The Latest: stimulus relief, vitamin D rumors, and climbing cases
Dear Reader,
“We’re all in this together” is a common refrain today. Cities, states, and nations worldwide are relying on individuals to do their part to help control the pandemic. Personal stories are powerful right now. Like the women giving birth during the pandemic, the grocery store manager working seven days a week, and the Crisis Text Line counselor responding to an uptick in anxiety. As a reminder, you can share your own story on Medium, too.
What’s New:
- Stimulus bill passed: The House passed the $2 trillion economic rescue package. It is now sent to Trump for his signature. Want to know if you get relief? Read here.
- The U.S. is the epicenter: The United States now leads the world in the most confirmed cases of coronavirus. As of Friday at 2:10 p.m. EDT, there are 94,238 confirmed cases stateside.
- Leaders in quarantine: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for Covid-19.
- Workers need aid: A record 3.28 million people have filed for unemployment benefits. The industries most impacted include hotels, airlines, restaurants, and automakers.
- Curry asked the tough questions: If you missed NBA star Steph Curry’s interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci, we have the most important takeaways.
Follow our Medium Coronavirus Blog for regular updates. You can expect this newsletter every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
We’ve curated some essential stories below. And by the way, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, here’s a science-backed way to take control.
Be well,
Alexandra Sifferlin
Editor, Medium Coronavirus Blog
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A Quick Q&A:
Does vitamin D protect against coronavirus?
Now that most people are sheltering in place, we’re probably getting even less vitamin D from sun exposure than before, so in theory, taking a vitamin D supplement makes sense. One 2017 meta-analysis reported people who took daily or weekly vitamin D reduced their risk of developing a respiratory tract infection. However, the benefit was only found in people who were vitamin D deficient; if people were not deficient, there was no benefit. (There has been no research on vitamin D and Covid-19, specifically.)
What’s the verdict? If you’re worried about your vitamin D levels or been told by a doctor you’re deficient, taking a supplement makes sense (though now is probably not the time to get tested). Taking vitamin D isn’t an excuse not to be obsessive about hand-washing and adhere to social distancing. — Dana Smith, senior writer, Elemental
Essential How-Tos and Explainers:
How to Clean Your Home During the Coronavirus, According to Doctors
A Lost Sense of Smell: All About the Strangest New Coronavirus Symptom
How ‘Cognitive Reframing’ Can Get You Through the Pandemic
Coronavirus Does Not Spare the Young
How to Stay Motivated to Exercise While Self-Isolating
Tough Questions — Answered
Can You Get Coronavirus Twice?
In the Time of Covid-19, Ventilators Are Scarce. How Do We Decide Who Gets Them?
How Will We Know When the COVID-19 Pandemic is Getting Better?
6 Smart Reads:
These Attorneys Would Love to Help You Sue China Over the Coronavirus
A Free Email Service Broke the News of the Coronavirus in 2019
I Work at Rikers Island and Have Urgent Questions About My Health
Hundreds of Volunteers Are Working to Create Open-Source Ventilators to Fight Coronavirus
Inside the Story of How H-E-B Planned for the Pandemic (Texas Monthly)
Emails Show How Chaos at the CDC Slowed the Early Response to Coronavirus (ProPublica)
