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Europe, With Eye on Italy Coronavirus Quarantine, Plans Next Moves	Europe, With Eye on Italy Coronavirus Quarantine, Plans Next Moves
2020-06-01 14:16:41 UTC	2020-06-03 02:37:11 UTC (1 day later)
LONDON — Italy’s sweeping lockdown of its north reverberated through Europe on Sunday, fueling fears of similarly draconian measures from London to Berlin, as officials grappled with how to slow the rapid-fire spread of the coronavirus in several of the world’s most open and democratic societies.	LONDON — Italy’s sweeping lockdown of its north reverberated through Europe on Sunday, fueling fears of similarly draconian measures from London to Berlin, as officials grappled with how to slow the rapid-fire spread of the coronavirus in several of the world’s most open and democratic societies.
No other European country has yet gone as far as hard-hit Italy. But with confirmed cases of the virus spiking to more than 1,000 in France and 900 in Germany, both countries moved to halt large public gatherings, as their leaders called emergency meetings to step up the response to the epidemic.	No other European country has yet gone as far as hard-hit Italy. But with confirmed cases of the virus spiking to more than 1,000 in France and 900 in Germany, both countries moved to halt large public gatherings, as their leaders called emergency meetings to step up the response to the epidemic.
Italy’s decision to quarantine a quarter of its population, paralyzing its economic heartland and affecting about 15 million people, sent tremors throughout Europe’s economy. It will deprive German carmakers of critical parts, force factories in other parts of Europe to close and almost certainly tip the continent into recession, according to analysts.	Italy’s decision to quarantine a quarter of its population, paralyzing its economic heartland and affecting about 15 million people, sent tremors throughout Europe’s economy. It will deprive German carmakers of critical parts, force factories in other parts of Europe to close and almost certainly tip the continent into recession, according to analysts.
It is also testing Europe’s unity, which was already frayed by Britain’s departure from the bloc six weeks ago. Officials in Brussels appealed fruitlessly to France, Germany and the Czech Republic to lift controls on the export of protective medical gear, which they imposed to head off shortages at home. In Britain, some stores began imposing peacetime rationing.	It is also testing Europe’s unity, which was already frayed by Britain’s departure from the bloc six weeks ago. Officials in Brussels appealed fruitlessly to France, Germany and the Czech Republic to lift controls on the export of protective medical gear, which they imposed to head off shortages at home. In Britain, some stores began imposing peacetime rationing.
Until now, Italy has stood alone as a hot zone in Europe, the first Western country to endure a large-scale outbreak of a virus that originated in China. But as the number of confirmed cases surges in virtually all of Italy’s neighbors, it now looks less like a frightening exception than a harbinger of things to come.	Until now, Italy has stood alone as a hot zone in Europe, the first Western country to endure a large-scale outbreak of a virus that originated in China. But as the number of confirmed cases surges in virtually all of Italy’s neighbors, it now looks less like a frightening exception than a harbinger of things to come.
The dispute has laid bare the limitations of the European Union in dealing with a continentwide public health crisis. Health is traditionally the province of member states: With different health systems, as well as different levels of infection, countries are intent on charting their own responses.	The dispute has laid bare the limitations of the European Union in dealing with a continentwide public health crisis. Health is traditionally the province of member states: With different health systems, as well as different levels of infection, countries are intent on charting their own responses.
The epidemic is already disrupting daily life in Europe in ways large and small. The European Central Bank, which is expected to inject cash into the financial system this week to cushion the blow from the virus, will keep most of its 3,500 workers home on Monday to test how it would cope with a shutdown.	The epidemic is already disrupting daily life in Europe in ways large and small. The European Central Bank, which is expected to inject cash into the financial system this week to cushion the blow from the virus, will keep most of its 3,500 workers home on Monday to test how it would cope with a shutdown.
A British supermarket chain, Tesco, began rationing antibacterial soap, wipes, and pasta after shoppers emptied the shelves — an uncharacteristic display of nerves in a society that prides itself on its sang-froid.	A British supermarket chain, Tesco, began rationing antibacterial soap, wipes, and pasta after shoppers emptied the shelves — an uncharacteristic display of nerves in a society that prides itself on its sang-froid.
“We’re seeing in Italy the acknowledgment that containment has largely failed, and that the virus is spreading,” said Devi Sridhar, director of the global health governance program at Edinburgh University. “You could see this response in any European country where you’re able to enforce these lockdowns.”	“We’re seeing in Italy the acknowledgment that containment has largely failed, and that the virus is spreading,” said Devi Sridhar, director of the global health governance program at Edinburgh University. “You could see this response in any European country where you’re able to enforce these lockdowns.”
In Germany, where the government had taken a more hands-off approach to curbing the coronavirus, the health minister changed tack on Sunday, urging that large-scale events be called off or postponed, although he stopped short of delivering a formal ban, as was imposed last month by Switzerland.	In Germany, where the government had taken a more hands-off approach to curbing the coronavirus, the health minister changed tack on Sunday, urging that large-scale events be called off or postponed, although he stopped short of delivering a formal ban, as was imposed last month by Switzerland.
No deaths have yet been reported in Germany, but the number of cases spiked to 903 on Sunday. That was apparently enough to make officials rethink their practice of allowing local and regional authorities make decisions about calling off events, and trusting citizens to make wise decisions.	No deaths have yet been reported in Germany, but the number of cases spiked to 903 on Sunday. That was apparently enough to make officials rethink their practice of allowing local and regional authorities make decisions about calling off events, and trusting citizens to make wise decisions.
“I emphatically encourage events with more than 1,000 participants to be called off until further notice,” the health minister, Jens Spahn, told the German news agency D.P.A., citing the “dynamic developments in recent days.”	“I emphatically encourage events with more than 1,000 participants to be called off until further notice,” the health minister, Jens Spahn, told the German news agency D.P.A., citing the “dynamic developments in recent days.”
In France, which has reported 19 deaths and 1,126 people infected, the government has banned all gatherings of more than a thousand people. The authorities closed schools in two hard-hit regions, Oise and Haut-Rhin.	In France, which has reported 19 deaths and 1,126 people infected, the government has banned all gatherings of more than a thousand people. The authorities closed schools in two hard-hit regions, Oise and Haut-Rhin.
On Sunday, President Emmanuel Macron met with his defense council as France prepared to move to a “Stage Three” level of preparedness to combat the epidemic. That would include stricter health security protocols to avoid overburdening hospitals by keeping people with mild symptoms at home.	On Sunday, President Emmanuel Macron met with his defense council as France prepared to move to a “Stage Three” level of preparedness to combat the epidemic. That would include stricter health security protocols to avoid overburdening hospitals by keeping people with mild symptoms at home.
France has also moved to secure medical supplies by keeping masks, hand gels and other protective gear inside the country, despite pleas from officials in Brussels to share supplies with other European Union nations. With reports of masks being stolen from hospitals and price gouging of essentials like hand gels, fraud authorities and the police have gone into high alert.	France has also moved to secure medical supplies by keeping masks, hand gels and other protective gear inside the country, despite pleas from officials in Brussels to share supplies with other European Union nations. With reports of masks being stolen from hospitals and price gouging of essentials like hand gels, fraud authorities and the police have gone into high alert.
The export bans on masks and other protective gear “risk undermining our collective approach to handle this crisis,’’ said Janez Lenarcic, the European Union’s commissioner for crisis management.	The export bans on masks and other protective gear “risk undermining our collective approach to handle this crisis,’’ said Janez Lenarcic, the European Union’s commissioner for crisis management.
In France, where 300,000 students will not go to school on Monday and thousands of employees have been forced to work from home, officials still said they hoped to avoid a lockdown on the scale of Italy’s.	In France, where 300,000 students will not go to school on Monday and thousands of employees have been forced to work from home, officials still said they hoped to avoid a lockdown on the scale of Italy’s.
“We will not paralyze the economic and social life of the country,” the health minister, Olivier Véran, told the French newspaper Libération, even as he said the country would “take all necessary measures.”	“We will not paralyze the economic and social life of the country,” the health minister, Olivier Véran, told the French newspaper Libération, even as he said the country would “take all necessary measures.”
Spain, which has reported 13 deaths and more than 500 cases, has also resisted a more sweeping response. The authorities have called off some large events, like the Barcelona marathon. But others went ahead, including rallies in Madrid and other cities to celebrate International Women’s Day. The government has also not closed schools.	Spain, which has reported 13 deaths and more than 500 cases, has also resisted a more sweeping response. The authorities have called off some large events, like the Barcelona marathon. But others went ahead, including rallies in Madrid and other cities to celebrate International Women’s Day. The government has also not closed schools.
“We don’t have a situation in Spain where, on a country level, we can be thinking about a general and uncontrolled transmission situation,” said Fernando Simón, the head of Spain’s coordination center for health alerts and emergencies.	“We don’t have a situation in Spain where, on a country level, we can be thinking about a general and uncontrolled transmission situation,” said Fernando Simón, the head of Spain’s coordination center for health alerts and emergencies.
Some European experts contend that locking down entire parts of countries inflicts an economic cost that could be greater than the health risk from the epidemic. They worried that China’s recent success in curbing the spread of coronavirus, after it quarantined the city of Wuhan and Hubei Province, would encourage more countries to consider a similar course.	Some European experts contend that locking down entire parts of countries inflicts an economic cost that could be greater than the health risk from the epidemic. They worried that China’s recent success in curbing the spread of coronavirus, after it quarantined the city of Wuhan and Hubei Province, would encourage more countries to consider a similar course.
“We are in a world where viruses like this one will appear more and more often,” said François Bricaire, a member of France’s Academy of Medicine and a specialist in infectious diseases. “If every time the countries react this way, we will bring the whole economy down.”	“We are in a world where viruses like this one will appear more and more often,” said François Bricaire, a member of France’s Academy of Medicine and a specialist in infectious diseases. “If every time the countries react this way, we will bring the whole economy down.”
Growth in Europe was close to zero even before the coronavirus began to empty out airports and force the cancellation of trade fairs.	Growth in Europe was close to zero even before the coronavirus began to empty out airports and force the cancellation of trade fairs.
~~Updated June 1, 2020~~	Updated June 2, 2020
	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.
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.
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.	More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
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.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
Volkswagen, which was already struggling with ruptured supply chains because of the outbreak in China, now faces the loss of the components from Italy, which is a more important source of parts for many carmakers than the Chinese manufacturers.	Volkswagen, which was already struggling with ruptured supply chains because of the outbreak in China, now faces the loss of the components from Italy, which is a more important source of parts for many carmakers than the Chinese manufacturers.