This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/04/us/coronavirus-face-masks-politician.html
The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 12 | Version 13 |
|---|---|
| Leading by Example, Some Politicians Urge Residents to Wear Face Masks | Leading by Example, Some Politicians Urge Residents to Wear Face Masks |
| (7 days later) | |
| Now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has encouraged Americans to wear masks when they venture outside, more state and local politicians have begun donning the protective gear themselves, standing in contrast to President Trump, who says the masks aren’t his style. | Now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has encouraged Americans to wear masks when they venture outside, more state and local politicians have begun donning the protective gear themselves, standing in contrast to President Trump, who says the masks aren’t his style. |
| The politicians are showing off their masks in selfies, on jogs or at city meetings, sometimes as an explicit effort to lead by example — and sometimes simply to stay safe from the coronavirus and protect others. In some cities, residents are required to cover their faces when they leave their homes. | The politicians are showing off their masks in selfies, on jogs or at city meetings, sometimes as an explicit effort to lead by example — and sometimes simply to stay safe from the coronavirus and protect others. In some cities, residents are required to cover their faces when they leave their homes. |
| Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado secured a colorful piece of cloth to his face emblazoned with the state’s trademark “C” logo, and encouraged residents to do the same. | Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado secured a colorful piece of cloth to his face emblazoned with the state’s trademark “C” logo, and encouraged residents to do the same. |
| “This is really going to be, for the foreseeable future, an important part of our culture in Colorado,” said Mr. Polis, a Democrat. | “This is really going to be, for the foreseeable future, an important part of our culture in Colorado,” said Mr. Polis, a Democrat. |
| In Pennsylvania, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a Democrat, posted a photograph of himself on Twitter with a frayed, gray piece of cloth wrapped around his face, and wondered if it would scare fellow joggers away. | In Pennsylvania, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a Democrat, posted a photograph of himself on Twitter with a frayed, gray piece of cloth wrapped around his face, and wondered if it would scare fellow joggers away. |
| The efforts clash with comments from Mr. Trump, who emphasized on Friday that the C.D.C. recommendation to wear cloth masks was voluntary and that he didn’t plan to follow along. | The efforts clash with comments from Mr. Trump, who emphasized on Friday that the C.D.C. recommendation to wear cloth masks was voluntary and that he didn’t plan to follow along. |
| “Somehow, sitting in the Oval Office behind that beautiful Resolute Desk — the great Resolute Desk — I think wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens, I don’t know,” he said. “Somehow I don’t see it for myself. I just don’t.” | “Somehow, sitting in the Oval Office behind that beautiful Resolute Desk — the great Resolute Desk — I think wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens, I don’t know,” he said. “Somehow I don’t see it for myself. I just don’t.” |
| Although the federal guidance is only a recommendation, some municipalities are taking things a step further, requiring residents to cover their faces when they are out and about. | Although the federal guidance is only a recommendation, some municipalities are taking things a step further, requiring residents to cover their faces when they are out and about. |
| The City Council in Lancaster, Calif., north of Los Angeles, on Friday required that residents wear masks, scarves or other coverings when they patronize or work at essential businesses that remain open, according to The Antelope Valley Press. | The City Council in Lancaster, Calif., north of Los Angeles, on Friday required that residents wear masks, scarves or other coverings when they patronize or work at essential businesses that remain open, according to The Antelope Valley Press. |
| “We will start issuing tickets for misdemeanors if it comes down to that,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris, a Republican, according to the local newspaper report. “We are not going to allow anyone in our city to endanger the lives of our hardworking families. And anyone who is not wearing a mask, that is precisely what you’re doing.” | “We will start issuing tickets for misdemeanors if it comes down to that,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris, a Republican, according to the local newspaper report. “We are not going to allow anyone in our city to endanger the lives of our hardworking families. And anyone who is not wearing a mask, that is precisely what you’re doing.” |
| In Laredo, Texas, the City Council passed an ordinance that requires anyone who enters a building that is not their home or a bus to cover their mouth and nose, according to The Laredo Morning Times. If they refuse, they could be fined up to $1,000. | In Laredo, Texas, the City Council passed an ordinance that requires anyone who enters a building that is not their home or a bus to cover their mouth and nose, according to The Laredo Morning Times. If they refuse, they could be fined up to $1,000. |
| Updated June 30, 2020 | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| “I’d rather bury them in debt than bury them in a coffin,” Councilman George Altgelt said in response to worries that the fine was too harsh, the newspaper reported. | “I’d rather bury them in debt than bury them in a coffin,” Councilman George Altgelt said in response to worries that the fine was too harsh, the newspaper reported. |
| Even in cities where the recommendation is still just that — a recommendation — many local politicians are strapping on their own gear to urge the practice. | Even in cities where the recommendation is still just that — a recommendation — many local politicians are strapping on their own gear to urge the practice. |
| In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti brought an all-black mask to a news conference this week, pulling it up too high — briefly covering his eyes — before triumphantly getting the straps to stay over his ears. | In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti brought an all-black mask to a news conference this week, pulling it up too high — briefly covering his eyes — before triumphantly getting the straps to stay over his ears. |
| “Excuse me,” he said, his voice muffled by the mask. “This will be the look.” | “Excuse me,” he said, his voice muffled by the mask. “This will be the look.” |
| Svante Myrick, the Democratic mayor of Ithaca, N.Y., said he had dug around in a drawer to retrieve an American flag-themed mask his mother had bought for him months ago. | Svante Myrick, the Democratic mayor of Ithaca, N.Y., said he had dug around in a drawer to retrieve an American flag-themed mask his mother had bought for him months ago. |
| “I thought she was overreacting,” he wrote alongside a selfie from the roof of City Hall. It was another example, he said, of why “we should always listen to mothers.” | “I thought she was overreacting,” he wrote alongside a selfie from the roof of City Hall. It was another example, he said, of why “we should always listen to mothers.” |
| Julie Bosman and Campbell Robertson contributed reporting. | Julie Bosman and Campbell Robertson contributed reporting. |