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Eurovision Song Contest Is Canceled Over Coronavirus Concerns Eurovision Song Contest Is Canceled Over Coronavirus Concerns
(32 minutes later)
LONDON — The Eurovision Song Contest — Europe’s longest-running, most popular and perhaps its campiest talent competition — has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.LONDON — The Eurovision Song Contest — Europe’s longest-running, most popular and perhaps its campiest talent competition — has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Over the past few weeks we have explored many alternative options to allow the Eurovision Song Contest to go ahead,” the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the event, said in a statement on Twitter on Wednesday. But no solution worked, it added: “It is impossible to continue with the live event as planned.”“Over the past few weeks we have explored many alternative options to allow the Eurovision Song Contest to go ahead,” the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the event, said in a statement on Twitter on Wednesday. But no solution worked, it added: “It is impossible to continue with the live event as planned.”
The final of this year’s contest, which would have involved acts from 41 countries, was scheduled to be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on May 16. The country, like much of Europe, is on lockdown in an effort to curtail the virus.The final of this year’s contest, which would have involved acts from 41 countries, was scheduled to be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on May 16. The country, like much of Europe, is on lockdown in an effort to curtail the virus.
This year will be the first time the competition — known for its over-the-top acts — has not taken place since it started in 1956, said Chris West, the author of a book on the history of Eurovision.This year will be the first time the competition — known for its over-the-top acts — has not taken place since it started in 1956, said Chris West, the author of a book on the history of Eurovision.
Some countries have chosen not to take part in the competition before, West said in a telephone interview. Turkey has boycotted Eurovision since 2013, when it expressed dissatisfaction with the voting rules. In 2018, the head of Turkey’s public broadcaster said the boycott was also partly because some past winners, including the drag queen Conchita Wurst, had gone against Turkey’s social values.Some countries have chosen not to take part in the competition before, West said in a telephone interview. Turkey has boycotted Eurovision since 2013, when it expressed dissatisfaction with the voting rules. In 2018, the head of Turkey’s public broadcaster said the boycott was also partly because some past winners, including the drag queen Conchita Wurst, had gone against Turkey’s social values.
Eurovision is mainly a television spectacle, with people around Europe — and to a lesser extent in Australia and the United States — gathering for viewing parties and casting telephone votes to choose the winner. Juries representing each country also contribute.Eurovision is mainly a television spectacle, with people around Europe — and to a lesser extent in Australia and the United States — gathering for viewing parties and casting telephone votes to choose the winner. Juries representing each country also contribute.
Last year’s contest, won by the Dutch singer Duncan Laurence, was watched live by over 180 million people. Thousands of fans also travel from around the world to watch the finals, which are held in the country that last won the title.Last year’s contest, won by the Dutch singer Duncan Laurence, was watched live by over 180 million people. Thousands of fans also travel from around the world to watch the finals, which are held in the country that last won the title.
“I do think it’s the responsible decision,” West said about the cancellation of this year’s event.“I do think it’s the responsible decision,” West said about the cancellation of this year’s event.
The atmosphere would have been altered by the coronavirus crisis anyway, he said. “It would be rather different — a bit like football matches played to empty stadiums — it wouldn’t be the same thing.”The atmosphere would have been altered by the coronavirus crisis anyway, he said. “It would be rather different — a bit like football matches played to empty stadiums — it wouldn’t be the same thing.”
West said that the European Broadcasting Union could have tried showing recordings of the acts and have the public phone in votes. But even that might be untenable, he added, as it would still require the host and judges to gather in television studios.West said that the European Broadcasting Union could have tried showing recordings of the acts and have the public phone in votes. But even that might be untenable, he added, as it would still require the host and judges to gather in television studios.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’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.
The statement from Eurovision’s organizers said discussions would be held with the Rotterdam and Dutch authorities about the 2021 contest.The statement from Eurovision’s organizers said discussions would be held with the Rotterdam and Dutch authorities about the 2021 contest.
Almost all of Europe’s major cultural venues are now shuttered in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and many major events have been canceled or postponed. Eurovision’s announcement came just hours after the Glastonbury music festival was canceled for the year.Almost all of Europe’s major cultural venues are now shuttered in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and many major events have been canceled or postponed. Eurovision’s announcement came just hours after the Glastonbury music festival was canceled for the year.
A few events are still holding out, including the Cannes Film Festival, which is scheduled to run from May 12-23.A few events are still holding out, including the Cannes Film Festival, which is scheduled to run from May 12-23.
On Saturday, the French newsmagazine Le Point published an article in which an anonymous member of the festival’s board was quoted saying that this year’s film festival would not take place. But the organizers have denied that any decision has been made.On Saturday, the French newsmagazine Le Point published an article in which an anonymous member of the festival’s board was quoted saying that this year’s film festival would not take place. But the organizers have denied that any decision has been made.
“Despite some sensational headlines, there is nothing new to say,” Aïda Belloulid, the festival’s spokeswoman, said in a text message. She said a decision would be made in mid-April.“Despite some sensational headlines, there is nothing new to say,” Aïda Belloulid, the festival’s spokeswoman, said in a text message. She said a decision would be made in mid-April.