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| Periods Don’t Stop for Pandemics, So She Brings Pads to Women in Need | Periods Don’t Stop for Pandemics, So She Brings Pads to Women in Need |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| — Dana Marlowe, founder and executive director of the nonprofit I Support the Girls | — Dana Marlowe, founder and executive director of the nonprofit I Support the Girls |
| [In Her Words is available as a newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.] | [In Her Words is available as a newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox.] |
| Dana Marlowe was preparing her family’s home for quarantine, stocking up on food and school supplies, when she received an unexpected phone call: Would she trade a box of tampons for 36 homemade matzo balls? | Dana Marlowe was preparing her family’s home for quarantine, stocking up on food and school supplies, when she received an unexpected phone call: Would she trade a box of tampons for 36 homemade matzo balls? |
| Her friend making the request was desperate. She had scoured all the pharmacies in her neighborhood for tampons and pads, but the shelves were picked clean. | Her friend making the request was desperate. She had scoured all the pharmacies in her neighborhood for tampons and pads, but the shelves were picked clean. |
| For Marlowe, who runs the nonprofit I Support the Girls, which collects donations of feminine hygiene products and bras for shelters, prisons and people in need, the plea set off alarm bells. | For Marlowe, who runs the nonprofit I Support the Girls, which collects donations of feminine hygiene products and bras for shelters, prisons and people in need, the plea set off alarm bells. |
| It was clear that pandemic panic shopping was already causing shortages of menstrual products. | It was clear that pandemic panic shopping was already causing shortages of menstrual products. |
| Marlowe received over 600 emails from individuals around the country requesting donations because they couldn’t find tampons and pads in their local stores; while social service workers in California, New Jersey, New York and Washington, D.C., said they too were seeing women struggle with feminine hygiene needs. | Marlowe received over 600 emails from individuals around the country requesting donations because they couldn’t find tampons and pads in their local stores; while social service workers in California, New Jersey, New York and Washington, D.C., said they too were seeing women struggle with feminine hygiene needs. |
| And the women hardest hit, Marlowe realized, would be those who had just lost their jobs and were straining to make ends meet. While the wealthy can stockpile goods, people who live paycheck to paycheck cannot. | And the women hardest hit, Marlowe realized, would be those who had just lost their jobs and were straining to make ends meet. While the wealthy can stockpile goods, people who live paycheck to paycheck cannot. |
| “Periods don’t stop for pandemics,” Marlowe said. “And in times of disasters, like global pandemics, it’s easy to overlook the basic essentials folks need for their dignity.” | “Periods don’t stop for pandemics,” Marlowe said. “And in times of disasters, like global pandemics, it’s easy to overlook the basic essentials folks need for their dignity.” |
| Just as the pandemic has disrupted work, school and social routines, so hoarding has interrupted the supply of menstrual products. Those who can afford to hoard have done so, leaving women who have lower incomes without supplies. For women who usually rely on free menstrual products — from a school nurse, say — that avenue is now closed. And those who might normally get menstrual products from shelters or social service centers are coming up empty as demand has surged. | Just as the pandemic has disrupted work, school and social routines, so hoarding has interrupted the supply of menstrual products. Those who can afford to hoard have done so, leaving women who have lower incomes without supplies. For women who usually rely on free menstrual products — from a school nurse, say — that avenue is now closed. And those who might normally get menstrual products from shelters or social service centers are coming up empty as demand has surged. |
| This has left organizations scrambling to order in bulk. | This has left organizations scrambling to order in bulk. |
| Erin Lind, program coordinator at a domestic violence shelter in Orange County, Calif., said she recently went online to bulk order tampons and pads and received a frustrating alert: delays in online shipment. Marlowe’s organization pitched in to bridge the gap, sending the shelter nearly 1,500 products last month. | Erin Lind, program coordinator at a domestic violence shelter in Orange County, Calif., said she recently went online to bulk order tampons and pads and received a frustrating alert: delays in online shipment. Marlowe’s organization pitched in to bridge the gap, sending the shelter nearly 1,500 products last month. |
| Marlowe’s organization donated 900,000 menstrual products this March compared with just under 200,000 products in March 2019, and more than any other month in its five-year history. She has also received more requests than ever before from more than 130 organizations and cities. | Marlowe’s organization donated 900,000 menstrual products this March compared with just under 200,000 products in March 2019, and more than any other month in its five-year history. She has also received more requests than ever before from more than 130 organizations and cities. |
| In partnership with the menstrual product company LOLA, Marlowe sent 100,000 supplies to Los Angeles, where the mayor’s office has added 1,600 emergency shelter beds in city recreation centers. She sent more than 2,000 products to the city of Trenton, N.J., which requested them for its women who are homeless. And she donated more than 24,000 products to the Salvation Army National Capital Area Command, which serves Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. | In partnership with the menstrual product company LOLA, Marlowe sent 100,000 supplies to Los Angeles, where the mayor’s office has added 1,600 emergency shelter beds in city recreation centers. She sent more than 2,000 products to the city of Trenton, N.J., which requested them for its women who are homeless. And she donated more than 24,000 products to the Salvation Army National Capital Area Command, which serves Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. |
| Marlowe and her team even heard from international students stranded at American colleges: Last month she sent boxes to a group of young women stuck on campus at George Mason University. | Marlowe and her team even heard from international students stranded at American colleges: Last month she sent boxes to a group of young women stuck on campus at George Mason University. |
| “Normally a municipality or small city thinks of food drives or clothing drives, but the menstrual hygiene products are too often neglected,” said Reed Gusciora, the mayor of Trenton, in an interview. “These products are a right, not a privilege.” | “Normally a municipality or small city thinks of food drives or clothing drives, but the menstrual hygiene products are too often neglected,” said Reed Gusciora, the mayor of Trenton, in an interview. “These products are a right, not a privilege.” |
| It’s especially important because women might feel ashamed requesting supplies, said Angela Soriano, a volunteer and donation drive manager at the Salvation Army in the D.C. area. | It’s especially important because women might feel ashamed requesting supplies, said Angela Soriano, a volunteer and donation drive manager at the Salvation Army in the D.C. area. |
| “It’s uncomfortable to talk about,” Soriano said, which is why some centers she works with distribute menstrual products whether they’re requested or not. A lot of these women are “embarrassed to ask.” | “It’s uncomfortable to talk about,” Soriano said, which is why some centers she works with distribute menstrual products whether they’re requested or not. A lot of these women are “embarrassed to ask.” |
| Updated June 24, 2020 | |
| 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| Soriano has spent recent days coordinating donations for the young women who rely on social service programs that are now at risk of being canceled because of the coronavirus, like the Salvation Army’s summer camp. “If that camp doesn’t happen, what’s going to happen to those young girls getting their periods for the first time?” she wondered. | Soriano has spent recent days coordinating donations for the young women who rely on social service programs that are now at risk of being canceled because of the coronavirus, like the Salvation Army’s summer camp. “If that camp doesn’t happen, what’s going to happen to those young girls getting their periods for the first time?” she wondered. |
| Compounding the issue of access is price gouging. | Compounding the issue of access is price gouging. |
| Marni Sommer, a professor of sociomedical sciences at Columbia School of Public Health, recently received a call from a student telling her that she had seen the price for tampons in her local store jump $3 this month. In Alabama, the state attorney general teamed up with eBay to crack down on the inflated costs of essential goods like tampons. | Marni Sommer, a professor of sociomedical sciences at Columbia School of Public Health, recently received a call from a student telling her that she had seen the price for tampons in her local store jump $3 this month. In Alabama, the state attorney general teamed up with eBay to crack down on the inflated costs of essential goods like tampons. |
| For a lot of families, if it comes down to buying food or buying menstrual products, the latter will be shunted, Sommer said. Aside from the sheer inconvenience of it, when pads and tampons aren’t supplied in shelters, women often turn to using ripped up T-shirts and mattresses, which can carry health risks. | For a lot of families, if it comes down to buying food or buying menstrual products, the latter will be shunted, Sommer said. Aside from the sheer inconvenience of it, when pads and tampons aren’t supplied in shelters, women often turn to using ripped up T-shirts and mattresses, which can carry health risks. |
| To be sure, there’s always an increased need for feminine hygiene products when disasters like hurricanes or other health crises strike. | To be sure, there’s always an increased need for feminine hygiene products when disasters like hurricanes or other health crises strike. |
| But the coronavirus pandemic is unlike previous disasters Marlowe has seen, because the tampon and pad shortage is affecting everyone. | But the coronavirus pandemic is unlike previous disasters Marlowe has seen, because the tampon and pad shortage is affecting everyone. |
| People unaccustomed to scrambling for menstrual supplies are desperately scanning the bare shelves in stores. “Stop hoarding menstrual products!” wrote I Support the Girls in a recent tweet. | People unaccustomed to scrambling for menstrual supplies are desperately scanning the bare shelves in stores. “Stop hoarding menstrual products!” wrote I Support the Girls in a recent tweet. |
| Readers: What product shortages are you seeing in stores or online? Write to us at inherwords@nytimes.com. | Readers: What product shortages are you seeing in stores or online? Write to us at inherwords@nytimes.com. |
| In Her Words is available as a newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. | In Her Words is available as a newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. |