'De Blasio’s Health Chief Vanished for Days. Is She Still in Charge?' diff viewer (12/13)

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De Blasio’s Health Chief Vanished for Days. Is She Still in Charge?	De Blasio’s Health Chief Vanished for Days. Is She Still in Charge?
2020-06-23 19:14:19 UTC	2020-06-23 20:24:22 UTC (about 1 hour later)
For nearly a week, New York City’s health commissioner, Dr. Oxiris Barbot, had mysteriously vanished from public view.	For nearly a week, New York City’s health commissioner, Dr. Oxiris Barbot, had mysteriously vanished from public view.
She had been a regular at Mayor Bill de Blasio’s daily briefings, missing only four of 60 news conferences since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. But then she missed four in a row, amid signs of possible friction: Earlier this month, the mayor took away oversight of the city’s contact-tracing efforts from her agency.	She had been a regular at Mayor Bill de Blasio’s daily briefings, missing only four of 60 news conferences since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. But then she missed four in a row, amid signs of possible friction: Earlier this month, the mayor took away oversight of the city’s contact-tracing efforts from her agency.
Dr. Barbot was also a no-show on Friday for a City Council hearing on contact tracing; earlier that day, the mayor acknowledged that he had not spoken to Dr. Barbot in “a couple of days.”	Dr. Barbot was also a no-show on Friday for a City Council hearing on contact tracing; earlier that day, the mayor acknowledged that he had not spoken to Dr. Barbot in “a couple of days.”
Her prolonged absence raised questions about her future, much like the situation in the White House, where President Trump’s dissatisfaction with Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, is well known.	Her prolonged absence raised questions about her future, much like the situation in the White House, where President Trump’s dissatisfaction with Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, is well known.
But Dr. Barbot re-emerged on Tuesday, participating in the mayor’s virtual news conference from what appeared to be a city office, a hanging cabinet visible behind her. She answered questions matter-of-factly regarding new city data on the virus, and studiously avoided any hint of conflict with Mr. de Blasio.	But Dr. Barbot re-emerged on Tuesday, participating in the mayor’s virtual news conference from what appeared to be a city office, a hanging cabinet visible behind her. She answered questions matter-of-factly regarding new city data on the virus, and studiously avoided any hint of conflict with Mr. de Blasio.
In her brief responses, Dr. Barbot used the word “team.” Three times.	In her brief responses, Dr. Barbot used the word “team.” Three times.
“The way that you put it is exactly how I was going to put it,” she told the mayor at one point after a question from a reporter on the March incident. “Mr. Mayor, I echo your framing.”	“The way that you put it is exactly how I was going to put it,” she told the mayor at one point after a question from a reporter on the March incident. “Mr. Mayor, I echo your framing.”
Mr. de Blasio has had a tense relationship with his Health Department throughout his tenure, including when the agency was headed by Dr. Barbot’s predecessor, Dr. Mary T. Bassett, who resigned in 2018. But it flared with a new ferocity over his decision this month to place a different agency in charge of contact tracing, seen as a critical part of allowing economic activity to return to the city.	Mr. de Blasio has had a tense relationship with his Health Department throughout his tenure, including when the agency was headed by Dr. Barbot’s predecessor, Dr. Mary T. Bassett, who resigned in 2018. But it flared with a new ferocity over his decision this month to place a different agency in charge of contact tracing, seen as a critical part of allowing economic activity to return to the city.
The decision caused anger inside the Health Department, which has conducted contact tracing for decades involving diseases such as tuberculosis and H.I.V. Top officials were not told of the move until days before a public announcement.	The decision caused anger inside the Health Department, which has conducted contact tracing for decades involving diseases such as tuberculosis and H.I.V. Top officials were not told of the move until days before a public announcement.
Mr. de Blasio had decided the task could be more effectively done by Health and Hospitals. The agency, which runs the city’s 11 public hospitals, is far larger, and its head, Dr. Mitchell Katz, has been seen in City Hall as an effective leader who proved himself during the surge of infected patients in April.	Mr. de Blasio had decided the task could be more effectively done by Health and Hospitals. The agency, which runs the city’s 11 public hospitals, is far larger, and its head, Dr. Mitchell Katz, has been seen in City Hall as an effective leader who proved himself during the surge of infected patients in April.
As Mr. de Blasio appeared to increasingly place his faith in Dr. Katz, the behind-the-scenes conflict over his decision began to pick up steam.	As Mr. de Blasio appeared to increasingly place his faith in Dr. Katz, the behind-the-scenes conflict over his decision began to pick up steam.
The mayor also appeared to have sided with Dr. Katz in early March, when the city had a small number of positive cases of the coronavirus, but its public health system was flashing a warning about the unchecked spread of a flulike virus.	The mayor also appeared to have sided with Dr. Katz in early March, when the city had a small number of positive cases of the coronavirus, but its public health system was flashing a warning about the unchecked spread of a flulike virus.
Dr. Barbot and one of her top deputies began urging more restrictions on gatherings, while Dr. Katz had been advising City Hall against ordering shutdowns.	Dr. Barbot and one of her top deputies began urging more restrictions on gatherings, while Dr. Katz had been advising City Hall against ordering shutdowns.
Later in March, Dr. Barbot and a police commander had a heated confrontation over personal protective gear, during the chaotic days of the outbreak’s rapid spread.	Later in March, Dr. Barbot and a police commander had a heated confrontation over personal protective gear, during the chaotic days of the outbreak’s rapid spread.
The highest-ranking uniformed member of the Police Department, Terence Monahan, had demanded that the Health Department hand over hundreds of thousands of protective masks that had been set aside for health care workers. The New York Post quoted Dr. Barbot as saying at one point, “I don’t give two rats’ asses about your cops.”	The highest-ranking uniformed member of the Police Department, Terence Monahan, had demanded that the Health Department hand over hundreds of thousands of protective masks that had been set aside for health care workers. The New York Post quoted Dr. Barbot as saying at one point, “I don’t give two rats’ asses about your cops.”
Police unions and some elected officials called for her ouster after the remark became public. Edward D. Mullins, the president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, called Dr. Barbot a “bitch” on Twitter and said she had “blood on her hands.”	Police unions and some elected officials called for her ouster after the remark became public. Edward D. Mullins, the president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, called Dr. Barbot a “bitch” on Twitter and said she had “blood on her hands.”
The article about the confrontation, which occurred on March 18, appeared online on Wednesday night, hours after The New York Times inquired to City Hall about a March 10 email that Dr. Katz sent to the mayor’s top aides in which he argued against closures.	The article about the confrontation, which occurred on March 18, appeared online on Wednesday night, hours after The New York Times inquired to City Hall about a March 10 email that Dr. Katz sent to the mayor’s top aides in which he argued against closures.
“Essentially, they decided to discredit her,” said Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, a former deputy mayor for health under Mr. de Blasio who has worked with Dr. Barbot. “There is no reason that something that happened in the heat of a discussion two months ago should surface now just because.”	“Essentially, they decided to discredit her,” said Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, a former deputy mayor for health under Mr. de Blasio who has worked with Dr. Barbot. “There is no reason that something that happened in the heat of a discussion two months ago should surface now just because.”
On Monday, Dr. Barbot released a written statement of apology “for leaving any impression whatsoever that I don’t have utmost respect for our Police Department.”	On Monday, Dr. Barbot released a written statement of apology “for leaving any impression whatsoever that I don’t have utmost respect for our Police Department.”
Asked about the confrontation on Tuesday, the mayor answered first and then allowed Dr. Barbot to speak. Both said that it occurred during a tense time when the city faced shortages of protective equipment even for medical workers.	Asked about the confrontation on Tuesday, the mayor answered first and then allowed Dr. Barbot to speak. Both said that it occurred during a tense time when the city faced shortages of protective equipment even for medical workers.
“These were crisis situations where of course we needed to provide personal protective equipment for all of our first-line responders — doctors, nurses, N.Y.P.D., E.M.T.s, and we were making hard decisions all the time,” she said. “Mr. Mayor, I echo your framing and I just want to clarify that there was always a spirit of collaboration.”
Mr. de Blasio said that her absence from news conferences after the articles in The Post and The Times last week was a simple matter of her not being needed those days. Dr. Barbot did not respond to a direct question about her absences.
Updated June 22, 2020	Updated June 22, 2020
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.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
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.	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 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.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.	If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
	“These were crisis situations where of course we needed to provide personal protective equipment for all of our first-line responders — doctors, nurses, N.Y.P.D., E.M.T.s, and we were making hard decisions all the time,” she said. “Mr. Mayor, I echo your framing and I just want to clarify that there was always a spirit of collaboration.”
	Mr. de Blasio said that her absence from news conferences after the articles in The Post and The Times last week was a simple matter of her not being needed those days. Dr. Barbot did not respond to a direct question about her absences.
Richard Esposito, a police spokesman, said Chief Monahan has accepted Dr. Barbot’s public apology.	Richard Esposito, a police spokesman, said Chief Monahan has accepted Dr. Barbot’s public apology.