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| Here’s What Calling in the National Guard Means | Here’s What Calling in the National Guard Means |
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| In Puerto Rico, they are taking passengers’ temperatures at the island’s largest airport. In Wisconsin, they escorted cruise ship passengers back to their houses for quarantine. In Florida, they are swabbing people’s noses near Miami to test for the coronavirus. | In Puerto Rico, they are taking passengers’ temperatures at the island’s largest airport. In Wisconsin, they escorted cruise ship passengers back to their houses for quarantine. In Florida, they are swabbing people’s noses near Miami to test for the coronavirus. |
| At least 7,300 National Guard members are aiding in the coronavirus response in all 50 states, as well as in Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, as of Sunday morning, according to Army Maj. Rob Perino, a spokesman for the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va. He warned that the numbers could change rapidly as states modify their response to the virus, which continues to sicken more people each day. | At least 7,300 National Guard members are aiding in the coronavirus response in all 50 states, as well as in Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, as of Sunday morning, according to Army Maj. Rob Perino, a spokesman for the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va. He warned that the numbers could change rapidly as states modify their response to the virus, which continues to sicken more people each day. |
| When Guard members have been deployed, the sight of camouflage-clad troops and military vehicles has prompted false rumors of martial law and military-enforced quarantines. But Guard members are currently being ordered to complete tasks that are much more mundane. | When Guard members have been deployed, the sight of camouflage-clad troops and military vehicles has prompted false rumors of martial law and military-enforced quarantines. But Guard members are currently being ordered to complete tasks that are much more mundane. |
| In New Rochelle, N.Y., a suburb of New York City that has been hit hard by the virus, members of the Guard unloaded pancake mix and rice and cleaned public buildings. In West Virginia, they taught emergency workers how to properly use and decontaminate protective equipment. | In New Rochelle, N.Y., a suburb of New York City that has been hit hard by the virus, members of the Guard unloaded pancake mix and rice and cleaned public buildings. In West Virginia, they taught emergency workers how to properly use and decontaminate protective equipment. |
| But governors have wide leeway to use their state or territory’s Guard members as they see fit, and they could be used to assist with policing, if they were ordered to do so. | But governors have wide leeway to use their state or territory’s Guard members as they see fit, and they could be used to assist with policing, if they were ordered to do so. |
| “Anything that the law enforcement capacity normally does, they could be augmented with National Guard,” Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, said at a news conference this week. Asked specifically if they could be used to enforce curfews, General Lengyel did not rule it out, saying governors are able to use their Guard members as they see fit. | “Anything that the law enforcement capacity normally does, they could be augmented with National Guard,” Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, said at a news conference this week. Asked specifically if they could be used to enforce curfews, General Lengyel did not rule it out, saying governors are able to use their Guard members as they see fit. |
| Their work also comes with risks: At least six members of the Guard had tested positive for the virus as of Thursday. In all, there are about 450,000 Guard members across the country. | Their work also comes with risks: At least six members of the Guard had tested positive for the virus as of Thursday. In all, there are about 450,000 Guard members across the country. |
| General Lengyel on Friday tried to dispel the false suggestions that Guard members were forcing people into their homes rather than providing much-needed medical aid and food supplies. | General Lengyel on Friday tried to dispel the false suggestions that Guard members were forcing people into their homes rather than providing much-needed medical aid and food supplies. |
| “I hear unfounded rumors about #NationalGuard troops supporting a nationwide quarantine,” he wrote on Twitter. “Let me be clear: There has been no such discussion.” | “I hear unfounded rumors about #NationalGuard troops supporting a nationwide quarantine,” he wrote on Twitter. “Let me be clear: There has been no such discussion.” |
| He and other officials around the country have sought to dispel rumors in recent days, but false reports keep coming, often referring to a supposed friend or family member in a high-ranking government position. | He and other officials around the country have sought to dispel rumors in recent days, but false reports keep coming, often referring to a supposed friend or family member in a high-ranking government position. |
| “My brother was in the military and got note that national guard is being deployed here for POSSIBILITY of martial law,” one woman in California posted on Twitter, alongside a picture of military Humvees. “They are here to help and keep everyone safe in times of madness, please do not panic and start conspiracies on them being here.” | “My brother was in the military and got note that national guard is being deployed here for POSSIBILITY of martial law,” one woman in California posted on Twitter, alongside a picture of military Humvees. “They are here to help and keep everyone safe in times of madness, please do not panic and start conspiracies on them being here.” |
| The picture appeared to be real, but the idea that martial law was imminent has repeatedly been rejected by local, state and federal officials. | The picture appeared to be real, but the idea that martial law was imminent has repeatedly been rejected by local, state and federal officials. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| “Emergencies are scary enough. Let’s not add to the fear by spreading misinformation,” the Washington National Guard wrote on Twitter. | “Emergencies are scary enough. Let’s not add to the fear by spreading misinformation,” the Washington National Guard wrote on Twitter. |
| In Chicago, which is under a statewide order prohibiting most gatherings and encouraging people to stay home, the sight of trains carrying military vehicles through a suburb prompted some to worry of a looming crackdown. But the Illinois National Guard said it had only sent a small number of medical personnel to Chicago, and the mayor dismissed the notion there were any grave plans afoot. | In Chicago, which is under a statewide order prohibiting most gatherings and encouraging people to stay home, the sight of trains carrying military vehicles through a suburb prompted some to worry of a looming crackdown. But the Illinois National Guard said it had only sent a small number of medical personnel to Chicago, and the mayor dismissed the notion there were any grave plans afoot. |
| “I want to say to be clear, this is not a lockdown,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. “It’s not martial law.” | “I want to say to be clear, this is not a lockdown,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. “It’s not martial law.” |
| While the Guard’s current tasks are mostly focused on aid and humanitarian goals, members have been deployed for more volatile missions in the past. Thousands of California National Guard members patrolled Los Angeles in 1992 amid rioting that followed the acquittal of four police officers involved in the beating of Rodney King. More recently, Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland called in the state’s National Guard in 2015 to quell protests after the death of Freddie Gray, who died from injuries suffered while in police custody. | While the Guard’s current tasks are mostly focused on aid and humanitarian goals, members have been deployed for more volatile missions in the past. Thousands of California National Guard members patrolled Los Angeles in 1992 amid rioting that followed the acquittal of four police officers involved in the beating of Rodney King. More recently, Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland called in the state’s National Guard in 2015 to quell protests after the death of Freddie Gray, who died from injuries suffered while in police custody. |