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| Anger Surges in India Over Deadly Border Brawl With China | Anger Surges in India Over Deadly Border Brawl With China |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| NEW DELHI — An Indian government minister has called for Chinese restaurants to be closed. Other Indian officials have suddenly put contracts to Chinese companies under review. And crowds of men are now smashing Chinese-made televisions in the street. | NEW DELHI — An Indian government minister has called for Chinese restaurants to be closed. Other Indian officials have suddenly put contracts to Chinese companies under review. And crowds of men are now smashing Chinese-made televisions in the street. |
| A wave of anti-Chinese anger is cresting across India as the nation struggles to absorb the loss of 20 Indian soldiers beaten to death this week by Chinese troops in a high-altitude brawl along India’s disputed border with China. | A wave of anti-Chinese anger is cresting across India as the nation struggles to absorb the loss of 20 Indian soldiers beaten to death this week by Chinese troops in a high-altitude brawl along India’s disputed border with China. |
| “We should bleed China with a thousand cuts,” said Ranjit Singh, a retired army major who is calling for a boycott of Chinese goods. “We need to hit them where it hurts most, and that is economically.” | “We should bleed China with a thousand cuts,” said Ranjit Singh, a retired army major who is calling for a boycott of Chinese goods. “We need to hit them where it hurts most, and that is economically.” |
| And the tensions are hardly easing. Sonam Joldan, a teacher in the Ladakh region near the India-China border, reported on Thursday seeing a line of 100 Indian Army trucks heading toward the front line, wending its way up the Himalayan mountains “like a caravan of ants.” | And the tensions are hardly easing. Sonam Joldan, a teacher in the Ladakh region near the India-China border, reported on Thursday seeing a line of 100 Indian Army trucks heading toward the front line, wending its way up the Himalayan mountains “like a caravan of ants.” |
| How did he feel watching the forces go by? | How did he feel watching the forces go by? |
| “Patriotic, of course,” Mr. Joldan said. “India can’t watch the Chinese aggression go on forever. They have to be stopped at some point.” | “Patriotic, of course,” Mr. Joldan said. “India can’t watch the Chinese aggression go on forever. They have to be stopped at some point.” |
| The killing of the Indian soldiers, he said, was unforgivable. | The killing of the Indian soldiers, he said, was unforgivable. |
| Indian and Chinese generals continued to meet on Thursday to discuss de-escalation at the border high up in the Himalayas where the brawl erupted, officials said. But military analysts and satellite imagery indicated that Chinese troops had yet to pull back. | Indian and Chinese generals continued to meet on Thursday to discuss de-escalation at the border high up in the Himalayas where the brawl erupted, officials said. But military analysts and satellite imagery indicated that Chinese troops had yet to pull back. |
| By some accounts, in recent weeks they have taken about 23 square miles of territory claimed by India and show no signs of leaving. | By some accounts, in recent weeks they have taken about 23 square miles of territory claimed by India and show no signs of leaving. |
| Western intelligence officials said that India would not accept this and that the chances of more fighting remained high, especially with thousands of opposing troops eyeball-to-eyeball along a remote front line that has erupted in violence several times, including a major war between India and China in 1962. | Western intelligence officials said that India would not accept this and that the chances of more fighting remained high, especially with thousands of opposing troops eyeball-to-eyeball along a remote front line that has erupted in violence several times, including a major war between India and China in 1962. |
| Troops from both sides have been instructed not to use firearms during faceoffs along the border, but that did not stop a vicious hand-to-hand battle from raging for several hours Monday night. One Indian military analyst posted a picture on Twitter of steel clubs studded with nails that he said had been used by the Chinese troops. | Troops from both sides have been instructed not to use firearms during faceoffs along the border, but that did not stop a vicious hand-to-hand battle from raging for several hours Monday night. One Indian military analyst posted a picture on Twitter of steel clubs studded with nails that he said had been used by the Chinese troops. |
| On Thursday, several of the Indian soldiers killed were given last rites, including Col. Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, whose body was driven through the streets of Suryapet, in central India, in an army truck draped with marigolds. As the cortege passed, people stood on their balconies, stiff right hands to their temples in a final salute. | On Thursday, several of the Indian soldiers killed were given last rites, including Col. Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, whose body was driven through the streets of Suryapet, in central India, in an army truck draped with marigolds. As the cortege passed, people stood on their balconies, stiff right hands to their temples in a final salute. |
| Some officers in India’s army now want to change the rules of engagement along the border and abandon the de facto code that calls for neither side to use guns during confrontations. Military analysts worry that doing so could set off an arms race that would turn the frequent faceoffs and fistfights between opposing border patrols into much deadlier events. | Some officers in India’s army now want to change the rules of engagement along the border and abandon the de facto code that calls for neither side to use guns during confrontations. Military analysts worry that doing so could set off an arms race that would turn the frequent faceoffs and fistfights between opposing border patrols into much deadlier events. |
| Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tried to walk a fine line. Although he seems reluctant to escalate a major conflict with China — which has a mightier military — much of his political brand has been tied up in projecting an image of a forceful, increasingly powerful India, and he has signaled that he will not back down. | Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tried to walk a fine line. Although he seems reluctant to escalate a major conflict with China — which has a mightier military — much of his political brand has been tied up in projecting an image of a forceful, increasingly powerful India, and he has signaled that he will not back down. |
| “India wants peace,” he said in a televised address on Wednesday. “But if provoked, India is capable of giving a befitting reply.” | “India wants peace,” he said in a televised address on Wednesday. “But if provoked, India is capable of giving a befitting reply.” |
| Whenever he has been in a pinch, Mr. Modi has been able to count on a wave of Indian nationalism. Such sentiment helped in the early stage of the coronavirus pandemic when he asked India’s entire population of 1.3 billion to stay indoors for the sake of the nation and many diligently obeyed. | Whenever he has been in a pinch, Mr. Modi has been able to count on a wave of Indian nationalism. Such sentiment helped in the early stage of the coronavirus pandemic when he asked India’s entire population of 1.3 billion to stay indoors for the sake of the nation and many diligently obeyed. |
| And last year, when Indian paramilitary forces were attacked in a suicide bombing linked to a terrorist group in Pakistan, Mr. Modi ordered airstrikes on Pakistan. The brinkmanship set off a jolt of jingoism that, a few months later, helped propel him to a crushing re-election victory. | And last year, when Indian paramilitary forces were attacked in a suicide bombing linked to a terrorist group in Pakistan, Mr. Modi ordered airstrikes on Pakistan. The brinkmanship set off a jolt of jingoism that, a few months later, helped propel him to a crushing re-election victory. |
| Updated June 24, 2020 | |
| 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| But he and his generals know that China’s power eclipses Pakistan’s. So India’s emerging strategy to contain China involves a broader mix of tactics, including economic and diplomatic ones. | But he and his generals know that China’s power eclipses Pakistan’s. So India’s emerging strategy to contain China involves a broader mix of tactics, including economic and diplomatic ones. |
| On Thursday, the Indian Express, one of the nation’s leading newspapers, reported that India’s government was preparing to cancel a huge railway contract that had been given to a Chinese company. | On Thursday, the Indian Express, one of the nation’s leading newspapers, reported that India’s government was preparing to cancel a huge railway contract that had been given to a Chinese company. |
| That may be just the beginning. | That may be just the beginning. |
| Protests have broken out across India to boycott Chinese goods, a move that will not be easy. The phones in most Indians’ hands are made in China, as are countless other products. India-China trade has grown enormously, from $3 billion in 2000 to more than $95 billion in 2018. And as of last year, a trade deficit between the two nations had reached nearly $60 billion in China’s favor. | Protests have broken out across India to boycott Chinese goods, a move that will not be easy. The phones in most Indians’ hands are made in China, as are countless other products. India-China trade has grown enormously, from $3 billion in 2000 to more than $95 billion in 2018. And as of last year, a trade deficit between the two nations had reached nearly $60 billion in China’s favor. |
| Mr. Modi can count on a friendly media landscape, especially when it comes to national security issues. | Mr. Modi can count on a friendly media landscape, especially when it comes to national security issues. |
| Last week, before the deadly clash, Indian media outlets carried articles saying that all was well on the Himalayan border, which was what the Indian generals had been telling them. Now, Indian outlets are running instructions on how to remove Chinese-made apps like TikTok from mobile phones. | Last week, before the deadly clash, Indian media outlets carried articles saying that all was well on the Himalayan border, which was what the Indian generals had been telling them. Now, Indian outlets are running instructions on how to remove Chinese-made apps like TikTok from mobile phones. |
| “We can break China’s backbone economically,” Mr. Singh, the retired army major, said in a recorded message he sent to residents in his neighborhood. “Shun Chinese goods. If you have any lying in your house, please throw them out.” | “We can break China’s backbone economically,” Mr. Singh, the retired army major, said in a recorded message he sent to residents in his neighborhood. “Shun Chinese goods. If you have any lying in your house, please throw them out.” |
| “Take pictures of items thrown on the roads,” the message said. “Let them become viral — let them reach China and tell them this is what we think of them.” | “Take pictures of items thrown on the roads,” the message said. “Let them become viral — let them reach China and tell them this is what we think of them.” |
| Sameer Yasir and Hari Kumar contributed reporting. | Sameer Yasir and Hari Kumar contributed reporting. |