear off since her two children — ages 10 and 12 — began “distance learning” on Monday, per a mandate from their school. “I can still do conference calls while I unload the dishwasher,” she said. “Not that that’s a perfect situation.” | In the short term, there’s a novelty in working from home, Ms. Sittenfeld said. This might wear off since her two children — ages 10 and 12 — began “distance learning” on Monday, per a mandate from their school. “I can still do conference calls while I unload the dishwasher,” she said. “Not that that’s a perfect situation.” |
| Nor, for that matter, is leading an officewide meeting via Zoom while being interrupted by the plumber who just showed up to fix the upstairs toilet. “I swung my laptop around so the plumber could say hello to my team,” said Rachel Laser, the head of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who normally works from offices downtown but as of Friday morning was working from home along with the rest of her organization. | Nor, for that matter, is leading an officewide meeting via Zoom while being interrupted by the plumber who just showed up to fix the upstairs toilet. “I swung my laptop around so the plumber could say hello to my team,” said Rachel Laser, the head of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who normally works from offices downtown but as of Friday morning was working from home along with the rest of her organization. |
| As much as modern communication tools make it possible to work remotely, you lose a basic boundary in the process. Yes, Ms. Laser can run a perfectly good meeting by video conference. “But no one needs to see my son walking around in a towel in the background,” she said. “That is not a good look for me.” | As much as modern communication tools make it possible to work remotely, you lose a basic boundary in the process. Yes, Ms. Laser can run a perfectly good meeting by video conference. “But no one needs to see my son walking around in a towel in the background,” she said. “That is not a good look for me.” |
| This is after all a city whose economy is geared heavily to a certain pose — the lie of looking essential to the operation at all times. Not to mention the primal fear of not showing up and not seeming essential, because of course you are essential. Your presence is needed because you matter. | This is after all a city whose economy is geared heavily to a certain pose — the lie of looking essential to the operation at all times. Not to mention the primal fear of not showing up and not seeming essential, because of course you are essential. Your presence is needed because you matter. |
| Like Wolf Blitzer matters, and he can’t work from home. | Like Wolf Blitzer matters, and he can’t work from home. |
| Washington is a city of office people, for the most part — if not literally, then certainly by temperament — who live by T.G.I.M. (thank God it’s Monday). | Washington is a city of office people, for the most part — if not literally, then certainly by temperament — who live by T.G.I.M. (thank God it’s Monday). |
| It is a city that “does lunch.” It is a city that hobnobs, that fights the good fight against the real truth we are all running from, terrified: that we are impostors. That somehow the think tank or law firm or Pentagon would continue to function in our absences. | It is a city that “does lunch.” It is a city that hobnobs, that fights the good fight against the real truth we are all running from, terrified: that we are impostors. That somehow the think tank or law firm or Pentagon would continue to function in our absences. |
| In a sense, this goes to the real terror of working from home, which is the lurking fear that we have placed ourselves out of sight and thus out of mind. That we are easily replaceable and, worse, could actually be forgotten. | In a sense, this goes to the real terror of working from home, which is the lurking fear that we have placed ourselves out of sight and thus out of mind. That we are easily replaceable and, worse, could actually be forgotten. |
| Home is a place of retreat while our presence in an office validates the very important work we are doing, like texting germ emojis or checking Twitter. | Home is a place of retreat while our presence in an office validates the very important work we are doing, like texting germ emojis or checking Twitter. |
| Beyond the fragility of the local ego are a host of practical disruptions. If you are say, a lobbyist, and someone is paying you a six-figure retainer to provide wise strategic counsel, the last thing that a client wants to hear is a dog barking in the background, or a vacuum, or “Dora the Explorer.” | Beyond the fragility of the local ego are a host of practical disruptions. If you are say, a lobbyist, and someone is paying you a six-figure retainer to provide wise strategic counsel, the last thing that a client wants to hear is a dog barking in the background, or a vacuum, or “Dora the Explorer.” |
| “Now I have my cat jump on my laptop in the middle of conference calls,” said Siobhan Gorman, a partner at the Washington office of the Brunswick Group, the corporate public relations colossus. “It is not helpful.” | “Now I have my cat jump on my laptop in the middle of conference calls,” said Siobhan Gorman, a partner at the Washington office of the Brunswick Group, the corporate public relations colossus. “It is not helpful.” |
| When working from home, people often assume a level of privacy that does not exist. Conference calls, for instance, are a danger zone. People forget they’re on the screen for all to see. A spouse pads into the background, on a hunt for a clean shirt. Children make faces. Attention wanders. | When working from home, people often assume a level of privacy that does not exist. Conference calls, for instance, are a danger zone. People forget they’re on the screen for all to see. A spouse pads into the background, on a hunt for a clean shirt. Children make faces. Attention wanders. |
| “You can tell that the vast majority of people are multitasking,” said Steve Elmendorf, a Democratic lobbyist. “You know they are shopping and responding to email and generally not as focused on what we’re talking about than if they were sitting in front of you.” | “You can tell that the vast majority of people are multitasking,” said Steve Elmendorf, a Democratic lobbyist. “You know they are shopping and responding to email and generally not as focused on what we’re talking about than if they were sitting in front of you.” |
| Again, not helpful. Of course, this can work both ways, too. The inherent placelessness of client-based industries such as lobbying, law and public affairs can have its benefits. | Again, not helpful. Of course, this can work both ways, too. The inherent placelessness of client-based industries such as lobbying, law and public affairs can have its benefits. |
| “The job of being a consultant is that nobody ever expects to see me in person,” said Michael Feldman, a founder of the Glover Park Group, the international consulting firm, and a former top adviser to Vice President Al Gore. “I left D.C. six years ago and nobody knows it.” | “The job of being a consultant is that nobody ever expects to see me in person,” said Michael Feldman, a founder of the Glover Park Group, the international consulting firm, and a former top adviser to Vice President Al Gore. “I left D.C. six years ago and nobody knows it.” |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| Granted, in the realm of major disruptions brought upon by the coronavirus, the nuisances of telecommuting are minor compared with the catastrophic loss of a job or actual exposure to the virus. To this point, the effect has been mostly expressed through the luxury of glibness and gallows humor. | Granted, in the realm of major disruptions brought upon by the coronavirus, the nuisances of telecommuting are minor compared with the catastrophic loss of a job or actual exposure to the virus. To this point, the effect has been mostly expressed through the luxury of glibness and gallows humor. |
| “Washington is already dysfunctional,” Ms. Gorman said. “How much more so can it get?” | “Washington is already dysfunctional,” Ms. Gorman said. “How much more so can it get?” |
| We’re about to find out. That seems to be a Beltway consensus, which is that things are headed toward a whole other level of disruption. Schools, courts, restaurants, bars, gyms, libraries and churches are all shut down. College students are moving back home. Amtrak, the Washington Metro and buses have all reduced schedules. | We’re about to find out. That seems to be a Beltway consensus, which is that things are headed toward a whole other level of disruption. Schools, courts, restaurants, bars, gyms, libraries and churches are all shut down. College students are moving back home. Amtrak, the Washington Metro and buses have all reduced schedules. |
| Members of Congress are still here but expected to leave at the end of the week. It is unclear when they will return. | Members of Congress are still here but expected to leave at the end of the week. It is unclear when they will return. |
| There are some benefits to working from home. Mr. Elmendorf, who did a yoga class on Tuesday over FaceTime, is happy spending the days with his 8-year-old whippet, Truman, and noted that “one advantage is that you don’t have to shower before noon.’’ | There are some benefits to working from home. Mr. Elmendorf, who did a yoga class on Tuesday over FaceTime, is happy spending the days with his 8-year-old whippet, Truman, and noted that “one advantage is that you don’t have to shower before noon.’’ |
| Maybe there is a bright side here. Perhaps it took a terrifying pandemic to reunite us with the simple connections of our lives and dislodge us from the web of inanity that Washington has become known for. | Maybe there is a bright side here. Perhaps it took a terrifying pandemic to reunite us with the simple connections of our lives and dislodge us from the web of inanity that Washington has become known for. |
| “Politicians have been talking for years about draining the swamp,” said Nedra Pickler, a managing director at the Glover Park Group. “And now we know what it takes — a virus.” | “Politicians have been talking for years about draining the swamp,” said Nedra Pickler, a managing director at the Glover Park Group. “And now we know what it takes — a virus.” |