Midmorning With Aundrea - July 24, 2020 (Part 1)

(Part 1 of 2) New research suggests that antibody sensitivity to the coronavirus may decline after only a month after exposure.

And as millions are still out of work and struggling to find groceries, new community refrigerators are popping up that offer food for free.

And one artist is painting heroic portraits of health workers on the frontlines of the pandemic

After people are infected with the novel coronavirus -- their natural immunity to the virus could decline sooner rather than later -- new research suggests.

Mandy gaither has more in today's health minute.

--reporter pkg-as follows-- antibodies are the proteins the body makes to fight infection -- the c-d-c says their presence may tell you whether you've been infected with coronavirus in the past -- but new research suggests antibody responses may start to decline within a month from the time covid-19 symptoms first emerge -- says william haseltine -- president of access health international.

Haseltine/"no there are two studies.

One from spain and one from the uk that actually measures the virus in people and the antibodies and watched the immunity decline.

That's what we're afraid of in one of the studies -- released on a medical server and not yet been peer reviewed -- the researchers say those who have a severe form of covid-19 may have longer lasting antibodies than those with mild cases -- but it's still only a matter of months before those antibodies wane.

They say the study has important implications when considering protection against re-infection -- and the durability of vaccines -- other experts point out we don't know for sure whether people can get reinfected with coronavirus.

Gupta/"if it wer true that the antibodies and protection were only lasting 20 to 30 days, i think we'd start to see some significant amounts of re- infection.

We haven't."

For today's health minute, i'm mandy gaither.

The study suggests vaccines in development will either need to generate stronger and longer lasting protection compared to natural infection -- or they may need to be given regularly.

After most musical performances were cancelled throughout the world, british scientists decided to learn more about the relationship between the coronavirus and singing.

Gwen baumgardner reports from london, where researchers are turning to a classic song for their latest study.

Researchers call it 'surgical theatre'.

Musicians wearing scrubs, a hospital room for a stage, and only on song to perform.

''happy birthday to you' its been dubbed 'the happy birthday study'- developed by reseachers at bristol university and imperial college to determine the safety of singing during a pandemic.

''we know that when you speak, much the same as when you cough and sneeze, you generate a lot of very small particles.'' the world health organization maintains that covid-19 can be transmitted through respiratory droplets.

While a 6 foot distance may protect from nearby talking and breathing, little is known about how far particles spread while singing.

''what we are calling for is more systematic research to be done in these types of settings.

It is not just how and when transmission happens.

It's the settings in which they happen.'' in this study, participants sing or play into a funnel.

Scientists then record how many particles are exhaled and the distance they travel.

Researchers say they've heard the classic tune more than 1000 times in the past few weeks.

While the study is still underway, scientists hope their findings can determine whether additional precautions are need for performers and whether governments can safely allow musical performances to return.

Allowing musical performances to return.

Allowing people to catch a tune... and nothing else.

Gwen baumgardner cbs news london.

Researchers say they chose the birthday song for the study, because it's a song everyone knows, and can be done in a variety of octaves and styles.

Much like the airlines, america's passenger railroad amtrak is facing the worst economic disaster in its history.

An unprecedented drop in demand is forcing service cuts and furloughs.

Kris van cleave took a ride to see what has changed.

Pkg all aboard doesn't amount to much these days& the pandemic has flattened amtrak ridership.

On our quick half hour trip from washington to baltimore& joshua bailey was one of the handful onboard.

It hasn't been packed at all so that's a good thing amtrak is capping ridership at 50% for distancing and requiring masks for all on board.

Plexiglass barriers have been added in the caf?

Car and in the stations.

His is a five car train, two of them are almost completely empty.

In fact amtrak says ridership is down in the range of 85% the biggest change you probably won't see is amtrak's new cleaning protocol.

The trains are disinfected at the end of trips.

They have air filters and circulate cabin air 40 to 50 times an hour--completely replacing the air in a car every four to five minutes.

We have now focused more so on making sure handles, seats, tables, bathrooms, contact points, are all cleaned this was supposed to be the year amtrak broke even for the first time in its 49 year history.

But&by the time new ceo bill flynn officially started in april, ridership was in freefall--down 97 percent& kvc how concerned are you that some of your customers don't come back?

áá bf i think that's a question everyone in transportation is asking themselves today amtrak now expects next year's ridership to be cut in half.

Forcing the furlough 20% of its workforce by october.

It's part of an effort to slash costs by 500- million dollars while asking the federal government which subsidizes the railroad for more than 3.5 billion to weather the pandemic next year.

Amtrak has required masks since may.

The railroad says compliance has been high but passengers who dont can be denied boarding or asked to get off at the next stop.

Kris van cleave, cbs news, washington.

Amtrak has already reduced service and will cut most long haul train service from daily to a few trips per week in october.

Intro centered first it was toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

But since the coronavirus has continued there have been shortages for many other products including some unexpected ones.

Vladimir duthiers takes a look.

Pkg pkg armel possi is driving back to maryland from pennsylvania..

A two hour journey with his brother hyacinth..

In search of lumber.

That's right..

Lumber.

"it's kind o frustrating having to drive around not being able to find what you need..."

Frustrating because of this... a fencing that's still unfinished..

"so i'm at hom depot you can see most of the shelves are empty..."

...and lumber... nowhere to be found.

All over the country&the need for lumber is on the rise as restaurants are turning sidewalks and parking spots into outdoor dining havens ... though wood is not the only item flying off the shelves.

I tried to get a new bike as well and they told me i'd have to preorder and it would be at least september.

From pools of all sizes... "...i have a two yea old at home, just trying to survive."

..to coins..

And even puppies..

There has been a nationwide shortage of some very unexpected items... sunil chopra is a professor at northwestern university.

What covid19 has done is provide a shock to the system that these manufacturers did not anticipate?

Absolutely!

It has provided a ádemand shocká to the system // people who otherwise would not have bought those puzzles are buying puzzles now.

So you have a sudden surge in demand which most suppliers are just not prepared for.

A recent survey found that 97 percent of organizations reported a disruption due to the pandemic.

Fewer supplies combined with a boom in demand.

In the short term, this does cause significant disruption.

A disruption that armel and his brother now have to deal with... as they continue their cross-state pursuit..

For that perfect backyard.

I spoke to some restaurant owners over the weekend, where they have built those extensions with lumber, took them weeks to procure from multiple suppliers.

With more and more restaurants opting for outdoor dining just to survive this pandemic, the demand for those wooden planks and fencing will keep going higher and higher.

Vladimir duthiers, cbs news, new york.

You've heard of community pantries.

But one are is taking it to a new level.

That story ahead on mid morning.

With millions of americans out of work, many families are being forced to go hungry.

But there's a new movement spreading across the country: "communit refrigerators," offering healthy food- for free.

Michael george introduces us to the good samaritans helping feed families in need.

Pkg anyone who said "there's no suc thing as a free lunch" has neve been to the corner of 242nd and broadway in the bronx.

That's where you'll spot this colorful fridge put here by partners sara allen and selma raven.

"it's a way o putting food that's accessible to anyone that needs it during this time."

Natsot- people stocking fridge it's called a "community fridge.

People fill it with free, healthy food- at a time when so many families are struggling.

"you see the need you see the real need.

People are still not making ends meet."

This year 54 million americans, including 18 million children, could lack steady access to food.

Nick garcia just lost his job as a painter, and this little fridge has been a lifeline for him.

"words can't eve explain how helpful this is for me personally.

I'm going through a struggle//it's really saved my life."

And now that word is spreading - people are ling up to help.

Selma "this woman here she calls us and she makes pasta and rice and brings it twice a week."

This bar, "the las stop," offere their outlet to keep the fridge running 24-7& frank betts, who lost his own job due to the pandemic- brought what he could to restock the fridge.

"when i saw this o tv i said i gotta be a part of it.

I've gotta start donating what i have."

"take what yo need, leave what you can."

It's simple idea, but one that's grown beyond anyone's expectation."

New york already has more than a dozen community fridges with more on the way.

They're popping up in other cities, like this one in long beach, california.

"clearly, it' speaking volumes to the necessity of access to fresh food and free food."

They're all independently run&it's a true "community effort.

"it's very ver heartening.

It's very very heartening."

"we were just block of people.

But now, it's a community.

It really is."

Neighbors helping neighbors.

One meal at a time.

Michael george, cbs news, new york.

Tag sara and selma say if you want to help, check to see if there's a community fridge in your area.

And food banks and shelters need donations more than ever.

Thousands of pounds of catfish--and it was all free.

"catfish express from inverness, mississippi brought this truckload of whole catfish to columbus this week to give away to the public.

The truck was parked at st.

James united church on military road this afternoon, loaded with more than 8- thousand pounds of catfish.

People lined up with coolers, trashbags, and buckets for an easy catch.

Catfish farmer leigh holland partnered with a local minister for the giveaway.

When we come back, one artist looks behind the mask.

His th there is simply no way to fully repay the medical workers on the frontline of the pandemic.

But cbs's steve hartman found someone who's saying thank you, in his own way.

Here's "on th road."

When steve derrick of clifton park, new york paints a portrait, there's no such thing as a touch- up.

He includes every bruise, bag and blood vessel.

Bite steve derrick "steve hartman you're not capturing them at their best moment.

Steve derrick: i think i am.

Steve hartman: oh, interesting.

Steve derrick: that's when they're strongest - not when everything is rainbows and butterflies behind them."

Indeed, the only thing áhisá subjects have behind them - is a 12-hour hospital shift.

In the paintings, you see the marks from their masks - the fight in their eyes - and the admiration the artist has for all of them.

When this pandemic began, steve says he wanted to do something as a thank you to those on the front lines - so the amateur artist spent hours in his basement painting tributes to these warriors.

Std-up / so far he's done about a hundred portraits - many nurses here at albany medical center in albany, new york.

And although steve refuses payment of any kind, he says he's gotten very rich in another way.

Bite steve derrick "right her .

That's the payment.

That's the reason i do it.

I& ."

Wealthy beyond words.

Steve says he has been overwhelmed by the impact his painting have had on his subjects - like albany med e-r nurse michelle hanna.

Bite michele "yo know it doesn't make me look glamorous by any stretch of the imagination but it makes me look like who and what i am and what i was doing."

Nat steve and michele meeting in gallery michele recently stopped by to meet steve and check- out an exhibit of his work at the albany center gallery.

Nat michele "thes are amazing."

She was deeply moved by the art& nat michele continued "it's the mos beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me."

&but even more so, by the artist - and his large-scale generosity.

When this show is over, steve will be giving away every portrait to the person in it.

A forever mirror - reflecting that time in their lives - when they were at their most beautiful.

Steve hartman, on the road, in albany, new york.

They have a certain sound.

And now you can hear it again.

The