'In a World ‘So Upside Down,’ the Virus Is Taking a Toll on Young People’s Mental Health' diff viewer (4/5)

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In a World ‘So Upside Down,’ the Virus Is Taking a Toll on Young People’s Mental Health	In a World ‘So Upside Down,’ the Virus Is Taking a Toll on Young People’s Mental Health
2020-06-03 04:09:07 UTC	2020-06-06 09:58:12 UTC (3 days later)
The email, written by an eighth grader and with the subject line “Wellness Check,” landed in her school counselor’s inbox nearly three weeks after schools had closed in Libby, Mont., a remote town of 2,700 cradled by snow-topped mountains.	The email, written by an eighth grader and with the subject line “Wellness Check,” landed in her school counselor’s inbox nearly three weeks after schools had closed in Libby, Mont., a remote town of 2,700 cradled by snow-topped mountains.
“I would like you to call me,” the student wrote. “This whole pandemic has really been frightening and I hate to say it, but I miss going to school. I hate being home all day.”	“I would like you to call me,” the student wrote. “This whole pandemic has really been frightening and I hate to say it, but I miss going to school. I hate being home all day.”
The counselor, Brittany Katzer, was alarmed. The student had long struggled with depression and was considered high-risk for harming herself. Ms. Katzer called the girl several times, but the number she tried was out of service. She sent emails and left a message on the girl’s mother’s phone.	The counselor, Brittany Katzer, was alarmed. The student had long struggled with depression and was considered high-risk for harming herself. Ms. Katzer called the girl several times, but the number she tried was out of service. She sent emails and left a message on the girl’s mother’s phone.
Neither the girl nor her mother returned the messages. The student has not contacted any of her teachers or submitted any assignments since the school district shifted to distance learning, Ms. Katzer said.	Neither the girl nor her mother returned the messages. The student has not contacted any of her teachers or submitted any assignments since the school district shifted to distance learning, Ms. Katzer said.
“I worry about her safety and mental health, but what else can I do?” asked Ms. Katzer, who said a staff member had dropped off lunches at the house and had spoken with the girl’s sister, a third grader, who confirmed her older sister was home, though she has not completed any assignments.	“I worry about her safety and mental health, but what else can I do?” asked Ms. Katzer, who said a staff member had dropped off lunches at the house and had spoken with the girl’s sister, a third grader, who confirmed her older sister was home, though she has not completed any assignments.
Pre-pandemic, on a typical school day, Ms. Katzer said she spoke with about 100 students, either individually or in group sessions. “The face-to-face connections that I make with kids are irreplaceable. Now, who knows what’s happening with them?”	Pre-pandemic, on a typical school day, Ms. Katzer said she spoke with about 100 students, either individually or in group sessions. “The face-to-face connections that I make with kids are irreplaceable. Now, who knows what’s happening with them?”
The shuttering of the American education system severed students from more than just classrooms, friends and extracurricular activities. It has also cut off an estimated 55 million children and teenagers from school staff members whose open doors and compassionate advice helped them build self-esteem, navigate the pressures of adolescence and cope with trauma.	The shuttering of the American education system severed students from more than just classrooms, friends and extracurricular activities. It has also cut off an estimated 55 million children and teenagers from school staff members whose open doors and compassionate advice helped them build self-esteem, navigate the pressures of adolescence and cope with trauma.
Desperate to safeguard students’ emotional well-being amid the isolation and financial turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic, teachers are checking in during video classes, counselors are posting mindfulness videos on Facebook and school psychologists are holding therapy sessions over the phone.	Desperate to safeguard students’ emotional well-being amid the isolation and financial turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic, teachers are checking in during video classes, counselors are posting mindfulness videos on Facebook and school psychologists are holding therapy sessions over the phone.
“I’m hearing a lot of grief and loss,” said Lauren Hunter, a counselor who works in two public schools in Los Angeles as part of the Cedars-Sinai Share & Care program, which provides mental health services to at-risk students in 30 county schools.	“I’m hearing a lot of grief and loss,” said Lauren Hunter, a counselor who works in two public schools in Los Angeles as part of the Cedars-Sinai Share & Care program, which provides mental health services to at-risk students in 30 county schools.
But the challenges hard-wired into online learning present daunting obstacles for the remote guidance counselor’s office, particularly among students from low-income families who have lost jobs or lack internet access at home. And mental health experts worry about the psychological toll on a younger generation that was already experiencing soaring rates of depression, anxiety and suicide before the pandemic.	But the challenges hard-wired into online learning present daunting obstacles for the remote guidance counselor’s office, particularly among students from low-income families who have lost jobs or lack internet access at home. And mental health experts worry about the psychological toll on a younger generation that was already experiencing soaring rates of depression, anxiety and suicide before the pandemic.
“Not every kid can be online and have a confidential conversation about how things are going at home with parents in earshot,” said Seth Pollak, director of the Child Emotion Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.	“Not every kid can be online and have a confidential conversation about how things are going at home with parents in earshot,” said Seth Pollak, director of the Child Emotion Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Until the coronavirus outbreak, Maellen Johnson, 16, a sophomore at Libby High School, had visited her guidance counselor’s office nearly every school day since the seventh grade, when the counselor pulled her aside after hearing she was having suicidal tendencies. Their relationship, Maellen said, helped her overcome those feelings, and the office became her refuge from the stress of classes and family drama.	Until the coronavirus outbreak, Maellen Johnson, 16, a sophomore at Libby High School, had visited her guidance counselor’s office nearly every school day since the seventh grade, when the counselor pulled her aside after hearing she was having suicidal tendencies. Their relationship, Maellen said, helped her overcome those feelings, and the office became her refuge from the stress of classes and family drama.
“It was just a peaceful place,” Maellen said. “She always offered comfort and safety.”	“It was just a peaceful place,” Maellen said. “She always offered comfort and safety.”
Now, Maellen texts her counselor at least once a week, usually to vent about the struggles of being stuck at home with her brother, her mother, her mother’s fiancé and his two children in the house they have shared since November. The communication has helped her cope, she said, but texting is hardly a good substitute. “It’s just easier to let out all those anxieties when you’re actually talking face to face,” she said.	Now, Maellen texts her counselor at least once a week, usually to vent about the struggles of being stuck at home with her brother, her mother, her mother’s fiancé and his two children in the house they have shared since November. The communication has helped her cope, she said, but texting is hardly a good substitute. “It’s just easier to let out all those anxieties when you’re actually talking face to face,” she said.
Some educators, dissatisfied with the limitations of technology, have found ways to visit students during the pandemic.	Some educators, dissatisfied with the limitations of technology, have found ways to visit students during the pandemic.
Emily Fox, a social emotional specialist at a primary school in Chillicothe, Ohio, uses Zoom to meet with her students. Many of the children are being raised by grandparents, she said, while some have been traumatized by family addiction. She said she worried about suicidal ideation and attempts by students as young as kindergartners, a problem even before school closed.	Emily Fox, a social emotional specialist at a primary school in Chillicothe, Ohio, uses Zoom to meet with her students. Many of the children are being raised by grandparents, she said, while some have been traumatized by family addiction. She said she worried about suicidal ideation and attempts by students as young as kindergartners, a problem even before school closed.
Desperate to check up on her students, Ms. Fox regularly delivers lunch to those from more underprivileged families, and she recently devoted an afternoon to driving to a dozen houses, where she talked to students from a safe distance outside.	Desperate to check up on her students, Ms. Fox regularly delivers lunch to those from more underprivileged families, and she recently devoted an afternoon to driving to a dozen houses, where she talked to students from a safe distance outside.
“It gave me comfort just seeing their smiling faces,” she said.	“It gave me comfort just seeing their smiling faces,” she said.
During the outbreak, Jael Hernandez, a single mother of three, including an autistic son, has been homebound in their apartment in Oakland, Calif., because of her compromised immune system.	During the outbreak, Jael Hernandez, a single mother of three, including an autistic son, has been homebound in their apartment in Oakland, Calif., because of her compromised immune system.
Though the school delivers some meals, and her children’s grandmother does the food shopping, the pressure of working two jobs remotely, on top of helping her children with their online learning, has left Ms. Hernandez with little time to handle their emotional needs.	Though the school delivers some meals, and her children’s grandmother does the food shopping, the pressure of working two jobs remotely, on top of helping her children with their online learning, has left Ms. Hernandez with little time to handle their emotional needs.
“I’m dealing with so much that I forget to really check on how they’re feeling,” said Ms. Hernandez, 38, admitting that she often erupts at her children because of the stress.	“I’m dealing with so much that I forget to really check on how they’re feeling,” said Ms. Hernandez, 38, admitting that she often erupts at her children because of the stress.
~~Updated June 2, 2020~~	Updated June 5, 2020
	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.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.	Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
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.
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.
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.	Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.	The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
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.
For Ms. Hernandez’s elder child, Jizelle, 14, an eighth grader, the loss of school and friends has been compounded by her isolation. Allowed outside only to walk their pug around the building’s backyard, she said she often cried because she was so overwhelmed.	For Ms. Hernandez’s elder child, Jizelle, 14, an eighth grader, the loss of school and friends has been compounded by her isolation. Allowed outside only to walk their pug around the building’s backyard, she said she often cried because she was so overwhelmed.
“I feel alone,” she said, “and like so many things are happening at once — I can’t really process it.”	“I feel alone,” she said, “and like so many things are happening at once — I can’t really process it.”
Before the pandemic, Jo’Vianni Smith was a talented 15-year-old athlete who played on her high school’s varsity softball team in Stockton, Calif. Music and sports were her passions, said her mother, Danielle Hunt, who proudly recounted how Jo’Vianni, a sophomore, had competed in the junior Olympic track and field championships last year.	Before the pandemic, Jo’Vianni Smith was a talented 15-year-old athlete who played on her high school’s varsity softball team in Stockton, Calif. Music and sports were her passions, said her mother, Danielle Hunt, who proudly recounted how Jo’Vianni, a sophomore, had competed in the junior Olympic track and field championships last year.
But once her school and softball season shut down in March, so, too, did her active daily routine. Unable to hang out with her friends while isolating at home with her mother and grandparents, Jo’Vianni spent her days learning remotely, browsing social media and hitting balls at a local park until that, too, was closed.	But once her school and softball season shut down in March, so, too, did her active daily routine. Unable to hang out with her friends while isolating at home with her mother and grandparents, Jo’Vianni spent her days learning remotely, browsing social media and hitting balls at a local park until that, too, was closed.