'‘We Are in a Cage:’ Spanish Town Lives Under a Lockdown Within a Lockdown' diff viewer (10/11)

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‘We Are in a Cage:’ Spanish Town Lives Under a Lockdown Within a Lockdown	‘We Are in a Cage:’ Spanish Town Lives Under a Lockdown Within a Lockdown
2020-06-17 00:37:08 UTC	2020-06-17 16:58:18 UTC (about 16 hours later)
LA POBLA DE CLARAMUNT, Spain — When María José Rodríguez heard on local television that her town in northeastern Spain would be locked down within hours, she knew she had to leave or risk losing her family’s business.	LA POBLA DE CLARAMUNT, Spain — When María José Rodríguez heard on local television that her town in northeastern Spain would be locked down within hours, she knew she had to leave or risk losing her family’s business.
She grabbed a bag of groceries, a fresh change of clothes and her car keys, said goodbye to her husband and drove to her son’s apartment in a nearby village, above the family bakery. For more than two weeks, she has been locked out of the town, Igualada. Her husband has been locked in, and they have no way of knowing how long it will go on.	She grabbed a bag of groceries, a fresh change of clothes and her car keys, said goodbye to her husband and drove to her son’s apartment in a nearby village, above the family bakery. For more than two weeks, she has been locked out of the town, Igualada. Her husband has been locked in, and they have no way of knowing how long it will go on.
“Had I not moved out to keep running the bakery, we would have had to close it,” Ms. Rodríguez, 63, said at her shop in the village of La Pobla de Claramunt. “But we’ll be fine, and I call my husband 50 times a day. At the very least.”	“Had I not moved out to keep running the bakery, we would have had to close it,” Ms. Rodríguez, 63, said at her shop in the village of La Pobla de Claramunt. “But we’ll be fine, and I call my husband 50 times a day. At the very least.”
Many European countries have imposed various forms of lockdowns to contain the epidemic, but Igualada, an industrial town 30 miles northwest of Barcelona, stands out. Even as Spain has imposed a nationwide lockdown, it has cut Igualada off from the rest of the country — a lockdown within a lockdown.	Many European countries have imposed various forms of lockdowns to contain the epidemic, but Igualada, an industrial town 30 miles northwest of Barcelona, stands out. Even as Spain has imposed a nationwide lockdown, it has cut Igualada off from the rest of the country — a lockdown within a lockdown.
After its hospital was identified as a hub of a regional outbreak that has reached nearly 20,000 coronavirus infections and more than 2,500 deaths, officials sealed off Igualada and three smaller neighboring towns, at midnight on March 12, stranding about 65,000 people.	After its hospital was identified as a hub of a regional outbreak that has reached nearly 20,000 coronavirus infections and more than 2,500 deaths, officials sealed off Igualada and three smaller neighboring towns, at midnight on March 12, stranding about 65,000 people.
Police forces guard every access point, allowing only essential workers to enter and leave. The barriers have divided families like Ms. Rodríguez’s, put people out of work and thrown households into uncertainty for weeks, if not more.	Police forces guard every access point, allowing only essential workers to enter and leave. The barriers have divided families like Ms. Rodríguez’s, put people out of work and thrown households into uncertainty for weeks, if not more.
“We are in a cage, and we are learning how to stop trying to control everything,” said Gemma Sabaté, a 48-year-old physical therapist stranded there.	“We are in a cage, and we are learning how to stop trying to control everything,” said Gemma Sabaté, a 48-year-old physical therapist stranded there.
Over 8,100 people have died from the new coronavirus in Spain, the second-highest toll in the world after Italy. Nearly 95,000 people have tested positive, among them thousands of health workers.	Over 8,100 people have died from the new coronavirus in Spain, the second-highest toll in the world after Italy. Nearly 95,000 people have tested positive, among them thousands of health workers.
In Igualada, as doctors and nurses battle the virus in the hospital, residents have shared a sense of duty, self-sacrifice and resilience.	In Igualada, as doctors and nurses battle the virus in the hospital, residents have shared a sense of duty, self-sacrifice and resilience.
Most of the restrictions in the town are similar to those throughout the country: People are allowed to leave their homes only to buy food, walk their dogs and tend to emergencies. But the rules are more strictly enforced in Igualada, the traffic more tightly controlled.	Most of the restrictions in the town are similar to those throughout the country: People are allowed to leave their homes only to buy food, walk their dogs and tend to emergencies. But the rules are more strictly enforced in Igualada, the traffic more tightly controlled.
When Marc Castells, the mayor of Igualada, goes home at night, he says he feels like the last character standing in a movie, “except it’s not a movie.”	When Marc Castells, the mayor of Igualada, goes home at night, he says he feels like the last character standing in a movie, “except it’s not a movie.”
Those inside and those outside the cordon can meet at checkpoints, but only to exchange essential goods under the eyes of police officers. On a recent morning, Toni Navarro delivered air-conditioners for the hospital to his colleague Jordi Morente, who lives in Igualada. They both wore masks and gloves.	Those inside and those outside the cordon can meet at checkpoints, but only to exchange essential goods under the eyes of police officers. On a recent morning, Toni Navarro delivered air-conditioners for the hospital to his colleague Jordi Morente, who lives in Igualada. They both wore masks and gloves.
“If you need anything, call me, I’ll drive anytime, even at night,” Mr. Navarro said as they exchanged an elbow bump.	“If you need anything, call me, I’ll drive anytime, even at night,” Mr. Navarro said as they exchanged an elbow bump.
Alba Vergés, Catalonia’s regional health minister, lives in Igualada but she has been forced to stay away, leaving her family stranded inside.	Alba Vergés, Catalonia’s regional health minister, lives in Igualada but she has been forced to stay away, leaving her family stranded inside.
“I never thought we would have to restrict people’s freedom of movement,” she said. “But 10,000 people get out of Igualada every day, mostly to Barcelona. We had to stop the virus from getting out.”	“I never thought we would have to restrict people’s freedom of movement,” she said. “But 10,000 people get out of Igualada every day, mostly to Barcelona. We had to stop the virus from getting out.”
With the area’s isolation extended from 15 days to 30, Igualada’s streets have remained mostly deserted and eerily silent, residents say, except for the nightly applause for health workers. On the town plaza, whose terraces are usually filled with life, there is only the sound of a small fountain.	With the area’s isolation extended from 15 days to 30, Igualada’s streets have remained mostly deserted and eerily silent, residents say, except for the nightly applause for health workers. On the town plaza, whose terraces are usually filled with life, there is only the sound of a small fountain.
Of course, there have been some cracks in the confinement. Igualada’s streets have grown busier in the mornings as the lockdown has dragged on, and some young people have mingled outside when the city is asleep. Others have used an underground parking lot to exercise, or taken their dogs for extended walks along the nearby river.	Of course, there have been some cracks in the confinement. Igualada’s streets have grown busier in the mornings as the lockdown has dragged on, and some young people have mingled outside when the city is asleep. Others have used an underground parking lot to exercise, or taken their dogs for extended walks along the nearby river.
But many residents said they wanted to lead by example, because they were among the first in the country to face the epidemic.	But many residents said they wanted to lead by example, because they were among the first in the country to face the epidemic.
“There’s some responsibility, there’s a fear of being contaminated,” said Josep Maria Solé, a 54-year-old public employee. “And then, there’s the proximity with the hospital.”	“There’s some responsibility, there’s a fear of being contaminated,” said Josep Maria Solé, a 54-year-old public employee. “And then, there’s the proximity with the hospital.”
The calm outside contrasts with what nurses and doctors describe as a chaotic fight within the hospital. Of nearly 600 people infected in the area, over 150 have been health workers. A third of the staff has been sent home.	The calm outside contrasts with what nurses and doctors describe as a chaotic fight within the hospital. Of nearly 600 people infected in the area, over 150 have been health workers. A third of the staff has been sent home.
“The hospital is collapsing,” said Raquel Jaume, a 61-year-old nurse who has had to self-isolate.	“The hospital is collapsing,” said Raquel Jaume, a 61-year-old nurse who has had to self-isolate.
Another nurse, who asked to remain anonymous because she still works at the hospital, said the hardest times have been the five-minute farewell calls that critically ill patients have with their families. “They are alone, and they are dying alone,” she said.	Another nurse, who asked to remain anonymous because she still works at the hospital, said the hardest times have been the five-minute farewell calls that critically ill patients have with their families. “They are alone, and they are dying alone,” she said.
All nonemergency operations have moved to other hospitals, to make room for Covid-19 patients. With more expected, a sports facility has been converted into a field hospital. Dozens of health workers from other facilities have tried to fill in the decimated ranks.	All nonemergency operations have moved to other hospitals, to make room for Covid-19 patients. With more expected, a sports facility has been converted into a field hospital. Dozens of health workers from other facilities have tried to fill in the decimated ranks.
But the lack of personnel, a hospital official has said, “is destroying us.”	But the lack of personnel, a hospital official has said, “is destroying us.”
Officials say that a dinner on Feb. 28 for more than 80 people, including dozens of health workers, may have fueled the outbreak. The hospital recorded its first case on March 8.	Officials say that a dinner on Feb. 28 for more than 80 people, including dozens of health workers, may have fueled the outbreak. The hospital recorded its first case on March 8.
“We didn’t take this seriously enough,” Marc Arnaiz, a doctor in the internal medicine unit who has been infected, said of the early stages of the epidemic.	“We didn’t take this seriously enough,” Marc Arnaiz, a doctor in the internal medicine unit who has been infected, said of the early stages of the epidemic.
Regional authorities have in recent days reported nearly 200 new cases and a dozen new deaths, among the biggest increases since the lockdown began. “Everyone knows someone who has been infected or died in Igualada,” said Clara Lopez, a 28-year-old mother of two. “If not yet, it’s a matter of days.”	Regional authorities have in recent days reported nearly 200 new cases and a dozen new deaths, among the biggest increases since the lockdown began. “Everyone knows someone who has been infected or died in Igualada,” said Clara Lopez, a 28-year-old mother of two. “If not yet, it’s a matter of days.”
Updated June 16, 2020	Updated June 16, 2020
	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.
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.
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.)