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The Toilet Paper Had Armed Guards, and Other Coronavirus Stories The Toilet Paper Had Armed Guards, and Other Coronavirus Stories
(8 days later)
The Covid-19 pandemic is gutting the global economy and forcing entire nations into quarantine. While reporting on devastation that is incomprehensibly big, our reporters have been accumulating in their notebooks some moments that are compelling because they are small.The Covid-19 pandemic is gutting the global economy and forcing entire nations into quarantine. While reporting on devastation that is incomprehensibly big, our reporters have been accumulating in their notebooks some moments that are compelling because they are small.
New YorkNew York
At 11 a.m. on a Wednesday, the designer Hilton Hollis was standing in line at his local Chase Bank branch at 73rd Street and Broadway. A teller asked the elderly man in front of him why he was making such a huge cash withdrawal — an amount that looked to Mr. Hollis like tens of thousands of dollars.At 11 a.m. on a Wednesday, the designer Hilton Hollis was standing in line at his local Chase Bank branch at 73rd Street and Broadway. A teller asked the elderly man in front of him why he was making such a huge cash withdrawal — an amount that looked to Mr. Hollis like tens of thousands of dollars.
The man was wearing a mask and gloves, and he looked frail and sick. He had a difficult time walking up to the window. His wife, also wearing a mask and gloves, was at the next window, also withdrawing huge amounts of cash. She overheard the question.The man was wearing a mask and gloves, and he looked frail and sick. He had a difficult time walking up to the window. His wife, also wearing a mask and gloves, was at the next window, also withdrawing huge amounts of cash. She overheard the question.
“What did you say to him?” she called out to the bank teller.“What did you say to him?” she called out to the bank teller.
“I didn’t say anything bad,” the teller replied.“I didn’t say anything bad,” the teller replied.
But the wife would not let it go. She asked him again.But the wife would not let it go. She asked him again.
“I just asked him what he was going to do with all this money he’s taking out,” the teller said.“I just asked him what he was going to do with all this money he’s taking out,” the teller said.
The woman got angry. “That is none of your business,” she said. “But if you must know, he has the virus, we have 13 grandchildren, and we are dividing our money among them.”The woman got angry. “That is none of your business,” she said. “But if you must know, he has the virus, we have 13 grandchildren, and we are dividing our money among them.”
Eventually, the couple collected their stacks of what looked like $100 bills, stuffed them in their pockets and slowly left the bank. — Helene CooperEventually, the couple collected their stacks of what looked like $100 bills, stuffed them in their pockets and slowly left the bank. — Helene Cooper
WashingtonWashington
On Monday night, three police cars sat outside a CVS in northwest Washington, lights flashing, while officers stood in the doorway of the drugstore, watching the unboxing of a delivery of Cottonelle.On Monday night, three police cars sat outside a CVS in northwest Washington, lights flashing, while officers stood in the doorway of the drugstore, watching the unboxing of a delivery of Cottonelle.
The mood among shoppers was calm enough, even collegial. There were maybe 20, and they took the goods directly from the deliverymen. “There’s no Charmin!” one said. Another shopper — my father — thought to himself, “Lady, it’s only toilet paper.”The mood among shoppers was calm enough, even collegial. There were maybe 20, and they took the goods directly from the deliverymen. “There’s no Charmin!” one said. Another shopper — my father — thought to himself, “Lady, it’s only toilet paper.”
It wasn’t “only” toilet paper. Not when its delivery required the cops. Not when holding half a dozen rolls in your arms felt like pressing a security blanket to your chest.It wasn’t “only” toilet paper. Not when its delivery required the cops. Not when holding half a dozen rolls in your arms felt like pressing a security blanket to your chest.
My dad needed to make sense of things, so he walked up to the police. “You guys are here just —”My dad needed to make sense of things, so he walked up to the police. “You guys are here just —”
A policewoman smiled at him. “Just to ensure that everything is going to be OK.” — Jennifer MillerA policewoman smiled at him. “Just to ensure that everything is going to be OK.” — Jennifer Miller
LondonLondon
It felt important to support the small shops nearby. It also seemed logical. Panic buying had laid waste to supermarket shelves, but my local grocery in south London had boxes brimming with produce.It felt important to support the small shops nearby. It also seemed logical. Panic buying had laid waste to supermarket shelves, but my local grocery in south London had boxes brimming with produce.
As I filled a basket with vegetables, milk and cookies, I began to overhear the man at the till complaining about the coronavirus and saying he would be forced to close. As I shuffled up, I greeted him as usual and asked how he was.As I filled a basket with vegetables, milk and cookies, I began to overhear the man at the till complaining about the coronavirus and saying he would be forced to close. As I shuffled up, I greeted him as usual and asked how he was.
He looked at me. “Everything bad comes from China,” he said. “SARS came from China.” MERS, too, he said. “From camels, to bats, to Chinese people.”He looked at me. “Everything bad comes from China,” he said. “SARS came from China.” MERS, too, he said. “From camels, to bats, to Chinese people.”
The man behind me in line laughed, trying to defuse the tension. “Oh, I don’t think it’s China,” he said. “I think it’s the Americans!”The man behind me in line laughed, trying to defuse the tension. “Oh, I don’t think it’s China,” he said. “I think it’s the Americans!”
I just wanted to get some shopping done. As I left, a woman in line smiled and met my eyes. “How do these people decide who to blame?” she said, kindly.I just wanted to get some shopping done. As I left, a woman in line smiled and met my eyes. “How do these people decide who to blame?” she said, kindly.
The man at the till raised his voice: “I hope your people sort this out.” — Amie TsangThe man at the till raised his voice: “I hope your people sort this out.” — Amie Tsang
LondonLondon
In Hampstead, a famously posh neighborhood in north London, the arrival of a delivery truck in front of a grocery store provoked a scramble. It was a Wednesday morning. Over the weekend, Britons had finally begun to stop wandering around merrily in the sunshine, a sense taking hold that the virus was really a thing, and shoppers had comprehensively emptied the store’s shelves of things like soup and crushed tomatoes. The pasta section was bare, save for gluten-free lentil penne. Frozen pizzas were no more. Toilet paper was gone without a trace. Maybe now the truck was bringing more?In Hampstead, a famously posh neighborhood in north London, the arrival of a delivery truck in front of a grocery store provoked a scramble. It was a Wednesday morning. Over the weekend, Britons had finally begun to stop wandering around merrily in the sunshine, a sense taking hold that the virus was really a thing, and shoppers had comprehensively emptied the store’s shelves of things like soup and crushed tomatoes. The pasta section was bare, save for gluten-free lentil penne. Frozen pizzas were no more. Toilet paper was gone without a trace. Maybe now the truck was bringing more?
The deliveryman rolled a couple of pallets inside. They contained only bread and bananas. Shoppers jostled irritably for what slim pickings remained, while the checkout line snaked all the way back to the frozen foods section.The deliveryman rolled a couple of pallets inside. They contained only bread and bananas. Shoppers jostled irritably for what slim pickings remained, while the checkout line snaked all the way back to the frozen foods section.
Nearby, at a high-end greengrocer, a Frenchwoman was buying apples. She told the cashier that she had taken her children out of school and rented a house in the Cotswolds, a lush swath of country to the northwest. They would ride out the pandemic there.Nearby, at a high-end greengrocer, a Frenchwoman was buying apples. She told the cashier that she had taken her children out of school and rented a house in the Cotswolds, a lush swath of country to the northwest. They would ride out the pandemic there.
On the main street running through Hampstead Village, a travel agency remained open, but a sign beseeched people to consider telephoning rather than walking in. Down the street, the post office was shut at midday. A sign explained: Clerks were at home in quarantine. The same went for an HSBC bank branch. The butcher was doing a brisk business. The prime minister would not order a national lockdown for another five days. — Peter S. GoodmanOn the main street running through Hampstead Village, a travel agency remained open, but a sign beseeched people to consider telephoning rather than walking in. Down the street, the post office was shut at midday. A sign explained: Clerks were at home in quarantine. The same went for an HSBC bank branch. The butcher was doing a brisk business. The prime minister would not order a national lockdown for another five days. — Peter S. Goodman
Oakland, Calif.Oakland, Calif.
Living rooms got Buffy Wicks elected. Her campaign for the California State Assembly two years ago was powered by 239 house parties — intimate living-room gatherings full of hugs and handshakes and locking down votes. At every one, Ms. Wicks would trot out a line about her 6-month-old daughter, Jojo. “She can’t be the reason I don’t run,” she would say. “She’s the reason I have to run.”Living rooms got Buffy Wicks elected. Her campaign for the California State Assembly two years ago was powered by 239 house parties — intimate living-room gatherings full of hugs and handshakes and locking down votes. At every one, Ms. Wicks would trot out a line about her 6-month-old daughter, Jojo. “She can’t be the reason I don’t run,” she would say. “She’s the reason I have to run.”
Now Wicks and Jojo are both at home in Oakland under a shelter-in-place order. Jojo is 3, playing with Magna-Tiles and trains while Ms. Wicks cycles through legislative conference calls. A week ago, she co-signed a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom calling for a 45-day moratorium on foreclosures, evictions and utility shut-offs in the state. She has made calls to food banks and to small businesses that are laying off employees. And she has had to make time for visits to the obstetrician: Ms. Wicks is pregnant with her second child.Now Wicks and Jojo are both at home in Oakland under a shelter-in-place order. Jojo is 3, playing with Magna-Tiles and trains while Ms. Wicks cycles through legislative conference calls. A week ago, she co-signed a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom calling for a 45-day moratorium on foreclosures, evictions and utility shut-offs in the state. She has made calls to food banks and to small businesses that are laying off employees. And she has had to make time for visits to the obstetrician: Ms. Wicks is pregnant with her second child.
She went to her 20-week appointment in between conference calls, armed with wipes. Wipes for doors, armrests and car keys. She washed her hands after touching the doctor’s clipboard and then wiped her way back to the parking lot, the car and home, to the makeshift legislative office in her living room. — Conor DoughertyShe went to her 20-week appointment in between conference calls, armed with wipes. Wipes for doors, armrests and car keys. She washed her hands after touching the doctor’s clipboard and then wiped her way back to the parking lot, the car and home, to the makeshift legislative office in her living room. — Conor Dougherty
Verona, ItalyVerona, Italy
“I grew up in Serbia during the bombings,” Marko Milanovic said. “They taught us how to eat during the war. But I have no idea how I am going to pay my rent if this keeps going.”“I grew up in Serbia during the bombings,” Marko Milanovic said. “They taught us how to eat during the war. But I have no idea how I am going to pay my rent if this keeps going.”
Updated July 7, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
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.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
It was 8 p.m., in front of the San Nicolò church in Verona, Italy. Mr. Milanovic and other food delivery drivers had gathered there as they always did at that time — a ritual for the start of the dinner rush. Except now, of course, there was no rush, and they stood three feet apart from one another in the deserted and silent town.It was 8 p.m., in front of the San Nicolò church in Verona, Italy. Mr. Milanovic and other food delivery drivers had gathered there as they always did at that time — a ritual for the start of the dinner rush. Except now, of course, there was no rush, and they stood three feet apart from one another in the deserted and silent town.
“Come on, we are not at war.” Mr. Milanovic’s friend Giancarlo Romanelli was trying to reassure him. They were both drivers for a platform called My Menu.“Come on, we are not at war.” Mr. Milanovic’s friend Giancarlo Romanelli was trying to reassure him. They were both drivers for a platform called My Menu.
Mr. Milanovic wasn’t having it. He screamed at Mr. Romanelli. Originally, he had studied to become an electrician, but two years ago he decided to work as a food deliveryman because he enjoyed the job’s outdoor and flexible nature. Now he is 26, and seeing the downside.Mr. Milanovic wasn’t having it. He screamed at Mr. Romanelli. Originally, he had studied to become an electrician, but two years ago he decided to work as a food deliveryman because he enjoyed the job’s outdoor and flexible nature. Now he is 26, and seeing the downside.
“In this situation, we are the first ones to lose, because we are at the bottom,” he said, “with no protection from the company and no protection from the state.”“In this situation, we are the first ones to lose, because we are at the bottom,” he said, “with no protection from the company and no protection from the state.”
“We cannot work from home,” a third driver, Pietro Sterza, said. “If we stay home, we don’t get paid.” He is 22. He had started in high school and went full time after graduating. The only positive about the situation, he said, “is that the streets are empty, and we can go really fast.” — Emma Bubola“We cannot work from home,” a third driver, Pietro Sterza, said. “If we stay home, we don’t get paid.” He is 22. He had started in high school and went full time after graduating. The only positive about the situation, he said, “is that the streets are empty, and we can go really fast.” — Emma Bubola
MilanMilan
Alessandro Romaioli tilted his camera to show me, via WhatsApp, a batch of plastic widgets. They were ventilator valves — 3-D printed by Mr. Romaioli and his partner, Cristian Fracassi, in the office at their engineering firm.Alessandro Romaioli tilted his camera to show me, via WhatsApp, a batch of plastic widgets. They were ventilator valves — 3-D printed by Mr. Romaioli and his partner, Cristian Fracassi, in the office at their engineering firm.
The valves were for a hospital near Chiari, about an hour east of Milan. Ventilators can keep the infected alive long enough for their immune systems to fight off the virus, but doctors are running out of machines and parts. Officials in one Italian region have asked veterinarians about using ventilators designed for animals.The valves were for a hospital near Chiari, about an hour east of Milan. Ventilators can keep the infected alive long enough for their immune systems to fight off the virus, but doctors are running out of machines and parts. Officials in one Italian region have asked veterinarians about using ventilators designed for animals.
Mr. Fracassi heard from a friend about the shortage of valves. He and Mr. Romailo drove to the hospital near Chiari to take the part’s measurements. Less than 24 hours later. they returned with 100 of them. “The most beautiful thing,” Mr. Fracassi said, “was when the doctor called to say, ‘It works.’” — Adam SatarianoMr. Fracassi heard from a friend about the shortage of valves. He and Mr. Romailo drove to the hospital near Chiari to take the part’s measurements. Less than 24 hours later. they returned with 100 of them. “The most beautiful thing,” Mr. Fracassi said, “was when the doctor called to say, ‘It works.’” — Adam Satariano
OaklandOakland
All the children played six feet apart. Dracena Quarry Park, in a neighborhood adjacent to Oakland, has a grassy field large enough to accommodate them all. Every few minutes, one of the babies would escape a picnic blanket long enough to crawl over to a neighbor, or a toddler would bolt for a passing toy. A round of “Bubble space!” shouted by the parents did little to help, so tiny bottles of sanitizer were brought out and all the hands were scrubbed before the children were ushered back to their picnic-blanket jails in the bright but cold sunshine.All the children played six feet apart. Dracena Quarry Park, in a neighborhood adjacent to Oakland, has a grassy field large enough to accommodate them all. Every few minutes, one of the babies would escape a picnic blanket long enough to crawl over to a neighbor, or a toddler would bolt for a passing toy. A round of “Bubble space!” shouted by the parents did little to help, so tiny bottles of sanitizer were brought out and all the hands were scrubbed before the children were ushered back to their picnic-blanket jails in the bright but cold sunshine.
Nearby, the swings and slides sat untouched. One mother, armed with a can of Lysol and some disinfectant wipes, began to give the play equipment a scrub and then abandoned the effort a few minutes in. Everyone had read the same study citing how long the virus is able to live on different surfaces.Nearby, the swings and slides sat untouched. One mother, armed with a can of Lysol and some disinfectant wipes, began to give the play equipment a scrub and then abandoned the effort a few minutes in. Everyone had read the same study citing how long the virus is able to live on different surfaces.
Just a few miles away, the play area near Oakland’s Lake Merritt was teeming. This is the only such space within walking distance of rows of apartment buildings and condos. Parents did their best to keep the kids apart, but there was only so much space for the scooters, bicycles, skateboards and in-line skates. A few children collided, and laughed off the scrapes and bruises. One parent asked another if the coronavirus was transmitted through blood. — Sheera FrenkelJust a few miles away, the play area near Oakland’s Lake Merritt was teeming. This is the only such space within walking distance of rows of apartment buildings and condos. Parents did their best to keep the kids apart, but there was only so much space for the scooters, bicycles, skateboards and in-line skates. A few children collided, and laughed off the scrapes and bruises. One parent asked another if the coronavirus was transmitted through blood. — Sheera Frenkel
BrooklynBrooklyn
“If somebody told me I couldn’t go out and get a drink,” K.P. Sykes said, “I’d lose my mind.” The doors to his Park Slope bar, The Armory, were propped open, and a bartender was perched at a table facing Fourth Avenue. Bottles of beer and wine were lined up, along with caramel-colored cocktails in glass jars sealed tight with corks. A pile of bright yellow fruit completed the effect: This was a lemonade stand for grown-ups.“If somebody told me I couldn’t go out and get a drink,” K.P. Sykes said, “I’d lose my mind.” The doors to his Park Slope bar, The Armory, were propped open, and a bartender was perched at a table facing Fourth Avenue. Bottles of beer and wine were lined up, along with caramel-colored cocktails in glass jars sealed tight with corks. A pile of bright yellow fruit completed the effect: This was a lemonade stand for grown-ups.
The Armory is a bar for locals, and Mr. Sykes and his business partner, Oscar Diaz del Castillo, wanted to keep regulars in the habit of stopping by. All drinks, of course, must be to go.The Armory is a bar for locals, and Mr. Sykes and his business partner, Oscar Diaz del Castillo, wanted to keep regulars in the habit of stopping by. All drinks, of course, must be to go.
To the bartender’s right were bins of Kix and Cheerios cereal, graham crackers and apples. These were not for sale — they were free for students of Public School 133, an elementary school a few blocks away. Teachers were dipping into the supplies, too, to pick up snacks for students they were visiting at their homes.To the bartender’s right were bins of Kix and Cheerios cereal, graham crackers and apples. These were not for sale — they were free for students of Public School 133, an elementary school a few blocks away. Teachers were dipping into the supplies, too, to pick up snacks for students they were visiting at their homes.
“This isn’t charity,” Mr. Sykes said. “This is the right thing to do. This is what community is supposed to be about.” — Jaclyn Peiser“This isn’t charity,” Mr. Sykes said. “This is the right thing to do. This is what community is supposed to be about.” — Jaclyn Peiser