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A Homeless Family Navigates a Life Warped by the Coronavirus A Homeless Family Navigates a Life Warped by the Coronavirus
(about 1 hour later)
April Goode awoke shortly before 7 a.m. after a night of restless sleep atop two sleeping bags and a blanket on the floor of her hotel room. Her four children were asleep on the two full beds. Ms. Goode turned on the television and kept the volume low.April Goode awoke shortly before 7 a.m. after a night of restless sleep atop two sleeping bags and a blanket on the floor of her hotel room. Her four children were asleep on the two full beds. Ms. Goode turned on the television and kept the volume low.
More news about the coronavirus.More news about the coronavirus.
On a normal weekday — if anything about being homeless and living in a Quality Inn in northern New Jersey could be considered normal — a van would have picked up her children and taken them to school 45 minutes away in Chatham, N.J.On a normal weekday — if anything about being homeless and living in a Quality Inn in northern New Jersey could be considered normal — a van would have picked up her children and taken them to school 45 minutes away in Chatham, N.J.
But the schools had shut down a week earlier. The children had not left the hotel in 10 days.But the schools had shut down a week earlier. The children had not left the hotel in 10 days.
Even before the pandemic, Ms. Goode was counting the days until she could get a job, find an apartment and move out of the cramped room at the end of a long second-floor hallway. There was a bar downstairs, and she worried about letting her children, who range in age from 9 to 14, wander by themselves. The hotel in Ledgewood where they have been living since mid-February is sandwiched between two highways. There are no sidewalks. The family had no car.Even before the pandemic, Ms. Goode was counting the days until she could get a job, find an apartment and move out of the cramped room at the end of a long second-floor hallway. There was a bar downstairs, and she worried about letting her children, who range in age from 9 to 14, wander by themselves. The hotel in Ledgewood where they have been living since mid-February is sandwiched between two highways. There are no sidewalks. The family had no car.
The coronavirus outbreak has only amplified those challenges, as it has for homeless people nationwide. People living in crowded shelters or doubled up with other families are more likely to contract the virus. They are less likely to have access to health care. Many who work low-wage jobs are likely to be laid off.The coronavirus outbreak has only amplified those challenges, as it has for homeless people nationwide. People living in crowded shelters or doubled up with other families are more likely to contract the virus. They are less likely to have access to health care. Many who work low-wage jobs are likely to be laid off.
Ms. Goode said her situation was relatively stable. The family had clothes. They had temporary shelter. But the outbreak brought a new layer of anxiety and uncertainty to their lives.Ms. Goode said her situation was relatively stable. The family had clothes. They had temporary shelter. But the outbreak brought a new layer of anxiety and uncertainty to their lives.
“I’ve just been laying here, watching CNN, trying to understand that things are not going to change very quickly,” she said.“I’ve just been laying here, watching CNN, trying to understand that things are not going to change very quickly,” she said.
10 a.M.10 a.M.
The children were still not awake. Maybe it would be better for them to sleep, Ms. Goode thought, than be bored.The children were still not awake. Maybe it would be better for them to sleep, Ms. Goode thought, than be bored.
She propped her laptop on her pillows — a makeshift desk on top of a makeshift bed — and started her midmorning routine. She fine-tuned plans for a nonprofit she wants to start to help people navigate situations like her own. She perused posts for apartments she could not yet afford. She applied for jobs online.She propped her laptop on her pillows — a makeshift desk on top of a makeshift bed — and started her midmorning routine. She fine-tuned plans for a nonprofit she wants to start to help people navigate situations like her own. She perused posts for apartments she could not yet afford. She applied for jobs online.
The job search website Indeed indicated that she had applied for 514 jobs since November, when she left her husband in Florida over financial disagreements and moved in with a friend in a house in Chatham. Weeks later, the owner of that home suddenly died and a relative sold the house, leaving Ms. Goode and her children with nowhere to go in the dead of winter.The job search website Indeed indicated that she had applied for 514 jobs since November, when she left her husband in Florida over financial disagreements and moved in with a friend in a house in Chatham. Weeks later, the owner of that home suddenly died and a relative sold the house, leaving Ms. Goode and her children with nowhere to go in the dead of winter.
For two weeks, they slept in the friend’s Nissan Altima, until Ms. Goode was approved for state assistance and placed at the Quality Inn.For two weeks, they slept in the friend’s Nissan Altima, until Ms. Goode was approved for state assistance and placed at the Quality Inn.
Her résumé reflected a versatile work history. She was a culinary services director at a senior living facility in Tampa, Fla. Before that, an operations manager at a hotel. And before that, an outreach specialist at a health center in Baltimore. But of 514 applications, only a few had resulted in a meaningful response.Her résumé reflected a versatile work history. She was a culinary services director at a senior living facility in Tampa, Fla. Before that, an operations manager at a hotel. And before that, an outreach specialist at a health center in Baltimore. But of 514 applications, only a few had resulted in a meaningful response.
One promising response came on March 12 from a before- and after-school program in Morris County, N.J., asking Ms. Goode to come in for an interview.One promising response came on March 12 from a before- and after-school program in Morris County, N.J., asking Ms. Goode to come in for an interview.
Then, last week, another email arrived. Because the schools were closed, the program had “suspended in-person interviewing.” The message included an offer to set up a telephone interview.Then, last week, another email arrived. Because the schools were closed, the program had “suspended in-person interviewing.” The message included an offer to set up a telephone interview.
Ms. Goode replied, saying she would like to do a phone interview. A week later, there was still no response.Ms. Goode replied, saying she would like to do a phone interview. A week later, there was still no response.
12:30 p.M.12:30 p.M.
Two of the children, Jazmyn, 14, and Dakota, 10, were still asleep — no school meant no routine. It also created new headaches.Two of the children, Jazmyn, 14, and Dakota, 10, were still asleep — no school meant no routine. It also created new headaches.
Ms. Goode’s daughter Miriah, 12, had not taken a required quiz, one teacher said in an email. Ms. Goode found that the quiz was never sent to the laptop the school had issued Miriah. The teacher said she would resend it. Then there was another issue to resolve involving her son, Ethan, 9.Ms. Goode’s daughter Miriah, 12, had not taken a required quiz, one teacher said in an email. Ms. Goode found that the quiz was never sent to the laptop the school had issued Miriah. The teacher said she would resend it. Then there was another issue to resolve involving her son, Ethan, 9.
Many homeless children, who already face additional challenges at school, do not have access to reliable internet service, meaning they will not be able to effectively learn at home during the outbreak, said Jennifer Erb-Downward, a senior research associate at Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan.Many homeless children, who already face additional challenges at school, do not have access to reliable internet service, meaning they will not be able to effectively learn at home during the outbreak, said Jennifer Erb-Downward, a senior research associate at Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan.
“The gap that we already see educationally is really going to be magnified,” she said.“The gap that we already see educationally is really going to be magnified,” she said.
Ms. Goode said her children could access wireless internet in their room. But without a physical school as an outlet, she said, they are growing frustrated.Ms. Goode said her children could access wireless internet in their room. But without a physical school as an outlet, she said, they are growing frustrated.
“They can’t do anything, they can’t go anywhere, they can’t go outside,” she said. “I can’t take them anywhere, because we’re on this quarantine.”“They can’t do anything, they can’t go anywhere, they can’t go outside,” she said. “I can’t take them anywhere, because we’re on this quarantine.”
The school recently called Ms. Goode, asking why she had not been picking up free meals for the children. Ms. Goode said she could not afford the Lyft ride.The school recently called Ms. Goode, asking why she had not been picking up free meals for the children. Ms. Goode said she could not afford the Lyft ride.
“It will cost me more to get there to pick them up than it will to just buy them something to eat,” she said.“It will cost me more to get there to pick them up than it will to just buy them something to eat,” she said.
4 p.M.4 p.M.
All the children were awake and Ms. Goode started to prepare dinner. She moved her houseplants from the room’s only table to the window sill to make space for an electric skillet that she would use to cook pork chops.All the children were awake and Ms. Goode started to prepare dinner. She moved her houseplants from the room’s only table to the window sill to make space for an electric skillet that she would use to cook pork chops.
During a typical dinner, Jazmyn and Miriah sit at the table while Ethan and Dakota spread out pages from the hotel’s free USA Today newspapers and sit on the floor.During a typical dinner, Jazmyn and Miriah sit at the table while Ethan and Dakota spread out pages from the hotel’s free USA Today newspapers and sit on the floor.
There is not much space in the small hotel refrigerator, so Ms. Goode goes grocery shopping at least twice a week.There is not much space in the small hotel refrigerator, so Ms. Goode goes grocery shopping at least twice a week.
With no car, the cheapest way to get there is a shared Lyft — joining with other riders to split the cost. But to slow the spread of the virus, the company stopped offering shared rides.With no car, the cheapest way to get there is a shared Lyft — joining with other riders to split the cost. But to slow the spread of the virus, the company stopped offering shared rides.
A few days ago, Ms. Goode wrapped a scarf around her face and donned a pair of winter gloves as she walked the aisles at the closest Walmart. The shelves had been largely emptied by panicked shoppers.A few days ago, Ms. Goode wrapped a scarf around her face and donned a pair of winter gloves as she walked the aisles at the closest Walmart. The shelves had been largely emptied by panicked shoppers.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated 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.
So Ms. Goode took another ride to the closest ShopRite, doubling the cost of the trip.So Ms. Goode took another ride to the closest ShopRite, doubling the cost of the trip.
7:30 p.M.7:30 p.M.
The family has scattered, seeking as much alone time as their confined quarters allow. Jazmyn sat on the bed, finishing her homework. Ethan played computer games near the door. Using the toilet as a chair, Dakota watched YouTube videos. Miriah sat in the tub, the shower curtains drawn shut.The family has scattered, seeking as much alone time as their confined quarters allow. Jazmyn sat on the bed, finishing her homework. Ethan played computer games near the door. Using the toilet as a chair, Dakota watched YouTube videos. Miriah sat in the tub, the shower curtains drawn shut.
Cooped up in a hotel room, they all needed to find their own space, Ms. Goode said. The family has retreated to their corners even more in the days since school shut down.Cooped up in a hotel room, they all needed to find their own space, Ms. Goode said. The family has retreated to their corners even more in the days since school shut down.
Ms. Goode had just watched Monday’s news conference at the White House about the coronavirus response. President Trump floated the possibility of easing social-distancing measures in two weeks. That could mean schools would open. But it could also mean a greater likelihood that someone in the family would get sick.Ms. Goode had just watched Monday’s news conference at the White House about the coronavirus response. President Trump floated the possibility of easing social-distancing measures in two weeks. That could mean schools would open. But it could also mean a greater likelihood that someone in the family would get sick.
“I can’t afford to get sick,” Ms. Goode said. “I can’t afford for either of these kids to get sick. Because if one of us do, all of us are in trouble.”“I can’t afford to get sick,” Ms. Goode said. “I can’t afford for either of these kids to get sick. Because if one of us do, all of us are in trouble.”
1 a.m.1 a.m.
CNN was back on the TV at a low volume. The children were sleeping, except maybe Dakota, who insisted on sleeping on the floor and was tossing and turning.CNN was back on the TV at a low volume. The children were sleeping, except maybe Dakota, who insisted on sleeping on the floor and was tossing and turning.
Ms. Goode couldn’t sleep. Through her anxiety, there was a ray of hope from Family Promise, a nonprofit that had helped her with food and credit for rides in the past.Ms. Goode couldn’t sleep. Through her anxiety, there was a ray of hope from Family Promise, a nonprofit that had helped her with food and credit for rides in the past.
They had found her a car. And she could be driving as early as the next day.They had found her a car. And she could be driving as early as the next day.
Service reductions at the New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle Commission had threatened to keep her from getting the car registered. But Family Promise had found a workaround.Service reductions at the New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle Commission had threatened to keep her from getting the car registered. But Family Promise had found a workaround.
If all went well, she would pile her kids in it and, for the first time in more than a week, take them somewhere. Anywhere.If all went well, she would pile her kids in it and, for the first time in more than a week, take them somewhere. Anywhere.
Next day, 4:30 P.M.Next day, 4:30 P.M.
Ms. Goode drove back to the hotel in her sea green 2009 Toyota Corolla. There are only 70,000 miles on it, Ms. Goode said. It’s clean.Ms. Goode drove back to the hotel in her sea green 2009 Toyota Corolla. There are only 70,000 miles on it, Ms. Goode said. It’s clean.
“No cracks, nothing,” she said.“No cracks, nothing,” she said.
Dakota called her on the drive, asking when she would be back. Soon, Ms. Goode replied.Dakota called her on the drive, asking when she would be back. Soon, Ms. Goode replied.
Her first order of business: searching online for a park to take her children.Her first order of business: searching online for a park to take her children.