'In Egypt, Tourists Torn Between Ancient Temples and Coronavirus Tests' diff viewer (17/18)

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In Egypt, Tourists Torn Between Ancient Temples and Coronavirus Tests	In Egypt, Tourists Torn Between Ancient Temples and Coronavirus Tests
2020-06-23 14:18:42 UTC	2020-06-23 20:57:14 UTC (about 7 hours later)
CAIRO — When tourists in Luxor woke up on Monday to find themselves confined to their hotels or cruise ships on the Nile, it seemed that Egypt was taking extreme measures to confront the coronavirus in the ancient town at the heart of its tourism industry.	CAIRO — When tourists in Luxor woke up on Monday to find themselves confined to their hotels or cruise ships on the Nile, it seemed that Egypt was taking extreme measures to confront the coronavirus in the ancient town at the heart of its tourism industry.
Government doctors were sent out to test visitors, hoping to stop the spread of the illness. Yet only a fraction of people ended up getting tested, and even before any of the results came back, business quickly returned to normal — with tourists unleashed en masse to visit the town’s fabled temples.	Government doctors were sent out to test visitors, hoping to stop the spread of the illness. Yet only a fraction of people ended up getting tested, and even before any of the results came back, business quickly returned to normal — with tourists unleashed en masse to visit the town’s fabled temples.
The contradictory and often chaotic approach in Luxor reflects a major dilemma facing Egyptian officials: Can the government continue to welcome cash-carrying visitors at the same time it tries to battle a looming public health crisis in the jewel of its tourism industry?	The contradictory and often chaotic approach in Luxor reflects a major dilemma facing Egyptian officials: Can the government continue to welcome cash-carrying visitors at the same time it tries to battle a looming public health crisis in the jewel of its tourism industry?
Luxor, home to the iconic Valley of the Kings and King Tutankhamen’s tomb, is now the center of the country’s coronavirus outbreak. On Friday and Saturday, 45 passengers and crew members aboard a riverboat, the A Sara, tested positive for the virus and were taken by military air transport to an isolation unit at a hospital on Egypt’s north coast.	Luxor, home to the iconic Valley of the Kings and King Tutankhamen’s tomb, is now the center of the country’s coronavirus outbreak. On Friday and Saturday, 45 passengers and crew members aboard a riverboat, the A Sara, tested positive for the virus and were taken by military air transport to an isolation unit at a hospital on Egypt’s north coast.
With the outbreak unfolding, Egypt’s tourism minister visited one of Luxor’s temples on Sunday to declare that it was safe and open to visitors.	With the outbreak unfolding, Egypt’s tourism minister visited one of Luxor’s temples on Sunday to declare that it was safe and open to visitors.
“Thank God, people are here,” the minister, Khaled el-Enany, said at the Karnak temple, where tourists lined up to enter.	“Thank God, people are here,” the minister, Khaled el-Enany, said at the Karnak temple, where tourists lined up to enter.
Beside him, Egypt’s health minister, Hala Zayed, warned people not to “exaggerate” about the scale of the crisis. “We will get through this together,” she said	Beside him, Egypt’s health minister, Hala Zayed, warned people not to “exaggerate” about the scale of the crisis. “We will get through this together,” she said
But even as they spoke, the cruise boat at the center of the outbreak was docked at a nearby riverbank — with 136 people quarantined on board — stoking fears that Egypt could be on the verge of a major problem.	But even as they spoke, the cruise boat at the center of the outbreak was docked at a nearby riverbank — with 136 people quarantined on board — stoking fears that Egypt could be on the verge of a major problem.
The sense of urgency heightened on Sunday night, when a 60-year-old German tourist died at a hospital in the Red Sea resort Hurghada — Egypt’s first fatality. The tourist had come from Luxor.	The sense of urgency heightened on Sunday night, when a 60-year-old German tourist died at a hospital in the Red Sea resort Hurghada — Egypt’s first fatality. The tourist had come from Luxor.
The contrasting scenes in Luxor in recent days illustrated the country’s precarious balancing act in the face of the outbreak: Even as doctors administered tests on Monday, they did not want to get in the way of anyone’s vacation.	The contrasting scenes in Luxor in recent days illustrated the country’s precarious balancing act in the face of the outbreak: Even as doctors administered tests on Monday, they did not want to get in the way of anyone’s vacation.
Yara Ahmed, an Egyptian journalist at a film festival in Luxor, said that of the 400 people at her hotel, only 10 were tested. And once those tests were administered, everyone was allowed to leave immediately — even the people who had been tested.	Yara Ahmed, an Egyptian journalist at a film festival in Luxor, said that of the 400 people at her hotel, only 10 were tested. And once those tests were administered, everyone was allowed to leave immediately — even the people who had been tested.
“People got angry and said, ‘We should all be tested,’” Ms. Ahmed said by phone. “The doctors said, ‘That’s all we can do, and if you don’t like it, complain to the ministry.’”	“People got angry and said, ‘We should all be tested,’” Ms. Ahmed said by phone. “The doctors said, ‘That’s all we can do, and if you don’t like it, complain to the ministry.’”
At best, such a testing strategy would indicate if the coronavirus has spread from the infected ship onto Egypt’s shore, said Dr. Cyrus Shahpar of Vital Strategies, a global public health organization.	At best, such a testing strategy would indicate if the coronavirus has spread from the infected ship onto Egypt’s shore, said Dr. Cyrus Shahpar of Vital Strategies, a global public health organization.
“But it’s not a containment strategy, because you’re not containing anyone,” he said.	“But it’s not a containment strategy, because you’re not containing anyone,” he said.
Until Friday, Egypt had just three declared coronavirus cases, one of the lowest rates in the Middle East. On Monday night, it said it had 59 cases, most on the ship in Luxor, and there is deep uncertainty about how widely the virus has spread into a country of 100 million people.	Until Friday, Egypt had just three declared coronavirus cases, one of the lowest rates in the Middle East. On Monday night, it said it had 59 cases, most on the ship in Luxor, and there is deep uncertainty about how widely the virus has spread into a country of 100 million people.
But already, Luxor has become a hub for transmitting the coronavirus to other countries.	But already, Luxor has become a hub for transmitting the coronavirus to other countries.
In the past week or so, at least 29 tourists who visited Egypt in February tested positive after returning home. The infected tourists are mostly American and French, and several of them traveled on the A Sara, the Nile cruiser now quarantined at Luxor.	In the past week or so, at least 29 tourists who visited Egypt in February tested positive after returning home. The infected tourists are mostly American and French, and several of them traveled on the A Sara, the Nile cruiser now quarantined at Luxor.
The World Health Organization says that the virus came to the boat via a Taiwanese-American woman who left Egypt on Feb. 1. Egypt says it did not learn of her infection until March 1, and the first infected crew members were discovered on the A Sara on March 6.	The World Health Organization says that the virus came to the boat via a Taiwanese-American woman who left Egypt on Feb. 1. Egypt says it did not learn of her infection until March 1, and the first infected crew members were discovered on the A Sara on March 6.
Even so, some Egyptians are skeptical that their government is telling them the truth.	Even so, some Egyptians are skeptical that their government is telling them the truth.
Under the nation’s authoritarian president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the news media has been largely muzzled, and the government has repeatedly hidden the truth to avoid international embarrassment or censure, such as when it refused to admit that an Islamic State bomb brought down a Russian jetliner over Sinai in 2015.	Under the nation’s authoritarian president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the news media has been largely muzzled, and the government has repeatedly hidden the truth to avoid international embarrassment or censure, such as when it refused to admit that an Islamic State bomb brought down a Russian jetliner over Sinai in 2015.
This time, officials insist they are being transparent. The health ministry says that it has conducted 2,166 tests and that it is working closely with the World Health Organization to track down anyone who has come in contact with an infected person.	This time, officials insist they are being transparent. The health ministry says that it has conducted 2,166 tests and that it is working closely with the World Health Organization to track down anyone who has come in contact with an infected person.
One reason populous countries like Egypt and Indonesia may have low virus rates so far, Dr. Shahpar said, is because they lack the resources or health care systems to test on the scale of nations like South Korea or Italy.	One reason populous countries like Egypt and Indonesia may have low virus rates so far, Dr. Shahpar said, is because they lack the resources or health care systems to test on the scale of nations like South Korea or Italy.
~~Luxor is a site of ancient wonders of enduring fascination to foreigners, but its centrality to the nation’s tourism industry has left it vulnerable before.~~
Updated June 22, 2020	Updated June 22, 2020
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.	A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.	The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.	The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.	If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
	Luxor is a site of ancient wonders of enduring fascination to foreigners, but its centrality to the nation’s tourism industry has left it vulnerable before.
The town was the site of a terrorist massacre in 1997, when Islamist militants sprayed gunfire at tourists outside a temple, killing 62 people. The stated goal of the attackers was to inflict major economic damage on Egypt by choking its tourist industry.	The town was the site of a terrorist massacre in 1997, when Islamist militants sprayed gunfire at tourists outside a temple, killing 62 people. The stated goal of the attackers was to inflict major economic damage on Egypt by choking its tourist industry.