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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today	Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
2020-07-16 01:24:10 UTC	2020-07-16 01:54:21 UTC (30 minutes later)
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.
Around 1.3 million U.S. workers filed new unemployment claims last week, showing the pandemic’s continued pressure on the economy.	Around 1.3 million U.S. workers filed new unemployment claims last week, showing the pandemic’s continued pressure on the economy.
Dr. Anthony Fauci said states with major outbreaks should “seriously look at shutting down” again.	Dr. Anthony Fauci said states with major outbreaks should “seriously look at shutting down” again.
India recorded nearly 25,000 new infections — its highest single-day total — and its virus reproduction rate increased for the first time since March.	India recorded nearly 25,000 new infections — its highest single-day total — and its virus reproduction rate increased for the first time since March.
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 coronavirus is reaching terrifying new levels in the United States. The country set another record for new coronavirus cases yesterday, with more than 59,400 infections — the fifth such record in nine days. As of Tuesday, the U.S. had recorded more than three million cases in total.	The coronavirus is reaching terrifying new levels in the United States. The country set another record for new coronavirus cases yesterday, with more than 59,400 infections — the fifth such record in nine days. As of Tuesday, the U.S. had recorded more than three million cases in total.
Today there are only two states — Vermont and New Hampshire — where cases are decreasing, while cases are more or less steady in 14 states and territories. In roughly half of the country, the spread has never been worse: 24 states reported more cases over the past week than in any other seven-day stretch of the pandemic. And as my colleague David Leonhardt pointed out, several states have more new cases per capita than even the hardest-hit countries.	Today there are only two states — Vermont and New Hampshire — where cases are decreasing, while cases are more or less steady in 14 states and territories. In roughly half of the country, the spread has never been worse: 24 states reported more cases over the past week than in any other seven-day stretch of the pandemic. And as my colleague David Leonhardt pointed out, several states have more new cases per capita than even the hardest-hit countries.
For days now, political leaders looking for a silver lining have pointed to the death rate, which had been declining even as new infections skyrocketed. But that optimism may be coming to an end.	For days now, political leaders looking for a silver lining have pointed to the death rate, which had been declining even as new infections skyrocketed. But that optimism may be coming to an end.
More than 948 new deaths were reported nationally on Wednesday, the second-largest total in nearly a month. That’s still a far cry from the national average of 2,200 daily deaths in mid-April, but the growing numbers may be a sign of what’s to come. Typically, there has been a lag of about a month between an infection and a reported death, and that suggests that the surge that began in mid-June, particularly in the Sun Belt, could produce a spike in deaths in the coming weeks.	More than 948 new deaths were reported nationally on Wednesday, the second-largest total in nearly a month. That’s still a far cry from the national average of 2,200 daily deaths in mid-April, but the growing numbers may be a sign of what’s to come. Typically, there has been a lag of about a month between an infection and a reported death, and that suggests that the surge that began in mid-June, particularly in the Sun Belt, could produce a spike in deaths in the coming weeks.
Just as concerning is the situation in America’s hospitals. Across the South and West, a deluge of patients is forcing hospitals to convert beds into intensive care units. Doctors and health officials have said they were able to moderately control the virus because hospitals had enough personal protective equipment and the antiviral drug remdesivir. But now, many hospitals are reporting that they are running low on the drug, and the country as a whole is facing a dire shortage of protective gear and testing supplies.	Just as concerning is the situation in America’s hospitals. Across the South and West, a deluge of patients is forcing hospitals to convert beds into intensive care units. Doctors and health officials have said they were able to moderately control the virus because hospitals had enough personal protective equipment and the antiviral drug remdesivir. But now, many hospitals are reporting that they are running low on the drug, and the country as a whole is facing a dire shortage of protective gear and testing supplies.
Deborah Burger, co-president of National Nurses United, the country’s largest organization of registered nurses, said nurses were being forced to reuse protective gear in a way that has not been tested for safety.	Deborah Burger, co-president of National Nurses United, the country’s largest organization of registered nurses, said nurses were being forced to reuse protective gear in a way that has not been tested for safety.
“It’s almost five months into a pandemic in the richest country in the world and we’re putting people’s lives at risk because we don’t have enough P.P.E.,” she said.	“It’s almost five months into a pandemic in the richest country in the world and we’re putting people’s lives at risk because we don’t have enough P.P.E.,” she said.
What’s behind the surge: The current spike in cases is being driven by states that were among the first to reopen their economies, a Times analysis found, decisions that epidemiologists warned could lead to a wave of infections.	What’s behind the surge: The current spike in cases is being driven by states that were among the first to reopen their economies, a Times analysis found, decisions that epidemiologists warned could lead to a wave of infections.
When a vaccine for the coronavirus finally arrives on the market, who will get it first?	When a vaccine for the coronavirus finally arrives on the market, who will get it first?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and outside health experts have been working on a ranking system. In their preliminary plan, the earliest available vaccines would be offered to vital medical and national security officials, then to other essential workers and those considered at high risk.	The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and outside health experts have been working on a ranking system. In their preliminary plan, the earliest available vaccines would be offered to vital medical and national security officials, then to other essential workers and those considered at high risk.
As they come up with the schedule, they have focused on a number of questions, including: What should be done about pregnant women? Should teachers go toward the front of the line?	As they come up with the schedule, they have focused on a number of questions, including: What should be done about pregnant women? Should teachers go toward the front of the line?
But the most contentious debate has been over whether to put Black and Latino people — who have disproportionately fallen victim to Covid-19 — ahead of others in the population.	But the most contentious debate has been over whether to put Black and Latino people — who have disproportionately fallen victim to Covid-19 — ahead of others in the population.
The idea was supported by many of the health experts, who viewed it as medically sound and an act of racial justice. But others worried it could create a negative impression of the vaccine for some Americans.	The idea was supported by many of the health experts, who viewed it as medically sound and an act of racial justice. But others worried it could create a negative impression of the vaccine for some Americans.
~~Updated July 7, 2020~~	Updated July 15, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
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.
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.
“Giving it to one race initially and not another race, I’m not sure how that would be perceived by the public, how that would affect how vaccines are viewed as a trusted public health measure,” said Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers.	“Giving it to one race initially and not another race, I’m not sure how that would be perceived by the public, how that would affect how vaccines are viewed as a trusted public health measure,” said Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers.
The authorities in the Catalonia region of Spain reintroduced the mandatory use of masks outdoors, along with a fine of 100 euros ($113) for anyone not wearing one.	The authorities in the Catalonia region of Spain reintroduced the mandatory use of masks outdoors, along with a fine of 100 euros ($113) for anyone not wearing one.
Leicester, a city in the heart of England, has had a second outbreak, and the imposition of a second lockdown has induced a sort of whiplash among people still recovering from the first.	Leicester, a city in the heart of England, has had a second outbreak, and the imposition of a second lockdown has induced a sort of whiplash among people still recovering from the first.
Australia stepped up its efforts to isolate the outbreak spreading through Melbourne, as the state of Queensland shut its doors to people trying to flee the city’s six-week lockdown.	Australia stepped up its efforts to isolate the outbreak spreading through Melbourne, as the state of Queensland shut its doors to people trying to flee the city’s six-week lockdown.
Tokyo recorded 224 new infections, surpassing a record set in April. The city has more than 7,000 cases.	Tokyo recorded 224 new infections, surpassing a record set in April. The city has more than 7,000 cases.
Here’s a roundup of restrictions in all 50 states.	Here’s a roundup of restrictions in all 50 states.
Under pressure from scientists globally, the World Health Organization acknowledged that the virus can linger in the air indoors.	Under pressure from scientists globally, the World Health Organization acknowledged that the virus can linger in the air indoors.
At a clinic in Corona, a working-class neighborhood in Queens that was disproportionately exposed to the virus, more than 68 percent of people have tested positive for antibodies to the virus.	At a clinic in Corona, a working-class neighborhood in Queens that was disproportionately exposed to the virus, more than 68 percent of people have tested positive for antibodies to the virus.