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Louvre Reopens, but the Crowd Will Have to Control Itself Louvre Reopens, but the Crowd Will Have to Control Itself
(7 days later)
PARIS — The line of around 600 people outside the Louvre on Wednesday was a swirl of rumor, with people wondering if the world’s most-visited museum would open after a three-day closure. Since Sunday, the Louvre’s staff had been refusing to work, fearful they might catch the coronavirus from someone among the museum’s more than 30,000 daily visitors.PARIS — The line of around 600 people outside the Louvre on Wednesday was a swirl of rumor, with people wondering if the world’s most-visited museum would open after a three-day closure. Since Sunday, the Louvre’s staff had been refusing to work, fearful they might catch the coronavirus from someone among the museum’s more than 30,000 daily visitors.
“Nobody says anything,” said Satu Fontanili, 34, from Finland, who was in line with her husband and toddler. “Everything looks normal, but the doors remain closed.”“Nobody says anything,” said Satu Fontanili, 34, from Finland, who was in line with her husband and toddler. “Everything looks normal, but the doors remain closed.”
“I don’t think that we’re going to stand still here in the cold for another one or two hours,” she added.“I don’t think that we’re going to stand still here in the cold for another one or two hours,” she added.
Around midday, the museum’s doors opened without fanfare, and the crowd started shuffling in.Around midday, the museum’s doors opened without fanfare, and the crowd started shuffling in.
Louvre employees voted on Sunday to stop work over safety fears, a move allowed under French law. The museum stayed closed on Monday, and does not open on Tuesdays. The museum’s management, its doctor and staff representatives met throughout Tuesday to consider measures to protect workers from the virus, and employees voted Wednesday morning to accept them, Andre Sacristin, a Louvre employee and union representative, said in a telephone interview. The unions representing employees asked for visitor numbers to be halved, but that request was rejected, Mr. Sacristin added.Louvre employees voted on Sunday to stop work over safety fears, a move allowed under French law. The museum stayed closed on Monday, and does not open on Tuesdays. The museum’s management, its doctor and staff representatives met throughout Tuesday to consider measures to protect workers from the virus, and employees voted Wednesday morning to accept them, Andre Sacristin, a Louvre employee and union representative, said in a telephone interview. The unions representing employees asked for visitor numbers to be halved, but that request was rejected, Mr. Sacristin added.
Workers also asked to be provided with face masks and gloves; the museum agreed to a small bottle of hand sanitizer instead, Mr. Sacristin said.Workers also asked to be provided with face masks and gloves; the museum agreed to a small bottle of hand sanitizer instead, Mr. Sacristin said.
The museum also agreed that ticket purchases would now occur largely via self-service machines. Staff members will operate two ticket kiosks, but would do so from behind a glass barrier to prevent direct contact with visitors. They will not handle cash, only credit cards.The museum also agreed that ticket purchases would now occur largely via self-service machines. Staff members will operate two ticket kiosks, but would do so from behind a glass barrier to prevent direct contact with visitors. They will not handle cash, only credit cards.
Sophie Grange, deputy head of communication for the Louvre, said Wednesday morning that about 3,500 tickets had been purchased online for that day. Such sales usually represent about 50 percent of total visitors, she said.Sophie Grange, deputy head of communication for the Louvre, said Wednesday morning that about 3,500 tickets had been purchased online for that day. Such sales usually represent about 50 percent of total visitors, she said.
Once visitors have bought their tickets, most want to see one thing: the Mona Lisa, which hangs in the Salle des États. Christian Galani, a Louvre employee and union representative, said in a telephone interview that it had been agreed that guards would no longer have to move among the crowds in the room to stop people from dawdling in front of the Mona Lisa and to break up large groups that could cause bottlenecks.Once visitors have bought their tickets, most want to see one thing: the Mona Lisa, which hangs in the Salle des États. Christian Galani, a Louvre employee and union representative, said in a telephone interview that it had been agreed that guards would no longer have to move among the crowds in the room to stop people from dawdling in front of the Mona Lisa and to break up large groups that could cause bottlenecks.
Around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Salle des États had only a few dozen visitors, cellphones aloft, taking selfies with the Mona Lisa. Usually, hundreds of people wait in line to catch a glimpse of the masterpiece, but uncertainty about whether the museum would open on Wednesday kept many away.Around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Salle des États had only a few dozen visitors, cellphones aloft, taking selfies with the Mona Lisa. Usually, hundreds of people wait in line to catch a glimpse of the masterpiece, but uncertainty about whether the museum would open on Wednesday kept many away.
One guard, Quentin Osle-Rudler, stood six feet from the painting, keeping watch. He said he was unsure about the new directive not to move around the room. “People are going to wait around in front of the painting,” he added. “It will be messy.”One guard, Quentin Osle-Rudler, stood six feet from the painting, keeping watch. He said he was unsure about the new directive not to move around the room. “People are going to wait around in front of the painting,” he added. “It will be messy.”
He said he was concerned that the Salle des États would become too full as the crowds returned to the museum, increasing the risk of transmission for the virus.He said he was concerned that the Salle des États would become too full as the crowds returned to the museum, increasing the risk of transmission for the virus.
Mr. Galani, the union representative, said further measures would be needed. “The problem is that once the room is full of people, I don’t see how agents could not be exposed to the virus,” he said. “At some point we will probably have to regulate the number of visitors in the room.”Mr. Galani, the union representative, said further measures would be needed. “The problem is that once the room is full of people, I don’t see how agents could not be exposed to the virus,” he said. “At some point we will probably have to regulate the number of visitors in the room.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Over recent days, the Louvre has been turned into a test case for how large museums should respond to the coronavirus outbreak. France has over 200 confirmed cases, with several deaths.Over recent days, the Louvre has been turned into a test case for how large museums should respond to the coronavirus outbreak. France has over 200 confirmed cases, with several deaths.
On Saturday, the French government banned all indoor events of more than 5,000 people, including arena concerts. The popular rapper and singer Maître Gims was one of several artists who postponed a planned tour. The French culture minister, Franck Riester, said the ban did not apply to the Louvre because visitors were dispersed throughout many rooms of the museum. But the Louvre’s employees were not convinced, and voted to close on Sunday.On Saturday, the French government banned all indoor events of more than 5,000 people, including arena concerts. The popular rapper and singer Maître Gims was one of several artists who postponed a planned tour. The French culture minister, Franck Riester, said the ban did not apply to the Louvre because visitors were dispersed throughout many rooms of the museum. But the Louvre’s employees were not convinced, and voted to close on Sunday.
“Our agents are aware of the potential danger,” Mr. Sacristin said. “They think they don’t have enough training and protection, and that their health could be endangered.”“Our agents are aware of the potential danger,” Mr. Sacristin said. “They think they don’t have enough training and protection, and that their health could be endangered.”
Other cultural sites in Europe have taken measures to protect workers and visitors from the virus. Museums in northern Italy reopened on Tuesday after a government ordered closure, but with a requirement that visitors keep at least one meter, about three feet, apart at all times. Other Italian museums remain closed.Other cultural sites in Europe have taken measures to protect workers and visitors from the virus. Museums in northern Italy reopened on Tuesday after a government ordered closure, but with a requirement that visitors keep at least one meter, about three feet, apart at all times. Other Italian museums remain closed.
Mr. Osle-Rudler, the guard at the Louvre, said he did not think that the Louvre measures went far enough, and that employees could vote to stop working again if they felt unsafe.Mr. Osle-Rudler, the guard at the Louvre, said he did not think that the Louvre measures went far enough, and that employees could vote to stop working again if they felt unsafe.
“We’re not happy to close the museum,” Mr. Osle-Rudler said. “But this is for our security and for the security of the visitors.”“We’re not happy to close the museum,” Mr. Osle-Rudler said. “But this is for our security and for the security of the visitors.”
Constant Méheut reported from Paris, and Alex Marshall from London. Elian Peltier contributed reporting from London.Constant Méheut reported from Paris, and Alex Marshall from London. Elian Peltier contributed reporting from London.