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For Trump, a New Crisis and a Familiar Response: It’s China’s Fault, and Europe’s For Trump, a New Crisis and a Familiar Response: It’s China’s Fault, and Europe’s
(3 days later)
WASHINGTON — President Trump’s 30-day suspension of all entry into the United States for most Europeans, his most significant step yet in the halting effort to combat the coronavirus, accelerates his long-brewing divorce from many of America’s traditional allies.WASHINGTON — President Trump’s 30-day suspension of all entry into the United States for most Europeans, his most significant step yet in the halting effort to combat the coronavirus, accelerates his long-brewing divorce from many of America’s traditional allies.
His White House address on Wednesday night was cast in distinctly “America First” terms, seeming to suggest that the United States — acting alone — could halt a scourge that started in China, is ravaging Italy and knows no borders. But perhaps most tellingly, it was announced with no consultation with America’s closest allies, following the same pattern of unilateral action he favored when he announced in 2017 that the United States would pull out of the Paris climate accord and then the Iran nuclear deal the following year.His White House address on Wednesday night was cast in distinctly “America First” terms, seeming to suggest that the United States — acting alone — could halt a scourge that started in China, is ravaging Italy and knows no borders. But perhaps most tellingly, it was announced with no consultation with America’s closest allies, following the same pattern of unilateral action he favored when he announced in 2017 that the United States would pull out of the Paris climate accord and then the Iran nuclear deal the following year.
And it opened yet another wound — one likely to impair cooperation as the virus surges — as the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, made clear in a chilly statement.And it opened yet another wound — one likely to impair cooperation as the virus surges — as the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, made clear in a chilly statement.
“The coronavirus is a global crisis, not limited to any continent, and it requires cooperation rather than unilateral action,” she said in a joint statement with Charles Michel, who heads the European Council. “The European Union disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation.”“The coronavirus is a global crisis, not limited to any continent, and it requires cooperation rather than unilateral action,” she said in a joint statement with Charles Michel, who heads the European Council. “The European Union disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation.”
To Mr. Trump, of course, this was all about containment, a natural follow-on to his early decision to ban flights from China — a move that many experts agree won the United States crucial time to prepare, even if much of that time was wasted. Back then, the virus was not visibly on American shores.To Mr. Trump, of course, this was all about containment, a natural follow-on to his early decision to ban flights from China — a move that many experts agree won the United States crucial time to prepare, even if much of that time was wasted. Back then, the virus was not visibly on American shores.
Now, it is. It is spreading indigenously. And because Mr. Trump’s rule allows entry to Americans, legal residents and their families who have been in Europe, it seems to the Europeans to be less about containment than about punishment.Now, it is. It is spreading indigenously. And because Mr. Trump’s rule allows entry to Americans, legal residents and their families who have been in Europe, it seems to the Europeans to be less about containment than about punishment.
“The announcement last night about Europe was part of the pattern that there always has to be someone, an outsider, to blame,” said Heather A. Conley, the director of the Europe program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington policy research center. And the exemption for Britain seemed equally perplexing because early this week, there were still direct flights landing there from Milan, the center of the Italian crisis.“The announcement last night about Europe was part of the pattern that there always has to be someone, an outsider, to blame,” said Heather A. Conley, the director of the Europe program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington policy research center. And the exemption for Britain seemed equally perplexing because early this week, there were still direct flights landing there from Milan, the center of the Italian crisis.
Mr. Trump, of course, had other options.Mr. Trump, of course, had other options.
He could have used the speech on Wednesday night to talk about joining ranks with the country’s closest allies — Germany, France, other European partners, South Korea and Japan — to counter both the virus and the economic impact. He could have talked about sharing public health data and lessons learned from China’s experience — or South Korea’s.He could have used the speech on Wednesday night to talk about joining ranks with the country’s closest allies — Germany, France, other European partners, South Korea and Japan — to counter both the virus and the economic impact. He could have talked about sharing public health data and lessons learned from China’s experience — or South Korea’s.
He could have used the memory of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, when the NATO alliance invoked — for the first time since its creation — Article V of its charter, that an attack on one was an attack on all. He could have roused the alliance to deal together with a common enemy, even an invisible one that could not be bombed.He could have used the memory of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, when the NATO alliance invoked — for the first time since its creation — Article V of its charter, that an attack on one was an attack on all. He could have roused the alliance to deal together with a common enemy, even an invisible one that could not be bombed.
Instead, his instinct was to follow the course he set when he pulled out of the Paris accord, threatened to leave NATO and renounced the Iran nuclear accord. His go-to position is that even the most international of problems can be walled off — and in this case his actions seemed to say that the European alliances are shattered anyway, so they are not worth saving.Instead, his instinct was to follow the course he set when he pulled out of the Paris accord, threatened to leave NATO and renounced the Iran nuclear accord. His go-to position is that even the most international of problems can be walled off — and in this case his actions seemed to say that the European alliances are shattered anyway, so they are not worth saving.
Mr. Trump defended that approach when he met on Thursday with the Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar. “We get along very well with the European leaders, but we had to make a decision, and I didn’t want to take time,” Mr. Trump told reporters.Mr. Trump defended that approach when he met on Thursday with the Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar. “We get along very well with the European leaders, but we had to make a decision, and I didn’t want to take time,” Mr. Trump told reporters.
He then compared it to the politics of trade retaliation. “I mean, when they raise taxes on us, they don’t consult us,” he said. “And I think that’s probably one in the same.”He then compared it to the politics of trade retaliation. “I mean, when they raise taxes on us, they don’t consult us,” he said. “And I think that’s probably one in the same.”
It was a striking admission of how much communication has shut down over the past three years.It was a striking admission of how much communication has shut down over the past three years.
“I appreciate the fact that this has caught so many governments around the world off-guard,” said Ms. Conley, who served as deputy assistant secretary in the State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.“I appreciate the fact that this has caught so many governments around the world off-guard,” said Ms. Conley, who served as deputy assistant secretary in the State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs.
“In the past, there would have been extraordinary outreach, an effort to issue a joint statement and have mechanisms in place to enforce whatever you announce,” she said. “When you do it this way, you shed doubt on our government’s ability to manage what is happening, and you foster so much ill will that you make it harder to get future cooperation.”“In the past, there would have been extraordinary outreach, an effort to issue a joint statement and have mechanisms in place to enforce whatever you announce,” she said. “When you do it this way, you shed doubt on our government’s ability to manage what is happening, and you foster so much ill will that you make it harder to get future cooperation.”
The president’s address appeared to have been a hastily devised move, and Mr. Trump got many of the basic details of his own ban wrong, forcing his aides to backtrack and correct him soon after he got off the air.The president’s address appeared to have been a hastily devised move, and Mr. Trump got many of the basic details of his own ban wrong, forcing his aides to backtrack and correct him soon after he got off the air.
In fact, everything about the president’s announcement bespoke chaos, according to White House insiders and the allies. In the Situation Room, as the speech was coming together, there were arguments over the wording that banned goods as well as people.In fact, everything about the president’s announcement bespoke chaos, according to White House insiders and the allies. In the Situation Room, as the speech was coming together, there were arguments over the wording that banned goods as well as people.
Despite the objections of some top officials, Mr. Trump said the United States “will be suspending all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days,” beginning on midnight Friday, with the exception of travel from Britain.Despite the objections of some top officials, Mr. Trump said the United States “will be suspending all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days,” beginning on midnight Friday, with the exception of travel from Britain.
“These prohibitions will not only apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo, but various other things as we get approval,” he said. “Anything coming from Europe to the United States is what we are discussing.”“These prohibitions will not only apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo, but various other things as we get approval,” he said. “Anything coming from Europe to the United States is what we are discussing.”
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
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.)
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.
Within hours, it turned out that there was no ban on trade, which would have had a huge global economic impact — and would have done little to contain the virus, experts say. A little after 10 p.m., Mr. Trump tweeted: “Trade will in no way be affected by the 30-day restriction on travel from Europe. The restriction stops people not goods.”Within hours, it turned out that there was no ban on trade, which would have had a huge global economic impact — and would have done little to contain the virus, experts say. A little after 10 p.m., Mr. Trump tweeted: “Trade will in no way be affected by the 30-day restriction on travel from Europe. The restriction stops people not goods.”
That still left confusion over what the president meant when he said the Small Business Administration would “provide capital and liquidity” to businesses, which seemed to go beyond its statutory powers.That still left confusion over what the president meant when he said the Small Business Administration would “provide capital and liquidity” to businesses, which seemed to go beyond its statutory powers.
Such details can be worked out, of course, even if the president’s statements need correction. What allies remember, though, is the sense that a nation that once led great coalitions — against Nazi Germany, against the Soviet threat, against Al Qaeda and other terrorists — seems uninterested in a global response in a different kind of crisis.Such details can be worked out, of course, even if the president’s statements need correction. What allies remember, though, is the sense that a nation that once led great coalitions — against Nazi Germany, against the Soviet threat, against Al Qaeda and other terrorists — seems uninterested in a global response in a different kind of crisis.
That seemed clear when Mr. Trump’s National Security Council decided, more than a year ago, to merge the office that was preparing for pandemics into one working to limit weapons of mass destruction — two very different problems, requiring vastly different kinds of responses.That seemed clear when Mr. Trump’s National Security Council decided, more than a year ago, to merge the office that was preparing for pandemics into one working to limit weapons of mass destruction — two very different problems, requiring vastly different kinds of responses.
And it seemed clear on Wednesday, when Mr. Trump’s national security adviser, Robert C. O’Brien, both defended the administration’s response to the coronavirus and made clear it was China, not the United States, that deserved any blame for a slow international response.And it seemed clear on Wednesday, when Mr. Trump’s national security adviser, Robert C. O’Brien, both defended the administration’s response to the coronavirus and made clear it was China, not the United States, that deserved any blame for a slow international response.
“Unfortunately, rather than using best practices, this outbreak in Wuhan was covered up,” Mr. O’Brien said. “It probably cost the world community two months to respond.” He said China’s initial secrecy and its reluctance to admit officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization slowed the response and the chance to collect more information about the virus.“Unfortunately, rather than using best practices, this outbreak in Wuhan was covered up,” Mr. O’Brien said. “It probably cost the world community two months to respond.” He said China’s initial secrecy and its reluctance to admit officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization slowed the response and the chance to collect more information about the virus.
“I think we could have dramatically curtailed both what happened in China and what’s happening across the world,” Mr. O’Brien said. “The way that this started out in China, the way it was handled from the outset, was not right, it should have been handled differently.” Michael Crowley contributed reporting.“I think we could have dramatically curtailed both what happened in China and what’s happening across the world,” Mr. O’Brien said. “The way that this started out in China, the way it was handled from the outset, was not right, it should have been handled differently.” Michael Crowley contributed reporting.