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The Paramedics Couldn’t Find Lysol. They Turned to Their Congressman. The Paramedics Couldn’t Find Lysol. They Turned to Their Congressman.
(8 days later)
WASHINGTON — The messages clog their offices’ phone lines and inboxes by the thousands, each a snapshot of someone’s lived nightmare — the wife whose husband is on a ventilator and getting worse by the day, the small-business owner who desperately needs a loan, the paramedic who wants disinfectant to clean his ambulance between shuttling the ill to the hospital.WASHINGTON — The messages clog their offices’ phone lines and inboxes by the thousands, each a snapshot of someone’s lived nightmare — the wife whose husband is on a ventilator and getting worse by the day, the small-business owner who desperately needs a loan, the paramedic who wants disinfectant to clean his ambulance between shuttling the ill to the hospital.
They are all punctuated by a flickering hope of a question: Could the congressman help?They are all punctuated by a flickering hope of a question: Could the congressman help?
Assisting constituents in need has always been a critical part of the job of a member of Congress, but it has perhaps never been as important, or in demand, as it is now. As the coronavirus pandemic rips across the country, lawmakers have been inundated by messages from panicked and suffering Americans searching for a lifeline.Assisting constituents in need has always been a critical part of the job of a member of Congress, but it has perhaps never been as important, or in demand, as it is now. As the coronavirus pandemic rips across the country, lawmakers have been inundated by messages from panicked and suffering Americans searching for a lifeline.
Sidelined from their usual tasks on Capitol Hill, where Congress has been on an extended recess with only brief interruptions to approve huge infusions of federal funding to confront the public health and economic catastrophe, lawmakers are watching their jobs transform before their eyes. There is little for them to do in Washington — no hearings to attend, legislation to debate, or flesh-pressing at fund-raisers — but back home in their districts, they have become de facto case workers, and the needs are more than they can meet.Sidelined from their usual tasks on Capitol Hill, where Congress has been on an extended recess with only brief interruptions to approve huge infusions of federal funding to confront the public health and economic catastrophe, lawmakers are watching their jobs transform before their eyes. There is little for them to do in Washington — no hearings to attend, legislation to debate, or flesh-pressing at fund-raisers — but back home in their districts, they have become de facto case workers, and the needs are more than they can meet.
“The last couple of weeks have fundamentally redefined what my job is, what it means to be a representative,” said Representative Andy Kim, Democrat of New Jersey, whose district, stretching across the eastern suburbs of Philadelphia to the Jersey Shore, has been hit hard by the virus.“The last couple of weeks have fundamentally redefined what my job is, what it means to be a representative,” said Representative Andy Kim, Democrat of New Jersey, whose district, stretching across the eastern suburbs of Philadelphia to the Jersey Shore, has been hit hard by the virus.
Mr. Kim has been so inundated — “literally hundreds of calls a day and hundreds more emails,” he said — that he has directed every aide in his office to pitch in, reorganizing them into teams dedicated to responding to a specific categories of questions.Mr. Kim has been so inundated — “literally hundreds of calls a day and hundreds more emails,” he said — that he has directed every aide in his office to pitch in, reorganizing them into teams dedicated to responding to a specific categories of questions.
In the past few weeks, Mr. Kim said, more and more constituents have called in driven by fear and despair, often on the verge of tears.In the past few weeks, Mr. Kim said, more and more constituents have called in driven by fear and despair, often on the verge of tears.
“You can tell they’re calling because they don’t know who else to come to,” he said. “When someone is calling our office about being scared to go outside because they don’t have a mask and they don’t know how to get one, they’re calling because they’re really worried.”“You can tell they’re calling because they don’t know who else to come to,” he said. “When someone is calling our office about being scared to go outside because they don’t have a mask and they don’t know how to get one, they’re calling because they’re really worried.”
Paul Daley, the director of emergency management in Toms River, N.J., said he contacted Mr. Kim’s office “more out of frustration than anything” when he reached out to say that his paramedics were out of the Lysol spray they urgently needed to sanitize their ambulances after transporting patients to the hospital. He was not expecting anything, but could the congressman help?Paul Daley, the director of emergency management in Toms River, N.J., said he contacted Mr. Kim’s office “more out of frustration than anything” when he reached out to say that his paramedics were out of the Lysol spray they urgently needed to sanitize their ambulances after transporting patients to the hospital. He was not expecting anything, but could the congressman help?
Two days later, Mr. Kim’s office called back. They had located 78 cans of Lysol in a Walmart an hour and a half away in Pennsylvania — and had arranged for a team to hand-deliver the supplies to the fleet, based in Ocean County.Two days later, Mr. Kim’s office called back. They had located 78 cans of Lysol in a Walmart an hour and a half away in Pennsylvania — and had arranged for a team to hand-deliver the supplies to the fleet, based in Ocean County.
“It’s like gold,” Mr. Daley said.“It’s like gold,” Mr. Daley said.
But if the pandemic has exposed the vast array of needs that can land on lawmakers’ doorsteps, it has also made glaringly clear the limitations of their power. They cannot tell their constituents who are on the verge of closing a business when they can expect to receive an emergency loan. When one man who identified himself as Harvey called into a telephone town-hall-style event hosted by Representative Antonio Delgado, Democrat of New York, the congressman offered his assistance, but there was little advice Mr. Delgado could give to address the fact that the state’s unemployment website was crashing.But if the pandemic has exposed the vast array of needs that can land on lawmakers’ doorsteps, it has also made glaringly clear the limitations of their power. They cannot tell their constituents who are on the verge of closing a business when they can expect to receive an emergency loan. When one man who identified himself as Harvey called into a telephone town-hall-style event hosted by Representative Antonio Delgado, Democrat of New York, the congressman offered his assistance, but there was little advice Mr. Delgado could give to address the fact that the state’s unemployment website was crashing.
“I have almost no faith it’s ever actually going to work,” Harvey told him.“I have almost no faith it’s ever actually going to work,” Harvey told him.
About 70 percent of the inquiries her office receives are “not even in our jurisdiction,” Representative Jahana Hayes, Democrat of Connecticut, estimated in an interview. But she said her constituents’ stories have kept her up at night.About 70 percent of the inquiries her office receives are “not even in our jurisdiction,” Representative Jahana Hayes, Democrat of Connecticut, estimated in an interview. But she said her constituents’ stories have kept her up at night.
“It is extremely difficult for me to not have answers for constituents,” Ms. Hayes said. “We have had an endless stream of phone calls, emails and I don’t want to just respond to people with generic answers.”“It is extremely difficult for me to not have answers for constituents,” Ms. Hayes said. “We have had an endless stream of phone calls, emails and I don’t want to just respond to people with generic answers.”
From his newly created home office — his kitchen — Representative Fred Upton, a Republican, takes the daily pulse of his southwestern Michigan district, reaching out to business owners and hearing from families in need of help. Mr. Upton has heard from the homeless shelter, where 300 people a night line up for blocks to get a free dinner, and from restaurant owners who are “losing their shirts.”From his newly created home office — his kitchen — Representative Fred Upton, a Republican, takes the daily pulse of his southwestern Michigan district, reaching out to business owners and hearing from families in need of help. Mr. Upton has heard from the homeless shelter, where 300 people a night line up for blocks to get a free dinner, and from restaurant owners who are “losing their shirts.”
One dentist, he said, reached out after an error in paperwork made it impossible for him to obtain the payroll loan he had been granted. By the time it was corrected, the program’s funds had run out.One dentist, he said, reached out after an error in paperwork made it impossible for him to obtain the payroll loan he had been granted. By the time it was corrected, the program’s funds had run out.
Updated June 24, 2020 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.
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.
Now on the verge of bankruptcy, the dentist went to Mr. Upton for help. Hoping that congressional leaders in Washington would soon come to an agreement to replenish the program’s funds, Mr. Upton replied with a plea of his own: Could the dentist hold on for just two more weeks?Now on the verge of bankruptcy, the dentist went to Mr. Upton for help. Hoping that congressional leaders in Washington would soon come to an agreement to replenish the program’s funds, Mr. Upton replied with a plea of his own: Could the dentist hold on for just two more weeks?
“It’s hard,” Mr. Upton said, “because there are so many needs.”“It’s hard,” Mr. Upton said, “because there are so many needs.”
The sheer crush of requests offices have received has been overwhelming. Representative Kim Schrier, Democrat of Washington, a medical doctor whose district covers Seattle’s suburbs to the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains, said in an interview that her office had fielded over 13,000 emails and letters since the pandemic reached the United States, 8,000 of which her office has responded to in writing. Hundreds of others have required personal follow-up calls from Dr. Schrier and her staff.The sheer crush of requests offices have received has been overwhelming. Representative Kim Schrier, Democrat of Washington, a medical doctor whose district covers Seattle’s suburbs to the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains, said in an interview that her office had fielded over 13,000 emails and letters since the pandemic reached the United States, 8,000 of which her office has responded to in writing. Hundreds of others have required personal follow-up calls from Dr. Schrier and her staff.
As more and more people in her district tested positive for the coronavirus, Dr. Schrier, a pediatrician, received “a lot of very detailed medical calls” from constituents seeking advice for how to navigate the crisis, like apple growers asking how to best protect their workers or grandparents wondering how to best protect the children in their charge.As more and more people in her district tested positive for the coronavirus, Dr. Schrier, a pediatrician, received “a lot of very detailed medical calls” from constituents seeking advice for how to navigate the crisis, like apple growers asking how to best protect their workers or grandparents wondering how to best protect the children in their charge.
“My constituents are getting their news from a variety of sources — from some less scientifically based than others,” she said. “I really try to be a voice in the middle that can balance both the needs of the economy and public health, and how it shouldn’t be an either-or proposition.”“My constituents are getting their news from a variety of sources — from some less scientifically based than others,” she said. “I really try to be a voice in the middle that can balance both the needs of the economy and public health, and how it shouldn’t be an either-or proposition.”
Representative Rodney Davis, Republican of Illinois, who spent 16 years working in a district office before being elected to Congress, said many of his constituents had his cellphone number and were calling and texting him daily looking for answers about the relief programs created in the $2.2 trillion stimulus bill.Representative Rodney Davis, Republican of Illinois, who spent 16 years working in a district office before being elected to Congress, said many of his constituents had his cellphone number and were calling and texting him daily looking for answers about the relief programs created in the $2.2 trillion stimulus bill.
“They’ve never worked through a government application process, they just need to know that their questions can be answered,” Mr. Davis said.“They’ve never worked through a government application process, they just need to know that their questions can be answered,” Mr. Davis said.
“I think it just comes out of desperation. Most people don’t call their congressman even outside of a pandemic unless they’ve already really tried to get their case solved,” he added. “We’re really kind of a last resort.”“I think it just comes out of desperation. Most people don’t call their congressman even outside of a pandemic unless they’ve already really tried to get their case solved,” he added. “We’re really kind of a last resort.”
Nicholas Fandos contributed reporting.Nicholas Fandos contributed reporting.