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All I Wanted Was to Be Interrogated All I Wanted Was to Be Interrogated
(3 days later)
When I tell people I flew back to New York City from Hong Kong last weekend, many ask one of two questions.When I tell people I flew back to New York City from Hong Kong last weekend, many ask one of two questions.
The first: How long do you have to quarantine? And the second: They must have asked you a lot of questions at the airport, right?The first: How long do you have to quarantine? And the second: They must have asked you a lot of questions at the airport, right?
The answer to the first is zero days. In many parts of the world right now — including Greece, Ghana, New Zealand and Hong Kong — anyone arriving from abroad must undergo a mandatory two-week period of isolation to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. In some of these places, if new arrivals are caught even running to the corner store, they may face penalties such as a $3,000 fine or six months in jail.The answer to the first is zero days. In many parts of the world right now — including Greece, Ghana, New Zealand and Hong Kong — anyone arriving from abroad must undergo a mandatory two-week period of isolation to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. In some of these places, if new arrivals are caught even running to the corner store, they may face penalties such as a $3,000 fine or six months in jail.
But in the United States, there is no mandatory 24-7-you-better-not-even-step-outside quarantine for Americans coming from any foreign location, regardless of the status of the outbreak there. Non-Americans from some perceived coronavirus hot spots have been barred from entering altogether. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some special recommendations for arrivals from these same hot spots. (Hong Kong is not on that list.) And everyone in New York City is currently required to spend most of their time hidden away. But there aren’t any extra rules for people like me who just stepped off an international flight.But in the United States, there is no mandatory 24-7-you-better-not-even-step-outside quarantine for Americans coming from any foreign location, regardless of the status of the outbreak there. Non-Americans from some perceived coronavirus hot spots have been barred from entering altogether. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some special recommendations for arrivals from these same hot spots. (Hong Kong is not on that list.) And everyone in New York City is currently required to spend most of their time hidden away. But there aren’t any extra rules for people like me who just stepped off an international flight.
The answer to the second question, about what must surely have been a rigorous screening at the airport, is: Let me tell you a story. But it may not end the way you want it to.The answer to the second question, about what must surely have been a rigorous screening at the airport, is: Let me tell you a story. But it may not end the way you want it to.
It begins with emptiness.It begins with emptiness.
When I arrived at Hong Kong International Airport on the night of March 27, I saw so few passengers that I began to wonder if all flights had been canceled. A few days earlier there had been a rumor that was going to happen.When I arrived at Hong Kong International Airport on the night of March 27, I saw so few passengers that I began to wonder if all flights had been canceled. A few days earlier there had been a rumor that was going to happen.
But, no. The airport bouncers asked for my boarding pass. I think they also zapped my forehead with one of those temperature scanners, but I can’t be certain. After three weeks in Hong Kong, I had stopped noticing when masked strangers took my temperature. It’s that common.But, no. The airport bouncers asked for my boarding pass. I think they also zapped my forehead with one of those temperature scanners, but I can’t be certain. After three weeks in Hong Kong, I had stopped noticing when masked strangers took my temperature. It’s that common.
To say the security line was short would be false, because you cannot have a line of just yourself. Once I got past that, the only other “people” I saw were beautiful unmasked Gucci models hugging horses and floating in pools projected across massive screens. (Why would you wear leather gloves in a pool? But this was not a corona-specific issue.)To say the security line was short would be false, because you cannot have a line of just yourself. Once I got past that, the only other “people” I saw were beautiful unmasked Gucci models hugging horses and floating in pools projected across massive screens. (Why would you wear leather gloves in a pool? But this was not a corona-specific issue.)
Everything beyond security — the stores, the duty-free bazaar, the restaurants — was closed.Everything beyond security — the stores, the duty-free bazaar, the restaurants — was closed.
I had arrived at the airport extra early because I assumed that health policy sleuths would be asking me a bunch of questions to assess how much of a risk I was to society.I had arrived at the airport extra early because I assumed that health policy sleuths would be asking me a bunch of questions to assess how much of a risk I was to society.
My plan had been to get through that and then find something to eat. Since arriving in Hong Kong in early March to help out in The New York Times’s bureau there, I had learned that the city was committed to keeping the food flowing. Even as schools closed, bars closed and the entire population committed itself to wearing masks nearly all the time, the restaurants stayed open, packed with people late into the night.My plan had been to get through that and then find something to eat. Since arriving in Hong Kong in early March to help out in The New York Times’s bureau there, I had learned that the city was committed to keeping the food flowing. Even as schools closed, bars closed and the entire population committed itself to wearing masks nearly all the time, the restaurants stayed open, packed with people late into the night.
But I had miscalculated. There was no health policy sleuth awaiting me at the airport, and even the vending machine was empty. I found myself frozen in front of it, listening to its eerie hum, trying to remember which zombie apocalypse movie prominently features a vending machine. (I never figured it out.)But I had miscalculated. There was no health policy sleuth awaiting me at the airport, and even the vending machine was empty. I found myself frozen in front of it, listening to its eerie hum, trying to remember which zombie apocalypse movie prominently features a vending machine. (I never figured it out.)
A colleague messaged me that she had heard that the Wing, a lounge operated by the airline Cathay Pacific, was open. I found my way there and learned that yes, it had a fully functioning restaurant inside.A colleague messaged me that she had heard that the Wing, a lounge operated by the airline Cathay Pacific, was open. I found my way there and learned that yes, it had a fully functioning restaurant inside.
“How much for a lounge pass?”“How much for a lounge pass?”
“It’s invite-only,” the greeter told me.“It’s invite-only,” the greeter told me.
“There is nowhere else to get food or even buy water in this entire airport,” I told him. “Can’t I just pay?”“There is nowhere else to get food or even buy water in this entire airport,” I told him. “Can’t I just pay?”
“It’s invite only,” he said again, unmoved.“It’s invite only,” he said again, unmoved.
I returned to my gate, where 20 or so people had now appeared. So I was not the only person choosing to leave one part of the world that kind of had the coronavirus under control to fly to another that clearly didn’t.I returned to my gate, where 20 or so people had now appeared. So I was not the only person choosing to leave one part of the world that kind of had the coronavirus under control to fly to another that clearly didn’t.
As I entered the boarding line, a man in a uniform approached me. Had I been to Iran, mainland China or Italy? This was what I had been craving. But too quickly he moved on to the old standards: Had anyone handed me something to put inside my bag? (As if I would have let anyone get that close!)As I entered the boarding line, a man in a uniform approached me. Had I been to Iran, mainland China or Italy? This was what I had been craving. But too quickly he moved on to the old standards: Had anyone handed me something to put inside my bag? (As if I would have let anyone get that close!)
My nearest neighbor on the flight, a woman in a crinkly oversize poncho, was already obsessively spritzing and wiping her row by the time I sat down. She made me feel safe.My nearest neighbor on the flight, a woman in a crinkly oversize poncho, was already obsessively spritzing and wiping her row by the time I sat down. She made me feel safe.
I’m not sure I did the same for her. During my airplane dinner, I accidentally dropped my mask and stepped on it. I did have a backup, but it took me awhile to find it.I’m not sure I did the same for her. During my airplane dinner, I accidentally dropped my mask and stepped on it. I did have a backup, but it took me awhile to find it.
Fifteen hours later, I exited the plane in Los Angeles, where a flight attendant handed me a C.D.C. form. There was a section for me to fill out, and a section for “the screener” to check off if I had any signs of being “obviously unwell” and to fill in my temperature. This seemed promising. If they were asking me to go through screening, that most likely meant they were pushing all international arrivals to go through screening.Fifteen hours later, I exited the plane in Los Angeles, where a flight attendant handed me a C.D.C. form. There was a section for me to fill out, and a section for “the screener” to check off if I had any signs of being “obviously unwell” and to fill in my temperature. This seemed promising. If they were asking me to go through screening, that most likely meant they were pushing all international arrivals to go through screening.
But the closest I got to a screener was the automated passport control kiosk. I did have two brief encounters with living, breathing humans after that; one wordlessly checked my passport and the other collected the passport kiosk’s photo of me. But neither asked me a single question.But the closest I got to a screener was the automated passport control kiosk. I did have two brief encounters with living, breathing humans after that; one wordlessly checked my passport and the other collected the passport kiosk’s photo of me. But neither asked me a single question.
And gauging from the nearby posters, the primary threat facing the nation was still illegal wildlife trafficking.And gauging from the nearby posters, the primary threat facing the nation was still illegal wildlife trafficking.
That was it. That’s how I re-entered America,That was it. That’s how I re-entered America,
As I walked toward the domestic terminal for the next leg of my journey back to New York, I was overwhelmed by all the naked noses and mouths. Even the Delta counter attendants were standing around with their faces hanging out. It had been awhile since I had seen that.As I walked toward the domestic terminal for the next leg of my journey back to New York, I was overwhelmed by all the naked noses and mouths. Even the Delta counter attendants were standing around with their faces hanging out. It had been awhile since I had seen that.
At domestic security, I tried to get away with keeping my shoes on. It didn’t work. “Shouldn’t we be more focused on making sure that people are not transporting a humanity-terrorizing virus than looking for sneaker explosives?” I wanted to say. But not that much.At domestic security, I tried to get away with keeping my shoes on. It didn’t work. “Shouldn’t we be more focused on making sure that people are not transporting a humanity-terrorizing virus than looking for sneaker explosives?” I wanted to say. But not that much.
Updated June 5, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
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.
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.
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.
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.
On my next flight, this one to Atlanta, we learned that there would be no soda or hot beverages — only water — to reduce the flight attendants’ interactions with passengers. OK, here people were making sense. A woman a couple of rows behind me asked if she could move to first class since it was emptier up there. The answer was no. OK, not that much sense.On my next flight, this one to Atlanta, we learned that there would be no soda or hot beverages — only water — to reduce the flight attendants’ interactions with passengers. OK, here people were making sense. A woman a couple of rows behind me asked if she could move to first class since it was emptier up there. The answer was no. OK, not that much sense.
On my final flight, from Atlanta to New York, I found myself inexplicably compelled to watch “Gilmore Girls,” even though I had never liked the show and didn’t have the right headphone jack. After 20 minutes of silent scenes of small-town, close-contact life, it hit me: People in TV shows rarely touch their faces.On my final flight, from Atlanta to New York, I found myself inexplicably compelled to watch “Gilmore Girls,” even though I had never liked the show and didn’t have the right headphone jack. After 20 minutes of silent scenes of small-town, close-contact life, it hit me: People in TV shows rarely touch their faces.
We landed, three flights and 27 hours after my journey home began. When I had dragged my suitcase to the airport on March 9, only 20 confirmed coronavirus cases had been reported in New York City. None had led to death.We landed, three flights and 27 hours after my journey home began. When I had dragged my suitcase to the airport on March 9, only 20 confirmed coronavirus cases had been reported in New York City. None had led to death.
And now, less than three weeks later, New York City had surpassed 32,000 confirmed cases and 670 virus-related deaths. (As of Friday it had risen further to 57,159 cases and 1,867 reported deaths.)And now, less than three weeks later, New York City had surpassed 32,000 confirmed cases and 670 virus-related deaths. (As of Friday it had risen further to 57,159 cases and 1,867 reported deaths.)
Now that New York City was an epicenter of the outbreak in the United States, surely someone was going to ask me something?! Of course not. I left the airport and made my way home to Brooklyn.Now that New York City was an epicenter of the outbreak in the United States, surely someone was going to ask me something?! Of course not. I left the airport and made my way home to Brooklyn.
Later that night, I told my wife how disappointed I was by the lack of interrogation.Later that night, I told my wife how disappointed I was by the lack of interrogation.
“What specifically did you want them to ask you?” she asked.“What specifically did you want them to ask you?” she asked.
I tried to think of my most critical question: “Might you have come in contact with an infected person?”I tried to think of my most critical question: “Might you have come in contact with an infected person?”
“What were you hoping that would accomplish?” she asked.“What were you hoping that would accomplish?” she asked.
It was fair criticism given that pretty much everyone’s answer at this point, in Hong Kong and in New York, would be yes.It was fair criticism given that pretty much everyone’s answer at this point, in Hong Kong and in New York, would be yes.
Further undermining my own need for interrogation, researchers have long said that airport screening for most diseases is pretty useless. The only consistent benefit seems to be the opportunity to collect information for future health sleuthing.Further undermining my own need for interrogation, researchers have long said that airport screening for most diseases is pretty useless. The only consistent benefit seems to be the opportunity to collect information for future health sleuthing.
Still, that’s not nothing. Might as well ask us to hand in those C.D.C. forms.Still, that’s not nothing. Might as well ask us to hand in those C.D.C. forms.
I pulled the wrinkled document out of my bag and read the fine print. At the bottom it listed about 20 destinations. Travelers from these locations were required to fill it out, it said. Hong Kong wasn’t included. So why had anyone bothered to give it to us in the first place?I pulled the wrinkled document out of my bag and read the fine print. At the bottom it listed about 20 destinations. Travelers from these locations were required to fill it out, it said. Hong Kong wasn’t included. So why had anyone bothered to give it to us in the first place?
Maybe, like me, they needed to believe there was something more that could be done.Maybe, like me, they needed to believe there was something more that could be done.