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Spain Imposes Nationwide Lockdown to Fight Coronavirus Spain Imposes Nationwide Lockdown to Fight Coronavirus
(2 months later)
MADRID — Faced with a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, Spain on Saturday became the second country in Europe to impose sweeping restrictions on the public, telling everyone to stay indoors, with limited exceptions.MADRID — Faced with a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, Spain on Saturday became the second country in Europe to impose sweeping restrictions on the public, telling everyone to stay indoors, with limited exceptions.
The government said people could leave their homes to buy food, to go to work if they cannot work remotely, to seek health care, or to assist the elderly and others in need.The government said people could leave their homes to buy food, to go to work if they cannot work remotely, to seek health care, or to assist the elderly and others in need.
The government also ordered all schools, restaurants, bars and non-essential stores to close, extending measures that various regional authorities, including in Madrid and in Catalonia, had taken in recent days. Long-distance trains and buses across the country will have less frequent service.The government also ordered all schools, restaurants, bars and non-essential stores to close, extending measures that various regional authorities, including in Madrid and in Catalonia, had taken in recent days. Long-distance trains and buses across the country will have less frequent service.
“Spain is demonstrating in these critical hours that it has the capacity to overcome adversity,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain said in announcing the new measures, which he described as drastic.“Spain is demonstrating in these critical hours that it has the capacity to overcome adversity,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain said in announcing the new measures, which he described as drastic.
“We are facing very difficult weeks of efforts and sacrifices,” he warned. “Some important rights must be limited if we want to beat the virus.”“We are facing very difficult weeks of efforts and sacrifices,” he warned. “Some important rights must be limited if we want to beat the virus.”
The final victory over the coronavirus, he added, will come only “when we have a vaccine.”The final victory over the coronavirus, he added, will come only “when we have a vaccine.”
Mr. Sánchez said the government would take steps to oversee and maintain the nationwide supply of food, energy and other basic services during the 15-day lockdown, which is scheduled to begin Monday.Mr. Sánchez said the government would take steps to oversee and maintain the nationwide supply of food, energy and other basic services during the 15-day lockdown, which is scheduled to begin Monday.
On Saturday, health authorities reported a surge of 2,000 new infections, the largest daily increase in Spain since the beginning of the outbreak. The numbers suggest the country is following a curve similar to that seen in Italy, which has also imposed restrictive measures on public movement.On Saturday, health authorities reported a surge of 2,000 new infections, the largest daily increase in Spain since the beginning of the outbreak. The numbers suggest the country is following a curve similar to that seen in Italy, which has also imposed restrictive measures on public movement.
The death toll in Spain rose to more than 190 on Saturday. Over all, 6,200 people are infected.The death toll in Spain rose to more than 190 on Saturday. Over all, 6,200 people are infected.
The more restrictive measures came after increasing alarm about the upswing in cases.The more restrictive measures came after increasing alarm about the upswing in cases.
On Friday, the prime minister had warned that the number of coronavirus cases in Spain could reach 10,000 next week, given how sharply infections have been rising.On Friday, the prime minister had warned that the number of coronavirus cases in Spain could reach 10,000 next week, given how sharply infections have been rising.
On the same day, regional officials in Catalonia declared a lockdown, telling all residents to stay at home, and the authorities in the capital, Madrid, ordered all restaurants and bars to close by Saturday. Stores in Madrid were also closed.On the same day, regional officials in Catalonia declared a lockdown, telling all residents to stay at home, and the authorities in the capital, Madrid, ordered all restaurants and bars to close by Saturday. Stores in Madrid were also closed.
“We’re the new Italy,” said Francisco Gutierrez, a 33-year-old street cleaner for the city of Madrid, in an interview before the announcement of the new nationwide restrictions.“We’re the new Italy,” said Francisco Gutierrez, a 33-year-old street cleaner for the city of Madrid, in an interview before the announcement of the new nationwide restrictions.
“We don’t know how long it’s going to last,” he said, “and we don’t know how much Spain will suffer from this yet.”“We don’t know how long it’s going to last,” he said, “and we don’t know how much Spain will suffer from this yet.”
Even as the Spanish government has been stepping up its efforts to fight the coronavirus, its fractious politics and territorial tensions threatened to complicate its response.Even as the Spanish government has been stepping up its efforts to fight the coronavirus, its fractious politics and territorial tensions threatened to complicate its response.
Shortly after Mr. Sánchez announced the new measures, Pablo Casado, the leader of the main opposition Popular Party, made his own televised address, claiming that the government “has shown once more that it’s not up to the challenge.”Shortly after Mr. Sánchez announced the new measures, Pablo Casado, the leader of the main opposition Popular Party, made his own televised address, claiming that the government “has shown once more that it’s not up to the challenge.”
Mr. Casado lambasted Mr. Sánchez for acting late throughout the crisis, including on Saturday when the prime minister’s announcement was delayed by several hours.Mr. Casado lambasted Mr. Sánchez for acting late throughout the crisis, including on Saturday when the prime minister’s announcement was delayed by several hours.
On Saturday, the Madrid region, the epicenter of Spain’s coronavirus crisis, accounting for more than half of the reported cases, was already feeling the effects of restricted movement.On Saturday, the Madrid region, the epicenter of Spain’s coronavirus crisis, accounting for more than half of the reported cases, was already feeling the effects of restricted movement.
Madrid is normally one of Europe’s most bustling cities, with people filling its public parks and squares, or meeting for drinks and tapas in its thousands of bars and cafes.Madrid is normally one of Europe’s most bustling cities, with people filling its public parks and squares, or meeting for drinks and tapas in its thousands of bars and cafes.
Yet on Saturday, Madrid resembled a ghost city, as its 3.5 million residents, who normally spend much of their social life on the streets, started to follow the advice of the authorities to stay at home.Yet on Saturday, Madrid resembled a ghost city, as its 3.5 million residents, who normally spend much of their social life on the streets, started to follow the advice of the authorities to stay at home.
The train stations and main avenues were almost deserted, while some police cars patrolled the city center. Only stores providing basic services — such as supermarkets and gas stations — were allowed to stay open. People who ventured outside often headed to supermarkets to buy essential supplies.The train stations and main avenues were almost deserted, while some police cars patrolled the city center. Only stores providing basic services — such as supermarkets and gas stations — were allowed to stay open. People who ventured outside often headed to supermarkets to buy essential supplies.
Museums and other public venues closed earlier this week. The gates of Madrid’s central park, the Retiro, were shut by the police on Saturday afternoon.Museums and other public venues closed earlier this week. The gates of Madrid’s central park, the Retiro, were shut by the police on Saturday afternoon.
On the arcaded Plaza Mayor, one of the main public spaces in the heart of the city, some tourists took a last walk as they hoped to catch a flight later in the day.On the arcaded Plaza Mayor, one of the main public spaces in the heart of the city, some tourists took a last walk as they hoped to catch a flight later in the day.
“Life here is slowing down by the hour,” said Stéphanie David, a visitor from Belgium.“Life here is slowing down by the hour,” said Stéphanie David, a visitor from Belgium.
The Spanish government has only once before declared a state of emergency, in 2010, when the military was ordered to break up a wildcat strike by air traffic controllers that had paralyzed the country’s airports.The Spanish government has only once before declared a state of emergency, in 2010, when the military was ordered to break up a wildcat strike by air traffic controllers that had paralyzed the country’s airports.
A lockdown of the 7.5 million residents of Catalonia, in Spain’s northeast, was announced Friday by Quim Torra, the region’s leader, who asked the central government in Madrid to help suspend travel to and from the region by closing airports and train stations.A lockdown of the 7.5 million residents of Catalonia, in Spain’s northeast, was announced Friday by Quim Torra, the region’s leader, who asked the central government in Madrid to help suspend travel to and from the region by closing airports and train stations.
Mr. Torra said it was necessary to “restrict entrances and departures” from Catalonia, but such a demand could also fuel the debate over the territorial sharing of power in Spain.Mr. Torra said it was necessary to “restrict entrances and departures” from Catalonia, but such a demand could also fuel the debate over the territorial sharing of power in Spain.
Updated May 28, 2020
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.
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.
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
There is an uptick in people reporting symptoms of chilblains, which are painful red or purple lesions that typically appear in the winter on fingers or toes. The lesions are emerging as yet another symptom of infection with the new coronavirus. Chilblains are caused by inflammation in small blood vessels in reaction to cold or damp conditions, but they are usually common in the coldest winter months. Federal health officials do not include toe lesions in the list of coronavirus symptoms, but some dermatologists are pushing for a change, saying so-called Covid toe should be sufficient grounds for testing.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
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.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
On Saturday, the northern Basque region declared its own state of emergency, while the Basque regional leader, Íñigo Urkullu, warned against Madrid taking full control over policies like health care that are now under regional management.On Saturday, the northern Basque region declared its own state of emergency, while the Basque regional leader, Íñigo Urkullu, warned against Madrid taking full control over policies like health care that are now under regional management.
Elsewhere in Spain, the southern city of Seville canceled its Easter celebrations, an event that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.Elsewhere in Spain, the southern city of Seville canceled its Easter celebrations, an event that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
In the southeastern region of Murcia, the regional authorities put almost 400,000 residents of its coastal towns under lockdown, while warning visitors from Madrid and elsewhere to stop heading for the seaside and risk spreading the virus further.In the southeastern region of Murcia, the regional authorities put almost 400,000 residents of its coastal towns under lockdown, while warning visitors from Madrid and elsewhere to stop heading for the seaside and risk spreading the virus further.
Terminal 1 of Madrid’s airport was also almost empty on Saturday morning.Terminal 1 of Madrid’s airport was also almost empty on Saturday morning.
Among the few tourists, some said they had scrambled to rebook in order to leave Madrid earlier than scheduled, fearful that a Spanish state of emergency might close Madrid’s airport altogether, or that their airline would cancel their flight.Among the few tourists, some said they had scrambled to rebook in order to leave Madrid earlier than scheduled, fearful that a Spanish state of emergency might close Madrid’s airport altogether, or that their airline would cancel their flight.
Victor Van Leijsen, a student from the Dutch city of Breda, was preparing to depart Madrid for Brussels, alongside his twin brother. The siblings flew to Madrid on Thursday and had planned on spending a long weekend in the Spanish capital.Victor Van Leijsen, a student from the Dutch city of Breda, was preparing to depart Madrid for Brussels, alongside his twin brother. The siblings flew to Madrid on Thursday and had planned on spending a long weekend in the Spanish capital.
“We rebooked early this morning because we were afraid we could perhaps then simply not get back,” Mr. Van Leijsen said. “We really needed a weekend off, but it unfortunately got a little shorter than we planned.”“We rebooked early this morning because we were afraid we could perhaps then simply not get back,” Mr. Van Leijsen said. “We really needed a weekend off, but it unfortunately got a little shorter than we planned.”
Earlier on Saturday, as Madrid residents bought groceries and hurried back home, the authorities urged people to remain calm and maintain a one-meter distance in supermarket lines.Earlier on Saturday, as Madrid residents bought groceries and hurried back home, the authorities urged people to remain calm and maintain a one-meter distance in supermarket lines.
Yet many said they knew the worst was yet to come.Yet many said they knew the worst was yet to come.
Amuda Goueli, an Egyptian entrepreneur who lives in Madrid, said Spaniards, like other Europeans, were not psychologically prepared for the coronavirus because they had not faced such a crisis in a generation.Amuda Goueli, an Egyptian entrepreneur who lives in Madrid, said Spaniards, like other Europeans, were not psychologically prepared for the coronavirus because they had not faced such a crisis in a generation.
“There has been no war, no widespread illness and a relative state of well-being despite the economic crisis,” said Mr. Goueli, wearing a mask. “So Europeans were just not ready. We don’t know how to react.”“There has been no war, no widespread illness and a relative state of well-being despite the economic crisis,” said Mr. Goueli, wearing a mask. “So Europeans were just not ready. We don’t know how to react.”