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| Arizona Finds Coronavirus Among Border Wall Workers | Arizona Finds Coronavirus Among Border Wall Workers |
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| Health officials in southern Arizona have detected at least two coronavirus cases among workers on the border wall, igniting fears that the influx of hundreds of construction workers could spread the virus in small border towns. | Health officials in southern Arizona have detected at least two coronavirus cases among workers on the border wall, igniting fears that the influx of hundreds of construction workers could spread the virus in small border towns. |
| The two cases were confirmed this week at the Desert Senita health clinic in Ajo, a town near the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument where a portion of the wall is under construction, said Chuck Huckelberry, the administrator of Pima County, which also includes the city of Tucson. | The two cases were confirmed this week at the Desert Senita health clinic in Ajo, a town near the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument where a portion of the wall is under construction, said Chuck Huckelberry, the administrator of Pima County, which also includes the city of Tucson. |
| Since the start of the year, hundreds of construction workers, engineers and truck drivers from all over the country have moved to Ajo, sharing housing in rented homes and trailer parks and mingling in restaurants, which have reopened in recent weeks. The town is a haven for older adults, including many artists, and has a population of about 3,000. | Since the start of the year, hundreds of construction workers, engineers and truck drivers from all over the country have moved to Ajo, sharing housing in rented homes and trailer parks and mingling in restaurants, which have reopened in recent weeks. The town is a haven for older adults, including many artists, and has a population of about 3,000. |
| “A lot of them are retired and probably a lot of them are vulnerable,” Mr. Huckelberry said. He added that Pima County had begun a contact-tracing effort to determine how many people in the area could have been exposed to the virus from the infected workers. | “A lot of them are retired and probably a lot of them are vulnerable,” Mr. Huckelberry said. He added that Pima County had begun a contact-tracing effort to determine how many people in the area could have been exposed to the virus from the infected workers. |
| About 400 workers have come into the area in recent months, he said. | About 400 workers have come into the area in recent months, he said. |
| Francisco García, director of the Pima County Health Department and its chief medical officer, said the two workers were the first cases of the coronavirus to be confirmed in Ajo, though it was not clear how the workers became ill. Officials were examining another potential case that appeared to involve someone passing through the town, Mr. García said. | Francisco García, director of the Pima County Health Department and its chief medical officer, said the two workers were the first cases of the coronavirus to be confirmed in Ajo, though it was not clear how the workers became ill. Officials were examining another potential case that appeared to involve someone passing through the town, Mr. García said. |
| Over all, Pima County had 3,628 confirmed cases of the virus as of Friday and 222 deaths. | Over all, Pima County had 3,628 confirmed cases of the virus as of Friday and 222 deaths. |
| The confirmation of the virus among workers has confirmed fears that many Ajo residents had voiced in March, when some of them called on the Trump administration to halt border wall construction during the pandemic. | The confirmation of the virus among workers has confirmed fears that many Ajo residents had voiced in March, when some of them called on the Trump administration to halt border wall construction during the pandemic. |
| The federal government declined to suspend construction and even accelerated work along some stretches of the border. In March, the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to build or replace more than 91 miles of barriers along the border between Arizona and Mexico and waived some federal laws to speed up construction of those portions of the wall. | The federal government declined to suspend construction and even accelerated work along some stretches of the border. In March, the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to build or replace more than 91 miles of barriers along the border between Arizona and Mexico and waived some federal laws to speed up construction of those portions of the wall. |
| “It infuriates me that our health is worth less to the federal government than Trump’s wall,” said Maria Singleton, 57, an Ajo resident who has documented on social media how work on the project has disrupted life in the town. | “It infuriates me that our health is worth less to the federal government than Trump’s wall,” said Maria Singleton, 57, an Ajo resident who has documented on social media how work on the project has disrupted life in the town. |
| Ms. Singleton said she had grown especially concerned about border wall workers moving around Ajo without masks, including in the town’s only supermarket. | Ms. Singleton said she had grown especially concerned about border wall workers moving around Ajo without masks, including in the town’s only supermarket. |
| The detection of coronavirus among the workers on the border wall comes at a time when President Trump has attempted to cast blame on Mexico for the spread of the virus in the borderlands. | The detection of coronavirus among the workers on the border wall comes at a time when President Trump has attempted to cast blame on Mexico for the spread of the virus in the borderlands. |
| In a news conference this month in which he championed construction of a border wall, Mr. Trump claimed that Tijuana “is the most heavily infected place anywhere in the world,” an assertion unsupported by factual evidence — San Diego, a smaller city on the other side of the border, has many more confirmed cases. | In a news conference this month in which he championed construction of a border wall, Mr. Trump claimed that Tijuana “is the most heavily infected place anywhere in the world,” an assertion unsupported by factual evidence — San Diego, a smaller city on the other side of the border, has many more confirmed cases. |
| Several residents of Ajo, including Ms. Singleton, said they had observed a sharp decline in truck traffic on Thursday and Friday, raising questions about whether work on the project had been scaled back. | |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | Updated June 12, 2020 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Raini Brunson, a spokeswoman for the Army Corps of Engineers, which is overseeing the border wall construction, said that “construction progress” had not been halted along the border as a result of any concerns over the coronavirus. | Raini Brunson, a spokeswoman for the Army Corps of Engineers, which is overseeing the border wall construction, said that “construction progress” had not been halted along the border as a result of any concerns over the coronavirus. |
| Ms. Brunson said she could not confirm or deny the Pima County report of coronavirus cases among workers, but she said plans on the border now include “quarantining employees who are sick or experience any symptoms related to Covid-19.” | Ms. Brunson said she could not confirm or deny the Pima County report of coronavirus cases among workers, but she said plans on the border now include “quarantining employees who are sick or experience any symptoms related to Covid-19.” |
| Kiewit, the Nebraska construction giant that has the lucrative contract to build the wall near Ajo, did not respond to requests on Friday for comment. | Kiewit, the Nebraska construction giant that has the lucrative contract to build the wall near Ajo, did not respond to requests on Friday for comment. |
| Across Arizona, which has had more than 1,100 virus-related deaths, there is growing concern over a sharp increase in coronavirus cases in recent days. The state health department reported a record number of new cases on Friday, with 1,654 infections and 17 deaths. | Across Arizona, which has had more than 1,100 virus-related deaths, there is growing concern over a sharp increase in coronavirus cases in recent days. The state health department reported a record number of new cases on Friday, with 1,654 infections and 17 deaths. |