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An Arrest Warrant From Liberty University, for Me An Arrest Warrant From Liberty University, for Me
(2 days later)
It was the end of March, and I had just put my two boys to bed. My phone was ringing in my pocket, but I didn’t care who it was — we were two and a half weeks into quarantine and the new reality was sinking in.It was the end of March, and I had just put my two boys to bed. My phone was ringing in my pocket, but I didn’t care who it was — we were two and a half weeks into quarantine and the new reality was sinking in.
The person on the phone was calling to warn me: The police for Liberty University, the private evangelical college in southern Virginia, had gone to the authorities and had a warrant for my arrest for trespassing.The person on the phone was calling to warn me: The police for Liberty University, the private evangelical college in southern Virginia, had gone to the authorities and had a warrant for my arrest for trespassing.
I am a freelance photographer for The New York Times, and I had recently taken pictures for an article about the decision by Jerry Falwell Jr., the president of Liberty University, to keep the school partially open during the growing Covid-19 pandemic.I am a freelance photographer for The New York Times, and I had recently taken pictures for an article about the decision by Jerry Falwell Jr., the president of Liberty University, to keep the school partially open during the growing Covid-19 pandemic.
Liberty asserted that they had recently changed policies and only staff, students and those conducting “University business” were permitted on campus.Liberty asserted that they had recently changed policies and only staff, students and those conducting “University business” were permitted on campus.
For the assignment, I drove two hours from my home in Richmond, Va., to Lynchburg. I got there early, before 9 a.m. I had to work quickly and efficiently because my husband was working from home and because of the virus, we had no child care options. I would work in the morning. He would work in the evening when I got home.For the assignment, I drove two hours from my home in Richmond, Va., to Lynchburg. I got there early, before 9 a.m. I had to work quickly and efficiently because my husband was working from home and because of the virus, we had no child care options. I would work in the morning. He would work in the evening when I got home.
I tried to be present in the work and take photos that accurately represented what I saw: a nearly empty campus with a few scattered clusters of students.I tried to be present in the work and take photos that accurately represented what I saw: a nearly empty campus with a few scattered clusters of students.
In the early afternoon, I headed back to Richmond. A week passed.In the early afternoon, I headed back to Richmond. A week passed.
Soon, the news of the warrant for my arrest appeared on Twitter. By Tuesday, I felt like I had been thrown into the middle of the Covid-19 culture war. Some friends messaged me that I was so brave. A woman on Twitter said the arrest warrant meant that I’m “doing something right.” To a lot of others I was “fake news” or worse.People were commenting on my story all over Twitter. I received more hateful emails than I ever had in my life.Soon, the news of the warrant for my arrest appeared on Twitter. By Tuesday, I felt like I had been thrown into the middle of the Covid-19 culture war. Some friends messaged me that I was so brave. A woman on Twitter said the arrest warrant meant that I’m “doing something right.” To a lot of others I was “fake news” or worse.People were commenting on my story all over Twitter. I received more hateful emails than I ever had in my life.
One read: “You media scum are indeed the ‘enemy of the people’ — it’s about time some Justice was served against your non stop continual attacks against Conservatives. You feel you can act with impunity while hiding behind the 1st Amendment.”One read: “You media scum are indeed the ‘enemy of the people’ — it’s about time some Justice was served against your non stop continual attacks against Conservatives. You feel you can act with impunity while hiding behind the 1st Amendment.”
The truth is, I didn’t feel very brave. The maximum sentence for trespassing was a year in jail. I thought about the permanent damage my incarceration would probably do to my sons.The truth is, I didn’t feel very brave. The maximum sentence for trespassing was a year in jail. I thought about the permanent damage my incarceration would probably do to my sons.
The night the news broke, I didn’t sleep at all. My muscles were tense and I was out of my mind with worry. I thought about how much better it would be just to go back the week before when the worst thing that was happening to me was trying to raise my boys in the middle of a pandemic.The night the news broke, I didn’t sleep at all. My muscles were tense and I was out of my mind with worry. I thought about how much better it would be just to go back the week before when the worst thing that was happening to me was trying to raise my boys in the middle of a pandemic.
At that moment, I was ready to give up photojournalism. It wasn’t worth it — the constant hustle to piece together a living — and now this. My mom and dad were on their knees praying for me, and I made a deal with God. I would give up my career and be a full-time mother if this went away.At that moment, I was ready to give up photojournalism. It wasn’t worth it — the constant hustle to piece together a living — and now this. My mom and dad were on their knees praying for me, and I made a deal with God. I would give up my career and be a full-time mother if this went away.
Updated June 5, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
The New York Times hired a local attorney to represent me. He assured me I had not done anything wrong, and I would not go to jail. The pressure valve opened. I slept for 10 hours. Eventually, Twitter forgot about me.The New York Times hired a local attorney to represent me. He assured me I had not done anything wrong, and I would not go to jail. The pressure valve opened. I slept for 10 hours. Eventually, Twitter forgot about me.
But I still needed to go to the police station, on Good Friday, to sign my arrest warrant. By this point, almost a month into lockdown, I had a face mask I had sewn and the knowledge that tens of thousands of Americans had died. As I entered the police station, I noticed that none of the receptionists or police officers were wearing face masks, which have since become a cultural flash point.But I still needed to go to the police station, on Good Friday, to sign my arrest warrant. By this point, almost a month into lockdown, I had a face mask I had sewn and the knowledge that tens of thousands of Americans had died. As I entered the police station, I noticed that none of the receptionists or police officers were wearing face masks, which have since become a cultural flash point.
I thought about my beloved profession, and the people I know who are dedicated to publishing science and verifiable facts. Journalists are part of the checks and balances essential to making us a more perfect union.I thought about my beloved profession, and the people I know who are dedicated to publishing science and verifiable facts. Journalists are part of the checks and balances essential to making us a more perfect union.
After a few weeks, my attorney called. The prosecutor had agreed to dismiss the case. I didn’t think about Mr. Falwell too much, though. I felt he was just using me for what I represented. It wasn’t personal. I took assignments again. God would want me to. I do, however, need Jerry Falwell Jr.’s permission to ever return to Liberty University.After a few weeks, my attorney called. The prosecutor had agreed to dismiss the case. I didn’t think about Mr. Falwell too much, though. I felt he was just using me for what I represented. It wasn’t personal. I took assignments again. God would want me to. I do, however, need Jerry Falwell Jr.’s permission to ever return to Liberty University.