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Quarantini Anyone? When Everyday Drinking Becomes a Problem Quarantini Anyone? When Everyday Drinking Becomes a Problem
(about 3 hours later)
— Kristi Coulter, author of “Nothing Good Can Come From This,” on the wine memes showing up on social media these days— Kristi Coulter, author of “Nothing Good Can Come From This,” on the wine memes showing up on social media these days
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“Days are now divided by coffee hours and alcohol hours,” the comedy writer Emily Murnane tweeted on March 31, nearly two weeks after states and cities around the United States began to issue stay-at-home orders. “There is no other law.”“Days are now divided by coffee hours and alcohol hours,” the comedy writer Emily Murnane tweeted on March 31, nearly two weeks after states and cities around the United States began to issue stay-at-home orders. “There is no other law.”
Zoom happy hours served as a break from isolation and a consolation prize for canceled plans. Alcohol sales nationwide were up 55 percent the week ending March 21 compared with the year before, according to Nielsen market research.Zoom happy hours served as a break from isolation and a consolation prize for canceled plans. Alcohol sales nationwide were up 55 percent the week ending March 21 compared with the year before, according to Nielsen market research.
“During a crisis, you know, cocktail hour can be almost any hour!” chirped Ina Garten, the chef and author of “The Barefoot Contessa” cookbooks, while mixing what appeared to be a bucket-sized cosmopolitan in a video posted to Instagram at 9:30 a.m. April 1.“During a crisis, you know, cocktail hour can be almost any hour!” chirped Ina Garten, the chef and author of “The Barefoot Contessa” cookbooks, while mixing what appeared to be a bucket-sized cosmopolitan in a video posted to Instagram at 9:30 a.m. April 1.
At a time when boundaries have all but disappeared — home is the office! school time is work time! pajamas are work clothes! — the clink of ice cubes in a glass or the crack of a can may seem like one of the few ways left to distinguish evening from day, or weekend from week.At a time when boundaries have all but disappeared — home is the office! school time is work time! pajamas are work clothes! — the clink of ice cubes in a glass or the crack of a can may seem like one of the few ways left to distinguish evening from day, or weekend from week.
But as the weeks in quarantine pile up, what started out as a way to unwind may, for some, start to feel like an unexpectedly stubborn habit. And for those who are in recovery, the combination of stress and social distancing can make maintaining sobriety all the more challenging.But as the weeks in quarantine pile up, what started out as a way to unwind may, for some, start to feel like an unexpectedly stubborn habit. And for those who are in recovery, the combination of stress and social distancing can make maintaining sobriety all the more challenging.
Alcohol and drugs light up the neurotransmitters associated with pleasure. They also offer relief from the unpleasant symptoms associated with stress, decreasing fear and anxiety, relaxing muscles, and slowing speeding heart rates, said R. Kathryn McHugh, an assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and the director of the Stress, Anxiety and Substance Use Laboratory at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass.Alcohol and drugs light up the neurotransmitters associated with pleasure. They also offer relief from the unpleasant symptoms associated with stress, decreasing fear and anxiety, relaxing muscles, and slowing speeding heart rates, said R. Kathryn McHugh, an assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and the director of the Stress, Anxiety and Substance Use Laboratory at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass.
“The tricky part is, the higher your stress is, the more that relief is reinforced,” Dr. McHugh said. “When we get that huge relief, that makes us more likely to continue to go back to that substance.”“The tricky part is, the higher your stress is, the more that relief is reinforced,” Dr. McHugh said. “When we get that huge relief, that makes us more likely to continue to go back to that substance.”
For most people, experiencing that reward cycle in moderation is not inherently harmful.For most people, experiencing that reward cycle in moderation is not inherently harmful.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a branch of the National Institutes of Health, defines “moderate” drinking for women as one drink per day of up to 0.6 ounces pure alcohol — the equivalent of a 12-ounce can of beer or one five-ounce glass of wine, a standard restaurant pour.The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a branch of the National Institutes of Health, defines “moderate” drinking for women as one drink per day of up to 0.6 ounces pure alcohol — the equivalent of a 12-ounce can of beer or one five-ounce glass of wine, a standard restaurant pour.
The agency defines eight drinks or more per week for women as “high risk” or “heavy” drinking.The agency defines eight drinks or more per week for women as “high risk” or “heavy” drinking.
The threshold is higher for men, and not only because men tend to be larger than women. Women absorb and metabolize alcohol differently, so if a man and woman of the same height and weight consume exactly the same amount of alcohol, her blood alcohol content will be higher. Nature is sexist like that.The threshold is higher for men, and not only because men tend to be larger than women. Women absorb and metabolize alcohol differently, so if a man and woman of the same height and weight consume exactly the same amount of alcohol, her blood alcohol content will be higher. Nature is sexist like that.
There’s a lot of variation in individual relationships to alcohol, and an unhealthy relationship is defined less by the quantity consumed than by its effect on the drinker’s life.There’s a lot of variation in individual relationships to alcohol, and an unhealthy relationship is defined less by the quantity consumed than by its effect on the drinker’s life.
One way alcohol undermines health in quarantine is by disrupting sleep, said Dr. Una McCann, a professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “Without sleep, it’s been very well documented that our stress responses are hyperreactive, we’re more likely to have panic attacks, we’re more likely to respond poorly to stressful situations the next day. It’s huge,” Dr. McCann said. “Alcohol doesn’t help with sleep.”One way alcohol undermines health in quarantine is by disrupting sleep, said Dr. Una McCann, a professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “Without sleep, it’s been very well documented that our stress responses are hyperreactive, we’re more likely to have panic attacks, we’re more likely to respond poorly to stressful situations the next day. It’s huge,” Dr. McCann said. “Alcohol doesn’t help with sleep.”
If bad sleep results in more stress the next day, followed by an increased desire to de-stress, it’s easy to see how the cycle repeats.If bad sleep results in more stress the next day, followed by an increased desire to de-stress, it’s easy to see how the cycle repeats.
And stress, particularly for women, is in no short supply these days.And stress, particularly for women, is in no short supply these days.
Kristi Coulter is the author of the 2018 memoir “Nothing Good Can Come From This,” which chronicles her experience with addiction and sobriety. In the process of recovery, she noticed how often alcohol was marketed to women as a way of coping with the unrelenting pressure of being female in a society that judges women’s choices harshly.Kristi Coulter is the author of the 2018 memoir “Nothing Good Can Come From This,” which chronicles her experience with addiction and sobriety. In the process of recovery, she noticed how often alcohol was marketed to women as a way of coping with the unrelenting pressure of being female in a society that judges women’s choices harshly.
That was before many women were being asked to manage children’s home-learning programs, child care, work and households under social distancing orders that place most meaningful support structures out of reach (including those necessary for recovery and maintaining sobriety).That was before many women were being asked to manage children’s home-learning programs, child care, work and households under social distancing orders that place most meaningful support structures out of reach (including those necessary for recovery and maintaining sobriety).
Ms. Coulter has thought about that a lot while scrolling through social media feeds that alternate between images of cozy families, adorable home-school projects and memes about wine.Ms. Coulter has thought about that a lot while scrolling through social media feeds that alternate between images of cozy families, adorable home-school projects and memes about wine.
Updated June 22, 2020 Updated June 24, 2020
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.
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.
“While the memes are meant to be funny, I tend to see anger in them, too,” she said. “I think mothers are saying, ‘I now have three or four full-time jobs, there’s no end in sight, and I’m expected to juggle it all seamlessly and cheerfully. Well, guess what: I have to alter my mind to tolerate the way I’m expected to live now.’”“While the memes are meant to be funny, I tend to see anger in them, too,” she said. “I think mothers are saying, ‘I now have three or four full-time jobs, there’s no end in sight, and I’m expected to juggle it all seamlessly and cheerfully. Well, guess what: I have to alter my mind to tolerate the way I’m expected to live now.’”
There’s a short-term fix doctors prescribe when alcohol or other recreational substances feel like they’re taking more than they offer: Stop. Stop for a little while, see how you feel, readjust habits accordingly, and ask for professional help if stopping doesn’t feel possible.There’s a short-term fix doctors prescribe when alcohol or other recreational substances feel like they’re taking more than they offer: Stop. Stop for a little while, see how you feel, readjust habits accordingly, and ask for professional help if stopping doesn’t feel possible.
“The most important thing is, don’t wait until things get really bad,” Dr. McHugh said. “There’s a false narrative out there about that. You hear the term ‘hitting rock bottom.’ It is absolutely not necessary for people to wait until things are bad.”“The most important thing is, don’t wait until things get really bad,” Dr. McHugh said. “There’s a false narrative out there about that. You hear the term ‘hitting rock bottom.’ It is absolutely not necessary for people to wait until things are bad.”
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline offers free and confidential information in English and Spanish on treatment and services, 24 hours a day. Call (800) 662-4357 or TTY: (800) 487-4889.The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline offers free and confidential information in English and Spanish on treatment and services, 24 hours a day. Call (800) 662-4357 or TTY: (800) 487-4889.
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