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| U.K. Shields Its Economy From the Virus, but Not Yet Its People | U.K. Shields Its Economy From the Virus, but Not Yet Its People |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| LONDON — Britain moved decisively on Wednesday to cushion its economy from the ravages of the coronavirus, as it prepared to toughen a more cautious medical response that had come under fire, particularly after a health minister who had mingled at a reception with Prime Minister Boris Johnson fell ill from the contagion. | LONDON — Britain moved decisively on Wednesday to cushion its economy from the ravages of the coronavirus, as it prepared to toughen a more cautious medical response that had come under fire, particularly after a health minister who had mingled at a reception with Prime Minister Boris Johnson fell ill from the contagion. |
| The minister, Nadine Dorries, mixed with multiple other members of Parliament after contracting the virus, prompting at least one other lawmaker to isolate herself and raising questions about whether Mr. Johnson should do likewise and even whether Parliament should suspend its proceedings. | The minister, Nadine Dorries, mixed with multiple other members of Parliament after contracting the virus, prompting at least one other lawmaker to isolate herself and raising questions about whether Mr. Johnson should do likewise and even whether Parliament should suspend its proceedings. |
| Parliament did meet, however, to hear Mr. Johnson’s emergency plan to head off an economic crash from what the World Health Organization on Wednesday officially described as a pandemic: 30 billion pounds, or $38 billion, in one-time spending in the budget for the overburdened National Health Service and a variety of extra benefits for firms and people forced out of work because of the virus. | Parliament did meet, however, to hear Mr. Johnson’s emergency plan to head off an economic crash from what the World Health Organization on Wednesday officially described as a pandemic: 30 billion pounds, or $38 billion, in one-time spending in the budget for the overburdened National Health Service and a variety of extra benefits for firms and people forced out of work because of the virus. |
| And late Wednesday the government said that its crisis committee would meet on Thursday and was expected to discuss ways to escalate social distancing strategies for tackling the virus, which could mean more people working from home, school closures and restrictions on large-scale gatherings. | And late Wednesday the government said that its crisis committee would meet on Thursday and was expected to discuss ways to escalate social distancing strategies for tackling the virus, which could mean more people working from home, school closures and restrictions on large-scale gatherings. |
| As the total number of confirmed cases in Britain rose to nearly 500, the country’s aggressive economic rescue plan had contrasted starkly with its public-health response to the epidemic. | As the total number of confirmed cases in Britain rose to nearly 500, the country’s aggressive economic rescue plan had contrasted starkly with its public-health response to the epidemic. |
| The government had held off on social distancing measures, which the authorities in Italy, France, Germany and other countries have adopted. But those could come soon to Britain if the crisis committee decides, as expected, that its strategy is no longer to contain the virus but to delay its spread. | The government had held off on social distancing measures, which the authorities in Italy, France, Germany and other countries have adopted. But those could come soon to Britain if the crisis committee decides, as expected, that its strategy is no longer to contain the virus but to delay its spread. |
| So far, it has carefully regulated its flow of information to the public about what might come next. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, by contrast, warned on Wednesday that the virus would ultimately infect about two-thirds of that country’s population. “This is an exceptional situation, and we will do whatever is needed,” she said. And President Emmanuel Macron of France said, “What we are living is a true world crisis.” | So far, it has carefully regulated its flow of information to the public about what might come next. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, by contrast, warned on Wednesday that the virus would ultimately infect about two-thirds of that country’s population. “This is an exceptional situation, and we will do whatever is needed,” she said. And President Emmanuel Macron of France said, “What we are living is a true world crisis.” |
| British officials have avoided such language and have continued to be low key about the personal risks. Mr. Johnson does not plan to be tested, a spokesman said, because he has no symptoms and was never closer than two meters, or six feet, from Ms. Dorries, the critical distance to avoid contracting the virus. | British officials have avoided such language and have continued to be low key about the personal risks. Mr. Johnson does not plan to be tested, a spokesman said, because he has no symptoms and was never closer than two meters, or six feet, from Ms. Dorries, the critical distance to avoid contracting the virus. |
| Now, however, some experts are calling on the government to shift course — from trying to contain the virus to slowing its spread — and to be more transparent in discussing future steps. With 456 confirmed cases, and eight deaths, Britain has kept a tighter lid on outbreaks than its European neighbors. But officials warned that those numbers are likely to multiply in the coming days. | Now, however, some experts are calling on the government to shift course — from trying to contain the virus to slowing its spread — and to be more transparent in discussing future steps. With 456 confirmed cases, and eight deaths, Britain has kept a tighter lid on outbreaks than its European neighbors. But officials warned that those numbers are likely to multiply in the coming days. |
| “It’s better to be ahead of the curve,” said Devi Sridhar, director of the global health governance program at Edinburgh University. “We should be banning public gatherings. I don’t know why we haven’t taken that step.” | “It’s better to be ahead of the curve,” said Devi Sridhar, director of the global health governance program at Edinburgh University. “We should be banning public gatherings. I don’t know why we haven’t taken that step.” |
| But there was palpable alarm in Westminster, after the health minister revealed on Tuesday evening that she had tested positive for the virus. Police tape and signs saying, “COVID-19 DO NOT ENTER” went up around parliamentary offices. A member of Ms. Dorries’s staff tested positive on Wednesday, and a Labour Party lawmaker, Rachael Maskell, said the health service had advised her to self-isolate because she met with Ms. Dorries last week. | But there was palpable alarm in Westminster, after the health minister revealed on Tuesday evening that she had tested positive for the virus. Police tape and signs saying, “COVID-19 DO NOT ENTER” went up around parliamentary offices. A member of Ms. Dorries’s staff tested positive on Wednesday, and a Labour Party lawmaker, Rachael Maskell, said the health service had advised her to self-isolate because she met with Ms. Dorries last week. |
| Ms. Maskell, who lives in London with her sister, told a BBC radio program that she had gone so far as to put up “a barrier at home to make sure our company doesn’t mix over the two-week period.” | Ms. Maskell, who lives in London with her sister, told a BBC radio program that she had gone so far as to put up “a barrier at home to make sure our company doesn’t mix over the two-week period.” |
| The night before the Treasury presented its budget, its Westminster headquarters had to be deep-cleaned, British news outlets reported, after the partner of an official there tested positive for the coronavirus. | The night before the Treasury presented its budget, its Westminster headquarters had to be deep-cleaned, British news outlets reported, after the partner of an official there tested positive for the coronavirus. |
| In presenting the budget, the chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said the virus would have “a significant impact” on the economy, which is already projected to grow at its slowest rate since 2009. Warning of “tough” times ahead, he said the blow would be particularly hard for small businesses and part-time workers. | In presenting the budget, the chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said the virus would have “a significant impact” on the economy, which is already projected to grow at its slowest rate since 2009. Warning of “tough” times ahead, he said the blow would be particularly hard for small businesses and part-time workers. |
| “We are doing everything we can to keep this country and our people healthy and financially secure,” said Mr. Sunak, a 39-year-old former investment banker who became chancellor only a month ago, after Mr. Johnson forced out his predecessor, Sajid Javid. “I will do whatever it takes to get our nation through it.” | “We are doing everything we can to keep this country and our people healthy and financially secure,” said Mr. Sunak, a 39-year-old former investment banker who became chancellor only a month ago, after Mr. Johnson forced out his predecessor, Sajid Javid. “I will do whatever it takes to get our nation through it.” |
| The budget was once meant to showcase the post-Brexit priorities of Mr. Johnson’s new government. In a stark reversal of 40 years of Thatcher-inspired small government and fiscal restraint favored by previous Conservative governments, it includes major public-works projects to lift the fortunes of Britain’s Midlands and North, which have lagged London and the country’s Southeast as Britain’s manufacturing sector has sagged in recent decades. | The budget was once meant to showcase the post-Brexit priorities of Mr. Johnson’s new government. In a stark reversal of 40 years of Thatcher-inspired small government and fiscal restraint favored by previous Conservative governments, it includes major public-works projects to lift the fortunes of Britain’s Midlands and North, which have lagged London and the country’s Southeast as Britain’s manufacturing sector has sagged in recent decades. |
| Voters in those regions abandoned the opposition Labour Party in the elections in December and helped give Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party a commanding majority in Parliament. In return, Mr. Johnson has promised to triple the average net investment over the past 40 years, raising it to its highest levels in real terms since 1955. | Voters in those regions abandoned the opposition Labour Party in the elections in December and helped give Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party a commanding majority in Parliament. In return, Mr. Johnson has promised to triple the average net investment over the past 40 years, raising it to its highest levels in real terms since 1955. |
| But history was overtaken by a health crisis, as the budget became an exercise in fiscal intensive care. Hours before Mr. Sunak presented the numbers, the Bank of England announced an emergency cut in interest rates, back down to their lowest levels in history, and pledged to free up billions of pounds of extra lending to help banks support firms through the crisis. | But history was overtaken by a health crisis, as the budget became an exercise in fiscal intensive care. Hours before Mr. Sunak presented the numbers, the Bank of England announced an emergency cut in interest rates, back down to their lowest levels in history, and pledged to free up billions of pounds of extra lending to help banks support firms through the crisis. |
| Taken together, Mr. Sunak said, Britain’s program of monetary and fiscal measures “represents one of the most comprehensive economic responses of any government anywhere in the world to date.” | Taken together, Mr. Sunak said, Britain’s program of monetary and fiscal measures “represents one of the most comprehensive economic responses of any government anywhere in the world to date.” |
| Medical experts have generally praised Britain’s initial handling of the outbreak, when it isolated British passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, where more than 700 were infected with the coronavirus and eight died. But the health service has been under heavy pressure to ramp up its bed capacity and staffing levels, both of which have been depleted by a decade of cuts to spending growth under the Conservative Party’s austerity program. | Medical experts have generally praised Britain’s initial handling of the outbreak, when it isolated British passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, where more than 700 were infected with the coronavirus and eight died. But the health service has been under heavy pressure to ramp up its bed capacity and staffing levels, both of which have been depleted by a decade of cuts to spending growth under the Conservative Party’s austerity program. |
| 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. |
| In their latest move to shore up their response, health officials said they were planning to draft nursing students to help hospital wards cope during the peak of the outbreak, which health officials say is at least a couple of weeks away. | In their latest move to shore up their response, health officials said they were planning to draft nursing students to help hospital wards cope during the peak of the outbreak, which health officials say is at least a couple of weeks away. |
| Stuart Neil, a professor of virology at King’s College London, said the government was having to walk “a very difficult tightrope” in trying to limit the spread of the virus without exhausting the public with heavy-handed restrictions too early. | Stuart Neil, a professor of virology at King’s College London, said the government was having to walk “a very difficult tightrope” in trying to limit the spread of the virus without exhausting the public with heavy-handed restrictions too early. |
| Closing soccer matches to fans, for example, would most likely only drive them to watch at pubs instead, where the virus could spread more easily than at open-air arenas, Professor Neil said. | Closing soccer matches to fans, for example, would most likely only drive them to watch at pubs instead, where the virus could spread more easily than at open-air arenas, Professor Neil said. |
| Shutting schools presents its own host of issues: Frontline health workers would suddenly have to worry about looking after their children, and people who insist on working anyway could end up leaving their children with grandparents, exposing vulnerable people to more contacts at the very moment they should be protected. | Shutting schools presents its own host of issues: Frontline health workers would suddenly have to worry about looking after their children, and people who insist on working anyway could end up leaving their children with grandparents, exposing vulnerable people to more contacts at the very moment they should be protected. |
| “A lot of these measures tend to sound great on paper, but they don’t necessarily achieve what you expect them to achieve in practice,” Professor Neil said. “If you try to aggressively do some sort of massive lockdown like Italy, or some of the earlier stuff the Italians did, that can be counterproductive if people get bored and don’t adhere to it over time.” | “A lot of these measures tend to sound great on paper, but they don’t necessarily achieve what you expect them to achieve in practice,” Professor Neil said. “If you try to aggressively do some sort of massive lockdown like Italy, or some of the earlier stuff the Italians did, that can be counterproductive if people get bored and don’t adhere to it over time.” |
| The number of cases was slow to explode in Britain in part because the country’s health system is especially proficient at tracking down patients’ contacts and isolating them, a byproduct of a centralized health system that gives public health officials easy access to hospitals and doctors across the country, Professor Neil said. | The number of cases was slow to explode in Britain in part because the country’s health system is especially proficient at tracking down patients’ contacts and isolating them, a byproduct of a centralized health system that gives public health officials easy access to hospitals and doctors across the country, Professor Neil said. |
| But, he said, “Whether that has made any difference to how this epidemic subsequently evolves in this country, it’s too early to tell.” | But, he said, “Whether that has made any difference to how this epidemic subsequently evolves in this country, it’s too early to tell.” |
| Dr. Chris Smith, who specializes in virology at the University of Cambridge and is a host of “The Naked Scientists” podcast, agreed that averting large-scale shutdowns until the spread of the disease intensified was warranted. | Dr. Chris Smith, who specializes in virology at the University of Cambridge and is a host of “The Naked Scientists” podcast, agreed that averting large-scale shutdowns until the spread of the disease intensified was warranted. |
| So far, Dr. Smith said, the number of cases was rising fairly steadily in Britain. But cracking down on large gatherings will be most useful just when the day-over-day change in cases begins to soar, and when the number of untraceable community transmissions surges relative to the number of cases coming from abroad. | So far, Dr. Smith said, the number of cases was rising fairly steadily in Britain. But cracking down on large gatherings will be most useful just when the day-over-day change in cases begins to soar, and when the number of untraceable community transmissions surges relative to the number of cases coming from abroad. |
| “If you intervene just ahead of that, you can blunt that and smooth out the curve,” he said, spreading out the transmission of the virus over a long enough period that the health system can cope. | “If you intervene just ahead of that, you can blunt that and smooth out the curve,” he said, spreading out the transmission of the virus over a long enough period that the health system can cope. |
| “The critical thing is to intervene at the right time because you achieve the maximum bang for your buck,” he said. “People are not going to tolerate being confined to barracks indefinitely. You can only do this for so long before it becomes unsustainable.” | “The critical thing is to intervene at the right time because you achieve the maximum bang for your buck,” he said. “People are not going to tolerate being confined to barracks indefinitely. You can only do this for so long before it becomes unsustainable.” |