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| Coronavirus Reopenings, Russia, Mozart: Your Wednesday Evening Briefing | Coronavirus Reopenings, Russia, Mozart: Your Wednesday Evening Briefing |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) | (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) |
| Good evening. Here’s the latest. | Good evening. Here’s the latest. |
| 1. States and localities are tapping the brakes on reopening as daily U.S. coronavirus cases shoot up, rising 85 percent over the last two weeks. | |
| California shut down bars and indoor dining for most residents, and New York City paused indoor restaurant reopenings scheduled for Monday. Above, outdoor service in Astoria, Queens. Miami-Dade County, which had already decided to close its beaches over the Fourth of July weekend, said that hotel and outdoor pools would have to close at 8 p.m. | California shut down bars and indoor dining for most residents, and New York City paused indoor restaurant reopenings scheduled for Monday. Above, outdoor service in Astoria, Queens. Miami-Dade County, which had already decided to close its beaches over the Fourth of July weekend, said that hotel and outdoor pools would have to close at 8 p.m. |
| More than 2,000 new cases were identified in Louisiana, the most in a single day since early April. Here’s the latest case count around the country. | More than 2,000 new cases were identified in Louisiana, the most in a single day since early April. Here’s the latest case count around the country. |
| President Trump told Fox Business Network that the coronavirus was “going to sort of just disappear, I hope.” | President Trump told Fox Business Network that the coronavirus was “going to sort of just disappear, I hope.” |
| 2. The American Academy of Pediatrics issued guidelines strongly recommending that students be “physically present in school” as much as possible. | 2. The American Academy of Pediatrics issued guidelines strongly recommending that students be “physically present in school” as much as possible. |
| On the surface, the advice may seem to buck the trend of the group’s generally conservative approach to health and safety. But the organization says there are far more benefits to bringing students back to classrooms than to keeping them at home this fall — and that children, particularly the youngest, are not spreading the coronavirus. In an Opinion essay, an epidemiologist and a pediatrician have suggestions for how to make classroom learning a reality. | On the surface, the advice may seem to buck the trend of the group’s generally conservative approach to health and safety. But the organization says there are far more benefits to bringing students back to classrooms than to keeping them at home this fall — and that children, particularly the youngest, are not spreading the coronavirus. In an Opinion essay, an epidemiologist and a pediatrician have suggestions for how to make classroom learning a reality. |
| Research already shows that forced remote learning has set students back months and further entrenched racial and economic disparities, especially for Black children. | Research already shows that forced remote learning has set students back months and further entrenched racial and economic disparities, especially for Black children. |
| 3. The White House has dismissed reports of Russian-paid bounties on American soldiers in myriad ways. But it still hasn’t addressed the substance of the intelligence assessment. | 3. The White House has dismissed reports of Russian-paid bounties on American soldiers in myriad ways. But it still hasn’t addressed the substance of the intelligence assessment. |
| The denials, qualifications and accusations continue to pile up. Robert O’Brien, the national security adviser, told Fox News that President Trump knew nothing about the reports that Russia paid rewards to members of the Taliban who killed American troops because a presidential briefer “decided not to” share unverified intelligence with Mr. Trump. | The denials, qualifications and accusations continue to pile up. Robert O’Brien, the national security adviser, told Fox News that President Trump knew nothing about the reports that Russia paid rewards to members of the Taliban who killed American troops because a presidential briefer “decided not to” share unverified intelligence with Mr. Trump. |
| It is still unknown whether Mr. Trump received the information, which was delivered in a written briefing in February, days before a peace deal with the Taliban was signed. But the gravity of the situation remains, our reporters write in an analysis: The list of Russian aggressions in recent weeks — including cyberattacks, election interference and tests of U.S. air defenses — “rivals some of the worst days of the Cold War.” | It is still unknown whether Mr. Trump received the information, which was delivered in a written briefing in February, days before a peace deal with the Taliban was signed. But the gravity of the situation remains, our reporters write in an analysis: The list of Russian aggressions in recent weeks — including cyberattacks, election interference and tests of U.S. air defenses — “rivals some of the worst days of the Cold War.” |
| On Wednesday, Russian voters approved a measure that allows Mr. Putin, 67, to stay in power until at least 2036. The independent monitoring organization Golos called the vote rigged from the start. | On Wednesday, Russian voters approved a measure that allows Mr. Putin, 67, to stay in power until at least 2036. The independent monitoring organization Golos called the vote rigged from the start. |
| 4. The Hong Kong police moved swiftly to enforce China’s new national security rules. | 4. The Hong Kong police moved swiftly to enforce China’s new national security rules. |
| Thousands of protesters took to the streets today, the anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese control, but were corralled by the police, who used pepper spray and water cannons. | Thousands of protesters took to the streets today, the anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese control, but were corralled by the police, who used pepper spray and water cannons. |
| About 370 people were arrested, including 10 over new offenses created by the security law, which takes aim at political dissent. Among them was a 15-year-old girl waving a Hong Kong independence flag, the police said. | About 370 people were arrested, including 10 over new offenses created by the security law, which takes aim at political dissent. Among them was a 15-year-old girl waving a Hong Kong independence flag, the police said. |
| The chilling effect has booksellers, professors and nonprofits in Hong Kong questioning their futures. | The chilling effect has booksellers, professors and nonprofits in Hong Kong questioning their futures. |
| 5. The Seattle police cleared the so-called autonomous zone cordoned off by protesters after the death of George Floyd in a symbolic rejection of racist policing. | 5. The Seattle police cleared the so-called autonomous zone cordoned off by protesters after the death of George Floyd in a symbolic rejection of racist policing. |
| Officials cited a series of violent episodes in the zone, including at least four shootings over 10 days last month. Tensions have been growing over how to handle the area, known as CHOP, or Capitol Hill Occupation Protest. | Officials cited a series of violent episodes in the zone, including at least four shootings over 10 days last month. Tensions have been growing over how to handle the area, known as CHOP, or Capitol Hill Occupation Protest. |
| At a smaller protest camp in New York City, demonstrators have gathered at City Hall for more than a week to protest police funding. The budget approved late last night shifts roughly $1 billion from the Police Department. | At a smaller protest camp in New York City, demonstrators have gathered at City Hall for more than a week to protest police funding. The budget approved late last night shifts roughly $1 billion from the Police Department. |
| Activists have been transforming neighborhoods into short-lived protest camps for at least a century, opening brief portals into alternate sociopolitical realities. Some have had happier endings. | Activists have been transforming neighborhoods into short-lived protest camps for at least a century, opening brief portals into alternate sociopolitical realities. Some have had happier endings. |
| 6. The U.S. has outperformed Europe on the economic front for decades, but the coronavirus may be changing that. | 6. The U.S. has outperformed Europe on the economic front for decades, but the coronavirus may be changing that. |
| In this crisis, the U.S. provided an early burst of funds for taxpayers and company support, but is leaving it up to the market to reallocate jobs. Experts say the European response, which froze the economy in place with wage subsidies, may work better. | In this crisis, the U.S. provided an early burst of funds for taxpayers and company support, but is leaving it up to the market to reallocate jobs. Experts say the European response, which froze the economy in place with wage subsidies, may work better. |
| In recent weeks, as new coronavirus cases intensified, real-time economic data began to show the economy moving backward as rising infection fears spooked consumers. Above, the Santa Monica Pier in California, still mostly closed, last month. | In recent weeks, as new coronavirus cases intensified, real-time economic data began to show the economy moving backward as rising infection fears spooked consumers. Above, the Santa Monica Pier in California, still mostly closed, last month. |
| 7. It’s July, and sports are really, truly, finally coming back. Pandemic willing. | 7. It’s July, and sports are really, truly, finally coming back. Pandemic willing. |
| Baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, hockey, soccer, as well as Formula One racing and cricket are all set to restart in some shape or form this month. Adam Silver, the commissioner of the N.B.A., said that he was “pretty confident” plans to restart the league in Florida would move forward but that he was monitoring the surge in cases there. | Baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, hockey, soccer, as well as Formula One racing and cricket are all set to restart in some shape or form this month. Adam Silver, the commissioner of the N.B.A., said that he was “pretty confident” plans to restart the league in Florida would move forward but that he was monitoring the surge in cases there. |
| And that’s the thing — leagues are setting up bubbles and writing safety protocols, but as long as the coronavirus continues to surge across the country, their seasons remain at risk. | And that’s the thing — leagues are setting up bubbles and writing safety protocols, but as long as the coronavirus continues to surge across the country, their seasons remain at risk. |
| Updated June 30, 2020 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| The question of whether to play is particularly hard for college sports. Morehouse and Clemson, for starters, have very different answers. | The question of whether to play is particularly hard for college sports. Morehouse and Clemson, for starters, have very different answers. |
| 8. “I’m finding myself some peace and quiet today. I buried it in a coffee can under a weeping willow last fall.” | 8. “I’m finding myself some peace and quiet today. I buried it in a coffee can under a weeping willow last fall.” |
| That’s a Twitter personality and fictional author of nonexistent best sellers like “An Axe to Grind” and “Not If I Kill You First,” who is the subject of a real memoir, “Becoming Duchess Goldblatt,” out this month. | That’s a Twitter personality and fictional author of nonexistent best sellers like “An Axe to Grind” and “Not If I Kill You First,” who is the subject of a real memoir, “Becoming Duchess Goldblatt,” out this month. |
| And like the account, which is illustrated with Frans Hals’s “Portrait of an Elderly Lady” (1633), the memoir will be published anonymously. | And like the account, which is illustrated with Frans Hals’s “Portrait of an Elderly Lady” (1633), the memoir will be published anonymously. |
| “That’s kind of the joke to me,” the writer told the Times in an interview. “That Duchess is famous as a fictional person, but I’m not. In any way.” | “That’s kind of the joke to me,” the writer told the Times in an interview. “That Duchess is famous as a fictional person, but I’m not. In any way.” |
| 9. Forty-five years ago this summer, a colossal shark freaked out the world, scaring us out of the water — and into a new chapter of moviegoing. | 9. Forty-five years ago this summer, a colossal shark freaked out the world, scaring us out of the water — and into a new chapter of moviegoing. |
| In a year when the summer blockbuster is most likely dead in the water, our film critics are looking back on past seasonal hits and thinking about what we can learn from them moving forward. | In a year when the summer blockbuster is most likely dead in the water, our film critics are looking back on past seasonal hits and thinking about what we can learn from them moving forward. |
| It was “Jaws,” Steven Spielberg’s first major hit, above, that established the summer-blockbuster template, Manohla Dargis writes, changing the way Hollywood did business and how people went to the movies. | It was “Jaws,” Steven Spielberg’s first major hit, above, that established the summer-blockbuster template, Manohla Dargis writes, changing the way Hollywood did business and how people went to the movies. |
| A.O. Scott wonders if a summer without superheroes is a good thing, and the director Justin Lin breaks down five breathtaking chases from movie history and what makes them so effective. | A.O. Scott wonders if a summer without superheroes is a good thing, and the director Justin Lin breaks down five breathtaking chases from movie history and what makes them so effective. |
| 10. And finally, falling for Mozart. | 10. And finally, falling for Mozart. |
| In the past we’ve asked some of our favorite artists to choose the five minutes or so they would play to make their friends fall in love with classical music, opera, the piano and the cello. Now Mark Hamill, Condoleezza Rice, Missy Mazzoli, Mitsuko Uchida and other music-lovers tell us what made them love Mozart. | In the past we’ve asked some of our favorite artists to choose the five minutes or so they would play to make their friends fall in love with classical music, opera, the piano and the cello. Now Mark Hamill, Condoleezza Rice, Missy Mazzoli, Mitsuko Uchida and other music-lovers tell us what made them love Mozart. |
| For Ms. Rice, the former secretary of state, it’s Piano Concerto No. 20. The Times’s classical musical editor, Zachary Wolfe, who loves “when Mozart swerves from the comic, just for a bit, and opens his heart,” selected Piano Concerto No. 25. Ragnar Kjartansson, an Icelandic artist, chose “Ave Verum Corpus” (“Hail, True Body”). For him, “few human bodies have brought as much joy to the world as Mozart.” | For Ms. Rice, the former secretary of state, it’s Piano Concerto No. 20. The Times’s classical musical editor, Zachary Wolfe, who loves “when Mozart swerves from the comic, just for a bit, and opens his heart,” selected Piano Concerto No. 25. Ragnar Kjartansson, an Icelandic artist, chose “Ave Verum Corpus” (“Hail, True Body”). For him, “few human bodies have brought as much joy to the world as Mozart.” |
| Have a sublime evening. | Have a sublime evening. |
| Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p.m. Eastern. | Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p.m. Eastern. |
| Want to catch up on past briefings? You can browse them here. | Want to catch up on past briefings? You can browse them here. |
| What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes.com. | What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes.com. |