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Coronavirus Live Updates: Many Business Owners and Landlords Are Facing Off Amid the Economic Crisis Coronavirus Live Updates: Many Business Owners and Landlords Are Facing Off Amid the Economic Crisis
(32 minutes later)
Faced with plunging sales that have already led to tens of millions of layoffs, companies are trying to renegotiate their office and retail leases — and in some cases refusing to pay — in hopes of lowering their overhead and surviving the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. This has given rise to fierce negotiations with building owners, who are trying to hold the line on rents for fear that rising vacancies and falling revenue could threaten their own survival.Faced with plunging sales that have already led to tens of millions of layoffs, companies are trying to renegotiate their office and retail leases — and in some cases refusing to pay — in hopes of lowering their overhead and surviving the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. This has given rise to fierce negotiations with building owners, who are trying to hold the line on rents for fear that rising vacancies and falling revenue could threaten their own survival.
Simon Property Group, the biggest mall operator in the United States, this week sued Gap, the owner of retail chains that include Old Navy and Banana Republic, for nearly $66 million in unpaid rent for April, May and June, according to a lawsuit filed in Delaware this week.Simon Property Group, the biggest mall operator in the United States, this week sued Gap, the owner of retail chains that include Old Navy and Banana Republic, for nearly $66 million in unpaid rent for April, May and June, according to a lawsuit filed in Delaware this week.
In many cases, the strongest tenants — those most able to pay — are driving the hardest for a discount. They include brand-name companies like LVMH, the luxury goods conglomerate that owns Sephora and other outlets; and Starbucks, which had $2.6 billion of cash on hand at the end of March and would have little problem selling stock or bonds to raise more money.In many cases, the strongest tenants — those most able to pay — are driving the hardest for a discount. They include brand-name companies like LVMH, the luxury goods conglomerate that owns Sephora and other outlets; and Starbucks, which had $2.6 billion of cash on hand at the end of March and would have little problem selling stock or bonds to raise more money.
Beyond the immediate impact of business closings on tenants’ revenue are larger questions, including the already-dire trends for malls and shopping centers, how office and consumer behavior might change after the pandemic, and the effects of recent looting and vandalism on retail corridors. Will companies need more space so that employees can spread out, or will they need less because they need fewer offices at all?Beyond the immediate impact of business closings on tenants’ revenue are larger questions, including the already-dire trends for malls and shopping centers, how office and consumer behavior might change after the pandemic, and the effects of recent looting and vandalism on retail corridors. Will companies need more space so that employees can spread out, or will they need less because they need fewer offices at all?
The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May and the economy added 2.5 million jobs, the government said Friday, a surprising upswing after months of lockdowns and waves of layoffs caused by the pandemic. ECONOMIC Round up
The increase in jobs followed a record 20.5 million-job loss the month The job market unexpectedly reversed its pandemic-induced free fall in May as employers added 2.5 million jobs. But tens of millions of people remain out of work, and the unemployment rate, which fell to 13.3 percent from 14.7 percent in April, remains higher than in any previous postwar recession.
before, the worst ever recorded. The unemployment rate fell from 14.7 percent in April. The improvement came as government relief checks helped consumers and companies, and President Trump took a victory lap on Twitter and declared during an event at the White House that the jobs report signaled “the greatest comeback in American history.” He signed a bill to give small businesses more time to use loans from the Paycheck Protection Program to help them stay afloat during the pandemic.
President Trump praised himself for the positive unemployment numbers on Friday. But the trillions of dollars in government assistance that have helped keep the economy on life support may be nearing their end, many economists warn that the economic comeback will not be swift, and the prospects for a new round of stimulus — desperately sought by state and local governments that have seen tax collections plummet — dimmed after the report.
Mr. Trump also tweeted the comments of several television commentators who expressed surprise and delight at the jobs report, then took a shot at his Democratic opponent, former Vice President former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Here is a look at the economic news driving the day.
“Oh no, the Dems are worried again,” Mr. Trump wrote. “The only one that can kill this comeback is Sleepy Joe Biden!” Restaurants that rehired employees after restrictions on dining out eased around the country played a large part in lifting payrolls. About 1.4 million people gained or took back their restaurant jobs, and health care employers and construction were among the sectors that drove the May job market improvement, based on the Labor Department’s report.
Stocks on Wall Street shot higher on Friday, lifting the S&P 500 to within 7 percent of a record, after the U.S. government reported the surprising pickup in hiring in May. Economists had expected a surge in unemployment and another month of job losses. There are millions of people who are not working and want a job whom the unemployment rate leaves out. To be officially counted as unemployed, workers who are not on temporary layoff must indicate that they have looked for work in the past four weeks.
The upswing threw into doubt the prospects of another virus stimulus bill, threatening to further temper Republicans’ willingness to provide more relief. Stocks on Wall Street shot higher on Friday, lifting the S&P 500 to within 7 percent from its high-point in February.
“Goodbye phase 4,” a Republican official wrote in a text message on Friday morning after the numbers were released, encapsulating the mood among lawmakers and aides. Others conceded privately that some relief package would likely still materialize, but with a substantially lower price tag and a narrower focus on modifying existing programs, rather than creating new ones. Prospects on Capitol Hill of another virus stimulus bill dimmed after the news of the upswing in unemployment numbers. Republicans had already thrown substantial cold water on the idea of another package on top of the nearly $2.8 trillion already enacted, warning of soaring deficits and arguing that they wanted to see how the economy responded to before doling out more money. But a number of sectors are still suffering, and state and local governments are warning of layoffs and cuts to essential services absent federal aid.
Republicans had already thrown substantial cold water on the idea of another package on top of the nearly $2.8 trillion already enacted, warning of soaring deficits and arguing that they wanted to see how the economy responded to before doling out more money. A number of new programs and economic lifelines expire later this summer. Many businesses are still reeling. Brooks Brothers, the oldest apparel brand in continuous operation in the United States, plans to lay off nearly 700 employees this summer at its factories in Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina. The company is also trying to find buyers for the factories by mid-July, and expects to close them if it can’t.
New research suggests that by September, most American students will have fallen months or more behind where they would have been if they had stayed in classrooms. And the disruption to education caused by the pandemic is likely to widen racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps because of disparities in access to computers, home internet connections and direct instruction from teachers.New research suggests that by September, most American students will have fallen months or more behind where they would have been if they had stayed in classrooms. And the disruption to education caused by the pandemic is likely to widen racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps because of disparities in access to computers, home internet connections and direct instruction from teachers.
Teachers and parents are worried about how much children are losing out, our correspondent Dana Goldstein writes.Teachers and parents are worried about how much children are losing out, our correspondent Dana Goldstein writes.
In Aurora, Colo., Clint Silva, a seventh-grade social studies teacher, was planning to spend the spring working with his students on research skills. For one remote assignment, he asked them to create a primary source about the pandemic that future historians could consult.In Aurora, Colo., Clint Silva, a seventh-grade social studies teacher, was planning to spend the spring working with his students on research skills. For one remote assignment, he asked them to create a primary source about the pandemic that future historians could consult.
But only a minority of his students have consistently engaged with remote assignments. “We know this isn’t a good way to teach,” he said.But only a minority of his students have consistently engaged with remote assignments. “We know this isn’t a good way to teach,” he said.
The impact of the learning loss students have experienced is being assessed by researchers using past learning disruptions — such as natural disasters or even summer break — and comparisons of the usage of online learning software in schools before the pandemic and now from home.The impact of the learning loss students have experienced is being assessed by researchers using past learning disruptions — such as natural disasters or even summer break — and comparisons of the usage of online learning software in schools before the pandemic and now from home.
Students could begin the next school year having lost as much as a third of their expected progress from the previous year in reading and half of their expected progress in math, according to a working paper from NWEA, a nonprofit organization, and scholars at Brown University and the University of Virginia.Students could begin the next school year having lost as much as a third of their expected progress from the previous year in reading and half of their expected progress in math, according to a working paper from NWEA, a nonprofit organization, and scholars at Brown University and the University of Virginia.
When all of the impacts are taken into account, the average student could fall seven months behind academically, while black and Hispanic students could experience even greater learning losses, equivalent to 10 months for black children and nine months for Latinos, according to an analysis from McKinsey & Company, the consulting group.When all of the impacts are taken into account, the average student could fall seven months behind academically, while black and Hispanic students could experience even greater learning losses, equivalent to 10 months for black children and nine months for Latinos, according to an analysis from McKinsey & Company, the consulting group.
U.S. RoundupU.S. Roundup
In New York City, concerns are growing that mainly peaceful protests are exposing many people to the possibility of infection, as many police officers and protesters, who are often in close quarters, were not wearing face coverings. Mayor Bill de Blasio emphasized on Friday that officers are supposed to be wearing face coverings.In New York City, concerns are growing that mainly peaceful protests are exposing many people to the possibility of infection, as many police officers and protesters, who are often in close quarters, were not wearing face coverings. Mayor Bill de Blasio emphasized on Friday that officers are supposed to be wearing face coverings.
“It has not been happening consistently,” Mr. de Blasio said on WNYC radio, adding that he was frustrated and had asked his police commissioner “multiple times” to address the laxness. “It has to be fixed.”“It has not been happening consistently,” Mr. de Blasio said on WNYC radio, adding that he was frustrated and had asked his police commissioner “multiple times” to address the laxness. “It has to be fixed.”
The mayor reiterated that the city was set to start reopening on Monday, and has said the city could enter a second reopening phase “as early as the beginning of July.” The second phase allows the reopening of offices, stores and personal-service businesses like barber shops, with restrictions. Here are some other important developments around the country. The mayor reiterated that the city was set to start reopening on Monday, with nonessential retailers open for curbside pickup, construction at more than 30,000 sites allowed to restart, and manufacturing resuming. Here are some other important developments around the country.
The Trump administration has released new requirements for states to report coronavirus data based on race, ethnicity, age and sex of tested individuals, in an effort to respond to demands from lawmakers for a better picture of the pandemic.The Trump administration has released new requirements for states to report coronavirus data based on race, ethnicity, age and sex of tested individuals, in an effort to respond to demands from lawmakers for a better picture of the pandemic.
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor temporarily suspended a trial judge’s rulings requiring the Trump administration to move more than 800 older or medically vulnerable inmates out of an Ohio prison where nine prisoners have died from the virus. An appeals court is scheduled to hear arguments in the case on Friday.Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor temporarily suspended a trial judge’s rulings requiring the Trump administration to move more than 800 older or medically vulnerable inmates out of an Ohio prison where nine prisoners have died from the virus. An appeals court is scheduled to hear arguments in the case on Friday.
The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert Redfield, told House lawmakers that the federal government and state health departments needed to dramatically increase the number of people tracing the contacts of those infected by the coronavirus. He said that up to 100,000 would be needed by September.The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert Redfield, told House lawmakers that the federal government and state health departments needed to dramatically increase the number of people tracing the contacts of those infected by the coronavirus. He said that up to 100,000 would be needed by September.
Brooks Brothers, the oldest apparel brand in continuous operation in the United States, plans to lay off nearly 700 employees this summer at its factories in Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina. The company is also trying to find buyers for the factories by mid-July, and expects to close them if it can’t.
A federal appeals court sided with Texas Republicans in their legal battle to restrict voting by mail during the pandemic, striking down a lower-court ruling that would have allowed voters who fear contracting the virus to cast ballots by mail instead of in person.A federal appeals court sided with Texas Republicans in their legal battle to restrict voting by mail during the pandemic, striking down a lower-court ruling that would have allowed voters who fear contracting the virus to cast ballots by mail instead of in person.
The N.B.A. players’ union is set to consider a proposal to return to play starting next month in Florida, after team owners overwhelmingly approved the plan on Thursday.The N.B.A. players’ union is set to consider a proposal to return to play starting next month in Florida, after team owners overwhelmingly approved the plan on Thursday.
Global RoundupGlobal Roundup
Mexico is starting to bustle again, as restrictions ease in virus-free communities, the mining, construction and auto industries, and thousands of select businesses.Mexico is starting to bustle again, as restrictions ease in virus-free communities, the mining, construction and auto industries, and thousands of select businesses.
But many Mexicans, including medical experts, fear even the country’s gradual reopening is coming too early, and will lead to more illness and death under a pandemic that has not been brought under control in Mexico and is surging across Latin America.But many Mexicans, including medical experts, fear even the country’s gradual reopening is coming too early, and will lead to more illness and death under a pandemic that has not been brought under control in Mexico and is surging across Latin America.
Dr. Francisco Moreno, who heads the Covid unit of ABC Medical Center, one of Mexico City’s top private hospitals, said that despite doubling capacity, patients were having to be turned away.Dr. Francisco Moreno, who heads the Covid unit of ABC Medical Center, one of Mexico City’s top private hospitals, said that despite doubling capacity, patients were having to be turned away.
The government’s message may lead many people to think the worst is over, he said, but “we are at the peak of the epidemic.”The government’s message may lead many people to think the worst is over, he said, but “we are at the peak of the epidemic.”
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has struggled to balance a pandemic response with the economic needs of a country in which over half of the population lives hand-to-mouth.President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has struggled to balance a pandemic response with the economic needs of a country in which over half of the population lives hand-to-mouth.
Early on, he played down the severity of the virus’s threat, allowing soccer tournaments, concerts and preparations for the busy spring tourist season to continue.Early on, he played down the severity of the virus’s threat, allowing soccer tournaments, concerts and preparations for the busy spring tourist season to continue.
But the relaxation of restrictions comes at a moment when the disease appears to be peaking. On Wednesday, Mexico reported 1,092 deaths, its highest daily toll to date, though the López Obrador administration said the increase was caused by an administrative delay in reporting deaths. By Friday morning, the total number of dead in the country was 12,545. More developments from around the world:But the relaxation of restrictions comes at a moment when the disease appears to be peaking. On Wednesday, Mexico reported 1,092 deaths, its highest daily toll to date, though the López Obrador administration said the increase was caused by an administrative delay in reporting deaths. By Friday morning, the total number of dead in the country was 12,545. More developments from around the world:
South Korea reported 39 new cases in and around Seoul, where a recent wave of infections had been traced to nightclubs and an e-commerce warehouse.South Korea reported 39 new cases in and around Seoul, where a recent wave of infections had been traced to nightclubs and an e-commerce warehouse.
The head of France’s government’s scientific council declared France’s epidemic “under control.” Many experts credit the government’s tightly enforced lockdown, mobilization of technology like high-speed trains to save patients, and closely followed counsel from scientists.The head of France’s government’s scientific council declared France’s epidemic “under control.” Many experts credit the government’s tightly enforced lockdown, mobilization of technology like high-speed trains to save patients, and closely followed counsel from scientists.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia warned people against attending protests this weekend organized in sympathy with American protests against police brutality against minorities, saying that a large gathering could sabotage the country’s efforts to control the outbreak. “Let’s find a better way, and another way, to express these sentiments rather than putting your health at risk, the health of others at risk,” he said o.Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia warned people against attending protests this weekend organized in sympathy with American protests against police brutality against minorities, saying that a large gathering could sabotage the country’s efforts to control the outbreak. “Let’s find a better way, and another way, to express these sentiments rather than putting your health at risk, the health of others at risk,” he said o.
China warned its citizens against traveling to Australia because of what it described as rampant racial discrimination and violence in the country related to the coronavirus. The warning followed a series of economic actions by Beijing against Australia, after Australian officials led a call for an independent investigation into the origins of the pandemic, which first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan.China warned its citizens against traveling to Australia because of what it described as rampant racial discrimination and violence in the country related to the coronavirus. The warning followed a series of economic actions by Beijing against Australia, after Australian officials led a call for an independent investigation into the origins of the pandemic, which first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
In Indonesia, mosques opened for midday prayer in the capital, Jakarta, for the first time in more than two months, with social-distancing protocols, temperature checks, face masks and plenty of hand sanitizer.In Indonesia, mosques opened for midday prayer in the capital, Jakarta, for the first time in more than two months, with social-distancing protocols, temperature checks, face masks and plenty of hand sanitizer.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey revoked a much-debated weekend lockdown, citing “social and economic consequences.” The country’s Interior Ministry had said residents would be confined to their homes during the weekend, but Mr. Erdogan said complaints from citizens had made him re-evaluate the decision. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey revoked a much-debated weekend lockdown, citing “social and economic consequences.” The country’s Interior Ministry had said residents would be confined to their homes during the weekend, but Mr. Erdogan said complaints from citizens had made him re-evaluate.
Switzerland expanded its border reopening plans on Friday announcing that it will include all European Union countries and Britain on June 15. It had previously announced that it lift border restrictions with neighboring Austria, Germany and France. Switzerland expanded its border reopening plans, announcing that it will include all European Union countries and Britain on June 15. It had previously announced that it would lift border restrictions with neighboring Austria, Germany and France.
The coronavirus epidemic in Britain has killed more than 40,000 people, sickened hundreds of thousands more, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and paralyzed the economy. Now it may claim another casualty: a trade agreement between Britain and the European Union.The coronavirus epidemic in Britain has killed more than 40,000 people, sickened hundreds of thousands more, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and paralyzed the economy. Now it may claim another casualty: a trade agreement between Britain and the European Union.
On Friday, the two sides announced that they had made little headway in their efforts to strike a post-Brexit trade deal. With a deadline at the end of the year, and the last chance to ask for an extension looming at the end of this month, Mr. Johnson’s government argues that it would rather walk away without a deal than prolong the talks.On Friday, the two sides announced that they had made little headway in their efforts to strike a post-Brexit trade deal. With a deadline at the end of the year, and the last chance to ask for an extension looming at the end of this month, Mr. Johnson’s government argues that it would rather walk away without a deal than prolong the talks.
That may be posturing. Britain now says it wants to step up the pace of negotiations next month. But the pandemic has scrambled the government’s calculations, and a no-deal outcome, which once seemed both disastrous and all but impossible, now seems entirely plausible.That may be posturing. Britain now says it wants to step up the pace of negotiations next month. But the pandemic has scrambled the government’s calculations, and a no-deal outcome, which once seemed both disastrous and all but impossible, now seems entirely plausible.
On the European side, the trade talks have fallen down the list of priorities, dwarfed by the need to respond to the pandemic. And the disruptions to the global economy has led some to question whether an agreement with Europe still makes sense for Britain.On the European side, the trade talks have fallen down the list of priorities, dwarfed by the need to respond to the pandemic. And the disruptions to the global economy has led some to question whether an agreement with Europe still makes sense for Britain.
Mujtaba Rahman, a former European Commission economist now at the political risk consulting firm, Eurasia Group, said, “The economy after the crisis is going to look fundamentally different than before the crisis, and the government wants a freer hand in reshaping that economy.”Mujtaba Rahman, a former European Commission economist now at the political risk consulting firm, Eurasia Group, said, “The economy after the crisis is going to look fundamentally different than before the crisis, and the government wants a freer hand in reshaping that economy.”
And with Mr. Johnson under fire for his chaotic handling of the virus, the compromises he would have to make with Brussels might be too great for his embattled government.And with Mr. Johnson under fire for his chaotic handling of the virus, the compromises he would have to make with Brussels might be too great for his embattled government.
The federal government’s accounting of coronavirus-related deaths in nursing homes around the country is incomplete, according to a New York Times review of the data.The federal government’s accounting of coronavirus-related deaths in nursing homes around the country is incomplete, according to a New York Times review of the data.
In data published for the first time on Thursday, the federal government counted 32,465 deaths of residents and workers in nursing homes, but the tally is missing thousands of deaths that occurred in facilities for the elderly and excludes some of the most notorious episodes.In data published for the first time on Thursday, the federal government counted 32,465 deaths of residents and workers in nursing homes, but the tally is missing thousands of deaths that occurred in facilities for the elderly and excludes some of the most notorious episodes.
The New York Times has been tracking outbreaks in all types of long-term care centers for the elderly, based on data provided by states, counties and nursing home operators. As of Thursday, at least 46,000 workers and residents have died of the coronavirus.The New York Times has been tracking outbreaks in all types of long-term care centers for the elderly, based on data provided by states, counties and nursing home operators. As of Thursday, at least 46,000 workers and residents have died of the coronavirus.
For example, the federal account of the Life Care nursing center in Kirkland, Wash., which in late February became the first American nursing home to report a major outbreak, listed one suspected infection and zero coronavirus deaths. Health officials in Washington State have tied at least 45 deaths to that facility, dating back to February.For example, the federal account of the Life Care nursing center in Kirkland, Wash., which in late February became the first American nursing home to report a major outbreak, listed one suspected infection and zero coronavirus deaths. Health officials in Washington State have tied at least 45 deaths to that facility, dating back to February.
Though nursing homes were allowed to report infections dating back to January, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services only required data on cases from May onward, after the virus had already peaked in the United States.Though nursing homes were allowed to report infections dating back to January, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services only required data on cases from May onward, after the virus had already peaked in the United States.
Seema Verma, the administrator of the C.M.S., said her agency was not able to require nursing homes to report infections and deaths from prior months, but that many nursing home operators had chosen to do so.Seema Verma, the administrator of the C.M.S., said her agency was not able to require nursing homes to report infections and deaths from prior months, but that many nursing home operators had chosen to do so.
“We are prohibited to do retroactive rule-making, and so we couldn’t require them to do so, but we feel pretty comfortable that that’s what they’ve done,” Ms. Verma said.“We are prohibited to do retroactive rule-making, and so we couldn’t require them to do so, but we feel pretty comfortable that that’s what they’ve done,” Ms. Verma said.
Long after most nations urged their citizens to wear masks, and after months of hand-wringing about the quality of the evidence available, the World Health Organization on Friday endorsed the use of face masks by the public to reduce transmission of the coronavirus.Long after most nations urged their citizens to wear masks, and after months of hand-wringing about the quality of the evidence available, the World Health Organization on Friday endorsed the use of face masks by the public to reduce transmission of the coronavirus.
Since the beginning of the pandemic the W.H.O. had refused to endorse masks. The announcement was long overdue, critics said, as masks are an easy and inexpensive preventive measure.Since the beginning of the pandemic the W.H.O. had refused to endorse masks. The announcement was long overdue, critics said, as masks are an easy and inexpensive preventive measure.
Even in its latest guidance, the W.H.O. made its reluctance abundantly clear, saying the usefulness of face masks is “not yet supported by high quality or direct scientific evidence,” but that governments should encourage mask wearing because of “a growing compendium of observational evidence.”Even in its latest guidance, the W.H.O. made its reluctance abundantly clear, saying the usefulness of face masks is “not yet supported by high quality or direct scientific evidence,” but that governments should encourage mask wearing because of “a growing compendium of observational evidence.”
The W.H.O. also provided an exhaustive list of the potential disadvantages of wearing a mask, including “difficulty with communicating clearly” and “potential discomfort.”The W.H.O. also provided an exhaustive list of the potential disadvantages of wearing a mask, including “difficulty with communicating clearly” and “potential discomfort.”
Earlier this week, a study funded by the W.H.O. concluded that respirator masks such as N95s are better than surgical masks for health care workers. It also found that face shields, goggles and glasses may offer additional protection from the coronavirus.Earlier this week, a study funded by the W.H.O. concluded that respirator masks such as N95s are better than surgical masks for health care workers. It also found that face shields, goggles and glasses may offer additional protection from the coronavirus.
But, to the disappointment of some health care experts, the W.H.O. did not budge from its previous recommendations for medical workers, saying that respirator masks are only needed if such workers are involved in procedures that generate virus-laden aerosols — droplets smaller than 5 microns.But, to the disappointment of some health care experts, the W.H.O. did not budge from its previous recommendations for medical workers, saying that respirator masks are only needed if such workers are involved in procedures that generate virus-laden aerosols — droplets smaller than 5 microns.
In countries like China, Israel, Italy, Singapore and South Korea, smartphones are being used to track and contain the spread of the virus. But in the United States, privacy concerns and the absence of a national policy have made contact tracing slower to catch on.In countries like China, Israel, Italy, Singapore and South Korea, smartphones are being used to track and contain the spread of the virus. But in the United States, privacy concerns and the absence of a national policy have made contact tracing slower to catch on.
All the methods harness common consumer technology to log people’s location or movements and match the data against the location of people known to be sick.All the methods harness common consumer technology to log people’s location or movements and match the data against the location of people known to be sick.
The U.S. efforts are piecemeal. Google and Apple have a partnership underway to develop software for smartphones that would enable them to continuously log information from other devices. The MIT Media Lab has built contact tracing technology too. Three states — Alabama, North Dakota and South Dakota — have said they have deployed or are developing apps for tracking the virus.The U.S. efforts are piecemeal. Google and Apple have a partnership underway to develop software for smartphones that would enable them to continuously log information from other devices. The MIT Media Lab has built contact tracing technology too. Three states — Alabama, North Dakota and South Dakota — have said they have deployed or are developing apps for tracking the virus.
All their methods rely on three capacities: geolocation, Bluetooth and QR codes, and each offers trade-offs.All their methods rely on three capacities: geolocation, Bluetooth and QR codes, and each offers trade-offs.
The appeal is obvious. The traditional approach to contact tracing — for which states, counties and cities are building capacity — is time consuming and labor intensive.The appeal is obvious. The traditional approach to contact tracing — for which states, counties and cities are building capacity — is time consuming and labor intensive.
Each case takes about 90 minutes, according to George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco who is leading training of 10,000 California contact tracers. Tracers spend 60 minutes interviewing a person who tests positive and 30 minutes to call or send texts to all the people the sick person remembers being in contact with.Each case takes about 90 minutes, according to George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco who is leading training of 10,000 California contact tracers. Tracers spend 60 minutes interviewing a person who tests positive and 30 minutes to call or send texts to all the people the sick person remembers being in contact with.
Patrick Kingsley, an international correspondent, and Laetitia Vancon, a photojournalist, are driving more than 3,700 miles to explore the reopening of the European continent after coronavirus lockdowns. Read all their dispatches.Patrick Kingsley, an international correspondent, and Laetitia Vancon, a photojournalist, are driving more than 3,700 miles to explore the reopening of the European continent after coronavirus lockdowns. Read all their dispatches.
To circumvent the restrictions enforced on society by the pandemic, cultural institutions have mostly turned to the internet. Museums have held online panels, theaters have streamed plays on their websites, and orchestras have uploaded their back catalogs.To circumvent the restrictions enforced on society by the pandemic, cultural institutions have mostly turned to the internet. Museums have held online panels, theaters have streamed plays on their websites, and orchestras have uploaded their back catalogs.
In Stuttgart, Germany, two state-funded orchestras — the Stuttgart State Orchestra and the Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra — are trying to do something more personal. They’ve settled on a series of one-on-one concerts in which one orchestra member plays for one audience member, without ever speaking to them.In Stuttgart, Germany, two state-funded orchestras — the Stuttgart State Orchestra and the Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra — are trying to do something more personal. They’ve settled on a series of one-on-one concerts in which one orchestra member plays for one audience member, without ever speaking to them.
After applying to attend online, concertgoers are then allocated a slot in one of 27 sites around the city. They include Stuttgart’s deserted airport, an art gallery, the garden of a private villa — and the terrace beside the vineyard, where Claudia Brusdeylins, a 55-year-old publicist for a renewable energy research group, heard a rendition of “Greensleeves.”After applying to attend online, concertgoers are then allocated a slot in one of 27 sites around the city. They include Stuttgart’s deserted airport, an art gallery, the garden of a private villa — and the terrace beside the vineyard, where Claudia Brusdeylins, a 55-year-old publicist for a renewable energy research group, heard a rendition of “Greensleeves.”
The audience of one arrives with no knowledge about the music that awaits him or her, or the performer or instrument that will provide it. The person simply is asked to sit down opposite the musician, and to lock eyes with the player for 60 seconds.The audience of one arrives with no knowledge about the music that awaits him or her, or the performer or instrument that will provide it. The person simply is asked to sit down opposite the musician, and to lock eyes with the player for 60 seconds.
Then the musician plays for 10 minutes — sometimes squeezing in two or three pieces. They tend to arrive having rehearsed a handful of potential pieces, but change the final selection for each performance. Ms. Brusdeylins was subsequently treated to part of Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1.Then the musician plays for 10 minutes — sometimes squeezing in two or three pieces. They tend to arrive having rehearsed a handful of potential pieces, but change the final selection for each performance. Ms. Brusdeylins was subsequently treated to part of Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1.
Finally, the concertgoer stands up and leaves without applauding, usually wordlessly. There is no ticket fee, but attendees can donate instead to a fund for freelance musicians left without an income by the crisis.Finally, the concertgoer stands up and leaves without applauding, usually wordlessly. There is no ticket fee, but attendees can donate instead to a fund for freelance musicians left without an income by the crisis.
Pandemic lockdowns have given nature a breather around the world, bringing animals to unexpected places. Cougars toured the deserted streets of Santiago, the Chilean capital. Wild boars have strolled through the lanes of Haifa, Israel. Fish catches off Vietnam are teeming again.Pandemic lockdowns have given nature a breather around the world, bringing animals to unexpected places. Cougars toured the deserted streets of Santiago, the Chilean capital. Wild boars have strolled through the lanes of Haifa, Israel. Fish catches off Vietnam are teeming again.
In Thailand, Khao Yai National Park, the country’s oldest, has been closed to human visitors for the first time since it opened in 1962. The upshot? Its 300 or so elephants have been able to roam freely, venturing onto paths once packed with humans.In Thailand, Khao Yai National Park, the country’s oldest, has been closed to human visitors for the first time since it opened in 1962. The upshot? Its 300 or so elephants have been able to roam freely, venturing onto paths once packed with humans.
With few cars around, the elephants, the park’s dominant species, stroll along roads, chomping on foliage without needing to retreat to dangerous corners of the forest where cliffs meet waterfalls. Rarely spotted animals, like the Asian black bear or the gaur, the world’s largest bovine, have emerged, too.With few cars around, the elephants, the park’s dominant species, stroll along roads, chomping on foliage without needing to retreat to dangerous corners of the forest where cliffs meet waterfalls. Rarely spotted animals, like the Asian black bear or the gaur, the world’s largest bovine, have emerged, too.
“The park has been able to restore itself,” said Chananya Kanchanasaka, a national park department veterinarian. “We are excited to see the animals are coming out.”“The park has been able to restore itself,” said Chananya Kanchanasaka, a national park department veterinarian. “We are excited to see the animals are coming out.”
The reprieve is notable in part because Thailand is a country where the bond with nature has long been framed as one of domination — as the jungle consuming people or vice versa.The reprieve is notable in part because Thailand is a country where the bond with nature has long been framed as one of domination — as the jungle consuming people or vice versa.
Beyond the pillaging of its own rainforests, Thailand is a key way station on global wildlife trafficking routes, with horns, tusks and scales from as far away as Africa making their way to China.Beyond the pillaging of its own rainforests, Thailand is a key way station on global wildlife trafficking routes, with horns, tusks and scales from as far away as Africa making their way to China.
Reporting was contributed by Hannah Beech, Ben Casselman, Stephen Castle, Michael Cooper, Ellen Gabler, Dana Goldstein, Eileen Sullivan, Andrew Jacobs, Patrick Kingsley, Isabella Kwai, Mark Landler, Apoorva Mandavilli, Brent McDonald, Raphael Minder, Andy Newman, Richard C. Paddock, Roni Caryn Rabin, Nada Rashwan, Kaly Soto, Safak Timur, Declan Walsh, Noah Weiland, Mitch Smith, Danielle Ivory and Robert Gebeloff.Reporting was contributed by Hannah Beech, Ben Casselman, Stephen Castle, Michael Cooper, Ellen Gabler, Dana Goldstein, Eileen Sullivan, Andrew Jacobs, Patrick Kingsley, Isabella Kwai, Mark Landler, Apoorva Mandavilli, Brent McDonald, Raphael Minder, Andy Newman, Richard C. Paddock, Roni Caryn Rabin, Nada Rashwan, Kaly Soto, Safak Timur, Declan Walsh, Noah Weiland, Mitch Smith, Danielle Ivory and Robert Gebeloff.