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| We Will Always Have Avarice | We Will Always Have Avarice |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| Scientists track disease outbreaks using all kinds of information: hospital admissions, prescription data, even Google searches for phrases like “I can’t smell.” | Scientists track disease outbreaks using all kinds of information: hospital admissions, prescription data, even Google searches for phrases like “I can’t smell.” |
| I have tracked the coronavirus through a hitherto-untapped epidemiological tool: my own inbox. Emails from corporate America are becoming remarkably personal. | I have tracked the coronavirus through a hitherto-untapped epidemiological tool: my own inbox. Emails from corporate America are becoming remarkably personal. |
| Every airline I’ve flown with and hotel chain I’ve stayed with, and some that I haven’t, has been imploring me to understand how deeply they care about me and how antiseptically clean they would be, if only I return. “Please baby please baby please baby baby baby PLEASE,” they said. | Every airline I’ve flown with and hotel chain I’ve stayed with, and some that I haven’t, has been imploring me to understand how deeply they care about me and how antiseptically clean they would be, if only I return. “Please baby please baby please baby baby baby PLEASE,” they said. |
| Really, Spike Lee said that, in the movie “She’s Gotta Have It.” But that’s what I’ve been hearing in their strangely intimate notes. | Really, Spike Lee said that, in the movie “She’s Gotta Have It.” But that’s what I’ve been hearing in their strangely intimate notes. |
| For example, the real estate agent who sold our previous house — a delightful person, but not one I’d developed a close personal relationship with — sent her usual listings with an additional sweet missive: “I am here for you.” | For example, the real estate agent who sold our previous house — a delightful person, but not one I’d developed a close personal relationship with — sent her usual listings with an additional sweet missive: “I am here for you.” |
| While she would not be holding public showings of homes, she said, private visits were available, with “extra precautions.” Reassuringly, she assured me, “I will remain strategic and steadfast,” which was somewhat mystifying but very nice. | While she would not be holding public showings of homes, she said, private visits were available, with “extra precautions.” Reassuringly, she assured me, “I will remain strategic and steadfast,” which was somewhat mystifying but very nice. |
| Soon, almost every email I received opened with a new salutation, something along the lines of “I hope this finds you safe and well” before getting down to the pitch. Justin Boots, the cowboy footwear company that was swallowed up by Berkshire Hathaway, promised: “The Stampede Collection offers classic western boots that are crafted to get you through anything and everything, including the uncertain times we’re facing today,” as if one of the features of the Jackson Roper was some kind of personal protective equipment. | Soon, almost every email I received opened with a new salutation, something along the lines of “I hope this finds you safe and well” before getting down to the pitch. Justin Boots, the cowboy footwear company that was swallowed up by Berkshire Hathaway, promised: “The Stampede Collection offers classic western boots that are crafted to get you through anything and everything, including the uncertain times we’re facing today,” as if one of the features of the Jackson Roper was some kind of personal protective equipment. |
| “You can stomp on the viruses,” my wife said. “Just squish ‘em!” | “You can stomp on the viruses,” my wife said. “Just squish ‘em!” |
| Yes, these are stressful times. Many of these people are just doing their best, trying to keep their heads above water and struggling to find anything at all to say that conveys the fact that they know something awful is going on, while practically begging: Please baby please, We’re Still Out Here. Please Buy Something. | Yes, these are stressful times. Many of these people are just doing their best, trying to keep their heads above water and struggling to find anything at all to say that conveys the fact that they know something awful is going on, while practically begging: Please baby please, We’re Still Out Here. Please Buy Something. |
| Don’t get me wrong. I am warm and sympathetic, too. And I would really appreciate it if you would laugh, just a little, at my jokes. I can already hear people saying, “Too soon!” All I can say is, I’ll keep things sparkling clean for you. | Don’t get me wrong. I am warm and sympathetic, too. And I would really appreciate it if you would laugh, just a little, at my jokes. I can already hear people saying, “Too soon!” All I can say is, I’ll keep things sparkling clean for you. |
| Besides, so many of us are going stir crazy in our cobbled-together home offices, we could all use a laugh. | Besides, so many of us are going stir crazy in our cobbled-together home offices, we could all use a laugh. |
| I don’t know about you, but when my bosses told me to work from home, I was sure they were just tired of seeing my face. | I don’t know about you, but when my bosses told me to work from home, I was sure they were just tired of seeing my face. |
| That’s still my suspicion, so I’m more motivated than ever to come up with ways of getting rich. | That’s still my suspicion, so I’m more motivated than ever to come up with ways of getting rich. |
| I’ve got skills! Already, I’ve used some cables and dongles to hook up an old computer monitor to my laptop, and I’ve assembled a desk chair. Myself! | I’ve got skills! Already, I’ve used some cables and dongles to hook up an old computer monitor to my laptop, and I’ve assembled a desk chair. Myself! |
| Impressive, huh? That’s just a start. I plan to build a robot that can navigate its way to people’s homes and adjust their computers, cut their hair, and make lumbar-support pillows — from their hair! | Impressive, huh? That’s just a start. I plan to build a robot that can navigate its way to people’s homes and adjust their computers, cut their hair, and make lumbar-support pillows — from their hair! |
| If only I had the slightest idea how to get started. | If only I had the slightest idea how to get started. |
| But no matter. That dream isn’t avaricious enough. True entrepreneurs are out there doing sanitizer arbitrage. This is the American spirit at work! | But no matter. That dream isn’t avaricious enough. True entrepreneurs are out there doing sanitizer arbitrage. This is the American spirit at work! |
| Unfortunately, law enforcement authorities have never understood this kind of greatness, and words like “profiteering” have been bandied about. After an outcry about one such businessman, played out in The New York Times, the wise trader donated his goods to a local church for distribution to the needy. | Unfortunately, law enforcement authorities have never understood this kind of greatness, and words like “profiteering” have been bandied about. After an outcry about one such businessman, played out in The New York Times, the wise trader donated his goods to a local church for distribution to the needy. |
| 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. |
| But you can’t squelch the smart money completely. There are investment opportunities in this pandemic. Just look at financial visionaries like Senator Kelly Loeffler, Republican of Georgia, and Senator Richard Burr, Republican of North Carolina, who sold off boatloads of stock right after getting classified briefings about how terrible the coronavirus could be for the United States and its economy. They did this while assuring Americans that the United States was really on top of that whole coronavirus thing. | |
| Senator Loeffler, whose trades added up to somewhere between $1.2 million and $3.1 million, didn’t just sell stocks. She bought some, too, in companies that offer software for working remotely, and in another company that makes protective medical gear. | |
| Did we all laud these paragons of investing brilliance? I am ashamed to say that we did not. Nattering naysayers cited the Stock Act of 2012, which prohibits lawmakers from using nonpublic information to turn a private profit, and wondered whether what they did was entirely proper. As my former colleague Peter Lattman put it in an acerbic tweet: | Did we all laud these paragons of investing brilliance? I am ashamed to say that we did not. Nattering naysayers cited the Stock Act of 2012, which prohibits lawmakers from using nonpublic information to turn a private profit, and wondered whether what they did was entirely proper. As my former colleague Peter Lattman put it in an acerbic tweet: |
| Both senators have repeatedly insisted that they are not insider traders. Ms. Loeffler, whose husband is Jeffrey C. Sprecher, the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, wrote on Twitter: | Both senators have repeatedly insisted that they are not insider traders. Ms. Loeffler, whose husband is Jeffrey C. Sprecher, the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, wrote on Twitter: |
| And Senator Burr issued a statement saying he “relied solely on public news reports to guide my decision regarding the sale of stocks.” | And Senator Burr issued a statement saying he “relied solely on public news reports to guide my decision regarding the sale of stocks.” |
| Fine. There’s nothing to worry about. After all, President Trump has said, “I find them all to be honorable people.” And if that were not enough reassurance, he added: “They said they did nothing wrong.” | Fine. There’s nothing to worry about. After all, President Trump has said, “I find them all to be honorable people.” And if that were not enough reassurance, he added: “They said they did nothing wrong.” |
| That certainly settles it for me. | That certainly settles it for me. |
| Still, insider trading thing sounds too risky, even if you absolutely did not engage in insider trading! So maybe I should continue to think small. | Still, insider trading thing sounds too risky, even if you absolutely did not engage in insider trading! So maybe I should continue to think small. |
| After all, I have a hex wrench. And I am strategic and steadfast. Also, I am here for you. Please baby please baby please. | After all, I have a hex wrench. And I am strategic and steadfast. Also, I am here for you. Please baby please baby please. |