'In Sydney, the Magic Hour Means Noise. It’s Heavenly to Hear.' diff viewer (13/14)

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In Sydney, the Magic Hour Means Noise. It’s Heavenly to Hear.	In Sydney, the Magic Hour Means Noise. It’s Heavenly to Hear.
2020-06-24 13:06:50 UTC	2020-06-24 14:16:40 UTC (about 1 hour later)
SYDNEY, Australia — At night, the crickets make my street sound like the wilderness. In the morning, I hear the birds chirping at top volume from sun up until deep into what used to be rush hour.	SYDNEY, Australia — At night, the crickets make my street sound like the wilderness. In the morning, I hear the birds chirping at top volume from sun up until deep into what used to be rush hour.
But in late afternoon, the sounds of nature in a city where millions of people are working from home, or not working at all, give way to something else: a burst of welcome human noise.	But in late afternoon, the sounds of nature in a city where millions of people are working from home, or not working at all, give way to something else: a burst of welcome human noise.
In neighborhoods once defined by cars and busy schedules, kids rush out of front doors and garages, roaming free on bikes, scooters and skateboards, screaming down empty streets. Literally screaming, as if they just escaped from prison.	In neighborhoods once defined by cars and busy schedules, kids rush out of front doors and garages, roaming free on bikes, scooters and skateboards, screaming down empty streets. Literally screaming, as if they just escaped from prison.
“Three, two, one, go!” I heard a young neighbor yell the other day, goading a sibling to speed over a tree limb they’d dragged into the street, leading to a crunch of bike tires on branches followed by shouts of “Whoooaaaa!”	“Three, two, one, go!” I heard a young neighbor yell the other day, goading a sibling to speed over a tree limb they’d dragged into the street, leading to a crunch of bike tires on branches followed by shouts of “Whoooaaaa!”
Five weeks into Australia’s coronavirus isolation, children are the opening beat for an afternoon soundtrack that also includes barking dogs, shouting parents and buff 20-somethings jogging while talking about lust and love at volumes that belong onstage.	Five weeks into Australia’s coronavirus isolation, children are the opening beat for an afternoon soundtrack that also includes barking dogs, shouting parents and buff 20-somethings jogging while talking about lust and love at volumes that belong onstage.
The time may shift — sometimes the noise rises at 3 p.m., sometimes later — but the swell of sound signals the start of Magic Hour, that ad hoc interlude when our very human need to move and chatter, even at a distance, breaks through the routine of quiet isolation.	The time may shift — sometimes the noise rises at 3 p.m., sometimes later — but the swell of sound signals the start of Magic Hour, that ad hoc interlude when our very human need to move and chatter, even at a distance, breaks through the routine of quiet isolation.
And let’s be clear: It is heavenly. Actual voices! Kids! Couples! Arguments! What I hear outside my home office window, or passing by when I run, is the elevator music I never used to notice, and now eagerly anticipate for connection and to mark the passage of time.	And let’s be clear: It is heavenly. Actual voices! Kids! Couples! Arguments! What I hear outside my home office window, or passing by when I run, is the elevator music I never used to notice, and now eagerly anticipate for connection and to mark the passage of time.
The Magic Hour is by no means unique to Sydney. It can’t be a coincidence that the cheers for health workers in New York, the block parties in San Francisco and the mass singing in Italy all tend to occur just before dusk. As sociologists are quick to note, many of us feel compelled to end our days of pandemic loneliness with some kind of connection, preferably outdoors.	The Magic Hour is by no means unique to Sydney. It can’t be a coincidence that the cheers for health workers in New York, the block parties in San Francisco and the mass singing in Italy all tend to occur just before dusk. As sociologists are quick to note, many of us feel compelled to end our days of pandemic loneliness with some kind of connection, preferably outdoors.
“The more formal arrangements, from sports to events, are off the table, and even the informal interactions in shops and bars — that’s gone too,” said David Rowe, a sociologist at Western Sydney University. “People are finding that they need to interact with someone even if it’s just someone walking around a green space with you. You just want some kind of shared purpose.”	“The more formal arrangements, from sports to events, are off the table, and even the informal interactions in shops and bars — that’s gone too,” said David Rowe, a sociologist at Western Sydney University. “People are finding that they need to interact with someone even if it’s just someone walking around a green space with you. You just want some kind of shared purpose.”
In Sydney, the search for a “shared purpose” seems to be especially pronounced. Stay-at-home orders have coincided with a warm autumn that followed a wildfire-ruined summer, upping the stir-crazy quotient to a point where nothing may be more contentious in Australia’s coronavirus era than the use of the outdoors.	In Sydney, the search for a “shared purpose” seems to be especially pronounced. Stay-at-home orders have coincided with a warm autumn that followed a wildfire-ruined summer, upping the stir-crazy quotient to a point where nothing may be more contentious in Australia’s coronavirus era than the use of the outdoors.
In late March, as counts of infection started to double every few days, the crowds pouring onto Bondi Beach became a tipping point that led to a tougher lockdown of all but the most essential services.	In late March, as counts of infection started to double every few days, the crowds pouring onto Bondi Beach became a tipping point that led to a tougher lockdown of all but the most essential services.
Government officials put up fences around the most popular beaches and asked everyone to bunker in, but as the days rolled into each other like an ambient playlist on repeat, the urge to abscond from home detention for a bit of sun and air intensified.	Government officials put up fences around the most popular beaches and asked everyone to bunker in, but as the days rolled into each other like an ambient playlist on repeat, the urge to abscond from home detention for a bit of sun and air intensified.
Since exercise was one of the few activities still allowed, the parks and coastal walks around Sydney started to fill up as never before.	Since exercise was one of the few activities still allowed, the parks and coastal walks around Sydney started to fill up as never before.
Mr. Rowe, the sociologist, said that around his home, walking paths that used to have only a few people before the pandemic have practically been overrun. He admits he is one of the Magic Hour’s new participants. Since the pandemic hit, he has been sharing those paths with his neighbors almost every afternoon.	Mr. Rowe, the sociologist, said that around his home, walking paths that used to have only a few people before the pandemic have practically been overrun. He admits he is one of the Magic Hour’s new participants. Since the pandemic hit, he has been sharing those paths with his neighbors almost every afternoon.
“There is certainly a bit of ‘contagion effect’ there,” he said. “That’s probably not the right language to use here, but some people, especially the rule followers, need to be licensed to go out, and seeing others gives them that permission.”	“There is certainly a bit of ‘contagion effect’ there,” he said. “That’s probably not the right language to use here, but some people, especially the rule followers, need to be licensed to go out, and seeing others gives them that permission.”
Although armed with the power to issue heavy fines, the police have frequently been flummoxed about how to respond to the Magic Hour.	Although armed with the power to issue heavy fines, the police have frequently been flummoxed about how to respond to the Magic Hour.
Many Sydneysiders, as those in Australia’s largest city are known, were outraged when officers moved people along for drinking coffee or breastfeeding outside. And for some, the restrictions have been too much.	Many Sydneysiders, as those in Australia’s largest city are known, were outraged when officers moved people along for drinking coffee or breastfeeding outside. And for some, the restrictions have been too much.
At 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, the police arrested Dimitri Moskovich, 54, a musclebound regular at Bondi Beach, after he walked out onto the rocks near Bondi’s northern end. He argued he wasn’t violating the beach closure because he wasn’t on the sand; his trip to the police station suggested the authorities disagreed.	At 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, the police arrested Dimitri Moskovich, 54, a musclebound regular at Bondi Beach, after he walked out onto the rocks near Bondi’s northern end. He argued he wasn’t violating the beach closure because he wasn’t on the sand; his trip to the police station suggested the authorities disagreed.
For the most part, though, the city’s denizens have been well behaved. Physical distancing in my neighborhood has led to Friday afternoon drinks shared across an open road. In other areas, D.J.s have set up outside and played Sunday afternoon sets loud enough for people to dance at home.	For the most part, though, the city’s denizens have been well behaved. Physical distancing in my neighborhood has led to Friday afternoon drinks shared across an open road. In other areas, D.J.s have set up outside and played Sunday afternoon sets loud enough for people to dance at home.
Parents, while gnashing their teeth trying to balance work and home schooling, have also remarked at the small joys that come with no commuting and a chance to knock off early.	Parents, while gnashing their teeth trying to balance work and home schooling, have also remarked at the small joys that come with no commuting and a chance to knock off early.
It’s a simpler life for those still working or benefiting from Australia’s generous wage protection program — a life more like the 1970s, when there was less international travel, fewer fancy restaurant dinners, shorter work days and less structure to childhood activities.	It’s a simpler life for those still working or benefiting from Australia’s generous wage protection program — a life more like the 1970s, when there was less international travel, fewer fancy restaurant dinners, shorter work days and less structure to childhood activities.
~~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.
The less regimented approach to family life is especially visible wherever large expanses of pavement can be found.	The less regimented approach to family life is especially visible wherever large expanses of pavement can be found.
In Clovelly and Maroubra, two coastal neighborhoods where beaches are off limits for all but early morning exercise, large parking lots that used to be filled with cars have become playgrounds filled with dozens of children on wheels of their own.	In Clovelly and Maroubra, two coastal neighborhoods where beaches are off limits for all but early morning exercise, large parking lots that used to be filled with cars have become playgrounds filled with dozens of children on wheels of their own.
Brendan Cook, an animator who lives near the Clovelly lot, said seeing the space “transformed into a junior bike track has been a rare upside.”	Brendan Cook, an animator who lives near the Clovelly lot, said seeing the space “transformed into a junior bike track has been a rare upside.”