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Body of Kennedy Family Member Found in Chesapeake Bay Body of Kennedy Family Member Found in Chesapeake Bay
(32 minutes later)
The body of one of two Kennedy family members who went missing last week when their canoe capsized in the Chesapeake Bay was recovered on Monday, the authorities said.The body of one of two Kennedy family members who went missing last week when their canoe capsized in the Chesapeake Bay was recovered on Monday, the authorities said.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police said on Monday night that it had found the body of Maeve Kennedy Townsend McKean, 40, a granddaughter of Robert F. Kennedy. It said the search would continue for her son Gideon McKean, 8.The Maryland Natural Resources Police said on Monday night that it had found the body of Maeve Kennedy Townsend McKean, 40, a granddaughter of Robert F. Kennedy. It said the search would continue for her son Gideon McKean, 8.
[Update: The body of Gideon McKean was recovered on Wednesday.][Update: The body of Gideon McKean was recovered on Wednesday.]
Ms. McKean’s body was recovered in 25 feet of water about two and a half miles south of her mother’s residence in Shady Side, Md., where the two family members set off in their canoe on Thursday, officials said.Ms. McKean’s body was recovered in 25 feet of water about two and a half miles south of her mother’s residence in Shady Side, Md., where the two family members set off in their canoe on Thursday, officials said.
Emergency responders searched the area by helicopter and used sonar technology, and divers also aided the search, the authorities said. They said Ms. McKean’s body was found at 5:31 p.m.Emergency responders searched the area by helicopter and used sonar technology, and divers also aided the search, the authorities said. They said Ms. McKean’s body was found at 5:31 p.m.
Ms. McKean and her son had jumped into the canoe to retrieve a ball that went into the bay, and they were unable to paddle back to shore, according to the family and the Natural Resources Police.Ms. McKean and her son had jumped into the canoe to retrieve a ball that went into the bay, and they were unable to paddle back to shore, according to the family and the Natural Resources Police.
Earlier on Monday, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III of Massachusetts, Ms. McKean’s cousin, remembered her as a vibrant person and an extraordinary mother in a video posted on Twitter.Earlier on Monday, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy III of Massachusetts, Ms. McKean’s cousin, remembered her as a vibrant person and an extraordinary mother in a video posted on Twitter.
“Maeve was my cousin closest in age who I looked up to,” Mr. Kennedy said, adding that she was “the person that convinced me to go into the Peace Corps.”“Maeve was my cousin closest in age who I looked up to,” Mr. Kennedy said, adding that she was “the person that convinced me to go into the Peace Corps.”
Mr. Kennedy thanked the public for its prayers and said that Gideon was a sparkling 8-year-old. “The pain hurts,” he said.Mr. Kennedy thanked the public for its prayers and said that Gideon was a sparkling 8-year-old. “The pain hurts,” he said.
In a statement late Friday, Ms. McKean’s mother, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, a former lieutenant governor of Maryland, said the family was in mourning.In a statement late Friday, Ms. McKean’s mother, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, a former lieutenant governor of Maryland, said the family was in mourning.
“My family thanks all for the outpouring of love and prayers as we grieve and try to bear this devastating loss,” she said.“My family thanks all for the outpouring of love and prayers as we grieve and try to bear this devastating loss,” she said.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Ms. McKean’s uncle, said his niece had been with her children in the yard at Ms. Townsend’s home, where Ms. McKean’s family has been staying during the coronavirus pandemic.Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Ms. McKean’s uncle, said his niece had been with her children in the yard at Ms. Townsend’s home, where Ms. McKean’s family has been staying during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ms. McKean and her children had been playing kickball in a shallow cove behind the house when one of them kicked the ball into the water, said David McKean, Ms. McKean’s husband and the boy’s father.Ms. McKean and her children had been playing kickball in a shallow cove behind the house when one of them kicked the ball into the water, said David McKean, Ms. McKean’s husband and the boy’s father.
“The cove is protected, with much calmer wind and water than in the greater Chesapeake,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “They got into a canoe, intending simply to retrieve the ball, and somehow got pushed by wind or tide into the open bay.”“The cove is protected, with much calmer wind and water than in the greater Chesapeake,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “They got into a canoe, intending simply to retrieve the ball, and somehow got pushed by wind or tide into the open bay.”
A concerned citizen saw two people in a canoe “drifting in the bay” and called 911 from the Columbia Beach community pier at 4:30 p.m., according to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.A concerned citizen saw two people in a canoe “drifting in the bay” and called 911 from the Columbia Beach community pier at 4:30 p.m., according to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.
“After that last sighting, they were not seen again,” Mr. McKean wrote.“After that last sighting, they were not seen again,” Mr. McKean wrote.
According to the Coast Guard, there were two- to three-foot waves and 29-mile-per-hour winds in the bay when the mother and son disappeared off Shady Side, about a 30-minute drive south of Annapolis.According to the Coast Guard, there were two- to three-foot waves and 29-mile-per-hour winds in the bay when the mother and son disappeared off Shady Side, about a 30-minute drive south of Annapolis.
Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland called the disappearance “sad news.” He said that he had spoken to Ms. Townsend on Friday morning.Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland called the disappearance “sad news.” He said that he had spoken to Ms. Townsend on Friday morning.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
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.
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 behalf of the people of Maryland, I expressed our most heartfelt sympathies and prayers to her and her entire family during this difficult time,” he said.“On behalf of the people of Maryland, I expressed our most heartfelt sympathies and prayers to her and her entire family during this difficult time,” he said.
Ms. McKean was the executive director of the Georgetown University Global Health Initiative. She was also a Peace Corps volunteer and served on the board of the Brady Campaign and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization, Ms. Townsend said on Friday.Ms. McKean was the executive director of the Georgetown University Global Health Initiative. She was also a Peace Corps volunteer and served on the board of the Brady Campaign and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization, Ms. Townsend said on Friday.
“Our Maeve devoted her life to helping society’s most vulnerable,” she said. Maeve and David McKean had three children: Gideon, Gabriella and Toby.“Our Maeve devoted her life to helping society’s most vulnerable,” she said. Maeve and David McKean had three children: Gideon, Gabriella and Toby.
“Gideon, like his mom, was a star athlete who loved soccer, golf, and running,” Ms. Townsend said. “He took after his parents in the most extraordinary ways.”“Gideon, like his mom, was a star athlete who loved soccer, golf, and running,” Ms. Townsend said. “He took after his parents in the most extraordinary ways.”
Mr. McKean described Gideon as a compassionate boy who could spend hours reading and loved sports.Mr. McKean described Gideon as a compassionate boy who could spend hours reading and loved sports.
“I used to marvel at him as a toddler and worry that he was too perfect to exist in this world,” Mr. McKean wrote. “It seems to me now that he was.”“I used to marvel at him as a toddler and worry that he was too perfect to exist in this world,” Mr. McKean wrote. “It seems to me now that he was.”
“Maeve turned 40 in November,” he added, “and she was my everything.”“Maeve turned 40 in November,” he added, “and she was my everything.”
The disappearance evoked other misfortunes that have befallen the famous family, known for producing a president, senators and other Democratic leaders. In August, Saoirse Kennedy Hill, 22, a granddaughter of Robert F. Kennedy, died after what appeared to be an overdose at the family compound in Hyannis Port, Mass.The disappearance evoked other misfortunes that have befallen the famous family, known for producing a president, senators and other Democratic leaders. In August, Saoirse Kennedy Hill, 22, a granddaughter of Robert F. Kennedy, died after what appeared to be an overdose at the family compound in Hyannis Port, Mass.