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| Technically Legal in Northern Ireland, Abortions Are Still Unobtainable | Technically Legal in Northern Ireland, Abortions Are Still Unobtainable |
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| LONDON — A week after abortion was supposed to become freely available in Northern Ireland, women continue to be denied access to services and are instead enduring an eight-hour ferry ride to Liverpool, England, despite the coronavirus lockdown. | LONDON — A week after abortion was supposed to become freely available in Northern Ireland, women continue to be denied access to services and are instead enduring an eight-hour ferry ride to Liverpool, England, despite the coronavirus lockdown. |
| The collapse of Northern Ireland’s devolved government in 2017 allowed the British Parliament to step in last year and overturn the region’s highly restrictive, 158-year-old abortion laws, ruling that they were incompatible with the United Kingdom’s human rights commitments. | The collapse of Northern Ireland’s devolved government in 2017 allowed the British Parliament to step in last year and overturn the region’s highly restrictive, 158-year-old abortion laws, ruling that they were incompatible with the United Kingdom’s human rights commitments. |
| But even though the new laws went into effect on March 31, the regional power-sharing government, restored in January, is locked in a debate about how to roll out the new services. Many people suspect that the health minister is slow-walking the process, hoping to stymie it altogether. | But even though the new laws went into effect on March 31, the regional power-sharing government, restored in January, is locked in a debate about how to roll out the new services. Many people suspect that the health minister is slow-walking the process, hoping to stymie it altogether. |
| Northern Ireland’s regional government is led by Sinn Fein, which supports the new abortion legislation, and the Democratic Unionist Party, which ardently opposes abortion in all cases. | Northern Ireland’s regional government is led by Sinn Fein, which supports the new abortion legislation, and the Democratic Unionist Party, which ardently opposes abortion in all cases. |
| The rollout is being delayed by a divisive clash among party leaders regarding telemedicine abortions, recently introduced in the rest of Britain to allow a woman in the early stages of pregnancy to self-administer medication that induces an abortion after a remote consultation with a doctor. | The rollout is being delayed by a divisive clash among party leaders regarding telemedicine abortions, recently introduced in the rest of Britain to allow a woman in the early stages of pregnancy to self-administer medication that induces an abortion after a remote consultation with a doctor. |
| After a closed government meeting on the issue on Monday, Arlene Foster, the first minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the ultraconservative Democratic Unionist Party, said that a “full discussion” about the services was required. | After a closed government meeting on the issue on Monday, Arlene Foster, the first minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the ultraconservative Democratic Unionist Party, said that a “full discussion” about the services was required. |
| “The health minister will bring papers forward, and we will have discussions in relation to those papers,” Ms. Foster, who previously blocked legalizing abortion in the region, said Monday at a news conference. | “The health minister will bring papers forward, and we will have discussions in relation to those papers,” Ms. Foster, who previously blocked legalizing abortion in the region, said Monday at a news conference. |
| “I don’t think it’s any secret that I don’t believe that abortion on demand should be available in Northern Ireland,” she said. “I think it’s a very retrograde step for our society.” | “I don’t think it’s any secret that I don’t believe that abortion on demand should be available in Northern Ireland,” she said. “I think it’s a very retrograde step for our society.” |
| Michelle O’Neil, the deputy first minister and vice president of Sinn Fein, the main nationalist party, said she supported telemedicine abortions, referring to them as “compassionate, modern health care.” | Michelle O’Neil, the deputy first minister and vice president of Sinn Fein, the main nationalist party, said she supported telemedicine abortions, referring to them as “compassionate, modern health care.” |
| While the issue is hung up in debate, legal experts question why that should be delaying implementation of surgical or pill-induced abortions at clinics, which were supposed to become available up to 12 weeks of pregnancy after the law went into effect. | While the issue is hung up in debate, legal experts question why that should be delaying implementation of surgical or pill-induced abortions at clinics, which were supposed to become available up to 12 weeks of pregnancy after the law went into effect. |
| Abortion is one of the most contentious political issues in Northern Ireland, and many commentators believe that the Department of Health is stalling the process out of ideological objections. The health minister, Robin Swann, has described himself as “pro-life.” | Abortion is one of the most contentious political issues in Northern Ireland, and many commentators believe that the Department of Health is stalling the process out of ideological objections. The health minister, Robin Swann, has described himself as “pro-life.” |
| The previous law permitted abortions only if the woman’s life was in danger. Even in the event of rape, incest or fetal abnormalities, women were required to carry their pregnancies to term, and anyone caught procuring an abortion could face life imprisonment. | The previous law permitted abortions only if the woman’s life was in danger. Even in the event of rape, incest or fetal abnormalities, women were required to carry their pregnancies to term, and anyone caught procuring an abortion could face life imprisonment. |
| “We know that health professionals are ready to offer abortion services and that the Trusts have stated they are awaiting approval from the Department of Health,” said Fiona Bloomer, an abortion policy researcher at Ulster University, speaking of the hospital trusts of the National Health Service. | “We know that health professionals are ready to offer abortion services and that the Trusts have stated they are awaiting approval from the Department of Health,” said Fiona Bloomer, an abortion policy researcher at Ulster University, speaking of the hospital trusts of the National Health Service. |
| “There is no other blockage to this apart from a decision by the minister of health,” Dr. Bloomer said. “As the D.O.H. has failed to provide any answers, the only conclusion we can draw is that this is a political decision, to stall implementation of the regulations.” | “There is no other blockage to this apart from a decision by the minister of health,” Dr. Bloomer said. “As the D.O.H. has failed to provide any answers, the only conclusion we can draw is that this is a political decision, to stall implementation of the regulations.” |
| The Department of Health said that an agreement to begin providing abortions had to be reviewed in light of the coronavirus outbreak. | The Department of Health said that an agreement to begin providing abortions had to be reviewed in light of the coronavirus outbreak. |
| “The minister is currently considering this urgently,” the department said in a statement. “Given the significance and sensitivity of the issue, it will be a decision for the executive,” the statement said, referring to the devolved government of Northern Ireland. | “The minister is currently considering this urgently,” the department said in a statement. “Given the significance and sensitivity of the issue, it will be a decision for the executive,” the statement said, referring to the devolved government of Northern Ireland. |
| When asked why the coronavirus should delay the rollout of regular abortion services outside of telemedicine, the department did not respond. | When asked why the coronavirus should delay the rollout of regular abortion services outside of telemedicine, the department did not respond. |
| Between the political impasse in Northern Ireland and the coronavirus lockdown, women have been left with only one option to secure free abortion services. That is to travel to England on a ferry that takes eight hours each way. Abortions in the Republic of Ireland cost around $500. | Between the political impasse in Northern Ireland and the coronavirus lockdown, women have been left with only one option to secure free abortion services. That is to travel to England on a ferry that takes eight hours each way. Abortions in the Republic of Ireland cost around $500. |
| Yet, with hotels closed as a result of the coronavirus lockdown, women who travel to England from Northern Ireland for abortions have little choice but to travel immediately back. | Yet, with hotels closed as a result of the coronavirus lockdown, women who travel to England from Northern Ireland for abortions have little choice but to travel immediately back. |
| “Women are effectively being asked to make an eight-hour journey on a ferry while in the middle of a miscarriage in the middle of a pandemic, without any support,” Emma Campbell, co-chairwoman of the Northern Irish reproductive rights group Alliance for Choice, said in a telephone interview. | “Women are effectively being asked to make an eight-hour journey on a ferry while in the middle of a miscarriage in the middle of a pandemic, without any support,” Emma Campbell, co-chairwoman of the Northern Irish reproductive rights group Alliance for Choice, said in a telephone interview. |
| 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. |
| Doctors for Choice, an alliance of independent medical professionals advocating for reproductive health services in Ireland, warned that vulnerable women would be hit hard by the restrictions and called their being forced to travel during the pandemic “cruel” and “inhumane.” | Doctors for Choice, an alliance of independent medical professionals advocating for reproductive health services in Ireland, warned that vulnerable women would be hit hard by the restrictions and called their being forced to travel during the pandemic “cruel” and “inhumane.” |
| “There is no reason these services cannot be established in Northern Ireland quickly, and refusing to do so risks unnecessary spread of the coronavirus, placing women and health care professionals in greater danger,” the group said in a statement. | “There is no reason these services cannot be established in Northern Ireland quickly, and refusing to do so risks unnecessary spread of the coronavirus, placing women and health care professionals in greater danger,” the group said in a statement. |
| Between the coronavirus and the delay in rolling out the new law, women in Northern Ireland are finding it harder to access abortion services than they have been in 50 years, women’s rights activists say. | Between the coronavirus and the delay in rolling out the new law, women in Northern Ireland are finding it harder to access abortion services than they have been in 50 years, women’s rights activists say. |
| “This whole experience has been terrifying,” said a single mother of three who has been seeking abortion medication in the city of Derry in Northern Ireland. “How am I expected to travel when my three children are home all day, and we are all supposed to be isolating from our extended families and staying at home to protect ourselves?” | “This whole experience has been terrifying,” said a single mother of three who has been seeking abortion medication in the city of Derry in Northern Ireland. “How am I expected to travel when my three children are home all day, and we are all supposed to be isolating from our extended families and staying at home to protect ourselves?” |
| The woman, who did not provide her name to protect her privacy, said a social worker had offered to send her the pills and give her instructions and support over the phone. But she said the idea of administering her own abortion scared her. | The woman, who did not provide her name to protect her privacy, said a social worker had offered to send her the pills and give her instructions and support over the phone. But she said the idea of administering her own abortion scared her. |
| “I just want to speak to a doctor and be safe,” she said. “I’m still trying to decide what to do, but I think in the end I will have no choice but to do it by myself.” | “I just want to speak to a doctor and be safe,” she said. “I’m still trying to decide what to do, but I think in the end I will have no choice but to do it by myself.” |