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Hong Kong Says It Will Begin Evacuating Residents From Wuhan Hong Kong Says It Will Begin Evacuating Residents From Wuhan
(3 days later)
HONG KONG — The Hong Kong government, which has faced growing demands to evacuate its residents from mainland China after one died of the coronavirus, said on Monday that it would begin bringing people back from Hubei Province, the center of the outbreak.HONG KONG — The Hong Kong government, which has faced growing demands to evacuate its residents from mainland China after one died of the coronavirus, said on Monday that it would begin bringing people back from Hubei Province, the center of the outbreak.
Thousands of Hong Kong residents have been unable to return after much of Hubei was put on lockdown last month. Their worries were heightened when officials said on Sunday that a 77-year-old Hong Kong man who was infected with the coronavirus had died in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei.Thousands of Hong Kong residents have been unable to return after much of Hubei was put on lockdown last month. Their worries were heightened when officials said on Sunday that a 77-year-old Hong Kong man who was infected with the coronavirus had died in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei.
Hong Kong lawmakers had demanded to know why some Hong Kong residents in Japan were whisked home on chartered flights last week, while others remained stuck in mainland China.Hong Kong lawmakers had demanded to know why some Hong Kong residents in Japan were whisked home on chartered flights last week, while others remained stuck in mainland China.
“We know that it was not only a decision for the Hong Kong government,” said Ivan Choy, a political science lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “It was also the decision of the Japanese and the mainland governments.”“We know that it was not only a decision for the Hong Kong government,” said Ivan Choy, a political science lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “It was also the decision of the Japanese and the mainland governments.”
More than a dozen countries have evacuated citizens from Wuhan. But Beijing complained that the United States’ moves to get its citizens and diplomats out of the city had created a panic. It showed little interest in letting people from Hong Kong join the exodus.More than a dozen countries have evacuated citizens from Wuhan. But Beijing complained that the United States’ moves to get its citizens and diplomats out of the city had created a panic. It showed little interest in letting people from Hong Kong join the exodus.
Hong Kong is part of China but operates under a model of “one country, two systems,” with its own local government, courts and border controls. Despite the city’s autonomy, its inability to evacuate residents earlier was a sharp reminder of Beijing’s ultimate authority.Hong Kong is part of China but operates under a model of “one country, two systems,” with its own local government, courts and border controls. Despite the city’s autonomy, its inability to evacuate residents earlier was a sharp reminder of Beijing’s ultimate authority.
The Hong Kong government said that it had received more than 1,400 requests for help from Hubei, involving 2,700 people in more than three dozen cities across the province. Many of them traveled to the area ahead of the Lunar New Year, only to be marooned when Wuhan and other cities were put under lockdown a month ago.The Hong Kong government said that it had received more than 1,400 requests for help from Hubei, involving 2,700 people in more than three dozen cities across the province. Many of them traveled to the area ahead of the Lunar New Year, only to be marooned when Wuhan and other cities were put under lockdown a month ago.
James To, a pro-democracy legislator in Hong Kong who has been helping more than a dozen residents stranded in Hubei, said that many were angry that foreigners had been able to leave the area while they could not.James To, a pro-democracy legislator in Hong Kong who has been helping more than a dozen residents stranded in Hubei, said that many were angry that foreigners had been able to leave the area while they could not.
“They thought, other countries have evacuated their citizens, and they’ve all left, but why is the Hong Kong government like this?” Mr. To said. Some were also anxious about what might happen the longer they stayed, including fears of being detained as a suspected case and placed under isolation at local facilities, where they could then become infected.“They thought, other countries have evacuated their citizens, and they’ve all left, but why is the Hong Kong government like this?” Mr. To said. Some were also anxious about what might happen the longer they stayed, including fears of being detained as a suspected case and placed under isolation at local facilities, where they could then become infected.
One Hong Kong resident trapped in Wuhan is 36 weeks pregnant. Her 3-year-old son has heart disease and is due for a scan in Hong Kong next month.One Hong Kong resident trapped in Wuhan is 36 weeks pregnant. Her 3-year-old son has heart disease and is due for a scan in Hong Kong next month.
Her husband said in a voice message shared by Mr. To’s office that the family had not been able to return to Hong Kong after Wuhan closed its roads, and had not ventured outdoors for more than a month.Her husband said in a voice message shared by Mr. To’s office that the family had not been able to return to Hong Kong after Wuhan closed its roads, and had not ventured outdoors for more than a month.
“What worries us is that the birth wouldn’t go smoothly and we wouldn’t be able to receive the treatment needed,” said the husband, who would only disclose his family name, Chan. “We hope that the government takes us back as quickly as possible.”“What worries us is that the birth wouldn’t go smoothly and we wouldn’t be able to receive the treatment needed,” said the husband, who would only disclose his family name, Chan. “We hope that the government takes us back as quickly as possible.”
The evacuation will start in Wuhan before taking people from other cities in Hubei, and the process will give priority to pregnant women, students and those with chronic diseases, officials said on Monday.The evacuation will start in Wuhan before taking people from other cities in Hubei, and the process will give priority to pregnant women, students and those with chronic diseases, officials said on Monday.
Ten Hong Kong residents in Hubei have been confirmed to have coronavirus infections, including one person in critical condition and one who has been discharged.Ten Hong Kong residents in Hubei have been confirmed to have coronavirus infections, including one person in critical condition and one who has been discharged.
The Hong Kong government said that it considered arranging the return of residents from Hubei a matter of “great importance.” But it admitted that there were logistical challenges, with some people located in remote cities.The Hong Kong government said that it considered arranging the return of residents from Hubei a matter of “great importance.” But it admitted that there were logistical challenges, with some people located in remote cities.
“It may take up to eight to 10 hours’ drive from these cities to Wuhan,” the government said in an emailed statement. “This situation is unique as citizens of other countries have mostly stayed in Wuhan or nearby areas.”“It may take up to eight to 10 hours’ drive from these cities to Wuhan,” the government said in an emailed statement. “This situation is unique as citizens of other countries have mostly stayed in Wuhan or nearby areas.”
Carrie Lam, the chief executive of Hong Kong, said the city had made a priority of helping residents in places hit by the coronavirus, regardless of whether they were in mainland China or overseas.Carrie Lam, the chief executive of Hong Kong, said the city had made a priority of helping residents in places hit by the coronavirus, regardless of whether they were in mainland China or overseas.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
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.
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.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
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.
“There are different circumstances, and the whole Hubei Province is now still in a very critical stage of dealing with this epidemic,” she said last week. “All the public transport has been stopped and it would be very difficult to arrange local transport and so on. But we are not giving up at all.”“There are different circumstances, and the whole Hubei Province is now still in a very critical stage of dealing with this epidemic,” she said last week. “All the public transport has been stopped and it would be very difficult to arrange local transport and so on. But we are not giving up at all.”
The government also said that it needed to make sure there were enough berths at the city’s quarantine sites — a sensitive subject in Hong Kong. Hong Kong residents who were on the contaminated Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan were expected to take up much of the currently available space.The government also said that it needed to make sure there were enough berths at the city’s quarantine sites — a sensitive subject in Hong Kong. Hong Kong residents who were on the contaminated Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan were expected to take up much of the currently available space.
Of the 352 Hong Kong residents who had been on the ship, more than 200 returned to the city last week and were under quarantine. Another 68 Hong Kong passengers were among the 634 confirmed cases on the ship, and were being treated in Japan.Of the 352 Hong Kong residents who had been on the ship, more than 200 returned to the city last week and were under quarantine. Another 68 Hong Kong passengers were among the 634 confirmed cases on the ship, and were being treated in Japan.
Hong Kong has 79 confirmed cases of coronavirus infections, including three people who were passengers on the Diamond Princess, officials said on Monday. Two people in Hong Kong have died of Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus.Hong Kong has 79 confirmed cases of coronavirus infections, including three people who were passengers on the Diamond Princess, officials said on Monday. Two people in Hong Kong have died of Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus.
After protests and a strike by medical workers, Hong Kong closed several of its border crossings with mainland China. It now requires travelers from the mainland to undergo a 14-day quarantine, which has drastically cut arrivals.After protests and a strike by medical workers, Hong Kong closed several of its border crossings with mainland China. It now requires travelers from the mainland to undergo a 14-day quarantine, which has drastically cut arrivals.
John Lee, the Hong Kong security secretary, announced further restrictions on Monday. Non-Hong Kong residents traveling from South Korea, or who have traveled to South Korea within the past two weeks, will be denied entry to Hong Kong starting on Tuesday, he said.John Lee, the Hong Kong security secretary, announced further restrictions on Monday. Non-Hong Kong residents traveling from South Korea, or who have traveled to South Korea within the past two weeks, will be denied entry to Hong Kong starting on Tuesday, he said.
Mr. To, the pro-democracy legislator, said that most of the Hong Kong residents in Hubei who he had spoken with were visiting their relatives and in-laws during the Lunar New Year. Most wanted to be repatriated as soon as possible, he said, except for rare cases including a Hong Kong man who felt safer in a small village of 1,000 people that had cut off contact with the outside world.Mr. To, the pro-democracy legislator, said that most of the Hong Kong residents in Hubei who he had spoken with were visiting their relatives and in-laws during the Lunar New Year. Most wanted to be repatriated as soon as possible, he said, except for rare cases including a Hong Kong man who felt safer in a small village of 1,000 people that had cut off contact with the outside world.
The most urgent case he dealt with involved a man who needed his daily medications after undergoing angioplasty, he added. Following prescription rules, the Hong Kong Department of Health had initially declined to send him his medication for the first few weeks. The authorities inside Hubei had told him to try to get his prescriptions locally — an impossible task in the locked-down region, Mr. To said. The Hong Kong Health Department eventually dispatched the drugs to him.The most urgent case he dealt with involved a man who needed his daily medications after undergoing angioplasty, he added. Following prescription rules, the Hong Kong Department of Health had initially declined to send him his medication for the first few weeks. The authorities inside Hubei had told him to try to get his prescriptions locally — an impossible task in the locked-down region, Mr. To said. The Hong Kong Health Department eventually dispatched the drugs to him.