We share stories of crisis, community and kindness
“When you’re on an exponential curve every moment is dangerous,” National Institutes of Health director Francis Collins told USA TODAY. “This is a particularly critical moment for us...”
That’s exactly what our reporting shows.
London-based reporter Kim Hjelmgaard and graphic journalist Jim Sergent analyzed reported coronavirus cases by country, starting when each country reached 100 cases, a sign of community spread.
What they found: “America’s trajectory is trending toward Italy’s, where circumstances are dire. U.S. officials are sounding the alarm, urging Americans to heed what federal, state and local officials are asking of them in order to curtail the spread and dampen the impact of the virus on the U.S. population.”
What makes this more alarming: Italy’s death count surpassed China’s midday Thursday.
You have questions and need accurate, science-based answers. We have mobilized the USA TODAY Network to bring you the news you need.
New York is leading in cases. What about the other states?
Graphic journalists Mitchell Thorson, and Janie Haseman did an analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
They found that many states, such as New Jersey, Colorado, Florida, and Louisiana, are on a similar trajectory to New York already.
And, they reported, it’s important to remember that “the exponential nature of the growth of viruses like coronavirus means that the trajectory, or curve, of the number of people who have COVID-19 is even more important than the total number when trying to understand the potential risks of the outbreak.”
They created a graphic for every state, so you can see where your state is on the curve. If you’re following the curve of a place like New York or Washington, your situation could become more dire without immediate preventative measures. The growth of cases could be a sign of an increase in testing, but such a rate is still alarming.
Will there be enough hospital beds for all who fall seriously ill?
A USA TODAY analysis by Jayme Fraser and Matt Wynn shows that if we see a major spike, there could be almost six seriously ill patients for every existing hospital bed. “That analysis, based on data from the American Hospital Association, U.S. census, CDC and World Health Organization, is conservative,” they reported. “For example, it assumes all 790,000 beds will be empty.”
We know you’re seeing differing reports or claims on social media. You need to know what is true.
Our new fact check team is diving into the myths and realities of the coronavirus. Here are just two of the claims trending on social media that we checked out this week:
The claim: The virus started outside of China.
The finding: False.
“The consensus among experts researching the virus places the beginning of its spread at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China,” reported Matthew Brown.
The claim: Using ibuprofen when you have coronavirus can make symptoms worse
The finding: Not enough information.
“Until there is better data and a widespread consensus among health professionals, you should be skeptical of reports making blanket claims on the matter. Because there are potential side effects with both acetaminophen and ibuprofen, patients may need to call a doctor to discuss their treatment options. Fevers help the body fight infections, so a doctor can provide advice about which medication you should take or whether you should take medication at all.”
You also need to know that you’re
not alone. You need moments of hope, of kindness, of community as well.
We do, too.
Detroit Free Press reporter Gina Kaufman self-quarantined this week after attending a conference where another attendee tested positive for the virus. Her husband, Brian Kaufman, a Free Press documentary director, was home as well.
Out her kitchen window, she noticed a sweet scene.
“It was a group of five people,” Gina said. “It looked like two of them were holding hands. It clicked instantly, ‘Oh, they’re getting married.’ ”
Brian got out his long lens and started taking pictures.
Gina texted her editor who replied, Can you “shout” interview them? and “Can you ask them to wait?”
So, Gina says, “I just sort of opened the kitchen window and yelled, “Excuse me.”
The couple stopped and talked to Gina, from about 50 feet away, until another reporter, Joe Guillen, could arrive and finish the interview.
This is what she wrote: “With spring just days away, April Moses and Dormon Page stood in the middle of a city park, a stone’s throw from the pavilion and swing set, and committed themselves to one another. The couple were wed in an impromptu ceremony Monday at Geary Park in Ferndale before two witnesses and an officiant.
“Marriage, in a time of uncertainty.”