'Highways of Peru Swell With Families Fleeing Virus' diff viewer (4/5)

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Highways of Peru Swell With Families Fleeing Virus	Highways of Peru Swell With Families Fleeing Virus
2020-06-05 17:14:45 UTC	2020-06-09 15:04:39 UTC (4 days later)
LIMA, Peru — The bus terminals in Lima are so crowded with people waiting to escape to the countryside that families are sleeping outside, side by side.	LIMA, Peru — The bus terminals in Lima are so crowded with people waiting to escape to the countryside that families are sleeping outside, side by side.
The highways of the city, Peru’s capital, are lined with walkers, laden with suitcases and children.	The highways of the city, Peru’s capital, are lined with walkers, laden with suitcases and children.
In all, at least 167,000 Peruvians in urban areas have registered with local governments, asking for help in leaving cities and returning to their families. It is a reverse exodus, and it is convulsing a country already in the midst of a coronavirus lockdown that has stripped many of work and the ability to feed their families.	In all, at least 167,000 Peruvians in urban areas have registered with local governments, asking for help in leaving cities and returning to their families. It is a reverse exodus, and it is convulsing a country already in the midst of a coronavirus lockdown that has stripped many of work and the ability to feed their families.
Peru is emerging as one of the Latin American countries worst hit by the pandemic, at least according to official counts. The country of about 30 million people is second only to Brazil, with about 30,000 confirmed cases, most of them in Lima.	Peru is emerging as one of the Latin American countries worst hit by the pandemic, at least according to official counts. The country of about 30 million people is second only to Brazil, with about 30,000 confirmed cases, most of them in Lima.
“We brought just a small suitcase,” said Wilson Granda, 28, an unemployed waiter, speaking from a bus terminal where his young family had been waiting for four days for a ride to his parents’ farm. With him was his wife, Tania, their toddler daughter, Yasury, and their two-week-old son, Yeral, slightly burned by hours in the sun.	“We brought just a small suitcase,” said Wilson Granda, 28, an unemployed waiter, speaking from a bus terminal where his young family had been waiting for four days for a ride to his parents’ farm. With him was his wife, Tania, their toddler daughter, Yasury, and their two-week-old son, Yeral, slightly burned by hours in the sun.
The flow is part of virus-related migration patterns around the world that are raising alarm about the spread of contagion into rural areas — and worrying small-town officials who are ill-prepared to support large groups of new people.	The flow is part of virus-related migration patterns around the world that are raising alarm about the spread of contagion into rural areas — and worrying small-town officials who are ill-prepared to support large groups of new people.
In India, hundreds of thousands of workers embarked on long journeys on foot to get to rural homes. On Wednesday, a senior official at one international aid agency estimated that at least 40,000 Venezuelan emigrants have returned to their own battered country since mid-March — a sign of their desperation .	In India, hundreds of thousands of workers embarked on long journeys on foot to get to rural homes. On Wednesday, a senior official at one international aid agency estimated that at least 40,000 Venezuelan emigrants have returned to their own battered country since mid-March — a sign of their desperation .
For Peru, the trend is a reversal of decades in which rural families traveled from the countryside to Lima in search of work. That migration changed the face of the country, turning it into one of the more urbanized nations in the world.	For Peru, the trend is a reversal of decades in which rural families traveled from the countryside to Lima in search of work. That migration changed the face of the country, turning it into one of the more urbanized nations in the world.
Javier Torres, the director of a news site that focuses on rural needs, Noticias Ser, called Peru a “country of migrants,” saying that movement “is part of our culture.”	Javier Torres, the director of a news site that focuses on rural needs, Noticias Ser, called Peru a “country of migrants,” saying that movement “is part of our culture.”
He is used to tracking movement into Lima. But he could not recall a time when so many people were trying to leave. Nearly a third of all Peruvians have lost their jobs in recent weeks, according to a poll by the Institute of Peruvian Studies conducted recently for the newspaper La República.	He is used to tracking movement into Lima. But he could not recall a time when so many people were trying to leave. Nearly a third of all Peruvians have lost their jobs in recent weeks, according to a poll by the Institute of Peruvian Studies conducted recently for the newspaper La República.
Government statistics estimate that even amid mass migration to the cities, the vast majority of people in the country remain in the informal labor sector — working at jobs that are typically paid in cash, with no benefits and little economic security.	Government statistics estimate that even amid mass migration to the cities, the vast majority of people in the country remain in the informal labor sector — working at jobs that are typically paid in cash, with no benefits and little economic security.
Mr. Torres said that the health crisis had punctured “certain myths about growth in Peru,” revealing how little the country’s economic expansion had done to help poor and middle class families.	Mr. Torres said that the health crisis had punctured “certain myths about growth in Peru,” revealing how little the country’s economic expansion had done to help poor and middle class families.
Peru’s government, alarmed by the way the shift out of the cities could spread the virus, has tried to organize and control the movement. It is asking people who want to leave cities to register with their local governments and then await a message telling them it is their turn to receive a bus or flight ticket home.	Peru’s government, alarmed by the way the shift out of the cities could spread the virus, has tried to organize and control the movement. It is asking people who want to leave cities to register with their local governments and then await a message telling them it is their turn to receive a bus or flight ticket home.
The government protocol is to administer a coronavirus test to would-be migrants and only allow those who test negative to travel. Initially, it was asking people to then quarantine once they reached their destination. Now it is asking them to quarantine in Lima.	The government protocol is to administer a coronavirus test to would-be migrants and only allow those who test negative to travel. Initially, it was asking people to then quarantine once they reached their destination. Now it is asking them to quarantine in Lima.
Of the 167,000 people who have registered for help, the government has been able to move just 3,579, according to numbers announced last week by Vicente Zeballos, the president of the country’s Council of Ministers.	Of the 167,000 people who have registered for help, the government has been able to move just 3,579, according to numbers announced last week by Vicente Zeballos, the president of the country’s Council of Ministers.
A further 1,621 would be transferred soon, he said.	A further 1,621 would be transferred soon, he said.
But without work, many are desperate to leave, and hundreds, if not more, have departed Lima — without going through testing.	But without work, many are desperate to leave, and hundreds, if not more, have departed Lima — without going through testing.
Alex Yampis, 23, a computer technician who has been raising money for families without work, said that recently four young people from the Indigenous Awajún community in Lima had left on foot for their home region of Amazonas.	Alex Yampis, 23, a computer technician who has been raising money for families without work, said that recently four young people from the Indigenous Awajún community in Lima had left on foot for their home region of Amazonas.
Even by car the journey could take days.	Even by car the journey could take days.
Mr. Yampis has donated funds to another 80 or so Awajún people who are waiting in Lima for their turn to return. Several have been evicted, and have moved in with friends, living eight or nine to a home.	Mr. Yampis has donated funds to another 80 or so Awajún people who are waiting in Lima for their turn to return. Several have been evicted, and have moved in with friends, living eight or nine to a home.
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.
Outside the bus terminals in a part of Lima called La Victoria, the government has begun distributing tents to waiting families. But Mr. Granda and his family had not received one.	Outside the bus terminals in a part of Lima called La Victoria, the government has begun distributing tents to waiting families. But Mr. Granda and his family had not received one.
Instead, his children slept in a tent donated by volunteers, while he and his wife dozed on the sidewalk.	Instead, his children slept in a tent donated by volunteers, while he and his wife dozed on the sidewalk.
Mr. Granda lost his job weeks before, on the first day of the lockdown that closed businesses, shuttered schools and suddenly made Lima a far more difficult place to live.	Mr. Granda lost his job weeks before, on the first day of the lockdown that closed businesses, shuttered schools and suddenly made Lima a far more difficult place to live.
They had spent all of their savings since. His children, so far, had behaved. “Maybe for her,” he said of this three-year-old, “it has felt like a game.”	They had spent all of their savings since. His children, so far, had behaved. “Maybe for her,” he said of this three-year-old, “it has felt like a game.”
Mr. Granda had moved to Lima a decade before, and he spoke calmly, like someone accustomed to challenge.	Mr. Granda had moved to Lima a decade before, and he spoke calmly, like someone accustomed to challenge.