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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
(30 days later)
This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the global outbreak. Sign up here to get the briefing by email.This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the global outbreak. Sign up here to get the briefing by email.
The U.S. unemployment rate hit 14.7 percent, and 20.5 million jobs were lost in April — devastation not seen since the Great Depression.The U.S. unemployment rate hit 14.7 percent, and 20.5 million jobs were lost in April — devastation not seen since the Great Depression.
President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will be tested daily, after people close to both of them tested positive for the virus this week.President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence will be tested daily, after people close to both of them tested positive for the virus this week.
A 5-year-old in New York City has died of a mysterious condition linked to the coronavirus.A 5-year-old in New York City has died of a mysterious condition linked to the coronavirus.
Get the latest updates here, plus maps, a tracker for U.S. metro areas, and full coverage.Get the latest updates here, plus maps, a tracker for U.S. metro areas, and full coverage.
It’s becoming clear that the coronavirus is not going to simply vanish after restrictions are lifted, epidemiologists say, despite the recent optimistic forecast from the White House.It’s becoming clear that the coronavirus is not going to simply vanish after restrictions are lifted, epidemiologists say, despite the recent optimistic forecast from the White House.
Instead, it’s going to be with us for a while — certainly for months, and possibly years. To understand what our future looks like, it may be helpful to think of the virus’s trajectory like a rolling wave.Instead, it’s going to be with us for a while — certainly for months, and possibly years. To understand what our future looks like, it may be helpful to think of the virus’s trajectory like a rolling wave.
A recent analysis from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota describes the various shapes that wave might take.A recent analysis from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota describes the various shapes that wave might take.
The first scenario shows an initial wave of cases — the current one — followed by “peaks and valleys” that shrink over time.The first scenario shows an initial wave of cases — the current one — followed by “peaks and valleys” that shrink over time.
In the second, a larger “fall peak,” or possibly a winter peak, and subsequent smaller waves come after the current one. This is similar to what happened during the 1918-19 Spanish flu pandemic.In the second, a larger “fall peak,” or possibly a winter peak, and subsequent smaller waves come after the current one. This is similar to what happened during the 1918-19 Spanish flu pandemic.
The third possibility shows an intense spring peak that turns into a “slow burn,” with smaller ups and downs.The third possibility shows an intense spring peak that turns into a “slow burn,” with smaller ups and downs.
What each of these scenarios shows is that a single round of social distancing will probably not be sufficient in the long term. Instead, researchers say, we should be prepared for occasional restrictions and lockdowns over the next few years, until there’s widespread immunity or an effective vaccine.What each of these scenarios shows is that a single round of social distancing will probably not be sufficient in the long term. Instead, researchers say, we should be prepared for occasional restrictions and lockdowns over the next few years, until there’s widespread immunity or an effective vaccine.
Dive in: The health news site Stat describes each scenario in stark detail. “There is virtually no chance Covid-19 will end when the world bids good riddance to a calamitous 2020,” it concludes.Dive in: The health news site Stat describes each scenario in stark detail. “There is virtually no chance Covid-19 will end when the world bids good riddance to a calamitous 2020,” it concludes.
The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.
The jobs numbers for April were released this morning by the Labor Department, and they were about as dismal as expected: The economy shed 20.5 million jobs and the unemployment rate jumped to 14.7 percent — devastation not seen since the Great Depression.The jobs numbers for April were released this morning by the Labor Department, and they were about as dismal as expected: The economy shed 20.5 million jobs and the unemployment rate jumped to 14.7 percent — devastation not seen since the Great Depression.
The situation was even worse for minorities. Among African-American workers, the unemployment rate was 16.7 percent, and for Latinos it was 18.9 percent. All told, only about half of all Americans have a job — the lowest level on record — and it’s expected to get worse.The situation was even worse for minorities. Among African-American workers, the unemployment rate was 16.7 percent, and for Latinos it was 18.9 percent. All told, only about half of all Americans have a job — the lowest level on record — and it’s expected to get worse.
While the latest job losses extend across every major sector including manufacturing, retail and even white-collar industries, there was one area of the economy that was particularly surprising to see struggling: health care.While the latest job losses extend across every major sector including manufacturing, retail and even white-collar industries, there was one area of the economy that was particularly surprising to see struggling: health care.
Despite the deluge of patients filling intensive care units, the sector lost more than 1.4 million jobs last month. That’s because the government asked hospitals to stop elective surgeries like hip replacements and operations on slow-growing cancers and focus on the pandemic, and, it turns out, those procedures are much more profitable than fighting a deadly disease.Despite the deluge of patients filling intensive care units, the sector lost more than 1.4 million jobs last month. That’s because the government asked hospitals to stop elective surgeries like hip replacements and operations on slow-growing cancers and focus on the pandemic, and, it turns out, those procedures are much more profitable than fighting a deadly disease.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’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.
Human lungs are extremely complicated machines — and so are the ventilators that keep them going in patients with severe coronavirus infections. Here’s a visual exploration of how the two work together.Human lungs are extremely complicated machines — and so are the ventilators that keep them going in patients with severe coronavirus infections. Here’s a visual exploration of how the two work together.
The government of Australia outlined a cautious, three-step plan to reopen the country by July.The government of Australia outlined a cautious, three-step plan to reopen the country by July.
Norway became the first country in Europe to allow movie theaters to reopen; it plans to reopen high schools, bars and most of the country by mid-June.Norway became the first country in Europe to allow movie theaters to reopen; it plans to reopen high schools, bars and most of the country by mid-June.
The governor of New Jersey said that he would be “shocked” if the state’s beaches weren’t opened by Memorial Day.The governor of New Jersey said that he would be “shocked” if the state’s beaches weren’t opened by Memorial Day.
Here’s a roundup of current restrictions in all 50 states.Here’s a roundup of current restrictions in all 50 states.
Address financial issues with your children. Here’s a guide to talking about job losses and economic hardship. Try to resist selling a silver lining, and speak directly to hard truths.Address financial issues with your children. Here’s a guide to talking about job losses and economic hardship. Try to resist selling a silver lining, and speak directly to hard truths.
Make your garden grow. If it’s spring where you live, the time is now to start planting your fruits and vegetables. Here’s how to grow a fabulous garden of any size.Make your garden grow. If it’s spring where you live, the time is now to start planting your fruits and vegetables. Here’s how to grow a fabulous garden of any size.
The Mexican government is not reporting hundreds, possibly thousands, of deaths from the virus in Mexico City, dismissing local officials who have tallied more than three times as many fatalities than the country publicly acknowledges.The Mexican government is not reporting hundreds, possibly thousands, of deaths from the virus in Mexico City, dismissing local officials who have tallied more than three times as many fatalities than the country publicly acknowledges.
The Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency authorization for the first at-home saliva test for the coronavirus.The Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency authorization for the first at-home saliva test for the coronavirus.
Polls show Americans want the virus contained more than they want to reopen the economy.Polls show Americans want the virus contained more than they want to reopen the economy.
A new study suggests that warm weather will have little to no effect on stopping the spread of the virus because most of the world has not built up an immunity to it.A new study suggests that warm weather will have little to no effect on stopping the spread of the virus because most of the world has not built up an immunity to it.
“I cry night and day.” The diary of one woman’s two-month quest to get unemployment in New York.“I cry night and day.” The diary of one woman’s two-month quest to get unemployment in New York.
Staying at home has caused many people to ditch their makeup, hair-care and skin-care routines — and companies are feeling the effects.Staying at home has caused many people to ditch their makeup, hair-care and skin-care routines — and companies are feeling the effects.
I have been creating a photo book during the pandemic. It is a combination of news headlines and photos of our family taken each day. Someday my children can give it to their grandchildren when they study the pandemic in school.I have been creating a photo book during the pandemic. It is a combination of news headlines and photos of our family taken each day. Someday my children can give it to their grandchildren when they study the pandemic in school.
— Kenneth S. Stewart, Peachtree Corners, Ga.— Kenneth S. Stewart, Peachtree Corners, Ga.
Let us know how you’re dealing with the outbreak. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.Let us know how you’re dealing with the outbreak. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.
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Tom Wright-Piersanti contributed to today’s newsletter.Tom Wright-Piersanti contributed to today’s newsletter.