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| Singalongs From Windowsills Lift Spirits During Coronavirus Crisis | Singalongs From Windowsills Lift Spirits During Coronavirus Crisis |
| (3 days later) | |
| The idea took root after Jenni Spinner and her wife, Rebecca Kell, watched videos of Europeans, homebound because of the coronavirus, get on their balconies and sing to raise their spirits in the face of crisis. | The idea took root after Jenni Spinner and her wife, Rebecca Kell, watched videos of Europeans, homebound because of the coronavirus, get on their balconies and sing to raise their spirits in the face of crisis. |
| Wouldn’t it be neat, they mused, if they could get the residents of their Chicago apartment building to do something similar? | Wouldn’t it be neat, they mused, if they could get the residents of their Chicago apartment building to do something similar? |
| Ms. Spinner said she figured a handful of friends might be game for a karaoke-style communal singalong to “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, which they said was easy to sing and well known. Thus, a Facebook event page for a “Chicago-Wide Window Sing-a-Long” on March 21 was born. | Ms. Spinner said she figured a handful of friends might be game for a karaoke-style communal singalong to “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, which they said was easy to sing and well known. Thus, a Facebook event page for a “Chicago-Wide Window Sing-a-Long” on March 21 was born. |
| Three days before it was set to take place, 100 people responded that they either planned to participate or were interested in doing so. By the night of the event, that number had swelled to 19,000. | Three days before it was set to take place, 100 people responded that they either planned to participate or were interested in doing so. By the night of the event, that number had swelled to 19,000. |
| “It kind of blew up,” Ms. Spinner said on Monday. She said she and Ms. Kell were planning another singalong for Saturday; this time the tune will be “ABC” by the Jackson 5. She said they would probably continue the singalongs every Saturday until the crisis has lifted. | “It kind of blew up,” Ms. Spinner said on Monday. She said she and Ms. Kell were planning another singalong for Saturday; this time the tune will be “ABC” by the Jackson 5. She said they would probably continue the singalongs every Saturday until the crisis has lifted. |
| The impromptu musical performances springing up in some of America’s largest cities appear to have started in Italy, which has been ravaged by the outbreak. | The impromptu musical performances springing up in some of America’s largest cities appear to have started in Italy, which has been ravaged by the outbreak. |
| Italians sang their national anthem from windows and balconies. Some played the violin and others clanged pots and pans. In Florence, the opera singer Maurizio Marchini serenaded the city from his balcony. | Italians sang their national anthem from windows and balconies. Some played the violin and others clanged pots and pans. In Florence, the opera singer Maurizio Marchini serenaded the city from his balcony. |
| Much the same way that Italians joined in song to show their solidarity, Chicago and Dallas residents under stay-at-home orders sang from their apartment windows and balconies. | Much the same way that Italians joined in song to show their solidarity, Chicago and Dallas residents under stay-at-home orders sang from their apartment windows and balconies. |
| In downtown Dallas on Friday, residents joined in a rendition of the Bill Withers classic “Lean on Me.” In New York City, a video showed apartment tenants singing tunes like “Yellow Submarine” and “My Girl.” | In downtown Dallas on Friday, residents joined in a rendition of the Bill Withers classic “Lean on Me.” In New York City, a video showed apartment tenants singing tunes like “Yellow Submarine” and “My Girl.” |
| In other cities, residents have taken out musical instruments to play, while others have joined “virtual parties” on Instagram hosted by a notable DJ and “attended” by headliners like Drake, Naomi Campbell and Sean Combs. | In other cities, residents have taken out musical instruments to play, while others have joined “virtual parties” on Instagram hosted by a notable DJ and “attended” by headliners like Drake, Naomi Campbell and Sean Combs. |
| Raising your voice in song with others can be an intimate shared social experience — and the song choice matters little, said Steve Waksman, a professor of music at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., about 100 miles west of Boston. | Raising your voice in song with others can be an intimate shared social experience — and the song choice matters little, said Steve Waksman, a professor of music at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., about 100 miles west of Boston. |
| “Why do we sing at sporting events? Why do we sing in churches?” he said on Monday. “There is something distinctly communal about singing in harmony. It’s like touching someone without touching them.” | “Why do we sing at sporting events? Why do we sing in churches?” he said on Monday. “There is something distinctly communal about singing in harmony. It’s like touching someone without touching them.” |
| Staying away from others is the prime directive of health officials who are imposing more restrictions to help curb the pandemic. | Staying away from others is the prime directive of health officials who are imposing more restrictions to help curb the pandemic. |
| But what better way to connect with others — from a distance — than through song? | But what better way to connect with others — from a distance — than through song? |
| Colin Boyle, a photojournalist, covered the Chicago singalong for Block Club Chicago. He stood in the courtyard of the U-shaped apartment building of about 50 units where Ms. Spinner and Ms. Kell live. | Colin Boyle, a photojournalist, covered the Chicago singalong for Block Club Chicago. He stood in the courtyard of the U-shaped apartment building of about 50 units where Ms. Spinner and Ms. Kell live. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| “As it gets close to 7 p.m., people started singing and other people started looking out their windows, ‘What’s going on? What’s this singing?’” he said. | “As it gets close to 7 p.m., people started singing and other people started looking out their windows, ‘What’s going on? What’s this singing?’” he said. |
| A Chicago classic-rock radio station also played the song at the appointed hour. | A Chicago classic-rock radio station also played the song at the appointed hour. |
| Ms. Spinner said she and Ms. Kell were singing loudly, so she could not be sure how many others participated, but she was struck by how it brought tenants together. | Ms. Spinner said she and Ms. Kell were singing loudly, so she could not be sure how many others participated, but she was struck by how it brought tenants together. |
| She described looking out the window: “There are people you rarely talk to hanging out their window and you go, ‘Hey, there you are.’” | She described looking out the window: “There are people you rarely talk to hanging out their window and you go, ‘Hey, there you are.’” |
| For his part, Jon Bon Jovi expressed his support in an Instagram post. | For his part, Jon Bon Jovi expressed his support in an Instagram post. |
| “In these trying times I am with you with all of my heart and my soul, sending my love to everybody in Chicago and across America,” he said in the post. “Sing it out, baby. We’re all going to come through this together. Be strong.” | “In these trying times I am with you with all of my heart and my soul, sending my love to everybody in Chicago and across America,” he said in the post. “Sing it out, baby. We’re all going to come through this together. Be strong.” |