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| Photos: In Rural Towns and on Remote Farms, the Virus Creeps In | Photos: In Rural Towns and on Remote Farms, the Virus Creeps In |
| (6 days later) | |
| John Maley’s 28,000-acre ranch sits on the eastern edge of Steens Mountain Wilderness, a sprawling high desert in a remote corner of southeastern Oregon that’s thick in season with sagebrush, juniper and mountain mahogany. | John Maley’s 28,000-acre ranch sits on the eastern edge of Steens Mountain Wilderness, a sprawling high desert in a remote corner of southeastern Oregon that’s thick in season with sagebrush, juniper and mountain mahogany. |
| Here, “social distancing” isn’t lifesaving advice during a pandemic. It’s a way of life. | Here, “social distancing” isn’t lifesaving advice during a pandemic. It’s a way of life. |
| “You don’t drive to town to get yourself a coffee,” said Mr. Maley, who lives on the ranch with his wife, Alexa, and sons Oscar and Eli. The closest house is 10 miles away and the nearest town of any size, Burns, is almost 100. They often don’t visit for three months at a stretch, so loading up two or three shopping carts during a single visit to the supermarket is the norm, not a sign of panic hoarding. | “You don’t drive to town to get yourself a coffee,” said Mr. Maley, who lives on the ranch with his wife, Alexa, and sons Oscar and Eli. The closest house is 10 miles away and the nearest town of any size, Burns, is almost 100. They often don’t visit for three months at a stretch, so loading up two or three shopping carts during a single visit to the supermarket is the norm, not a sign of panic hoarding. |
| In coming to America, the coronavirus first settled in cities like Seattle and New York — far from the lonesome road in Harney County that connects to Mr. Maley’s cattle ranch. | In coming to America, the coronavirus first settled in cities like Seattle and New York — far from the lonesome road in Harney County that connects to Mr. Maley’s cattle ranch. |
| Many rural areas in Oregon and across the country remain relatively untouched by the pandemic’s most insidious effects. But it’s spreading. At least one case has been reported in almost 60 percent of the country’s rural counties, threatening what tend to be poorer and more vulnerable areas. | Many rural areas in Oregon and across the country remain relatively untouched by the pandemic’s most insidious effects. But it’s spreading. At least one case has been reported in almost 60 percent of the country’s rural counties, threatening what tend to be poorer and more vulnerable areas. |
| Even where it remains scarce, though, awareness of its impact — outside of the satellite-delivered news reports — has crept in to daily life. | Even where it remains scarce, though, awareness of its impact — outside of the satellite-delivered news reports — has crept in to daily life. |
| Mr. Maley’s 37-year-old son, J.D., lives in Southern California, and had a friend who died from the virus. “That was kind of an eye-opener here,” Mr. Maley said. | Mr. Maley’s 37-year-old son, J.D., lives in Southern California, and had a friend who died from the virus. “That was kind of an eye-opener here,” Mr. Maley said. |
| He understands that many people are “hopping mad” at restrictions on businesses and gatherings. “But absolutely nobody knows what it would have been like if we had done nothing,” he said. “I think it’s probably better the way things are going to lean heavily on the precaution side.” | He understands that many people are “hopping mad” at restrictions on businesses and gatherings. “But absolutely nobody knows what it would have been like if we had done nothing,” he said. “I think it’s probably better the way things are going to lean heavily on the precaution side.” |
| Some 200 miles north of the Maley ranch, Greg Hennes runs a 12-room hotel in Joseph, near Eagle Cap Wilderness and Hells Canyon. He has already started to feel the economic pinch. Spring is a slow season, but he has had 35 cancellations so far. | Some 200 miles north of the Maley ranch, Greg Hennes runs a 12-room hotel in Joseph, near Eagle Cap Wilderness and Hells Canyon. He has already started to feel the economic pinch. Spring is a slow season, but he has had 35 cancellations so far. |
| “I’m going to apply for the relief money that’s coming available, but I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” Mr. Hennes, 40, said. He has deferred as many payments as possible — mortgage, credit cards — but a long shutdown would be disastrous. “Our season is three months long,” picking up in mid-June, he said, “and if we miss the season, then we’re kaput.” | “I’m going to apply for the relief money that’s coming available, but I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” Mr. Hennes, 40, said. He has deferred as many payments as possible — mortgage, credit cards — but a long shutdown would be disastrous. “Our season is three months long,” picking up in mid-June, he said, “and if we miss the season, then we’re kaput.” |
| In Joseph, most businesses, except the hardware store and takeout restaurants, are closed. “It does feel kind of like a ghost town,” he said. | In Joseph, most businesses, except the hardware store and takeout restaurants, are closed. “It does feel kind of like a ghost town,” he said. |
| In the meantime, he’s been spending his days taking hikes. “Unlike in a lot of places near urban areas, I’m not worried about the trailhead being overrun,” he said. “It’s very easy to keep six feet, if not three miles, between me and the next person.” | In the meantime, he’s been spending his days taking hikes. “Unlike in a lot of places near urban areas, I’m not worried about the trailhead being overrun,” he said. “It’s very easy to keep six feet, if not three miles, between me and the next person.” |
| In Madras, five and a half hours’ drive southwest of the Jennings Hotel, Chris Casad and Cate Havstad Casad have practiced a solitary existence. “For several weeks, I won’t really go to town to see people, and that’s normal,” said Ms. Havstad Casad, 29. Over the last couple of years, she and her husband have scaled up their organic farming operation, expanding from selling directly to local consumers and at farmers’ markets to supplying restaurants. | In Madras, five and a half hours’ drive southwest of the Jennings Hotel, Chris Casad and Cate Havstad Casad have practiced a solitary existence. “For several weeks, I won’t really go to town to see people, and that’s normal,” said Ms. Havstad Casad, 29. Over the last couple of years, she and her husband have scaled up their organic farming operation, expanding from selling directly to local consumers and at farmers’ markets to supplying restaurants. |
| Their biggest customer, Deschutes Brewery in Bend, closed two weeks ago and laid off more than 300 workers. The Casads, fortunately, have so far been shielded from the worst economic effects. They produced about 50 tons of Kennebec potatoes last year — perfect for french fries — and sold out of them in February, before the epidemic hit. | Their biggest customer, Deschutes Brewery in Bend, closed two weeks ago and laid off more than 300 workers. The Casads, fortunately, have so far been shielded from the worst economic effects. They produced about 50 tons of Kennebec potatoes last year — perfect for french fries — and sold out of them in February, before the epidemic hit. |
| “We’re doubling down this year” on the amount they’re planting, Ms. Havstad Casad said. They’ve just begun to seed and plant squash, and won’t be harvesting Kennebecs until the fall. | “We’re doubling down this year” on the amount they’re planting, Ms. Havstad Casad said. They’ve just begun to seed and plant squash, and won’t be harvesting Kennebecs until the fall. |
| “There’s no work stoppage for us,” said Mr. Casad, 32. | “There’s no work stoppage for us,” said Mr. Casad, 32. |
| Still, there have been small shifts. Mr. Casad stands six feet away from the other customers at the feed store. Ms. Havstad Casad misses hosting barbecues and going out to listen to music. And they are thinking about redirecting some of their sales to local grocery stores and organic distributors in case restaurants are slow to recover. | Still, there have been small shifts. Mr. Casad stands six feet away from the other customers at the feed store. Ms. Havstad Casad misses hosting barbecues and going out to listen to music. And they are thinking about redirecting some of their sales to local grocery stores and organic distributors in case restaurants are slow to recover. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. |
| They don’t know anyone personally who has been infected, but the threat still seems to have inched closer. “Are we all safe? I’d say as of this week, the tune has really changed,” Ms. Havstad Casad said, referring to the news that individuals without symptoms can be infectious. Her father, who lives in Northern California, is battling cancer and she wants to be able to see him, so she has been quarantining herself. | They don’t know anyone personally who has been infected, but the threat still seems to have inched closer. “Are we all safe? I’d say as of this week, the tune has really changed,” Ms. Havstad Casad said, referring to the news that individuals without symptoms can be infectious. Her father, who lives in Northern California, is battling cancer and she wants to be able to see him, so she has been quarantining herself. |
| For Steve Dewey Coleman, 32, life hasn’t changed much. He lives alone in Canyon City, population 703, and spends most of his days at home, hand-stitching custom leather wallets, motorcycle bags and belts. | For Steve Dewey Coleman, 32, life hasn’t changed much. He lives alone in Canyon City, population 703, and spends most of his days at home, hand-stitching custom leather wallets, motorcycle bags and belts. |
| “I’m already pretty well-conditioned to spend a lot of time in isolation,” Mr. Coleman said. | “I’m already pretty well-conditioned to spend a lot of time in isolation,” Mr. Coleman said. |
| The post office has rearranged its lobby and marked off distances with tape, he said, but otherwise, “if you hadn’t heard about the sweeping pandemic, you wouldn’t think these people knew about it.” | The post office has rearranged its lobby and marked off distances with tape, he said, but otherwise, “if you hadn’t heard about the sweeping pandemic, you wouldn’t think these people knew about it.” |
| Mr. Coleman said he is mindful that when he goes to town, but he doesn’t necessarily trust all the alarming news reports he hears. “I’m dubious of what the mainstream media outlets are saying,” he said. | Mr. Coleman said he is mindful that when he goes to town, but he doesn’t necessarily trust all the alarming news reports he hears. “I’m dubious of what the mainstream media outlets are saying,” he said. |
| Forrest VanTuyl lives in Enterprise — part of a county with “7,000 people and 30,000 cows” — but had planned to spend most of the winter and spring touring with his wife, Margo Cilker, and their two bands. “The coronavirus was happening in China when we started the tour,” said Mr. VanTuyl, whose first stop had been the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev., the last week in January. | Forrest VanTuyl lives in Enterprise — part of a county with “7,000 people and 30,000 cows” — but had planned to spend most of the winter and spring touring with his wife, Margo Cilker, and their two bands. “The coronavirus was happening in China when we started the tour,” said Mr. VanTuyl, whose first stop had been the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev., the last week in January. |
| By the time they reached the San Francisco Bay Area, where Ms. Cilker’s parents also live, the pandemic’s foothold in the United States was clearer. “Things changed really fast in those three days,” he said, referring to the week of March 9. Some of the bigger festivals canceled, and there was talk of states closing borders. They decided they should get home as soon as possible. | By the time they reached the San Francisco Bay Area, where Ms. Cilker’s parents also live, the pandemic’s foothold in the United States was clearer. “Things changed really fast in those three days,” he said, referring to the week of March 9. Some of the bigger festivals canceled, and there was talk of states closing borders. They decided they should get home as soon as possible. |
| Fortunately, they had already completed their two best-paying gigs. | Fortunately, they had already completed their two best-paying gigs. |
| Since they returned, they’ve been self-quarantining and working with their horses. As he wrote in one of his poems that also quotes Tennyson: | Since they returned, they’ve been self-quarantining and working with their horses. As he wrote in one of his poems that also quotes Tennyson: |
| Work becomes a form of prayer, | Work becomes a form of prayer, |
| and God is the country, | and God is the country, |
| and I have been there. | and I have been there. |
| “and therein grew great tracts of Wilderness, | “and therein grew great tracts of Wilderness, |
| wherein the beast was more & more | wherein the beast was more & more |
| but man was less & less.” | but man was less & less.” |
| Businesses in Enterprise, including the one bar in town, are closed, while the restaurants have switched to carryout service. “We feel a lot different from other people in the community,” he said, “because we saw the beginning of it in the Bay Area.” | Businesses in Enterprise, including the one bar in town, are closed, while the restaurants have switched to carryout service. “We feel a lot different from other people in the community,” he said, “because we saw the beginning of it in the Bay Area.” |
| Being in a hot spot in California, Mr. VanTuyl said, “felt like a really big risk, but once we got home, it’s kind of just like a normal world out there.” | Being in a hot spot in California, Mr. VanTuyl said, “felt like a really big risk, but once we got home, it’s kind of just like a normal world out there.” |