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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
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This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the global outbreak. Sign up here to get the briefing by email.This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the global outbreak. Sign up here to get the briefing by email.
People of all ages are getting very sick
Testing rules are being bent for A-listers
No new local infections in China
Get the latest updates here, plus maps and full coverage
It’s clear that older people and those with health problems are most at risk of dying because of the coronavirus — but that doesn’t mean younger people who catch it won’t become gravely ill. Many already have.It’s clear that older people and those with health problems are most at risk of dying because of the coronavirus — but that doesn’t mean younger people who catch it won’t become gravely ill. Many already have.
Adults between 20 and 54 make up almost two-fifths of the people being hospitalized in the U.S. with the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Twenty percent are under 44 — millennials, more or less.Adults between 20 and 54 make up almost two-fifths of the people being hospitalized in the U.S. with the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Twenty percent are under 44 — millennials, more or less.
And nearly half of the most severe cases — the ones who land in intensive care — are younger than 65, the agency found. The figures come from a study of the first 2,500 cases reported in the U.S. (the tally is now over 10,000).And nearly half of the most severe cases — the ones who land in intensive care — are younger than 65, the agency found. The figures come from a study of the first 2,500 cases reported in the U.S. (the tally is now over 10,000).
Even children — especially babies and preschoolers — can sometimes become seriously ill, though they are the least likely to do so; it’s not yet clear why.Even children — especially babies and preschoolers — can sometimes become seriously ill, though they are the least likely to do so; it’s not yet clear why.
Some young adults have kept socializing as if “lower risk” meant “no risk.” A CBS News video of students on spring break in Florida shrugging off the pandemic raised hackles on social media.Some young adults have kept socializing as if “lower risk” meant “no risk.” A CBS News video of students on spring break in Florida shrugging off the pandemic raised hackles on social media.
Worry about complacency, not panic: Benedict Carey, a Times science reporter, talked to an Israeli expert, Dr. Ido Erev, about how people make decisions under threat.Worry about complacency, not panic: Benedict Carey, a Times science reporter, talked to an Israeli expert, Dr. Ido Erev, about how people make decisions under threat.
A few will overreact and become hysterical, Dr. Erev told Ben, but studies show that many more will, as time passes, start to discount warnings and take more risks. That’s the greater danger now.A few will overreact and become hysterical, Dr. Erev told Ben, but studies show that many more will, as time passes, start to discount warnings and take more risks. That’s the greater danger now.
The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.
Getting tested has been an uphill battle in parts of the U.S., but some Americans — the wealthy, famous and well-connected — have had a much easier time than others.Getting tested has been an uphill battle in parts of the U.S., but some Americans — the wealthy, famous and well-connected — have had a much easier time than others.
Complaints of elitism and preferential treatment have mounted as politicians, celebrities and pro athletes have received tests without having symptoms or any known contact with an infected person — requirements under some testing guidelines.Complaints of elitism and preferential treatment have mounted as politicians, celebrities and pro athletes have received tests without having symptoms or any known contact with an infected person — requirements under some testing guidelines.
Meanwhile, in the hardest-hit states — New York, California, Washington and Massachusetts — a surge in demand and a shortage of kits have left health care workers, sick patients and their known contacts untested for days or weeks.Meanwhile, in the hardest-hit states — New York, California, Washington and Massachusetts — a surge in demand and a shortage of kits have left health care workers, sick patients and their known contacts untested for days or weeks.
When President Trump was asked on Wednesday whether the elite have been able to cut the line, he replied, “You’d have to ask them that question,” and added, “Perhaps that’s been the story of life.”When President Trump was asked on Wednesday whether the elite have been able to cut the line, he replied, “You’d have to ask them that question,” and added, “Perhaps that’s been the story of life.”
Stuck in limbo: Long turnaround times for test results have left many Americans in the dark. In New Jersey, the virus infected seven members of one family, killing four, and leaving 20 others quarantined as they await test results.Stuck in limbo: Long turnaround times for test results have left many Americans in the dark. In New Jersey, the virus infected seven members of one family, killing four, and leaving 20 others quarantined as they await test results.
A different approach: On today’s episode of “The Daily,” Sarah Maslin Nir, a Times breaking news reporter, visited New York’s first drive-through testing center, in New Rochelle. Centers like that, shown to be highly effective in South Korea, are being set up elsewhere in the state.A different approach: On today’s episode of “The Daily,” Sarah Maslin Nir, a Times breaking news reporter, visited New York’s first drive-through testing center, in New Rochelle. Centers like that, shown to be highly effective in South Korea, are being set up elsewhere in the state.
“This is how we’re going to get a handle on this disease,” Sarah concluded.“This is how we’re going to get a handle on this disease,” Sarah concluded.
For the first time since the virus broke out, China reported zero new local infections on Thursday. The only new cases, and it was just a handful, were people who had come from abroad.For the first time since the virus broke out, China reported zero new local infections on Thursday. The only new cases, and it was just a handful, were people who had come from abroad.
If it’s more than just a statistical blip, it would represent a remarkable recovery for the country, which peaked a month ago at around 2,000 new cases a day.If it’s more than just a statistical blip, it would represent a remarkable recovery for the country, which peaked a month ago at around 2,000 new cases a day.
And it would mean that severe movement restrictions on hundreds of millions of people had worked — a lockdown the country was forced to impose after first trying to cover up the crisis while the virus spread through the city of Wuhan.And it would mean that severe movement restrictions on hundreds of millions of people had worked — a lockdown the country was forced to impose after first trying to cover up the crisis while the virus spread through the city of Wuhan.
China’s early role in the outbreak led to fear and suspicion toward the country, and some racism and xenophobia directed at Asian-Americans.China’s early role in the outbreak led to fear and suspicion toward the country, and some racism and xenophobia directed at Asian-Americans.
In a video for our Opinion section, Katherine Oung, a Chinese-American high school student in Florida, recalls that after the virus started to spread in the U.S., a classmate announced, “Everyone knows Chinese people are disgusting.” She said it “felt like a stab to my chest.”In a video for our Opinion section, Katherine Oung, a Chinese-American high school student in Florida, recalls that after the virus started to spread in the U.S., a classmate announced, “Everyone knows Chinese people are disgusting.” She said it “felt like a stab to my chest.”
But the tables are turning. With outbreaks in the Europe and the U.S. raging while China’s is ebbing, it is now the West that is the object of fear and suspicion among Asians, our correspondents write.But the tables are turning. With outbreaks in the Europe and the U.S. raging while China’s is ebbing, it is now the West that is the object of fear and suspicion among Asians, our correspondents write.
“We came back because we think going back to China is safer than staying in New York,” said Farrah Lyu, 24, a recent college graduate who flew home to eastern China this month.“We came back because we think going back to China is safer than staying in New York,” said Farrah Lyu, 24, a recent college graduate who flew home to eastern China this month.
A new project from our graphics editors looks at which countries have had success in slowing the spread of the virus — known as “flattening the curve.”A new project from our graphics editors looks at which countries have had success in slowing the spread of the virus — known as “flattening the curve.”
Updated September 1, 2020
More people have now died in Italy (3,405) than in China (3,245). Cemeteries in Bergamo in northern Italy are so overwhelmed that the army was called in to transport bodies elsewhere to be cremated.
In northwestern Syria, doctors believe the virus has been spreading undetected through packed displacement camps for weeks, a situation made worse by a lack of tests and a slow international response.
The whole state legislature in Georgia has been told to self-quarantine after a senator tested positive.
Minnesota and Vermont will classify grocery store employees as emergency workers because their work is essential to everybody else’s well-being, CNN Business reports.
The governor of Pennsylvania ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses to close their physical locations as of 8 p.m. Thursday. Restaurants can still offer takeout and delivery.
The coronavirus death rate in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the outbreak started, was 1.4 percent — a lot lower than earlier estimates of 2.0 to 3.4 percent, but still 14 times as deadly as the flu in the U.S.
What should you do about your babysitter? Anyone entering your home is a potential carrier of germs, so don’t be afraid to ask them to wash their hands — and remember that they are probably worried right now, too.What should you do about your babysitter? Anyone entering your home is a potential carrier of germs, so don’t be afraid to ask them to wash their hands — and remember that they are probably worried right now, too.
How to clean your home for coronavirus: It takes only a few minutes, but cleaning high-traffic surfaces once a day can make an important difference.How to clean your home for coronavirus: It takes only a few minutes, but cleaning high-traffic surfaces once a day can make an important difference.
How can we band together? Some people are finding inventive ways to help, from delivering groceries to the doorsteps of the homebound to buying gift certificates from struggling restaurants.How can we band together? Some people are finding inventive ways to help, from delivering groceries to the doorsteps of the homebound to buying gift certificates from struggling restaurants.
A hub for financial help: Has your income fallen or disappeared completely? We’ve set up a guide to connect you to basic information you’ll need.A hub for financial help: Has your income fallen or disappeared completely? We’ve set up a guide to connect you to basic information you’ll need.
Join our DealBook team for a conversationJoin our DealBook team for a conversation
How will the pandemic affect business and society? What options do policymakers have for stimulating economies, supporting workers and aiding industries at risk?How will the pandemic affect business and society? What options do policymakers have for stimulating economies, supporting workers and aiding industries at risk?
Andrew Ross Sorkin, our financial columnist, and others from The Times will discuss these questions and more on a group call with readers on Friday at 10 a.m. Eastern. R.S.V.P. for this free event here.Andrew Ross Sorkin, our financial columnist, and others from The Times will discuss these questions and more on a group call with readers on Friday at 10 a.m. Eastern. R.S.V.P. for this free event here.
“Alarmist is not a word anyone has ever used to describe me before,” a pediatric surgery fellow in New York writes in our Opinion pages. But this is different: “We are living in a global public health crisis moving at a speed and scale never witnessed by living generations.”
Initial unemployment claims rose by 70,000 last week, the largest jump since the 2008 financial crisis. But experts say we haven’t seen anything yet: Next week’s report is likely to be stratospheric.
With schools closed around the country, zoos and aquariums are trying to fill the void of children’s activities with “home safaris,” virtual tours and webcams.
Jennie Weiner is an associate professor of educational leadership. But even for her, the idea of home-schooling her third-grade twins is a daunting task. “The agenda is to survive and watch too much TV,” she writes. “We are eating cookies and carbs and hoping for the best.”
A poignant photo essay captures the economic impact in New York City, contrasting the frantic stockpiling at grocery stores with the eerie quiet everywhere else.
The divorce rate shot up in parts of China after movement restrictions were lifted. But a quarantine doesn’t have to mean bad news for couples, The New Yorker reports.
Netflix will reduce the video quality on its service in Europe for the next 30 days to reduce strain on the internet, the BBC reports.
Distilleries across the country are using their alcohol-making prowess to produce hand sanitizer, and in many cases distributing it free.
Having almost everything on our calendar canceled has prompted me to commit to a daily walk with my camera. The walk provides time out of the house and regular exercise. The camera encourages me to take a fresh look at our neighborhood every day as I try to find something new to photograph in an area I have walked around for more than 20 years.
— Douglas Hartford, Arden Hills, Minn.
Let us know how you’re dealing with the outbreak. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.Let us know how you’re dealing with the outbreak. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.
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Lara Takenaga and Tom Wright-Piersanti helped write today’s newsletter.Lara Takenaga and Tom Wright-Piersanti helped write today’s newsletter.