huffpost--2020-04-10--Christians Across The World Mark Good Friday At Home During Coronavirus Pandemic

The chanting of a small group of clerics inside Jerusalem ’ s Church of the Holy Sepulcher echoed faintly through the heavy wooden doors , as a few people stopped and kneeled outside to pray .
The centuries-old church , built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified , buried and rose from the dead , is usually packed with pilgrims and tourists .
Later , four monks in brown robes and blue surgical masks prayed at the stations of the cross along the Via Dolorosa , the ancient route through the Old City where Jesus is believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ execution at the hands of the Romans .
It runs past dozens of souvenir shops , cafes and hostels , nearly all of which are closed .
In ordinary times , tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world retrace Jesus ’ steps in the Holy Week leading up to Easter .
But this year , flights are grounded and religious sites in the Holy Land are closed as authorities try to prevent the spread of the virus .
James Joseph , a Christian pilgrim from Detroit dubbed “ the Jesus guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about barefoot , lives near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher year-round .
On Friday morning he had the plaza outside to himself .
He said Good Friday has special meaning this year .
“ The crucifixion is the saddest thing possible , and he felt what we feel right now , ” he said .
“ But thanks be to God .
...
He rose from the dead and changed the world on Easter.
” The new virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients , who recover within a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and can be spread by those who appear healthy .
It can cause severe illness and death in some patients , particularly the old and infirm .
In Rome , the torch-lit Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum is a highlight of Holy Week , drawing large crowds of pilgrims , tourists and locals .
It ’ s been cancelled this year , along with all other public gatherings in Italy , which is battling one of the worst outbreaks .
Ten people — five from the Vatican ’ s health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Padua , in northern Italy , where infections are particularly widespread — will participate in the procession , which will circle several times around the obelisk in St. Peter ’ s Square .
In Spain , which has also been hit especially hard , Good Friday is traditionally a day of celebrations , especially in the south .
People traditionally fill the streets to watch processions of religious brotherhoods carrying heavy , elaborately decorated platforms bearing statues of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary .
“ With the pandemic that we have due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once again remembering the story of Jesus , ” said Francisco Lucena , a member of a brotherhood in a town near the southern city of Córdoba .
In Paris , a ceremony was held in the charred and gutted interior of Notre Dame Cathedral , which was nearly destroyed by fire a year ago .
The ceremony was closed to the public because of the virus lockdown and because the structure is not deemed safe for parishioners .
Archbishop Michel Aupetit and three other clergymen wore hard hats as they entered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ceremony .
Standing before a large cross and beneath a gaping hole in the roof , they sang , prayed and venerated a crown of thorns that survived the flames .
In the Philippines , Asia ’ s bastion of Catholicism , masses and other solemn gatherings have been put on hold , including folk rituals that feature real-life crucifixions and usually draw thousands of tourists and penitents .
The annual procession of the “ Black Nazarene , ” a centuries-old statue of Jesus , through downtown Manila , has also been @ @

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JERUSALEM (AP) — Christians are commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion without the solemn church services or emotional processions of past years, marking Good Friday in a world locked down by the coronavirus pandemic.
The chanting of a small group of clerics inside Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher echoed faintly through the heavy wooden doors, as a few people stopped and kneeled outside to pray. The centuries-old church, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead, is usually packed with pilgrims and tourists.
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Later, four monks in brown robes and blue surgical masks prayed at the stations of the cross along the Via Dolorosa, the ancient route through the Old City where Jesus is believed to have carried the cross before his execution at the hands of the Romans. It runs past dozens of souvenir shops, cafes and hostels, nearly all of which are closed.
In ordinary times, tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world retrace Jesus’ steps in the Holy Week leading up to Easter. But this year, flights are grounded and religious sites in the Holy Land are closed as authorities try to prevent the spread of the virus.
A combination picture shows worshippers carrying wooden crosses during a Good Friday procession along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem's Old City April 6, 2018 and the same spot on April 10, 2020, as Israel takes stringent steps to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Ammar Awad / Reuters
James Joseph, a Christian pilgrim from Detroit dubbed “the Jesus guy” because he wears robes and goes about barefoot, lives near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher year-round. On Friday morning he had the plaza outside to himself. He said Good Friday has special meaning this year.
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“The crucifixion is the saddest thing possible, and he felt what we feel right now,” he said. “But thanks be to God. ... He rose from the dead and changed the world on Easter.”
The new virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients, who recover within a few weeks. But it is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear healthy. It can cause severe illness and death in some patients, particularly the old and infirm.
In Rome, the torch-lit Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum is a highlight of Holy Week, drawing large crowds of pilgrims, tourists and locals. It’s been cancelled this year, along with all other public gatherings in Italy, which is battling one of the worst outbreaks.
Rev. Giovanni Cominardi (center), priest of Santa Maria Assunta church in Pontoglio, Italy, and Pontoglio's mayor, Alessandro Seghezzi, (left) wear face masks during a Good Friday procession on April 10, 2020. MIGUEL MEDINA via Getty Images
The virus has killed more than 18,000 people in Italy and over 95,000 worldwide, according to data gathered by Johns Hopkins University.
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Instead of presiding over the Way of the Cross procession, Pope Francis will lead a Good Friday ceremony in St. Peter’s Square without the public.
Ten people — five from the Vatican’s health office and five from a prison in Padua, in northern Italy, where infections are particularly widespread — will participate in the procession, which will circle several times around the obelisk in St. Peter’s Square.
On display in the square will be a wooden crucifix, famed for being carried in a procession during the plague that ravaged Rome in the early 16th century.
In Spain, which has also been hit especially hard, Good Friday is traditionally a day of celebrations, especially in the south. People traditionally fill the streets to watch processions of religious brotherhoods carrying heavy, elaborately decorated platforms bearing statues of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.
There will be no festivities this year, as the country battles an outbreak that has claimed more than 15,000 lives. Many churches are instead holding services online.
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“With the pandemic that we have due to the coronavirus, the people are once again remembering the story of Jesus,” said Francisco Lucena, a member of a brotherhood in a town near the southern city of Córdoba.
Notre Dame rector Patrick Chauvet repositions the holy crown of thorns, a relic of the passion of Christ, after a ceremony marking Good Friday in a secured part of fire-damaged cathedral in Paris, on April 10, 2020. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS
In Paris, a ceremony was held in the charred and gutted interior of Notre Dame Cathedral, which was nearly destroyed by fire a year ago. The ceremony was closed to the public because of the virus lockdown and because the structure is not deemed safe for parishioners.
Archbishop Michel Aupetit and three other clergymen wore hard hats as they entered the damaged cathedral before taking them off for the ceremony. Standing before a large cross and beneath a gaping hole in the roof, they sang, prayed and venerated a crown of thorns that survived the flames.
Classical musician Renaud Capuçon played violin, the mournful notes echoing off the walls and pillars. Actors Judith Chemla and Philippe Torreton delivered readings, and Chemla sang a moving rendition of “Ave Maria.” All three wore white protective overalls.
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The bishop said the ceremony, which was broadcast live, showed that “life is still here,” even as the pandemic is “spreading death and paralyzing us.”
Catholic priests bless residents quarantined in their homes as part of Good Friday commemorations, amid a government lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus on April 10, 2020 in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines. Ezra Acayan via Getty Images
In the Philippines, Asia’s bastion of Catholicism, masses and other solemn gatherings have been put on hold, including folk rituals that feature real-life crucifixions and usually draw thousands of tourists and penitents. The annual procession of the “Black Nazarene,” a centuries-old statue of Jesus, through downtown Manila, has also been canceled.
Churchgoers have been told to stay home and remember Jesus’ suffering through family prayers, fasting and by watching masses and religious shows on TV or online.
For Josille Sabsal, it’s a test of faith. The 30-year-old Catholic missionary tried to replicate an altar in her Manila home by setting up a laptop, a crucifix and small statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary on a table.
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“It’s different, because the priest is on a screen,” she said. “When the internet lags, the mass suddenly gets cut off and you have to look for another YouTube video.”
“I miss that moment in church when you say, ‘Peace be with you,’ to complete strangers and they smile back,” she said.
___


huffpost--2020-03-28--Tiffany Haddish On ‘Self Made,’ ‘Girls Trip 2’ And Loving The Quarantine

Tiffany Haddish is adapting well to life at home in Los Angeles , riding out the coronavirus-induced isolation with her brother — but not with Common , contrary to certain internet rumors that she was more than happy to stoke .
She has everything she needs for the long haul , including a new Netflix series , “ Self Made : Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J .
Walker , ” in which she plays Lelia , the titular entrepreneur ’ s spirited daughter .
Madam C.J .
Walker , born Sarah Breedlove and portrayed by Octavia Spencer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have amassed her own wealth .
In the 1900s , she developed a hair care line for Black women and built an enterprise that employed thousands .
Lelia convinced her mother to let her open a salon in Harlem , where she eventually played host to many of the neighborhood ’ s most talented artists .
From 1919 until her death in 1931 , Leila served as president of the company her mother founded .
“ Fuck yeah , ” Haddish said when asked whether she ’ s enjoying home life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve got plenty of food in the freezer .
I got Netflix , Hulu , Amazon Prime ; I ’ ve got cable .
I have a room that I ’ ve got to clean out .
I have so many bills that are a year old that I just paid online.
” Indeed , Haddish has been making fine use of her backyard garden .
On YouTube , she posted a 24-minute video in which she sautées chard she grew herself and answers viewers ’ questions while her pitbull sits on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can cook , ” Haddish says after tasting her creation .
In another video , she dons a child ’ s mermaid suit and hops through the garden to pick mint , chard and celery for her juice maker .
Those results aren ’ t so tasty , though : “ Goddamn , that ’ s nasty , ” she says .
When she isn ’ t gardening , she ’ s probably bingeing .
In addition to “ Self Made , ” which she ’ s viewed in full three times “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Haddish ’ s recent list includes “ Tiger King , ” “ Wild Wild Country , ” “ Locke & Key , ” “ I Love Lucy ” and “ My Three Sons.
” Her favorite “ Lucy ” episodes are the chocolate factory and the one where Lucy pretends to be a ballerina .
“ I also watched this movie that Lucille Ball made before ‘ I Love Lucy , ’ and she actually can sing , ” Haddish exclaimed , alluding to Lucy Ricardo ’ s infamous tone-deafness .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been tweeting about the song I sing in ‘ Self Made , ’ and I ’ m like , ‘ They made me sing that song five times just to make it worse each time.
’ So I feel like Lucille Ball right now.
” The “ Girls Trip ” ladies have been in touch .
Haddish and her “ Girls Trip ” co-stars — Queen Latifah , Regina Hall and Jada Pinkett Smith — had a joint Zoom call this week to check in on one another amid the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and their conversation quickly turned to why they still haven ’ t gotten “ Girls Trip 2 ” goin .
According to Haddish , the studio has been waiting for a script before moving forward , though she said Tracy Oliver , who co-wrote the original with “ Black-ish ” creator Kenya Barris , has a treatment ready to go .
“ Then it was like , ‘ Oh , you guys want too much money , ’ ” Haddish explained .
( She said she made only $ 80,000 for “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s certainly worth more than that now . )
So Latifah , Hall , Smith and Haddish decided during their two-hour Zoom conference to blaze ahead on their own .
They agreed to meet again on Friday to start writing the script together .
Haddish ’ s sensibilities — modern , bawdy , loquacious — don ’ t exactly scream period piece , so her casting in “ Self Made ” may come as a surprise to some .
Last year , the crime drama “ The Kitchen ” let her step into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s a whole different initiation .
The early 1900s setting of “ Self Made ” necessitated straw hats , white gloves , conservative blouses and other accouterments .
The worst of them : “ those damn corsets.
” By design , Haddish was tasked with lending the series a progressive flair .
Lelia Walker had three husbands during her lifetime , including John Robinson ( played by J. Alphonse Nicholson ) , a hotel bellhop recruited to work in her mother ’ s factory .
The younger Walker , who threw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was dubbed the “ joy goddess of Harlem.
” She wasn ’ t known to be queer herself , according to an NPR report from 2015 , but Haddish said the show ’ s writers wanted to lean into the “ rumor ” that Lelia was bisexual .
As the four episodes of the series progress , Lelia falls for a female photographer ( Mouna Traoré ) and escapes her unhappy marriage .
The photographer is not based on a real person , but there ’ s reason to believe the plotline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very welcoming and her last relationship after three failed marriages was with a woman , a good friend of hers for many years , ” Madam Walker ’ s great-great-granddaughter , whose biography “ On Her Own Ground ” inspired the Netflix series , told Bustle in a recent interview .
“ I think this was her soul mate , but I have no documentation , only circumstantial evidence.
” Before the quarantine , she hosted a potluck with Oscar Isaac and Willem Dafoe .
Haddish has a number of notable projects on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerrod Carmicheal and Billy Crystal .
I ’ m most excited to see her in “ The Card Counter , ” a gambling thriller directed by Paul Schrader , the headstrong writer of “ Taxi Driver ” and director of “ American Gigolo ” and “ First Reformed.
” Haddish plays a financier who backs a cardsharp ( Oscar Isaac ) and his revenge-happy poker partner ( Willem Dafoe ) as they travel from casino to casino .

Illustration: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost; Photos: Getty
Tiffany Haddish is adapting well to life at home in Los Angeles, riding out the coronavirus-induced isolation with her brother — but not with Common, contrary to certain internet rumors that she was more than happy to stoke. She has everything she needs for the long haul, including a new Netflix series, “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker,” in which she plays Lelia, the titular entrepreneur’s spirited daughter.
Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove and portrayed by Octavia Spencer, was America’s first female millionaire to have amassed her own wealth. In the 1900s, she developed a hair care line for Black women and built an enterprise that employed thousands. Lelia convinced her mother to let her open a salon in Harlem, where she eventually played host to many of the neighborhood’s most talented artists. From 1919 until her death in 1931, Leila served as president of the company her mother founded.
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Haddish called me on Wednesday to discuss “Self Made,” though we spent most of the conversation gabbing about what she’s been up to during the coronavirus quarantine. Here are the highlights, including a crucial video chat with her “Girls Trip” co-stars.
Naturally, she’s been bingeing.
“Fuck yeah,” Haddish said when asked whether she’s enjoying home life. “I have a garden. I’ve got plenty of food in the freezer. I got Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime; I’ve got cable. I have a room that I’ve got to clean out. I have so many bills that are a year old that I just paid online.”
Indeed, Haddish has been making fine use of her backyard garden. On YouTube, she posted a 24-minute video in which she sautées chard she grew herself and answers viewers’ questions while her pitbull sits on the floor watching. “Your girl can cook,” Haddish says after tasting her creation. In another video, she dons a child’s mermaid suit and hops through the garden to pick mint, chard and celery for her juice maker. Those results aren’t so tasty, though: “Goddamn, that’s nasty,” she says.
Tiffany Haddish in "Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker." Netflix
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When she isn’t gardening, she’s probably bingeing. In addition to “Self Made,” which she’s viewed in full three times “to make sure somebody watched it,” Haddish’s recent list includes “Tiger King,” “Wild Wild Country,” “Locke & Key,” “I Love Lucy” and “My Three Sons.” Her favorite “Lucy” episodes are the chocolate factory and the one where Lucy pretends to be a ballerina.
“I also watched this movie that Lucille Ball made before ‘I Love Lucy,’ and she actually can sing,” Haddish exclaimed, alluding to Lucy Ricardo’s infamous tone-deafness. “It’s so funny because people have been tweeting about the song I sing in ‘Self Made,’ and I’m like, ‘They made me sing that song five times just to make it worse each time.’ So I feel like Lucille Ball right now.”
At Eddie Murphy’s behest, she also watched the classic 1963 comedy “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” I recommended “Rat Race,” a loose remake of “Mad World” starring Whoopi Goldberg and Jon Lovitz, and she said she’d add it to her list.
Late at night, however, she’s found herself practicing a new skill: splits. It hasn’t gone well, but she’s working on improving. “I want to play a gymnast in a movie,” she said.
The “Girls Trip” ladies have been in touch.
Haddish and her “Girls Trip” co-stars — Queen Latifah, Regina Hall and Jada Pinkett Smith — had a joint Zoom call this week to check in on one another amid the pandemic. Everyone is doing well, Haddish said, and their conversation quickly turned to why they still haven’t gotten “Girls Trip 2” goin.
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Universal Pictures, which released “Girls Trip” to blockbuster success (and Oscar buzz for Haddish’s breakthrough performance) in 2017, has never officially greenlit a sequel, but various cast members have been talking about doing one for a while. “We are all in,” Queen Latifah said last year.
Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah at the Essence Music Festival in 2017. Jonathan Bachman via Getty Images
According to Haddish, the studio has been waiting for a script before moving forward, though she said Tracy Oliver, who co-wrote the original with “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris, has a treatment ready to go. “Then it was like, ‘Oh, you guys want too much money,’” Haddish explained. (She said she made only $80,000 for “Girls Trip,” and she’s certainly worth more than that now.) So Latifah, Hall, Smith and Haddish decided during their two-hour Zoom conference to blaze ahead on their own. They agreed to meet again on Friday to start writing the script together.
“We might decide not to even make it ‘Girls Trip,’” Haddish said. “Maybe we’ll do a different story just in case no one wants to make ‘Girls Trip 2.’”
How “Self Made” handles Lelia’s sexuality.
Haddish’s sensibilities — modern, bawdy, loquacious — don’t exactly scream period piece, so her casting in “Self Made” may come as a surprise to some. Last year, the crime drama “The Kitchen” let her step into the world of 1970s gangsters, but that’s a whole different initiation. The early 1900s setting of “Self Made” necessitated straw hats, white gloves, conservative blouses and other accouterments. The worst of them: “those damn corsets.”
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By design, Haddish was tasked with lending the series a progressive flair. Lelia Walker had three husbands during her lifetime, including John Robinson (played by J. Alphonse Nicholson), a hotel bellhop recruited to work in her mother’s factory. The younger Walker, who threw lavish parties that encouraged free sexual expression, was dubbed the “joy goddess of Harlem.” She wasn’t known to be queer herself, according to an NPR report from 2015, but Haddish said the show’s writers wanted to lean into the “rumor” that Lelia was bisexual. As the four episodes of the series progress, Lelia falls for a female photographer (Mouna Traoré) and escapes her unhappy marriage. The photographer is not based on a real person, but there’s reason to believe the plotline has some legitimacy.
“She was very welcoming and her last relationship after three failed marriages was with a woman, a good friend of hers for many years,” Madam Walker’s great-great-granddaughter, whose biography “On Her Own Ground” inspired the Netflix series, told Bustle in a recent interview. “I think this was her soul mate, but I have no documentation, only circumstantial evidence.”
Octavia Spencer, "Us" producer Jason Blum and Tiffany Haddish at CinemaCon 2019. Alberto E. Rodriguez via Getty Images
“Self Made” doesn’t assign a label to Lelia’s sexuality, though it’s clear she’s never been with a woman before. Haddish wishes the series had spent more time developing Lelia’s backstory and has since had early discussions about a possible second season focused on her character.
“There have been some talks with the showrunners about it,” she said, referring to Janine Sherman Barrois (“Claws”) and Elle Johnson (“Bosch”). “But nothing official yet, and I don’t believe anything till I hear from my lawyer.”
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Before the quarantine, she hosted a potluck with Oscar Isaac and Willem Dafoe.
Haddish has a number of notable projects on the horizon, including comedies directed by Jerrod Carmicheal and Billy Crystal. I’m most excited to see her in “The Card Counter,” a gambling thriller directed by Paul Schrader, the headstrong writer of “Taxi Driver” and director of “American Gigolo” and “First Reformed.” Haddish plays a financier who backs a cardsharp (Oscar Isaac) and his revenge-happy poker partner (Willem Dafoe) as they travel from casino to casino.
The 73-year-old Schrader frequently posts bullish opinions about pop culture and current events on his Facebook page, and on March 18 he wrote that production on “The Card Counter” had been halted with only five days remaining.
“Myself, I would have shot through hellfire rain to complete the film,” Schrader said. “I’m old and asthmatic, what better way to die than on the job?”
Haddish was not surprised to learn that he’d rather perish from COVID-19 than leave his film incomplete. She loved working with Schrader but frequently had to ask him to reexplain what he wanted in terms a normal person could understand.
About a week before the Mississippi production shut down, Haddish hosted a potluck for her colleagues at the home she was renting. Dafoe had recently returned from Europe, and suddenly everyone was half-joking that he was about to give them all the coronavirus. As for whether Isaac and Dafoe are good cooks, well, don’t get her started.
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huffpost--2020-03-06--Cruise Passengers Off California Await Virus Test Results

The Grand Princess lay at anchor near San Francisco on Thursday after a traveler from a previous voyage died of the disease and at least four others became infected .
While the more than 3,500 aboard the 951-foot ( 290-meter ) vessel were ordered to stay at sea as officials scrambled to keep the virus at bay , only 45 were identified for testing , Princess Cruises said in a statement .
A Sacramento-area man who sailed on the ship in February later succumbed to the coronavirus .
Two other passengers from that voyage have been hospitalized with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who recently sailed aboard the ship tested positive after returning home , officials said .
Meanwhile , the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus climbed to 12 on Thursday , with all but one victim in Washington state , while the number of infections swelled to over 200 , scattered across 18 states .
Colorado and Nevada reported their first cases .
Nine of the dead were from the same suburban Seattle nursing home , now under federal investigation .
Families of nursing home residents voiced anger , having received conflicting information about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One woman was told her mother had died , then got a call from a staffer who said her mother was doing well , only to find out she had , in fact , died , said Kevin Connolly , whose father-in-law is also a facility resident .
U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir cited a model that included mild cases to say the U.S. could expect a death rate somewhere between 0.1 % — akin to the seasonal flu ’ s — and 1 % .
The risk is highest for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as heart or lung disease , diabetes or suppressed immune systems .
Some major businesses in the Seattle area , where researchers say the virus may have circulated undetected for weeks , have shut down some operations or urged employees to work from home .
That includes Microsoft and Amazon , the two tech giants that together employ more than 100,000 people in the region .
The 22,000-student Northshore district announced it will close for up to two weeks as a precaution .
King County is buying a motel for $ 4 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first of them in place within days at the 84-room EconoLodge in Kent , about 20 miles ( 32 km ) from Seattle .
The rooms ’ doors open to the outside rather than to a central hallway , reducing the likelihood of contact between patients .
Around the country , New York ’ s mayor implored the federal government to send more test kits to his state , which saw its caseload double overnight to 22 , all of them in or near the city .
Gap Inc. said it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking employees to work from home “ until further notice ” after learning that one of its employees was confirmed to have the new virus .
In Rhode Island , about 200 people were quarantined because of their connections to a school trip to Italy that has so far resulted in three cases .
Amid four cases in Florida , Gov .
Ron DeSantis said the risks remain low for most people planning trips to the state for spring break or baseball ’ s spring training .
Princess Cruise Lines said that no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among those still on the ship .
But dozens of passengers have had flu-like symptoms over the past two weeks or so , said Mary Ellen Carroll , executive director of San Francisco ’ s Department of Emergency Management .
In a post , Smith said she and her husband are not quarantined and were told only the people who had been on the Mexico voyage or those showing flu-like symptoms had to isolate .
A passenger from the Mexico voyage , Judy Cadiz of Lodi , California , said she and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given it much thought until learning a fellow traveler had died of the virus .
Now , they can not get a straight answer about how to get tested , she said .

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Coronavirus test results were expected Friday for some passengers and crew aboard a cruise ship held off the California coast.
The Grand Princess lay at anchor near San Francisco on Thursday after a traveler from a previous voyage died of the disease and at least four others became infected. While the more than 3,500 aboard the 951-foot (290-meter) vessel were ordered to stay at sea as officials scrambled to keep the virus at bay, only 45 were identified for testing, Princess Cruises said in a statement.
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“The ship will not come on shore until we appropriately assess the passengers,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
A Sacramento-area man who sailed on the ship in February later succumbed to the coronavirus. Two other passengers from that voyage have been hospitalized with the virus in Northern California, and two Canadians who recently sailed aboard the ship tested positive after returning home, officials said.
Northern California officials also are awaiting test results from a man who died Thursday after being on a cruise where others have tested positive.
Meanwhile, the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus climbed to 12 on Thursday, with all but one victim in Washington state, while the number of infections swelled to over 200, scattered across 18 states. Colorado and Nevada reported their first cases.
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Nine of the dead were from the same suburban Seattle nursing home, now under federal investigation. Families of nursing home residents voiced anger, having received conflicting information about the condition of their loved ones. One woman was told her mother had died, then got a call from a staffer who said her mother was doing well, only to find out she had, in fact, died, said Kevin Connolly, whose father-in-law is also a facility resident.
“This is the level of incompetence we’re dealing with,” Connolly said at an emotional news conference in front of the Life Care Center in Kirkland.
The federal investigation of the nursing home will determine whether it followed guidelines for preventing infections. Last April, the state fined it $67,000 over infection-control deficiencies after two flu outbreaks.
The coronavirus has infected more than 98,000 people worldwide and killed over 3,300, the vast majority of them in China.
U.S. health officials said they expect a far lower death rate than the World Health Organization’s international estimate of 3.4% — a high rate that doesn’t account for mild cases that go uncounted.
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U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir cited a model that included mild cases to say the U.S. could expect a death rate somewhere between 0.1% — akin to the seasonal flu’s — and 1%. The risk is highest for older people and anyone with conditions such as heart or lung disease, diabetes or suppressed immune systems.
Some major businesses in the Seattle area, where researchers say the virus may have circulated undetected for weeks, have shut down some operations or urged employees to work from home. That includes Microsoft and Amazon, the two tech giants that together employ more than 100,000 people in the region. The 22,000-student Northshore district announced it will close for up to two weeks as a precaution.
With many commuters off the road, traffic on the Seattle area’s notoriously congested freeways were much lighter Thursday.
King County is buying a motel for $4 million to house patients and hopes to have the first of them in place within days at the 84-room EconoLodge in Kent, about 20 miles (32 km) from Seattle. The rooms’ doors open to the outside rather than to a central hallway, reducing the likelihood of contact between patients.
The plan was met with resistance from local leaders, including Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla, who called it “ill-advised and dangerous” and warned: “At any point a patient can simply walk into our community and spread the virus.”
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Around the country, New York’s mayor implored the federal government to send more test kits to his state, which saw its caseload double overnight to 22, all of them in or near the city. Gap Inc. said it has closed its New York office and is asking employees to work from home “until further notice” after learning that one of its employees was confirmed to have the new virus.
In Rhode Island, about 200 people were quarantined because of their connections to a school trip to Italy that has so far resulted in three cases. Amid four cases in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the risks remain low for most people planning trips to the state for spring break or baseball’s spring training.
On Wall Street, fears about the outbreak led to a sharp selloff, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 970 points, or 3.6%. The drop extended two weeks of wild swings in the market, with stocks fluctuating 2% or more for the fourth day in a row.
The ship off California was returning to San Francisco after visiting Hawaii. Some of the passengers remained on board after sailing on its previous voyage, to the Mexican ports of Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.
Princess Cruise Lines said that no cases of the virus had been confirmed among those still on the ship. But dozens of passengers have had flu-like symptoms over the past two weeks or so, said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management.
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“Once we have results from the tests,” she said, authorities “will determine the best location for the ship to berth.”
A military helicopter lowered by rope and later retrieved the test kits Thursday, bound for a lab in Richmond, California, authorities said.
Michele Smith, a Grand Princess passenger, posted video of the helicopter to Facebook. Another video shows a crew member wearing gloves and a mask and spraying and wiping a handrail.
“We have crews constantly cleaning our ship,” Smith is heard saying.
In a post, Smith said she and her husband are not quarantined and were told only the people who had been on the Mexico voyage or those showing flu-like symptoms had to isolate.
“Spirits are as high as can be under these circumstances. We are blessed to be healthy, comfortable and well-fed,” she wrote.
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But a late-night statement Thursday from the cruise line said all guests were asked to stay in their rooms while results were awaited, following CDC guidelines.
A passenger from the Mexico voyage, Judy Cadiz of Lodi, California, said she and her husband became ill afterward but did not given it much thought until learning a fellow traveler had died of the virus. Now, they cannot get a straight answer about how to get tested, she said.
With Mark Cadiz, 65, running a fever, the couple worries not only about themselves, but about the possibility that — if they contracted the infection — they could have passed it on to others.
“They’re telling us to stay home, but nobody told me until yesterday to stay home. We were in Sacramento, we were in Martinez, we were in Oakland. We took a train home from the cruise,” Judy Cadiz said Thursday. “I really hope that we’re negative so nobody got infected.”
___
Geller reported from New York. Associated Press writers Janie Har and Jocelyn Gecker in San Francisco; Christopher Weber in Los Angeles; Gene Johnson, Martha Bellisle and Carla K. Johnson in Seattle; Rachel La Corte in Olympia, Washington; and AP researcher Monika Mathur in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
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___
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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huffpost--2020-03-05--Nurses Blast Government And Hospital Readiness For Coronavirus

Nurses fighting the spread of coronavirus unleashed a flood of criticism on the federal government and their employers Thursday , saying they have been left poorly equipped to care for their patients and protect themselves amid the outbreak .
Members of the union National Nurses United said they have faced shifting guidelines and a shortage of supplies as the tally of known infections has increased .
They called on the Centers for Disease Control to quickly increase testing for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , and demanded that federal officials implement emergency standards for hospitals and clinics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been behind the ball at almost every step of the way , ” said Jane Thomason , an industrial hygienist for the union .
Bonnie Castillo , a registered nurse and the union ’ s executive director , said nurses were confident they could help contain the spread of the virus , but only if “ we are given the protections and resources we need to do our jobs.
” More than 80 of the union ’ s nurses have been quarantined due to possible contact with infected patients , and Castillo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective equipment that workers need to handle the outbreak .
“ It is not a successful strategy to leave nurses and other health care workers unprotected , ” Castillo said at a press conference in Oakland on Thursday .
“ When we are quarantined , we are not only prevented from caring for COVID-19 patients , but we are taken away from caring for cancer patients , cardiac patients and premature babies.
” Not only is the protective equipment hard to come by , union officials said many nurses still have not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on and remove it in a way to avoid contamination .
“ Nurses need this hands-on training now , ” said Cathy Kennedy , a registered nurse and vice president with the union .
“ Management has told us the training is coming .
Well , it ’ s been several weeks and the training is slowly evolving.
” After initially laying out tight guidelines on who can be tested , the CDC has loosened them so that anyone with symptoms can undergo a test with a doctor ’ s approval .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply , and local health agencies say they are being overwhelmed by the demand .
At its press conference , the union shared the statement of an unnamed member who works at a Kaiser Permanente facility and was required to self-quarantine for 14 days after contact with a COVID-19 patient .
The nurse has not been able to undergo a test despite exhibiting symptoms , according to the statement .
California and Washington state declared emergencies due to the virus on Wednesday , the same day U.S. officials confirmed the 11th COVID-19 death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states .
More than 3,000 have died in China , where the number of cases has begun to ebb .
South Korea and Italy have also been hit hard .
The House and Senate have approved an $ 8 billion spending package to address the outbreak , sending the legislation to the White House Thursday for President Donald Trump ’ s signature .
Trump has continued to downplay concerns about the virus , telling Sean Hannity in an interview Wednesday that he believes the death rate to be much lower than what health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate is expected to fall in the U.S. as time goes on . )
National Nurses United and other unions have been calling on the Trump administration to issue an emergency standard for infectious disease through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration , so that hospitals and other employers have safety guidelines for coronavirus that they are legally required to follow .
There is no such standard currently on the books .

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Nurses fighting the spread of coronavirus unleashed a flood of criticism on the federal government and their employers Thursday, saying they have been left poorly equipped to care for their patients and protect themselves amid the outbreak.
Members of the union National Nurses United said they have faced shifting guidelines and a shortage of supplies as the tally of known infections has increased. They called on the Centers for Disease Control to quickly increase testing for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, and demanded that federal officials implement emergency standards for hospitals and clinics around the country.
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“The CDC has been behind the ball at almost every step of the way,” said Jane Thomason, an industrial hygienist for the union.
Jane Thomason, an industrial hygienist for National Nurses United, said the government and health care facilities have been unprepared for coronavirus. Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Bonnie Castillo, a registered nurse and the union’s executive director, said nurses were confident they could help contain the spread of the virus, but only if “we are given the protections and resources we need to do our jobs.”
More than 80 of the union’s nurses have been quarantined due to possible contact with infected patients, and Castillo said many facilities still lack the personal protective equipment that workers need to handle the outbreak.
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“It is not a successful strategy to leave nurses and other health care workers unprotected,” Castillo said at a press conference in Oakland on Thursday. “When we are quarantined, we are not only prevented from caring for COVID-19 patients, but we are taken away from caring for cancer patients, cardiac patients and premature babies.”
The union released the results of a recent survey it conducted of 6,500 members around the country on the question of COVID-19 preparedness. Among the findings:
Only 44 percent said their employer had given them information about the virus.
Only 63 percent said they have access to N95 respirators. (These are recommended for health care workers handling potentially infected patients, but not the general public.)
A little less than two-thirds say they have been trained in how to put on and take off the appropriate protective gear.
Only 30 percent said they believe their facility has enough protective gear onhand.
Nearly a quarter said they don’t know if their facility has a plan to isolate infected patients.
Not only is the protective equipment hard to come by, union officials said many nurses still have not been trained in how to appropriately put it on and remove it in a way to avoid contamination.
“Nurses need this hands-on training now,” said Cathy Kennedy, a registered nurse and vice president with the union. “Management has told us the training is coming. Well, it’s been several weeks and the training is slowly evolving.”
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After initially laying out tight guidelines on who can be tested, the CDC has loosened them so that anyone with symptoms can undergo a test with a doctor’s approval. But the test kits are still in short supply, and local health agencies say they are being overwhelmed by the demand.
“The CDC has been behind the ball at almost every step of the way.” - Jane Thomason, National Nurses United
At its press conference, the union shared the statement of an unnamed member who works at a Kaiser Permanente facility and was required to self-quarantine for 14 days after contact with a COVID-19 patient. The nurse has not been able to undergo a test despite exhibiting symptoms, according to the statement.
“I’m appalled at the level of bureaucracy that’s preventing nurses from getting tested,” the member said.
California and Washington state declared emergencies due to the virus on Wednesday, the same day U.S. officials confirmed the 11th COVID-19 death and at least 150 cases in 18 states. More than 3,000 have died in China, where the number of cases has begun to ebb. South Korea and Italy have also been hit hard.
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The House and Senate have approved an $8 billion spending package to address the outbreak, sending the legislation to the White House Thursday for President Donald Trump’s signature. Trump has continued to downplay concerns about the virus, telling Sean Hannity in an interview Wednesday that he believes the death rate to be much lower than what health officials have said. (The fatality rate is expected to fall in the U.S. as time goes on.)
National Nurses United and other unions have been calling on the Trump administration to issue an emergency standard for infectious disease through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, so that hospitals and other employers have safety guidelines for coronavirus that they are legally required to follow. There is no such standard currently on the books.


huffpost--2020-03-06--Democrats Propose Emergency Paid Sick Days To Address Coronavirus

The legislation proposed by Democrats would require employers to grant workers 14 paid sick days to be used in the event of a public health emergency .
Workers would separately accrue up to seven sick days over the course of a year under the bill , which was introduced by Sen. Patty Murray ( D-Wash. ) in the Senate and Rep. Rosa DeLauro ( D-Conn. ) in the House .
There is no federal law currently guaranteeing workers paid sick leave , although many cities and states have implemented their own .
The lack of a national standard has drawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus reached U.S. shores and infected at least 200 people as of Friday .
More than 100,000 cases and 3,000 deaths have been confirmed worldwide .
Public health experts and employers in the U.S. have advised workers to stay home if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus .
But that guidance has put workers who lack paid sick leave in a jam : either stay home and forgo each day ’ s pay , or clock in and potentially sicken colleagues or customers .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers have access to paid sick leave , according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics .
A large share of the 27 % who don ’ t have it are clustered in lower-wage service sectors like retail and food service , where workers interact not only with their colleagues but with the public .
Backers of a paid sick leave mandate have often argued that it ’ s a matter of public health and social justice .
But the coronavirus scare has brought forth a strong macroeconomic argument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suddenly aren ’ t collecting paychecks , it could wreak even more damage on the economy .
Global supply lines have already tightened up and stock markets have tumbled .
Under the Democratic proposal , workers would be eligible to use the two weeks ’ worth of emergency sick days when their workplace or their child ’ s school is closed , or when they or a family member has been quarantined because of an outbreak .
The standard seven days could be used whenever necessary .
The emergency legislation builds on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years without success .
Despite the popularity of sick leave requirements among the general public ― including most Republicans ― GOP lawmakers have long refused to join with Democrats to make sure everyone has access to sick leave .
“ Mitch McConnell hasn ’ t shown much proclivity to do things that are good for workers , ” Trumka said of the Senate majority leader .
But given the economic concerns over coronavirus , “ he might be interested in doing that.
” If the legislation comes to a floor vote in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a position where they are voting against a popular proposal during a public health emergency .
Murray urged her colleagues in both chambers to pass the bill “ without delay.
” “ Workers want to do the right thing for themselves , their families , and their communities , ” she said in a statement .
“ So especially in the middle of public health crises like this , staying home sick shouldn ’ t have to mean losing a paycheck or a job.
” The University of Washington became the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and other schools may follow suit .
Airlines have already been hit hard as travelers bail on flights , and large employers like IBM and Facebook have told employees at certain offices to stay home .
On Friday , President Donald Trump signed an $ 8.3 billion emergency spending package to combat the virus .
More than a third of that money will support vaccine research and development .
Other funds will go toward medical supplies , preparedness and prevention .
The federal government has been harshly criticized over its lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing kits in short supply and conflicting statements between high-level members of the Trump administration and public health officials .
Beyond the spending package , worker groups and public health advocates have been urging federal agencies to do more to combat the spread of the virus .
In addition to a sick leave law , labor unions have been urging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue an emergency standard for infectious disease , so that employers have clear guidelines they are required to follow during an outbreak .
Trumka said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , calling on the agency to implement a standard that was developed before Trump took office but then shelved .
He noted that health care and service workers are most likely to contract the virus through their jobs .
OSHA did not respond to HuffPost when asked earlier this week whether it would institute a new regulation to deal with COVID-19 .

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Members of Congress introduced a bill Friday that would assure U.S. workers can take paid sick leave, if needed, during the coronavirus outbreak.
The legislation proposed by Democrats would require employers to grant workers 14 paid sick days to be used in the event of a public health emergency. Workers would separately accrue up to seven sick days over the course of a year under the bill, which was introduced by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in the Senate and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) in the House.
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There is no federal law currently guaranteeing workers paid sick leave, although many cities and states have implemented their own. The lack of a national standard has drawn perhaps unprecedented attention in recent weeks as the new coronavirus reached U.S. shores and infected at least 200 people as of Friday. More than 100,000 cases and 3,000 deaths have been confirmed worldwide.
Public health experts and employers in the U.S. have advised workers to stay home if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. But that guidance has put workers who lack paid sick leave in a jam: either stay home and forgo each day’s pay, or clock in and potentially sicken colleagues or customers.
A little less than three-quarters of private sector workers have access to paid sick leave, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A large share of the 27% who don’t have it are clustered in lower-wage service sectors like retail and food service, where workers interact not only with their colleagues but with the public.
Higher-paid white-collar workers are far more likely to enjoy sick leave, including 94% of those in management, business and financial occupations.
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Backers of a paid sick leave mandate have often argued that it’s a matter of public health and social justice. But the coronavirus scare has brought forth a strong macroeconomic argument as well: If millions of workers suddenly aren’t collecting paychecks, it could wreak even more damage on the economy. Global supply lines have already tightened up and stock markets have tumbled.
Richard Trumka, the president of the AFL-CIO labor federation, said Friday that paid sick leave could help keep commerce flowing if the outbreak in the U.S. worsens.
“It would help insulate the economy from a real bad downturn,” he said.
Under the Democratic proposal, workers would be eligible to use the two weeks’ worth of emergency sick days when their workplace or their child’s school is closed, or when they or a family member has been quarantined because of an outbreak. The standard seven days could be used whenever necessary.
The emergency legislation builds on a proposal that Democrats have been introducing for years without success. Despite the popularity of sick leave requirements among the general public ― including most Republicans ― GOP lawmakers have long refused to join with Democrats to make sure everyone has access to sick leave.
“It would help insulate the economy from a real bad downturn.” - Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO labor federation
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Friday’s bill stands a strong chance of passing in the Democratic-controlled House but is likely to hit a wall in the GOP-controlled Senate, where the Republican majority isn’t keen on employer mandates.
“Mitch McConnell hasn’t shown much proclivity to do things that are good for workers,” Trumka said of the Senate majority leader. But given the economic concerns over coronavirus, “he might be interested in doing that.”
If the legislation comes to a floor vote in the House soon, it could put Republicans in a position where they are voting against a popular proposal during a public health emergency. Murray urged her colleagues in both chambers to pass the bill “without delay.”
“Workers want to do the right thing for themselves, their families, and their communities,” she said in a statement. “So especially in the middle of public health crises like this, staying home sick shouldn’t have to mean losing a paycheck or a job.”
DeLauro said stronger access to sick leave would put the U.S. on par with other developed nations and make the public safer.
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“The lack of paid sick days could make coronavirus harder to contain in the United States,” she warned.
The University of Washington became the first U.S. college to close classrooms on Friday, and other schools may follow suit. Airlines have already been hit hard as travelers bail on flights, and large employers like IBM and Facebook have told employees at certain offices to stay home.
On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an $8.3 billion emergency spending package to combat the virus. More than a third of that money will support vaccine research and development. Other funds will go toward medical supplies, preparedness and prevention. The federal government has been harshly criticized over its lack of readiness to fight an outbreak, with testing kits in short supply and conflicting statements between high-level members of the Trump administration and public health officials.
Beyond the spending package, worker groups and public health advocates have been urging federal agencies to do more to combat the spread of the virus. In addition to a sick leave law, labor unions have been urging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue an emergency standard for infectious disease, so that employers have clear guidelines they are required to follow during an outbreak.
Trumka said the AFL-CIO sent a petition to OSHA on Friday, calling on the agency to implement a standard that was developed before Trump took office but then shelved. He noted that health care and service workers are most likely to contract the virus through their jobs. OSHA did not respond to HuffPost when asked earlier this week whether it would institute a new regulation to deal with COVID-19.
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huffpost--2020-03-05--U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Rises To 12 With Latest In Washington

LOS ANGELES , March 5 ( Reuters ) - The death toll from coronavirus in the United States rose to 12 on Thursday with the latest fatality recorded in King County , Washington , and 53 new cases broke out across the country , striking for the first time in Colorado , Tennessee , Texas and San Francisco .
A helicopter flew testing kits to a cruise liner idled off the coast of California and barred from docking in San Francisco after at least 35 people developed flu-like symptoms aboard the ship , which has been linked to two other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the virus were confirmed in King County , Washington , local health officials said , bringing the total in the county to 51 with 11 deaths .
One death has been recorded in California .
Alphabet Inc ’ s Google on Thursday joined Amazon.com Inc , Facebook Inc and Microsoft Corp in recommending employees in the Seattle area work from home , after some were infected with the coronavirus .
The companies ’ work-from-home recommendation will affect more than 100,000 people in the area .
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had doubled to 22 after the federal government approved its use of additional laboratories , boosting testing capacity .
Cuomo told a press conference that total would likely “ keep going up.
” Of the new cases in New York , eight are connected to a Manhattan lawyer who lives in Westchester County and was previously diagnosed with the virus , two are in New York City and one in Nassau County .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) early on Thursday reported 149 confirmed and presumed U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to include the 53 new cases reported on Thursday .
The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed an $ 8.3 billion bill to combat the outbreak 96-1 , a day after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved it .
The bill now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature .
More than $ 3 billion of the approved funds would be devoted to research and development of coronavirus vaccines , test kits and treatments .
There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the illness that began in China and has infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries and territories .
Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference the new cases in New York City - a man in his 40s and a woman in her 80s - were critically ill and being treated in hospitals .
Both had “ substantial ” pre-existing health conditions , he said .
California , which has declared a statewide emergency in response to the outbreak , reported six new cases , including two in San Francisco also deemed likely to be a result of “ community transmission , ” local health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect to be able to get enough privately manufactured coronavirus tests - around 1 million - to public laboratories this week with the capacity to test about 400,000 people .
Vice President Mike Pence , who is leading the U.S. response , urged Americans not to purchase masks if they are healthy to free up supply for healthcare workers and people who are sick .
“ Unless you are ill , you have no need to buy a mask , ” Pence said on a visit to Minnesota ’ s 3M Co , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help respond to the coronavirus .
“ The risk to the average healthy American from contracting coronavirus remains low , ” Pence said , adding that “ there will be more cases , ” especially among more vulnerable populations such as seniors and those with chronic health conditions .

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LOS ANGELES, March 5 (Reuters) - The death toll from coronavirus in the United States rose to 12 on Thursday with the latest fatality recorded in King County, Washington, and 53 new cases broke out across the country, striking for the first time in Colorado, Tennessee, Texas and San Francisco.
A helicopter flew testing kits to a cruise liner idled off the coast of California and barred from docking in San Francisco after at least 35 people developed flu-like symptoms aboard the ship, which has been linked to two other confirmed cases of COVID-19.
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Twenty new cases of the virus were confirmed in King County, Washington, local health officials said, bringing the total in the county to 51 with 11 deaths. One death has been recorded in California.
“This is a critical moment in the growing outbreak of COVID-19 in King County,” the county said in a written statement, referring to the respiratory disease caused by the virus.
“All King County residents should follow public health recommendations. Together, we may potentially impact the spread of the disease in our community,” it said.
Many of the cases in Washington state have been linked to an outbreak at a nursing facility in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland, including six deaths.
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Alphabet Inc’s Google on Thursday joined Amazon.com Inc, Facebook Inc and Microsoft Corp in recommending employees in the Seattle area work from home, after some were infected with the coronavirus. The companies’ work-from-home recommendation will affect more than 100,000 people in the area.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the number of cases in that state had doubled to 22 after the federal government approved its use of additional laboratories, boosting testing capacity. Cuomo told a press conference that total would likely “keep going up.”
Of the new cases in New York, eight are connected to a Manhattan lawyer who lives in Westchester County and was previously diagnosed with the virus, two are in New York City and one in Nassau County.
COLORADO, TENNESSEE AND TEXAS REPORT CASES
Texas confirmed its first three coronavirus cases and Tennessee and Colorado each reported one, bringing the number of affected states to 16.
More than 3,200 people worldwide have died from the respiratory illness that can lead to pneumonia.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) early on Thursday reported 149 confirmed and presumed U.S. cases. Those numbers are presumed not to include the 53 new cases reported on Thursday.
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The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed an $8.3 billion bill to combat the outbreak 96-1, a day after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved it. The bill now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature.
More than $3 billion of the approved funds would be devoted to research and development of coronavirus vaccines, test kits and treatments. There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the illness that began in China and has infected more than 95,000 people in some 80 countries and territories.
Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference the new cases in New York City - a man in his 40s and a woman in her 80s - were critically ill and being treated in hospitals. Both had “substantial” pre-existing health conditions, he said.
Neither person had recently visited any other affected countries or had any connection to other confirmed cases, suggesting the city is confronting local person-to-person spread.
California, which has declared a statewide emergency in response to the outbreak, reported six new cases, including two in San Francisco also deemed likely to be a result of “community transmission,” local health officials said.
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1 MILLION TEST KITS
U.S. health officials say they expect to be able to get enough privately manufactured coronavirus tests - around 1 million - to public laboratories this week with the capacity to test about 400,000 people.
CDC official Anne Schuchat said her agency would also supply kits by the end of the week that could test around 75,000 people.
“Right now, it is a challenge if you are a doctor wanting to get somebody tested,” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told reporters following a briefing with lawmakers.
Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the U.S. response, urged Americans not to purchase masks if they are healthy to free up supply for healthcare workers and people who are sick.
“Unless you are ill, you have no need to buy a mask,” Pence said on a visit to Minnesota’s 3M Co, which has ramped up production of masks to help respond to the coronavirus.
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“The risk to the average healthy American from contracting coronavirus remains low,” Pence said, adding that “there will be more cases,” especially among more vulnerable populations such as seniors and those with chronic health conditions.
Global equity markets tumbled as coronavirus cases outside China mounted, fueling warnings that economic growth is likely to reach its weakest level since the global financial crisis a decade ago.
The main U.S. stock indexes closed down more than 3% with the Dow falling 969 points.


huffpost--2020-03-06--Coronavirus Wreaks Financial Havoc As Global Infections Pass 100,000

LONDON/LOS ANGELES , March 6 ( Reuters ) - Business districts around the world began to empty and stock markets tumbled on Friday as the number of coronavirus infections passed 100,000 and the economic damage wrought by the outbreak intensified .
An increasing number of people faced a new reality as many were asked to stay home from work , schools were closed , large gatherings and events canceled , stores emptied of staples like toiletries and water , and face masks a common sight .
In London , Europe ’ s financial capital , the Canary Wharf district was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s large office stood empty after the company sent its 1,200 staff home , while HSBC has asked around 100 people to work from home after a worker tested positive for the illness .
In New York , meanwhile , JP Morgan divided its team between central locations and a secondary site in New Jersey while Goldman Sachs sent some traders to nearby secondary offices in Greenwich , Connecticut and Jersey City .
The outbreak has radiated across the United States , surfacing in at least four new states plus San Francisco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Grand Princess cruise ship after it was barred from returning to port in San Francisco because at least 35 people aboard developed flu-like symptoms .
Test kits were delivered at sea to the vessel .
Moves by some major economies including the United States to cut interest rates and pledge billions of dollars to fight the epidemic have done little to allay fears about the spread of the virus and the widening economic fallout .
European stocks continued their slide after the Japanese market dropped to a six-month low , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchange ’ s main board in the red .
Airline and travel stocks have been among the worst hit as people canceled non-essential travel .
“ If this really ramps up , we could see a lot more kitchen-sinking updates from the travel industry and airlines , ” said Chris Beauchamp , chief market analyst at IG .
“ What ’ s impressive about the current move is it probably understates the degree of disruption we could be facing across the U.S. and Europe.
” More than 98,000 people have been infected in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died , according to a Reuters tally .
Johns Hopkins University puts the tally above 100,000 .
Mainland China , where the outbreak began , has accounted for more than 3,000 deaths , while the toll in Italy stood at 148 .
In the United States , the world ’ s economic powerhouse , at least 57 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed as the virus struck for the first time in Colorado , Maryland , Tennessee and Texas , as well as San Francisco in California .
Some 230 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died .
Google , Facebook , Amazon , and Microsoft advised employees in the Seattle area to work from home , after some caught the virus .
The companies ’ work-from-home recommendation will affect more than 100,000 people in the area .

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LONDON/LOS ANGELES, March 6 (Reuters) - Business districts around the world began to empty and stock markets tumbled on Friday as the number of coronavirus infections passed 100,000 and the economic damage wrought by the outbreak intensified.
An increasing number of people faced a new reality as many were asked to stay home from work, schools were closed, large gatherings and events canceled, stores emptied of staples like toiletries and water, and face masks a common sight.
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In London, Europe’s financial capital, the Canary Wharf district was unusually quiet. S&P Global’s large office stood empty after the company sent its 1,200 staff home, while HSBC has asked around 100 people to work from home after a worker tested positive for the illness.
In New York, meanwhile, JP Morgan divided its team between central locations and a secondary site in New Jersey while Goldman Sachs sent some traders to nearby secondary offices in Greenwich, Connecticut and Jersey City.
The outbreak has radiated across the United States, surfacing in at least four new states plus San Francisco.
More than 2,000 people were stranded on the Grand Princess cruise ship after it was barred from returning to port in San Francisco because at least 35 people aboard developed flu-like symptoms. Test kits were delivered at sea to the vessel.
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Moves by some major economies including the United States to cut interest rates and pledge billions of dollars to fight the epidemic have done little to allay fears about the spread of the virus and the widening economic fallout.
European stocks continued their slide after the Japanese market dropped to a six-month low, with 97% of shares on the Tokyo exchange’s main board in the red. Airline and travel stocks have been among the worst hit as people canceled non-essential travel.
“If this really ramps up, we could see a lot more kitchen-sinking updates from the travel industry and airlines,” said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG. “What’s impressive about the current move is it probably understates the degree of disruption we could be facing across the U.S. and Europe.”
The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes fell to a record low of 0.7650% as investors sought safe havens.
More than 98,000 people have been infected in over 85 countries and over 3,300 people have died, according to a Reuters tally. Johns Hopkins University puts the tally above 100,000. Mainland China, where the outbreak began, has accounted for more than 3,000 deaths, while the toll in Italy stood at 148.
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In the United States, the world’s economic powerhouse, at least 57 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed as the virus struck for the first time in Colorado, Maryland, Tennessee and Texas, as well as San Francisco in California. Some 230 people have been infected in total, and 12 have died.
Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft advised employees in the Seattle area to work from home, after some caught the virus. The companies’ work-from-home recommendation will affect more than 100,000 people in the area.
The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed an $8.3 billion bill to combat the outbreak, joining a slew of countries including China and South Korea in bolstering their war chests.


huffpost--2020-03-06--Is It OK To Use A Reusable Water Bottle In A Coronavirus Outbreak?

As the number of coronavirus cases increases , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising businesses and employers to socially distance employees from one another , and from the general public , to minimize person-to-person exposure to COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus .
In response to this guidance , companies are encouraging their employees to disinfect their desks , work from home , limit non-essential business travel , and now , some are limiting the use of reusable personal items , like cups , in their workplaces .
On Wednesday , Starbucks announced it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own cups to use and refill in its stores .
For employees who are still working closely with one another in a shared space , you may be wondering : Is it OK to use my own reusable water bottle and coffee cups in the workplace during the outbreak ?
Reality check : COVID-19 mainly spreads through coughs and sneezes , not your water bottle .
The virus is believed to mainly spread through respiratory droplets created when an infected person coughs or sneezes , according to the CDC .
Because this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adalja , an infectious-disease expert at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security , said that minimizing exposure should focus on washing hands , not eliminating the use of a reusable water bottle at work .
“ I don ’ t think that people ’ s office water bottles are going to be the way that this pandemic unfolds .
It ’ s coughs and sneezes , ” Adalja said .
“ But there are people that are worried about the most esoteric means of transmission , and I think that kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that this is a respiratory virus : Wash your hands , don ’ t touch your face , cover your coughs.
” You shouldn ’ t be touching the communal spigot , regardless of a COVID-19 outbreak .
If you have a hands-free electronic drinks dispenser at work , you should have no problem with continuing to stick your water bottle underneath , Adalja said .
And if you have a communal spigot for getting water or coffee , be conscientious about not touching it .
“ You should not touch water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottles or cups in any event , ” said Erin Sorrell , an assistant research professor in Georgetown University ’ s department of microbiology and immunology .
“ During this outbreak it ’ s smart to rinse and wash your reusable cups after each use.
” Cleaning your reusable water bottle should already be a regular habit .
If you want to maintain the hygiene of your reusable bottles , coffee mugs and bowls for eating and drinking at work , keep washing them daily with dish soap and warm water , regardless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She noted that if you use a sponge at work , “ Make sure the sponge is cleaned daily with hot water and allowed to dry before the next use.
” Know that highly touched surfaces in a workplace kitchen , like a coffee pot or a water spigot , should be cleaned daily .
“ Be sure to wash your hands before meal prep , prepping a pot of coffee , and before/after using shared spaces , ” Sorrell said .
If you want to be extra cautious , fill up your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robyn Gershon , an epidemiology professor at the NYU School of Global Public Health .
“ During this fast-moving pandemic and out of an abundance of caution , maybe [ it ’ s ] better to fill from the tap or bring from home .
”

AscentXmedia via Getty Images Experts don't believe your reusable water bottle can spread the virus. But you should definitely be cleaning it diligently, regardless of an outbreak.
As the number of coronavirus cases increases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising businesses and employers to socially distance employees from one another, and from the general public, to minimize person-to-person exposure to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
In response to this guidance, companies are encouraging their employees to disinfect their desks, work from home, limit non-essential business travel, and now, some are limiting the use of reusable personal items, like cups, in their workplaces. On Wednesday, Starbucks announced it was no longer allowing customers to bring their own cups to use and refill in its stores.
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For employees who are still working closely with one another in a shared space, you may be wondering: Is it OK to use my own reusable water bottle and coffee cups in the workplace during the outbreak?
Here’s what you need to know.
Reality check: COVID-19 mainly spreads through coughs and sneezes, not your water bottle.
The virus is believed to mainly spread through respiratory droplets created when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the CDC.
Because this is the main way of transmission, Amesh Adalja, an infectious-disease expert at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, said that minimizing exposure should focus on washing hands, not eliminating the use of a reusable water bottle at work.
“I don’t think that people’s office water bottles are going to be the way that this pandemic unfolds. It’s coughs and sneezes,” Adalja said. “But there are people that are worried about the most esoteric means of transmission, and I think that kind of detracts from the main message here, that this is a respiratory virus: Wash your hands, don’t touch your face, cover your coughs.”
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You shouldn’t be touching the communal spigot, regardless of a COVID-19 outbreak.
If you have a hands-free electronic drinks dispenser at work, you should have no problem with continuing to stick your water bottle underneath, Adalja said.
And if you have a communal spigot for getting water or coffee, be conscientious about not touching it.
“You should not touch water jugs or coffee spouts with your used bottles or cups in any event,” said Erin Sorrell, an assistant research professor in Georgetown University’s department of microbiology and immunology. “During this outbreak it’s smart to rinse and wash your reusable cups after each use.”
Cleaning your reusable water bottle should already be a regular habit. If you want to maintain the hygiene of your reusable bottles, coffee mugs and bowls for eating and drinking at work, keep washing them daily with dish soap and warm water, regardless of an outbreak, Sorrell said. She noted that if you use a sponge at work, “Make sure the sponge is cleaned daily with hot water and allowed to dry before the next use.”
Know that highly touched surfaces in a workplace kitchen, like a coffee pot or a water spigot, should be cleaned daily. “Be sure to wash your hands before meal prep, prepping a pot of coffee, and before/after using shared spaces,” Sorrell said.
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And despite these recommendations, you should keep in mind that some people may accidentally touch the communal spigot.


huffpost--2020-03-06--Trump Signs $8.3 Billion Bill To Combat Coronavirus Outbreak In U.S.

The legislation provides federal public health agencies with money for vaccines , tests and potential treatments and helps state and local governments prepare and respond to the threat .
The rapid spread of the virus has rocked financial markets , interrupted travel and threatens to affect everyday life in the United States .
Trump had planned to sign the bill during a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta .
But he told reporters Friday that concerns were raised about “ one person who was potentially infected ” who worked at the CDC .
Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new virus and that he still hopes to visit the agency at some point .
The Senate passed the $ 8.3 billion measure Thursday to help tackle the outbreak in hopes of reassuring a fearful public and accelerating the government ’ s response to the virus .
Its rapid spread is threatening to upend everyday life in the U.S. and across the globe .
The plan would more than triple the $ 2.5 billion amount outlined by the White House 10 days ago .
The Trump proposal was immediately discarded by members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations committees negotiated the increased figure and other provisions of the legislation in a burst of bipartisan cooperation that ’ s common on the panel but increasingly rare elsewhere in Washington .
“ In situations like this , I believe no expense should be spared to protect the American people , and in crafting this package none was , ” said Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby , R-Ala. “ It ’ s an aggressive plan , a vigorous plan that has received an overwhelming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign the measure , which has almost universal support .
It is intended to project confidence and calm as anxiety builds over the impact of the virus , which has claimed 12 lives in the U.S .
The impact of the outbreak continues to mount .
The British government is considering suspending Parliament for five months in hope of limiting the spread of the virus in the United Kingdom .
The legislation would provide federal public health agencies money for vaccines , tests and potential treatments , including $ 300 million to deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than $ 2 billion would go to help federal , state and local governments prepare for and respond to the coronavirus threat .
An additional $ 1.3 billion would be used to help fight the virus overseas .
There ’ s also funding to subsidize $ 7 billion in small business loans .
Other dollars would be directed to help local officials prepare for the potential worsening of the outbreak and subsidize treatment by community health centers .
Medicare rules would be loosened to enable remote “ telehealth ” consultations whereby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visiting a doctor .
Sen. Maria Cantwell , D-Wash. , whose state is at the center of the crisis , praised the bill because it “ will increase access for public lab testing , help pay for isolation and quarantine , help pay for sanitizing in public areas , better track the virus and those who might come into contact with it , help labs who are trying to identify hot spots , and limit exposure.
” The legislation contains a hard-won compromise that aims to protect against potential price gouging by drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with taxpayer funds .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar would have the power to make sure commercial prices are reasonable .
Azar is a former drug industry lobbyist .
“ This may be a first step because we have issues that relate to unemployment insurance for people who are put out of work.
” Pelosi said as she signed the bill to send it to Trump .
“ We have only about 27 % of people in this country who have paid sick days .
So if they have to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them and their families ?
” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro , D-Conn .
The legislation comes as carping over the administration ’ s response to the outbreak is quieting down .
Lawmakers in both parties had faulted a shortage of tests for the virus and contrasting messages from Trump and his subordinates .
In an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News on Wednesday , Trump downplayed the lethality of the virus , saying the World Health Organization ’ s updated estimate of a 3.4 % death rate in coronavirus cases is “ @ @ @ @ @

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday signed an $8.3 billion measure to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak that has killed 12 people in the U.S. and infected more than 200.
The legislation provides federal public health agencies with money for vaccines, tests and potential treatments and helps state and local governments prepare and respond to the threat. The rapid spread of the virus has rocked financial markets, interrupted travel and threatens to affect everyday life in the United States.
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Trump had planned to sign the bill during a visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. But he told reporters Friday that concerns were raised about “one person who was potentially infected” who worked at the CDC. Trump said the person has since tested negative for the new virus and that he still hopes to visit the agency at some point.
The Senate passed the $8.3 billion measure Thursday to help tackle the outbreak in hopes of reassuring a fearful public and accelerating the government’s response to the virus. Its rapid spread is threatening to upend everyday life in the U.S. and across the globe.
The money would pay for a multifaceted attack on a virus that is spreading more widely every day, sending financial markets spiraling again Thursday, disrupting travel and potentially threatening the U.S. economy’s decade-long expansion.
Thursday’s sweeping 96-1 vote sends the bill to the White House for President Donald Trump’s signature. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., cast the sole “no” vote. The House passed the bill Wednesday by a 415-2 vote.
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The plan would more than triple the $2.5 billion amount outlined by the White House 10 days ago. The Trump proposal was immediately discarded by members of Congress from both parties. Instead, the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations committees negotiated the increased figure and other provisions of the legislation in a burst of bipartisan cooperation that’s common on the panel but increasingly rare elsewhere in Washington.
“In situations like this, I believe no expense should be spared to protect the American people, and in crafting this package none was,” said Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala. “It’s an aggressive plan, a vigorous plan that has received an overwhelming positive reaction.”
Trump was sure to sign the measure, which has almost universal support. It is intended to project confidence and calm as anxiety builds over the impact of the virus, which has claimed 12 lives in the U.S.
“The American people are looking for leadership and want assurance that their government is up to the task of protecting their health and safety,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.
The impact of the outbreak continues to mount. The British government is considering suspending Parliament for five months in hope of limiting the spread of the virus in the United Kingdom.
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The legislation would provide federal public health agencies money for vaccines, tests and potential treatments, including $300 million to deliver such drugs to those who need it. More than $2 billion would go to help federal, state and local governments prepare for and respond to the coronavirus threat. An additional $1.3 billion would be used to help fight the virus overseas. There’s also funding to subsidize $7 billion in small business loans.
Other dollars would be directed to help local officials prepare for the potential worsening of the outbreak and subsidize treatment by community health centers. Medicare rules would be loosened to enable remote “telehealth” consultations whereby sick people could to get treatment without visiting a doctor.
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., whose state is at the center of the crisis, praised the bill because it “will increase access for public lab testing, help pay for isolation and quarantine, help pay for sanitizing in public areas, better track the virus and those who might come into contact with it, help labs who are trying to identify hot spots, and limit exposure.”
The legislation contains a hard-won compromise that aims to protect against potential price gouging by drug manufacturers for vaccines and other medicines developed with taxpayer funds. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar would have the power to make sure commercial prices are reasonable. Azar is a former drug industry lobbyist.
Democrats said other steps may be needed if the outbreak continues to worsen.
“This may be a first step because we have issues that relate to unemployment insurance for people who are put out of work.” Pelosi said as she signed the bill to send it to Trump.
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“We have only about 27% of people in this country who have paid sick days. So if they have to go home what is going to happen to them and their families?” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn.
DeLauro said Pence responded that he would raise the issue with the president.
The bill seeks to restore $136 million that the Department of Health and Human Services cut from other accounts such as heating subsidies for the poor to battle the virus.
The legislation comes as carping over the administration’s response to the outbreak is quieting down. Lawmakers in both parties had faulted a shortage of tests for the virus and contrasting messages from Trump and his subordinates. In an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News on Wednesday, Trump downplayed the lethality of the virus, saying the World Health Organization’s updated estimate of a 3.4% death rate in coronavirus cases is “a false number.”


huffpost--2020-05-04--'Pandemic Poop' Is A Real Thing. Here's Why It Happens And How To Deal.

From how we work to how we grieve to what we do for “ fun , ” the fallout of the coronavirus has touched every aspect of our lives .
Staying at home has undoubtedly altered our routines , and for some , even the ease and comfort with which we poop has been impacted by the pandemic .
So what gives ?
If you ’ ve noticed changes in your bowel movements over the past month or so , you might be wondering why this biological function — that often comes like clockwork — has decided to get weird @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of factors that can plunge your regularity into chaos , and , unfortunately , many of the changes due to our new pandemic lifestyles have created a perfect storm for unpredictable and unfavorable poos .
To better understand exactly why such things are going on in the bathroom , HuffPost spoke with some experts on the matter .
Below are some reasons you might be experiencing what we can call nothing else besides a “ pandemic poop.
” If your sweat sessions have been cut short — or cut completely — since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not alone .
Gyms are closed , and in many parts of the country , it can feel nearly impossible to maintain 6 feet of social distance while out on a run .
This decrease in physical movement may have an effect on your bowel movements ; namely that they ’ re happening less often .
Houghton added that physical activity tends to put our bowels in motion , which is why some runners get diarrhea .
Becoming a bit more sedentary , which is somewhat unavoidable for many of us , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houghton said .
Exercise is “ a big deal ” when it comes to regularity , said Mark Donowitz , a professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine .
“ That ’ s the biggest change for a lot of people , who normally go to work and do their 10,000 steps or go to the gym — none of that is available , ” he said .
Fortunately , there are a ton of free resources and recommendations for workouts at home .
Taking your workouts to your bedroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way it was moving before isolation , but it can ’ t hurt to try .
“ Most people have figured out what ’ s good for the bowel habits they want to live with , and clearly the food is not as available , ” said Donowitz , adding that even if you have your perfect poop meals down to a science , it ’ s likely you don ’ t have the same access to that food that you previously did .
Booze can also “ be an irritant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain , bloating and reflux , ” she added .
If any of this sounds familiar , you might try reducing your consumption to see if you can find some relief .
As if all this wasn ’ t bad enough , the emotional duress can influence the state of our poop .
As Houghton put it , “ the hormones and neurotransmitters involved with stress can affect the motility of the gut and cause a multitude of symptoms , ” including cramps , diarrhea and constipation .
Woo hoo .
If things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might find relief in some over-the-counter aids .
A fiber supplement or powder can be helpful if constipation is your issue , Donowitz said , and medicines like Imodium can come in handy if diarrhea is the villain of your story .
The best thing you can do for yourself , however your body has decided to mess up your bathroom break , is to find something that provides you with some semblance of relief .
For some , that may be meditating with an app for a few minutes a day ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daytime nap or chatting on the phone with a loved one .

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From how we work to how we grieve to what we do for “fun,” the fallout of the coronavirus has touched every aspect of our lives. Staying at home has undoubtedly altered our routines, and for some, even the ease and comfort with which we poop has been impacted by the pandemic.
So what gives? If you’ve noticed changes in your bowel movements over the past month or so, you might be wondering why this biological function — that often comes like clockwork — has decided to get weird. Turns out there are a number of factors that can plunge your regularity into chaos, and, unfortunately, many of the changes due to our new pandemic lifestyles have created a perfect storm for unpredictable and unfavorable poos.
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To better understand exactly why such things are going on in the bathroom, HuffPost spoke with some experts on the matter. Below are some reasons you might be experiencing what we can call nothing else besides a “pandemic poop.”
Dermot Conlan via Getty Images
Your exercise routine has changed
If your sweat sessions have been cut short — or cut completely — since the onset of isolation, you’re not alone. Gyms are closed, and in many parts of the country, it can feel nearly impossible to maintain 6 feet of social distance while out on a run. This decrease in physical movement may have an effect on your bowel movements; namely that they’re happening less often.
“Our activity is significantly tied to bowel regularity,” Jean Marie Houghton, a gastroenterologist with UMass Memorial Health Care, told HuffPost.
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Houghton added that physical activity tends to put our bowels in motion, which is why some runners get diarrhea. Becoming a bit more sedentary, which is somewhat unavoidable for many of us, “tends to slow things down,” Houghton said.
Exercise is “a big deal” when it comes to regularity, said Mark Donowitz, a professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “That’s the biggest change for a lot of people, who normally go to work and do their 10,000 steps or go to the gym — none of that is available,” he said.
Fortunately, there are a ton of free resources and recommendations for workouts at home. Taking your workouts to your bedroom floor may not get everything back to the way it was moving before isolation, but it can’t hurt to try.
You’re eating differently
Eating at home for every meal has probably changed your diet, whether you’re snacking on tons of carbs and sweets, or subsisting on the vegetables you’ve grown from your window sill, or relying on takeout from a local restaurant.
What we eat directly impacts how we poop, so a shift in what goes in will naturally lead to a change in what comes out.
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“Most people have figured out what’s good for the bowel habits they want to live with, and clearly the food is not as available,” said Donowitz, adding that even if you have your perfect poop meals down to a science, it’s likely you don’t have the same access to that food that you previously did.
“Fresh fruits and vegetables are natural laxatives, plus they have a lot of fiber,” Donowitz continued, “so if people are not eating them, they can certainly become more constipated.”
If you’re struggling to access poop-inducing produce, remember that frozen is just as good as fresh in that regard, and many canned options can get the job done, too.
denizya via Getty Images
You’re drinking more
Quarantinis, Zoom happy hours, drinking cosmos a la Ina Garten — whatever you’re having, it’s probably having an effect on your regularity.
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“Alcohol in small amounts can speed up motility and cause diarrhea for some people, while large quantities can cause constipation,” Houghton said.
Booze can also “be an irritant to the stomach and intestines and may cause pain, bloating and reflux,” she added. If any of this sounds familiar, you might try reducing your consumption to see if you can find some relief.
You’re feeling stressed
Here’s the big one: The pandemic has turned our world upside down. We’ve been punted from our comforting routines and forced into new ones we never wanted and to which we’re still adjusting.
This “new normal” is anything but, and any attempt to acclimate, resist or to just “be” may lead to stress, anxiety, deep existential dread, lack of sleep, exhaustion, fear … you name it.
As if all this wasn’t bad enough, the emotional duress can influence the state of our poop. As Houghton put it, “the hormones and neurotransmitters involved with stress can affect the motility of the gut and cause a multitude of symptoms,” including cramps, diarrhea and constipation. Woo hoo.
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Stress, it’s important to note, may affect your regularity differently than that of your friends or family.
“It’s not one way or the other — some people have [fewer] bowel movements, some have more,” Donowitz said. “Some people will get more diarrhea, some people get more constipation.”
If things are especially rough down there, you might find relief in some over-the-counter aids. A fiber supplement or powder can be helpful if constipation is your issue, Donowitz said, and medicines like Imodium can come in handy if diarrhea is the villain of your story.
The best thing you can do for yourself, however your body has decided to mess up your bathroom break, is to find something that provides you with some semblance of relief. For some, that may be meditating with an app for a few minutes a day; for others, that may be a daytime nap or chatting on the phone with a loved one.
Many things that used to come regularly — poop and otherwise — may currently be disrupted because “a lot of our habits depend upon other cues, such as our morning coffee [or] our morning walk,” Houghton said.
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It’s unlikely that all of your routines are available right now, but hold on to what you still do have and love — pets, family, friends, a favorite TV show, a mood-boosting song, a city-wide clap for essential workers — and give yourself the space and the time to revel in them.
Your bowels will thank you.