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They Eloped on the Way to Their Wedding They Eloped on the Way to Their Wedding
(3 days later)
Brad Wilson walked out of his Manhattan apartment building and straight, it seemed, into an Isaac Asimov thriller.Brad Wilson walked out of his Manhattan apartment building and straight, it seemed, into an Isaac Asimov thriller.
“Brooke, if we are going to make it to Dallas, we have to make a run for it,” Mr. Wilson, 41, said to his fiancée, Brooke June Cook, on March 12, a surreal moment in time created by the effects of the new coronavirus as it hit New York. They were to be married March 21 at Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas.“Brooke, if we are going to make it to Dallas, we have to make a run for it,” Mr. Wilson, 41, said to his fiancée, Brooke June Cook, on March 12, a surreal moment in time created by the effects of the new coronavirus as it hit New York. They were to be married March 21 at Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas.
“We need to put some distance between us and that thing,” Mr. Wilson said to Ms. Cook, about Covid-19.“We need to put some distance between us and that thing,” Mr. Wilson said to Ms. Cook, about Covid-19.
A short time later, Mr. Wilson, who lives in the Chelsea neighborhood and is an executive at LinkedIn, picked up Ms. Cook, a 30-year-old lawyer, on the Upper West Side. He then stepped on the gas and headed south, “before the virus shut down the entire city and we became trapped there.” (It has not been shut down.)A short time later, Mr. Wilson, who lives in the Chelsea neighborhood and is an executive at LinkedIn, picked up Ms. Cook, a 30-year-old lawyer, on the Upper West Side. He then stepped on the gas and headed south, “before the virus shut down the entire city and we became trapped there.” (It has not been shut down.)
As they drove, Mr. Wilson began listing their options, which included heading to Texas for their wedding, though they had heard rumors that the church where they were to marry was about to close its doors to help stop the spread of the virus, per the Center for Disease Control recommendations. (A few days later, the church did indeed shutter its doors.)As they drove, Mr. Wilson began listing their options, which included heading to Texas for their wedding, though they had heard rumors that the church where they were to marry was about to close its doors to help stop the spread of the virus, per the Center for Disease Control recommendations. (A few days later, the church did indeed shutter its doors.)
A second option would be to drive to Missouri, where Mr. Wilson’s mother lives, or maybe do what so many others had done and simply postpone their wedding.A second option would be to drive to Missouri, where Mr. Wilson’s mother lives, or maybe do what so many others had done and simply postpone their wedding.
“To tell you the truth, we didn’t really know where we were going,” Mr. Wilson said in a phone interview. “When we got near Philly, we decided to head to Charlottesville, Va., for the night because Brooke had gone to law school there and had some familiarity with the location.”“To tell you the truth, we didn’t really know where we were going,” Mr. Wilson said in a phone interview. “When we got near Philly, we decided to head to Charlottesville, Va., for the night because Brooke had gone to law school there and had some familiarity with the location.”
They drove on, their car radio a talk-soup of scientific chatter and static, full of sound bites on closings and quarantines, empty trains and supermarket shelves. Life was suddenly a lot more difficult and uncertain than the day the couple met in November 2017 at a flag football tournament in Central Park.They drove on, their car radio a talk-soup of scientific chatter and static, full of sound bites on closings and quarantines, empty trains and supermarket shelves. Life was suddenly a lot more difficult and uncertain than the day the couple met in November 2017 at a flag football tournament in Central Park.
When they got around to Option No. 3, possibly canceling their wedding in Dallas, they called two people for advice and counsel: their officiant and pastor, David Kim, and Missy Donovan, one of Ms. Cook’s spiritual mentor’s who was going to be reading scripture at their Dallas wedding.When they got around to Option No. 3, possibly canceling their wedding in Dallas, they called two people for advice and counsel: their officiant and pastor, David Kim, and Missy Donovan, one of Ms. Cook’s spiritual mentor’s who was going to be reading scripture at their Dallas wedding.
At 9:45 p.m., they arrived both in Charlottesville and at a big decision, calling off their planned wedding and choosing a fourth option they had not previously considered: elopement.At 9:45 p.m., they arrived both in Charlottesville and at a big decision, calling off their planned wedding and choosing a fourth option they had not previously considered: elopement.
“Every time we heard updated news about the coronavirus, more and more people were dying, more and more restaurants and venues and other businesses were closing,” said Ms. Cook, 30. “We knew if we returned home unmarried, we would not get another chance for a while, because everything back home, like everywhere else, had been turned upside down.”“Every time we heard updated news about the coronavirus, more and more people were dying, more and more restaurants and venues and other businesses were closing,” said Ms. Cook, 30. “We knew if we returned home unmarried, we would not get another chance for a while, because everything back home, like everywhere else, had been turned upside down.”
They spent the duration of their evening in a hotel room, sending emails and texts to friends and family about having a change of plans, but not a change of heart.They spent the duration of their evening in a hotel room, sending emails and texts to friends and family about having a change of plans, but not a change of heart.
Ms. Cook called her parents, Debra K. Cook of Yorba Linda, Calif., and D. Curtis Cook of Columbus, Miss., and Mr. Wilson reached out to his mother, Nancy A. Wilson of Jefferson City, Mo. (His father, Richard J. Wilson, is deceased.)Ms. Cook called her parents, Debra K. Cook of Yorba Linda, Calif., and D. Curtis Cook of Columbus, Miss., and Mr. Wilson reached out to his mother, Nancy A. Wilson of Jefferson City, Mo. (His father, Richard J. Wilson, is deceased.)
The couple’s ambitious new plan involved getting married on Saturday, March 14, their self-imposed deadline, a seemingly impossible task as they now had less than 48 hours at that point to come up with a marriage license, a judge, two witnesses, a photographer and of course, a wedding venue.The couple’s ambitious new plan involved getting married on Saturday, March 14, their self-imposed deadline, a seemingly impossible task as they now had less than 48 hours at that point to come up with a marriage license, a judge, two witnesses, a photographer and of course, a wedding venue.
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Ms. Cook had already sent a precursory email to a judge, Rick Moore of the Charlottesville Circuit Court, who knew Ms. Cook from her days at the University of Virginia, where she received a law degree.Ms. Cook had already sent a precursory email to a judge, Rick Moore of the Charlottesville Circuit Court, who knew Ms. Cook from her days at the University of Virginia, where she received a law degree.
Ms. Cook asked Judge Moore if he would consider officiating at her wedding on the upcoming Saturday, despite the fact that she had not yet found a wedding venue. Judge Moore’s first response was not very promising: “Well, I was planning on doing a little yardwork tomorrow,” he said, and left it at that.Ms. Cook asked Judge Moore if he would consider officiating at her wedding on the upcoming Saturday, despite the fact that she had not yet found a wedding venue. Judge Moore’s first response was not very promising: “Well, I was planning on doing a little yardwork tomorrow,” he said, and left it at that.
On Friday, the couple went to the Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk’s office to apply for and receive their wedding license.On Friday, the couple went to the Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk’s office to apply for and receive their wedding license.
“Virginia has no waiting-period requirement,” Ms. Cook said. “So thankfully we were able to get the license.”“Virginia has no waiting-period requirement,” Ms. Cook said. “So thankfully we were able to get the license.”
With the clock ticking — and the couple carefully monitoring updated news about the coronavirus, which was now adding words and phrases like “pandemic,” and “social distancing” — Ms. Cook reached out to a friend in Charlottesville over Instagram. She explained her situation and asked if he knew of any photographers who may be willing to work on extremely short notice. They quickly agreed upon Kate Greer, a photographer who specialized in events at wineries, the kind of place that Ms. Cook and Mr. Wilson both thought would be great for hosting a wedding.With the clock ticking — and the couple carefully monitoring updated news about the coronavirus, which was now adding words and phrases like “pandemic,” and “social distancing” — Ms. Cook reached out to a friend in Charlottesville over Instagram. She explained her situation and asked if he knew of any photographers who may be willing to work on extremely short notice. They quickly agreed upon Kate Greer, a photographer who specialized in events at wineries, the kind of place that Ms. Cook and Mr. Wilson both thought would be great for hosting a wedding.
By day’s end, Judge Moore had confirmed that he would indeed serve as the couple’s officiant and that he and his wife, Nancy Moore, would wait for word as to where the wedding would be held.By day’s end, Judge Moore had confirmed that he would indeed serve as the couple’s officiant and that he and his wife, Nancy Moore, would wait for word as to where the wedding would be held.
The couple awoke at 9 a.m. on their wedding day, two days after leaving Manhattan, and just six hours from their self-imposed deadline for tying the knot, but they were still without a wedding venue.The couple awoke at 9 a.m. on their wedding day, two days after leaving Manhattan, and just six hours from their self-imposed deadline for tying the knot, but they were still without a wedding venue.
Updated June 2, 2020 Updated June 5, 2020
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
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.
Eight minutes later, Ms. Greer received a text from Veritas vineyard in Afton, Va., which had heard from Ms. Greer about the couple’s plight. The vineyard offered its property, free of charge, along with two bottles of complimentary wine to jump-start the celebration.Eight minutes later, Ms. Greer received a text from Veritas vineyard in Afton, Va., which had heard from Ms. Greer about the couple’s plight. The vineyard offered its property, free of charge, along with two bottles of complimentary wine to jump-start the celebration.
Relieved, Ms. Cook sped off for a two-hour hair and nail appointment (10 a.m. to noon) she had scheduled the day before, and when she arrived at the salon she was greeted by Mrs. Donovan, her spiritual mentor who also happened to live in Charlottesville and who was supposed to read scripture at Ms. Cook’s original wedding in Dallas. The two women hugged and wept, and then Mrs. Donovan reached into a bag and pulled out champagne, a veil, and white roses and baby’s breath flowers, which Mrs. Donovan began assembling into a bouquet.Relieved, Ms. Cook sped off for a two-hour hair and nail appointment (10 a.m. to noon) she had scheduled the day before, and when she arrived at the salon she was greeted by Mrs. Donovan, her spiritual mentor who also happened to live in Charlottesville and who was supposed to read scripture at Ms. Cook’s original wedding in Dallas. The two women hugged and wept, and then Mrs. Donovan reached into a bag and pulled out champagne, a veil, and white roses and baby’s breath flowers, which Mrs. Donovan began assembling into a bouquet.
“At that point, I felt like I was around family, again,” Ms. Cook said, crying.“At that point, I felt like I was around family, again,” Ms. Cook said, crying.
By 2 p.m. Saturday, the small wedding party had arrived at Veritas Winery. The events manager brought out the wine, along with a bottle of sparkling rosé and champagne flutes, and gave the bride and groom and their guests access to the full vineyard.By 2 p.m. Saturday, the small wedding party had arrived at Veritas Winery. The events manager brought out the wine, along with a bottle of sparkling rosé and champagne flutes, and gave the bride and groom and their guests access to the full vineyard.
Everyone drove to the top of the winery, overlooking majestic open fields in a chilly air. An old wine barrel had been sitting there, and Judge Moore used it as a lectern.Everyone drove to the top of the winery, overlooking majestic open fields in a chilly air. An old wine barrel had been sitting there, and Judge Moore used it as a lectern.
The ceremony began at exactly 3:15 p.m., with Mrs. Donovan her husband, Kevin Donovan, serving as matron of honor and best man. When the bride walked down the aisle to meet her groom, everyone began humming Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.”The ceremony began at exactly 3:15 p.m., with Mrs. Donovan her husband, Kevin Donovan, serving as matron of honor and best man. When the bride walked down the aisle to meet her groom, everyone began humming Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.”
The couple then exchanged vows, and read letters they had written to each another. Twenty minutes later, Ms. Cook and Mr. Wilson were married, and were back in their black 2018 Nissan Altima to their honeymoon, to be spent in parts of Georgia and Florida.The couple then exchanged vows, and read letters they had written to each another. Twenty minutes later, Ms. Cook and Mr. Wilson were married, and were back in their black 2018 Nissan Altima to their honeymoon, to be spent in parts of Georgia and Florida.
“We had originally booked our honeymoon in the British Virgin Islands,” the groom said, with a sigh. “Would you like to take a guess as to what destroyed those plans.”“We had originally booked our honeymoon in the British Virgin Islands,” the groom said, with a sigh. “Would you like to take a guess as to what destroyed those plans.”
Where Veritas Winery, Afton, Va.Where Veritas Winery, Afton, Va.
When March 14, 2020When March 14, 2020
Return to Spender The couple were thrilled to have already received a refund for their honeymoon in the British Virgin Islands that never happened. (They’re still working on a refund for the Dallas wedding.)Return to Spender The couple were thrilled to have already received a refund for their honeymoon in the British Virgin Islands that never happened. (They’re still working on a refund for the Dallas wedding.)
Rehearsal Dress The lacy white dress that the bride wore at Veritas Winery was actually the dress she had planned to wear at dress rehearsal for the wedding in Dallas, where the real wedding dress is still waiting for her.Rehearsal Dress The lacy white dress that the bride wore at Veritas Winery was actually the dress she had planned to wear at dress rehearsal for the wedding in Dallas, where the real wedding dress is still waiting for her.
No Cake on Pi Day The couple were married on 3/14 (otherwise known as Pi Day), so instead of wedding cake, they bought a coconut cream pie to have with their sparkling rosé.No Cake on Pi Day The couple were married on 3/14 (otherwise known as Pi Day), so instead of wedding cake, they bought a coconut cream pie to have with their sparkling rosé.
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