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Suddenly, a New Normal Suddenly, a New Normal
(3 days later)
Hi. Welcome to On Politics, your guide to the day in national politics. I’m Lisa Lerer, your host.Hi. Welcome to On Politics, your guide to the day in national politics. I’m Lisa Lerer, your host.
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This week, one of my editors pointed out that the Iowa caucuses happened less than two months ago.This week, one of my editors pointed out that the Iowa caucuses happened less than two months ago.
I didn’t believe her until I checked my calendar.I didn’t believe her until I checked my calendar.
Over the past week or so, all of our lives have transformed into something so different that “normal” — or as normal as covering a disastrous caucus process can be — feels as if it happened long ago, in a world where kids went to school, adults went to offices and I wore something other than leggings most of the time.Over the past week or so, all of our lives have transformed into something so different that “normal” — or as normal as covering a disastrous caucus process can be — feels as if it happened long ago, in a world where kids went to school, adults went to offices and I wore something other than leggings most of the time.
Some things will certainly go back to normal after the coronavirus threat passes. But it’s hard to imagine that the country and our politics will not be reshaped by the pandemic.Some things will certainly go back to normal after the coronavirus threat passes. But it’s hard to imagine that the country and our politics will not be reshaped by the pandemic.
There are some early signs of political shifts. Senator Mitt Romney of Utah sounded a little like the #YangGang this week, suggesting a one-time payment of $1,000 to every American adult to address the economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. The Trump administration picked up a version of the plan, proposing two waves of $1,000 checks for adults and $500 per child, part of a $1 trillion economic package. Senate Republicans were hammering out their own plan on Thursday for direct payments to taxpayers.There are some early signs of political shifts. Senator Mitt Romney of Utah sounded a little like the #YangGang this week, suggesting a one-time payment of $1,000 to every American adult to address the economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. The Trump administration picked up a version of the plan, proposing two waves of $1,000 checks for adults and $500 per child, part of a $1 trillion economic package. Senate Republicans were hammering out their own plan on Thursday for direct payments to taxpayers.
There have been times when Republicans have embraced big government. During the Great Recession in 2008, the party handed out checks to Social Security recipients, gave broad tax rebates and backed the government bailout of Wall Street — a decision that helped inspire the conservative Tea Party movement. More recently, they supported a $28 billion bailout for farmers to mitigate losses from the trade war started by President Trump.There have been times when Republicans have embraced big government. During the Great Recession in 2008, the party handed out checks to Social Security recipients, gave broad tax rebates and backed the government bailout of Wall Street — a decision that helped inspire the conservative Tea Party movement. More recently, they supported a $28 billion bailout for farmers to mitigate losses from the trade war started by President Trump.
Yet, this proposal is something new: a direct payment to every American, pushed by a Republican White House and passed by a Republican-controlled Senate.Yet, this proposal is something new: a direct payment to every American, pushed by a Republican White House and passed by a Republican-controlled Senate.
Not only is this the embodiment of a “big government” response to a crisis, but it also was spurred by the Republican Party’s 2012 presidential nominee.Not only is this the embodiment of a “big government” response to a crisis, but it also was spurred by the Republican Party’s 2012 presidential nominee.
Don’t forget Mr. Romney was the candidate who argued in 2012 that 47 percent of Americans were effectively government parasites, looking for “big gifts” and “free stuff.” He famously argued against the bailout of the auto industry in an Op-Ed titled “Let Detroit Go Bankrupt.”Don’t forget Mr. Romney was the candidate who argued in 2012 that 47 percent of Americans were effectively government parasites, looking for “big gifts” and “free stuff.” He famously argued against the bailout of the auto industry in an Op-Ed titled “Let Detroit Go Bankrupt.”
Now he’s handing out cash.Now he’s handing out cash.
Aides to Mr. Romney say he’s not thinking of the cash infusion as a permanent plan, like Andrew Yang’s proposal for monthly basic income, but as an emergency relief measure similar to President George W. Bush’s tax rebates in 2001 and 2008.Aides to Mr. Romney say he’s not thinking of the cash infusion as a permanent plan, like Andrew Yang’s proposal for monthly basic income, but as an emergency relief measure similar to President George W. Bush’s tax rebates in 2001 and 2008.
Yet, the fact that Mr. Romney, the White House and the Republican leadership now endorse direct payments to the public as a form of economic stimulus is a sign that this virus may reverberate across our politics in ways that are difficult to predict.Yet, the fact that Mr. Romney, the White House and the Republican leadership now endorse direct payments to the public as a form of economic stimulus is a sign that this virus may reverberate across our politics in ways that are difficult to predict.
A generation of students is finding its college careers shaped by the virus, now a formative political experience. Some officials and activists are wondering whether in-person voting might start to become a thing of the past. Even Mr. Trump sounds different in moments — but only in moments — toning down some of the bluster and certitude that have characterized his early response to this crisis, not to mention his time in office.A generation of students is finding its college careers shaped by the virus, now a formative political experience. Some officials and activists are wondering whether in-person voting might start to become a thing of the past. Even Mr. Trump sounds different in moments — but only in moments — toning down some of the bluster and certitude that have characterized his early response to this crisis, not to mention his time in office.
Politics evolve. Parties grow and shrink and change and redefine themselves.Politics evolve. Parties grow and shrink and change and redefine themselves.
Maybe these political shifts are the most normal thing happening right now.Maybe these political shifts are the most normal thing happening right now.
What’s so different about this moment is that our national mission of social distancing means we have to navigate these developments alone.What’s so different about this moment is that our national mission of social distancing means we have to navigate these developments alone.
Personally, I’d rather work through this together. So let’s have a chat.Personally, I’d rather work through this together. So let’s have a chat.
I’m curious how you are getting information in this challenging time. What’s the first place you go to for coronavirus information — is it your group text, the news media, a neighborhood email list, a political leader? Whom do you trust, if anyone, to give it to you straight?I’m curious how you are getting information in this challenging time. What’s the first place you go to for coronavirus information — is it your group text, the news media, a neighborhood email list, a political leader? Whom do you trust, if anyone, to give it to you straight?
Write me at onpolitics@nytimes.com and your response could be featured in a future newsletter. Be sure to include your name and location. And if you’re so inclined, attach a picture of what you see out your window.Write me at onpolitics@nytimes.com and your response could be featured in a future newsletter. Be sure to include your name and location. And if you’re so inclined, attach a picture of what you see out your window.
Let’s be stuck home alone, together.Let’s be stuck home alone, together.
“Looking back, it’s hard to remember the exact moment we left the old world behind, and entered this new one,” Jennifer Finney Boylan wrote in an Opinion essay on Wednesday. “How did Ernest Hemingway describe going bankrupt — ‘gradually, and then suddenly’? Like that.”“Looking back, it’s hard to remember the exact moment we left the old world behind, and entered this new one,” Jennifer Finney Boylan wrote in an Opinion essay on Wednesday. “How did Ernest Hemingway describe going bankrupt — ‘gradually, and then suddenly’? Like that.”
American society, like much of the global community, has been gradually halted and deeply changed by the public health and financial crises spawned by the coronavirus pandemic. That dawning reality has been the focus this week in the New York Times Opinion section. The columnist Jamelle Bouie declared that “The Era of Small Government Is Over,” and asserted that the inequality already laid bare by this disease had made “a powerful, real-life argument for the broadest forms of social insurance.”American society, like much of the global community, has been gradually halted and deeply changed by the public health and financial crises spawned by the coronavirus pandemic. That dawning reality has been the focus this week in the New York Times Opinion section. The columnist Jamelle Bouie declared that “The Era of Small Government Is Over,” and asserted that the inequality already laid bare by this disease had made “a powerful, real-life argument for the broadest forms of social insurance.”
The Editorial Board endorsed giving “every American $2,000, immediately” — a view once seen as radical by many on the left and right in the more ordinary-feeling times of a month ago. Another remarkably swift, near-disorienting change has been the new bipartisanship in Congress, which is hashing out a series of ambitious expenditures intended to save lives, jobs and people’s homes.The Editorial Board endorsed giving “every American $2,000, immediately” — a view once seen as radical by many on the left and right in the more ordinary-feeling times of a month ago. Another remarkably swift, near-disorienting change has been the new bipartisanship in Congress, which is hashing out a series of ambitious expenditures intended to save lives, jobs and people’s homes.
Updated June 5, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jan-Werner Müller, a professor of politics at Princeton, gave one reason for the shift toward valuing competence and camaraderie: “Things change when your — or your grandparents’ — life really does depend directly on the experts, and when you realize that no gated community can keep a virus out.”Jan-Werner Müller, a professor of politics at Princeton, gave one reason for the shift toward valuing competence and camaraderie: “Things change when your — or your grandparents’ — life really does depend directly on the experts, and when you realize that no gated community can keep a virus out.”
— Talmon Joseph Smith— Talmon Joseph Smith
One thing that unites us all across the world in the midst of this crisis: Distance learning is the worst.One thing that unites us all across the world in the midst of this crisis: Distance learning is the worst.
(Thanks to Jennifer Medina and her co-worker — er, husband — Josh for forwarding the video.)(Thanks to Jennifer Medina and her co-worker — er, husband — Josh for forwarding the video.)
Thanks for reading. On Politics is your guide to the political news cycle, delivering clarity from the chaos.Thanks for reading. On Politics is your guide to the political news cycle, delivering clarity from the chaos.
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Is there anything you think we’re missing? Anything you want to see more of? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com.Is there anything you think we’re missing? Anything you want to see more of? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com.