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| On Politics: Fauci Speaks. Is the Government Listening? | On Politics: Fauci Speaks. Is the Government Listening? |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Good morning and welcome to On Politics, a daily political analysis of the 2020 elections based on reporting by New York Times journalists. | Good morning and welcome to On Politics, a daily political analysis of the 2020 elections based on reporting by New York Times journalists. |
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| Well, you asked. That’s basically what Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, told Republican senators who had called him to testify on Tuesday before the health committee. In his first appearance before Congress since the president declared a public health emergency, Fauci warned about the deadly risks of reopening the economy too soon. “The consequences could be really serious,” he said, particularly if proper precautions aren’t taken to head off a second wave of infections in the fall. Fauci’s remarks — delivered from his home, where he is self-quarantining after possible exposure to the virus — were echoed by Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We are not out of the woods yet,” Redfield said, “but we are more prepared.” (He largely avoided discussing the set of guidelines on safe reopening that the C.D.C. is expected to release soon, but that the White House has sought to influence.) | Well, you asked. That’s basically what Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, told Republican senators who had called him to testify on Tuesday before the health committee. In his first appearance before Congress since the president declared a public health emergency, Fauci warned about the deadly risks of reopening the economy too soon. “The consequences could be really serious,” he said, particularly if proper precautions aren’t taken to head off a second wave of infections in the fall. Fauci’s remarks — delivered from his home, where he is self-quarantining after possible exposure to the virus — were echoed by Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We are not out of the woods yet,” Redfield said, “but we are more prepared.” (He largely avoided discussing the set of guidelines on safe reopening that the C.D.C. is expected to release soon, but that the White House has sought to influence.) |
| But it was not a message Republicans particularly wanted to hear. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky pointed to statistics showing relatively low infection rates in rural states and among children. “I don’t think you’re the end-all,” Paul said. “I don’t think you’re the one person that gets to make a decision.” To which Fauci replied: “I have never made myself to be the end-all and only voice of this. I’m a scientist, a physician and a public-health official. I give advice according to the best scientific evidence.” Paul may be picking a fight that’s tough to win: Polls have consistently shown that amid the outbreak, Americans overwhelmingly trust the C.D.C. and other government scientists; when asked about the job Congress is doing, they’ve got much less positive things to say. | But it was not a message Republicans particularly wanted to hear. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky pointed to statistics showing relatively low infection rates in rural states and among children. “I don’t think you’re the end-all,” Paul said. “I don’t think you’re the one person that gets to make a decision.” To which Fauci replied: “I have never made myself to be the end-all and only voice of this. I’m a scientist, a physician and a public-health official. I give advice according to the best scientific evidence.” Paul may be picking a fight that’s tough to win: Polls have consistently shown that amid the outbreak, Americans overwhelmingly trust the C.D.C. and other government scientists; when asked about the job Congress is doing, they’ve got much less positive things to say. |
| Want to know the fate of President Trump’s tax returns? There’s now a livestream for that. The Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday over whether Trump should be required to cough up documents related to his business dealings and finances, which were requested during the House’s impeachment proceedings last year. The arguments were all heard via telephone and streamed on YouTube, part of a week of pandemic-driven firsts for the court. Most justices seemed skeptical of Trump’s argument that he was immune from criminal investigation while in office, as his legal team stated in response to a subpoena from the Manhattan district attorney. But they seemed more receptive to the idea that House Democrats might have overstepped by requesting documents unrelated to their legislative responsibilities. | Want to know the fate of President Trump’s tax returns? There’s now a livestream for that. The Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday over whether Trump should be required to cough up documents related to his business dealings and finances, which were requested during the House’s impeachment proceedings last year. The arguments were all heard via telephone and streamed on YouTube, part of a week of pandemic-driven firsts for the court. Most justices seemed skeptical of Trump’s argument that he was immune from criminal investigation while in office, as his legal team stated in response to a subpoena from the Manhattan district attorney. But they seemed more receptive to the idea that House Democrats might have overstepped by requesting documents unrelated to their legislative responsibilities. |
| Nancy Pelosi knows she’s not going to be able to get everything she and fellow Democrats want on coronavirus aid. But now at least she knows where they’re starting from. Pelosi and her caucus in the House released an ambitious $3 trillion proposal on Tuesday for the next round of stimulus legislation. She intends to bring the House back to Washington for a vote on Friday. The bill includes $875 billion for state and local governments — just shy of the $1 trillion some governors said they thought was needed — as well as $75 billion for mortgage relief, $100 billion for renters, $25 billion to backstop the Postal Service and $3.6 billion for election security. Pelosi rejected some major proposals from the left, including a “Paycheck Guarantee” that would have covered the wages of Americans thrown out of work by the pandemic. But she is still certain to meet staunch opposition from Republicans in the Senate and the White House, who have said they think it’s too early for more stimulus funding. | Nancy Pelosi knows she’s not going to be able to get everything she and fellow Democrats want on coronavirus aid. But now at least she knows where they’re starting from. Pelosi and her caucus in the House released an ambitious $3 trillion proposal on Tuesday for the next round of stimulus legislation. She intends to bring the House back to Washington for a vote on Friday. The bill includes $875 billion for state and local governments — just shy of the $1 trillion some governors said they thought was needed — as well as $75 billion for mortgage relief, $100 billion for renters, $25 billion to backstop the Postal Service and $3.6 billion for election security. Pelosi rejected some major proposals from the left, including a “Paycheck Guarantee” that would have covered the wages of Americans thrown out of work by the pandemic. But she is still certain to meet staunch opposition from Republicans in the Senate and the White House, who have said they think it’s too early for more stimulus funding. |
| Did Republicans just pick up their first Democratic House seat in California since 1998? The results weren’t official as of early this morning, but the Republican, Mike Garcia, had a sizable lead. The special election was for a seat that opened up after Katie Hill, a rising Democrat, resigned amid revelations of an extramarital affair. Early results come primarily from mail-in ballots, which tend to be from older voters, but based on those numbers Garcia led by better than 10 points with more than three-fourths of precincts reporting. Also yesterday, Tom Tiffany, a Republican, won a special election for a House seat in heavily red northern Wisconsin. But he won by seven percentage points less than another Republican, Sean Duffy, did in 2018, offering a possible sign of hope for Democrats in a closely watched swing state. The winners in both Wisconsin and California will need to defend their new seats in November’s general election. | Did Republicans just pick up their first Democratic House seat in California since 1998? The results weren’t official as of early this morning, but the Republican, Mike Garcia, had a sizable lead. The special election was for a seat that opened up after Katie Hill, a rising Democrat, resigned amid revelations of an extramarital affair. Early results come primarily from mail-in ballots, which tend to be from older voters, but based on those numbers Garcia led by better than 10 points with more than three-fourths of precincts reporting. Also yesterday, Tom Tiffany, a Republican, won a special election for a House seat in heavily red northern Wisconsin. But he won by seven percentage points less than another Republican, Sean Duffy, did in 2018, offering a possible sign of hope for Democrats in a closely watched swing state. The winners in both Wisconsin and California will need to defend their new seats in November’s general election. |
| Voters waited in line at a polling place in a parking lot in Palmdale, Calif., where a House special election was being held. | Voters waited in line at a polling place in a parking lot in Palmdale, Calif., where a House special election was being held. |
| Michael Flynn isn’t off the hook just yet. | Michael Flynn isn’t off the hook just yet. |
| Last week the Justice Department moved to drop charges against Flynn, the former national security adviser, who stands accused of lying to F.B.I. agents. He had already pleaded guilty to a felony charge of making false statements to federal authorities. | Last week the Justice Department moved to drop charges against Flynn, the former national security adviser, who stands accused of lying to F.B.I. agents. He had already pleaded guilty to a felony charge of making false statements to federal authorities. |
| But on Tuesday, Judge Emmet G. Sullivan of United States District Court invited outside legal experts and groups to submit filings in the case, saying he expected to hear from parties with objections to the Justice Department’s decision. | But on Tuesday, Judge Emmet G. Sullivan of United States District Court invited outside legal experts and groups to submit filings in the case, saying he expected to hear from parties with objections to the Justice Department’s decision. |
| Trump has repeatedly stated that he thinks Flynn was “treated unfairly”; legal observers immediately saw the choice to drop charges as politically motivated. One of the line prosecutors who supervised the case withdrew from it outright, and none of the others signed the motion to abort prosecution. | Trump has repeatedly stated that he thinks Flynn was “treated unfairly”; legal observers immediately saw the choice to drop charges as politically motivated. One of the line prosecutors who supervised the case withdrew from it outright, and none of the others signed the motion to abort prosecution. |
| Opening things to so-called amicus briefs isn’t all the judge can do. He could subsequently take other measures if he thinks the prosecution is not operating in good faith, like holding a hearing to consider possible next steps. At the very minimum, his move on Tuesday makes clear that the Justice Department will not be able to swiftly put its case against Flynn to bed. | Opening things to so-called amicus briefs isn’t all the judge can do. He could subsequently take other measures if he thinks the prosecution is not operating in good faith, like holding a hearing to consider possible next steps. At the very minimum, his move on Tuesday makes clear that the Justice Department will not be able to swiftly put its case against Flynn to bed. |
| In 2016, Sullivan heard a lawsuit brought by conservative groups seeking access to Hillary Clinton’s private emails during her tenure as secretary of state; he ultimately ordered her to respond to questions about her use of a private server. | In 2016, Sullivan heard a lawsuit brought by conservative groups seeking access to Hillary Clinton’s private emails during her tenure as secretary of state; he ultimately ordered her to respond to questions about her use of a private server. |
| Updated June 24, 2020 | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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 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. | |
| “A criminal proceeding is not a free for all,” Sullivan said on Tuesday, assuring both sides that he would keep a tight watch on the amicus briefs process. He said that he would schedule a time for outside parties to present arguments against the Justice Department’s move to drop charges. | “A criminal proceeding is not a free for all,” Sullivan said on Tuesday, assuring both sides that he would keep a tight watch on the amicus briefs process. He said that he would schedule a time for outside parties to present arguments against the Justice Department’s move to drop charges. |
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