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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
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This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the global outbreak. Sign up here to get the briefing by email.This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the global outbreak. Sign up here to get the briefing by email.
New York City expects to meet the state’s criteria in the first half of June to begin lifting restrictions, the mayor said.New York City expects to meet the state’s criteria in the first half of June to begin lifting restrictions, the mayor said.
At a meeting of the World Health Organization, China pledged $2 billion to fight the pandemic, while a top U.S. official criticized the organization.At a meeting of the World Health Organization, China pledged $2 billion to fight the pandemic, while a top U.S. official criticized the organization.
Three weeks after reopening, Iran, an early epicenter of the global pandemic, is being hit with a new surge in coronavirus cases.Three weeks after reopening, Iran, an early epicenter of the global pandemic, is being hit with a new surge in coronavirus cases.
Get the latest updates here, plus maps and a tracker for U.S. metro areas.Get the latest updates here, plus maps and a tracker for U.S. metro areas.
We got an encouraging report on Monday about the first coronavirus vaccine to be tested in people, and not just in the lab. The manufacturer said the vaccine appeared to be safe and able to stimulate an immune response in a Phase 1 trial.We got an encouraging report on Monday about the first coronavirus vaccine to be tested in people, and not just in the lab. The manufacturer said the vaccine appeared to be safe and able to stimulate an immune response in a Phase 1 trial.
That doesn’t prove it works. It was a small trial — just eight people, all healthy volunteers between 18 and 55 — and the data hasn’t been shared publicly. Still, it would appear to be an important step in the right direction, one the world has been desperate to take.That doesn’t prove it works. It was a small trial — just eight people, all healthy volunteers between 18 and 55 — and the data hasn’t been shared publicly. Still, it would appear to be an important step in the right direction, one the world has been desperate to take.
A company called Moderna is collaborating on the vaccine with the agency led by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which has been leading the clinical trials (more are being conducted).A company called Moderna is collaborating on the vaccine with the agency led by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which has been leading the clinical trials (more are being conducted).
The company said the eight volunteers all produced at least as many virus-neutralizing antibodies as you would see in someone who recovered from Covid-19. That’s the point of a vaccine, to get the body to produce those antibodies without becoming sick. And when they were tested in the lab, Moderna said, the antibodies stopped the virus from replicating — another good sign.The company said the eight volunteers all produced at least as many virus-neutralizing antibodies as you would see in someone who recovered from Covid-19. That’s the point of a vaccine, to get the body to produce those antibodies without becoming sick. And when they were tested in the lab, Moderna said, the antibodies stopped the virus from replicating — another good sign.
It will take larger, longer studies to determine whether this vaccine can protect people from getting the virus in real-world conditions. It’s not even certain yet that antibodies can do that for this virus, or how long the protection might last.It will take larger, longer studies to determine whether this vaccine can protect people from getting the virus in real-world conditions. It’s not even certain yet that antibodies can do that for this virus, or how long the protection might last.
Moderna’s technology, involving genetic material called mRNA, is relatively new and has yet to produce an approved vaccine for any disease. Even so, the positive signs for this one thrilled Wall Street.Moderna’s technology, involving genetic material called mRNA, is relatively new and has yet to produce an approved vaccine for any disease. Even so, the positive signs for this one thrilled Wall Street.
Rivals are close behind: Dozens more companies and universities are also racing to develop coronavirus vaccines, and several have begun testing in human subjects, including Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech; the Chinese company CanSino Biologics; and Oxford University, working with AstraZeneca.Rivals are close behind: Dozens more companies and universities are also racing to develop coronavirus vaccines, and several have begun testing in human subjects, including Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech; the Chinese company CanSino Biologics; and Oxford University, working with AstraZeneca.
That’s good, experts say, because the world will need multiple vaccines from multiple manufacturers to meet the urgent need for billions of doses. Even so, there is widespread concern that all this haste could compromise safety: It usually takes several years, at least, to test a new vaccine thoroughly for unexpected problems.That’s good, experts say, because the world will need multiple vaccines from multiple manufacturers to meet the urgent need for billions of doses. Even so, there is widespread concern that all this haste could compromise safety: It usually takes several years, at least, to test a new vaccine thoroughly for unexpected problems.
The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.
Many doctors, nurses and emergency responders working on the front lines of the pandemic are struggling with mental health consequences that are likely to continue and could worsen, experts say, even when the numbers of new Covid-19 cases and deaths begin to wane.Many doctors, nurses and emergency responders working on the front lines of the pandemic are struggling with mental health consequences that are likely to continue and could worsen, experts say, even when the numbers of new Covid-19 cases and deaths begin to wane.
As the adrenaline from facing the first wave of infections wears off, medical workers may be left with the trauma of witnessing so much death and extreme illness. Recent international studies of health care workers who treated virus patients have found soaring rates of anxiety and insomnia, among other issues.As the adrenaline from facing the first wave of infections wears off, medical workers may be left with the trauma of witnessing so much death and extreme illness. Recent international studies of health care workers who treated virus patients have found soaring rates of anxiety and insomnia, among other issues.
“There is a wave of depression, letdown, true PTSD and a feeling of not caring any more that is coming,” said the chairman of the emergency department in one New Jersey hospital.“There is a wave of depression, letdown, true PTSD and a feeling of not caring any more that is coming,” said the chairman of the emergency department in one New Jersey hospital.
The other problems many health care workers face because of the pandemic — spouses who have lost jobs, children who now need home schooling, an end to socializing with colleagues after work — can make decompression nearly impossible. And there is no finish line in sight.The other problems many health care workers face because of the pandemic — spouses who have lost jobs, children who now need home schooling, an end to socializing with colleagues after work — can make decompression nearly impossible. And there is no finish line in sight.
Some medical workers are being offered specialized therapy meant to keep long-term psychological harm from taking root, and to help them keep doing their jobs effectively.Some medical workers are being offered specialized therapy meant to keep long-term psychological harm from taking root, and to help them keep doing their jobs effectively.
We know that having an underlying health issue like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease or chronic lung disease can make someone who contracts the virus much more likely to die or become severely ill.We know that having an underlying health issue like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease or chronic lung disease can make someone who contracts the virus much more likely to die or become severely ill.
Those conditions aren’t found uniformly everywhere. They are much more prevalent in some areas of the United States than others.Those conditions aren’t found uniformly everywhere. They are much more prevalent in some areas of the United States than others.
To help us understand which areas may be particularly vulnerable, PolicyMap, a company that analyzes local health data, created a health-risk index for The Times. The index uses C.D.C. data to estimate the share of people in each county who have at least one of the illnesses mentioned above.To help us understand which areas may be particularly vulnerable, PolicyMap, a company that analyzes local health data, created a health-risk index for The Times. The index uses C.D.C. data to estimate the share of people in each county who have at least one of the illnesses mentioned above.
Counties with health-risk indexes above the national average are shaded red on the map. They include large parts of the South and Appalachia, along with much of the Midwest and the Great Plains. In some, nearly half of all residents are estimated to be medically vulnerable.Counties with health-risk indexes above the national average are shaded red on the map. They include large parts of the South and Appalachia, along with much of the Midwest and the Great Plains. In some, nearly half of all residents are estimated to be medically vulnerable.
Updated August 4, 2020 Updated August 6, 2020
Many of those areas have not yet had a significant outbreak; if they do, it could be especially severe.Many of those areas have not yet had a significant outbreak; if they do, it could be especially severe.
Stores, bars and restaurants in Rome opened for the first time in 10 weeks, but it’s not business as usual.Stores, bars and restaurants in Rome opened for the first time in 10 weeks, but it’s not business as usual.
Thousands of autoworkers returned to work in Michigan, and two parts of the state will be allowed to open retail businesses, bars and restaurants with limited seating.Thousands of autoworkers returned to work in Michigan, and two parts of the state will be allowed to open retail businesses, bars and restaurants with limited seating.
In Connecticut, restaurants, offices, stores and hair salons that have put safety measures in place can reopen on Wednesday at half-capacity.In Connecticut, restaurants, offices, stores and hair salons that have put safety measures in place can reopen on Wednesday at half-capacity.
After two months of keeping out anyone who did not live or work there, the Florida Keys will reopen on June 1.After two months of keeping out anyone who did not live or work there, the Florida Keys will reopen on June 1.
Here’s a roundup of reopenings and remaining restrictions in all 50 states.Here’s a roundup of reopenings and remaining restrictions in all 50 states.
Time travel (mentally). Imagining the future — how you want to feel when the pandemic is over, for example — and recalling memories, both pleasant and painful, can help you build resilience in the face of adversity, according to Adam Grant, a psychologist.Time travel (mentally). Imagining the future — how you want to feel when the pandemic is over, for example — and recalling memories, both pleasant and painful, can help you build resilience in the face of adversity, according to Adam Grant, a psychologist.
Avoid burnout. It’s normal to have some feelings of futility in a time like this. To stay motivated, try breaking large goals into small, specific tasks, avoid perfectionism, and think about what you could do to help others.Avoid burnout. It’s normal to have some feelings of futility in a time like this. To stay motivated, try breaking large goals into small, specific tasks, avoid perfectionism, and think about what you could do to help others.
Give a fitting graduation gift. Recognize your 2020 graduate with a certificate good for a future experience, photos of cherished school memories, or a durable gift that can last a lifetime, like a cast-iron skillet.Give a fitting graduation gift. Recognize your 2020 graduate with a certificate good for a future experience, photos of cherished school memories, or a durable gift that can last a lifetime, like a cast-iron skillet.
President Trump said that, to ward off Covid-19, he had been taking hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug he has promoted that is of no demonstrated benefit against the coronavirus and can cause harmful side effects.President Trump said that, to ward off Covid-19, he had been taking hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug he has promoted that is of no demonstrated benefit against the coronavirus and can cause harmful side effects.
The economic downturn brought about by efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus could last until the “end of next year,” the chairman of the Federal Reserve said.The economic downturn brought about by efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus could last until the “end of next year,” the chairman of the Federal Reserve said.
A 14-year-old boy who tested positive for Covid-19 and was hospitalized with heart failure may help doctors understand a mysterious inflammatory syndrome believed to be linked to the virus.A 14-year-old boy who tested positive for Covid-19 and was hospitalized with heart failure may help doctors understand a mysterious inflammatory syndrome believed to be linked to the virus.
After the pandemic sent demand surging, the U.S. now has a bicycle shortage.After the pandemic sent demand surging, the U.S. now has a bicycle shortage.
Fourteen writers shared the simple pleasures that are bringing them joy in strange times, from plans that cancel themselves to homegrown scallions.Fourteen writers shared the simple pleasures that are bringing them joy in strange times, from plans that cancel themselves to homegrown scallions.
Need a job? You might consider becoming a contact tracer. Here’s what the job is like.Need a job? You might consider becoming a contact tracer. Here’s what the job is like.
What is a day in the life of a food delivery worker like now? “I feel like a hero.”What is a day in the life of a food delivery worker like now? “I feel like a hero.”
When my company mandated that everyone take at least a week of vacation, I created staycation postcards from Backyardia and sent them to all my friends and family. On the back, I jotted a note about how much fun I was having in Los Basementos and on Isle o’ Couch, and about my visit to West Porch. It was a fun and funny way to reach out to everyone and let them know that I was thinking about them.When my company mandated that everyone take at least a week of vacation, I created staycation postcards from Backyardia and sent them to all my friends and family. On the back, I jotted a note about how much fun I was having in Los Basementos and on Isle o’ Couch, and about my visit to West Porch. It was a fun and funny way to reach out to everyone and let them know that I was thinking about them.
— Emily Tuzson, Shaker Heights, Ohio— Emily Tuzson, Shaker Heights, Ohio
Let us know how you’re dealing with the outbreak. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.Let us know how you’re dealing with the outbreak. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.
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Lara Takenaga, Jonathan Wolfe and Tom Wright-Piersanti helped write today’s newsletter.Lara Takenaga, Jonathan Wolfe and Tom Wright-Piersanti helped write today’s newsletter.