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Berlin’s Newest Airport Prepares for Grand Opening. Again. Berlin’s Newest Airport Prepares for Grand Opening. Again.
(about 13 hours later)
BERLIN — After nine years of delays, Germany’s third-largest airport, in Berlin, is set to open — just as the global coronavirus pandemic is vastly reducing air traffic.BERLIN — After nine years of delays, Germany’s third-largest airport, in Berlin, is set to open — just as the global coronavirus pandemic is vastly reducing air traffic.
“It has been a long, difficult road until the final approval from the building authorities,” said Germany’s airports chief, Engelbert Lütke Daldrup.“It has been a long, difficult road until the final approval from the building authorities,” said Germany’s airports chief, Engelbert Lütke Daldrup.
But the Berlin Brandenburg Airport project has been riddled by so many delays, some government officials sound a bit skeptical that the new opening date — Oct. 31, with large airlines to begin service in November — will hold firm.But the Berlin Brandenburg Airport project has been riddled by so many delays, some government officials sound a bit skeptical that the new opening date — Oct. 31, with large airlines to begin service in November — will hold firm.
The new airport, in the southeast of Berlin, will replace several smaller airports that serve the city. Planning began in 1996, with an opening originally envisioned for 2006. But with the beginning of construction delayed, the first tentative opening was scheduled for the fall of 2011.The new airport, in the southeast of Berlin, will replace several smaller airports that serve the city. Planning began in 1996, with an opening originally envisioned for 2006. But with the beginning of construction delayed, the first tentative opening was scheduled for the fall of 2011.
Since then, there have been only more delays. A succession of leaders of the project have been replaced amid legal battles, charges of corruption and about three billion euros in cost overruns.Since then, there have been only more delays. A succession of leaders of the project have been replaced amid legal battles, charges of corruption and about three billion euros in cost overruns.
It has not been a complete standstill. For 14 years, there has been an annual nocturnal foot race around the grounds of the airport.It has not been a complete standstill. For 14 years, there has been an annual nocturnal foot race around the grounds of the airport.
But the repeated delays have dented Berlin’s image as Germany’s buzzing center of commerce after reunification, while supplying material for a generation of German comics and fodder for finger-pointing.But the repeated delays have dented Berlin’s image as Germany’s buzzing center of commerce after reunification, while supplying material for a generation of German comics and fodder for finger-pointing.
“The money is to blame,” said Andreas Otto, a member of the Berlin City-State parliament, who worked on a public inquiry into the project after another grand opening in 2012 was canceled. “There wasn’t too little, there was too much.”“The money is to blame,” said Andreas Otto, a member of the Berlin City-State parliament, who worked on a public inquiry into the project after another grand opening in 2012 was canceled. “There wasn’t too little, there was too much.”
Mr. Otto, a member of the Green Party, said that with the announcement that the project had been approved, he was “never more sure that the airport would open.”Mr. Otto, a member of the Green Party, said that with the announcement that the project had been approved, he was “never more sure that the airport would open.”
Still, the comment suggests the persisting skepticism about promised opening dates, no matter how certain they appear.Still, the comment suggests the persisting skepticism about promised opening dates, no matter how certain they appear.
When the grand opening in 2012 was canceled, airline tickets to and from the destination had already been issued. A train station, just below the terminal, was already fully functional and ready for passengers.When the grand opening in 2012 was canceled, airline tickets to and from the destination had already been issued. A train station, just below the terminal, was already fully functional and ready for passengers.
With the delay, rail service was suspended, although a train has been running once a week to keep the tracks in working order.With the delay, rail service was suspended, although a train has been running once a week to keep the tracks in working order.
Among the technical problems that bedeviled the project were lights that could not be switched off, escalators that were too short and rooms that were misnumbered. But the biggest obstacle to the airport opening was serious problems with the automatic sprinkler and fire safety systems.Among the technical problems that bedeviled the project were lights that could not be switched off, escalators that were too short and rooms that were misnumbered. But the biggest obstacle to the airport opening was serious problems with the automatic sprinkler and fire safety systems.
Mr. Otto said the problem was that the project tried to do too much, with too many competing demands.Mr. Otto said the problem was that the project tried to do too much, with too many competing demands.
Now that a regional building authority has approved the new opening date, the airport will move to the next phase: having hundreds of volunteers practice using it, from curbside to boarding, in a two-month dry run.Now that a regional building authority has approved the new opening date, the airport will move to the next phase: having hundreds of volunteers practice using it, from curbside to boarding, in a two-month dry run.
The airport’s opening will make concrete the city’s plan to close Berlin Tegel Airport, the small antiquated airport close to the city center.The airport’s opening will make concrete the city’s plan to close Berlin Tegel Airport, the small antiquated airport close to the city center.
Updated June 16, 2020Updated 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.)
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.
On Wednesday, officials at Tegel said it would temporarily halt operations because of the pandemic, although the move has to be approved by government. It is not clear whether Tegel will reopen before Berlin Brandenburg, known as BER, begins handling the city’s air travel.On Wednesday, officials at Tegel said it would temporarily halt operations because of the pandemic, although the move has to be approved by government. It is not clear whether Tegel will reopen before Berlin Brandenburg, known as BER, begins handling the city’s air travel.
One Berlin newspaper, The Tagesspiegel, has been running an automated clock counting the days since the failed grand opening of 2012. Wednesday’s count: 2,888.One Berlin newspaper, The Tagesspiegel, has been running an automated clock counting the days since the failed grand opening of 2012. Wednesday’s count: 2,888.
In a recent article in the newspaper, Mr. Lütke Daldrup, the airports chief, sounded as if he was eager to move forward.In a recent article in the newspaper, Mr. Lütke Daldrup, the airports chief, sounded as if he was eager to move forward.
“The BER construction site jokes are getting boring now,” he said. “So everyone can get used to talking about BER as a future airport instead of a permanent construction site.”“The BER construction site jokes are getting boring now,” he said. “So everyone can get used to talking about BER as a future airport instead of a permanent construction site.”