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| Officials Move to Block Concert Billed as First Since Virus Hit | Officials Move to Block Concert Billed as First Since Virus Hit |
| (6 days later) | |
| Technically, the first major rock concert to open in the United States since the pandemic hit is still on for Friday. But its prospects were certainly clouded by an announcement Tuesday that the Arkansas Department of Health would issue a cease-and-desist order to block it. | Technically, the first major rock concert to open in the United States since the pandemic hit is still on for Friday. But its prospects were certainly clouded by an announcement Tuesday that the Arkansas Department of Health would issue a cease-and-desist order to block it. |
| Mike Brown, a representative for Temple Live, a venue in Fort Smith, Ark., said his team was still in discussions with state officials about whether the show, with Travis McCready and other musicians, could go ahead. “We have not pulled it down,” he said early Wednesday. | Mike Brown, a representative for Temple Live, a venue in Fort Smith, Ark., said his team was still in discussions with state officials about whether the show, with Travis McCready and other musicians, could go ahead. “We have not pulled it down,” he said early Wednesday. |
| On Tuesday, Gov. Asa Hutchison said that the concert failed to meet the state’s directives for opening concerts. He was to allow indoor venues such as theaters, arenas and stadiums to reopen starting May 18 as long as they limited their audiences to fewer than 50 people. | On Tuesday, Gov. Asa Hutchison said that the concert failed to meet the state’s directives for opening concerts. He was to allow indoor venues such as theaters, arenas and stadiums to reopen starting May 18 as long as they limited their audiences to fewer than 50 people. |
| But the venue had said its show would be held three days earlier, on May 15, with more than four times that number of fans allowed in — 229 — in an 1,100-seat theater. | But the venue had said its show would be held three days earlier, on May 15, with more than four times that number of fans allowed in — 229 — in an 1,100-seat theater. |
| As the prospects in Arkansas darken, Mr. McCready is scheduled to perform in another concert, arranged by the same promoters, and set for Saturday in Pineville, Mo., about two hours away. | As the prospects in Arkansas darken, Mr. McCready is scheduled to perform in another concert, arranged by the same promoters, and set for Saturday in Pineville, Mo., about two hours away. |
| That concert would be outdoors at the Tall Pines Distillery where they make moonshine and where the audience would be limited to 400 people who are being asked to bring their own chairs. | That concert would be outdoors at the Tall Pines Distillery where they make moonshine and where the audience would be limited to 400 people who are being asked to bring their own chairs. |
| Tara Cook, the distillery’s owner, said fans would have to maintain social distancing, which would be made easier because the setting is an eight-acre field. | Tara Cook, the distillery’s owner, said fans would have to maintain social distancing, which would be made easier because the setting is an eight-acre field. |
| She said she was talking to the local authorities who had so far raised no issues about going forward with the concert. | She said she was talking to the local authorities who had so far raised no issues about going forward with the concert. |
| Ms. Cook added: “We make sanitizer here at the distillery. Everything will be set up appropriately.” | Ms. Cook added: “We make sanitizer here at the distillery. Everything will be set up appropriately.” |
| Since May 4, Missouri has allowed live events with social distancing requirements, though it empowered local officials to pursue stricter approaches. So far no major venues have staged shows. | Since May 4, Missouri has allowed live events with social distancing requirements, though it empowered local officials to pursue stricter approaches. So far no major venues have staged shows. |
| In Arkansas, Temple Live has said it was introducing special measures to protect concertgoers’ safety, such as taking fans’ temperatures when they arrived, directing them along one-way walkways, making face masks mandatory, and seating people apart in “pods,” or small gatherings, restricted to friends and relatives who are comfortable together. | In Arkansas, Temple Live has said it was introducing special measures to protect concertgoers’ safety, such as taking fans’ temperatures when they arrived, directing them along one-way walkways, making face masks mandatory, and seating people apart in “pods,” or small gatherings, restricted to friends and relatives who are comfortable together. |
| But Governor Hutchison said the venue’s safety measures were insufficient. | But Governor Hutchison said the venue’s safety measures were insufficient. |
| “In terms of the concert, there will be a cease-and-desist order that will be issued by the Department of Health, directing that that concert not take place, which is an official legal order and directive that will go out,” he said at his daily briefing. | “In terms of the concert, there will be a cease-and-desist order that will be issued by the Department of Health, directing that that concert not take place, which is an official legal order and directive that will go out,” he said at his daily briefing. |
| “Clearly, it is three days before we determined it was an appropriate time to open up to a limited capacity some of those indoor venues,” he said. “And even if you’re going to have 250 people at a venue, you still had to have a specific plan that would be approved by the Department of Health. None of that was done in this case. It’s out of time.” | “Clearly, it is three days before we determined it was an appropriate time to open up to a limited capacity some of those indoor venues,” he said. “And even if you’re going to have 250 people at a venue, you still had to have a specific plan that would be approved by the Department of Health. None of that was done in this case. It’s out of time.” |
| The governor’s office did not respond immediately to a question Wednesday about whether it had already issued the order. | The governor’s office did not respond immediately to a question Wednesday about whether it had already issued the order. |
| In the news conference Tuesday, Gov. Hutchison did not elaborate on how the state would enforce the intervention. In a statement last week, his office said, “The Department of Health directive does have authority to legally restrict gatherings that are not in compliance.” | In the news conference Tuesday, Gov. Hutchison did not elaborate on how the state would enforce the intervention. In a statement last week, his office said, “The Department of Health directive does have authority to legally restrict gatherings that are not in compliance.” |
| When asked the same question last week, the mayor of Fort Smith, George B. McGill, said in an interview: “We would count on the state. We practice community-based policing. That would be the first thing. We would try to practice good policing. If the governor said it’s not open, we would encourage people to wait until next week.” | When asked the same question last week, the mayor of Fort Smith, George B. McGill, said in an interview: “We would count on the state. We practice community-based policing. That would be the first thing. We would try to practice good policing. If the governor said it’s not open, we would encourage people to wait until next week.” |
| 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. |
| He said the city would support the state’s policy for reopening concerts because the governor’s approach had so far worked well and because he didn’t want to set back the progress the city had made in combating the coronavirus. | He said the city would support the state’s policy for reopening concerts because the governor’s approach had so far worked well and because he didn’t want to set back the progress the city had made in combating the coronavirus. |
| Mr. McCready was to take to the stage for what was billed as an intimate acoustic live performance with three accompanying musicians. | Mr. McCready was to take to the stage for what was billed as an intimate acoustic live performance with three accompanying musicians. |
| Temple Live had also added a support act for the show, the musician Lauren Brown. She is also scheduled to appear at the Missouri show. | Temple Live had also added a support act for the show, the musician Lauren Brown. She is also scheduled to appear at the Missouri show. |
| Mr. Brown, the representative for Temple Live, said the concert was selling well but that the governor’s statements had added uncertainty. | Mr. Brown, the representative for Temple Live, said the concert was selling well but that the governor’s statements had added uncertainty. |