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| Amid Signs Coronavirus Came Earlier, Americans Ask: Did I Already Have It? | Amid Signs Coronavirus Came Earlier, Americans Ask: Did I Already Have It? |
| (7 days later) | |
| CHICAGO — In January, a mystery illness swept through a call center in a skyscraper on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Close to 30 people in one department alone had symptoms — dry, deep coughs and fevers they could not shake. When they gradually returned to work after taking sick days, they sat in their cubicles looking wan and tired. | CHICAGO — In January, a mystery illness swept through a call center in a skyscraper on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Close to 30 people in one department alone had symptoms — dry, deep coughs and fevers they could not shake. When they gradually returned to work after taking sick days, they sat in their cubicles looking wan and tired. |
| “I’ve started to think it was the coronavirus,” said Julie Parks, a 63-year-old employee who was among the sick. “I may have had it, but I can’t be sure. It’s limbo.” | “I’ve started to think it was the coronavirus,” said Julie Parks, a 63-year-old employee who was among the sick. “I may have had it, but I can’t be sure. It’s limbo.” |
| The revelation this week that a death in the United States in early February was the result of the coronavirus has significantly altered the understanding of how early the virus may have been circulating in this country. Researchers now believe that hidden outbreaks were creeping through cities like Chicago, New York, Seattle and Boston in January and February, earlier than previously known. | The revelation this week that a death in the United States in early February was the result of the coronavirus has significantly altered the understanding of how early the virus may have been circulating in this country. Researchers now believe that hidden outbreaks were creeping through cities like Chicago, New York, Seattle and Boston in January and February, earlier than previously known. |
| The new timeline has lent credence to a question on the minds of many Americans: Did I already have the coronavirus? | The new timeline has lent credence to a question on the minds of many Americans: Did I already have the coronavirus? |
| The retroactive search is happening on many levels. People who had suffered dreadful bouts with flulike illnesses are now wondering whether it had been the coronavirus. Doctors are thinking back to unexplained cases. Medical examiners are poring over their records looking for possible misdiagnosed deaths. And local politicians are demanding investigations. | The retroactive search is happening on many levels. People who had suffered dreadful bouts with flulike illnesses are now wondering whether it had been the coronavirus. Doctors are thinking back to unexplained cases. Medical examiners are poring over their records looking for possible misdiagnosed deaths. And local politicians are demanding investigations. |
| Brian Gustafson, a coroner in Rock Island County, Ill., said he had no capability to perform post-mortem coronavirus tests, but firmly believed that coronavirus deaths and illnesses were missed across the country during weeks, early this year, when the authorities believed the virus was mainly overseas. | Brian Gustafson, a coroner in Rock Island County, Ill., said he had no capability to perform post-mortem coronavirus tests, but firmly believed that coronavirus deaths and illnesses were missed across the country during weeks, early this year, when the authorities believed the virus was mainly overseas. |
| Included in Mr. Gustafson’s suspicions of an undercount: himself. He is convinced that he had the coronavirus in January, when he was so crushingly tired and feverish, he could scarcely summon the strength to walk to the bathroom from his bed. | Included in Mr. Gustafson’s suspicions of an undercount: himself. He is convinced that he had the coronavirus in January, when he was so crushingly tired and feverish, he could scarcely summon the strength to walk to the bathroom from his bed. |
| “I think it was here long before we knew it,” said Mr. Gustafson, who is also a nurse and said he believes that he contracted the virus from one of the recently deceased people who was brought to the coroner’s office long before anyone in Illinois was looking for positive coronavirus cases. “That’s the only logical thing I can think of.” | “I think it was here long before we knew it,” said Mr. Gustafson, who is also a nurse and said he believes that he contracted the virus from one of the recently deceased people who was brought to the coroner’s office long before anyone in Illinois was looking for positive coronavirus cases. “That’s the only logical thing I can think of.” |
| Some people have spent part of their days sheltering at home going over the details of their bouts with what could have been the coronavirus. In Rothschild, Wis., Tommie Swenson and his girlfriend, Tammy Swikert, keep thinking of the illness they contracted during the winter that spread widely through their village of 5,000 people. | Some people have spent part of their days sheltering at home going over the details of their bouts with what could have been the coronavirus. In Rothschild, Wis., Tommie Swenson and his girlfriend, Tammy Swikert, keep thinking of the illness they contracted during the winter that spread widely through their village of 5,000 people. |
| It was nothing like the flu, said Mr. Swenson, a retired truck driver. Milk and soda tasted funny, or like nothing at all. He could barely sleep at night, he had such a rattling cough and felt a crushing weight on his chest. | It was nothing like the flu, said Mr. Swenson, a retired truck driver. Milk and soda tasted funny, or like nothing at all. He could barely sleep at night, he had such a rattling cough and felt a crushing weight on his chest. |
| “We talk about it all the time,” Mr. Swenson said. “What if we did have the coronavirus? Are we immune to it now, or are we going to catch it again? What does this mean?” | “We talk about it all the time,” Mr. Swenson said. “What if we did have the coronavirus? Are we immune to it now, or are we going to catch it again? What does this mean?” |
| Infectious disease experts say the answer is complicated. Many believe that between five and 20 times more people have been exposed to the coronavirus than have tested positive, and there is a growing body of data to support that. | Infectious disease experts say the answer is complicated. Many believe that between five and 20 times more people have been exposed to the coronavirus than have tested positive, and there is a growing body of data to support that. |
| But the likelihood that you are one of them varies based on where you live. Blood tests that can detect coronavirus antibodies may have high false positive rates when exposure to the virus in a given population is relatively low. It was also a bad year for seasonal influenza, so if you felt lousy in January or February, there is a decent chance you had the flu. And even as more reliable antibody tests become available, it is not known how long people who have antibodies may be immune to the virus. | But the likelihood that you are one of them varies based on where you live. Blood tests that can detect coronavirus antibodies may have high false positive rates when exposure to the virus in a given population is relatively low. It was also a bad year for seasonal influenza, so if you felt lousy in January or February, there is a decent chance you had the flu. And even as more reliable antibody tests become available, it is not known how long people who have antibodies may be immune to the virus. |
| “Everyone desperately wants to be immune to this thing,” said Andrew Noymer, an associate professor of public health at the University of California, Irvine, “and they’re projecting their hope onto the data.” | “Everyone desperately wants to be immune to this thing,” said Andrew Noymer, an associate professor of public health at the University of California, Irvine, “and they’re projecting their hope onto the data.” |
| Beyond the yearning to know one’s own status, knowing how many people in a population have been infected is important because of herd immunity. Since an infected person is thought to pass the virus on to two or three other people, for the virus to stop spreading, at least 50 percent of the population has to have been exposed. | Beyond the yearning to know one’s own status, knowing how many people in a population have been infected is important because of herd immunity. Since an infected person is thought to pass the virus on to two or three other people, for the virus to stop spreading, at least 50 percent of the population has to have been exposed. |
| “In terms of policy decisions, we’re nowhere near herd immunity, so that’s the answer,” said Natalie Dean, an assistant professor of biostatistics at the University of Florida. | “In terms of policy decisions, we’re nowhere near herd immunity, so that’s the answer,” said Natalie Dean, an assistant professor of biostatistics at the University of Florida. |
| In hard-hit New York City, about 21 percent of supermarket customers who were tested for coronavirus antibodies tested positive, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Thursday. If that rate proved consistent across the city, that would mean that about 1.7 million people — or 12 times the number of now confirmed cases — have had it. | In hard-hit New York City, about 21 percent of supermarket customers who were tested for coronavirus antibodies tested positive, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Thursday. If that rate proved consistent across the city, that would mean that about 1.7 million people — or 12 times the number of now confirmed cases — have had it. |
| But in California, experts say, the number of infected people is most likely below 5 percent — and as in other places where the cases and deaths per capita is lower, the size of the infected population is harder to gauge with currently available rapid antibody tests. | But in California, experts say, the number of infected people is most likely below 5 percent — and as in other places where the cases and deaths per capita is lower, the size of the infected population is harder to gauge with currently available rapid antibody tests. |
| Experts said it would take time to develop, validate and deploy antibody tests that are reliable, and to understand their significance when it comes to individual immunity. | Experts said it would take time to develop, validate and deploy antibody tests that are reliable, and to understand their significance when it comes to individual immunity. |
| “Yes, people will in this country be able to find out, but not today,” said Eva Harris, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of California, Berkeley, who is studying exposure to the virus over time in the Bay Area. | “Yes, people will in this country be able to find out, but not today,” said Eva Harris, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of California, Berkeley, who is studying exposure to the virus over time in the Bay Area. |
| Deaths from January and February are also getting new scrutiny after an announcement this week in Santa Clara County, Calif., that a woman who died on Feb. 6 had been found to have the coronavirus. Her death occurred weeks earlier than what had previously been thought to be the first death in the United States from the virus. | Deaths from January and February are also getting new scrutiny after an announcement this week in Santa Clara County, Calif., that a woman who died on Feb. 6 had been found to have the coronavirus. Her death occurred weeks earlier than what had previously been thought to be the first death in the United States from the virus. |
| Dr. Michelle Jorden, the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner, said her office was investigating other deaths as well. Her office has sent samples of suspicious cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and some are still pending. | Dr. Michelle Jorden, the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner, said her office was investigating other deaths as well. Her office has sent samples of suspicious cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and some are still pending. |
| Gov. Gavin Newsom of California has said investigators were looking at coroner and autopsy reports going back to December in some of the state’s counties to determine if there might be other, earlier deaths caused by the coronavirus. | Gov. Gavin Newsom of California has said investigators were looking at coroner and autopsy reports going back to December in some of the state’s counties to determine if there might be other, earlier deaths caused by the coronavirus. |
| Experts said it would be difficult to distinguish, in hindsight, between the seasonal flu and the coronavirus. | Experts said it would be difficult to distinguish, in hindsight, between the seasonal flu and the coronavirus. |
| Dr. Jeffrey V. Smith, the Santa Clara county executive and a medical doctor, said his wife, also a doctor, reported being puzzled by patients she was seeing in the Bay Area in December. | Dr. Jeffrey V. Smith, the Santa Clara county executive and a medical doctor, said his wife, also a doctor, reported being puzzled by patients she was seeing in the Bay Area in December. |
| “I remember her telling me back in December of a number of patients who came in with flulike symptoms who were testing negative for the flu,” Dr. Smith said. “I just wonder if those were patients that had coronavirus.” | “I remember her telling me back in December of a number of patients who came in with flulike symptoms who were testing negative for the flu,” Dr. Smith said. “I just wonder if those were patients that had coronavirus.” |
| In February, experts said, tests were scarce and C.D.C. guidelines for administering them were stringent, leaving all sorts of unanswered questions now. | In February, experts said, tests were scarce and C.D.C. guidelines for administering them were stringent, leaving all sorts of unanswered questions now. |
| “There was this weird, uncomfortable silent period,” said Dr. Sara Cody, the chief health officer of Santa Clara County. “We were hearing about all these people who were ill, but they didn’t meet the test criteria so we weren’t testing them.” | “There was this weird, uncomfortable silent period,” said Dr. Sara Cody, the chief health officer of Santa Clara County. “We were hearing about all these people who were ill, but they didn’t meet the test criteria so we weren’t testing them.” |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| Dave Cortese, a member of the board of supervisors of Santa Clara County, requested a full list of deaths in the county from January to March, a period in which he says the county experienced more deaths than the year earlier. | Dave Cortese, a member of the board of supervisors of Santa Clara County, requested a full list of deaths in the county from January to March, a period in which he says the county experienced more deaths than the year earlier. |
| “I am calling for the county to redouble its efforts to release information about all deaths from Covid-19,” Mr. Cortese said, “and tie data points together to provide a completely candid analysis of the information we have.” | “I am calling for the county to redouble its efforts to release information about all deaths from Covid-19,” Mr. Cortese said, “and tie data points together to provide a completely candid analysis of the information we have.” |
| For those whose family members have been sickened, the gnawing question — was it Covid-19? — lingers. | For those whose family members have been sickened, the gnawing question — was it Covid-19? — lingers. |
| The family of Ian Carrier, 36, has struggled to understand the underlying illness that sent Mr. Carrier to a hospital in San Francisco on Christmas Day with a fever and a severe cough. He spent two months there, and was intubated and put on a ventilator, before being released. | The family of Ian Carrier, 36, has struggled to understand the underlying illness that sent Mr. Carrier to a hospital in San Francisco on Christmas Day with a fever and a severe cough. He spent two months there, and was intubated and put on a ventilator, before being released. |
| April Slone, Mr. Carrier’s sister, said that he had long grappled with significant health issues, but that doctors could not explain his condition. He tested negative for the flu. | April Slone, Mr. Carrier’s sister, said that he had long grappled with significant health issues, but that doctors could not explain his condition. He tested negative for the flu. |
| “Every day it was something new,” said Ms. Slone. “We couldn’t figure it out.” | “Every day it was something new,” said Ms. Slone. “We couldn’t figure it out.” |
| Then Ms. Slone read about a link between the coronavirus and kidney problems, an issue Mr. Carrier had begun experiencing. | Then Ms. Slone read about a link between the coronavirus and kidney problems, an issue Mr. Carrier had begun experiencing. |
| “That’s when the light bulb went on,” Ms. Slone said. “I called my parents and said, ‘I think he had Covid’ and they said, ‘We do, too.’” | “That’s when the light bulb went on,” Ms. Slone said. “I called my parents and said, ‘I think he had Covid’ and they said, ‘We do, too.’” |
| This week, Mr. Carrier returned to U.C.S.F. Parnassus hospital for complications resulting from the kidney problems, his family said. They have been seeking antibody testing for Mr. Carrier, hoping that doctors will learn whether he was exposed to the virus in December, though it is uncertain whether a test will be available. | This week, Mr. Carrier returned to U.C.S.F. Parnassus hospital for complications resulting from the kidney problems, his family said. They have been seeking antibody testing for Mr. Carrier, hoping that doctors will learn whether he was exposed to the virus in December, though it is uncertain whether a test will be available. |
| Kristen Bole, a spokeswoman for the hospital, declined to comment on Mr. Carrier’s case but said antibody tests were primarily being used as a tool to improve the diagnosis of patients with current symptoms and for people planning to donate plasma or take part in vaccine trials. | Kristen Bole, a spokeswoman for the hospital, declined to comment on Mr. Carrier’s case but said antibody tests were primarily being used as a tool to improve the diagnosis of patients with current symptoms and for people planning to donate plasma or take part in vaccine trials. |
| In Oakland, Calif., Kevin F. Adler said he wonders now about his grandfather, Jason Adler, 97, who died on Feb. 2. A nursing home director described his death as tied to “respiratory issues,” the younger Mr. Adler said. | In Oakland, Calif., Kevin F. Adler said he wonders now about his grandfather, Jason Adler, 97, who died on Feb. 2. A nursing home director described his death as tied to “respiratory issues,” the younger Mr. Adler said. |
| In the days after his death, Mr. Adler said, another person in the small nursing home died, and Mr. Adler’s family members grew ill with sore throats and fevers. That has left the family wondering. | In the days after his death, Mr. Adler said, another person in the small nursing home died, and Mr. Adler’s family members grew ill with sore throats and fevers. That has left the family wondering. |
| “It’s important to understand how something like the coronavirus was potentially affecting our communities, and especially vulnerable groups, way before there was a national understanding of what was going on,” Mr. Adler said. “In my family’s case, it was just one person. But there are likely hundreds of families like us.” | “It’s important to understand how something like the coronavirus was potentially affecting our communities, and especially vulnerable groups, way before there was a national understanding of what was going on,” Mr. Adler said. “In my family’s case, it was just one person. But there are likely hundreds of families like us.” |
| Julie Bosman reported from Chicago, Thomas Fuller from San Francisco, and Amy Harmon from New York. | Julie Bosman reported from Chicago, Thomas Fuller from San Francisco, and Amy Harmon from New York. |