This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/09/us/california-coronavirus-usns-mercy.html

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
A Dispatch From the U.S.N.S. Mercy A Dispatch From the U.S.N.S. Mercy
(32 minutes later)
Good morning.Good morning.
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state was working to gather demographic information about coronavirus patients. Although he cautioned that the data was incomplete, infections and deaths so far roughly aligned with the state’s racial and ethnic makeup overall.On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state was working to gather demographic information about coronavirus patients. Although he cautioned that the data was incomplete, infections and deaths so far roughly aligned with the state’s racial and ethnic makeup overall.
State data also showed that health care workers were at risk; they made up roughly 10 percent of confirmed cases as of Tuesday.State data also showed that health care workers were at risk; they made up roughly 10 percent of confirmed cases as of Tuesday.
(Here’s the sign-up, if you don’t already get California Today delivered to your inbox.)(Here’s the sign-up, if you don’t already get California Today delivered to your inbox.)
On March 27, the Mercy, a massive floating hospital, arrived at the Port of Los Angeles from San Diego as a kind of relief valve for the region’s hospitals ahead of what experts have warned are likely to be surging numbers of Covid-19 patients.On March 27, the Mercy, a massive floating hospital, arrived at the Port of Los Angeles from San Diego as a kind of relief valve for the region’s hospitals ahead of what experts have warned are likely to be surging numbers of Covid-19 patients.
My colleague John Ismay and I have been in regular contact with leaders onboard, and we plan to keep you updated about how things are going. Here’s our dispatch:My colleague John Ismay and I have been in regular contact with leaders onboard, and we plan to keep you updated about how things are going. Here’s our dispatch:
The U.S. Navy hospital ship now pierside at the cruise ship terminal in San Pedro was built to care for casualties of war.The U.S. Navy hospital ship now pierside at the cruise ship terminal in San Pedro was built to care for casualties of war.
But here in California, its crew hasn’t been treating troops evacuated from the battlefield with gunshot wounds and blast injuries. Instead, they’ve treated a range of maladies more common in a giant American metropolis.But here in California, its crew hasn’t been treating troops evacuated from the battlefield with gunshot wounds and blast injuries. Instead, they’ve treated a range of maladies more common in a giant American metropolis.
Since the Mercy arrived, the crew have treated 31 patients total and released 18 of them, as of noon on Wednesday.Since the Mercy arrived, the crew have treated 31 patients total and released 18 of them, as of noon on Wednesday.
Surgeons onboard have performed five operations, including repairing an obstructed bowel, removing a ruptured appendix and an inflamed gallbladder, and treating an abdominal stab wound.Surgeons onboard have performed five operations, including repairing an obstructed bowel, removing a ruptured appendix and an inflamed gallbladder, and treating an abdominal stab wound.
Still, there are some types of patients the ship isn’t taking on.Still, there are some types of patients the ship isn’t taking on.
For now, patients are required to have negative coronavirus tests before they can be brought to the Mercy — although ensuring that the ship remains infection-free is a challenge, as it is for any civilian hospital.For now, patients are required to have negative coronavirus tests before they can be brought to the Mercy — although ensuring that the ship remains infection-free is a challenge, as it is for any civilian hospital.
Late on Wednesday, officials aboard the Mercy confirmed in an emailed statement that a crew member on board tested positive for the coronavirus.Late on Wednesday, officials aboard the Mercy confirmed in an emailed statement that a crew member on board tested positive for the coronavirus.
The crew member had not been in contact with patients, the statement said, and while they were currently isolated on the ship, they would soon be transferred to an off-ship isolation facility, where they’ll self-monitor for severe symptoms.The crew member had not been in contact with patients, the statement said, and while they were currently isolated on the ship, they would soon be transferred to an off-ship isolation facility, where they’ll self-monitor for severe symptoms.
[See all the confirmed coronavirus cases in California by county.][See all the confirmed coronavirus cases in California by county.]
Other crew members who came in contact with the crew member who tested positive will also be isolated off the ship and their conditions will be monitored, including with daily temperature checks.Other crew members who came in contact with the crew member who tested positive will also be isolated off the ship and their conditions will be monitored, including with daily temperature checks.
“This will not affect the ability for Mercy to receive patients,” the statement said. “The ship is following protocols and taking every precaution to ensure the health and safety of all crew members and patients on board.”“This will not affect the ability for Mercy to receive patients,” the statement said. “The ship is following protocols and taking every precaution to ensure the health and safety of all crew members and patients on board.”
Capt. John Rotruck, commander of the medical team aboard Mercy, told us on Tuesday that patients were tested at the hospitals that refer them, but that the Mercy had the capacity to conduct 60 tests per day and get results in about an hour.Capt. John Rotruck, commander of the medical team aboard Mercy, told us on Tuesday that patients were tested at the hospitals that refer them, but that the Mercy had the capacity to conduct 60 tests per day and get results in about an hour.
After careful consideration, senior Navy doctors decided the best thing they could do would be to offer care to adults.After careful consideration, senior Navy doctors decided the best thing they could do would be to offer care to adults.
Given the space limitations on a ship, types of care requiring specialized equipment — like pediatrics, obstetrics and treating behavioral disorders — won’t be offered onboard.Given the space limitations on a ship, types of care requiring specialized equipment — like pediatrics, obstetrics and treating behavioral disorders — won’t be offered onboard.
The Mercy’s mission is largely precautionary so far, given that Los Angeles has yet to see the numbers of Covid-19 patients that New York City has.The Mercy’s mission is largely precautionary so far, given that Los Angeles has yet to see the numbers of Covid-19 patients that New York City has.
According to Navy officials, hospitals in L.A. County that are normally about 97 percent full have only about 60 percent of their beds taken with patients right now — partly because elective and nonemergency procedures are being deferred.According to Navy officials, hospitals in L.A. County that are normally about 97 percent full have only about 60 percent of their beds taken with patients right now — partly because elective and nonemergency procedures are being deferred.
“I think they’ve sent patients to us to test the system,” said Captain Rotruck.“I think they’ve sent patients to us to test the system,” said Captain Rotruck.
He said the 1,000-bed ship stood ready to take more patients as needed.He said the 1,000-bed ship stood ready to take more patients as needed.
“We are at least well positioned to respond to whatever demand signal we get from the local hospitals,” Captain Rotruck added.“We are at least well positioned to respond to whatever demand signal we get from the local hospitals,” Captain Rotruck added.
The gradual stream of patients is an intentional act to test the system in place, where the county’s Medical Alert Center evaluates requests from local hospitals to transfer patients to the Mercy, and contacts the ship when it determines it has a good candidate for care there.The gradual stream of patients is an intentional act to test the system in place, where the county’s Medical Alert Center evaluates requests from local hospitals to transfer patients to the Mercy, and contacts the ship when it determines it has a good candidate for care there.
Should the number of Covid-19 patients rise, filling beds in area hospitals, the relationship between the Medical Alert Center and the Mercy will have already worked out how to handle the load.Should the number of Covid-19 patients rise, filling beds in area hospitals, the relationship between the Medical Alert Center and the Mercy will have already worked out how to handle the load.
And if need be, the Mercy may be ordered to shift to treating only patients infected with coronavirus.And if need be, the Mercy may be ordered to shift to treating only patients infected with coronavirus.
That was recently the case for the Norfolk, Va.-based Comfort, the Navy hospital ship that is now in New York City. Its mission is similar, but the Comfort’s crew is working under much different circumstances.That was recently the case for the Norfolk, Va.-based Comfort, the Navy hospital ship that is now in New York City. Its mission is similar, but the Comfort’s crew is working under much different circumstances.
Updated June 30, 2020
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
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 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.
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.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If 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.
[Read more about the Comfort and its mission in New York.][Read more about the Comfort and its mission in New York.]
New York’s hospitals have been overwhelmed — a fate California leaders have said repeatedly they are working hard to head off, by opening alternate care sites at convention centers and arenas, and by calling upon the Mercy.New York’s hospitals have been overwhelmed — a fate California leaders have said repeatedly they are working hard to head off, by opening alternate care sites at convention centers and arenas, and by calling upon the Mercy.
Such a mission would most likely be the biggest of the ship’s three-decade-long career.Such a mission would most likely be the biggest of the ship’s three-decade-long career.
Normally, the Mercy is tied up at a Navy base in San Diego with a small full-time crew of civilian mariners. Only when it is activated for humanitarian missions does the Navy send a large contingent of active-duty doctors, nurses and other sailors to the ship.Normally, the Mercy is tied up at a Navy base in San Diego with a small full-time crew of civilian mariners. Only when it is activated for humanitarian missions does the Navy send a large contingent of active-duty doctors, nurses and other sailors to the ship.
In San Pedro now, the Mercy sits next to the Iowa, another old vessel at the opposite end of the hospital ship’s mission — the former for treating the wounded, and the latter for blasting targets at sea and on land in combat.In San Pedro now, the Mercy sits next to the Iowa, another old vessel at the opposite end of the hospital ship’s mission — the former for treating the wounded, and the latter for blasting targets at sea and on land in combat.
The Iowa is a relic — a type of warship this country has not built in more than 70 years, now serving as a floating museum.The Iowa is a relic — a type of warship this country has not built in more than 70 years, now serving as a floating museum.
Painted haze-gray, it bristles with gun barrels and is armored with thick steel plates.Painted haze-gray, it bristles with gun barrels and is armored with thick steel plates.
The Mercy, on the other hand, is a converted oil tanker built in 1976 and recommissioned as a hospital ship in 1986, painted bright white with thick red crosses along its length to show potential enemies that it is protected by the Geneva Convention as a noncombatant ship.The Mercy, on the other hand, is a converted oil tanker built in 1976 and recommissioned as a hospital ship in 1986, painted bright white with thick red crosses along its length to show potential enemies that it is protected by the Geneva Convention as a noncombatant ship.
“I could not be more proud of the men and women onboard this ship,” Captain Rotruck said. “Standing up a 1,000-bed hospital in short order — no other crew other than the men and women of the U.S. Navy could have done this.”“I could not be more proud of the men and women onboard this ship,” Captain Rotruck said. “Standing up a 1,000-bed hospital in short order — no other crew other than the men and women of the U.S. Navy could have done this.”
[John Ismay is a staff writer who covers armed conflict for The New York Times Magazine. He is based in Washington. Read more of his work here.][John Ismay is a staff writer who covers armed conflict for The New York Times Magazine. He is based in Washington. Read more of his work here.]
We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.
“Eventually the moratoriums will be lifted, and we don’t want to create an environment where low-income renters fall off a financial cliff.” Tenants around the nation aren’t paying rent this month. And it’s set to get worse. [The New York Times]“Eventually the moratoriums will be lifted, and we don’t want to create an environment where low-income renters fall off a financial cliff.” Tenants around the nation aren’t paying rent this month. And it’s set to get worse. [The New York Times]
At first, the coronavirus spread slowly in rural areas. That’s not the case anymore. [The New York Times]At first, the coronavirus spread slowly in rural areas. That’s not the case anymore. [The New York Times]
The story of Passover has always been one of perseverance. During a literal plague, the ritual looked different for families at Seders around the country on Wednesday night, but they still reflected. [The New York Times]The story of Passover has always been one of perseverance. During a literal plague, the ritual looked different for families at Seders around the country on Wednesday night, but they still reflected. [The New York Times]
California Today goes live at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com. Were you forwarded this email? Sign up for California Today here and read every edition online here.California Today goes live at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com. Were you forwarded this email? Sign up for California Today here and read every edition online here.
Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, graduated from U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter.Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, graduated from U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter.
California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.