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| Turkey Orders All Citizens to Wear Masks as Infections Rise | Turkey Orders All Citizens to Wear Masks as Infections Rise |
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| ISTANBUL — Turkey has ordered all citizens to wear masks when shopping or visiting crowded public places and announced that it will deliver masks to every family, free of charge, as coronavirus infections increase in the country of 80 million. | ISTANBUL — Turkey has ordered all citizens to wear masks when shopping or visiting crowded public places and announced that it will deliver masks to every family, free of charge, as coronavirus infections increase in the country of 80 million. |
| The order is the latest in a gradual tightening of antivirus measures by a government that has insisted that the virus was under control and has resisted a complete lockdown. | The order is the latest in a gradual tightening of antivirus measures by a government that has insisted that the virus was under control and has resisted a complete lockdown. |
| Turkey has over 34,000 confirmed cases of the virus and has registered 725 deaths. More than 1,400 patients are in intensive care units and at least 600 medical workers have been infected, according to figures released Tuesday by the Health Ministry. | Turkey has over 34,000 confirmed cases of the virus and has registered 725 deaths. More than 1,400 patients are in intensive care units and at least 600 medical workers have been infected, according to figures released Tuesday by the Health Ministry. |
| The number of confirmed cases places Turkey among the top 10 currently worst affected countries, and reflects a steep rise since its first confirmed death from the disease on March 17. | The number of confirmed cases places Turkey among the top 10 currently worst affected countries, and reflects a steep rise since its first confirmed death from the disease on March 17. |
| The health minister, Dr. Fahrettin Koca, said on Monday, however, that the increase in confirmed cases was low compared with the increase in testing, which has been ramped up to more than 20,000 per day. | The health minister, Dr. Fahrettin Koca, said on Monday, however, that the increase in confirmed cases was low compared with the increase in testing, which has been ramped up to more than 20,000 per day. |
| President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has introduced gradual measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, asking people to stay at home and imposing a curfew on those over 65 and under 20, but has resisted a nationwide lockdown. | President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has introduced gradual measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, asking people to stay at home and imposing a curfew on those over 65 and under 20, but has resisted a nationwide lockdown. |
| In televised speeches, he has repeatedly reassured Turks that the government has the virus under control. “Turkey is one of the most prepared countries for this global pandemic and the major crisis that has started with it,” he said in an address on Saturday. | In televised speeches, he has repeatedly reassured Turks that the government has the virus under control. “Turkey is one of the most prepared countries for this global pandemic and the major crisis that has started with it,” he said in an address on Saturday. |
| Turkey has been praised by Western analysts for taking an early and proactive approach to the virus. It moved quickly to close travel with China, where the outbreak of the virus first occurred, and Iran, a major regional hub for the virus, and quarantined people returning from those countries. | Turkey has been praised by Western analysts for taking an early and proactive approach to the virus. It moved quickly to close travel with China, where the outbreak of the virus first occurred, and Iran, a major regional hub for the virus, and quarantined people returning from those countries. |
| But at the same time Turkey promoted itself as a safe destination for business and tourism. As the country faces an increasingly difficult economic downturn, and already suffers high unemployment and inflation, Mr. Erdogan sought to keep industry and tourism — an important source of income for the country — going. | But at the same time Turkey promoted itself as a safe destination for business and tourism. As the country faces an increasingly difficult economic downturn, and already suffers high unemployment and inflation, Mr. Erdogan sought to keep industry and tourism — an important source of income for the country — going. |
| Although little official data has been released on the spread of the virus in Turkey, Dr. Koca, who is a physician and founder of a private chain of hospitals, said the first known case of infection was in a person who had contact with Europe. He warned that the rise of infection in Europe presented a serious risk for Turkey. | Although little official data has been released on the spread of the virus in Turkey, Dr. Koca, who is a physician and founder of a private chain of hospitals, said the first known case of infection was in a person who had contact with Europe. He warned that the rise of infection in Europe presented a serious risk for Turkey. |
| Turkish media are citing official studies that show the main sources of infection are travelers arriving from Europe and religious pilgrims returning from the Middle East in the days before the first case was confirmed on March 11. | Turkish media are citing official studies that show the main sources of infection are travelers arriving from Europe and religious pilgrims returning from the Middle East in the days before the first case was confirmed on March 11. |
| The two cities most affected are Istanbul, and the western city of Izmir, both centers of industry and tourism, with 60 percent of the cases coming from Istanbul, a city of 16 million. | The two cities most affected are Istanbul, and the western city of Izmir, both centers of industry and tourism, with 60 percent of the cases coming from Istanbul, a city of 16 million. |
| Among the earliest cases in Turkey were a pharmacist and his employee in downtown Istanbul, and a trader, returning from Italy, who infected his relatives working in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, a large covered market in the city center. | Among the earliest cases in Turkey were a pharmacist and his employee in downtown Istanbul, and a trader, returning from Italy, who infected his relatives working in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, a large covered market in the city center. |
| Pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia and Iraq have led to the spread of the virus in central Turkey. Those returning were asked to self-isolate and later returnees were placed in quarantine facilities but the measures did not completely prevent transmission of the virus. | Pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia and Iraq have led to the spread of the virus in central Turkey. Those returning were asked to self-isolate and later returnees were placed in quarantine facilities but the measures did not completely prevent transmission of the virus. |
| The movement of citizens inside the country, barred since last week, has allowed the virus to spread to every province. | The movement of citizens inside the country, barred since last week, has allowed the virus to spread to every province. |
| Opposition politicians, including the mayors of two of the biggest cities, Ankara and Istanbul, have called for stricter measures, including a complete lockdown. Those cities have been among the hardest hit by the virus. | Opposition politicians, including the mayors of two of the biggest cities, Ankara and Istanbul, have called for stricter measures, including a complete lockdown. Those cities have been among the hardest hit by the virus. |
| Selva Demiralp, a professor of economics at Istanbul’s Koc University, posted findings of a group of economists that the economic cost of containing the pandemic immediately, in April, would be less than if a lockdown was delayed and then enforced by necessity in May. | Selva Demiralp, a professor of economics at Istanbul’s Koc University, posted findings of a group of economists that the economic cost of containing the pandemic immediately, in April, would be less than if a lockdown was delayed and then enforced by necessity in May. |
| Health costs would increase with a delay, and economic fallout, especially for tourism, would worsen if prolonged, she said. | Health costs would increase with a delay, and economic fallout, especially for tourism, would worsen if prolonged, she said. |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | Updated June 5, 2020 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Mr. Erdogan has closed many public places, including bars, restaurants and mosques, but he has allowed industry, construction firms and public transportation to continue working. | Mr. Erdogan has closed many public places, including bars, restaurants and mosques, but he has allowed industry, construction firms and public transportation to continue working. |
| In a speech to the nation on Monday night he said it was important for the country to continue producing and promised financial aid to families of workers. | In a speech to the nation on Monday night he said it was important for the country to continue producing and promised financial aid to families of workers. |
| “Our real fight will start after the pandemic,” he said. “That is the reason we emphasize keeping production going. Every factory of ours will go on producing. Our farmers will not leave an acre of land unplanted. Our service sector will keep both its domestic and foreign ties alive.” | “Our real fight will start after the pandemic,” he said. “That is the reason we emphasize keeping production going. Every factory of ours will go on producing. Our farmers will not leave an acre of land unplanted. Our service sector will keep both its domestic and foreign ties alive.” |
| “We don’t have any issues on diagnosis and treatment in our hospitals,” he added. “Thankfully, we’ve so far not encountered any significant issues in terms of health services, food and sanitation supplies and public safety.” | “We don’t have any issues on diagnosis and treatment in our hospitals,” he added. “Thankfully, we’ve so far not encountered any significant issues in terms of health services, food and sanitation supplies and public safety.” |
| But Baris Yarkadas, a former opposition politician and journalist, said that testing across the country remained inadequate and may hide a far larger rate of infection. He complained that Turkey had delayed making critical decisions because of its concern about the effects on the economy. | But Baris Yarkadas, a former opposition politician and journalist, said that testing across the country remained inadequate and may hide a far larger rate of infection. He complained that Turkey had delayed making critical decisions because of its concern about the effects on the economy. |
| “We knew it was spreading from China but we were so late in taking precautions we missed the opportunity,” he said in a telephone interview. “Turkey could have been like South Korea but we are like Italy and the United States.” | “We knew it was spreading from China but we were so late in taking precautions we missed the opportunity,” he said in a telephone interview. “Turkey could have been like South Korea but we are like Italy and the United States.” |
| He blamed officials of Mr. Erdogan’s political party, the Justice and Development Party, for lack of vision. | He blamed officials of Mr. Erdogan’s political party, the Justice and Development Party, for lack of vision. |
| “The biggest concern preventing them is economic worries,” he said. “They did not want to stop flights, or internal movement, and as there is no money to pay people to stay at home, millions have to go to work.” | “The biggest concern preventing them is economic worries,” he said. “They did not want to stop flights, or internal movement, and as there is no money to pay people to stay at home, millions have to go to work.” |