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Fauci, Other Witnesses and Chairman Are Quarantined, but Hearing Must Go On Fauci, Other Witnesses and Chairman Are Quarantined, but Hearing Must Go On
(3 days later)
WASHINGTON — The chairman is in quarantine for coronavirus exposure. So are the star witnesses. But fireworks — albeit virtual ones — are likely when Dr. Anthony S. Fauci and three other top government doctors testify before the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday in one of the strangest high-stakes hearings in memory.WASHINGTON — The chairman is in quarantine for coronavirus exposure. So are the star witnesses. But fireworks — albeit virtual ones — are likely when Dr. Anthony S. Fauci and three other top government doctors testify before the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday in one of the strangest high-stakes hearings in memory.
The session, in which the chairman and witnesses will appear by video, will be the first time Dr. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert — and one of the few truth-tellers in the administration in the eyes of many Americans — appears before Congress since President Trump declared the coronavirus crisis a national emergency on March 13.The session, in which the chairman and witnesses will appear by video, will be the first time Dr. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert — and one of the few truth-tellers in the administration in the eyes of many Americans — appears before Congress since President Trump declared the coronavirus crisis a national emergency on March 13.
On March 11, when Dr. Fauci was still permitted to testify before the Democratic-controlled House, he made headlines by bluntly telling the nation, “Things will get worse.” They did.On March 11, when Dr. Fauci was still permitted to testify before the Democratic-controlled House, he made headlines by bluntly telling the nation, “Things will get worse.” They did.
At least in Washington, his return to the Capitol, though virtual, is going to be must-watch TV: a chance for Dr. Fauci and his fellow M.D.s — Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Stephen Hahn, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, and Adm. Brett P. Giroir, the assistant secretary for health — to talk to Congress and the public unfiltered, without Mr. Trump hovering over them, cutting off questions or determining when they can speak.At least in Washington, his return to the Capitol, though virtual, is going to be must-watch TV: a chance for Dr. Fauci and his fellow M.D.s — Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Stephen Hahn, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, and Adm. Brett P. Giroir, the assistant secretary for health — to talk to Congress and the public unfiltered, without Mr. Trump hovering over them, cutting off questions or determining when they can speak.
Democrats are eager for that. “Dr. Fauci, let it rip,” Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, said Monday afternoon on the Senate floor.Democrats are eager for that. “Dr. Fauci, let it rip,” Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, said Monday afternoon on the Senate floor.
In an emailed statement, Mr. Schumer said: “President Trump has either muzzled or contradicted what Dr. Fauci and other health experts have recommended to the American people. Tomorrow’s hearing is an opportunity for these experts to speak freely, and they must take advantage of it — because the country can’t afford to hear anything but the full truth.”In an emailed statement, Mr. Schumer said: “President Trump has either muzzled or contradicted what Dr. Fauci and other health experts have recommended to the American people. Tomorrow’s hearing is an opportunity for these experts to speak freely, and they must take advantage of it — because the country can’t afford to hear anything but the full truth.”
Mr. Trump, hoping to pre-empt Democrats’ questions about testing, announced Monday afternoon that his administration was sending additional money to states to beef up their testing capacity.Mr. Trump, hoping to pre-empt Democrats’ questions about testing, announced Monday afternoon that his administration was sending additional money to states to beef up their testing capacity.
He and other administration officials have repeatedly boasted that the United States has done more testing than any other nation — more than nine million tests as of Monday morning, the officials said. That is a big increase from April: The United States conducted about 1.2 million tests from April 16 to 22, up from about 200,000 tests from March 16 to 22, according to data from the Covid Tracking Project.He and other administration officials have repeatedly boasted that the United States has done more testing than any other nation — more than nine million tests as of Monday morning, the officials said. That is a big increase from April: The United States conducted about 1.2 million tests from April 16 to 22, up from about 200,000 tests from March 16 to 22, according to data from the Covid Tracking Project.
Even so, many public health experts view the total number of tests as irrelevant. What matters, they say, is the percentage of the population being tested. Another important indicator is positivity rate: what percentage of those tested are positive — the goal is 10 percent or lower, which would indicate that a large number of asymptomatic people are being tested, said Jennifer Kates, director of global health and H.I.V. policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation.Even so, many public health experts view the total number of tests as irrelevant. What matters, they say, is the percentage of the population being tested. Another important indicator is positivity rate: what percentage of those tested are positive — the goal is 10 percent or lower, which would indicate that a large number of asymptomatic people are being tested, said Jennifer Kates, director of global health and H.I.V. policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation.
By those metrics, many states fall short of the necessary testing that must be conducted to reopen safely. The administration officials said states would be given enough tests to screen at least 2 percent of their populations for the coronavirus. But outside experts have recommended that anywhere from 0.9 percent to 50 percent of the American public must be tested for the coronavirus every week.By those metrics, many states fall short of the necessary testing that must be conducted to reopen safely. The administration officials said states would be given enough tests to screen at least 2 percent of their populations for the coronavirus. But outside experts have recommended that anywhere from 0.9 percent to 50 percent of the American public must be tested for the coronavirus every week.
“By no measure is America leading the world in testing,” Ms. Kates wrote Monday on Twitter.“By no measure is America leading the world in testing,” Ms. Kates wrote Monday on Twitter.
The issue is sure to come up at Tuesday’s hearing.The issue is sure to come up at Tuesday’s hearing.
Senator Christopher S. Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, said in an interview that he wanted answers on who in the administration was controlling supplies of testing. He said he had asked “over and over again for a detailed readout,” but has not received one.Senator Christopher S. Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, said in an interview that he wanted answers on who in the administration was controlling supplies of testing. He said he had asked “over and over again for a detailed readout,” but has not received one.
“I’m still scared to death about the broken supply chain,” he said. “I don’t think they could have made a bigger mess of it than they have, but the continued lack of transparency about how the administration is intervening in the supply chain is maddening, and ultimately fatal.”“I’m still scared to death about the broken supply chain,” he said. “I don’t think they could have made a bigger mess of it than they have, but the continued lack of transparency about how the administration is intervening in the supply chain is maddening, and ultimately fatal.”
The hearing, which will begin at 10 a.m. and will be broadcast live by C-SPAN and streamed on the committee’s website, is titled “Covid-19: Safely Getting Back to Work and Back to School.”The hearing, which will begin at 10 a.m. and will be broadcast live by C-SPAN and streamed on the committee’s website, is titled “Covid-19: Safely Getting Back to Work and Back to School.”
The setting will be unusual to say the least, and it will underscore how far the nation is from normalcy. The panel’s Republican chairman, Senator Lamar Alexander, entered self-quarantine at his home in Maryville, Tenn., over the weekend after learning that an aide had tested positive for Covid-19, and will run the hearing remotely. He spent part of Monday practicing, an aide said.The setting will be unusual to say the least, and it will underscore how far the nation is from normalcy. The panel’s Republican chairman, Senator Lamar Alexander, entered self-quarantine at his home in Maryville, Tenn., over the weekend after learning that an aide had tested positive for Covid-19, and will run the hearing remotely. He spent part of Monday practicing, an aide said.
Two of the four witnesses — Dr. Redfield and Dr. Hahn — are also self-quarantining after being exposed to an employee at the White House who tested positive for the virus last week. Dr. Fauci on Sunday confirmed a CNN report saying he would enter a “modified quarantine” after a “low risk” exposure. With so many key players, including himself, stuck at home, Mr. Alexander announced over the weekend that all of the witnesses, including Admiral Giroir, who coordinates the testing effort, will also testify via video. Some senators may show up in person; others will videoconference in.Two of the four witnesses — Dr. Redfield and Dr. Hahn — are also self-quarantining after being exposed to an employee at the White House who tested positive for the virus last week. Dr. Fauci on Sunday confirmed a CNN report saying he would enter a “modified quarantine” after a “low risk” exposure. With so many key players, including himself, stuck at home, Mr. Alexander announced over the weekend that all of the witnesses, including Admiral Giroir, who coordinates the testing effort, will also testify via video. Some senators may show up in person; others will videoconference in.
Updated June 5, 2020 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.
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.)
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.
“This is the new normal,” Senator Bill Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana, who is a medical doctor, said in an interview. “That’s the least of my worries.”“This is the new normal,” Senator Bill Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana, who is a medical doctor, said in an interview. “That’s the least of my worries.”
Republicans will have a balancing act to do on Tuesday; they must ask probing questions that will not embarrass the administration.Republicans will have a balancing act to do on Tuesday; they must ask probing questions that will not embarrass the administration.
Mr. Cassidy said he was “extremely concerned” about the pandemic’s effect on children, who appear to be at lower risk from Covid-19 but are nonetheless unable to go to school. The closure of schools, he said, has ripple effects, making it hard for parents to go to work and depriving children at risk of abuse of a safe place. He said he wanted the administration to draft a detailed plan for testing and contact tracing so schools could reopen in the fall.Mr. Cassidy said he was “extremely concerned” about the pandemic’s effect on children, who appear to be at lower risk from Covid-19 but are nonetheless unable to go to school. The closure of schools, he said, has ripple effects, making it hard for parents to go to work and depriving children at risk of abuse of a safe place. He said he wanted the administration to draft a detailed plan for testing and contact tracing so schools could reopen in the fall.
The setup of the hearing will mirror what senators did during a committee hearing last week, relying on the Senate video system to supplement in-person appearances. During that hearing, most senators participated remotely, appearing before backdrops of personal photos, their offices and homes.The setup of the hearing will mirror what senators did during a committee hearing last week, relying on the Senate video system to supplement in-person appearances. During that hearing, most senators participated remotely, appearing before backdrops of personal photos, their offices and homes.
That Dr. Fauci and the others are appearing at all is somewhat remarkable. The White House has barred him from testifying before the House, and the White House notified lawmakers last month that members of the president’s coronavirus task force could not accept invitations to testify on Capitol Hill without the express permission of the Mark Meadows, the chief of staff.That Dr. Fauci and the others are appearing at all is somewhat remarkable. The White House has barred him from testifying before the House, and the White House notified lawmakers last month that members of the president’s coronavirus task force could not accept invitations to testify on Capitol Hill without the express permission of the Mark Meadows, the chief of staff.
Emily Cochrane and Michael D. Shear contributed reporting.Emily Cochrane and Michael D. Shear contributed reporting.