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Today we find ourselves in the midst of a global health challenge that is changing by the minute.
Reporting from Wuhan to Washington, TIME journalists have been deeply focused on the science, policy and personal health implications of the crisis.
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Curious about what you'll be receiving in The Coronavirus Brief? Here are some recent stories from the newsletter.
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
A Plea from Doctors: Stop Buying Face Masks
The messages from health officials couldn’t be clearer: healthy people do not need to—and in fact shouldn’t—wear face masks to protect against coronavirus, since they won’t keep the germs that cause the respiratory illness at bay. And yet, as COVID-19 continues its spread throughout the world, face masks are becoming an increasingly regular sight.
Why, at a time when people are desperate for any and all advice on coronavirus, are they ignoring some of the only concrete guidance out there?
TIME senior health writer Mandy Oaklander, who reported our story on the psychology of wearing face masks, thinks it’s evidence that “people are really operating from a place of fear, which is totally understandable.” The disease-prevention behaviors recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as washing your hands regularly and keeping your distance from sick people, seem “too easy to be effective,” Oaklander says.
There’s another reason not to stock up on protective gear, which U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams articulated in no uncertain terms. “They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!” Adams told his more than 600,000 Twitter followers on Feb. 29. Read the rest of the article here.
TODAY’S CORONAVIRUS OUTLOOK
As of Sunday, the number of countries, areas and territories reporting COVID-19 cases passed 100.
The number of people infected worldwide surpassed 110,000 and more than 3,800 people have died. Among the newest countries reporting confirmed cases are Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Maldives and Malta. Here’s every country and territory that has reported at least one case of COVID-19:
The coronavirus outbreak struck global stock markets hard on Monday as the main stock index in London and Frankfurt dropped by more than 8% at the opening. Trading temporarily halted on Wall Street. Oil prices took a hit too with the benchmark U.S. crude price dropping by as much as 30%.
WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW
Here’s What It Actually Means to Self-Quarantine
COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have surpassed 200, and thousands more Americans have been directed to isolate themselves due to possible exposure to the virus. But if you’re told to self-quarantine, what do you actually have to do? Read more here.
Should You Cancel Your Travel Plans?
Many airlines have suspended travel to certain airports around the world, but there currently aren’t any domestic travel warnings in the U.S. One expert tells TIME the “sensible” thing to do is stay home. Read more here.
What About Going to the Gym?
Anxiety about communal spaces is increasing, and many gyms have sent out notices to their customers to help ease that worry. But one expert tells TIME gyms aren’t necessarily riskier than other places. Read more here.
Voting in the Time of Coronavirus
State officials, worried how COVID-19 might affect voter turnout and public health during upcoming presidential primary elections, are issuing new guidelines for poll-goers. Read more here.
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