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| Fauci Hearing: Who Were Those Masked (and Unmasked) Senators? | Fauci Hearing: Who Were Those Masked (and Unmasked) Senators? |
| (8 days later) | |
| The proceedings were carried on cable news. But the aesthetic was low-budget “Westworld.” | The proceedings were carried on cable news. But the aesthetic was low-budget “Westworld.” |
| The Senate Health Committee’s questioning of four administration health officials Tuesday morning, on the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, was the highest-profile congressional testimony in weeks. As many states move toward reopening even as the death tolls rise, the subject was if, when and how things might safely get back to normal-ish. | The Senate Health Committee’s questioning of four administration health officials Tuesday morning, on the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, was the highest-profile congressional testimony in weeks. As many states move toward reopening even as the death tolls rise, the subject was if, when and how things might safely get back to normal-ish. |
| But everything in the Senate’s surreal and desolate visual presentation only underlined that we are light-years away from normal. | But everything in the Senate’s surreal and desolate visual presentation only underlined that we are light-years away from normal. |
| Typically, a high-profile Senate appearance is the theater of congestion. The testifiers appear, flanked by advisers, and face a forest of cameras and microphones as they stare down a crowded bank of legislators. | Typically, a high-profile Senate appearance is the theater of congestion. The testifiers appear, flanked by advisers, and face a forest of cameras and microphones as they stare down a crowded bank of legislators. |
| Tuesday’s proceedings looked instead like a tribunal in some depopulated cyber-western dystopia. | Tuesday’s proceedings looked instead like a tribunal in some depopulated cyber-western dystopia. |
| A remote-operated camera robo-swiveled on the open chamber floor, as a couple of human photographers darted about. The image of Senator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee — the committee chair, self-quarantining after an aide tested positive for the coronavirus — hovered on a screen above an empty chair. The guests all appeared virtually, three of them also in some form of precautionary isolation. | A remote-operated camera robo-swiveled on the open chamber floor, as a couple of human photographers darted about. The image of Senator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee — the committee chair, self-quarantining after an aide tested positive for the coronavirus — hovered on a screen above an empty chair. The guests all appeared virtually, three of them also in some form of precautionary isolation. |
| And the handful of senators attending in person kept a cautious distance, with Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, shrouded in a bandanna as if he’d just come back from robbing a stagecoach. | And the handful of senators attending in person kept a cautious distance, with Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, shrouded in a bandanna as if he’d just come back from robbing a stagecoach. |
| This did not look like the America that President Trump painted Monday, when he declared that the country had “prevailed” against its recent challenge. It was a ghost town with everything but the tumbleweeds. | This did not look like the America that President Trump painted Monday, when he declared that the country had “prevailed” against its recent challenge. It was a ghost town with everything but the tumbleweeds. |
| The guests included Dr. Robert R. Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Adm. Brett P. Giroir, the assistant secretary for health; and Dr. Stephen M. Hahn, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. | The guests included Dr. Robert R. Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Adm. Brett P. Giroir, the assistant secretary for health; and Dr. Stephen M. Hahn, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. |
| But top billing belonged to Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and the administration’s point person on pandemic response, whose boss in the White House prefers wishful triumphalism, tweets and ramblings to following doctor’s orders. | But top billing belonged to Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and the administration’s point person on pandemic response, whose boss in the White House prefers wishful triumphalism, tweets and ramblings to following doctor’s orders. |
| An advance report said that Dr. Fauci planned to warn of “needless suffering and death” if states rushed to reopen before meeting guideposts of progress, suggesting that, out of Mr. Trump’s eye line, he might offer harsher medicine. | An advance report said that Dr. Fauci planned to warn of “needless suffering and death” if states rushed to reopen before meeting guideposts of progress, suggesting that, out of Mr. Trump’s eye line, he might offer harsher medicine. |
| Instead, he slipped the scalpel in gently. (The ranking committee Democrat, Patty Murray of Washington, ended up pre-empting his “suffering and death” line in her opening questions.) He warned that “the consequences could be really serious” if states moved too fast, and — countering a Trumpist insinuation that the Covid-19 death count, now over 80,000, has been inflated — agreed that the actual toll is likely higher than the official figures. | Instead, he slipped the scalpel in gently. (The ranking committee Democrat, Patty Murray of Washington, ended up pre-empting his “suffering and death” line in her opening questions.) He warned that “the consequences could be really serious” if states moved too fast, and — countering a Trumpist insinuation that the Covid-19 death count, now over 80,000, has been inflated — agreed that the actual toll is likely higher than the official figures. |
| But he also offered a spoonful of optimism, venturing that it was “more likely than not” that a vaccine would be available in a year or two, while maintaining his genial family-practitioner-from-Brooklyn tone. Away from the presidential briefings that played like “The Apprentice,” he likened the process of approving potential treatments to “Shark Tank.” (The references change, but the reality-TV-ness of this administration never goes away.) | But he also offered a spoonful of optimism, venturing that it was “more likely than not” that a vaccine would be available in a year or two, while maintaining his genial family-practitioner-from-Brooklyn tone. Away from the presidential briefings that played like “The Apprentice,” he likened the process of approving potential treatments to “Shark Tank.” (The references change, but the reality-TV-ness of this administration never goes away.) |
| The sharpest conflict came when Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, assailed “doom and gloom” predictions about the virus and told Dr. Fauci, “I don’t think you’re the end-all” with regard to reopening policy. Replied the immunologist to the ophthalmologist: “I give advice according to the best scientific evidence.” | The sharpest conflict came when Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, assailed “doom and gloom” predictions about the virus and told Dr. Fauci, “I don’t think you’re the end-all” with regard to reopening policy. Replied the immunologist to the ophthalmologist: “I give advice according to the best scientific evidence.” |
| Updated June 30, 2020 | |
| 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. | |
| Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. | Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| It’s possible that the logistics lent themselves less to theatrics and confrontation. Amid the usual lags and audio glitches — Mr. Redfield’s connection was especially shaky — it’s hard to have a good fight over videoconference. | It’s possible that the logistics lent themselves less to theatrics and confrontation. Amid the usual lags and audio glitches — Mr. Redfield’s connection was especially shaky — it’s hard to have a good fight over videoconference. |
| Instead, the background details of the telecommuting legislators competed with the public-health questions and speechifying. Senator Mike Enzi, Republican of Wyoming, spoke from an office outfitted with a set of desk antlers, while Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, was backed by a Red Hot Chili Peppers poster. | Instead, the background details of the telecommuting legislators competed with the public-health questions and speechifying. Senator Mike Enzi, Republican of Wyoming, spoke from an office outfitted with a set of desk antlers, while Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, was backed by a Red Hot Chili Peppers poster. |
| The most pointed political battle of the morning was less about what came out of the mouths of senators than what covered them, or didn’t. The Democrats in the committee room mostly wore masks. The Republicans largely didn’t, or removed them before the proceedings started. | The most pointed political battle of the morning was less about what came out of the mouths of senators than what covered them, or didn’t. The Democrats in the committee room mostly wore masks. The Republicans largely didn’t, or removed them before the proceedings started. |
| Face masks — worn mainly to keep the wearer from inadvertently infecting others — have become a metonym for the now-partisan argument over how worrisome the pandemic is, how much people should change their routines because of it and the extent to which people are morally and socially obligated to inconvenience themselves for the good of others. | Face masks — worn mainly to keep the wearer from inadvertently infecting others — have become a metonym for the now-partisan argument over how worrisome the pandemic is, how much people should change their routines because of it and the extent to which people are morally and socially obligated to inconvenience themselves for the good of others. |
| What should be a matter of objective public-health practice has become one more polarizing cultural signal, splashed across your kisser. Fittingly, Senator Susan Collins of Maine, one of the more moderate Republicans and facing a tough re-election campaign, began the hearing with no mask, then put one on, as if trying to keep one lung in each camp. | What should be a matter of objective public-health practice has become one more polarizing cultural signal, splashed across your kisser. Fittingly, Senator Susan Collins of Maine, one of the more moderate Republicans and facing a tough re-election campaign, began the hearing with no mask, then put one on, as if trying to keep one lung in each camp. |
| Dr. Fauci was alone and maskless on video. But late in the hearing, he spoke approvingly of how, outdoors in Washington, D.C., “you can see many people out there with masks on, which gives me some degree of comfort that people are taking this very seriously.” | Dr. Fauci was alone and maskless on video. But late in the hearing, he spoke approvingly of how, outdoors in Washington, D.C., “you can see many people out there with masks on, which gives me some degree of comfort that people are taking this very seriously.” |
| If it was a comment on what we witnessed in the hearing room, he kept it oblique. That’s the beauty of videoconferencing: No one knows exactly what you’re seeing on your own screen. | If it was a comment on what we witnessed in the hearing room, he kept it oblique. That’s the beauty of videoconferencing: No one knows exactly what you’re seeing on your own screen. |