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| Johnson Orders British Pubs to Close, Ending a Maverick Stance in Virus Fight | Johnson Orders British Pubs to Close, Ending a Maverick Stance in Virus Fight |
| (3 days later) | |
| LONDON — For days, Prime Minister Boris Johnson charted a defiantly maverick course in Britain’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, refusing to shut down large parts of his country, as many other European leaders have. | LONDON — For days, Prime Minister Boris Johnson charted a defiantly maverick course in Britain’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, refusing to shut down large parts of his country, as many other European leaders have. |
| On Friday, however, Mr. Johnson finally conceded, announcing that the government had ordered the shutdown of pubs, cafes, restaurants, clubs, gyms and theaters as of midnight in an increasingly anxious bid to curb the virus that has spread to more than 3,000 people. | On Friday, however, Mr. Johnson finally conceded, announcing that the government had ordered the shutdown of pubs, cafes, restaurants, clubs, gyms and theaters as of midnight in an increasingly anxious bid to curb the virus that has spread to more than 3,000 people. |
| Mr. Johnson’s reluctant action effectively brought the United Kingdom in line with France and other continental European nations, ending the country’s more relaxed but heavily criticized approach — one that showed how Brexit may encourage it to go its own way on public health and economic policy. | Mr. Johnson’s reluctant action effectively brought the United Kingdom in line with France and other continental European nations, ending the country’s more relaxed but heavily criticized approach — one that showed how Brexit may encourage it to go its own way on public health and economic policy. |
| “People have already made a huge effort to comply,” a visibly chagrined Mr. Johnson said as he announced the shutdown at his daily news conference. “But we need now to push down further on that curve.” | “People have already made a huge effort to comply,” a visibly chagrined Mr. Johnson said as he announced the shutdown at his daily news conference. “But we need now to push down further on that curve.” |
| The measures will apply throughout the United Kingdom, after agreements were reached with the authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. | The measures will apply throughout the United Kingdom, after agreements were reached with the authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
| The British government also rolled out another gargantuan economic rescue package, announcing that for the first time in history, it would pay as much as 80 percent of the wages of people — up to a total of 2,500 pounds, or $2,900 a month — who are unable to work because of the shutdown, but who are kept on company payrolls. | The British government also rolled out another gargantuan economic rescue package, announcing that for the first time in history, it would pay as much as 80 percent of the wages of people — up to a total of 2,500 pounds, or $2,900 a month — who are unable to work because of the shutdown, but who are kept on company payrolls. |
| Taken together, Mr. Johnson’s measures go further toward a European-style welfare safety net than many of his European neighbors. It shows just how dramatically the pandemic has upended the plans of a government that swept into power only four months ago on the slogan, “Get Brexit Done.” | Taken together, Mr. Johnson’s measures go further toward a European-style welfare safety net than many of his European neighbors. It shows just how dramatically the pandemic has upended the plans of a government that swept into power only four months ago on the slogan, “Get Brexit Done.” |
| Nobody is talking about Britain’s departure from the European Union these days at 10 Downing Street, Mr. Johnson said this week — a blunt acknowledgment of how a global health emergency can sweep aside, almost overnight, an issue that had paralyzed domestic politics and divided the public for more than three years. | Nobody is talking about Britain’s departure from the European Union these days at 10 Downing Street, Mr. Johnson said this week — a blunt acknowledgment of how a global health emergency can sweep aside, almost overnight, an issue that had paralyzed domestic politics and divided the public for more than three years. |
| Face-to-face negotiations for a post-Brexit trade agreement between Britain and the European Union were suspended last week, and the prospects of striking a deal this year seemed even more remote after the chief negotiators for Britain and the European Union both tested positive for the virus this week. | Face-to-face negotiations for a post-Brexit trade agreement between Britain and the European Union were suspended last week, and the prospects of striking a deal this year seemed even more remote after the chief negotiators for Britain and the European Union both tested positive for the virus this week. |
| Yet Brexit has played a subtle role in Britain’s response to the pandemic, analysts say, and it will continue to do so. The go-it-alone instincts that drove Brexit also drove Mr. Johnson’s reluctance to embrace the more rigorous social isolation policies of France or parts of Germany. Brexiteers point to the government’s powerful rescue package as evidence of why being out of the European Union is good. | Yet Brexit has played a subtle role in Britain’s response to the pandemic, analysts say, and it will continue to do so. The go-it-alone instincts that drove Brexit also drove Mr. Johnson’s reluctance to embrace the more rigorous social isolation policies of France or parts of Germany. Brexiteers point to the government’s powerful rescue package as evidence of why being out of the European Union is good. |
| While Mr. Johnson attributed his decisions to scientific advice — and has changed course as the data has changed — he had proudly stood apart from President Emmanuel Macron of France and other European leaders, who appeared readier to curb civil liberties in the name of suppressing the virus. | While Mr. Johnson attributed his decisions to scientific advice — and has changed course as the data has changed — he had proudly stood apart from President Emmanuel Macron of France and other European leaders, who appeared readier to curb civil liberties in the name of suppressing the virus. |
| But Mr. Johnson’s independence was exacting a cost. With Italy, France, Spain and parts of Germany shutting down cafes while Britain’s pubs remained open, investors became rattled by Mr. Johnson’s laissez-faire approach. | But Mr. Johnson’s independence was exacting a cost. With Italy, France, Spain and parts of Germany shutting down cafes while Britain’s pubs remained open, investors became rattled by Mr. Johnson’s laissez-faire approach. |
| The pound crashed to its lowest levels in decades against the dollar and the euro earlier this week — suggesting that in a crisis, Britain’s isolation looked like a source of vulnerability rather than strength. | The pound crashed to its lowest levels in decades against the dollar and the euro earlier this week — suggesting that in a crisis, Britain’s isolation looked like a source of vulnerability rather than strength. |
| “This is not a eurozone crisis,” said Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank in London. “It’s a global crisis where the value of being big and having institutions that can act is, in itself, positive.” | “This is not a eurozone crisis,” said Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg Bank in London. “It’s a global crisis where the value of being big and having institutions that can act is, in itself, positive.” |
| The pound rebounded a bit on Friday as the chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, announced the wage compensation and other measures. “I am placing no limit on the amount of funding available,” Mr. Sunak declared. “We will pay grants to support as many jobs as necessary.” | The pound rebounded a bit on Friday as the chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, announced the wage compensation and other measures. “I am placing no limit on the amount of funding available,” Mr. Sunak declared. “We will pay grants to support as many jobs as necessary.” |
| Britain has used its independence to its advantage in some ways: by orchestrating a potent, coordinated fiscal and monetary rescue, something that has so far eluded countries on the Continent, which have relied on the European Central Bank to inject hundreds of billions of euros into the system. | Britain has used its independence to its advantage in some ways: by orchestrating a potent, coordinated fiscal and monetary rescue, something that has so far eluded countries on the Continent, which have relied on the European Central Bank to inject hundreds of billions of euros into the system. |
| For Brexiteers, that flexibility proves the advantages of being unshackled from Europe. But there are other areas where Britain’s departure raises questions. The European Union, for example, has organized a joint procurement system to speed up the purchase of ventilators, masks and other vital medical equipment. | For Brexiteers, that flexibility proves the advantages of being unshackled from Europe. But there are other areas where Britain’s departure raises questions. The European Union, for example, has organized a joint procurement system to speed up the purchase of ventilators, masks and other vital medical equipment. |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | Updated June 12, 2020 |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Under the terms of Britain’s withdrawal agreement with Brussels, it remains part of the single market until the end of 2020. It is still paying billions of dollars into the European Union’s coffers, which means that it can take part in the procurement system, officials say. | Under the terms of Britain’s withdrawal agreement with Brussels, it remains part of the single market until the end of 2020. It is still paying billions of dollars into the European Union’s coffers, which means that it can take part in the procurement system, officials say. |
| But Mr. Johnson has not yet said whether Britain, which is desperately short of ventilators, will do so. In his daily briefings on the pandemic, Mr. Johnson promises that British companies will ramp up their production of gear. He rarely mentions Europe. | But Mr. Johnson has not yet said whether Britain, which is desperately short of ventilators, will do so. In his daily briefings on the pandemic, Mr. Johnson promises that British companies will ramp up their production of gear. He rarely mentions Europe. |
| Asking the European Union for help would be politically tricky for Mr. Johnson. Some ardent Brexiteers and Conservative Party donors have been outspoken in playing down the risks of the coronavirus. Tim Martin, the chief executive of Wetherspoons, a large chain of pubs, said that closing the bars was “over the top” and that people had a greater chance of contracting the virus in supermarkets. | Asking the European Union for help would be politically tricky for Mr. Johnson. Some ardent Brexiteers and Conservative Party donors have been outspoken in playing down the risks of the coronavirus. Tim Martin, the chief executive of Wetherspoons, a large chain of pubs, said that closing the bars was “over the top” and that people had a greater chance of contracting the virus in supermarkets. |
| Anand Menon, a professor of European politics and foreign affairs at King’s College, London, said that the crisis had illustrated the downside of Mr. Johnson’s desire to stay aloof from all things European. | Anand Menon, a professor of European politics and foreign affairs at King’s College, London, said that the crisis had illustrated the downside of Mr. Johnson’s desire to stay aloof from all things European. |
| “Boris Johnson adopted an approach that was riskier than he needed to,” Mr. Menon said. Any stance that differentiates Britain from the E.U. is an “added bonus” for Brexiteers, he said, but “if we end up with a higher death rate than other countries it will look very bad for the government.” | “Boris Johnson adopted an approach that was riskier than he needed to,” Mr. Menon said. Any stance that differentiates Britain from the E.U. is an “added bonus” for Brexiteers, he said, but “if we end up with a higher death rate than other countries it will look very bad for the government.” |
| The collapse of the pound underscores that. While Britain has never been part of the European Monetary Union, analysts said the currency benefited from the security of Britain’s close ties to the bloc. But now Britain’s weaknesses are laid bare, and investors see the dollar and euro as safer. | The collapse of the pound underscores that. While Britain has never been part of the European Monetary Union, analysts said the currency benefited from the security of Britain’s close ties to the bloc. But now Britain’s weaknesses are laid bare, and investors see the dollar and euro as safer. |
| As always with Brexit, critics and defenders both find arguments for their side. | As always with Brexit, critics and defenders both find arguments for their side. |
| “In the economic area, there are things Britain is doing that are a template for Europe,” said Mujtaba Rahman, a former European Commission economist now at the Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, “On the epidemiology and the broader health crisis, going it alone doesn’t look so good.” | “In the economic area, there are things Britain is doing that are a template for Europe,” said Mujtaba Rahman, a former European Commission economist now at the Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, “On the epidemiology and the broader health crisis, going it alone doesn’t look so good.” |