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Coronavirus Live Updates: Senate Hearing Begins, Fauci to Warn of ‘Needless Suffering and Death’ if States Open Too Soon Coronavirus Live Updates: C.D.C. Head Declares ‘We’re Not Out of the Woods Yet’
(32 minutes later)
Senator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee and the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee opened a hearing with top health officials on Tuesday by saying that the level of coronavirus testing currently available in the United States is “impressive — but not nearly enough” to give Americans a comfort level about going back to work and school. Dr. Robert R. Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday morning that “we are not out of the woods yet,” a day after President Trump declared, “we have met the moment, and we have prevailed.”
Mr. Alexander is quarantined at his Tennessee home after a member of his staff tested positive. Dr. Redfield is one of four top health officials testifying remotely by video, three of which in some form of self-isolation after exposure to a White House official who tested positive for the virus, including Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, and Stephen M. Hahn, the Food and Drug Administration commissioner.
Senator Patty Murray, of Washington and the top Democrat on the committee, called the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic “a disaster,” saying, “The president isn’t telling the truth — we must.” Even the panel’s chairman, Lamar Alexander, is quarantined at his Tennessee home after a member of his staff tested positive.
Washington was one of the first states with an outbreak of the coronavirus. Dr. Fauci was expected to tell the panel that there could be “needless suffering and death” if the country opens prematurely. But his opening statement dwelled on the efforts to develop vaccines and therapies for Covid-19, which has taken around 80,000 American lives. He also said the idea of having a treatment or vaccine available to facilitate the reentry of college students into the fall term would be “a bit of a bridge too far.”
Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the United States’ top infectious disease expert and a central figure in the government’s response to the coronavirus, is expected to deliver a frank warning to the Senate on Tuesday: Americans would experience “needless suffering and death” if the country opens up prematurely. There was tension from the start. Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the committee, condemned the Trump administration’s response to the virus, saying that President Trump “has been more focused on fighting against the truth than fighting the virus.”
Dr. Fauci, who has emerged as perhaps the nation’s most respected voice during the worst public health crisis in a century, is one of four top government doctors testifying remotely at a high-profile — and highly unusual — hearing on Tuesday before the health committee . Dr. Fauci made his comments in an email to the New York Times reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg late Monday night. She criticized “delays” and “missteps” on tests, “corruption and political interference” in the government’s attempts to acquire personal protective equipment, and the White House’s move to put off guidelines the C.D.C. drafted to help schools, restaurants, churches and other establishments safely reopen.
“The major message that I wish to convey to the Senate HLP committee,” he said in his prepared opening statement, “is the danger of trying to open the country prematurely.” “If we skip over the checkpoints in the guidelines to ‘Open America Again,’ then we risk the danger of multiple outbreaks throughout the country. This will not only result in needless suffering and death, but would actually set us back on our quest to return to normal.” “Americans have sadly paid the price,” she said.
Dr. Fauci’s message is starkly at odds with the “things are looking up” argument that President Trump has been trying to put out: that states are ready to reopen and the pandemic is under control. The two-hour hearing, benignly titled “Covid-19: Safely Getting Back to Work and Back to School,” is the first chance lawmakers have had to publicly question the officials in Congress since Mr. Trump declared a national emergency two months ago.
Mr. Trump declared that “we have met the moment and we have prevailed,” though he later walked back the comments and said he only meant to say that the country had prevailed on increasing access to coronavirus testing — an assertion public health experts say is not true. “The United States and almost every country so far as I can tell, underestimated this virus,” Mr. Alexander said in his opening statements, subtly defending the Trump administration but only subtly. He asked his fellow senators not to point fingers.
Dr. Fauci, who has served under Republican and Democratic presidents for more than three decades and who has worked to master the art of contradicting Mr. Trump without correcting him, echoed the language of Mr. Trump’s own plan, Opening Up America Again, which lays out guidelines for state officials to consider in reopening their economies. Mr. Alexander introduced the hearing by noting that senators in the hearing room on Capitol Hill were spaced six feet apart and were allowed to remove face masks when speaking. Allowing the health officials to testify by video, Mr. Alexander said, was a “one-time exception.”
Three of the top public health officials scheduled to testify — Dr. Fauci; Dr. Robert R. Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Dr. Stephen Hahn, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration — are all in some form of self-isolation after possible exposure to the virus at the White House. Senators and witnesses participated in Tuesday’s hearing from around the country, with only a small group of lawmakers attending in Washington but most beaming in by video from their homes, creating an unusual backdrop for the proceedings.
Their testimony wis be virtual and the questioning is carried out over a video link. Mr. Alexander, the chairman of the committee, who is self-isolating after a member of his staff tested positive for Covid-19, led the hearing from his rustically decorated den in Tennessee, his dog Rufus just visible in the corner of his screen.
The New York Times has live coverage of the hearing, which C-SPAN is broadcasting and the committee is streaming on its website. Ms. Murray, the ranking Democrat, was at her home as well, while about a half-dozen senators were on Capitol Hill, sitting six feet apart at a special dais draped in black covering, some of them wearing masks.
Lawmakers and witnesses are likely to address some of the most disputed elements of the Trump administration’s response efforts, including its altering of C.D.C. guidelines, its promotion of unproven and possibly dangerous drugs to fight the virus and its progress in testing Americans. Dr. Fauci, the star witness who was one of three top health officials scheduled to testify from self-isolation after possible exposure to the virus at the White House, appeared from his cluttered home office, where viewers could spy many stacks of books and a leather easy chair.
But signs of opposition from parts of Mr. Trump’s party appeared almost immediately. Shortly after Dr. Fauci’s comments were published Monday night, Representative Andy Biggs, Republican of Arizona, pushed back on Twitter, and invoked another top scientist: Dr. Deborah L. Birx, Mr. Trump’s coronavirus response coordinator. Dr. Redfield of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also testified from his home office, while Brett P. Giroir, the assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services, appeared to be speaking from the agency’s headquarters in Southwest Washington, D.C., blocks away from the hearing room.
“Dr. Fauci has continually used his bully pulpit to bring public criticism on governors who are seeking to open up their states,” Mr. Biggs wrote. “The Fauci-Birx team have replaced faith w/ fear & hope w/ despair. The remedy is to open up our society & our economy. Trust & respect our freedom.” As the president made a series of misleading claims at a news conference on Monday, White House employees covered their faces with masks, many for the first time, in an effort to halt the spread of the virus in the West Wing.
Mr. Trump sought on Monday to rewrite the narrative of his administration’s handling of the crisis and offered a series of misleading claims.
He said that Germany and the United States were “leading the world in lives saved per 100,000.”
Germany has one of the lowest mortality rates in the world, at nine deaths per 100,000 people. The rate in the United States is almost triple that, at 25 deaths per 100,000, according to figures compiled by The New York Times.
Even as the president spoke, the scene around him spoke eloquently of the challenges lying ahead as White House employees covered their faces with masks, many for the first time, in an effort to halt the spread of the virus in the West Wing.
In an internal email obtained by The New York Times, people who work in the cramped quarters around the Oval Office were told that “as an additional layer of protection, we are requiring everyone who enters the West Wing to wear a mask or face covering.”In an internal email obtained by The New York Times, people who work in the cramped quarters around the Oval Office were told that “as an additional layer of protection, we are requiring everyone who enters the West Wing to wear a mask or face covering.”
Asked at a Rose Garden news conference whether he had ordered the change, Mr. Trump — who did not wear a mask and has repeatedly said he sees no reason to — said, “Yeah, I did.”Asked at a Rose Garden news conference whether he had ordered the change, Mr. Trump — who did not wear a mask and has repeatedly said he sees no reason to — said, “Yeah, I did.”
But officials said the new requirement was not expected to apply to Mr. Trump or to Vice President Mike Pence.But officials said the new requirement was not expected to apply to Mr. Trump or to Vice President Mike Pence.
The United States did not shut down all at once. And it is not opening up all at once. The political, economic and social pressures, as well as the public health dangers, are varied and nuanced.The United States did not shut down all at once. And it is not opening up all at once. The political, economic and social pressures, as well as the public health dangers, are varied and nuanced.
In a case study, Nicholas Casey reports from Farmington, N.M., about why Mayor Nate Duckett wants to reopen, while the governor wants the state to stay closed. To understand the conflicting viewpoints, Mr. Casey writes, it helps to know something about what the mayor calls his city’s “death spiral.”In a case study, Nicholas Casey reports from Farmington, N.M., about why Mayor Nate Duckett wants to reopen, while the governor wants the state to stay closed. To understand the conflicting viewpoints, Mr. Casey writes, it helps to know something about what the mayor calls his city’s “death spiral.”
Perched in a rural corner of northwestern New Mexico, Farmington watched its wealth vanish as its oil and gas industries went elsewhere. Its population is one of the fastest-shrinking in the United States. What keeps the lights on in Farmington is a coal-fired power plant whose fate remains uncertain.Perched in a rural corner of northwestern New Mexico, Farmington watched its wealth vanish as its oil and gas industries went elsewhere. Its population is one of the fastest-shrinking in the United States. What keeps the lights on in Farmington is a coal-fired power plant whose fate remains uncertain.
And all of that was before the virus leveled what remained of Farmington’s economy.And all of that was before the virus leveled what remained of Farmington’s economy.
So in April, Mr. Duckett went to his office in City Hall to write new orders for his town. They amounted to no less than an existential plea, warning of crime, hunger, violence and homelessness if the lockdown continued.So in April, Mr. Duckett went to his office in City Hall to write new orders for his town. They amounted to no less than an existential plea, warning of crime, hunger, violence and homelessness if the lockdown continued.
The mayor’s appeal reflects anxieties shared in small cities and towns across the West, which have far fewer cases of Covid-19 per capita than the eastern United States. In Farmington, few people say they know anyone who is ill from the virus, but almost everyone knows someone unemployed by it.The mayor’s appeal reflects anxieties shared in small cities and towns across the West, which have far fewer cases of Covid-19 per capita than the eastern United States. In Farmington, few people say they know anyone who is ill from the virus, but almost everyone knows someone unemployed by it.
But in places affected more deeply by the virus, there is more palpable fear and confusion.But in places affected more deeply by the virus, there is more palpable fear and confusion.
Noam Scheiber reports on how many workers, concerned about returning to their jobs, are pressing for more generous and accessible sick-leave policies, more protective equipment and better hazard pay.Noam Scheiber reports on how many workers, concerned about returning to their jobs, are pressing for more generous and accessible sick-leave policies, more protective equipment and better hazard pay.
Riley Breakell, who works in a Starbucks in Connecticut, was reassured in mid-March when the company sent a letter announcing expanded catastrophe pay for those absent because of the pandemic. Even though she couldn’t live on the roughly $250 per week she received from Starbucks while her store was closed for a month and a half, she appreciated the company’s effort to do right by its employees.Riley Breakell, who works in a Starbucks in Connecticut, was reassured in mid-March when the company sent a letter announcing expanded catastrophe pay for those absent because of the pandemic. Even though she couldn’t live on the roughly $250 per week she received from Starbucks while her store was closed for a month and a half, she appreciated the company’s effort to do right by its employees.
But after the company said that those provisions would cease for those who were able but “unwilling to work” as stores reopened last week, Ms. Breakell became increasingly frustrated, questioning her managers about the risks that workers would encounter.But after the company said that those provisions would cease for those who were able but “unwilling to work” as stores reopened last week, Ms. Breakell became increasingly frustrated, questioning her managers about the risks that workers would encounter.
“The first letter they sent said you should not have to choose between your health and a job, and now they’re like, ‘Well, if you don’t want to go back, you have to quit,’” she said last week, shortly before her first day back. “I’m very anxious.”“The first letter they sent said you should not have to choose between your health and a job, and now they’re like, ‘Well, if you don’t want to go back, you have to quit,’” she said last week, shortly before her first day back. “I’m very anxious.”
Global markets fell in early Tuesday trading, as reports from China, South Korea and the United States offered sobering reminders to investors of how long and difficult the recovery is likely to be.Global markets fell in early Tuesday trading, as reports from China, South Korea and the United States offered sobering reminders to investors of how long and difficult the recovery is likely to be.
European markets opened mostly lower after a broad drop in the Asia-Pacific region, and U.S. Treasury prices rose, signaling more investor unease. Futures markets were predicting that Wall Street would open less than 1 percent lower.European markets opened mostly lower after a broad drop in the Asia-Pacific region, and U.S. Treasury prices rose, signaling more investor unease. Futures markets were predicting that Wall Street would open less than 1 percent lower.
Investors had a menu of bad news to choose from.Investors had a menu of bad news to choose from.
Congressional testimony from America’s leading public health officials is expected to be sobering. In China, the city of Wuhan, which seemed to have tamed its outbreak, has reported six new infections in recent days, while cases have also risen in the northern part of the country. That followed a disclosure over the weekend that South Korea, which has also seen success in tackling the virus, had suffered a spate of new infections as well.Congressional testimony from America’s leading public health officials is expected to be sobering. In China, the city of Wuhan, which seemed to have tamed its outbreak, has reported six new infections in recent days, while cases have also risen in the northern part of the country. That followed a disclosure over the weekend that South Korea, which has also seen success in tackling the virus, had suffered a spate of new infections as well.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.1 percent, while the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong was down nearly 1.5 percent. The Shanghai Composite index in mainland China lost 0.1 percent.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.1 percent, while the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong was down nearly 1.5 percent. The Shanghai Composite index in mainland China lost 0.1 percent.
In London, the FTSE 100 was up 0.3 percent in early trading. But the DAX in Germany was down 0.1 percent, and the CAC 40 in France was flat.In London, the FTSE 100 was up 0.3 percent in early trading. But the DAX in Germany was down 0.1 percent, and the CAC 40 in France was flat.
Albany, a city of 75,000 in the southwest part of Georgia, emerged as a virus hot spot after a pair of funerals led to hundreds of cases. In response to a push by Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, to reopen the state, pastors across Albany have united to keep their doors closed.Albany, a city of 75,000 in the southwest part of Georgia, emerged as a virus hot spot after a pair of funerals led to hundreds of cases. In response to a push by Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, to reopen the state, pastors across Albany have united to keep their doors closed.
“We cannot go back to business as usual,” said Orson Burton, a pastor who lost members of his congregation, including his father-in-law. “These are not numbers, these are souls.”“We cannot go back to business as usual,” said Orson Burton, a pastor who lost members of his congregation, including his father-in-law. “These are not numbers, these are souls.”
Mr. Burton is on a mission to keep people at home, through door-to-door visits and online sermons, and he has joined a coalition of about 30 pastors who have decided to keep their churches closed until the crisis eases. Otherwise, they fear, they will be hit with a second wave of the virus.Mr. Burton is on a mission to keep people at home, through door-to-door visits and online sermons, and he has joined a coalition of about 30 pastors who have decided to keep their churches closed until the crisis eases. Otherwise, they fear, they will be hit with a second wave of the virus.
Their effort is backed by the city’s elected leaders — who passed a resolution encouraging people to continue staying at home — and by doctors at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, the only hospital in the Albany region.Their effort is backed by the city’s elected leaders — who passed a resolution encouraging people to continue staying at home — and by doctors at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, the only hospital in the Albany region.
“It could happen again in a heartbeat,” said Dr. James Black, the head of the emergency department at the hospital.“It could happen again in a heartbeat,” said Dr. James Black, the head of the emergency department at the hospital.
In the early days of the outbreak, the United States, like many countries, had a very brief chance to limit the spread of the disease at its borders. Identifying travelers from high-risk countries and tracing their contacts with others would have been critical measures, if put in place early enough.In the early days of the outbreak, the United States, like many countries, had a very brief chance to limit the spread of the disease at its borders. Identifying travelers from high-risk countries and tracing their contacts with others would have been critical measures, if put in place early enough.
In California, the largest state and a point of entry for thousands of travelers from Asia, a program was established to do just that. But the system was quickly overwhelmed by a flood of passengers, many with inaccurate contact information, and was understaffed in some cases, rendering the program ineffective, according to a study released on Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which looked exclusively at California.In California, the largest state and a point of entry for thousands of travelers from Asia, a program was established to do just that. But the system was quickly overwhelmed by a flood of passengers, many with inaccurate contact information, and was understaffed in some cases, rendering the program ineffective, according to a study released on Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which looked exclusively at California.
“Despite intensive effort, the traveler screening system did not effectively prevent introduction of Covid-19 into California,” the report said.“Despite intensive effort, the traveler screening system did not effectively prevent introduction of Covid-19 into California,” the report said.
In early February, over 11,000 travelers from China — and later Iran — who landed in California were identified for contact tracing. The hope was to keep track of people traveling from high-risk countries, enabling public health officials to identify possible cases of the coronavirus, quarantine them and contact people who were exposed to them.In early February, over 11,000 travelers from China — and later Iran — who landed in California were identified for contact tracing. The hope was to keep track of people traveling from high-risk countries, enabling public health officials to identify possible cases of the coronavirus, quarantine them and contact people who were exposed to them.
But when the program was begun on Feb. 5, several weeks had already passed since the disease was first identified in Wuhan, China. On March 17, the program was abandoned so that health care officials could shift their focus to mitigating the spread of the disease within the state. By mid-March, the virus had already established a foothold in California; preventing further introduction from overseas was seen as less important than fighting it on the ground.But when the program was begun on Feb. 5, several weeks had already passed since the disease was first identified in Wuhan, China. On March 17, the program was abandoned so that health care officials could shift their focus to mitigating the spread of the disease within the state. By mid-March, the virus had already established a foothold in California; preventing further introduction from overseas was seen as less important than fighting it on the ground.
“This report is a good example of the challenge of trying to use travel screening to contain and prevent pandemic transmission,” said Dr. Timothy Brewer, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles.“This report is a good example of the challenge of trying to use travel screening to contain and prevent pandemic transmission,” said Dr. Timothy Brewer, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of California, Los Angeles.
In the most concrete step yet toward bringing New York back to life, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Monday that three upstate regions might partially reopen this weekend.In the most concrete step yet toward bringing New York back to life, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Monday that three upstate regions might partially reopen this weekend.
State officials have previously laid out a plan under which each of 10 regions must meet thresholds in seven health-related areas before any reopening could begin. The areas that had met the benchmarks, he said, were the Finger Lakes, which includes Rochester; the Southern Tier, which borders Pennsylvania; and the Mohawk Valley, west of Albany.State officials have previously laid out a plan under which each of 10 regions must meet thresholds in seven health-related areas before any reopening could begin. The areas that had met the benchmarks, he said, were the Finger Lakes, which includes Rochester; the Southern Tier, which borders Pennsylvania; and the Mohawk Valley, west of Albany.
To start, each area’s reopening would allow limited construction, manufacturing, curbside retail and some low-risk businesses like landscaping to resume. The effort, which will be gradual, is tied to infection rates remaining low, Mr. Cuomo emphasized.To start, each area’s reopening would allow limited construction, manufacturing, curbside retail and some low-risk businesses like landscaping to resume. The effort, which will be gradual, is tied to infection rates remaining low, Mr. Cuomo emphasized.
“We start a new chapter today in many ways,” the governor said at his daily briefing.“We start a new chapter today in many ways,” the governor said at his daily briefing.
He added that New York City had met only four of the seven criteria, and Mayor Bill de Blasio said that nonessential businesses in the city would probably stay closed until at least June.He added that New York City had met only four of the seven criteria, and Mayor Bill de Blasio said that nonessential businesses in the city would probably stay closed until at least June.
In a sign that the toll may be even greater in New York City than it appears, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released an analysis showing that nearly 5,300 residents had died during the pandemic for reasons that have not been directly linked to the virus.In a sign that the toll may be even greater in New York City than it appears, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released an analysis showing that nearly 5,300 residents had died during the pandemic for reasons that have not been directly linked to the virus.
There’s always room for a little bit of nature indoors, no matter how small a space you have. And if all else fails, opt for some fake plants. Here are some tips to consider if you want to add a splash of green to your surroundings.There’s always room for a little bit of nature indoors, no matter how small a space you have. And if all else fails, opt for some fake plants. Here are some tips to consider if you want to add a splash of green to your surroundings.
They came in waves throughout the day, large groups in car pools and married couples taking advantage of their newfound health for a road trip through the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania.They came in waves throughout the day, large groups in car pools and married couples taking advantage of their newfound health for a road trip through the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania.
By the time night had fallen, more than 60 Hasidic Jews from New York had arrived to donate blood plasma, rich in the antibodies they generated when they were sick with Covid-19. By the time night had fallen, more than 60 Hasidic Jews from New York had arrived to donate blood plasma, rich in the antibodies they generated when they were sick.
The coronavirus has hit New York State with devastating force, infecting over 340,657 people and killing more than 26,000. And public health data suggests that the Orthodox and Hasidic community may have been affected at a rate that exceeds other ethnic and religious groups, with community estimates placing the number of dead in the hundreds. The virus has hit New York State with devastating force, infecting over 340,657 people and killing more than 26,000. And public health data suggests that the Orthodox and Hasidic community may have been affected at a rate that exceeds other ethnic and religious groups, with community estimates placing the number of dead in the hundreds.
That heavy toll has caused grief and anguish in the tight-knit community. But as people have begun to recover, thousands have donated blood plasma, which public health officials believe may be used to help treat people suffering from Covid-19.That heavy toll has caused grief and anguish in the tight-knit community. But as people have begun to recover, thousands have donated blood plasma, which public health officials believe may be used to help treat people suffering from Covid-19.
Organizers have recruited so many donors from the Hasidic community that appointments at blood banks across New York and New Jersey have filled up, forcing donors to travel to Delaware and Pennsylvania to donate plasma.Organizers have recruited so many donors from the Hasidic community that appointments at blood banks across New York and New Jersey have filled up, forcing donors to travel to Delaware and Pennsylvania to donate plasma.
“I think the Jewish people are a little bit like a rubber band,” said Mordy Serle, an Orthodox Jew who made the trip from Brooklyn to Pennsylvania to donate blood. “You know, the more you pull them down, the more they’re going to snap back up.”“I think the Jewish people are a little bit like a rubber band,” said Mordy Serle, an Orthodox Jew who made the trip from Brooklyn to Pennsylvania to donate blood. “You know, the more you pull them down, the more they’re going to snap back up.”
Officials in Wuhan, China, where the virus emerged last year, ordered that all residents be tested after six new cases were found.Officials in Wuhan, China, where the virus emerged last year, ordered that all residents be tested after six new cases were found.
Reporting was contributed by Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Noah Weiland, Marc Santora, Michael D. Shear, Maggie Haberman, Linda Qiu, David Waldstein, Nicholas Casey, Noam Scheiber, Liam Stack and Matt Stevens. Reporting was contributed by Eileen Sullivan, Alan Blinder, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Noah Weiland, Marc Santora, Michael D. Shear, Maggie Haberman, Linda Qiu, David Waldstein, Nicholas Casey, Noam Scheiber, Liam Stack and Matt Stevens.