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‘Found Unresponsive at Home’: Grim Records Recount Lonely Deaths ‘Found Unresponsive at Home’: Grim Records Recount Lonely Deaths
(3 days later)
MIAMI — A 71-year-old woman with nausea who was sent home from the emergency room, even though a doctor wanted to admit her. A 63-year-old nurse who was self-isolating while she waited for results from her coronavirus test. A 77-year-old man who was prescribed antibiotics by a doctor in another state for his fever and dry cough.MIAMI — A 71-year-old woman with nausea who was sent home from the emergency room, even though a doctor wanted to admit her. A 63-year-old nurse who was self-isolating while she waited for results from her coronavirus test. A 77-year-old man who was prescribed antibiotics by a doctor in another state for his fever and dry cough.
All were found unresponsive at home — the nurse on the sofa, where she was found by her husband — their lives claimed by Covid-19 before they ever had a chance to check into the hospital.All were found unresponsive at home — the nurse on the sofa, where she was found by her husband — their lives claimed by Covid-19 before they ever had a chance to check into the hospital.
The agony of how the coronavirus has killed at least 1,669 Floridians, many of them older, is brief and matter-of-fact in the unadorned language of medical examiners, who summarize death in sometimes less than 200 words.The agony of how the coronavirus has killed at least 1,669 Floridians, many of them older, is brief and matter-of-fact in the unadorned language of medical examiners, who summarize death in sometimes less than 200 words.
But a trove of short narratives from nearly all of the state’s deaths so far show that a substantial number of people have died suddenly after returning home from the hospital or visiting a doctor or a clinic. Many worsened, returned to the hospital and died there.But a trove of short narratives from nearly all of the state’s deaths so far show that a substantial number of people have died suddenly after returning home from the hospital or visiting a doctor or a clinic. Many worsened, returned to the hospital and died there.
Mostly, the cases — 1,490 are included in records released on Wednesday — show the many ways the unrelenting virus has found to cause death.Mostly, the cases — 1,490 are included in records released on Wednesday — show the many ways the unrelenting virus has found to cause death.
Florida, with more than 39,000 cases, started reopening most of the state on Monday and has recently seen an uptick in infections, after an earlier reduction when an order to stay at home was in effect.Florida, with more than 39,000 cases, started reopening most of the state on Monday and has recently seen an uptick in infections, after an earlier reduction when an order to stay at home was in effect.
The New York Times and other news outlets obtained the descriptions of the deaths — the first such statewide data from anywhere in the country — through a public records request. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which oversees the state Medical Examiners Commission, redacted the 203 pages to keep the descriptions and probable causes of death private.The New York Times and other news outlets obtained the descriptions of the deaths — the first such statewide data from anywhere in the country — through a public records request. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which oversees the state Medical Examiners Commission, redacted the 203 pages to keep the descriptions and probable causes of death private.
Florida has some of the strongest laws in the nation protecting the public’s right to view government records. Complete information from medical examiners on deaths has never before been kept secret. But the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has not been eager to release some coronavirus records. The state also initially refused to release information on nursing homes where outbreaks occurred.Florida has some of the strongest laws in the nation protecting the public’s right to view government records. Complete information from medical examiners on deaths has never before been kept secret. But the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has not been eager to release some coronavirus records. The state also initially refused to release information on nursing homes where outbreaks occurred.
Though large parts of the documents released this week were redacted, the text could nevertheless be extracted, copied and pasted into another file so that it could be read in full, The Times found. The spreadsheet did not include first or last names; each person was identified only as “the decedent.”Though large parts of the documents released this week were redacted, the text could nevertheless be extracted, copied and pasted into another file so that it could be read in full, The Times found. The spreadsheet did not include first or last names; each person was identified only as “the decedent.”
The counties listed show where the person died, not necessarily where he or she lived. The day with the most deaths was April 20, when 50 people died. The date of death often differed from the day in which the death was reported to the state emergency operations center, which received a peak of 84 reports on April 9.The counties listed show where the person died, not necessarily where he or she lived. The day with the most deaths was April 20, when 50 people died. The date of death often differed from the day in which the death was reported to the state emergency operations center, which received a peak of 84 reports on April 9.
The medical examiners’ count, which includes everybody in Florida who had a test confirming the presence of the virus, differs from the one maintained by the state Department of Health, which excludes tourists, seasonal residents and other nonresidents.The medical examiners’ count, which includes everybody in Florida who had a test confirming the presence of the virus, differs from the one maintained by the state Department of Health, which excludes tourists, seasonal residents and other nonresidents.
The probable causes of death, in each case linked to the coronavirus, are the same, over and over again: Pneumonia. Acute respiratory distress syndrome. Complications from Covid-19. A significant number of people had underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes or obesity.The probable causes of death, in each case linked to the coronavirus, are the same, over and over again: Pneumonia. Acute respiratory distress syndrome. Complications from Covid-19. A significant number of people had underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes or obesity.
Each person’s story, though, is a little different, often in heartbreaking ways.Each person’s story, though, is a little different, often in heartbreaking ways.
A 77-year-old man in Collier County died less than a month after his son and granddaughter visited from New Jersey, after which he and they had tested positive. A 59-year-old woman in Lake County fell ill after a family reunion in Tennessee that also sickened her sister. A 78-year-old man who worked at the port of Miami and his wife, also 78, were admitted to the hospital within 48 hours of each other and intubated. They died on the same day.A 77-year-old man in Collier County died less than a month after his son and granddaughter visited from New Jersey, after which he and they had tested positive. A 59-year-old woman in Lake County fell ill after a family reunion in Tennessee that also sickened her sister. A 78-year-old man who worked at the port of Miami and his wife, also 78, were admitted to the hospital within 48 hours of each other and intubated. They died on the same day.
An 83-year-old man in Broward County was intubated and waiting for a consultation on whether he should be admitted to hospice care. But a decision could not be made in time because his son, who was his caregiver, had contracted the virus and been admitted to the same hospital.An 83-year-old man in Broward County was intubated and waiting for a consultation on whether he should be admitted to hospice care. But a decision could not be made in time because his son, who was his caregiver, had contracted the virus and been admitted to the same hospital.
“There’s a family member behind every one of those numbers,” Dr. Stephen J. Nelson, the chairman of the Florida Medical Examiners Commission, said on Thursday, before the death toll had climbed to 1,600.“There’s a family member behind every one of those numbers,” Dr. Stephen J. Nelson, the chairman of the Florida Medical Examiners Commission, said on Thursday, before the death toll had climbed to 1,600.
Dr. Nelson has pushed to make the full records public, including first and last names, without any state redactions. The commission began counting deaths during state emergencies after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, he said, in part to dispel unfounded conspiracy theories at the time that Florida was undercounting the number of people who had died during the hurricane by ferrying bodies to a barge off the Miami coast.Dr. Nelson has pushed to make the full records public, including first and last names, without any state redactions. The commission began counting deaths during state emergencies after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, he said, in part to dispel unfounded conspiracy theories at the time that Florida was undercounting the number of people who had died during the hurricane by ferrying bodies to a barge off the Miami coast.
“We’ve never had an issue like this in the past,” he said. “Every time the government issues an executive order for a natural disaster, we’ve kept a list of the dead. That has never been claimed to be secret and exempt or confidential.”“We’ve never had an issue like this in the past,” he said. “Every time the government issues an executive order for a natural disaster, we’ve kept a list of the dead. That has never been claimed to be secret and exempt or confidential.”
What is available is a grim accounting of untimely deaths, either isolated from family in the hospital or unexpected at home after the infection did not seem so grave or the person had appeared to be improving.What is available is a grim accounting of untimely deaths, either isolated from family in the hospital or unexpected at home after the infection did not seem so grave or the person had appeared to be improving.
The plurality of the dead were between 75 and 84 years old. More than a third lived in a nursing home or other long-term care facility, according to separate data from the Department of Health. Some cases were linked to travel, especially to the New York region, which seeded many infections in the South. There were cruise ship passengers and crew members, an airport worker, several nurses and a phlebotomist.The plurality of the dead were between 75 and 84 years old. More than a third lived in a nursing home or other long-term care facility, according to separate data from the Department of Health. Some cases were linked to travel, especially to the New York region, which seeded many infections in the South. There were cruise ship passengers and crew members, an airport worker, several nurses and a phlebotomist.
Updated June 2, 2020 Updated June 5, 2020
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
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 60-year-old man in Palm Beach County was hospitalized with chills and a fever of 103 in April but felt “subjectively better” two days later and was discharged with antibiotics. “He was found unresponsive at home” by a family member five days later and died in the emergency room of the same hospital to which he had been admitted earlier.A 60-year-old man in Palm Beach County was hospitalized with chills and a fever of 103 in April but felt “subjectively better” two days later and was discharged with antibiotics. “He was found unresponsive at home” by a family member five days later and died in the emergency room of the same hospital to which he had been admitted earlier.
An 84-year-old man in Palm Beach County with a medical history of hypertension, high cholesterol and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease went to his primary doctor with shortness of breath and a cough. Five days later, he was found dead at home by his wife.An 84-year-old man in Palm Beach County with a medical history of hypertension, high cholesterol and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease went to his primary doctor with shortness of breath and a cough. Five days later, he was found dead at home by his wife.
A 72-year-old woman spent 37 days in the hospital after having tested positive for the coronavirus. She had improved “somewhat” and even tested negative for the virus. But the damage may already have been done: She died in the hospital anyway.A 72-year-old woman spent 37 days in the hospital after having tested positive for the coronavirus. She had improved “somewhat” and even tested negative for the virus. But the damage may already have been done: She died in the hospital anyway.
A 76-year-old woman in Miami-Dade County spent 10 days in the hospital but was treated, stabilized and discharged, sent home on oxygen. She returned to the hospital the next day in respiratory distress, had a cardiac arrest and died.A 76-year-old woman in Miami-Dade County spent 10 days in the hospital but was treated, stabilized and discharged, sent home on oxygen. She returned to the hospital the next day in respiratory distress, had a cardiac arrest and died.
Then there are the deaths of younger people.Then there are the deaths of younger people.
A 31-year-old man in Alachua County with a medical history of obesity, diabetes and lupus who had recently visited South Florida spiked a fever and went to an urgent care clinic in April, but he was discharged with a diagnosis of an ear infection and “told that he was not a likely candidate” for the virus. The next day he was hospitalized, transported to a larger medical center and taken to the intensive care unit, where he died five days later.A 31-year-old man in Alachua County with a medical history of obesity, diabetes and lupus who had recently visited South Florida spiked a fever and went to an urgent care clinic in April, but he was discharged with a diagnosis of an ear infection and “told that he was not a likely candidate” for the virus. The next day he was hospitalized, transported to a larger medical center and taken to the intensive care unit, where he died five days later.
A 35-year-old man in Broward County was riding an all-terrain vehicle nine days after testing positive for the coronavirus. At one point, he stopped his A.T.V. and called his father, who had been trailing him, and told him he did not feel well. When his father drove up, he found his son unresponsive, slumped over on the A.T.V. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.A 35-year-old man in Broward County was riding an all-terrain vehicle nine days after testing positive for the coronavirus. At one point, he stopped his A.T.V. and called his father, who had been trailing him, and told him he did not feel well. When his father drove up, he found his son unresponsive, slumped over on the A.T.V. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A 39-year-old disc jockey in Lee County who was twice denied a coronavirus test at an outpatient clinic was hospitalized in March with shortness of breath.A 39-year-old disc jockey in Lee County who was twice denied a coronavirus test at an outpatient clinic was hospitalized in March with shortness of breath.
Three days later, he died.Three days later, he died.
Patricia Mazzei reported from Miami, Rebecca Halleck from New York, and Richard A. Oppel Jr. from Austin. Samarth Bhaskar and Jacob Meschke contributed reporting from New York, and Lindsey Cook from Duluth, Ga.Patricia Mazzei reported from Miami, Rebecca Halleck from New York, and Richard A. Oppel Jr. from Austin. Samarth Bhaskar and Jacob Meschke contributed reporting from New York, and Lindsey Cook from Duluth, Ga.