The New York Times asked Radhika Kumar, a contact tracer for California Connected, an ambitious effort by the state to track people who have been infected with or exposed to the coronavirus, to keep a log of her interactions over the course of a day’s work.
“Some days are good, and then you have some challenging days!!” she wrote in an email. “Today was a good day despite not being able to get hold of everyone. Tomorrow will bring another set of adventures.”
Ms. Kumar recorded the number of times she attempted to contact each person, whether they were willing to provide her with a list of contacts who may have been exposed, and a summary of her conversations. The people in the cases below were all first contacted on July 28, though in some cases, follow-up conversations with a case extended to the next day.
Case 1
Two attempted calls.
Case and partner were positive. Case provided partner’s information, but is not sure how they were infected other than maybe from the gym or grocery store. Stated that he went to the gym for the 2 weeks when they opened, did take precautions to sanitize hands and use mask.
Case 2
Two attempted calls.
Telephone call at 11 a.m. Unable to complete interview since case had a “work call” to attend to. Telephone call on 7/29 at 10 a.m. to conduct interview. Case stated that roommate has tested positive, but not sure about exposure. Denied any other contacts outside of household. Case thinks exposure may be from going to the beach, and denied any other contact/exposure. Case provided roommate information to be contacted by Contact Tracer.
Case 3
One attempted call.
Call answered by spouse. Stated case, and son, work as independent painters. Unsure of how may have been exposed or infected. Spouse stated usually they work at homes that are not occupied. Discussed various ways of contact from work areas to grocery stores. Grocery store is a possibility. Able to add household contacts who have tested negative.
Case 4
One attempted call.
Most likely exposed at work. Works as an electrician and was told of exposure from work. Case began to self-quarantine until started to feel symptoms. Currently self-isolating at home. Household contacts were added. Reemphasized the importance of notifying close contacts to self-quarantine to stop infection. Case requested additional information via email.
Case 5
Seven attempted calls.
Left voice message at 9:16 a.m., and again at 2:05 p.m. Able to contact patient at 3:25 p.m. and call dropped mid-interview. Case was anxious about getting “excuse” for work. Reassured that Health Officer Order may be of assistance. Called back and voice message again. 7/29 Checked work voice mail and have a message from case. Telephone call on 7/29 at 10:44 a.m. and left message. Attempted to connect with case and left message at 11:56 a.m. Attempted to contact case at 2:07 p.m. and left voice message. Attempted to contact case at 4:02 p.m. and left message.
Case 6
Five attempted calls.
Left voice message at 9:19 a.m. and again at 2:07 p.m.; telephone call on 7/29 at 10:48 a.m. and left voice message. Attempted to contact case at 2:21 p.m. and left voice message. Attempted to contact case at 3:50 p.m. and left voice message.
Case 7
Four attempted calls.
Left voice message at 10:54 a.m., and again at 2:13 p.m. Telephone call on 7/29 and left voice message. Attempted to contact case at 2:25 p.m. and left voice message. Telephone call to case at 3:52 p.m. and left voice message.
The Coronavirus Outbreak ›
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated August 6, 2020
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Why are bars linked to outbreaks?
- Think about a bar. Alcohol is flowing. It can be loud, but it’s definitely intimate, and you often need to lean in close to hear your friend. And strangers have way, way fewer reservations about coming up to people in a bar. That’s sort of the point of a bar. Feeling good and close to strangers. It’s no surprise, then, that bars have been linked to outbreaks in several states. Louisiana health officials have tied at least 100 coronavirus cases to bars in the Tigerland nightlife district in Baton Rouge. Minnesota has traced 328 recent cases to bars across the state. In Idaho, health officials shut down bars in Ada County after reporting clusters of infections among young adults who had visited several bars in downtown Boise. Governors in California, Texas and Arizona, where coronavirus cases are soaring, have ordered hundreds of newly reopened bars to shut down. Less than two weeks after Colorado’s bars reopened at limited capacity, Gov. Jared Polis ordered them to close.
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I have antibodies. Am I now immune?
- As of right now, that seems likely, for at least several months. There have been frightening accounts of people suffering what seems to be a second bout of Covid-19. But experts say these patients may have a drawn-out course of infection, with the virus taking a slow toll weeks to months after initial exposure. People infected with the coronavirus typically produce immune molecules called antibodies, which are protective proteins made in response to an infection. These antibodies may last in the body only two to three months, which may seem worrisome, but that’s perfectly normal after an acute infection subsides, said Dr. Michael Mina, an immunologist at Harvard University. It may be possible to get the coronavirus again, but it’s highly unlikely that it would be possible in a short window of time from initial infection or make people sicker the second time.
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I’m a small-business owner. Can I get relief?
- The stimulus bills enacted in March offer help for the millions of American small businesses. Those eligible for aid are businesses and nonprofit organizations with fewer than 500 workers, including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and freelancers. Some larger companies in some industries are also eligible. The help being offered, which is being managed by the Small Business Administration, includes the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. But lots of folks have not yet seen payouts. Even those who have received help are confused: The rules are draconian, and some are stuck sitting on money they don’t know how to use. Many small-business owners are getting less than they expected or not hearing anything at all.
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What are my rights if I am worried about going back to work?
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What is school going to look like in September?
- It is unlikely that many schools will return to a normal schedule this fall, requiring the grind of online learning, makeshift child care and stunted workdays to continue. California’s two largest public school districts — Los Angeles and San Diego — said on July 13, that instruction will be remote-only in the fall, citing concerns that surging coronavirus infections in their areas pose too dire a risk for students and teachers. Together, the two districts enroll some 825,000 students. They are the largest in the country so far to abandon plans for even a partial physical return to classrooms when they reopen in August. For other districts, the solution won’t be an all-or-nothing approach. Many systems, including the nation’s largest, New York City, are devising hybrid plans that involve spending some days in classrooms and other days online. There’s no national policy on this yet, so check with your municipal school system regularly to see what is happening in your community.
Case 8
Two attempted calls.
Left voice message at 11:08 a.m. Attempted to contact case and able to conduct interview after lunch. Case is an elderly lady who lives alone. Tested positive prior to a medical procedure. Assured me that her family is doing the “right thing” to stop the spread by testing and “cleaning everything.” Case was very thankful for the phone call, and listened attentively, but was adamant about NOT providing contact information.
Case 9
Two attempted calls.
Called case on 7/28 and left message at 11:17 a.m. Attempted to call patient at 2:10 p.m. Voice mail for case is in Spanish, more likely that case is fluent in Spanish. Indicated that we are able to provide translation, if needed, on second voice message at 2:10 p.m. Asked for assistance from Supervisor to reassign case to Spanish-speaking colleague.
Case 10
One attempted call.
Case is middled aged, lives with family. Case works as an independent construction worker. Last day of work was 7/17. One other family member and case is positive in household of 6. Case is more comfortable in Spanish, so assistance from other positive case was appreciated. Stated that family member who tested positive may have been exposed at work in warehouse. Four members of household are negative and self-quarantined separately. Negative members have not tested, nor have symptoms.
Case 11
One attempted call.
Family member of case #11. May have been exposed at workplace. Able to add other household members who have not tested nor have symptoms. Was not comfortable to provide individual cell number, and preferred to have case #11 cell number since they live in same household. Case was gracious enough to help with some contact information, and able to gain essential information to and connect to positive cases.
Case notes have been condensed and edited.