'Last Week One Paramedic Was Infected. Now Over 150 Are in Quarantine.' diff viewer (5/6)

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Last Week One Paramedic Was Infected. Now Over 150 Are in Quarantine.	Last Week One Paramedic Was Infected. Now Over 150 Are in Quarantine.
2020-06-08 22:43:16 UTC	2020-06-09 23:18:18 UTC (1 day later)
It began last week when an Emergency Medical Services worker contracted the coronavirus from his girlfriend. Three days later, more than 20 of these workers, who form part of the New York City Fire Department, were in isolation for potential exposure to the virus, either through their colleagues, patients or off-duty contacts.	It began last week when an Emergency Medical Services worker contracted the coronavirus from his girlfriend. Three days later, more than 20 of these workers, who form part of the New York City Fire Department, were in isolation for potential exposure to the virus, either through their colleagues, patients or off-duty contacts.
By Wednesday morning, three Fire Department employees had tested positive. Now, more than 150 members of the department are in quarantine, including dozens of E.M.S. workers, according to union and department officials.	By Wednesday morning, three Fire Department employees had tested positive. Now, more than 150 members of the department are in quarantine, including dozens of E.M.S. workers, according to union and department officials.
The speed with which the coronavirus has affected the department’s ranks has rattled New York City’s ambulance crews at a time when these workers may be pivotal in managing a surge of patients with the illness.	The speed with which the coronavirus has affected the department’s ranks has rattled New York City’s ambulance crews at a time when these workers may be pivotal in managing a surge of patients with the illness.
Workers say there are already shortages in equipment and manpower, meaning New York’s emergency response system could be hamstrung as the virus works its way through the Fire Department and the city.	Workers say there are already shortages in equipment and manpower, meaning New York’s emergency response system could be hamstrung as the virus works its way through the Fire Department and the city.
Staffing numbers for E.M.S. workers are so low, union officials say, that any moderate infection within the ranks could affect dozens of shifts, slowing units’ response time in neighborhoods across the city.	Staffing numbers for E.M.S. workers are so low, union officials say, that any moderate infection within the ranks could affect dozens of shifts, slowing units’ response time in neighborhoods across the city.
“The city is going have to make decisions on what responses they are going to send ambulances to, and what they are not,” said Bradford Billet, the former associate director of the city’s E.M.S. division. “These are not regular times.”	“The city is going have to make decisions on what responses they are going to send ambulances to, and what they are not,” said Bradford Billet, the former associate director of the city’s E.M.S. division. “These are not regular times.”
On Wednesday night, the Fire Department changed its quarantine guidance for emergency workers and firefighters, saying they would be required to work even if they had been exposed to the coronavirus — as long as they were asymptomatic.	On Wednesday night, the Fire Department changed its quarantine guidance for emergency workers and firefighters, saying they would be required to work even if they had been exposed to the coronavirus — as long as they were asymptomatic.
The guidance was in line with what the New York State Department of Health had suggested in recent days for health care facilities, the Fire Department said in an announcement to its staff, which was provided to The New York Times. All those currently under quarantine would remain so.	The guidance was in line with what the New York State Department of Health had suggested in recent days for health care facilities, the Fire Department said in an announcement to its staff, which was provided to The New York Times. All those currently under quarantine would remain so.
The Fire Department’s 4,500 Emergency Medical Services workers — which include paramedics and emergency medical technicians — respond to about 4,000 emergency calls a day, according to city data.	The Fire Department’s 4,500 Emergency Medical Services workers — which include paramedics and emergency medical technicians — respond to about 4,000 emergency calls a day, according to city data.
Asked about potential shortages, the Fire Department said it planned to shift schedules and space out staffing to try and contain the spread of the virus through its ranks.	Asked about potential shortages, the Fire Department said it planned to shift schedules and space out staffing to try and contain the spread of the virus through its ranks.
“These modifications will increase social distancing where possible, limit member-to-member contact within our ranks and will not impact our operational response, only the scheduling of our work force,” Frank Dwyer, a department spokesman, said.	“These modifications will increase social distancing where possible, limit member-to-member contact within our ranks and will not impact our operational response, only the scheduling of our work force,” Frank Dwyer, a department spokesman, said.
Low enlistment numbers in recent years for the E.M.S. department have concerned union officials, who point to pay and benefit gaps between firefighters and these workers as one of the reasons.	Low enlistment numbers in recent years for the E.M.S. department have concerned union officials, who point to pay and benefit gaps between firefighters and these workers as one of the reasons.
Also, E.M.S. workers receive only 12 days of paid sick leave a year, compared with unlimited sick leave for firefighters. Many of E.M.S. workers eventually decide to become firefighters, leading to significant turnover in the ranks.	Also, E.M.S. workers receive only 12 days of paid sick leave a year, compared with unlimited sick leave for firefighters. Many of E.M.S. workers eventually decide to become firefighters, leading to significant turnover in the ranks.
Before the virus hit, the department was short about 1,000 emergency response workers and 26 ambulances, according to union estimates.	Before the virus hit, the department was short about 1,000 emergency response workers and 26 ambulances, according to union estimates.
“We had a problem responding before because we’re understaffed,” said Oren Barzilay, the president of Local 2507, the union that represents emergency responders and paramedics. “I think that’s our biggest concern.”	“We had a problem responding before because we’re understaffed,” said Oren Barzilay, the president of Local 2507, the union that represents emergency responders and paramedics. “I think that’s our biggest concern.”
Last week, before the number of confirmed cases in the city had grown to about 4,000, the assistant chief of Emergency Medical Services said workers were prepared to deal with the coronavirus.	Last week, before the number of confirmed cases in the city had grown to about 4,000, the assistant chief of Emergency Medical Services said workers were prepared to deal with the coronavirus.
“We have dealt with issues like this in the past,” the assistant chief, Alvin Suriel, said. “We dealt with Ebola. We do this everyday.”	“We have dealt with issues like this in the past,” the assistant chief, Alvin Suriel, said. “We dealt with Ebola. We do this everyday.”
But it has become clear that the coronavirus outbreak, which has virtually shutdown New York, is unlike anything the country has ever seen.	But it has become clear that the coronavirus outbreak, which has virtually shutdown New York, is unlike anything the country has ever seen.
E.M.S. workers responding to sick calls are seemingly at a higher risk of exposure to the virus, and yet they are facing the same barriers to testing as most Americans. It is difficult to know just how many workers are infected and how many have been exposed.	E.M.S. workers responding to sick calls are seemingly at a higher risk of exposure to the virus, and yet they are facing the same barriers to testing as most Americans. It is difficult to know just how many workers are infected and how many have been exposed.
The outbreak in Washington State is a cautionary tale. In Kirkland, a Seattle suburb, more than 30 firefighters were forced to isolate themselves after responding to calls linked to a nursing home where at least 30 people have died after contracting the coronavirus.	The outbreak in Washington State is a cautionary tale. In Kirkland, a Seattle suburb, more than 30 firefighters were forced to isolate themselves after responding to calls linked to a nursing home where at least 30 people have died after contracting the coronavirus.
Last week, the New York Fire Department instituted a new policy forbidding firefighters from responding to calls that could expose them to the virus. The Police Department issued a similar protocol. Emergency Medical Services workers will be the only teams responding to such calls in an effort to contain exposure.	Last week, the New York Fire Department instituted a new policy forbidding firefighters from responding to calls that could expose them to the virus. The Police Department issued a similar protocol. Emergency Medical Services workers will be the only teams responding to such calls in an effort to contain exposure.
One paramedic described widespread confusion over how and when emergency workers were supposed to quarantine themselves.	One paramedic described widespread confusion over how and when emergency workers were supposed to quarantine themselves.
It is also unclear whether there are enough masks and gloves for paramedics, police officers and firefighters should the rate of infections continue to climb.	It is also unclear whether there are enough masks and gloves for paramedics, police officers and firefighters should the rate of infections continue to climb.
Updated June 5, 2020	Updated June 5, 2020
	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.	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.
Recently, the Fire Department started rationing N95 face masks — which the C.D.C. recommends using when coming into contact with potential coronavirus patients — and it no longer allows ambulance crews to carry a supply of them. The decision was “meant to ensure safety of our members,” Mr. Dwyer, the spokesman, said.	Recently, the Fire Department started rationing N95 face masks — which the C.D.C. recommends using when coming into contact with potential coronavirus patients — and it no longer allows ambulance crews to carry a supply of them. The decision was “meant to ensure safety of our members,” Mr. Dwyer, the spokesman, said.