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Coronavirus Doesn’t Slow Trump’s Regulatory Rollbacks Coronavirus Doesn’t Slow Trump’s Regulatory Rollbacks
(3 days later)
WASHINGTON — As much of his government battles the coronavirus outbreak, President Trump is pushing ahead with major reversals of environmental regulations, including a restriction on scientific research that some doctors worry would complicate future pandemic controls.WASHINGTON — As much of his government battles the coronavirus outbreak, President Trump is pushing ahead with major reversals of environmental regulations, including a restriction on scientific research that some doctors worry would complicate future pandemic controls.
Federal employees across multiple agencies said the administration was racing to complete a half-dozen significant rollbacks over the coming month. They include a measure to weaken automobile fuel efficiency standards, which one person familiar with the plans said would be issued as early as next week.Federal employees across multiple agencies said the administration was racing to complete a half-dozen significant rollbacks over the coming month. They include a measure to weaken automobile fuel efficiency standards, which one person familiar with the plans said would be issued as early as next week.
Other efforts include loosening controls on toxic ash from coal plants, relaxing restrictions on mercury emissions and weakening the consideration of climate change in environmental reviews for most infrastructure projects.Other efforts include loosening controls on toxic ash from coal plants, relaxing restrictions on mercury emissions and weakening the consideration of climate change in environmental reviews for most infrastructure projects.
The aggressive timeline is aimed at shielding the policies from easy reversal if Democrats win the White House or control of the Senate in the 2020 election. While it is hardly unusual to see a push to finalize policies toward the end of an administration, several agency officials said they were surprised that political leaders had shown no sign of letting up amid the pandemic.The aggressive timeline is aimed at shielding the policies from easy reversal if Democrats win the White House or control of the Senate in the 2020 election. While it is hardly unusual to see a push to finalize policies toward the end of an administration, several agency officials said they were surprised that political leaders had shown no sign of letting up amid the pandemic.
A dozen federal workers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk publicly about agency work, all described a relentless atmosphere at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Interior Department. Several people said they had been told to expect no “slippage” or relaxation of deadlines, although thousands of federal employees, like much of the nation, are working from home and juggling child care and work responsibilities.A dozen federal workers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk publicly about agency work, all described a relentless atmosphere at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Interior Department. Several people said they had been told to expect no “slippage” or relaxation of deadlines, although thousands of federal employees, like much of the nation, are working from home and juggling child care and work responsibilities.
The administration also has denied requests to extend public-comment periods in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Yet in at least one case, a policy to shield oil companies and other businesses from fines if they unintentionally kill birds, the administration has twice requested an extension for legal briefs in the court fight over the policy, citing school closures and other personal challenges posed by the pandemic.The administration also has denied requests to extend public-comment periods in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Yet in at least one case, a policy to shield oil companies and other businesses from fines if they unintentionally kill birds, the administration has twice requested an extension for legal briefs in the court fight over the policy, citing school closures and other personal challenges posed by the pandemic.
With an election looming, the urgency of completing regulations is real. Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress can overturn a regulation or federal rule within 60 days of it being finalized. If Democrats win control of the White House and Senate in November, and keep control of the House, any rule completed after late May or early June would be vulnerable.With an election looming, the urgency of completing regulations is real. Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress can overturn a regulation or federal rule within 60 days of it being finalized. If Democrats win control of the White House and Senate in November, and keep control of the House, any rule completed after late May or early June would be vulnerable.
“The administration understands the electoral map has turned against it,” said Richard L. Revesz, a professor of environmental law at New York University.“The administration understands the electoral map has turned against it,” said Richard L. Revesz, a professor of environmental law at New York University.
E.P.A. and Interior Department officials said they were sensitive to the circumstances around the coronavirus and would consider delays on a case-by-case basis. But they also emphasized that the administration remained focused on doing its job.E.P.A. and Interior Department officials said they were sensitive to the circumstances around the coronavirus and would consider delays on a case-by-case basis. But they also emphasized that the administration remained focused on doing its job.
“We understand that Covid-19 has caused disruption in the lives of many Americans, but it is our duty to the American people to ensure we are continuing our work toward protecting human health and the environment,” said Andrea Woods, an E.P.A. spokeswoman, referring to the disease caused by the coronavirus.“We understand that Covid-19 has caused disruption in the lives of many Americans, but it is our duty to the American people to ensure we are continuing our work toward protecting human health and the environment,” said Andrea Woods, an E.P.A. spokeswoman, referring to the disease caused by the coronavirus.
The administration’s industry allies applauded the push to compete deregulation policies as a way to deliver certainty to businesses when the economy is in free fall.The administration’s industry allies applauded the push to compete deregulation policies as a way to deliver certainty to businesses when the economy is in free fall.
“The U.S. government clearly is focused on public health and economic stabilization across the board,” said Martin Durbin, president of the United States Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute.“The U.S. government clearly is focused on public health and economic stabilization across the board,” said Martin Durbin, president of the United States Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute.
Environmental and public health critics accused the Trump administration of taking advantage of the pandemic to barrel ahead while opponents were occupied with the crisis.Environmental and public health critics accused the Trump administration of taking advantage of the pandemic to barrel ahead while opponents were occupied with the crisis.
“The administration is essentially taking advantage of the fact that the public is distracted and in fact disabled from fully engaging against this ideological push,” said David J. Hayes, director of the State Energy and Environmental Impact Center at the New York University School of Law, which works with attorneys general to challenge environmental rollbacks.“The administration is essentially taking advantage of the fact that the public is distracted and in fact disabled from fully engaging against this ideological push,” said David J. Hayes, director of the State Energy and Environmental Impact Center at the New York University School of Law, which works with attorneys general to challenge environmental rollbacks.
One of the changes pending is an E.P.A. regulation to limit the types of scientific studies the agency can use when writing new or revising existing public health policies. Under the proposal, the E.P.A. might reject or give less weight to studies that do not make underlying data publicly available so the research can be independently replicated.One of the changes pending is an E.P.A. regulation to limit the types of scientific studies the agency can use when writing new or revising existing public health policies. Under the proposal, the E.P.A. might reject or give less weight to studies that do not make underlying data publicly available so the research can be independently replicated.
The agency has argued that science used to make regulations requires greater transparency. But almost every major scientific group has opposed the rule because key fields of research (for example, linking air pollution to premature deaths or the studying consequences of pesticide exposure) rely on personal health information from subjects who agree to participate in studies only if their data is kept confidential.The agency has argued that science used to make regulations requires greater transparency. But almost every major scientific group has opposed the rule because key fields of research (for example, linking air pollution to premature deaths or the studying consequences of pesticide exposure) rely on personal health information from subjects who agree to participate in studies only if their data is kept confidential.
Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, said the proposal could be used to reject research around the coronavirus that might be used to develop things like regulations on handling medical waste or protecting people who might face exposure inside a building.Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, said the proposal could be used to reject research around the coronavirus that might be used to develop things like regulations on handling medical waste or protecting people who might face exposure inside a building.
“There will be an enormous amount of clinical data that will be collected on Covid-19 that might be excluded,” Dr. Benjamin said, noting that in many cases it would be unlikely that patient details would be made public in a way that meets the E.P.A.’s demands.“There will be an enormous amount of clinical data that will be collected on Covid-19 that might be excluded,” Dr. Benjamin said, noting that in many cases it would be unlikely that patient details would be made public in a way that meets the E.P.A.’s demands.
In a letter to the E.P.A. administrator, Andrew Wheeler, on Tuesday, Senator Tom Carper of Delaware, the ranking Democrat on the Committee on Environment and Public Works, called for the rule to be withdrawn.In a letter to the E.P.A. administrator, Andrew Wheeler, on Tuesday, Senator Tom Carper of Delaware, the ranking Democrat on the Committee on Environment and Public Works, called for the rule to be withdrawn.
“The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has illustrated the importance of ensuring rapid access and response to scientific information, as well as the utilization of that information,” Senator Carper wrote. “Unfortunately, if this rule is finalized, I fear the result will be just the opposite.”“The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has illustrated the importance of ensuring rapid access and response to scientific information, as well as the utilization of that information,” Senator Carper wrote. “Unfortunately, if this rule is finalized, I fear the result will be just the opposite.”
Attorneys general for 14 states and six cities argued that opponents should at least have more time to comment on the rule since it directly relates to public health, and experts in the field are focused on the coronavirus.Attorneys general for 14 states and six cities argued that opponents should at least have more time to comment on the rule since it directly relates to public health, and experts in the field are focused on the coronavirus.
“These rollbacks need and deserve the input of our public health community, but right now, they are rightfully focused on responding to the coronavirus,” said Representative Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.“These rollbacks need and deserve the input of our public health community, but right now, they are rightfully focused on responding to the coronavirus,” said Representative Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
A final 30-day comment period on that rule, the minimum amount of time allowable under law, began on March 3. The E.P.A. has so far not agreed to an extension and has declined requests from opponents to hold virtual public meetings. Ms. Woods, the E.P.A. spokeswoman, said the agency would consider requests for extensions but also noted that the website for comment, Regulations.gov, “is fully functional.”A final 30-day comment period on that rule, the minimum amount of time allowable under law, began on March 3. The E.P.A. has so far not agreed to an extension and has declined requests from opponents to hold virtual public meetings. Ms. Woods, the E.P.A. spokeswoman, said the agency would consider requests for extensions but also noted that the website for comment, Regulations.gov, “is fully functional.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’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.
She called fears that the proposed rule would impede the E.P.A.’s ability to respond to emergencies like the coronavirus “unfounded.”She called fears that the proposed rule would impede the E.P.A.’s ability to respond to emergencies like the coronavirus “unfounded.”
“Our most important environmental statutes provide E.P.A. with authority to issue emergency orders or respond to address emergencies to protect human health and the environment,” Ms. Woods said, adding the science regulation “would not limit or impede E.P.A.’s authority to undertake such responses.”“Our most important environmental statutes provide E.P.A. with authority to issue emergency orders or respond to address emergencies to protect human health and the environment,” Ms. Woods said, adding the science regulation “would not limit or impede E.P.A.’s authority to undertake such responses.”
At the Interior Department, employees at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been under strict orders to complete the rule eliminating some protections for migratory birds within 30 days, according to two people with direct knowledge of the orders. The 45-day comment period on that rule ended on March 19.At the Interior Department, employees at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been under strict orders to complete the rule eliminating some protections for migratory birds within 30 days, according to two people with direct knowledge of the orders. The 45-day comment period on that rule ended on March 19.
Conner Swanson, a spokesman for the department, said the proposed regulation codified an agency legal opinion that was issued in December of 2017, and notice that a rule would be coming was made public in the fall of 2018.Conner Swanson, a spokesman for the department, said the proposed regulation codified an agency legal opinion that was issued in December of 2017, and notice that a rule would be coming was made public in the fall of 2018.
“The proposed rule was not a surprise to the public, as more than 46,000 comments were received on the proposal,” Mr. Swanson said.“The proposed rule was not a surprise to the public, as more than 46,000 comments were received on the proposal,” Mr. Swanson said.
Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance, a Denver-based association of independent oil and gas companies that supports ending the bird protections, said federal workers now had more time, not less, to finalize the rules.Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance, a Denver-based association of independent oil and gas companies that supports ending the bird protections, said federal workers now had more time, not less, to finalize the rules.
“At a time when so much of our lives have been disrupted by the virus, these rule-makings are work that government employees can continue to do in the safety of their home,” she said. “If anything they have the concentration now because they are not being pulled in many different directions in meetings and everything else.”“At a time when so much of our lives have been disrupted by the virus, these rule-makings are work that government employees can continue to do in the safety of their home,” she said. “If anything they have the concentration now because they are not being pulled in many different directions in meetings and everything else.”
The Trump administration has not been consistent with that argument. Eight states and several environmental groups including the Audubon Society have sued the Interior Department over its interpretation that entities should face no penalties for killing birds unless the killings could be proven to be intentional.The Trump administration has not been consistent with that argument. Eight states and several environmental groups including the Audubon Society have sued the Interior Department over its interpretation that entities should face no penalties for killing birds unless the killings could be proven to be intentional.
In a March 9 letter to Judge Valerie E. Caproni of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, United States Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman noted that school closures in New York related to the coronavirus “will have a significant disruptive effect on my schedule” and pleaded for a weeklong extension, which was granted.In a March 9 letter to Judge Valerie E. Caproni of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, United States Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman noted that school closures in New York related to the coronavirus “will have a significant disruptive effect on my schedule” and pleaded for a weeklong extension, which was granted.
A second letter on March 20 to the court asked again for more time, citing “disruptions and dislocations that have resulted from the Covid-19 public health emergency.”A second letter on March 20 to the court asked again for more time, citing “disruptions and dislocations that have resulted from the Covid-19 public health emergency.”
Interior Department officials said those requests came from the Justice Department.Interior Department officials said those requests came from the Justice Department.
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