This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/08/business/economy/tesla-coronavirus-factory-alameda.html
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Tesla Tells Workers It Will Reopen California Factory Despite County Order | Tesla Tells Workers It Will Reopen California Factory Despite County Order |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Tesla told employees it would restart its factory in Fremont, Calif., on Friday. But the electric car company’s plans do not comply with a local government order that has not cleared large manufacturers to resume operations. | Tesla told employees it would restart its factory in Fremont, Calif., on Friday. But the electric car company’s plans do not comply with a local government order that has not cleared large manufacturers to resume operations. |
| The company informed employees of the plan in companywide emails sent late Thursday and early Friday. The emails were sent after Gov. Gavin Newsom said manufacturing companies could restart operations even as other businesses were to stay closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The governor also said that local governments could impose tougher restrictions than those in force statewide. | The company informed employees of the plan in companywide emails sent late Thursday and early Friday. The emails were sent after Gov. Gavin Newsom said manufacturing companies could restart operations even as other businesses were to stay closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The governor also said that local governments could impose tougher restrictions than those in force statewide. |
| A coalition of health officials from six counties in the San Francisco Bay Area and the city of Berkeley have chosen to maintain to stricter limits in their most recent order, issued on Monday. | A coalition of health officials from six counties in the San Francisco Bay Area and the city of Berkeley have chosen to maintain to stricter limits in their most recent order, issued on Monday. |
| That order allowed construction, landscaping, agricultural and other outdoor businesses to resume operations, but restaurants, bars, or other indoor businesses “that do not permit physical distancing or have high-touch equipment” must remain closed. | That order allowed construction, landscaping, agricultural and other outdoor businesses to resume operations, but restaurants, bars, or other indoor businesses “that do not permit physical distancing or have high-touch equipment” must remain closed. |
| “Tesla has been informed that they do not meet these criteria and must not reopen,” Neetu Balram, a spokeswoman for Alameda County, which includes Fremont, said in a statement. It was not clear on Friday afternoon whether the plant had restarted. | “Tesla has been informed that they do not meet these criteria and must not reopen,” Neetu Balram, a spokeswoman for Alameda County, which includes Fremont, said in a statement. It was not clear on Friday afternoon whether the plant had restarted. |
| Tesla representatives did not respond to a request for comment. | Tesla representatives did not respond to a request for comment. |
| In an email to employees that was reviewed by The New York Times, the head of human resources for North America, Valerie Workman, said the company was in compliance with the local order and said 30 percent of Tesla’s normal staff members would be asked to report to work per shift. She cited Alameda County’s frequently asked questions document, saying that it said “distributed energy resource manufacturing, which includes electric vehicles, solar, and battery storage, is permitted to operate.” | In an email to employees that was reviewed by The New York Times, the head of human resources for North America, Valerie Workman, said the company was in compliance with the local order and said 30 percent of Tesla’s normal staff members would be asked to report to work per shift. She cited Alameda County’s frequently asked questions document, saying that it said “distributed energy resource manufacturing, which includes electric vehicles, solar, and battery storage, is permitted to operate.” |
| But the document does not mention electric vehicles. “Businesses may also operate to manufacture distributed energy resource components, like solar panels,” it said. | But the document does not mention electric vehicles. “Businesses may also operate to manufacture distributed energy resource components, like solar panels,” it said. |
| Tesla is heavily dependent on the Fremont plant, which produces almost all of the vehicles it sells. A second plant, in Shanghai, reopened earlier this year after Chinese officials eased restrictions on business activity. | Tesla is heavily dependent on the Fremont plant, which produces almost all of the vehicles it sells. A second plant, in Shanghai, reopened earlier this year after Chinese officials eased restrictions on business activity. |
| The company’s chief executive, Elon Musk, has been eager to reopen the Fremont plant and has criticized stay-at-home orders that forced the company to cease production in March. At first, Mr. Musk tried to keep the plant open but was forced to shut it down by local officials. | The company’s chief executive, Elon Musk, has been eager to reopen the Fremont plant and has criticized stay-at-home orders that forced the company to cease production in March. At first, Mr. Musk tried to keep the plant open but was forced to shut it down by local officials. |
| In a conference call last week, the billionaire C.E.O. called stay-at-home orders “fascist.” He has also played down the coronavirus pandemic and said on Twitter as recently as March 19 that based on trends at the time, there would “probably close to zero new cases in the US by end of April.” | In a conference call last week, the billionaire C.E.O. called stay-at-home orders “fascist.” He has also played down the coronavirus pandemic and said on Twitter as recently as March 19 that based on trends at the time, there would “probably close to zero new cases in the US by end of April.” |
| Late on Thursday, Mr. Musk told employees the plant would reopen on Friday. “I will be on the line personally helping wherever I can,” he wrote. “However, if you feel uncomfortable coming back to work at this time, please do not feel obligated to do so.” | Late on Thursday, Mr. Musk told employees the plant would reopen on Friday. “I will be on the line personally helping wherever I can,” he wrote. “However, if you feel uncomfortable coming back to work at this time, please do not feel obligated to do so.” |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | Updated June 5, 2020 |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| In her email, Ms. Workman told employees that the company had put in place procedures to protect them from infection. “It is critical that you follow all safety protocols,” she said. “If you do not follow these protocols you will be sent home on unpaid leave. If you are sick or have concerns with safety coming to work, please stay home.” | In her email, Ms. Workman told employees that the company had put in place procedures to protect them from infection. “It is critical that you follow all safety protocols,” she said. “If you do not follow these protocols you will be sent home on unpaid leave. If you are sick or have concerns with safety coming to work, please stay home.” |
| Workers who choose not to work can use their paid time off or unpaid leave, the email said. | Workers who choose not to work can use their paid time off or unpaid leave, the email said. |
| Ms. Balram said the county appreciated Tesla’s “proactive work” to be prepared when an reopening is allowed. But she added that “restoring all activities too soon risks a rapid spike in cases and would jeopardize the relative stability we’ve seen in our health and hospital systems.” | Ms. Balram said the county appreciated Tesla’s “proactive work” to be prepared when an reopening is allowed. But she added that “restoring all activities too soon risks a rapid spike in cases and would jeopardize the relative stability we’ve seen in our health and hospital systems.” |
| Health officers from the six counties and Berkeley have said they would ease restrictions once the total numbers of cases and hospitalized patients in the region flattens or declines, and when the area has sufficient ability to test for the virus. They also said the region needed to have adequate supplies of protective equipment for health workers, and the ability to investigate all cases and trace contacts among those who have been exposed or infected. | Health officers from the six counties and Berkeley have said they would ease restrictions once the total numbers of cases and hospitalized patients in the region flattens or declines, and when the area has sufficient ability to test for the virus. They also said the region needed to have adequate supplies of protective equipment for health workers, and the ability to investigate all cases and trace contacts among those who have been exposed or infected. |
| Other automakers are planning to resume production in the coming days. Toyota expects its plants to reopen on Monday. General Motors, Ford Motor and Fiat Chrysler have said they intended to start production May 18, though their parts operations will start as early as Monday. | Other automakers are planning to resume production in the coming days. Toyota expects its plants to reopen on Monday. General Motors, Ford Motor and Fiat Chrysler have said they intended to start production May 18, though their parts operations will start as early as Monday. |
| Niraj Chokshi contributed reporting. | Niraj Chokshi contributed reporting. |