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For Boris Johnson, a Baby Amid a Dizzying Year of Peaks and Valleys For Boris Johnson, a Baby Amid a Dizzying Year of Peaks and Valleys
(32 minutes later)
LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s life has always had a you-can’t-make-this-up quality to it, never more so than this month, when he went from desperate coronavirus patient, kept alive by oxygen, to the proud father of a baby boy — his fifth, sixth or seventh child, depending on who’s counting.LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s life has always had a you-can’t-make-this-up quality to it, never more so than this month, when he went from desperate coronavirus patient, kept alive by oxygen, to the proud father of a baby boy — his fifth, sixth or seventh child, depending on who’s counting.
The announcement by Mr. Johnson and his fiancée, Carrie Symonds, that she gave birth to a healthy baby at a London hospital on Wednesday added a joyful milestone to a year of dizzying highs and lows: an election victory, a divorce, an engagement and a life-threatening illness — not to mention Brexit and a world-altering pandemic, which has killed more than 26,000 people in the country Mr. Johnson leads.The announcement by Mr. Johnson and his fiancée, Carrie Symonds, that she gave birth to a healthy baby at a London hospital on Wednesday added a joyful milestone to a year of dizzying highs and lows: an election victory, a divorce, an engagement and a life-threatening illness — not to mention Brexit and a world-altering pandemic, which has killed more than 26,000 people in the country Mr. Johnson leads.
The latest twist in the Boris chronicles deprived political commentators of an important, if less anticipated moment: the prime minister’s first scheduled face-off in Parliament with the Labour Party’s new leader, Keir Starmer, at a time when the government’s handling of the virus has come under intense fire.The latest twist in the Boris chronicles deprived political commentators of an important, if less anticipated moment: the prime minister’s first scheduled face-off in Parliament with the Labour Party’s new leader, Keir Starmer, at a time when the government’s handling of the virus has come under intense fire.
Mr. Johnson, who returned to work on Monday, skipped the session because of his son’s birth. Mr. Starmer raised difficult questions about the rising death toll and the lack of testing or protective masks for health workers, but he prefaced them with congratulations to Mr. Johnson, 55, and Ms. Symonds, 32, who also suffered symptoms of the virus but was reported to be healthy.Mr. Johnson, who returned to work on Monday, skipped the session because of his son’s birth. Mr. Starmer raised difficult questions about the rising death toll and the lack of testing or protective masks for health workers, but he prefaced them with congratulations to Mr. Johnson, 55, and Ms. Symonds, 32, who also suffered symptoms of the virus but was reported to be healthy.
[Analysis: Boris Johnson’s press relations are turning testy as virus deaths jump.][Analysis: Boris Johnson’s press relations are turning testy as virus deaths jump.]
Mr. Johnson’s understudy — the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab — dutifully defended the government’s performance. He functioned mostly as a reminder of why the prime minister bestrides the British political landscape. Even in his absence, Mr. Johnson was the biggest presence in the room.Mr. Johnson’s understudy — the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab — dutifully defended the government’s performance. He functioned mostly as a reminder of why the prime minister bestrides the British political landscape. Even in his absence, Mr. Johnson was the biggest presence in the room.
“He has this theatrical ability to put himself in the middle of every scene,” said Andrew Gimson, one of Mr. Johnson’s biographers. “All these career politicians look so dreary next to him.”“He has this theatrical ability to put himself in the middle of every scene,” said Andrew Gimson, one of Mr. Johnson’s biographers. “All these career politicians look so dreary next to him.”
So far, the prime minister has reaped public sympathy for his illness and good will on the birth of his child. But those sentiments will fade if the government is viewed as having bungled the response to the coronavirus, according to Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University in London.So far, the prime minister has reaped public sympathy for his illness and good will on the birth of his child. But those sentiments will fade if the government is viewed as having bungled the response to the coronavirus, according to Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University in London.
“You can talk about him as a Teflon politician,” Mr. Bale said, “but Teflon eventually loses its non-stick properties.”“You can talk about him as a Teflon politician,” Mr. Bale said, “but Teflon eventually loses its non-stick properties.”
The challenge Mr. Johnson confronts, as he settles back into work, will be leading his country through a grinding monthslong tragedy, in which analysts said his appeals for pluck and optimism may pale next to the human cost of the virus and the economic misery caused by the efforts to suppress it.The challenge Mr. Johnson confronts, as he settles back into work, will be leading his country through a grinding monthslong tragedy, in which analysts said his appeals for pluck and optimism may pale next to the human cost of the virus and the economic misery caused by the efforts to suppress it.
On Wednesday, the government recalculated its death toll to include those who died in nursing homes and houses. That drove the number of fatalities to 26,097, one of the highest totals in Europe. British officials noted that on a per-capita basis, the death rate was comparable to its neighbors, except for Germany, which has a much lower death rate.On Wednesday, the government recalculated its death toll to include those who died in nursing homes and houses. That drove the number of fatalities to 26,097, one of the highest totals in Europe. British officials noted that on a per-capita basis, the death rate was comparable to its neighbors, except for Germany, which has a much lower death rate.
While Mr. Johnson recuperated from his own bout with the virus, Mr. Raab and other ministers have faced hard questions about why Britain has failed to secure enough masks or gloves for doctors and nurses, seems likely to fall short of a promise to test 100,000 people a day by the end of this month, and has not offered a blueprint for lifting the lockdown imposed on March 23.While Mr. Johnson recuperated from his own bout with the virus, Mr. Raab and other ministers have faced hard questions about why Britain has failed to secure enough masks or gloves for doctors and nurses, seems likely to fall short of a promise to test 100,000 people a day by the end of this month, and has not offered a blueprint for lifting the lockdown imposed on March 23.
During the parliamentary session, known as Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr. Starmer accused the government of being late at every step of the crisis. He noted that the death toll was “dreadful,” and well above the goal of 20,000 set by the government for this phase of the epidemic.During the parliamentary session, known as Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr. Starmer accused the government of being late at every step of the crisis. He noted that the death toll was “dreadful,” and well above the goal of 20,000 set by the government for this phase of the epidemic.
“I’m asking the government to be clear with the public about what comes next,” said Mr. Starmer, who was elected Labour leader last month. “We’d like to support the government’s strategy if we knew what it was.”“I’m asking the government to be clear with the public about what comes next,” said Mr. Starmer, who was elected Labour leader last month. “We’d like to support the government’s strategy if we knew what it was.”
The shortage of gloves and masks was dire enough that The Daily Mail, a tabloid that traditionally aligns with Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party, stepped in to help organize the delivery of 20 tons of gear from China for health workers.The shortage of gloves and masks was dire enough that The Daily Mail, a tabloid that traditionally aligns with Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party, stepped in to help organize the delivery of 20 tons of gear from China for health workers.
Criticisms that Mr. Johnson was slow to order the lockdown have been compounded by the government’s reluctance to talk about how and when it can be relaxed. In Scotland, the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has given more details about her government’s plan and has encouraged the public to wear masks, while ministers in London have continued to deliberate over their use.Criticisms that Mr. Johnson was slow to order the lockdown have been compounded by the government’s reluctance to talk about how and when it can be relaxed. In Scotland, the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has given more details about her government’s plan and has encouraged the public to wear masks, while ministers in London have continued to deliberate over their use.
On Wednesday, the government said it had the capacity to conduct more than 73,000 tests, though fewer than 53,000 tests were carried out on the last day for which figures were available. That makes it highly likely that the government will miss its target of 100,000 daily tests by at least a couple of days.On Wednesday, the government said it had the capacity to conduct more than 73,000 tests, though fewer than 53,000 tests were carried out on the last day for which figures were available. That makes it highly likely that the government will miss its target of 100,000 daily tests by at least a couple of days.
For Mr. Johnson, the crisis will complicate being a new father. He is expected to take a short paternity leave but will put it off until later in the year to deal with the epidemic, an official said. He and Ms. Symonds, a former Conservative Party press agent, said in February that they expected the child in early summer.For Mr. Johnson, the crisis will complicate being a new father. He is expected to take a short paternity leave but will put it off until later in the year to deal with the epidemic, an official said. He and Ms. Symonds, a former Conservative Party press agent, said in February that they expected the child in early summer.
Downing Street offered no information on the baby’s name, weight or the hospital in which he was born, though officials said Mr. Johnson was present at the birth. The prime minister spent three nights in the intensive care unit of St. Thomas’ Hospital, later thanking the nurses for saving his life.Downing Street offered no information on the baby’s name, weight or the hospital in which he was born, though officials said Mr. Johnson was present at the birth. The prime minister spent three nights in the intensive care unit of St. Thomas’ Hospital, later thanking the nurses for saving his life.
Updated June 30, 2020
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.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
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.
Mr. Johnson’s talent for engaging and entertaining voters has enabled him to defy political gravity throughout his career. No recent prime ministers have refused to say publicly how many children they have, for example. With four children from his second marriage and possibly two from extramarital relationships, the exact number of his progeny remains a matter of conjecture.Mr. Johnson’s talent for engaging and entertaining voters has enabled him to defy political gravity throughout his career. No recent prime ministers have refused to say publicly how many children they have, for example. With four children from his second marriage and possibly two from extramarital relationships, the exact number of his progeny remains a matter of conjecture.
In the past year alone, Mr. Johnson has bounced back after resigning from the previous British government; suffered a landmark legal defeat when he suspended Parliament; ended his second marriage, to Marina Wheeler; and survived the virus.In the past year alone, Mr. Johnson has bounced back after resigning from the previous British government; suffered a landmark legal defeat when he suspended Parliament; ended his second marriage, to Marina Wheeler; and survived the virus.
Mr. Johnson’s resilience and seat-of-the-pants style, some analysts said, might help him navigate an unpredictable crisis.Mr. Johnson’s resilience and seat-of-the-pants style, some analysts said, might help him navigate an unpredictable crisis.
“His whole life is a preparation for being unprepared, and that isn’t a bad way to be in a crisis,” Mr. Gimson said. “That means he is capable of changing tack quickly.”“His whole life is a preparation for being unprepared, and that isn’t a bad way to be in a crisis,” Mr. Gimson said. “That means he is capable of changing tack quickly.”
But despite Mr. Johnson’s talents, others said the public would be unforgiving if Britain’s death toll ranked at the top of the list in Europe.But despite Mr. Johnson’s talents, others said the public would be unforgiving if Britain’s death toll ranked at the top of the list in Europe.
“In a year’s time,” Mr. Bale said, “if people realize that the U.K. has done worse than many other countries, no amount of good will can protect a politician.”“In a year’s time,” Mr. Bale said, “if people realize that the U.K. has done worse than many other countries, no amount of good will can protect a politician.”