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| Help Comes Hard for the Orchestra With No Home | Help Comes Hard for the Orchestra With No Home |
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| Michiel Commandeur, a Dutch violinist, sounded surprisingly upbeat when he said his income had fallen to zero since the coronavirus pandemic began. | Michiel Commandeur, a Dutch violinist, sounded surprisingly upbeat when he said his income had fallen to zero since the coronavirus pandemic began. |
| He wasn’t earning anything from concerts, he explained in a telephone interview from his home in Amsterdam, and, because of a loophole, he didn’t qualify for support for lost income in the Netherlands, either. | He wasn’t earning anything from concerts, he explained in a telephone interview from his home in Amsterdam, and, because of a loophole, he didn’t qualify for support for lost income in the Netherlands, either. |
| “I’m counting the number of cigarettes I have,” he said. | “I’m counting the number of cigarettes I have,” he said. |
| But, Mr. Commandeur said, he was in good spirits because he was lucky compared with others. He lived in a house owned by his mother, so he didn’t have to pay rent, and while his bank balance was “going flatter and flatter,” things were OK for now. | But, Mr. Commandeur said, he was in good spirits because he was lucky compared with others. He lived in a house owned by his mother, so he didn’t have to pay rent, and while his bank balance was “going flatter and flatter,” things were OK for now. |
| “Call me back in about two months and see if I’m still that optimistic about life,” he said. | “Call me back in about two months and see if I’m still that optimistic about life,” he said. |
| Mr. Commandeur, 50, is a member of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, a group that has plenty of acclaim, but no home concert hall or rehearsal space. Though it has an office in Berlin, the musicians only meet to go on tour, usually rehearsing when they arrive in the first city of each trip. “We’re people from about 20 different countries,” Mr. Commandeur said. “We have to travel from all of them to play concerts.” | Mr. Commandeur, 50, is a member of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, a group that has plenty of acclaim, but no home concert hall or rehearsal space. Though it has an office in Berlin, the musicians only meet to go on tour, usually rehearsing when they arrive in the first city of each trip. “We’re people from about 20 different countries,” Mr. Commandeur said. “We have to travel from all of them to play concerts.” |
| For the ensemble to resume performances, it doesn’t just need concert halls to reopen. It needs airports, hotels and borders open, too. “I don’t know when we’ll work again,” Mr. Commandeur added. | For the ensemble to resume performances, it doesn’t just need concert halls to reopen. It needs airports, hotels and borders open, too. “I don’t know when we’ll work again,” Mr. Commandeur added. |
| Most of the Europe’s orchestras and opera houses have been thrown into turmoil by the coronavirus. Even in countries where lockdowns look set to be lifted soon, concerts are unlikely to be allowed for some time. On Monday, Denmark said it would reopen schools on April 15, but that large gatherings would be banned until August. | Most of the Europe’s orchestras and opera houses have been thrown into turmoil by the coronavirus. Even in countries where lockdowns look set to be lifted soon, concerts are unlikely to be allowed for some time. On Monday, Denmark said it would reopen schools on April 15, but that large gatherings would be banned until August. |
| Many orchestras across the continent, like the Berlin Philharmonic or the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, receive state funding, so are in a relatively good position to deal with the crisis. But the Mahler Chamber Orchestra is different. It was formed in 1997, when members of the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra decided they wanted to keep playing together after they reached the ensemble’s age limit. The conductor Claudio Abbado took them under his wing and almost immediately secured the orchestra slots at major festivals. | Many orchestras across the continent, like the Berlin Philharmonic or the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, receive state funding, so are in a relatively good position to deal with the crisis. But the Mahler Chamber Orchestra is different. It was formed in 1997, when members of the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra decided they wanted to keep playing together after they reached the ensemble’s age limit. The conductor Claudio Abbado took them under his wing and almost immediately secured the orchestra slots at major festivals. |
| It’s grown in reputation since, and it now performs with some of the world’s top classical musicians. Recent guest artists have included the conductor Daniel Harding and the pianist Mitsuko Uchida. | It’s grown in reputation since, and it now performs with some of the world’s top classical musicians. Recent guest artists have included the conductor Daniel Harding and the pianist Mitsuko Uchida. |
| In a telephone interview, Ms. Uchida said the orchestra’s problem was “its name,” adding: “Where the heck do they belong? If they had a name like the Berlin Chamber Orchestra, the city of Berlin might step in.” | In a telephone interview, Ms. Uchida said the orchestra’s problem was “its name,” adding: “Where the heck do they belong? If they had a name like the Berlin Chamber Orchestra, the city of Berlin might step in.” |
| Over 90 percent of the ensemble’s income comes from ticket sales, Michael Adick, the orchestra’s managing director, said in a telephone interview. It will lose 2.5 million euros, or about $2.7 million, in earnings if it doesn’t play before the summer, he added. (One of the orchestra’s canceled engagements was an appearance at Carnegie Hall that had been scheduled for March.) | Over 90 percent of the ensemble’s income comes from ticket sales, Michael Adick, the orchestra’s managing director, said in a telephone interview. It will lose 2.5 million euros, or about $2.7 million, in earnings if it doesn’t play before the summer, he added. (One of the orchestra’s canceled engagements was an appearance at Carnegie Hall that had been scheduled for March.) |
| The orchestra’s members are now reliant on the governments of their home countries to make up their lost income. Several said in telephone interviews that what was on offer was sufficient, for now. Philipp von Steinaecker, a cellist who lives in Italy, said the government there had stopped mortgage payments for self-employed people whose income had fallen by at least a third. It was also giving some 5 million self-employed and seasonal workers 600 euros, around $650, a month. (He didn’t meet the requirements or need the money, he said.) | The orchestra’s members are now reliant on the governments of their home countries to make up their lost income. Several said in telephone interviews that what was on offer was sufficient, for now. Philipp von Steinaecker, a cellist who lives in Italy, said the government there had stopped mortgage payments for self-employed people whose income had fallen by at least a third. It was also giving some 5 million self-employed and seasonal workers 600 euros, around $650, a month. (He didn’t meet the requirements or need the money, he said.) |
| Matthew Truscott, a London-based violinist, said he had felt a wave of relief when Britain’s government announced at the end of March that it would pay freelancers the equivalent of 70 percent of their average earnings over the past three years. | Matthew Truscott, a London-based violinist, said he had felt a wave of relief when Britain’s government announced at the end of March that it would pay freelancers the equivalent of 70 percent of their average earnings over the past three years. |
| A similar scheme was introduced last week in Spain, said José Vicente Castelló, a French horn player who lives in Barcelona. Anna Matz, a German violinist who lives in Berlin, said she applied for a €5,000 grant from the city government on March 31 and received the money in her bank account within two days. | A similar scheme was introduced last week in Spain, said José Vicente Castelló, a French horn player who lives in Barcelona. Anna Matz, a German violinist who lives in Berlin, said she applied for a €5,000 grant from the city government on March 31 and received the money in her bank account within two days. |
| All the musicians interviewed said they were concerned about the length of the lockdown. Mr. Castelló, who had been in isolation for over three weeks, said he was hopeful that things would go back to normal just as quickly as the crisis began. “If everybody has the intention, it will come,” he said. | All the musicians interviewed said they were concerned about the length of the lockdown. Mr. Castelló, who had been in isolation for over three weeks, said he was hopeful that things would go back to normal just as quickly as the crisis began. “If everybody has the intention, it will come,” he said. |
| Others were less optimistic. Mr. Commandeur said he could not see the orchestra playing together “before Christmas.” Mr. von Steinaecker said he couldn’t even guess. Last week, he read in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that schools were unlikely to reopen until September — but when the children return, they may have to maintain social distancing measures. | Others were less optimistic. Mr. Commandeur said he could not see the orchestra playing together “before Christmas.” Mr. von Steinaecker said he couldn’t even guess. Last week, he read in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that schools were unlikely to reopen until September — but when the children return, they may have to maintain social distancing measures. |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | 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. | 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 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| “I read that, and it made me think, ‘When and how are we going to be able to have concerts?’” Mr. von Steinaecker said. “When will people want to sit in a room next to someone and listen to music? It’s going to change the whole scene.” He might be able to work in Italy, he said, but if borders don’t reopen, it will be impossible to play with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. | |
| Even with the uncertainty over the ensemble’s future, its members were still making sure to meet up. They have been checking in on one another every Saturday morning, at first using Zoom then other apps, and sharing their experiences of the crisis. | Even with the uncertainty over the ensemble’s future, its members were still making sure to meet up. They have been checking in on one another every Saturday morning, at first using Zoom then other apps, and sharing their experiences of the crisis. |
| On a recent hangout, one of the orchestra’s bassoonists described being shut in a room by himself for seven days after getting the virus. When another spoke about her anxious mood, she cried. “It’s been a little bit like therapy,” Mr. Castelló said. | On a recent hangout, one of the orchestra’s bassoonists described being shut in a room by himself for seven days after getting the virus. When another spoke about her anxious mood, she cried. “It’s been a little bit like therapy,” Mr. Castelló said. |
| The musicians promised to pay into a fund to help out other members hit by financial difficulties, although none had asked for it yet. Mr. von Steinaecker said that was a sign of the group’s strength, of the joy they got from playing together. | The musicians promised to pay into a fund to help out other members hit by financial difficulties, although none had asked for it yet. Mr. von Steinaecker said that was a sign of the group’s strength, of the joy they got from playing together. |
| “Everyone puts all their love and their blood into it,” he said. “The moral strength is exceptional.” If any orchestras could get through this, he added, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra would be one of them. | “Everyone puts all their love and their blood into it,” he said. “The moral strength is exceptional.” If any orchestras could get through this, he added, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra would be one of them. |