'Coronavirus Cases Fall in Europe’s Capitals, but Fears Over Reopening Linger' diff viewer (4/5)

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Coronavirus Cases Fall in Europe’s Capitals, but Fears Over Reopening Linger	Coronavirus Cases Fall in Europe’s Capitals, but Fears Over Reopening Linger
2020-06-06 09:02:28 UTC	2020-06-09 01:29:31 UTC (3 days later)
LONDON — During a week of bluebird skies and Mediterranean temperatures, when sunbathers thronged parks and cars poured back onto streets, one sound has been notably absent in London: the wail of ambulance sirens.	LONDON — During a week of bluebird skies and Mediterranean temperatures, when sunbathers thronged parks and cars poured back onto streets, one sound has been notably absent in London: the wail of ambulance sirens.
Britain’s capital had only a handful of deaths from the coronavirus in the last week. Even the number of new cases dwindled to barely a dozen a day, suggesting that the virus, which so recently coursed through a ghostly city, has ebbed, leaving people relieved but unsure of exactly how much to relax.	Britain’s capital had only a handful of deaths from the coronavirus in the last week. Even the number of new cases dwindled to barely a dozen a day, suggesting that the virus, which so recently coursed through a ghostly city, has ebbed, leaving people relieved but unsure of exactly how much to relax.
The same sharp declines have occurred in other European capitals — from Paris and Rome to Berlin and Madrid — and across the continent, they are stirring similar feelings of ambivalence as political leaders balance the pressure to reopen their economies with worries that doing so could ignite another round of the contagion.	The same sharp declines have occurred in other European capitals — from Paris and Rome to Berlin and Madrid — and across the continent, they are stirring similar feelings of ambivalence as political leaders balance the pressure to reopen their economies with worries that doing so could ignite another round of the contagion.
“My fear is that this good news could lead to complacency, which could lead to a second wave,” London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, said this week.	“My fear is that this good news could lead to complacency, which could lead to a second wave,” London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, said this week.
The reasons for the declining numbers vary from city to city. Some, like London and Paris, were struck by the virus early on and have smothered its spread with two months of suffocating lockdowns. Others, like Rome and Berlin, were less hard hit than other cities in their countries. Madrid, though also reporting a decline in new cases and deaths, is still the epicenter of Spain’s outbreak.	The reasons for the declining numbers vary from city to city. Some, like London and Paris, were struck by the virus early on and have smothered its spread with two months of suffocating lockdowns. Others, like Rome and Berlin, were less hard hit than other cities in their countries. Madrid, though also reporting a decline in new cases and deaths, is still the epicenter of Spain’s outbreak.
What unites these cities is that they are home to the politicians who must decide how quickly to ease national social distancing measures. They are also the headquarters for news outlets that cover the pandemic, as well as popular tourist meccas and, in several cases, the economic drivers for their countries.	What unites these cities is that they are home to the politicians who must decide how quickly to ease national social distancing measures. They are also the headquarters for news outlets that cover the pandemic, as well as popular tourist meccas and, in several cases, the economic drivers for their countries.
The growing pressure for regular life to resume complicates the debate over how quickly leaders should lift lockdowns, especially when other parts of their countries are still in the teeth of the epidemic.	The growing pressure for regular life to resume complicates the debate over how quickly leaders should lift lockdowns, especially when other parts of their countries are still in the teeth of the epidemic.
In Britain, officials in Scotland and northern England are balking at Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to reopen schools and some shops in early June. The northwest, which includes the city of Manchester, now has more coronavirus patients in hospitals than London does.	In Britain, officials in Scotland and northern England are balking at Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to reopen schools and some shops in early June. The northwest, which includes the city of Manchester, now has more coronavirus patients in hospitals than London does.
“The surprisingly permissive package might well be right for the southeast, given the fall in cases there,” Andy Burnham, a Labour Party politician who is mayor of Greater Manchester, wrote in a recent column in the Guardian. “But my gut feeling told me it was too soon for the north.”	“The surprisingly permissive package might well be right for the southeast, given the fall in cases there,” Andy Burnham, a Labour Party politician who is mayor of Greater Manchester, wrote in a recent column in the Guardian. “But my gut feeling told me it was too soon for the north.”
At the same time, he and other officials worry that if the government staggers the reopening, putting London first, it will handicap the northern cities economically. That would deepen a divide between north and south that Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party promised to bridge after its general election victory last December.	At the same time, he and other officials worry that if the government staggers the reopening, putting London first, it will handicap the northern cities economically. That would deepen a divide between north and south that Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party promised to bridge after its general election victory last December.
If anything, the pandemic has further exposed that divide. London’s reduced infection rate in part reflects its services-intensive economy, which enabled bankers, lawyers and other professionals to work from home. In the industrial north, factory workers have continued to clock in, exposing them to the virus.	If anything, the pandemic has further exposed that divide. London’s reduced infection rate in part reflects its services-intensive economy, which enabled bankers, lawyers and other professionals to work from home. In the industrial north, factory workers have continued to clock in, exposing them to the virus.
“The sensible approach would be to start lifting the lockdown, depending on how the virus is spreading, in different parts of the country,” said Paul Swinney, the director of policy and research at the Center for Cities, a research group in London.	“The sensible approach would be to start lifting the lockdown, depending on how the virus is spreading, in different parts of the country,” said Paul Swinney, the director of policy and research at the Center for Cities, a research group in London.
So far, though, Mr. Johnson has vowed that Britain will emerge from the lockdown in unison. With the economy gasping, he is under intense pressure from members of his party to ease restrictions, particularly in Greater London, which accounts for roughly 20 percent of Britain’s economic output.	So far, though, Mr. Johnson has vowed that Britain will emerge from the lockdown in unison. With the economy gasping, he is under intense pressure from members of his party to ease restrictions, particularly in Greater London, which accounts for roughly 20 percent of Britain’s economic output.
“The politics of it are so difficult, particularly with northern mayors because of the leveling-up agenda,” said Tony Travers, a professor of politics at the London School of Economics. “Boris Johnson doesn’t worry about Sadiq Khan in London, but he does worry about Andy Burnham in Manchester.”	“The politics of it are so difficult, particularly with northern mayors because of the leveling-up agenda,” said Tony Travers, a professor of politics at the London School of Economics. “Boris Johnson doesn’t worry about Sadiq Khan in London, but he does worry about Andy Burnham in Manchester.”
In London, signs of normalcy are widespread. Sidewalks in the Brixton neighborhood were full of pedestrians this week as workers began setting up well-spaced tables at an outdoor cafe. A pub in Stoke Newington served takeout beer. In Hampstead Heath, hundreds of people came out to sun themselves, prompting complaints about litter.	In London, signs of normalcy are widespread. Sidewalks in the Brixton neighborhood were full of pedestrians this week as workers began setting up well-spaced tables at an outdoor cafe. A pub in Stoke Newington served takeout beer. In Hampstead Heath, hundreds of people came out to sun themselves, prompting complaints about litter.
Nearly 6,000 people have died in London during the epidemic. But in the last week, hospitals reported only nine deaths on Monday, seven on Tuesday and two on Wednesday. On Monday, there were no new reported cases for a 24-hour period.	Nearly 6,000 people have died in London during the epidemic. But in the last week, hospitals reported only nine deaths on Monday, seven on Tuesday and two on Wednesday. On Monday, there were no new reported cases for a 24-hour period.
“Members of the public are starting to think, ‘Why am I still locked down when I’m living in a city where the chances of catching Covid-19 are lower than being run over by a car in the street?’” Mr. Travers said.	“Members of the public are starting to think, ‘Why am I still locked down when I’m living in a city where the chances of catching Covid-19 are lower than being run over by a car in the street?’” Mr. Travers said.
In Paris, where new infections have plunged from more than 1,000 a day to a couple of dozen, there is similar impatience. The French government has divided the country into red and green zones as it gradually lifts its lockdown. But it left Paris in the more restricted red zone, which means it is not allowed to open its parks.	In Paris, where new infections have plunged from more than 1,000 a day to a couple of dozen, there is similar impatience. The French government has divided the country into red and green zones as it gradually lifts its lockdown. But it left Paris in the more restricted red zone, which means it is not allowed to open its parks.
That has enraged the mayor, Anne Hidalgo, who said, “We’ve got to loosen the vise.”	That has enraged the mayor, Anne Hidalgo, who said, “We’ve got to loosen the vise.”
More serious tensions are flaring in Spain, where the left-leaning central government has not eased Madrid’s lockdown because of worries about a resurgence in infections. The Conservative-led city government has lashed out, setting off evening street protests, particularly in affluent neighborhoods where right-wing parties are popular.	More serious tensions are flaring in Spain, where the left-leaning central government has not eased Madrid’s lockdown because of worries about a resurgence in infections. The Conservative-led city government has lashed out, setting off evening street protests, particularly in affluent neighborhoods where right-wing parties are popular.
At the peak of Spain’s outbreak in late March, more than 300 people a day died in the Madrid region. On Thursday, 19 did. Still, with nearly 9,000 deaths, the capital accounts for roughly a third of the country’s fatalities. And although its death toll has fallen in line with the rest of Spain, Madrid’s statistics arguably still make it the country’s major hot zone.	At the peak of Spain’s outbreak in late March, more than 300 people a day died in the Madrid region. On Thursday, 19 did. Still, with nearly 9,000 deaths, the capital accounts for roughly a third of the country’s fatalities. And although its death toll has fallen in line with the rest of Spain, Madrid’s statistics arguably still make it the country’s major hot zone.
In Germany, where the capital was never the epicenter of the virus, there has been less friction over the pace of reopening.	In Germany, where the capital was never the epicenter of the virus, there has been less friction over the pace of reopening.
Berlin has had a relatively mild outbreak, with 6,552 cases, compared with 26,628 in London. After more than two dozen people were infected in early March at the Trompete club, city officials shut down Berlin’s celebrated nightlife. Restaurants were allowed to reopen their terraces and offer limited service indoors, but there is no sign of when clubs might be allowed to reopen, or how.	Berlin has had a relatively mild outbreak, with 6,552 cases, compared with 26,628 in London. After more than two dozen people were infected in early March at the Trompete club, city officials shut down Berlin’s celebrated nightlife. Restaurants were allowed to reopen their terraces and offer limited service indoors, but there is no sign of when clubs might be allowed to reopen, or how.
While Berlin has had a slight uptick in infections since the reopening, its numbers remain well below those in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, where skiers returning from South Tyrol and Austria brought the virus back in the late winter.	While Berlin has had a slight uptick in infections since the reopening, its numbers remain well below those in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, where skiers returning from South Tyrol and Austria brought the virus back in the late winter.
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.
What pressure there was to reopen came from the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which was also among the hardest hit in Germany. The governor, Armin Laschet, urged Chancellor Angela Merkel to “weigh up again how great the risk of pure infections is and what other social, human, economic damage you will cause in society if you keep everything closed.”	What pressure there was to reopen came from the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which was also among the hardest hit in Germany. The governor, Armin Laschet, urged Chancellor Angela Merkel to “weigh up again how great the risk of pure infections is and what other social, human, economic damage you will cause in society if you keep everything closed.”