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| Putin Wants Parades Ahead of Key Vote. Local Officials Aren’t So Sure. | Putin Wants Parades Ahead of Key Vote. Local Officials Aren’t So Sure. |
| (8 days later) | |
| MOSCOW — When President Vladimir V. Putin ordered Russia’s annual military parade to be rescheduled for later this month, he cast it as a sign of life returning to normal in his virus-stricken nation. | MOSCOW — When President Vladimir V. Putin ordered Russia’s annual military parade to be rescheduled for later this month, he cast it as a sign of life returning to normal in his virus-stricken nation. |
| But when a Muscovite named Zoya asked the capital city’s mayor, Sergei S. Sobyanin, on state TV this week about planned events for the day of the parade, he told her bluntly to stay home. | But when a Muscovite named Zoya asked the capital city’s mayor, Sergei S. Sobyanin, on state TV this week about planned events for the day of the parade, he told her bluntly to stay home. |
| “Zoya, I would not recommend you go anywhere,” Mr. Sobyanin said. | “Zoya, I would not recommend you go anywhere,” Mr. Sobyanin said. |
| The Kremlin is scrambling to drum up feel-good patriotism ahead of a delayed nationwide referendum that would allow Mr. Putin to stay in office until 2036. But the virus keeps getting in the way, with Mr. Putin struggling to solve Russia’s biggest domestic crisis in decades even as he casts himself as a tough problem-solver who is in control of events. | The Kremlin is scrambling to drum up feel-good patriotism ahead of a delayed nationwide referendum that would allow Mr. Putin to stay in office until 2036. But the virus keeps getting in the way, with Mr. Putin struggling to solve Russia’s biggest domestic crisis in decades even as he casts himself as a tough problem-solver who is in control of events. |
| “He is, of course, a dictator,” said Andrei V. Kolesnikov, head of the domestic politics program at the Carnegie Moscow Center think tank. “But here he is a paper dictator.” | “He is, of course, a dictator,” said Andrei V. Kolesnikov, head of the domestic politics program at the Carnegie Moscow Center think tank. “But here he is a paper dictator.” |
| Mr. Putin’s approval rating has already slumped to a 20-year low of 59 percent amid public demands that the government do more to help people hurt by two months of lockdown. A muddled message over military parades — and what sorts of gatherings are and are not allowed as the virus continues to spread — could further harm his standing. | Mr. Putin’s approval rating has already slumped to a 20-year low of 59 percent amid public demands that the government do more to help people hurt by two months of lockdown. A muddled message over military parades — and what sorts of gatherings are and are not allowed as the virus continues to spread — could further harm his standing. |
| At least 12 Russian cities have said they won’t allow parades on June 24, the day that Mr. Putin decreed Russia would hold postponed festivities marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over the Nazis in World War II. | At least 12 Russian cities have said they won’t allow parades on June 24, the day that Mr. Putin decreed Russia would hold postponed festivities marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over the Nazis in World War II. |
| In Moscow, where the country’s main parade is still on, city authorities are signaling they will try to arrange the event without the usual throngs of residents pushing up against barricades to watch intercontinental ballistic missile launchers roll by. | In Moscow, where the country’s main parade is still on, city authorities are signaling they will try to arrange the event without the usual throngs of residents pushing up against barricades to watch intercontinental ballistic missile launchers roll by. |
| “Yes, official events will take place,” Mr. Sobyanin said, “but it’s best you watch them on TV.” | “Yes, official events will take place,” Mr. Sobyanin said, “but it’s best you watch them on TV.” |
| Typically celebrated on May 9, Victory Day is Russia’s most revered holiday, and Mr. Putin has long used his perch overseeing the martial pageantry to cement his image as the commander-in-chief who rebuilt the country as a great power. | Typically celebrated on May 9, Victory Day is Russia’s most revered holiday, and Mr. Putin has long used his perch overseeing the martial pageantry to cement his image as the commander-in-chief who rebuilt the country as a great power. |
| This year, Victory Day was supposed to be especially grand, and it would have given Mr. Putin a platform to celebrate a constitutional overhaul prolonging his ability to rule Russia by two six-year presidential terms. But the pandemic upended all that. | This year, Victory Day was supposed to be especially grand, and it would have given Mr. Putin a platform to celebrate a constitutional overhaul prolonging his ability to rule Russia by two six-year presidential terms. But the pandemic upended all that. |
| Mr. Putin postponed the referendum to approve the constitutional changes to July 1 from April. He spent much of the spring governing by video conference from his country residence — critics called it his “bunker” — as Russia struggled with one of the world’s biggest outbreaks of the virus. | Mr. Putin postponed the referendum to approve the constitutional changes to July 1 from April. He spent much of the spring governing by video conference from his country residence — critics called it his “bunker” — as Russia struggled with one of the world’s biggest outbreaks of the virus. |
| The rescheduled parades, then, appeared timed to give Russians something to celebrate just before the referendum. While the July 1 vote is sure to pass — many critics of Mr. Putin plan to boycott it — a strong turnout would give the president a fresh boost of legitimacy as he enters the third decade of his rule. | The rescheduled parades, then, appeared timed to give Russians something to celebrate just before the referendum. While the July 1 vote is sure to pass — many critics of Mr. Putin plan to boycott it — a strong turnout would give the president a fresh boost of legitimacy as he enters the third decade of his rule. |
| But now the delayed Victory Day celebrations are emerging as a test of Mr. Putin’s claim that Russia has overcome the worst of the coronavirus pandemic — and they are looming as potentially new vectors of the disease. The result is a rare clash in tone between Mr. Putin, who is emphasizing a return to normalcy, and regional leaders, who are saying in increasing numbers that the virus remains so dangerous that it would be wrong to draw crowds to a parade. | But now the delayed Victory Day celebrations are emerging as a test of Mr. Putin’s claim that Russia has overcome the worst of the coronavirus pandemic — and they are looming as potentially new vectors of the disease. The result is a rare clash in tone between Mr. Putin, who is emphasizing a return to normalcy, and regional leaders, who are saying in increasing numbers that the virus remains so dangerous that it would be wrong to draw crowds to a parade. |
| “We decided not to risk people’s health and, most importantly, the health of our dear veterans,” Mikhail Vedernikov, the governor of Pskov region in western Russia, posted on Instagram on Wednesday. | “We decided not to risk people’s health and, most importantly, the health of our dear veterans,” Mikhail Vedernikov, the governor of Pskov region in western Russia, posted on Instagram on Wednesday. |
| It was too soon for the elderly to take part in public events, and holding the parade without veterans would “contradict the very spirit” of the holiday, he wrote. As a result, Pskov’s Victory Day parade is postponed indefinitely. | It was too soon for the elderly to take part in public events, and holding the parade without veterans would “contradict the very spirit” of the holiday, he wrote. As a result, Pskov’s Victory Day parade is postponed indefinitely. |
| Other cities that postponed or rejected plans for a parade in recent days include Tver and Yaroslavl, north of Moscow; Kursk and Belgorod in the southwest; Ulyanovsk, Saransk and Naberezhniye Chelny in central Russia; Perm and Nizhny Tagil in the Urals; Tomsk in Siberia; and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in the Far East. | Other cities that postponed or rejected plans for a parade in recent days include Tver and Yaroslavl, north of Moscow; Kursk and Belgorod in the southwest; Ulyanovsk, Saransk and Naberezhniye Chelny in central Russia; Perm and Nizhny Tagil in the Urals; Tomsk in Siberia; and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in the Far East. |
| Updated June 30, 2020 | |
| 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. | |
| Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. | Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| “We will hold the parade another time, when the situation becomes more clear and the threat is either minimized or goes away entirely,” Igor Rudenya, governor of Tver region, said Thursday. | “We will hold the parade another time, when the situation becomes more clear and the threat is either minimized or goes away entirely,” Igor Rudenya, governor of Tver region, said Thursday. |
| In Moscow, the parade is going ahead despite the concerns of Mr. Sobyanin, the mayor, that the virus remains a risk in the dense capital of 13 million people. The city started lifting its lockdown over the last week in a three-phase process slated to end on June 23, the day before the parade — a timetable that critics said was dictated by the political calendar rather than by the disease. | In Moscow, the parade is going ahead despite the concerns of Mr. Sobyanin, the mayor, that the virus remains a risk in the dense capital of 13 million people. The city started lifting its lockdown over the last week in a three-phase process slated to end on June 23, the day before the parade — a timetable that critics said was dictated by the political calendar rather than by the disease. |
| On May 26, when Mr. Putin announced the rescheduled date of the parade, he said it would be safe to go ahead because the coronavirus situation “remains stable” in the country. But the pandemic continues to spread, especially outside the capital, which bore the initial brunt of the disease. | On May 26, when Mr. Putin announced the rescheduled date of the parade, he said it would be safe to go ahead because the coronavirus situation “remains stable” in the country. But the pandemic continues to spread, especially outside the capital, which bore the initial brunt of the disease. |
| What has remained stable is the rapid growth of infections — about 9,000 new cases detected per day, a figure that has changed little in more than three weeks. The government reported 8,987 new cases on Friday, including 7,273 outside Moscow. | What has remained stable is the rapid growth of infections — about 9,000 new cases detected per day, a figure that has changed little in more than three weeks. The government reported 8,987 new cases on Friday, including 7,273 outside Moscow. |
| In all, Russia’s more than 510,000 confirmed infections is the third-highest in the world, after the United States and Brazil, and its official death toll, over 6,700, is widely seen as an undercount. | In all, Russia’s more than 510,000 confirmed infections is the third-highest in the world, after the United States and Brazil, and its official death toll, over 6,700, is widely seen as an undercount. |
| But Mr. Putin keeps signaling that it is time to get back to normal. He held his first public event in weeks on Friday, an outdoor awards ceremony in Moscow marking a national holiday known as Russia Day. Television images showed him chatting casually with the award recipients, and only one person in the group — a doctor — could be seen wearing a mask. | But Mr. Putin keeps signaling that it is time to get back to normal. He held his first public event in weeks on Friday, an outdoor awards ceremony in Moscow marking a national holiday known as Russia Day. Television images showed him chatting casually with the award recipients, and only one person in the group — a doctor — could be seen wearing a mask. |
| Across Russia, at least two dozen cities are still expected to hold parades on June 24. The 14,000 service members marching in Moscow are being tested three times a week for the coronavirus, the Defense Ministry’s official newspaper reported. At least 12 foreign leaders, mainly from former Soviet countries, will attend, Sergei V. Lavrov, the foreign minister, said. | Across Russia, at least two dozen cities are still expected to hold parades on June 24. The 14,000 service members marching in Moscow are being tested three times a week for the coronavirus, the Defense Ministry’s official newspaper reported. At least 12 foreign leaders, mainly from former Soviet countries, will attend, Sergei V. Lavrov, the foreign minister, said. |
| In a televised security council meeting on Thursday, the defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, promised Mr. Putin, “Everything will be ready for the parade, Vladimir Vladimirovich.” | In a televised security council meeting on Thursday, the defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, promised Mr. Putin, “Everything will be ready for the parade, Vladimir Vladimirovich.” |
| Oleg Matsnev contributed research. | Oleg Matsnev contributed research. |