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| The Other Front-Line Workers | The Other Front-Line Workers |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| Hi. Welcome to On Politics, your guide to the day in national politics. I’m Lisa Lerer, your host. | Hi. Welcome to On Politics, your guide to the day in national politics. I’m Lisa Lerer, your host. |
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| Amid all the bleak news about the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to remember that there are so many heroes in America right now. | Amid all the bleak news about the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to remember that there are so many heroes in America right now. |
| Of course, there are the E.R. doctors, the I.C.U. nurses and all the health care workers who are on the front lines at hospitals, some of which are in “apocalyptic” condition. | Of course, there are the E.R. doctors, the I.C.U. nurses and all the health care workers who are on the front lines at hospitals, some of which are in “apocalyptic” condition. |
| But there are other, less heralded heroes. The orderlies changing the sheets in the hospitals. The workers stocking shelves and making deliveries. Home health aides, cleaners, child care providers, security guards, postal workers, garbage collectors — all these people risk their health to keep America fed, protected and cared for. | But there are other, less heralded heroes. The orderlies changing the sheets in the hospitals. The workers stocking shelves and making deliveries. Home health aides, cleaners, child care providers, security guards, postal workers, garbage collectors — all these people risk their health to keep America fed, protected and cared for. |
| The national politics reporter Jennifer Medina brings us the story of one of them: Ezzie Dominguez, a mother of two in Denver, who is a member of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, an association for nannies, caregivers and house cleaners. | The national politics reporter Jennifer Medina brings us the story of one of them: Ezzie Dominguez, a mother of two in Denver, who is a member of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, an association for nannies, caregivers and house cleaners. |
| For years, Ms. Dominguez, 38, has worked as a nanny and cleaned houses around the city. A few weeks ago, the family she has been working for told her to stop coming but did not offer to pay her. Her husband lost his jobs as a cook and a janitor around the same time and cannot collect unemployment benefits because he is an undocumented immigrant. | For years, Ms. Dominguez, 38, has worked as a nanny and cleaned houses around the city. A few weeks ago, the family she has been working for told her to stop coming but did not offer to pay her. Her husband lost his jobs as a cook and a janitor around the same time and cannot collect unemployment benefits because he is an undocumented immigrant. |
| Families like Ms. Dominguez’s are some of the most economically vulnerable in the country. She considers herself lucky because she still has a part-time job at a small nonprofit, which gives the family health insurance. But it’s not enough, she said, to pay for diapers for her 2-year-old son and food for her 15-year-old, “who eats like a horse.” | Families like Ms. Dominguez’s are some of the most economically vulnerable in the country. She considers herself lucky because she still has a part-time job at a small nonprofit, which gives the family health insurance. But it’s not enough, she said, to pay for diapers for her 2-year-old son and food for her 15-year-old, “who eats like a horse.” |
| So for now, she is working for a subcontractor cleaning offices and hospitals at night. Here is Jenny’s conversation with Ms. Dominguez about what her life is like now. (As usual, it has been edited and condensed.) | So for now, she is working for a subcontractor cleaning offices and hospitals at night. Here is Jenny’s conversation with Ms. Dominguez about what her life is like now. (As usual, it has been edited and condensed.) |
| Tell us about your work right now. What are you doing? | Tell us about your work right now. What are you doing? |
| MS. DOMINGUEZ We’ve been going in to clean and sanitize buildings that are essential to support the public. We’re like on-scene little soldiers, going in, scrubbing down and then disappearing, mostly staying invisible. People don’t even understand how it happens and we’re exposing ourselves and risking our lives. But I have no choice — we lost more than half of our income. My income is the only one, for who knows how long. I have to do something. | MS. DOMINGUEZ We’ve been going in to clean and sanitize buildings that are essential to support the public. We’re like on-scene little soldiers, going in, scrubbing down and then disappearing, mostly staying invisible. People don’t even understand how it happens and we’re exposing ourselves and risking our lives. But I have no choice — we lost more than half of our income. My income is the only one, for who knows how long. I have to do something. |
| There’s a shortage of cleaning personnel who have experience with pathogens, so as long as I am healthy I will do this. We get a message every night saying they have a building and need a certain number of people. It’s mostly hospitals. We are paid $10 an hour in cash, and you get paid as soon as you’re done. | There’s a shortage of cleaning personnel who have experience with pathogens, so as long as I am healthy I will do this. We get a message every night saying they have a building and need a certain number of people. It’s mostly hospitals. We are paid $10 an hour in cash, and you get paid as soon as you’re done. |
| How concerned are you about getting sick because you are working in these public buildings? | How concerned are you about getting sick because you are working in these public buildings? |
| I am terrified, because I am in cancer remission. Every day they check our temperatures, but we are still risking a lot. And we are risking a lot for our families. When I get home, I have a little room I enter, I get down to my underwear and bra, washing everything separately. Then I jump in the shower immediately. I think I started to irritate my skin because how much I am scrubbing and using disinfectant. My hands are starting to crack. | I am terrified, because I am in cancer remission. Every day they check our temperatures, but we are still risking a lot. And we are risking a lot for our families. When I get home, I have a little room I enter, I get down to my underwear and bra, washing everything separately. Then I jump in the shower immediately. I think I started to irritate my skin because how much I am scrubbing and using disinfectant. My hands are starting to crack. |
| Then I kind of hunker on my corner of the bed and stay there, because I am still afraid of touching my husband. I sleep for a couple of hours and then get up to start my job at the nonprofit. Normally I do a lot of organizing; right now I sort mail and donations and deal with any deliveries. I took the job five months ago and I am grateful I have it. | Then I kind of hunker on my corner of the bed and stay there, because I am still afraid of touching my husband. I sleep for a couple of hours and then get up to start my job at the nonprofit. Normally I do a lot of organizing; right now I sort mail and donations and deal with any deliveries. I took the job five months ago and I am grateful I have it. |
| My husband had been working at the same place for 20 years before he was laid off. And he cannot apply for unemployment because he is undocumented. I really panicked when he lost his job, which is why I am doing the cleaning. We’re not in a space where I can say no to anything. You clean as fast as you can and get out of there. | My husband had been working at the same place for 20 years before he was laid off. And he cannot apply for unemployment because he is undocumented. I really panicked when he lost his job, which is why I am doing the cleaning. We’re not in a space where I can say no to anything. You clean as fast as you can and get out of there. |
| Are you given any kind of protective gear when you clean? | Are you given any kind of protective gear when you clean? |
| No, and at first I didn’t even realize that we were going to clean hospitals. The calls just started coming and you just reply to say you want to work. They didn’t say they were going to give us anything special. They gave us two gloves and two little aprons and whatever cleaning supplies. A lot of times they don’t tell you what chemicals they are using, and that worries me, too. They get upset at me because they say I ask a lot of questions. | No, and at first I didn’t even realize that we were going to clean hospitals. The calls just started coming and you just reply to say you want to work. They didn’t say they were going to give us anything special. They gave us two gloves and two little aprons and whatever cleaning supplies. A lot of times they don’t tell you what chemicals they are using, and that worries me, too. They get upset at me because they say I ask a lot of questions. |
| How did the family you had been working for tell you they no longer wanted you to come? | How did the family you had been working for tell you they no longer wanted you to come? |
| I have been working for them for two years. It’s a divorced couple and I am kind of like a secondary mom for the children. They have special needs and the father needs the help at his home. They just said they didn’t want me to come anymore and that they would call me when I can come back. Then they told me they could not contribute anything to me while I am not coming. | I have been working for them for two years. It’s a divorced couple and I am kind of like a secondary mom for the children. They have special needs and the father needs the help at his home. They just said they didn’t want me to come anymore and that they would call me when I can come back. Then they told me they could not contribute anything to me while I am not coming. |
| What do you wish people understood about your work right now? | What do you wish people understood about your work right now? |
| It’s a huge sacrifice. I know I can die if we are exposed, but we are also going to die if we don’t have basic needs. We need the stability of an earned income no matter what. We should not be invisible, but we are all humans, too. We have families and we should be able to have sick leave, so that we can stay home and take care of them. We should not have to choose between working and living. | It’s a huge sacrifice. I know I can die if we are exposed, but we are also going to die if we don’t have basic needs. We need the stability of an earned income no matter what. We should not be invisible, but we are all humans, too. We have families and we should be able to have sick leave, so that we can stay home and take care of them. We should not have to choose between working and living. |
| I want Congress to include us, to give us help, too. A crisis is not the time we should say, you need to have documents to have the basic necessities. We should not be excluded from everything. The system is so broken and does not include people like us, even when we are called essential. | I want Congress to include us, to give us help, too. A crisis is not the time we should say, you need to have documents to have the basic necessities. We should not be excluded from everything. The system is so broken and does not include people like us, even when we are called essential. |
| Drop us a line! | Drop us a line! |
| We want to hear from our readers. Have a question? We’ll try to answer it. Have a comment? We’re all ears. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com. | We want to hear from our readers. Have a question? We’ll try to answer it. Have a comment? We’re all ears. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com. |
| Times Opinion has been concentrating on the perspectives of many people directly affected by the coronavirus pandemic — emergency medical workers, infected patients, grocery store clerks and local officials. But we’ve also been keeping tabs on the political ramifications of the crisis. | Times Opinion has been concentrating on the perspectives of many people directly affected by the coronavirus pandemic — emergency medical workers, infected patients, grocery store clerks and local officials. But we’ve also been keeping tabs on the political ramifications of the crisis. |
| Last week, in the Debatable newsletter (which you can sign up for here), Spencer Bokat-Lindell covered the mixed reception for Congress’s $2 trillion relief package among economists, commentators and elected representatives. In an interesting convergence, Representative Justin Amash, a libertarian, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a democratic socialist, had similar criticisms of the measure. | Last week, in the Debatable newsletter (which you can sign up for here), Spencer Bokat-Lindell covered the mixed reception for Congress’s $2 trillion relief package among economists, commentators and elected representatives. In an interesting convergence, Representative Justin Amash, a libertarian, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a democratic socialist, had similar criticisms of the measure. |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | Updated 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. |
| The package is “a raw deal for the people,” Mr. Amash argued. “It does far too little for those who need the most help, while providing hundreds of billions in corporate welfare.” | The package is “a raw deal for the people,” Mr. Amash argued. “It does far too little for those who need the most help, while providing hundreds of billions in corporate welfare.” |
| This week, Thomas Edsall, a longtime contributing writer, explored the likelihood that “the coronavirus crisis will determine whether Trump is a one-term president.” He talked to pollsters and noted a revealing Pew Research survey that showed “significantly higher percentages of young people, minorities, low-wage earners and Democrats reported adverse impacts on their households” — defined as someone losing a job or pay as a result of Covid-19 — “than did older, white, high-income Republican respondents.” | This week, Thomas Edsall, a longtime contributing writer, explored the likelihood that “the coronavirus crisis will determine whether Trump is a one-term president.” He talked to pollsters and noted a revealing Pew Research survey that showed “significantly higher percentages of young people, minorities, low-wage earners and Democrats reported adverse impacts on their households” — defined as someone losing a job or pay as a result of Covid-19 — “than did older, white, high-income Republican respondents.” |
| In an interview with Mr. Edsall, Lee Drutman, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation, predicted that “there will be lots of blame to go around” and “that blame will almost certainly fuel even more partisan politics.” | In an interview with Mr. Edsall, Lee Drutman, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation, predicted that “there will be lots of blame to go around” and “that blame will almost certainly fuel even more partisan politics.” |
| — Talmon Joseph Smith | — Talmon Joseph Smith |
| The new Peloton moms? N.F.L., N.B.A. and P.G.A. players embrace the bike. | The new Peloton moms? N.F.L., N.B.A. and P.G.A. players embrace the bike. |
| Thanks for reading. On Politics is your guide to the political news cycle, delivering clarity from the chaos. | Thanks for reading. On Politics is your guide to the political news cycle, delivering clarity from the chaos. |
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