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/2020/04/23/arts/music/coronavirus-hospital-songs.html
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Hospitals Play ‘Songs of Hope’ as Virus Patients Go Home | Hospitals Play ‘Songs of Hope’ as Virus Patients Go Home |
| (8 days later) | |
| In the 11 days he spent fighting Covid-19 at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, there was one thing Mark Schwarz couldn’t figure out. | In the 11 days he spent fighting Covid-19 at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, there was one thing Mark Schwarz couldn’t figure out. |
| “Occasionally throughout the days there, you would randomly start hearing music playing and wonder, ‘What’s that for?’” Mr. Schwarz, 54, said on Tuesday. | “Occasionally throughout the days there, you would randomly start hearing music playing and wonder, ‘What’s that for?’” Mr. Schwarz, 54, said on Tuesday. |
| On Monday, when it finally came time for Mr. Schwarz to go home from the hospital in Nyack, N.Y., he heard for himself: The cheerful chorus of the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” rang through the hospital hallways to celebrate his discharge. | On Monday, when it finally came time for Mr. Schwarz to go home from the hospital in Nyack, N.Y., he heard for himself: The cheerful chorus of the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” rang through the hospital hallways to celebrate his discharge. |
| Pick a hospital in the metropolitan area of New York these days, and you are likely to find that the staff has identified a song as the fitting soundtrack to the release of patients who had been hospitalized because of the virus. | Pick a hospital in the metropolitan area of New York these days, and you are likely to find that the staff has identified a song as the fitting soundtrack to the release of patients who had been hospitalized because of the virus. |
| Many have chosen “Here Comes the Sun,” long associated with finding joy through hard times. When it and other songs are played, it is not only a tribute to the resilience of the patient, but also an anthem of affirmation for the medical professionals: Through long shifts, with few positive moments and supplies stretched thin, they have saved another life. | Many have chosen “Here Comes the Sun,” long associated with finding joy through hard times. When it and other songs are played, it is not only a tribute to the resilience of the patient, but also an anthem of affirmation for the medical professionals: Through long shifts, with few positive moments and supplies stretched thin, they have saved another life. |
| “I think it was more of a recognition of them than me,” Mr. Schwarz agreed. | “I think it was more of a recognition of them than me,” Mr. Schwarz agreed. |
| At some hospitals, the music starts playing long before discharge. At Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, for example, nurses call for a “Code Sun” when a patient is removed from a ventilator and successfully breathing on their own; Montefiore Nyack plays it when patients move out of intensive care. | At some hospitals, the music starts playing long before discharge. At Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, for example, nurses call for a “Code Sun” when a patient is removed from a ventilator and successfully breathing on their own; Montefiore Nyack plays it when patients move out of intensive care. |
| “Honestly,” said Devjit Roy, Mr. Schwarz’s doctor at Montefiore Nyack, “I guess it’s just the sound of hope.” | “Honestly,” said Devjit Roy, Mr. Schwarz’s doctor at Montefiore Nyack, “I guess it’s just the sound of hope.” |
| Several hospitals have chosen tracks with similar gentle optimism — “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island, Bill Withers’s “Lean on Me” at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. Others go straight for inspirational rock: Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” is a popular pick, as is Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.” | Several hospitals have chosen tracks with similar gentle optimism — “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island, Bill Withers’s “Lean on Me” at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. Others go straight for inspirational rock: Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” is a popular pick, as is Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.” |
| There are the motivational pop hits — Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” — and songs that are emblematic of the city’s spirit, like Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’s “Empire State of Mind.” At Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, there is a rotating playlist, including U2’s “Beautiful Day,” Andra Day’s “Rise Up” and the theme from “Rocky.” | There are the motivational pop hits — Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” — and songs that are emblematic of the city’s spirit, like Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’s “Empire State of Mind.” At Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, there is a rotating playlist, including U2’s “Beautiful Day,” Andra Day’s “Rise Up” and the theme from “Rocky.” |
| Some hospitals opt for a more literal soundtrack. When a patient comes off a ventilator at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, N.Y., hospital staff put on Anna Nalick’s “Breathe (2 AM).” Elsewhere on Long Island, at Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson, it’s the Police’s “Every Breath You Take.” | Some hospitals opt for a more literal soundtrack. When a patient comes off a ventilator at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, N.Y., hospital staff put on Anna Nalick’s “Breathe (2 AM).” Elsewhere on Long Island, at Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson, it’s the Police’s “Every Breath You Take.” |
| Using music to celebrate patient milestones is not brand new, of course. At NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in East Harlem, the ICU director, Natoushka Trenard, said they traditionally play music when a baby is born. Right now, she said, extubating a patient feels similarly miraculous. | Using music to celebrate patient milestones is not brand new, of course. At NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in East Harlem, the ICU director, Natoushka Trenard, said they traditionally play music when a baby is born. Right now, she said, extubating a patient feels similarly miraculous. |
| “Don’t Stop Believin’,” she said, “sort of goes with the theme that in addition to all the science we’re trying to apply to these patients, all the medicine, all the research we’re trying to do in real time while this is happening — faith plays a part in this.” | “Don’t Stop Believin’,” she said, “sort of goes with the theme that in addition to all the science we’re trying to apply to these patients, all the medicine, all the research we’re trying to do in real time while this is happening — faith plays a part in this.” |
| Some doctors are keeping their own music going around the clock for an extra boost. Dr. Roy keeps a steady stream of Stevie Wonder, Bon Jovi, Ed Sheeran and others playing from his phone speaker. He’s not using earphones, and no one is complaining. | Some doctors are keeping their own music going around the clock for an extra boost. Dr. Roy keeps a steady stream of Stevie Wonder, Bon Jovi, Ed Sheeran and others playing from his phone speaker. He’s not using earphones, and no one is complaining. |
| “Whenever the right song comes on, like ‘Eye of the Tiger,’ we all just start singing to keep the morale up,” Dr. Roy said. | “Whenever the right song comes on, like ‘Eye of the Tiger,’ we all just start singing to keep the morale up,” Dr. Roy said. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| The music is only one of several ways that medical professionals are trying to keep spirits high, both for patients and each other. At Montefiore Nyack, the physician who discharges the most coronavirus patients each day is crowned the “Covid Crusher.” Nurses give the winner orange juice and a tiara. | The music is only one of several ways that medical professionals are trying to keep spirits high, both for patients and each other. At Montefiore Nyack, the physician who discharges the most coronavirus patients each day is crowned the “Covid Crusher.” Nurses give the winner orange juice and a tiara. |
| During Karla Duarte’s three weeks at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Queens, nurses brought in photos of her dog, Canelo, and had a spa day where they did her hair and painted her nails red. | During Karla Duarte’s three weeks at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Queens, nurses brought in photos of her dog, Canelo, and had a spa day where they did her hair and painted her nails red. |
| But music was also a big part of boosting her morale. Karla, 16, heard “Here Comes the Sun” when she was taken off the ECMO life support machine. When she was discharged Sunday, the staff sent her home with “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” | But music was also a big part of boosting her morale. Karla, 16, heard “Here Comes the Sun” when she was taken off the ECMO life support machine. When she was discharged Sunday, the staff sent her home with “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” |
| “We’ve lost some patients, and we’ve had some victories,” said her doctor, James Schneider. But the song served as a reminder, he added, that “there is hope and value to what we do, and despite the challenges we’ve been facing together as a group over the last month, there is no mountain high enough. We’re going to overcome.” | “We’ve lost some patients, and we’ve had some victories,” said her doctor, James Schneider. But the song served as a reminder, he added, that “there is hope and value to what we do, and despite the challenges we’ve been facing together as a group over the last month, there is no mountain high enough. We’re going to overcome.” |