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| Man Charged With Trying to Blow Up Jewish Assisted-Living Home | Man Charged With Trying to Blow Up Jewish Assisted-Living Home |
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| A Massachusetts man was charged on Wednesday with trying to blow up a Jewish assisted-living center that had been targeted for attack on a white supremacist website that promoted a “Jew killing day,” federal prosecutors said. | A Massachusetts man was charged on Wednesday with trying to blow up a Jewish assisted-living center that had been targeted for attack on a white supremacist website that promoted a “Jew killing day,” federal prosecutors said. |
| The man, John Michael Rathbun, 36, was charged in federal court in Western Massachusetts with two counts of attempted arson after the authorities said he tried to ignite a five-gallon plastic gas canister outside Ruth’s House, an assisted-living home in Longmeadow, Mass., on the morning of April 2. | The man, John Michael Rathbun, 36, was charged in federal court in Western Massachusetts with two counts of attempted arson after the authorities said he tried to ignite a five-gallon plastic gas canister outside Ruth’s House, an assisted-living home in Longmeadow, Mass., on the morning of April 2. |
| Federal prosecutors said that Mr. Rathbun’s DNA matched bloodstains that were found on the handle of the canister and on a partly charred Christian religious pamphlet that had been stuffed in the nozzle as a fuse. Mr. Rathbun’s mother told federal agents that she prints and distributes Christian pamphlets but did not recognize the one in the gas canister. | Federal prosecutors said that Mr. Rathbun’s DNA matched bloodstains that were found on the handle of the canister and on a partly charred Christian religious pamphlet that had been stuffed in the nozzle as a fuse. Mr. Rathbun’s mother told federal agents that she prints and distributes Christian pamphlets but did not recognize the one in the gas canister. |
| The canister was found within feet of a widely used pedestrian walkway, about 50 yards from Ruth’s House, the authorities said. | The canister was found within feet of a widely used pedestrian walkway, about 50 yards from Ruth’s House, the authorities said. |
| The 64-unit home, which serves kosher food but is open to older people of all religious backgrounds, is part of a section that includes several Jewish institutions, including three temples, a Jewish private school and a Jewish community center, federal prosecutors said. | The 64-unit home, which serves kosher food but is open to older people of all religious backgrounds, is part of a section that includes several Jewish institutions, including three temples, a Jewish private school and a Jewish community center, federal prosecutors said. |
| “It really targeted this small but tight-knit Jewish community,” said Eric P. Lesser, the state senator from Longmeadow, who added that the institutions need more funding for security. “People are on edge and people are concerned.” | “It really targeted this small but tight-knit Jewish community,” said Eric P. Lesser, the state senator from Longmeadow, who added that the institutions need more funding for security. “People are on edge and people are concerned.” |
| Ruth’s House had been targeted for attack on two social media platforms operated by an unnamed white supremacist group, according to a criminal complaint. One user on March 4 had discussed a mass killing at “that jew nursing home in longmeadow Massachusetts,” and another had created a calendar listing for April 3 called “jew killing day.” | Ruth’s House had been targeted for attack on two social media platforms operated by an unnamed white supremacist group, according to a criminal complaint. One user on March 4 had discussed a mass killing at “that jew nursing home in longmeadow Massachusetts,” and another had created a calendar listing for April 3 called “jew killing day.” |
| The F.B.I. was not sure whether Mr. Rathbun was involved with the white supremacist group, but said his computer had been seized and an investigation was continuing, according to the complaint. | The F.B.I. was not sure whether Mr. Rathbun was involved with the white supremacist group, but said his computer had been seized and an investigation was continuing, according to the complaint. |
| “Unfortunately, at this time, I’ve been advised not to comment,” Mr. Rathbun said in a brief telephone interview on Thursday. “I have nothing to say.” | “Unfortunately, at this time, I’ve been advised not to comment,” Mr. Rathbun said in a brief telephone interview on Thursday. “I have nothing to say.” |
| The incident came as assisted-living centers and nursing homes around the country have been ravaged by the coronavirus outbreak and as Jews have faced spasms of anti-Semitic violence, including attacks on synagogues in Poway, Calif., last April and in Pittsburgh in 2018. | The incident came as assisted-living centers and nursing homes around the country have been ravaged by the coronavirus outbreak and as Jews have faced spasms of anti-Semitic violence, including attacks on synagogues in Poway, Calif., last April and in Pittsburgh in 2018. |
| Anti-Semitic attacks in the New York area have also been more frequent in recent months, with three people killed in a shooting at a kosher supermarket in Jersey City, N.J., and a knife attack at a rabbi’s home in Monsey, N.Y. | Anti-Semitic attacks in the New York area have also been more frequent in recent months, with three people killed in a shooting at a kosher supermarket in Jersey City, N.J., and a knife attack at a rabbi’s home in Monsey, N.Y. |
| “In times of national crisis, hatred based on religion often blossoms into violence,” said Andrew E. Lelling, the United States attorney for Massachusetts. “We will find, investigate and aggressively prosecute anyone engaged in this kind of mayhem.” | “In times of national crisis, hatred based on religion often blossoms into violence,” said Andrew E. Lelling, the United States attorney for Massachusetts. “We will find, investigate and aggressively prosecute anyone engaged in this kind of mayhem.” |
| Mr. Rathbun, who made an appearance in federal court via videoconference on Wednesday, has not yet entered a plea. A federal magistrate judge, Katherine A. Robertson, initially released him to home confinement in East Longmeadow, Mass., over the objections of prosecutors, who said the decision “appears to have been greatly influenced by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.” | Mr. Rathbun, who made an appearance in federal court via videoconference on Wednesday, has not yet entered a plea. A federal magistrate judge, Katherine A. Robertson, initially released him to home confinement in East Longmeadow, Mass., over the objections of prosecutors, who said the decision “appears to have been greatly influenced by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.” |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | Updated June 12, 2020 |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| 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 Friday, a federal judge, Mark G. Mastroianni, ordered that Mr. Rathbun be detained. | On Friday, a federal judge, Mark G. Mastroianni, ordered that Mr. Rathbun be detained. |
| Mr. Rathbun’s federal public defender, Timothy Watkins, had argued that home confinement was appropriate. He pointed to the rapid spread of the coronavirus in jails and said that, given the notoriety generated by Mr. Rathbun’s arrest, and a stay-at-home order in Massachusetts, “it is frankly inconceivable that Rathbun would venture out into a lightly traveled world.” | Mr. Rathbun’s federal public defender, Timothy Watkins, had argued that home confinement was appropriate. He pointed to the rapid spread of the coronavirus in jails and said that, given the notoriety generated by Mr. Rathbun’s arrest, and a stay-at-home order in Massachusetts, “it is frankly inconceivable that Rathbun would venture out into a lightly traveled world.” |
| Ruth’s House is part of a 23-acre campus that includes a rehabilitation center and several other facilities run by JGS Lifecare, which was founded in 1912 by 13 Jewish women as the Daughters of Zion Home for the Aged in Springfield, Mass. | Ruth’s House is part of a 23-acre campus that includes a rehabilitation center and several other facilities run by JGS Lifecare, which was founded in 1912 by 13 Jewish women as the Daughters of Zion Home for the Aged in Springfield, Mass. |
| Even before the attempted arson, JGS Lifecare was in crisis. More than 90 of its residents and 40 staff members had tested positive for the coronavirus and 21 residents had died from the virus, according to a letter from the group’s leaders on April 10. Ruth’s House had no confirmed cases, the letter stated. | Even before the attempted arson, JGS Lifecare was in crisis. More than 90 of its residents and 40 staff members had tested positive for the coronavirus and 21 residents had died from the virus, according to a letter from the group’s leaders on April 10. Ruth’s House had no confirmed cases, the letter stated. |
| “JGS Lifecare is under attack,” the organization said in court papers on Friday. “Attack from a silent virus that has invaded our walls intended to protect our most vulnerable population, our frail and sick elders. And now JGS Lifecare is under a premeditated and deliberate attack, from a man filled with hate and venom who consciously wants to kill the Jews who we care for, together with the people of all faiths and backgrounds who we care for.” | “JGS Lifecare is under attack,” the organization said in court papers on Friday. “Attack from a silent virus that has invaded our walls intended to protect our most vulnerable population, our frail and sick elders. And now JGS Lifecare is under a premeditated and deliberate attack, from a man filled with hate and venom who consciously wants to kill the Jews who we care for, together with the people of all faiths and backgrounds who we care for.” |
| Joseph R. Bonavolonta, the special agent in charge of the F.B.I.’s Boston division, said that the case “highlights the very real threat posed by racially motivated violent extremists.” | Joseph R. Bonavolonta, the special agent in charge of the F.B.I.’s Boston division, said that the case “highlights the very real threat posed by racially motivated violent extremists.” |
| He added that the bureau and its partners were determined to use every investigative tool “to identify, assess and disrupt threats like this one to keep our communities safe.” | He added that the bureau and its partners were determined to use every investigative tool “to identify, assess and disrupt threats like this one to keep our communities safe.” |