'He’s Overseeing a City’s Coronavirus Response, Even as He Fights It Himself' diff viewer (10/11)

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Version 10	Version 11
He’s Overseeing a City’s Coronavirus Response, Even as He Fights It Himself	He’s Overseeing a City’s Coronavirus Response, Even as He Fights It Himself
2020-06-24 13:28:27 UTC	2020-06-24 14:00:18 UTC (32 minutes later)
Roland Walker is the health commissioner of Gary, Ind., where positive coronavirus tests are on the rise. One of them belonged to him.	Roland Walker is the health commissioner of Gary, Ind., where positive coronavirus tests are on the rise. One of them belonged to him.
His parents, both of whom are in their 80s, tested positive as well and were hospitalized. His father, who had a seizure, is now recovering and has been discharged. His mother remains on a ventilator.	His parents, both of whom are in their 80s, tested positive as well and were hospitalized. His father, who had a seizure, is now recovering and has been discharged. His mother remains on a ventilator.
He is also trying to care for the residents of Gary, the city of 75,000 where he was born and raised, and his patients, both at a hospital and at the pediatric practice he and his wife share — all while quarantining at home.	He is also trying to care for the residents of Gary, the city of 75,000 where he was born and raised, and his patients, both at a hospital and at the pediatric practice he and his wife share — all while quarantining at home.
“The stress came from when my parents got ill,” said Dr. Walker, 48. “It has been very, very scary.”	“The stress came from when my parents got ill,” said Dr. Walker, 48. “It has been very, very scary.”
He spoke with The New York Times this week about how he and his family are social distancing, and the challenges facing Gary as the virus spreads. The conversation was edited and condensed for clarity.	He spoke with The New York Times this week about how he and his family are social distancing, and the challenges facing Gary as the virus spreads. The conversation was edited and condensed for clarity.
When did you take the test? How long did it take to learn the result?	When did you take the test? How long did it take to learn the result?
I wasn’t going to take it originally, because I was asymptomatic. My wife and I practice together. We have a private practice and we get our temperatures taken every time we go in. We’ve been fine.	I wasn’t going to take it originally, because I was asymptomatic. My wife and I practice together. We have a private practice and we get our temperatures taken every time we go in. We’ve been fine.
Ten days ago, I learned that three people I was around had been exposed to the virus, and I was tested. It took about five days to get the test results, and during that time I was still wearing a mask and gloves in the office and everywhere.	Ten days ago, I learned that three people I was around had been exposed to the virus, and I was tested. It took about five days to get the test results, and during that time I was still wearing a mask and gloves in the office and everywhere.
People are scared, and I wanted to go public about the result to show that eight out of 10 who are positive are going to be asymptomatic. That would serve as a good lesson.	People are scared, and I wanted to go public about the result to show that eight out of 10 who are positive are going to be asymptomatic. That would serve as a good lesson.
Ninety-nine percent of the comments have been supportive, but I’m fixated on the 1 percent. It’s similar to when everyone was so scared of H.I.V. in the early 1980s.	Ninety-nine percent of the comments have been supportive, but I’m fixated on the 1 percent. It’s similar to when everyone was so scared of H.I.V. in the early 1980s.
How are you and your parents doing?	How are you and your parents doing?
Physically, I feel fine. Both of my parents ended up testing positive. Neither of them showed respiratory symptoms at first.	Physically, I feel fine. Both of my parents ended up testing positive. Neither of them showed respiratory symptoms at first.
My father showed weakness and went to the hospital twice. He had a seizure — the coronavirus can take many forms. But he’s sitting with me right now and doing normal activities.	My father showed weakness and went to the hospital twice. He had a seizure — the coronavirus can take many forms. But he’s sitting with me right now and doing normal activities.
My mother is on a ventilator. My wife is negative. My 13-year-old daughter is completely asymptomatic.	My mother is on a ventilator. My wife is negative. My 13-year-old daughter is completely asymptomatic.
How hard is it for you to follow social distancing when you and your family members are all under one roof?	How hard is it for you to follow social distancing when you and your family members are all under one roof?
My parents live in Mississippi. I brought them up about the 18th of March. In Mississippi, the state was not doing a lot of social distancing, and they weren’t closing restaurants and church services. I thought they’d be safer.	My parents live in Mississippi. I brought them up about the 18th of March. In Mississippi, the state was not doing a lot of social distancing, and they weren’t closing restaurants and church services. I thought they’d be safer.
My house is a tri-level, so that makes it easier. My parents have a bedroom and bathroom area that is separate, and we practice social distancing in the house.	My house is a tri-level, so that makes it easier. My parents have a bedroom and bathroom area that is separate, and we practice social distancing in the house.
I am a pediatrician and kids are coughing constantly. We’re making a mistake in not mass-testing kids, because they seem to congregate the most and bring it back to their homes. I love kids, but they’re a caldron of germs.	I am a pediatrician and kids are coughing constantly. We’re making a mistake in not mass-testing kids, because they seem to congregate the most and bring it back to their homes. I love kids, but they’re a caldron of germs.
How are you taking care of yourself, your family, your practice and your city?	How are you taking care of yourself, your family, your practice and your city?
I’m a marathon runner and I continue to train. I think I have good lung capacity. The stress came from when my parents got ill. I’ve had a lot of crying, I’d be lying to you if I didn’t tell you that. It has been very, very scary.	I’m a marathon runner and I continue to train. I think I have good lung capacity. The stress came from when my parents got ill. I’ve had a lot of crying, I’d be lying to you if I didn’t tell you that. It has been very, very scary.
My wife, who is the smart one, has been running the practice. My daughter plays Little League baseball; she is a second baseman. We’ve gone to the field. That’s something we can do during social distancing. But when too many other people showed up, we just had to stop. I’ve been given a reprieve from coaching Little League, thank God, because my responsibility has increased.	My wife, who is the smart one, has been running the practice. My daughter plays Little League baseball; she is a second baseman. We’ve gone to the field. That’s something we can do during social distancing. But when too many other people showed up, we just had to stop. I’ve been given a reprieve from coaching Little League, thank God, because my responsibility has increased.
Today I spent most of the day putting out of fires. It has been disappointing at times, but I’ve been heartened when I see six-foot squares at stores marking off the distance. I make it a point to compliment them. People are adhering to the guidelines, but now with the warmer weather, I’m not sure that it will last.
Updated June 22, 2020	Updated June 22, 2020
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.
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.)
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.
	Today I spent most of the day putting out of fires. It has been disappointing at times, but I’ve been heartened when I see six-foot squares at stores marking off the distance. I make it a point to compliment them. People are adhering to the guidelines, but now with the warmer weather, I’m not sure that it will last.
At the end of the day, I play the piano and relax my mind.	At the end of the day, I play the piano and relax my mind.
Gary itself has underlying conditions — a large number of low-income residents and a high rate of lung disease — that could make it more susceptible to the pandemic.	Gary itself has underlying conditions — a large number of low-income residents and a high rate of lung disease — that could make it more susceptible to the pandemic.