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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.
The White House selected five companies as the most likely candidates to produce a vaccine for the coronavirus.The White House selected five companies as the most likely candidates to produce a vaccine for the coronavirus.
The number of confirmed cases is rising in 16 U.S. states, partly a consequence of expanded testing.The number of confirmed cases is rising in 16 U.S. states, partly a consequence of expanded testing.
The Trump administration plans to block Chinese airlines from flying into or out of the U.S.The Trump administration plans to block Chinese airlines from flying into or out of the U.S.
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.
The last time the United States went through an economic downturn, some economists called it a “mancession,” as most of the job losses — in manufacturing, construction and finance — were shouldered by men.The last time the United States went through an economic downturn, some economists called it a “mancession,” as most of the job losses — in manufacturing, construction and finance — were shouldered by men.
This time around, though, the economic fallout from the pandemic is threatening to derail the careers of an entire generation of working women, in what some are calling a “shecession.”This time around, though, the economic fallout from the pandemic is threatening to derail the careers of an entire generation of working women, in what some are calling a “shecession.”
The pandemic has dramatically altered the way Americans work and care for children, and women are carrying an unequal share of the burden, our colleagues Patricia Cohen and Tiffany Hsu write. Women are more likely to have lost a job and are more likely to care for children at home. Even among married couples, women currently provide 70 percent of the child care during work hours, according to a recent report (although men believe they do more).The pandemic has dramatically altered the way Americans work and care for children, and women are carrying an unequal share of the burden, our colleagues Patricia Cohen and Tiffany Hsu write. Women are more likely to have lost a job and are more likely to care for children at home. Even among married couples, women currently provide 70 percent of the child care during work hours, according to a recent report (although men believe they do more).
Reopening the economy isn’t helping. As child care and babysitting options have evaporated, women say they have little choice but to give up jobs, or work part-time, to manage their responsibilities at home. And returning to the work force — already a challenge for women who left to care for children — will be especially hard in the recession, as more out-of-work people compete for a reduced pool of jobs.Reopening the economy isn’t helping. As child care and babysitting options have evaporated, women say they have little choice but to give up jobs, or work part-time, to manage their responsibilities at home. And returning to the work force — already a challenge for women who left to care for children — will be especially hard in the recession, as more out-of-work people compete for a reduced pool of jobs.
The impact on working mothers could last a lifetime, reducing their earning potential and robbing them of future work opportunities.The impact on working mothers could last a lifetime, reducing their earning potential and robbing them of future work opportunities.
When the coronavirus began to spread in the United States, it presented the most urgent threat ever faced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — and an opportunity for the agency to lead the world’s fight against the outbreak.When the coronavirus began to spread in the United States, it presented the most urgent threat ever faced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — and an opportunity for the agency to lead the world’s fight against the outbreak.
Instead, a Times investigation has found, the C.D.C. made missteps that undermined America’s response and hampered local health officials’ efforts. Among them:Instead, a Times investigation has found, the C.D.C. made missteps that undermined America’s response and hampered local health officials’ efforts. Among them:
Using antiquated data collection methods — including faxes and thousands of email attachments — that prevented the agency from keeping track of how many people had been tested, or even died.Using antiquated data collection methods — including faxes and thousands of email attachments — that prevented the agency from keeping track of how many people had been tested, or even died.
Imposing restrictive testing standards early on, in part because of a shortage of tests. And the agency did not recommend testing people without symptoms even though Chinese doctors were already reporting asymptomatic cases.Imposing restrictive testing standards early on, in part because of a shortage of tests. And the agency did not recommend testing people without symptoms even though Chinese doctors were already reporting asymptomatic cases.
When the C.D.C. did finally manufacture test kits to send to states, the agency contaminated many of them through sloppy lab practices.When the C.D.C. did finally manufacture test kits to send to states, the agency contaminated many of them through sloppy lab practices.
“Here is an agency that has been waiting its entire existence for this moment,” a former official at the Food and Drug Administration told The Times. “And then they flub it. It is very sad. That is what they were set up to do.”“Here is an agency that has been waiting its entire existence for this moment,” a former official at the Food and Drug Administration told The Times. “And then they flub it. It is very sad. That is what they were set up to do.”
Italy has reopened its borders to European tourists and lifted domestic travel restrictions, prompting Italians to visit museums and tourist sites before crowds return.Italy has reopened its borders to European tourists and lifted domestic travel restrictions, prompting Italians to visit museums and tourist sites before crowds return.
Germany will lift its travel ban on 29 European countries on June 15 and replace it with travel advisories.Germany will lift its travel ban on 29 European countries on June 15 and replace it with travel advisories.
Most professions in the Netherlands will be able to resume by July, but sex workers must wait until September, sending hundreds into poverty — or secretly back to work.Most professions in the Netherlands will be able to resume by July, but sex workers must wait until September, sending hundreds into poverty — or secretly back to work.
Sweden should have imposed stricter measures to control the virus, Anders Tegnell, the nation’s state epidemiologist and architect of its no-lockdown policy, said in a radio interview.Sweden should have imposed stricter measures to control the virus, Anders Tegnell, the nation’s state epidemiologist and architect of its no-lockdown policy, said in a radio interview.
Here’s a roundup of restrictions in all 50 states.Here’s a roundup of restrictions in all 50 states.
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.
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.
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.
In the first controlled clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine in the U.S., the drug did not prevent Covid-19 in 821 people who had been exposed to a patient infected with the virus.In the first controlled clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine in the U.S., the drug did not prevent Covid-19 in 821 people who had been exposed to a patient infected with the virus.
Visits to U.S. emergency rooms over four weeks in April were down 42 percent compared to the same period last year, according to a C.D.C. analysis.Visits to U.S. emergency rooms over four weeks in April were down 42 percent compared to the same period last year, according to a C.D.C. analysis.
A danger for demonstrators: In addition to inciting coughing, tear gas may also damage people’s lungs and make them more susceptible to getting a respiratory illness.A danger for demonstrators: In addition to inciting coughing, tear gas may also damage people’s lungs and make them more susceptible to getting a respiratory illness.
Many countries have rolled out new technologies to aid contact tracing, but in the U.S., privacy concerns and the lack of a national policy have slowed efforts.Many countries have rolled out new technologies to aid contact tracing, but in the U.S., privacy concerns and the lack of a national policy have slowed efforts.
A critical component used to check vaccines for toxins — the blood of horseshoe crabs — has been the subject of a yearslong debate among scientists and conservationists. But an alternative has yet to be approved in the U.S.A critical component used to check vaccines for toxins — the blood of horseshoe crabs — has been the subject of a yearslong debate among scientists and conservationists. But an alternative has yet to be approved in the U.S.
After 75 days at a Buddhist monastic community in Vermont, Daniel Thorsten, a modern-day Rip Van Winkle, emerged from his isolation to a very different world.After 75 days at a Buddhist monastic community in Vermont, Daniel Thorsten, a modern-day Rip Van Winkle, emerged from his isolation to a very different world.
I have been putting a different Riddle of the Day on our fence each morning. So many people walking by say how much they look forward to seeing it.I have been putting a different Riddle of the Day on our fence each morning. So many people walking by say how much they look forward to seeing it.
— Denise Hovey, Cincinnati— Denise Hovey, Cincinnati
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.
Sign up here to get the briefing by email.Sign up here to get the briefing by email.
Tom Wright-Piersanti contributed to today’s newsletter.Tom Wright-Piersanti contributed to today’s newsletter.