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Chaos in Europe, and Anger, Over U.S. Travel Ban to Curb Coronavirus Chaos in Europe, and Anger, Over U.S. Travel Ban to Curb Coronavirus
(1 day later)
PARIS — From airports and government offices to company boardrooms and stock exchange floors, turmoil and anger spread across Europe on Thursday after President Trump abruptly blocked most visitors from the Continent to the United States to curb the spread of the coronavirus.PARIS — From airports and government offices to company boardrooms and stock exchange floors, turmoil and anger spread across Europe on Thursday after President Trump abruptly blocked most visitors from the Continent to the United States to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Mr. Trump’s 30-day travel ban, announced in a prime-time address Wednesday evening while most Europeans were asleep, began causing shock waves even before the sun rose across the Continent. In the hours that followed, the ban sent stocks tanking and tempers rising across European capitals.Mr. Trump’s 30-day travel ban, announced in a prime-time address Wednesday evening while most Europeans were asleep, began causing shock waves even before the sun rose across the Continent. In the hours that followed, the ban sent stocks tanking and tempers rising across European capitals.
In a strongly worded statement, the European Union said it “disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation.’’ It said that it was “taking strong action to limit the spread’’ of the coronavirus, but that it “is a global crisis, not limited to any continent and it requires cooperation rather than unilateral action.’’In a strongly worded statement, the European Union said it “disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation.’’ It said that it was “taking strong action to limit the spread’’ of the coronavirus, but that it “is a global crisis, not limited to any continent and it requires cooperation rather than unilateral action.’’
In the predawn hours, initial confusion over the details of the restrictions — they take effect late Friday in the United States — sent many travelers scrambling for fear that they would not be allowed into the United States. The rules apply to people who have been in Europe’s 26-country, passport-free zone over the previous 14 days, though not to Americans or permanent U.S. residents.In the predawn hours, initial confusion over the details of the restrictions — they take effect late Friday in the United States — sent many travelers scrambling for fear that they would not be allowed into the United States. The rules apply to people who have been in Europe’s 26-country, passport-free zone over the previous 14 days, though not to Americans or permanent U.S. residents.
But even Americans, though exempt from the ban, rushed to make travel plans in anticipation of major flight cancellations or disruptions.But even Americans, though exempt from the ban, rushed to make travel plans in anticipation of major flight cancellations or disruptions.
News of the ban was announced aboard some European-bound red-eye flights, leading American passengers to try to book passage back home while still over the Atlantic. Some Americans in Europe were awakened at night by relatives warning them of the ban. Others headed straight to airports once they woke up to the news.News of the ban was announced aboard some European-bound red-eye flights, leading American passengers to try to book passage back home while still over the Atlantic. Some Americans in Europe were awakened at night by relatives warning them of the ban. Others headed straight to airports once they woke up to the news.
“My parents called me at 2 a.m. this morning to ask me to return to the U.S. because of Trump’s ban on Europe,’’ Salomé Carasco, an American from Los Angeles who was studying marketing in Paris, said as she waited for her flight on Air France at Charles de Gaulle Airport.“My parents called me at 2 a.m. this morning to ask me to return to the U.S. because of Trump’s ban on Europe,’’ Salomé Carasco, an American from Los Angeles who was studying marketing in Paris, said as she waited for her flight on Air France at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
“It’s O.K. but I feel like it’s a little too much,’’ she said, adding: “My school, my friends, my life is in Paris now. But my parents wanted me to come home. I don’t know how much they paid, but it was expensive.’’“It’s O.K. but I feel like it’s a little too much,’’ she said, adding: “My school, my friends, my life is in Paris now. But my parents wanted me to come home. I don’t know how much they paid, but it was expensive.’’
A last-minute ticket to New York on Air France cost Brenden Jacobson — an American who had one week left in a long-planned, three-week holiday in France — $3,000.A last-minute ticket to New York on Air France cost Brenden Jacobson — an American who had one week left in a long-planned, three-week holiday in France — $3,000.
“When we heard about the announcement this morning, we decided to go to the airport,’’ Mr. Jacobson said at Charles de Gaulle, adding, “It really stresses me.’’“When we heard about the announcement this morning, we decided to go to the airport,’’ Mr. Jacobson said at Charles de Gaulle, adding, “It really stresses me.’’
Early in the morning, the scene at the airport was chaotic as Americans tried to book flights home. Long lines at ticketing counters quickly began to form at dawn, and some passengers were resigned to waiting hours, with no guarantee of obtaining a ticket.Early in the morning, the scene at the airport was chaotic as Americans tried to book flights home. Long lines at ticketing counters quickly began to form at dawn, and some passengers were resigned to waiting hours, with no guarantee of obtaining a ticket.
A ticket agent for Delta said some panicked passengers had gone online in the hours after Mr. Trump’s announcement and spent tens of thousands of dollars for last-minute flights to the United States, only to try to change them for cheaper tickets at the airport later, without success.A ticket agent for Delta said some panicked passengers had gone online in the hours after Mr. Trump’s announcement and spent tens of thousands of dollars for last-minute flights to the United States, only to try to change them for cheaper tickets at the airport later, without success.
Similar scenes were being played out across Europe.Similar scenes were being played out across Europe.
In Poland, Jan Pytalski, a Polish citizen and a permanent U.S. resident on vacation in his native country, was roused at 2:30 a.m. by his wife, Sarah, who had just watched Mr. Trump’s address in the couple’s home in Washington, D.C.In Poland, Jan Pytalski, a Polish citizen and a permanent U.S. resident on vacation in his native country, was roused at 2:30 a.m. by his wife, Sarah, who had just watched Mr. Trump’s address in the couple’s home in Washington, D.C.
“She sounded terrified,’’ Mr. Pytalski said.“She sounded terrified,’’ Mr. Pytalski said.
Unable to change his return ticket on the airline’s overloaded website, Mr. Pytalski bought a new ticket.Unable to change his return ticket on the airline’s overloaded website, Mr. Pytalski bought a new ticket.
“I was worried that there won’t be any more flights to the United States, and I did not want to risk leaving my wife alone, especially now that Washington is also becoming a cluster,’’ Mr. Pytalski said while in transit in Copenhagen.“I was worried that there won’t be any more flights to the United States, and I did not want to risk leaving my wife alone, especially now that Washington is also becoming a cluster,’’ Mr. Pytalski said while in transit in Copenhagen.
For weeks, Mr. Trump played down the threat from the coronavirus, as his supporters, in Washington and in the right-wing U.S. news media, accused his opponents of exaggerating the risk as a way to hurt the president’s re-election chances.For weeks, Mr. Trump played down the threat from the coronavirus, as his supporters, in Washington and in the right-wing U.S. news media, accused his opponents of exaggerating the risk as a way to hurt the president’s re-election chances.
By contrast, while the coronavirus is testing Europe’s cohesion and alliances, individual European leaders have relied on experts to react to outbreak, which the World Health Organization declared a pandemic this week. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany warned that the virus could infect 60 percent to 70 percent of people in Germany, attributing the bleak prediction to experts.By contrast, while the coronavirus is testing Europe’s cohesion and alliances, individual European leaders have relied on experts to react to outbreak, which the World Health Organization declared a pandemic this week. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany warned that the virus could infect 60 percent to 70 percent of people in Germany, attributing the bleak prediction to experts.
In France, the government of President Emmanuel Macron has been providing extensive daily updates on how health officials are trying to slow the spread of the virus — while warning the French that a full-blown epidemic, like the one across the border in Italy, is all but inevitable.In France, the government of President Emmanuel Macron has been providing extensive daily updates on how health officials are trying to slow the spread of the virus — while warning the French that a full-blown epidemic, like the one across the border in Italy, is all but inevitable.
On Friday, many European leaders reacted angrily to what they perceived as Mr. Trump’s belated response to the crisis, which focused, in part, on blaming Europe.On Friday, many European leaders reacted angrily to what they perceived as Mr. Trump’s belated response to the crisis, which focused, in part, on blaming Europe.
In his address from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Mr. Trump pointedly described the source of the epidemic as a “foreign virus” and criticized the European Union for having “failed to take the same precautions” as he had in restricting travel from China, the source of the outbreak.In his address from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Mr. Trump pointedly described the source of the epidemic as a “foreign virus” and criticized the European Union for having “failed to take the same precautions” as he had in restricting travel from China, the source of the outbreak.
“As a result, a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travelers from Europe,’’ Mr. Trump said.“As a result, a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travelers from Europe,’’ Mr. Trump said.
In fact, Europe has not been a major source of known infections so far in the United States.In fact, Europe has not been a major source of known infections so far in the United States.
“I know the temperament of Donald Trump, who by the way maybe reacted a bit later than some other countries, most notably European countries, on the issue,” Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, France’s junior minister for transportation, told reporters in Paris after a meeting with representatives from France’s transportation and travel businesses.“I know the temperament of Donald Trump, who by the way maybe reacted a bit later than some other countries, most notably European countries, on the issue,” Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, France’s junior minister for transportation, told reporters in Paris after a meeting with representatives from France’s transportation and travel businesses.
Updated June 30, 2020
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.
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.
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.
In Italy, the European nation hardest hit by the pandemic, Romano Prodi, a former prime minister and president of the European Union, defended his nation’s response. He said Mr. Trump had a right to do what he thought was best, though he thought there were “less damaging” alternatives than the travel ban.In Italy, the European nation hardest hit by the pandemic, Romano Prodi, a former prime minister and president of the European Union, defended his nation’s response. He said Mr. Trump had a right to do what he thought was best, though he thought there were “less damaging” alternatives than the travel ban.
“I think that coronavirus is already also an American problem,” Mr. Prodi said.“I think that coronavirus is already also an American problem,” Mr. Prodi said.
According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, an agency of the European Union, about 22,000 cases of infection and 943 deaths have been reported across Europe, including in Britain. Mr. Trump’s ban exempts Britain and Ireland.According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, an agency of the European Union, about 22,000 cases of infection and 943 deaths have been reported across Europe, including in Britain. Mr. Trump’s ban exempts Britain and Ireland.
Christian Drosten, head of virology at Berlin’s Charité research hospital, said that Mr. Trump’s decision was “pointless’’ and that it had been based on erroneous data.Christian Drosten, head of virology at Berlin’s Charité research hospital, said that Mr. Trump’s decision was “pointless’’ and that it had been based on erroneous data.
“It is clear that testing in the U.S. started too late, and as a result, they don’t even know how many cases they have in their country,” Dr. Drosten said on Germany’s public broadcaster N.D.R. “So he can easily point the finger at European countries that have higher numbers of infections, due to consistent testing.”“It is clear that testing in the U.S. started too late, and as a result, they don’t even know how many cases they have in their country,” Dr. Drosten said on Germany’s public broadcaster N.D.R. “So he can easily point the finger at European countries that have higher numbers of infections, due to consistent testing.”
With the sudden travel ban, many in Europe — a continent that in recent years has increasingly shut its doors to successive waves of migrants from the Middle East and Africa — abruptly found themselves in an unfamiliar position.With the sudden travel ban, many in Europe — a continent that in recent years has increasingly shut its doors to successive waves of migrants from the Middle East and Africa — abruptly found themselves in an unfamiliar position.
“The U.S. is doing to Europe what Europe did to southern countries in Africa and in the Middle East,’’ said Frédéric Keck, a French anthropologist specializing in pandemics.“The U.S. is doing to Europe what Europe did to southern countries in Africa and in the Middle East,’’ said Frédéric Keck, a French anthropologist specializing in pandemics.
“Europe is being ostracized,” he said.“Europe is being ostracized,” he said.
At Charles de Gaulle, Camille Allain, a Frenchwoman, had just landed after a flight from Boston during which she had learned of the ban from the American seated next to her.At Charles de Gaulle, Camille Allain, a Frenchwoman, had just landed after a flight from Boston during which she had learned of the ban from the American seated next to her.
“It’s really strange to hear that I can’t enter a country because I’m French,’’ she said.“It’s really strange to hear that I can’t enter a country because I’m French,’’ she said.
Ambre Eldin, a Frenchwoman flying to South Korea, where she is studying, compared Mr. Trump’s sudden ban to past American restrictions on foreigners from countries suspected of supporting terrorism.Ambre Eldin, a Frenchwoman flying to South Korea, where she is studying, compared Mr. Trump’s sudden ban to past American restrictions on foreigners from countries suspected of supporting terrorism.
“It’s not the first time that they’ve forbidden foreigners from going there,’’ Ms. Eldin said. “They often react that way.’’“It’s not the first time that they’ve forbidden foreigners from going there,’’ Ms. Eldin said. “They often react that way.’’
But in France, as cases of infection continue to rise sharply, the idea of sealing off borders could gain support, especially among supporters of the far right, experts said.But in France, as cases of infection continue to rise sharply, the idea of sealing off borders could gain support, especially among supporters of the far right, experts said.
Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally, called for France to close its borders with Italy a few days after a cluster of cases was discovered in northern Italy in late February.Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally, called for France to close its borders with Italy a few days after a cluster of cases was discovered in northern Italy in late February.
François Kraus, a political analyst at IFOP, a pollster, said that with Italy now under strict quarantine, “closing the borders is going to be a solution that will increasingly seem natural.”François Kraus, a political analyst at IFOP, a pollster, said that with Italy now under strict quarantine, “closing the borders is going to be a solution that will increasingly seem natural.”
“For a lot of French people, Italy — it’s France in 10 days,” he said.“For a lot of French people, Italy — it’s France in 10 days,” he said.
Reporting was contributed by Eva Mbengue, Constant Méheut, Aurélien Breeden and Mike McIntire from Paris; Jason Horowitz from Rome; Monika Pronczuk from Brussels; Melissa Eddy from Berlin; Jack Ewing from Frankfurt; and Raphael Minder from Madrid.Reporting was contributed by Eva Mbengue, Constant Méheut, Aurélien Breeden and Mike McIntire from Paris; Jason Horowitz from Rome; Monika Pronczuk from Brussels; Melissa Eddy from Berlin; Jack Ewing from Frankfurt; and Raphael Minder from Madrid.