Almost as soon as coronavirus lockdowns went into effect in March, discussion turned to mental health. It’s well-documented that natural disasters, wars and other mass traumas can lead to significant increases in population-wide psychological distress. Weeks or months of anxiety, fear, sadness and social isolation can take their toll, leading many experts to fear the U.S. would face a mental health epidemic at the same time it fought a viral pandemic.
Now, a study published today in JAMA Network Open offers one of the first nationally representative estimates of how severe that epidemic may be: Three times as many Americans met diagnostic criteria for depression during the pandemic than before it, according to the paper.
A pre-pandemic survey of about 5,000 American adults found that 8.5% of them showed strong enough signs of depression (including feeling down or hopeless; loss of interest in things that normally bring joy; low energy; trouble concentrating; or thinking about self-harm) to warrant a probable diagnosis. When researchers surveyed almost 1,500 American adults about their mental health from March to April of this year, that number rose to almost 28%. Even more people—almost an additional 25%—showed milder signs of depression.
Logically, people were more likely to suffer symptoms of depression during the pandemic if they experienced “COVID-19 stressors,” including losing a job, the death of a loved one or financial distress. People who said they had less than $5,000 in savings were also about 50% more likely to suffer from depression than wealthier people, the researchers found. In keeping with usual demographic trends, women were more likely to experience depression than men, and single people were more likely to experience depression than married couples.
But trends only go so far. Anyone—regardless of race, gender, relationship status or income—can experience mental health issues during something as traumatic as a pandemic. Small lifestyle tweaks can help. Getting enough sleep and exercise go a long way, and studies have shown that meditation and yoga can have a positive effect on psychological well-being. Social support is also crucial, even if it happens virtually.
It’s also easier than ever to seek mental health care if you need it. Teletherapy is surging in popularity during the pandemic, making it easier to see a clinician from home. If you need more immediate help, there are also hotlines that can provide support. If you or someone you know may be contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. In emergencies, call 911, or seek care from a local hospital.
More than 26 million people around the world had been sickened by COVID-19 as of 1:30 a.m. ET today, and more than 868,000 people have died. Here's where daily cases have risen or fallen over the last 14 days, shown in confirmed cases per 100,000 residents:
On Sept. 3, there were more than 273,000 new cases and 5,705 new deaths confirmed globally. Here's how the world as a whole is currently trending:
Here is every country with over 300,000 confirmed cases to date ("per cap" is number per 100,000 people):
Russia's government made news last month for approving a vaccine candidate, nicknamed Sputnik V, before it moved through phase three trials (which test how well the vaccine works in a fairly large group of people) and without any data published in a reputable journal. Now, Russian researchers have published that highly anticipated data, which adds context to the picture: in a combined phase one and two trial, two different formulations of a two-dose coronavirus vaccine produced an immune response among participants without major side effects. The study was small—only 76 people were involved—but it’s an encouraging step forward.
Despite the news out of Russia, a World Health Organization spokesperson said during a briefing today that people should not expect widespread vaccine availability until mid-2021. Vaccines must go through further safety and efficacy testing before they’re widely distributed, the spokesperson said, and health care workers and other vulnerable people will get the first doses.
The Situation in the U.S.
The U.S. had recorded more than 6.1 million coronavirus cases as of 1:30 a.m. ET today. Almost 187,000 people have died. Here's where daily cases have risen or fallen over the last 14 days, shown in confirmed cases per 100,000 residents:
On Sept. 3, there were more than 36,000 new cases and almost 1,100 new deaths confirmed in the U.S. Here's how the country as a whole is currently trending:
More than a million Americans started new jobs in August and the unemployment rate dropped to 8.4%, down from 10.2% in July, according to Labor Department data released today. Fewer jobs were added in August than in July, but the new unemployment rate is the lowest recorded in the U.S. since pandemic-related lockdowns began in March.
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said today that Congress will pass a spending bill to avoid a government shutdown this month, but that legislation will not include coronavirus relief. The news comes as Congressional Democrats and Republicans remain split on how much money to devote to pandemic relief: Democrats have called for $900 billion to bail out struggling state and local governments, while the Trump Administration proposed about $150 billion. That matter will now be settled in a separate bill.
New York City and state officials said yesterday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency cut off funding used for extra subway cleanings and supplying personal protective equipment to schools, Spectrum NY1 reports. Without FEMA’s money, the city will have to cover those supplies. “An absurd change like this one—that actually takes money away from New York that’s now being used to clean the subways or prepare schools for classes—is a slap in the face to frontline workers, vulnerable seniors and kids,” New York Senator Chuck Schumer said.
All numbers unless otherwise specified are from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering, and are accurate as of September 4, 1 a.m. eastern time. To see larger, interactive versions of these maps and charts, click here.
WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW
Is COVID-19 a Heart Disease?
As more evidence about COVID-19 emerges, it’s clear that it’s more than just a respiratory disease—doctors are growing increasingly convinced that it also does serious damage to the heart, STAT reports. Read more here.
Moderna Stock Sales Raise Eyebrows
Executives from Moderna, the Massachusetts biotech firm developing a promising COVID-19 vaccine candidate, have recently unloaded millions of dollars in company stock. NPR has the story on what that could mean. Read more here.
Labor Day Has Experts Concerned
If you’re gearing up for a three-day weekend, keep this report from CNBC in mind: Experts are worried Labor Day gatherings will lead to a spike in cases and set the country on a bad path as the weather cools and people head indoors for the fall and winter. Read more here.
But You Can Relax Safely
Along those lines, check out the Washington Post’s ideas for a safe and pleasant Labor Day Weekend—ideally outdoors, masked and at a safe distance from others. Read more here.
Note: There will be no weekend edition of the Coronavirus Brief this week. Stay safe and healthy, and we’ll see you Tuesday.
Thanks for reading. We hope you find the Coronavirus Brief newsletter to be a helpful tool to navigate this very complex situation, and welcome feedback at coronavirus.brief@time.com.
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Today's newsletter was written by Jamie Ducharme and edited by Alex Fitzpatrick.
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