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| A Lockdown, Paris-Style: ‘We Can’t Live Without Bread’ | A Lockdown, Paris-Style: ‘We Can’t Live Without Bread’ |
| (7 days later) | |
| PARIS — Parisians took the French government’s partial lockdown measures in stride on Sunday, half shrugging off the coronavirus threat and only limiting their normal weekend’s activities: shopping at open-air markets, strolling in parks and lining up outside bakeries and butchers. | PARIS — Parisians took the French government’s partial lockdown measures in stride on Sunday, half shrugging off the coronavirus threat and only limiting their normal weekend’s activities: shopping at open-air markets, strolling in parks and lining up outside bakeries and butchers. |
| It could have been a typical, sun-filled, pre-spring Sunday, with thousands taking advantage of the good weather in Paris. Yet perceptible elements were missing. There was no low buzz from those centers of national conviviality, the cafes and restaurants, now closed by official order. And the streets were largely empty of traffic. | It could have been a typical, sun-filled, pre-spring Sunday, with thousands taking advantage of the good weather in Paris. Yet perceptible elements were missing. There was no low buzz from those centers of national conviviality, the cafes and restaurants, now closed by official order. And the streets were largely empty of traffic. |
| The great corridors of tourist shopping, normally bustling on a Sunday, were dead. On the Champs-Élysées, the cafes’ wicker chairs were piled high inside and the wide avenue was semi-deserted. At the closed luxury stores along the Rue Saint-Honoré, usually humming with Chinese shoppers in search of expensive handbags, hardly a buyer was in sight. And along the now-quiet Rue de Rivoli’s long commercial strip, the giant BHV department store, ordinarily a frenetic Sunday hub, was dark. | The great corridors of tourist shopping, normally bustling on a Sunday, were dead. On the Champs-Élysées, the cafes’ wicker chairs were piled high inside and the wide avenue was semi-deserted. At the closed luxury stores along the Rue Saint-Honoré, usually humming with Chinese shoppers in search of expensive handbags, hardly a buyer was in sight. And along the now-quiet Rue de Rivoli’s long commercial strip, the giant BHV department store, ordinarily a frenetic Sunday hub, was dark. |
| Sunday happened to be Election Day, the first round of France’s municipal vote, regarded as an important referendum on the government of President Emmanuel Macron. Where voters turned out to elect the country’s 34,000-odd mayors, poll workers wore rubber gloves and masks, and registration tables carried hand sanitizer. | Sunday happened to be Election Day, the first round of France’s municipal vote, regarded as an important referendum on the government of President Emmanuel Macron. Where voters turned out to elect the country’s 34,000-odd mayors, poll workers wore rubber gloves and masks, and registration tables carried hand sanitizer. |
| By late afternoon, turnout was at 38 percent. Some Parisians clung stubbornly to the voting ritual, heeding Mr. Macron’s exhortations to go vote. “It’s our duty,” said Marie-Madeleine Drillin, 72, leaving a polling station in eastern Paris. “Our ancestors fought for this right. So, we’ve got to respect it.” | By late afternoon, turnout was at 38 percent. Some Parisians clung stubbornly to the voting ritual, heeding Mr. Macron’s exhortations to go vote. “It’s our duty,” said Marie-Madeleine Drillin, 72, leaving a polling station in eastern Paris. “Our ancestors fought for this right. So, we’ve got to respect it.” |
| Still, faced with a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, the government delivered a warning to the French on Saturday night to show more “discipline.” By Sunday, 127 people had died in the country of the disease, Covid-19, and there were 5,423 confirmed infections. | Still, faced with a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, the government delivered a warning to the French on Saturday night to show more “discipline.” By Sunday, 127 people had died in the country of the disease, Covid-19, and there were 5,423 confirmed infections. |
| Henceforth, the government said, contacts were to be limited. “Nonessential” shopping trips must be curtailed. “We have seen too many people in cafes and restaurants,” Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said sternly. By Sunday, there were none. | Henceforth, the government said, contacts were to be limited. “Nonessential” shopping trips must be curtailed. “We have seen too many people in cafes and restaurants,” Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said sternly. By Sunday, there were none. |
| The government has adopted a no-nonsense tone in addressing French citizens, neither hiding nor hyping the epidemic’s realities. | The government has adopted a no-nonsense tone in addressing French citizens, neither hiding nor hyping the epidemic’s realities. |
| “One principle guides us,” Mr. Macron said in a televised address to the country on Thursday night. “It’s confidence in science,” he said. “It’s to listen to those who really know,” he continued, a subtle rebuke to allies across the Atlantic. And, in fact, the country’s top health officials have taken the lead in communicating with the public. | “One principle guides us,” Mr. Macron said in a televised address to the country on Thursday night. “It’s confidence in science,” he said. “It’s to listen to those who really know,” he continued, a subtle rebuke to allies across the Atlantic. And, in fact, the country’s top health officials have taken the lead in communicating with the public. |
| “We are only at the beginning of this epidemic,” the president continued. As he announced the closing of all schools starting on Monday, he warned, “All over Europe, it is accelerating and intensifying.” | “We are only at the beginning of this epidemic,” the president continued. As he announced the closing of all schools starting on Monday, he warned, “All over Europe, it is accelerating and intensifying.” |
| The French state, he insisted, will protect its citizens, their health and their finances during the crisis. It was another dig at trans-Atlantic free-marketers. | The French state, he insisted, will protect its citizens, their health and their finances during the crisis. It was another dig at trans-Atlantic free-marketers. |
| “What this pandemic reveals is that free health care without restrictions of income, career or job are not costs, but precious assets, indispensable advantages when fate strikes,” Mr. Macron said in his speech. He promised “massive” state aid for those unable to work. | “What this pandemic reveals is that free health care without restrictions of income, career or job are not costs, but precious assets, indispensable advantages when fate strikes,” Mr. Macron said in his speech. He promised “massive” state aid for those unable to work. |
| “The state will take on the indemnification of workers forced to stay at home,” Mr. Macron said, but he did not talk about the costs. | “The state will take on the indemnification of workers forced to stay at home,” Mr. Macron said, but he did not talk about the costs. |
| The mix of warning and reassurance from the president perhaps bolstered Parisian insouciance, and was clearly not dead by Sunday. The giant open-air market at the Place de la Bastille in central Paris, stretching for blocks into the eastern part of the capital, was still full of shoppers, produce vendors, fish and oyster salesmen, butchers, Middle Eastern sandwich sellers and purveyors of costly mushrooms. | The mix of warning and reassurance from the president perhaps bolstered Parisian insouciance, and was clearly not dead by Sunday. The giant open-air market at the Place de la Bastille in central Paris, stretching for blocks into the eastern part of the capital, was still full of shoppers, produce vendors, fish and oyster salesmen, butchers, Middle Eastern sandwich sellers and purveyors of costly mushrooms. |
| “I’m not raising my prices just because of this virus!” one butcher shouted encouragingly to his customers. | “I’m not raising my prices just because of this virus!” one butcher shouted encouragingly to his customers. |
| France was adapting in its own version of the European lockdown. Food shopping, near-sacred, and food preparation were other matters. It was no coincidence that the government had authorized places of worship and food markets to remain open. | France was adapting in its own version of the European lockdown. Food shopping, near-sacred, and food preparation were other matters. It was no coincidence that the government had authorized places of worship and food markets to remain open. |
| At Bastille, the customers thronging the narrow spaces between the stalls were hardly observing the government’s rule about keeping three feet apart to stem the spread of the outbreak. A rare few wore medical masks. | At Bastille, the customers thronging the narrow spaces between the stalls were hardly observing the government’s rule about keeping three feet apart to stem the spread of the outbreak. A rare few wore medical masks. |
| “One day or another, we’re all going to die,” said Raymond Bouclet, shrugging. He was selling early-season morel mushrooms at the Bastille market for almost $3 apiece, and he had barely lacked for customers that day, even if the photo-snapping tourists had disappeared. | “One day or another, we’re all going to die,” said Raymond Bouclet, shrugging. He was selling early-season morel mushrooms at the Bastille market for almost $3 apiece, and he had barely lacked for customers that day, even if the photo-snapping tourists had disappeared. |
| Mr. Bouclet said he was not worried about the virus. “The weaker ones will get it,” he said. “The others, it will just pass right by them.” | Mr. Bouclet said he was not worried about the virus. “The weaker ones will get it,” he said. “The others, it will just pass right by them.” |
| Besides, Mr. Philippe, the prime minister, had said nothing about open-air markets. At the one in Bastille, some wondered about the government’s apparent oversight, even as they took advantage of it. | Besides, Mr. Philippe, the prime minister, had said nothing about open-air markets. At the one in Bastille, some wondered about the government’s apparent oversight, even as they took advantage of it. |
| “It’s really strange: They’ve authorized the markets and the churches,” said Camille Gabarra, a graphic designer, examining some handsome lettuces. “Is that right? It seems incoherent.” | “It’s really strange: They’ve authorized the markets and the churches,” said Camille Gabarra, a graphic designer, examining some handsome lettuces. “Is that right? It seems incoherent.” |
| Otherwise, he was in favor of the restrictions. “These are measures taken by the state, and we’ve got to respect them,” Mr. Gabarra said. | Otherwise, he was in favor of the restrictions. “These are measures taken by the state, and we’ve got to respect them,” Mr. Gabarra said. |
| He had canceled a family lunch that day and all his appointments for the next week. “It’s a catastrophe,” he said of the lockdown. | He had canceled a family lunch that day and all his appointments for the next week. “It’s a catastrophe,” he said of the lockdown. |
| Others said keeping the markets running made sense since they were safer than enclosed stores. | Others said keeping the markets running made sense since they were safer than enclosed stores. |
| “Sure, I’m a bit worried,” said Laure Chouraqui, an architect, shopping for succulent-looking produce. “But I feel safer in the open air. I’m taking care not to go into enclosed public spaces.” | “Sure, I’m a bit worried,” said Laure Chouraqui, an architect, shopping for succulent-looking produce. “But I feel safer in the open air. I’m taking care not to go into enclosed public spaces.” |
| At a bakery near Place de la Nation in eastern Paris, several dozen customers were jammed in, oblivious to any spacing rules. | At a bakery near Place de la Nation in eastern Paris, several dozen customers were jammed in, oblivious to any spacing rules. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| “We can’t live without bread here,” said Bruno Lanterne, 55, a hairdresser, as he left, two baguettes tucked under his arm. “You can’t take that away from the French.” | “We can’t live without bread here,” said Bruno Lanterne, 55, a hairdresser, as he left, two baguettes tucked under his arm. “You can’t take that away from the French.” |
| The elections on Sunday seemed an afterthought. France’s mind was elsewhere. The low turnout appeared to bear out the warning from some of Mr. Macron’s political opponents that allowing the vote to continue had been a dreadful mistake. | The elections on Sunday seemed an afterthought. France’s mind was elsewhere. The low turnout appeared to bear out the warning from some of Mr. Macron’s political opponents that allowing the vote to continue had been a dreadful mistake. |
| At a polling site in Paris’s middle- and low-income 20th Arrondissement, voters lined up in a schoolyard, keeping the three-foot gap between each. Hand sanitizers were placed at the room’s entrance, while posters reminded people of the basic gestures to avoid contamination. | At a polling site in Paris’s middle- and low-income 20th Arrondissement, voters lined up in a schoolyard, keeping the three-foot gap between each. Hand sanitizers were placed at the room’s entrance, while posters reminded people of the basic gestures to avoid contamination. |
| “That’s the first time I’ve seen anything like this. It’s incredible,” said Frédérique Bach, a 33-year-old social worker who wore a mask. She added: “The crisis has been downplayed. But people are starting to get really worried now.” | “That’s the first time I’ve seen anything like this. It’s incredible,” said Frédérique Bach, a 33-year-old social worker who wore a mask. She added: “The crisis has been downplayed. But people are starting to get really worried now.” |
| With businesses shutting down, others were more preoccupied with payless days ahead. The finance and economy minister, Bruno Le Maire, has promised “tens of billions of euros” to help businesses and others in order to keep the French economy going. | With businesses shutting down, others were more preoccupied with payless days ahead. The finance and economy minister, Bruno Le Maire, has promised “tens of billions of euros” to help businesses and others in order to keep the French economy going. |
| “We’ll do whatever it takes, and more than what it takes, to support our economy and our businesses,” Mr. Le Maire said Friday on French television. | “We’ll do whatever it takes, and more than what it takes, to support our economy and our businesses,” Mr. Le Maire said Friday on French television. |
| In theory, the state could pay up to 84 percent of the salaries of employees unable to work because of the virus. But the fate of more fragile workers — part-timers and those in precarious jobs in the restaurant industry, for instance — is unclear. | In theory, the state could pay up to 84 percent of the salaries of employees unable to work because of the virus. But the fate of more fragile workers — part-timers and those in precarious jobs in the restaurant industry, for instance — is unclear. |
| Alexandre Piel, 20, said he needed the money from his part-time job as a waiter at the Rhino Rouge, in eastern Paris, to help pay for school and daily expenses. | Alexandre Piel, 20, said he needed the money from his part-time job as a waiter at the Rhino Rouge, in eastern Paris, to help pay for school and daily expenses. |
| “We hope this won’t last, but there’s no way of knowing,” said Mr. Piel, who was in mid-service on Saturday night when the news that his restaurant would close flashed on patrons’ cellphones. | “We hope this won’t last, but there’s no way of knowing,” said Mr. Piel, who was in mid-service on Saturday night when the news that his restaurant would close flashed on patrons’ cellphones. |
| The restaurant opened two years ago and was just starting to become profitable after considerable investment, which included a large, costly meat smoker imported from Texas. | The restaurant opened two years ago and was just starting to become profitable after considerable investment, which included a large, costly meat smoker imported from Texas. |
| “We’re going to take a hit, that’s clear,” Mr. Piel said. | “We’re going to take a hit, that’s clear,” Mr. Piel said. |
| Reporting was contributed by Constant Méheut, Aurelien Breeden, Liz Alderman and Daphné Anglès. | Reporting was contributed by Constant Méheut, Aurelien Breeden, Liz Alderman and Daphné Anglès. |