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Pandemic Forces Poland to Delay Presidential Election Pandemic Forces Poland to Delay Presidential Election
(about 16 hours later)
WARSAW — Poland’s presidential election has been postponed just days before the governing party planned to go forward with a hastily organized, mail-in vote that had been denounced by opposition candidates as a power grab.WARSAW — Poland’s presidential election has been postponed just days before the governing party planned to go forward with a hastily organized, mail-in vote that had been denounced by opposition candidates as a power grab.
The vote, which had been set for Sunday, would have been Europe’s first presidential election during the pandemic, but the timing has been contentious since the coronavirus swept across the continent. Opposition candidates — who had to halt their campaigns because of the crisis — had called on the government to reschedule.The vote, which had been set for Sunday, would have been Europe’s first presidential election during the pandemic, but the timing has been contentious since the coronavirus swept across the continent. Opposition candidates — who had to halt their campaigns because of the crisis — had called on the government to reschedule.
The governing Law and Justice Party had been determined to shift to an all-mail vote — one in which its candidate, the incumbent Andrzej Duda, had been seen as the clear favorite.The governing Law and Justice Party had been determined to shift to an all-mail vote — one in which its candidate, the incumbent Andrzej Duda, had been seen as the clear favorite.
But the required legislation was fiercely contested, and there was little time to organize postal ballots for more than 30 million citizens. The effort itself appeared to run afoul of Poland’s Constitution, which says changes should not be made to electoral law less than six months before a scheduled election.But the required legislation was fiercely contested, and there was little time to organize postal ballots for more than 30 million citizens. The effort itself appeared to run afoul of Poland’s Constitution, which says changes should not be made to electoral law less than six months before a scheduled election.
The Law and Justice Party’s plan came to an abrupt end late Wednesday, when it and its junior partner in the coalition announced that they would delay the vote, blaming the opposition though offering no other reasoning for the move.The Law and Justice Party’s plan came to an abrupt end late Wednesday, when it and its junior partner in the coalition announced that they would delay the vote, blaming the opposition though offering no other reasoning for the move.
But leaders of the Law and Justice Party are still pressing publicly for a quick election, aware that a period of sustained economic pain will follow the lifting of the national lockdown and fearful that voters will take it out on them.But leaders of the Law and Justice Party are still pressing publicly for a quick election, aware that a period of sustained economic pain will follow the lifting of the national lockdown and fearful that voters will take it out on them.
Poland’s democratic institutions have been rattled by the actions of the governing party, analysts say, and the pandemic has further shaken that order. Though the country still has a vibrant civil society and strong opposition parties, it is at risk of democratic disintegration, a report by Freedom House warned on Thursday.Poland’s democratic institutions have been rattled by the actions of the governing party, analysts say, and the pandemic has further shaken that order. Though the country still has a vibrant civil society and strong opposition parties, it is at risk of democratic disintegration, a report by Freedom House warned on Thursday.
In recent weeks, the European Court of Justice ordered Warsaw to halt a disciplinary regime for judges that was widely seen as politically motivated. And just last week, the European Commission opened another legal case over a more recent Polish law that seeks to punish judges who criticize the government’s judicial overhaul.In recent weeks, the European Court of Justice ordered Warsaw to halt a disciplinary regime for judges that was widely seen as politically motivated. And just last week, the European Commission opened another legal case over a more recent Polish law that seeks to punish judges who criticize the government’s judicial overhaul.
“If Poland continues on this course, it will join hybrid regimes and autocracies that routinely mete out politicized justice,” Freedom House said in its report.“If Poland continues on this course, it will join hybrid regimes and autocracies that routinely mete out politicized justice,” Freedom House said in its report.
Voting during the pandemic has proved challenging around the world, with elections in over 50 nations put on hold in recent weeks, according to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.Voting during the pandemic has proved challenging around the world, with elections in over 50 nations put on hold in recent weeks, according to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
In Poland’s case, the National Electoral Commission, Poland’s commissioner for human rights and international bodies like the European Parliament and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe all warned that it was impossible to hold fair elections in the time frame envisioned by the government.In Poland’s case, the National Electoral Commission, Poland’s commissioner for human rights and international bodies like the European Parliament and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe all warned that it was impossible to hold fair elections in the time frame envisioned by the government.
Poland was one of the first countries in Europe to react to the outbreak, with a strict lockdown and closure of its borders. Almost two months since it first introduced a requirement that people wear protective masks in public, among other measures, Poland has a relatively low number of infections. As of Thursday, about 15,000 cases of Covid-19 and 755 deaths had been reported.Poland was one of the first countries in Europe to react to the outbreak, with a strict lockdown and closure of its borders. Almost two months since it first introduced a requirement that people wear protective masks in public, among other measures, Poland has a relatively low number of infections. As of Thursday, about 15,000 cases of Covid-19 and 755 deaths had been reported.
Like many other countries in Europe, Poland has started relaxing some restrictions, reopening hotels, shopping malls and sports arenas as well as some museums and art galleries. It is also set to allow some international travel.Like many other countries in Europe, Poland has started relaxing some restrictions, reopening hotels, shopping malls and sports arenas as well as some museums and art galleries. It is also set to allow some international travel.
But it could be a temporary reprieve. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Poland is one of a few countries in the European Union where the epidemic is not slowing down.But it could be a temporary reprieve. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Poland is one of a few countries in the European Union where the epidemic is not slowing down.
In pressing to go forward with the vote, Law and Justice had made the case for unity and continuity. “What we need today, among other conditions to resist the crisis, is also political stability,” said Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Law and Justice, in a recent radio interview.In pressing to go forward with the vote, Law and Justice had made the case for unity and continuity. “What we need today, among other conditions to resist the crisis, is also political stability,” said Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of Law and Justice, in a recent radio interview.
When it was clear that the May election could not take place as normal, the government pushed a bill through the lower house of Parliament in less than four hours that called for the vote to be done by mail.When it was clear that the May election could not take place as normal, the government pushed a bill through the lower house of Parliament in less than four hours that called for the vote to be done by mail.
Updated May 28, 2020 Updated June 1, 2020
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
There is an uptick in people reporting symptoms of chilblains, which are painful red or purple lesions that typically appear in the winter on fingers or toes. The lesions are emerging as yet another symptom of infection with the new coronavirus. Chilblains are caused by inflammation in small blood vessels in reaction to cold or damp conditions, but they are usually common in the coldest winter months. Federal health officials do not include toe lesions in the list of coronavirus symptoms, but some dermatologists are pushing for a change, saying so-called Covid toe should be sufficient grounds for testing.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
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.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
The legislation then moved to the opposition-controlled Senate, which does not have the power to entirely reject bills. Senate leaders said they would delay it for as long as was in their power: 30 days, or until just four days before the scheduled vote.The legislation then moved to the opposition-controlled Senate, which does not have the power to entirely reject bills. Senate leaders said they would delay it for as long as was in their power: 30 days, or until just four days before the scheduled vote.
The government insisted it would not be deterred.The government insisted it would not be deterred.
In order to make sure that the election went ahead as scheduled, it appointed its deputy defense minister as the head of the Polish postal service. When some local governments refused to share voters’ personal data with the postal service, arguing they could not do it until the relevant law was passed, officials tried to retrieve the data from one of the ministries but it turned out to be incomplete.In order to make sure that the election went ahead as scheduled, it appointed its deputy defense minister as the head of the Polish postal service. When some local governments refused to share voters’ personal data with the postal service, arguing they could not do it until the relevant law was passed, officials tried to retrieve the data from one of the ministries but it turned out to be incomplete.
On Wednesday night, when it was still not clear if an election would take place as scheduled or how exactly voters would cast their ballots, the candidates met for the first and only official presidential debate. It was a bizarre spectacle: a debate that included opposition candidates who were boycotting the election.On Wednesday night, when it was still not clear if an election would take place as scheduled or how exactly voters would cast their ballots, the candidates met for the first and only official presidential debate. It was a bizarre spectacle: a debate that included opposition candidates who were boycotting the election.
Less than an hour after the debate ended, the governing coalition, apparently yielding to the large practical problems, issued its statement delaying the vote. The Supreme Court is expected to void Sunday’s election and the speaker of the lower chamber will set a new date.Less than an hour after the debate ended, the governing coalition, apparently yielding to the large practical problems, issued its statement delaying the vote. The Supreme Court is expected to void Sunday’s election and the speaker of the lower chamber will set a new date.
That vote is expected to take place in June or July.That vote is expected to take place in June or July.
It, too, may take the form of an all mail-in vote.It, too, may take the form of an all mail-in vote.