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/2020/04/24/us/spellpundit-coronavirus-spelling-bee.html

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Canceled Spelling Bee? Not if These Siblings Can Help It Canceled Spelling Bee? Not if These Siblings Can Help It
(about 13 hours later)
The words, equal parts obscure and baffling, torment her to this day.The words, equal parts obscure and baffling, torment her to this day.
For Shobha Dasari, it was bourrée, a French folk dance, that stumped her the first time she competed in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The next year, it was helophyte, and in her final year of competition it was siderism.For Shobha Dasari, it was bourrée, a French folk dance, that stumped her the first time she competed in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The next year, it was helophyte, and in her final year of competition it was siderism.
“It’s a pretty common saying among spellers: You never forget the words you misspell in bees,” Ms. Dasari, 19, now a Stanford University freshman and a three-time semifinalist in the national spelling bee, said in an interview on Thursday.“It’s a pretty common saying among spellers: You never forget the words you misspell in bees,” Ms. Dasari, 19, now a Stanford University freshman and a three-time semifinalist in the national spelling bee, said in an interview on Thursday.
But for current eighth graders in their final year of eligibility for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is televised on ESPN, it is likely there will not be such moments this year. The competition, like so many marquee sporting and cultural events, announced this week that it had canceled the spelling bee because of the coronavirus pandemic.But for current eighth graders in their final year of eligibility for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is televised on ESPN, it is likely there will not be such moments this year. The competition, like so many marquee sporting and cultural events, announced this week that it had canceled the spelling bee because of the coronavirus pandemic.
That’s when Ms. Dasari and her brother, Shourav, stepped in to try to fill some of that void. The siblings, who are from The Woodlands in Texas and run a paid spelling bee prep service called SpellPundit, will host a national spelling bee of their own in the final week of May, when the Scripps tournament had been scheduled.That’s when Ms. Dasari and her brother, Shourav, stepped in to try to fill some of that void. The siblings, who are from The Woodlands in Texas and run a paid spelling bee prep service called SpellPundit, will host a national spelling bee of their own in the final week of May, when the Scripps tournament had been scheduled.
Like so many college courses, business meetings and get-togethers of friends, it will take place online, most likely on the videoconferencing platform Zoom.Like so many college courses, business meetings and get-togethers of friends, it will take place online, most likely on the videoconferencing platform Zoom.
“It is something that people spend years of their life working toward,” Ms. Dasari said. “To not have the opportunity to show off their skills in their last year of eligibility is heartbreaking.”“It is something that people spend years of their life working toward,” Ms. Dasari said. “To not have the opportunity to show off their skills in their last year of eligibility is heartbreaking.”
This year is the first time since World War II that the national finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee have been canceled. The competition, which is held in National Harbor, Md., began in 1925. The spelling bee’s executive director, Paige Kimble, welcomed the concept of a virtual spelling bee.This year is the first time since World War II that the national finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee have been canceled. The competition, which is held in National Harbor, Md., began in 1925. The spelling bee’s executive director, Paige Kimble, welcomed the concept of a virtual spelling bee.
“It’s a good outlet for these high-achieving super spellers to practice their spelling and demonstrate their talents,” Ms. Kimble said in a statement on Thursday. “We commend any opportunities to celebrate learning. We know the knowledge they have gained through their preparation will provide long-term benefits that will help them all their lives.”“It’s a good outlet for these high-achieving super spellers to practice their spelling and demonstrate their talents,” Ms. Kimble said in a statement on Thursday. “We commend any opportunities to celebrate learning. We know the knowledge they have gained through their preparation will provide long-term benefits that will help them all their lives.”
The word Struldbrug, which comes from “Gulliver’s Travels,” tripped up Shourav, 17, when he competed in the spelling bee. So did campagnol, which Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines as a European field vole.The word Struldbrug, which comes from “Gulliver’s Travels,” tripped up Shourav, 17, when he competed in the spelling bee. So did campagnol, which Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines as a European field vole.
Shourav, a high school junior, said he has been busy putting together a list of 1,000 to 1,500 words for the spelling bee. In the spelling bee world, lists of words used in competitions are a valuable commodity. SpellPundit, which counts many top spellers as customers, charges a $600 annual subscription fee for complete access to the lists and other features on its website.Shourav, a high school junior, said he has been busy putting together a list of 1,000 to 1,500 words for the spelling bee. In the spelling bee world, lists of words used in competitions are a valuable commodity. SpellPundit, which counts many top spellers as customers, charges a $600 annual subscription fee for complete access to the lists and other features on its website.
So far, 200 to 250 students have registered for the online spelling bee, which costs $25 to enter and will take place from May 23 to May 28, according to Ms. Dasari, who is busy enlisting the help of judges, proctors and those whose job it is to pronounce the words.So far, 200 to 250 students have registered for the online spelling bee, which costs $25 to enter and will take place from May 23 to May 28, according to Ms. Dasari, who is busy enlisting the help of judges, proctors and those whose job it is to pronounce the words.
There will be a $2,500 prize for first place, $1,000 for second and $500 for third, Ms. Dasari said, adding that the organizers will be keeping a watchful eye on the contestants on their webcams to make sure they’re not getting any outside help. They were also looking into blocking people from opening other tabs on their web browsers to look up the answers.There will be a $2,500 prize for first place, $1,000 for second and $500 for third, Ms. Dasari said, adding that the organizers will be keeping a watchful eye on the contestants on their webcams to make sure they’re not getting any outside help. They were also looking into blocking people from opening other tabs on their web browsers to look up the answers.
And there will be an honor system, she said.And there will be an honor system, she said.
Shalini Shankar, a professor of anthropology at Northwestern University and the author of “Beeline: What Spelling Bees Reveal About Generation Z’s New Path to Success,” said she expects a clean competition.Shalini Shankar, a professor of anthropology at Northwestern University and the author of “Beeline: What Spelling Bees Reveal About Generation Z’s New Path to Success,” said she expects a clean competition.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 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.
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.
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.
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.
“They tend to be kind of earnest kids, so I can see it working really well,” Dr. Shankar said of the spellers in an interview Thursday.“They tend to be kind of earnest kids, so I can see it working really well,” Dr. Shankar said of the spellers in an interview Thursday.
Dr. Shankar said the brother and sister, whom she interviewed for her book, have the wherewithal to pull off a virtual spelling bee. She said the cancellation of the Scripps National Spelling Bee was devastating for returning competitors and that an online tournament would give them some consolation.Dr. Shankar said the brother and sister, whom she interviewed for her book, have the wherewithal to pull off a virtual spelling bee. She said the cancellation of the Scripps National Spelling Bee was devastating for returning competitors and that an online tournament would give them some consolation.
“It’s way better than nothing,” she said. “That is just something that they were looking forward to since they were eliminated the previous year.”“It’s way better than nothing,” she said. “That is just something that they were looking forward to since they were eliminated the previous year.”