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One Final Step for 52 Medical Students, Eager to Join the Fight One Final Step for 52 Medical Students, Eager to Join the Fight
(about 7 hours later)
From dorm rooms and apartments, 52 medical students watched video of themselves roll across their screens. Miles away, their proud families followed online. Gazing into webcams, the students pledged the Hippocratic oath in frayed unison, dozens of different starts and voices, all coming to the same point.From dorm rooms and apartments, 52 medical students watched video of themselves roll across their screens. Miles away, their proud families followed online. Gazing into webcams, the students pledged the Hippocratic oath in frayed unison, dozens of different starts and voices, all coming to the same point.
They could get on with doctoring.They could get on with doctoring.
On Friday, a virtual graduation was held over video chat for nearly half the 2020 class at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. They were two months ahead of schedule. That moment will be repeated in some form at other medical schools in the coming days.On Friday, a virtual graduation was held over video chat for nearly half the 2020 class at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. They were two months ahead of schedule. That moment will be repeated in some form at other medical schools in the coming days.
The more ragged the ritual, the more soul-stirring its core: Young people were stepping up to join others already serving at an hour of crisis, little different than soldiers being deployed in war.The more ragged the ritual, the more soul-stirring its core: Young people were stepping up to join others already serving at an hour of crisis, little different than soldiers being deployed in war.
“The country needs to mobilize people,” said Dr. Steven Abramson, vice dean of the Grossman school. “Last time this happened was in World War II, when medical schools were shortened to three years.”“The country needs to mobilize people,” said Dr. Steven Abramson, vice dean of the Grossman school. “Last time this happened was in World War II, when medical schools were shortened to three years.”
Celebrate the students today. Remember, too, that they stand as proxies for an entire caste of the essential: doctors, nurses and technicians, of course, but also those who drive buses, pick up garbage, save lives in ambulances, stock grocery shelves, deliver mail, push bins of dirty sheets down corridors, keep the electricity grid humming and the sewer system flowing, and figure out how to make space in hospitals when none is left.Celebrate the students today. Remember, too, that they stand as proxies for an entire caste of the essential: doctors, nurses and technicians, of course, but also those who drive buses, pick up garbage, save lives in ambulances, stock grocery shelves, deliver mail, push bins of dirty sheets down corridors, keep the electricity grid humming and the sewer system flowing, and figure out how to make space in hospitals when none is left.
Among unnamed others.Among unnamed others.
“People have been showing up in the hospital from day one, and working so hard,” said Allison Horan, a medical student who urged N.Y.U. to get her class into the fight.“People have been showing up in the hospital from day one, and working so hard,” said Allison Horan, a medical student who urged N.Y.U. to get her class into the fight.
The students were pulled out of hospitals last month when the disease took off, and would have little to do until summer when they will begin a year as interns at hospitals around the country.The students were pulled out of hospitals last month when the disease took off, and would have little to do until summer when they will begin a year as interns at hospitals around the country.
Prodded by Ms. Horan and others, the school surveyed the class of 120 to find out how many wanted to begin a short-term stint of work in New York right away, backstopping doctors treating coronavirus patients. Within 12 hours, Dr. Abramson said, they had enough volunteers — 52 was the final count — to move ahead. Most of those did not live with especially vulnerable people.Prodded by Ms. Horan and others, the school surveyed the class of 120 to find out how many wanted to begin a short-term stint of work in New York right away, backstopping doctors treating coronavirus patients. Within 12 hours, Dr. Abramson said, they had enough volunteers — 52 was the final count — to move ahead. Most of those did not live with especially vulnerable people.
“It was a really easy decision to do this,” Evan Gerber, 26, said. “You have a moral obligation to society.”“It was a really easy decision to do this,” Evan Gerber, 26, said. “You have a moral obligation to society.”
“I sent my mom a text, ‘N.Y.U. is drafting medical students to help fight Covid,’” Mark S. Cort, 26, said. “She immediately called me. She knows I’m pretty hardheaded. She made sure that I knew she loved me, and that she would be praying for me.”“I sent my mom a text, ‘N.Y.U. is drafting medical students to help fight Covid,’” Mark S. Cort, 26, said. “She immediately called me. She knows I’m pretty hardheaded. She made sure that I knew she loved me, and that she would be praying for me.”
“If they are saying they need more foot soldiers,’’ Dr. Horan said, “I’m here to help.”“If they are saying they need more foot soldiers,’’ Dr. Horan said, “I’m here to help.”
It was a spirit echo of a moment 17 years ago, when hundreds of soldiers from the 101st Airborne of the United States Army gathered in a giant hangar at Fort Campbell, Ky., before they boarded planes for the invasion of Iraq. The national leadership had deemed it a worthy cause, a decision many saw, or came to see, as wrong.It was a spirit echo of a moment 17 years ago, when hundreds of soldiers from the 101st Airborne of the United States Army gathered in a giant hangar at Fort Campbell, Ky., before they boarded planes for the invasion of Iraq. The national leadership had deemed it a worthy cause, a decision many saw, or came to see, as wrong.
But what started true and stayed true was the impulse of those men and women to serve. Many were in their early 20s. (The chaplain posted a warning sign for anyone trying to rush a big decision: “I don’t marry privates and I don’t marry teenagers.”)But what started true and stayed true was the impulse of those men and women to serve. Many were in their early 20s. (The chaplain posted a warning sign for anyone trying to rush a big decision: “I don’t marry privates and I don’t marry teenagers.”)
The troops queued to get inoculated against anthrax and smallpox, leaned over tables to designate life insurance beneficiaries, and puzzled out standardized wills, documents few had ever encountered.The troops queued to get inoculated against anthrax and smallpox, leaned over tables to designate life insurance beneficiaries, and puzzled out standardized wills, documents few had ever encountered.
With variations, the same hectic spell landed on the new doctors. Dr. Gerber, who will move to the Denver Health Medical Center in Colorado at the end of his Covid-19 service in New York, was packing boxes last week so he’d be ready to throw them in a car and drive west when the time came.With variations, the same hectic spell landed on the new doctors. Dr. Gerber, who will move to the Denver Health Medical Center in Colorado at the end of his Covid-19 service in New York, was packing boxes last week so he’d be ready to throw them in a car and drive west when the time came.
The early graduates have agreed to work for 30 days in one of four hospitals affiliated with N.Y.U., with optional two-week extensions. When they are done, they will have to quarantine for two weeks.The early graduates have agreed to work for 30 days in one of four hospitals affiliated with N.Y.U., with optional two-week extensions. When they are done, they will have to quarantine for two weeks.
Updated June 12, 2020 Updated June 16, 2020
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Cort, born in Guyana, raised in Brooklyn, and the first in his family to go to college, was organizing paperwork for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he will be an intern. He had not seen his mother or grandmother since he convinced them to stay home last month.Dr. Cort, born in Guyana, raised in Brooklyn, and the first in his family to go to college, was organizing paperwork for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he will be an intern. He had not seen his mother or grandmother since he convinced them to stay home last month.
Of course the new doctors were afraid of the virus — “it would be insane not to feel fear,” Dr. Horan said — but they had faith in their training. As they rotated through the major medical disciplines in the hospital, they used the gowns, masks and gloves now known to the world as personal protective equipment.Of course the new doctors were afraid of the virus — “it would be insane not to feel fear,” Dr. Horan said — but they had faith in their training. As they rotated through the major medical disciplines in the hospital, they used the gowns, masks and gloves now known to the world as personal protective equipment.
“I will have to use my P.P.E. carefully,” Dr. Cort said.“I will have to use my P.P.E. carefully,” Dr. Cort said.
The young soldiers of the 101st packed ballistic helmets and Kevlar vests. Even so, the very first of their number to fall in Iraq was a 20-year-old soldier wearing helmet and vest; a bullet struck under his arm, a lethal shot that found an unprotected opening.The young soldiers of the 101st packed ballistic helmets and Kevlar vests. Even so, the very first of their number to fall in Iraq was a 20-year-old soldier wearing helmet and vest; a bullet struck under his arm, a lethal shot that found an unprotected opening.
Fastidious as the new doctors may be, this disease or another may find a way to infect them. “If I get Covid, I get Covid,” said Dr. Cort, whose family had little money when he was growing up. “Those are things that I can’t really control.”Fastidious as the new doctors may be, this disease or another may find a way to infect them. “If I get Covid, I get Covid,” said Dr. Cort, whose family had little money when he was growing up. “Those are things that I can’t really control.”
On paper, the new doctors are to avoid direct care of Covid-19 patients, but an axiom of military planning applies equally to medicine: the enemy gets a vote. One day in the desert of southern Iraq, an Army commander made a prophetic understatement: “The enemy we’re fighting is a bit different than the one we war-gamed against.”On paper, the new doctors are to avoid direct care of Covid-19 patients, but an axiom of military planning applies equally to medicine: the enemy gets a vote. One day in the desert of southern Iraq, an Army commander made a prophetic understatement: “The enemy we’re fighting is a bit different than the one we war-gamed against.”
And so it is for the new doctors. No one can say with certainty what they will be called to do. They are joining legions of essentials in serving an empire of need.And so it is for the new doctors. No one can say with certainty what they will be called to do. They are joining legions of essentials in serving an empire of need.
“I’m signing up,” Dr. Horan said, “with the understanding that I’m here to help and to serve, however is needed.”“I’m signing up,” Dr. Horan said, “with the understanding that I’m here to help and to serve, however is needed.”