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| Europe Struggles to Combat Coronavirus as Spain Passes Grim Milestone | Europe Struggles to Combat Coronavirus as Spain Passes Grim Milestone |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| BARCELONA — Spain passed a grim milestone on Friday when it became the second European country to report over 1,000 coronavirus deaths, a mark that Italy passed a week ago, with the country’s doctors warning that the health system may soon be overwhelmed, just as in Italy. | BARCELONA — Spain passed a grim milestone on Friday when it became the second European country to report over 1,000 coronavirus deaths, a mark that Italy passed a week ago, with the country’s doctors warning that the health system may soon be overwhelmed, just as in Italy. |
| Across Europe, where there have been well over 100,000 cases and nearly 6,000 deaths, nations are preparing in the face of the growing crisis — shoring up hospital resources and planning for an influx of new cases in the coming days. | Across Europe, where there have been well over 100,000 cases and nearly 6,000 deaths, nations are preparing in the face of the growing crisis — shoring up hospital resources and planning for an influx of new cases in the coming days. |
| Taking an emergency economic measure that would have been unimaginable just weeks ago, the European Commission on Friday announced that it had triggered the so-called “general escape clause,” a panic button that lifts stringent spending rules and allows countries to run big deficits to respond to a crisis. | Taking an emergency economic measure that would have been unimaginable just weeks ago, the European Commission on Friday announced that it had triggered the so-called “general escape clause,” a panic button that lifts stringent spending rules and allows countries to run big deficits to respond to a crisis. |
| It is the first time in the history of the European Union that the clause has been used, throwing out the window the strictures of fiscal orthodoxy that stipulate low deficits and small debts. | It is the first time in the history of the European Union that the clause has been used, throwing out the window the strictures of fiscal orthodoxy that stipulate low deficits and small debts. |
| In Italy, aid groups have moved in to help set up temporary field hospitals. Britain announced that restaurants, bars, clubs and gyms would close from Friday and has called on medical workers who have retired or moved to other jobs to return to the country’s National Health Service. | In Italy, aid groups have moved in to help set up temporary field hospitals. Britain announced that restaurants, bars, clubs and gyms would close from Friday and has called on medical workers who have retired or moved to other jobs to return to the country’s National Health Service. |
| Germany plans to double its intensive care capacity and has introduced new restrictions on movement in the southern state of Bavaria, amid warnings that the country could become the next Spain or Italy. | Germany plans to double its intensive care capacity and has introduced new restrictions on movement in the southern state of Bavaria, amid warnings that the country could become the next Spain or Italy. |
| There is “exponential growth” in Germany, said Lothar Wieler, president of the Robert Koch Institute, the government’s disease control agency. By Friday, the institute had recorded nearly 15,000 cases of coronavirus, a number that has been nearly doubling every three days. | There is “exponential growth” in Germany, said Lothar Wieler, president of the Robert Koch Institute, the government’s disease control agency. By Friday, the institute had recorded nearly 15,000 cases of coronavirus, a number that has been nearly doubling every three days. |
| “We have gained time,” Dr. Wieler said, “but we are facing a similar development” to that in Italy. | “We have gained time,” Dr. Wieler said, “but we are facing a similar development” to that in Italy. |
| Even as stringent new measures are put in place from Berlin to Barcelona, and health care services increase their capacity, it is unclear if they will be enough to stop the virus from overcoming an increasingly overwhelmed Europe. | Even as stringent new measures are put in place from Berlin to Barcelona, and health care services increase their capacity, it is unclear if they will be enough to stop the virus from overcoming an increasingly overwhelmed Europe. |
| Spain’s coronavirus mortality rate, like Italy’s, has been significantly higher than in other countries, confounding authorities. | Spain’s coronavirus mortality rate, like Italy’s, has been significantly higher than in other countries, confounding authorities. |
| “It’s a very difficult situation to explain,” said Fernando Simón, the director of Spain’s national health emergency sector. | “It’s a very difficult situation to explain,” said Fernando Simón, the director of Spain’s national health emergency sector. |
| With nearly 20,000 confirmed cases in Spain and more than 1,000 deaths, Mr. Simón warned that “the tough days are coming now,” adding that some medical units are being stretched “to the limit.” | With nearly 20,000 confirmed cases in Spain and more than 1,000 deaths, Mr. Simón warned that “the tough days are coming now,” adding that some medical units are being stretched “to the limit.” |
| In Spain, as in Italy before it, health professionals, working with too little equipment to meet the surging need, have had to begin making decisions about who may live and who may die. | In Spain, as in Italy before it, health professionals, working with too little equipment to meet the surging need, have had to begin making decisions about who may live and who may die. |
| “Admitting someone may mean denying the entry to someone else who may benefit more from it,” a Spanish organization representing intensive care providers wrote in a report this week. | “Admitting someone may mean denying the entry to someone else who may benefit more from it,” a Spanish organization representing intensive care providers wrote in a report this week. |
| The organization recommended giving priority to those who had more than two years of life expectancy, and taking into account a patient’s value to society — a term that could become bitterly controversial, which it did not define. | The organization recommended giving priority to those who had more than two years of life expectancy, and taking into account a patient’s value to society — a term that could become bitterly controversial, which it did not define. |
| Spanish doctors said their hospitals were increasingly unable to treat all the older patients who need intensive care. | Spanish doctors said their hospitals were increasingly unable to treat all the older patients who need intensive care. |
| “We have to choose whom we intubate,” said an emergency room doctor at a hospital in the Madrid region, who requested anonymity because he wasn’t allowed to comment publicly. “We can’t use it on everyone anymore.” | “We have to choose whom we intubate,” said an emergency room doctor at a hospital in the Madrid region, who requested anonymity because he wasn’t allowed to comment publicly. “We can’t use it on everyone anymore.” |
| Spain’s outbreak comes during a period of intense national political tumult that is testing its ability to respond to the virus. | Spain’s outbreak comes during a period of intense national political tumult that is testing its ability to respond to the virus. |
| After four inconclusive elections in four years, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez helms a left-wing, minority coalition government and is grappling with a secession movement in the northeastern Catalonia region, where leaders are balking at his efforts to direct their response to their virus. | After four inconclusive elections in four years, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez helms a left-wing, minority coalition government and is grappling with a secession movement in the northeastern Catalonia region, where leaders are balking at his efforts to direct their response to their virus. |
| Catalonia’s government reacted more quickly than Mr. Sánchez, closing bars and restaurants last Friday and asking national authorities to help cordon off their region from the rest of Spain. | Catalonia’s government reacted more quickly than Mr. Sánchez, closing bars and restaurants last Friday and asking national authorities to help cordon off their region from the rest of Spain. |
| When authorities in Madrid enacted similar measures nationwide on Sunday, Catalonia’s separatist leader, Quim Torra, said he would refuse to hand over the control of his region’s police forces and health system to the central government. | When authorities in Madrid enacted similar measures nationwide on Sunday, Catalonia’s separatist leader, Quim Torra, said he would refuse to hand over the control of his region’s police forces and health system to the central government. |
| Catalonia, he said, needed “support, not more centralization.” | Catalonia, he said, needed “support, not more centralization.” |
| Mr. Torra’s separatist government is pushing for additional restrictions, calling for the closure of airports and train stations, and checkpoints on roads across the region. | Mr. Torra’s separatist government is pushing for additional restrictions, calling for the closure of airports and train stations, and checkpoints on roads across the region. |
| “This is a moment to make drastic, tough and efficient decisions,” Miquel Buch, the regional interior minister in Catalonia, said in an interview in his office in Barcelona. “When we in Catalonia were taking drastic measures not to let the disease propagate, in Spain they were not.” | “This is a moment to make drastic, tough and efficient decisions,” Miquel Buch, the regional interior minister in Catalonia, said in an interview in his office in Barcelona. “When we in Catalonia were taking drastic measures not to let the disease propagate, in Spain they were not.” |
| Mr. Sánchez has repeatedly warned the Catalans and other regional leaders against fueling political differences at a time when Spain needs unity to deal with an emergency. And he has gained some cooperation from opposition parties, who endorsed his €200 billion, or $213 billion, relief package. | Mr. Sánchez has repeatedly warned the Catalans and other regional leaders against fueling political differences at a time when Spain needs unity to deal with an emergency. And he has gained some cooperation from opposition parties, who endorsed his €200 billion, or $213 billion, relief package. |
| There has also been an outpouring of solidarity among citizens who, with few exceptions, have abided by the tough lockdown measures. | There has also been an outpouring of solidarity among citizens who, with few exceptions, have abided by the tough lockdown measures. |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | Updated June 12, 2020 |
| 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. |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| 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.) |
| 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. | 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. | 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’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. |
| Some of the resistance that Mr. Torra has been putting up is purely symbolic. The national government is taking charge in the region, despite his refusal to sign a joint declaration handing control Madrid. | Some of the resistance that Mr. Torra has been putting up is purely symbolic. The national government is taking charge in the region, despite his refusal to sign a joint declaration handing control Madrid. |
| The national police have taken control of the regional police who are monitoring the lockdown of the Catalan city of Igualada, and on Thursday, the Spanish army entered the Catalan city of Barcelona to disinfect its port and airport, and it is deploying in dozens of Catalan towns this week. | The national police have taken control of the regional police who are monitoring the lockdown of the Catalan city of Igualada, and on Thursday, the Spanish army entered the Catalan city of Barcelona to disinfect its port and airport, and it is deploying in dozens of Catalan towns this week. |
| Still, the outbreak has tested Madrid’s ability to share power over public health, not just with Catalonia, but with other regions across Spain. Since health care is usually run by Spain’s regional governments, several took the lead in responding to the crisis. | Still, the outbreak has tested Madrid’s ability to share power over public health, not just with Catalonia, but with other regions across Spain. Since health care is usually run by Spain’s regional governments, several took the lead in responding to the crisis. |
| From Galicia to the Basque region and the capital region of Madrid, regional governments implemented their own emergency measures before Mr. Sánchez put into force the nationwide lockdown. | From Galicia to the Basque region and the capital region of Madrid, regional governments implemented their own emergency measures before Mr. Sánchez put into force the nationwide lockdown. |
| Mr. Sánchez and Mr. Torra met on Feb. 26 in a bid to renew negotiations and end a conflict that reached a boiling point in 2017, when Catalan separatists made a botched attempt to declare independence. When they met, Spain had just a handful of coronavirus infections, but the outbreak ballooned, pushing other business aside. | Mr. Sánchez and Mr. Torra met on Feb. 26 in a bid to renew negotiations and end a conflict that reached a boiling point in 2017, when Catalan separatists made a botched attempt to declare independence. When they met, Spain had just a handful of coronavirus infections, but the outbreak ballooned, pushing other business aside. |
| Separatists have governed Catalonia since 2015, but the conflict has split Catalan society down the middle, with the divide now influencing how Catalans view the response to the coronavirus. | Separatists have governed Catalonia since 2015, but the conflict has split Catalan society down the middle, with the divide now influencing how Catalans view the response to the coronavirus. |
| At a checkpoint outside Igualada, Jordi Morente, an air-conditioner technician who has been stranded in the town, said that he wanted the whole of Catalonia sealed off. But his colleague, Toni Navarro, wanted Catalonia to stop trying to go its own way. “Now is not the time for politics, they have to listen,” Mr. Navarro said of the Catalan government. | At a checkpoint outside Igualada, Jordi Morente, an air-conditioner technician who has been stranded in the town, said that he wanted the whole of Catalonia sealed off. But his colleague, Toni Navarro, wanted Catalonia to stop trying to go its own way. “Now is not the time for politics, they have to listen,” Mr. Navarro said of the Catalan government. |
| Some health professionals on the front line of the emergency said such political bickering was not helping. | Some health professionals on the front line of the emergency said such political bickering was not helping. |
| “We have to work all together, we cannot even afford losing a single minute with political fighting,” said Antoni Trilla, the dean of the University of Barcelona’s faculty of medicine, arguing that central authorities needed to lead the response. “The whole country is facing this threat.” | “We have to work all together, we cannot even afford losing a single minute with political fighting,” said Antoni Trilla, the dean of the University of Barcelona’s faculty of medicine, arguing that central authorities needed to lead the response. “The whole country is facing this threat.” |
| Elian Peltier reported from Barcelona, and Raphael Minder from Madrid. Megan Specia contributed reporting from London. Melissa Eddy contributed reporting from Berlin, Aurelien Breeden from Paris, Matina Stevis-Gridneff from Brussels, and Elisabetta Povoledo from Rome. | Elian Peltier reported from Barcelona, and Raphael Minder from Madrid. Megan Specia contributed reporting from London. Melissa Eddy contributed reporting from Berlin, Aurelien Breeden from Paris, Matina Stevis-Gridneff from Brussels, and Elisabetta Povoledo from Rome. |