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| Democrats Assail McConnell for Bringing Senate Back Amid Pandemic | Democrats Assail McConnell for Bringing Senate Back Amid Pandemic |
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| WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats assailed Senator Mitch McConnell on Thursday for insisting on bringing the Senate back to Washington in the thick of the coronavirus pandemic, saying it could imperil not only senators and their aides, but also large numbers of low-level employees, including racial minorities at higher risk of infection and death from Covid-19. | WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats assailed Senator Mitch McConnell on Thursday for insisting on bringing the Senate back to Washington in the thick of the coronavirus pandemic, saying it could imperil not only senators and their aides, but also large numbers of low-level employees, including racial minorities at higher risk of infection and death from Covid-19. |
| With coronavirus cases in the District of Columbia and neighboring Maryland and Virginia continuing to rise, and the region still on lockdown, senators in both parties are grappling with how to respond to the decision by Mr. McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, to put them back to work on Monday. | With coronavirus cases in the District of Columbia and neighboring Maryland and Virginia continuing to rise, and the region still on lockdown, senators in both parties are grappling with how to respond to the decision by Mr. McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, to put them back to work on Monday. |
| A number of Republican senators — including Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who is a medical doctor, and Mitt Romney of Utah, the party’s 2012 presidential nominee — are planning for their staffs to continue to work from home, as they have done for the last month. | A number of Republican senators — including Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who is a medical doctor, and Mitt Romney of Utah, the party’s 2012 presidential nominee — are planning for their staffs to continue to work from home, as they have done for the last month. |
| Democrats expressed concern for themselves, their aides and others who work in and around the Capitol. They have been particularly critical of the decision to return given that Mr. McConnell has not scheduled any coronavirus-related work, but is instead planning to move ahead on nominations, including of a conservative judge nominated by President Trump for a federal appeals court. | Democrats expressed concern for themselves, their aides and others who work in and around the Capitol. They have been particularly critical of the decision to return given that Mr. McConnell has not scheduled any coronavirus-related work, but is instead planning to move ahead on nominations, including of a conservative judge nominated by President Trump for a federal appeals court. |
| “We are going to scrutinize Leader McConnell’s plan very carefully and see if it does provide the needed protection for the staff and the workers that are here,” Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, told reporters on a conference call about how the coronavirus pandemic is disproportionately affecting minorities. | “We are going to scrutinize Leader McConnell’s plan very carefully and see if it does provide the needed protection for the staff and the workers that are here,” Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, told reporters on a conference call about how the coronavirus pandemic is disproportionately affecting minorities. |
| Nearly half of Washington’s population is black, and on Thursday’s conference call, Senator Cory Booker, Democrat of New Jersey, said he was concerned for unskilled workers in the Capitol complex who he said are “disproportionately minority.” Mr. Booker said he had been thinking in particular about the janitors who work in the Senate buildings late at night. | Nearly half of Washington’s population is black, and on Thursday’s conference call, Senator Cory Booker, Democrat of New Jersey, said he was concerned for unskilled workers in the Capitol complex who he said are “disproportionately minority.” Mr. Booker said he had been thinking in particular about the janitors who work in the Senate buildings late at night. |
| “Knowing that we are going to be pulling people against the rules of the city,” Mr. Booker said, “I do not know what the health justification of that is.” | “Knowing that we are going to be pulling people against the rules of the city,” Mr. Booker said, “I do not know what the health justification of that is.” |
| Congress is exempt from many labor protection laws, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which requires employers to provide a workplace free from certain hazards that could cause serious physical harm or death. | Congress is exempt from many labor protection laws, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which requires employers to provide a workplace free from certain hazards that could cause serious physical harm or death. |
| The coronavirus pandemic is killing African-Americans at alarming rates, according to early data provided by the states. In Illinois, for example, blacks account for 35 percent of all deaths from Covid-19, but just 15 percent of the state’s population. In Michigan, where roughly 14 percent of the population is black, African-Americans account for 32 percent of all coronavirus cases. And New York City officials released data this month indicating that the disease was killing black and Latino people in the city at twice the rate that it was killing white people. | The coronavirus pandemic is killing African-Americans at alarming rates, according to early data provided by the states. In Illinois, for example, blacks account for 35 percent of all deaths from Covid-19, but just 15 percent of the state’s population. In Michigan, where roughly 14 percent of the population is black, African-Americans account for 32 percent of all coronavirus cases. And New York City officials released data this month indicating that the disease was killing black and Latino people in the city at twice the rate that it was killing white people. |
| In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi had initially planned for lawmakers to return to the Capitol on Monday as well, but abruptly reversed herself this week after Congress’s attending physician counseled against it, saying it carried health risks. | In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi had initially planned for lawmakers to return to the Capitol on Monday as well, but abruptly reversed herself this week after Congress’s attending physician counseled against it, saying it carried health risks. |
| Aides to Mr. McConnell would not elaborate on Thursday about how he reached his decision to go forward anyway, and would not say whether he had consulted with the physician, Dr. Brian P. Monahan. | Aides to Mr. McConnell would not elaborate on Thursday about how he reached his decision to go forward anyway, and would not say whether he had consulted with the physician, Dr. Brian P. Monahan. |
| “If people on the front lines are willing to work during the pandemic, we should be as well,” Mr. McConnell said Wednesday on Fox News Radio. “We’ll practice proper safeguards in the wake of this and work safely in the Senate but get back to business. We’re not going to sit on the sidelines.” | “If people on the front lines are willing to work during the pandemic, we should be as well,” Mr. McConnell said Wednesday on Fox News Radio. “We’ll practice proper safeguards in the wake of this and work safely in the Senate but get back to business. We’re not going to sit on the sidelines.” |
| Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, echoed those sentiments Thursday on Capitol Hill. He described the move as “a consensus decision,” adding that “if grocery clerks, if law enforcement personnel and front-line health care providers can operate safely,” so, too, could senators. | Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, echoed those sentiments Thursday on Capitol Hill. He described the move as “a consensus decision,” adding that “if grocery clerks, if law enforcement personnel and front-line health care providers can operate safely,” so, too, could senators. |
| “This idea that we’re going hunker down and shelter in place for an indefinite period of time is just inconsistent with the reality of us needing to do our job,” he said. | “This idea that we’re going hunker down and shelter in place for an indefinite period of time is just inconsistent with the reality of us needing to do our job,” he said. |
| Much of the region surrounding the Capitol remains hunkered down. In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, has issued an open-ended stay-at-home order. In Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, has extended his state’s stay-at-home order until June 10. In Washington, Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, has also extended the district’s stay-at-home order until May 15. | Much of the region surrounding the Capitol remains hunkered down. In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, has issued an open-ended stay-at-home order. In Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, has extended his state’s stay-at-home order until June 10. In Washington, Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, has also extended the district’s stay-at-home order until May 15. |
| In Washington, 4,323 people had tested positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday night, and 224 had died, according to figures gathered by the city. While Mr. Trump has insisted that the District’s caseload is “stable and declining,” Ms. Bowser has publicly disagreed, telling CNN on Tuesday that it has yet to reach its peak. | In Washington, 4,323 people had tested positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday night, and 224 had died, according to figures gathered by the city. While Mr. Trump has insisted that the District’s caseload is “stable and declining,” Ms. Bowser has publicly disagreed, telling CNN on Tuesday that it has yet to reach its peak. |
| An internal administration document obtained by The New York Times said that as of Tuesday, “Washington, D.C., appears stable; however, many of the surrounding areas in Maryland and Virginia show increased cases.” | An internal administration document obtained by The New York Times said that as of Tuesday, “Washington, D.C., appears stable; however, many of the surrounding areas in Maryland and Virginia show increased cases.” |
| Last Thursday, Ms. Bowser and the two governors made a joint bipartisan appeal to the Trump administration to keep federal employees working remotely. | Last Thursday, Ms. Bowser and the two governors made a joint bipartisan appeal to the Trump administration to keep federal employees working remotely. |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| “A continued federal telework policy will help save lives,” they wrote in a joint letter to Michael Rigas, the acting director of the Office of Personnel Management. | “A continued federal telework policy will help save lives,” they wrote in a joint letter to Michael Rigas, the acting director of the Office of Personnel Management. |
| Ms. Pelosi said Thursday that her new plan was to reconvene the House the week of May 11, and begin consideration of another sweeping coronavirus response measure that could top $1 trillion. | Ms. Pelosi said Thursday that her new plan was to reconvene the House the week of May 11, and begin consideration of another sweeping coronavirus response measure that could top $1 trillion. |
| House Republicans on Thursday chastised the Democrats for the scheduling reversal. Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the minority leader, said Thursday that he saw no reason the House should not be finding a way to get back to its business, taking precautions to guard against health risks. | House Republicans on Thursday chastised the Democrats for the scheduling reversal. Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the minority leader, said Thursday that he saw no reason the House should not be finding a way to get back to its business, taking precautions to guard against health risks. |
| “We would not want to do anything without doing it safely,” he said. | “We would not want to do anything without doing it safely,” he said. |
| But in the Senate, Democrats said Mr. McConnell’s plan could be dangerous. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California — who at 86 is the oldest senator — sent Mr. McConnell and Mr. Schumer a letter on Wednesday urging Mr. McConnell to reconsider. | But in the Senate, Democrats said Mr. McConnell’s plan could be dangerous. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California — who at 86 is the oldest senator — sent Mr. McConnell and Mr. Schumer a letter on Wednesday urging Mr. McConnell to reconsider. |
| “He would bring 100 senators and many more staff members and reporters into close proximity while Washington itself remains under a stay-at-home order,” she wrote. “There is no way to do this without increased risk. This is the wrong example for the country.” | “He would bring 100 senators and many more staff members and reporters into close proximity while Washington itself remains under a stay-at-home order,” she wrote. “There is no way to do this without increased risk. This is the wrong example for the country.” |
| Senator Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland, who represents many federal employees including Capitol workers, said that while he was ready to return, it would be unfair to his constituents to do so. | Senator Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland, who represents many federal employees including Capitol workers, said that while he was ready to return, it would be unfair to his constituents to do so. |
| “I am talking about the true front line workers — cafeteria workers, all the janitorial service workers, the police and security officials,” he said in an interview. “I have not seen any plan to insure their safety.” | “I am talking about the true front line workers — cafeteria workers, all the janitorial service workers, the police and security officials,” he said in an interview. “I have not seen any plan to insure their safety.” |
| Nicholas Fandos and Emily Cochrane contributed reporting. | Nicholas Fandos and Emily Cochrane contributed reporting. |