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Some European Nations Ease Pandemic Rules, but Move Warily Some European Nations Ease Pandemic Rules, but Move Warily
(about 2 months later)
BERLIN — Slowly, tentatively, a handful of European countries began lifting constraints on daily life this week for the first time since the start of the coronavirus crisis, providing an early litmus test of whether Western democracies can gingerly restart their economies and restore basic freedoms without reviving the spread of the disease.BERLIN — Slowly, tentatively, a handful of European countries began lifting constraints on daily life this week for the first time since the start of the coronavirus crisis, providing an early litmus test of whether Western democracies can gingerly restart their economies and restore basic freedoms without reviving the spread of the disease.
On Tuesday, Italy, the epicenter of Europe’s crisis, reopened some bookshops and children’s clothing stores. Spain allowed workers to return to factories and construction sites, despite a daily death toll that remains over 500. Austria allowed thousands of hardware and home improvement stores to reopen, as long as workers and customers wore masks.On Tuesday, Italy, the epicenter of Europe’s crisis, reopened some bookshops and children’s clothing stores. Spain allowed workers to return to factories and construction sites, despite a daily death toll that remains over 500. Austria allowed thousands of hardware and home improvement stores to reopen, as long as workers and customers wore masks.
In Denmark, elementary schoolteachers readied classrooms so young children could return to school on Wednesday, while in the Czech Republic, a restless public relished the reopening of sports centers and some shops.In Denmark, elementary schoolteachers readied classrooms so young children could return to school on Wednesday, while in the Czech Republic, a restless public relished the reopening of sports centers and some shops.
When Lukas Zachoval, a sales manager in the Czech Republic, lost a tennis match to his father this week — in a 6-4, 6-3 drubbing — defeat had seldom tasted sweeter. After all, it was his first match since the Czech government began lifting sweeping restrictions on society, including a ban on communal sports, that had been in place for nearly a month.When Lukas Zachoval, a sales manager in the Czech Republic, lost a tennis match to his father this week — in a 6-4, 6-3 drubbing — defeat had seldom tasted sweeter. After all, it was his first match since the Czech government began lifting sweeping restrictions on society, including a ban on communal sports, that had been in place for nearly a month.
“I cannot live without sports,” Mr. Zachoval explained.“I cannot live without sports,” Mr. Zachoval explained.
The easing of the lockdowns was watched with interest and trepidation across Europe and beyond, and posed profound and knotty questions.The easing of the lockdowns was watched with interest and trepidation across Europe and beyond, and posed profound and knotty questions.
“How much are we willing to pay in order to save people’s lives?” asked Jana Puglierin, director of the Berlin office of the European Council on Foreign Relations, an independent research group. “And when do we do more damage — when we keep the lockdown in place, or when we open it up early?”“How much are we willing to pay in order to save people’s lives?” asked Jana Puglierin, director of the Berlin office of the European Council on Foreign Relations, an independent research group. “And when do we do more damage — when we keep the lockdown in place, or when we open it up early?”
The fledgling, country-by-country loosening, enacted without any coordination between nations, underscored the absence of any common agreement, or even understanding, about the challenge of keeping economies alive while stemming the disease. The International Monetary Fund has warned that the global economy is headed for its worst performance since the Great Depression.The fledgling, country-by-country loosening, enacted without any coordination between nations, underscored the absence of any common agreement, or even understanding, about the challenge of keeping economies alive while stemming the disease. The International Monetary Fund has warned that the global economy is headed for its worst performance since the Great Depression.
A similar debate over how to reopen society is taking place in the United States, where President Trump has insisted that he “calls the shots” on the matter, prompting objections from the leaders of several states. Mr. Trump, himself under fire and his poll numbers falling as the dispute intensified, said Tuesday that he would halt funding to the World Health Organization, which he accused of making mistakes that allowed the virus to spread.A similar debate over how to reopen society is taking place in the United States, where President Trump has insisted that he “calls the shots” on the matter, prompting objections from the leaders of several states. Mr. Trump, himself under fire and his poll numbers falling as the dispute intensified, said Tuesday that he would halt funding to the World Health Organization, which he accused of making mistakes that allowed the virus to spread.
As the slow, piecemeal approach in Europe suggests, restrictions on daily life will probably not end in one clean break. Instead, people can expect a series of staggered interventions and loosening, probably over a period of weeks or months, if not considerably longer.As the slow, piecemeal approach in Europe suggests, restrictions on daily life will probably not end in one clean break. Instead, people can expect a series of staggered interventions and loosening, probably over a period of weeks or months, if not considerably longer.
“At the start of the crisis, many people had the feeling that we could shut down Denmark for two to three weeks and then we could reopen, free of the virus,” said Peter Munk Christiansen, head of political science at Aarhus University in Denmark.“At the start of the crisis, many people had the feeling that we could shut down Denmark for two to three weeks and then we could reopen, free of the virus,” said Peter Munk Christiansen, head of political science at Aarhus University in Denmark.
“But there’s been a gradual realization that that won’t happen,” he said. “People accept we have to have a gradual opening, and also that this won’t have gone away by the summer. It will stay here perhaps for years.”“But there’s been a gradual realization that that won’t happen,” he said. “People accept we have to have a gradual opening, and also that this won’t have gone away by the summer. It will stay here perhaps for years.”
On a continent where the supply chains are closely interconnected, economic gains may be slowed by the asymmetric approaches taken by European governments.On a continent where the supply chains are closely interconnected, economic gains may be slowed by the asymmetric approaches taken by European governments.
Relieved as Mr. Zachoval was by the easing of some measures in the Czech Republic, his income remains stymied by restrictions still in force elsewhere.Relieved as Mr. Zachoval was by the easing of some measures in the Czech Republic, his income remains stymied by restrictions still in force elsewhere.
Like many Czech companies, Mr. Zachoval’s saw factory depends heavily on buyers in Western Europe. But most countries there have kept their borders shut, even as the Czech Republic partly opens its own, or their sales rooms closed, even as Mr. Zachoval hopes to step up production.Like many Czech companies, Mr. Zachoval’s saw factory depends heavily on buyers in Western Europe. But most countries there have kept their borders shut, even as the Czech Republic partly opens its own, or their sales rooms closed, even as Mr. Zachoval hopes to step up production.
On Tuesday, Mr. Zachoval fielded a few orders from his home country, but nothing from his main markets in Germany, France and Italy.On Tuesday, Mr. Zachoval fielded a few orders from his home country, but nothing from his main markets in Germany, France and Italy.
“A lot of other states are not working fully,” Mr. Zachoval said in a telephone interview. “And we’re an exporter, so we don’t feel the change too much.”If it continues, he said, “in a few weeks I think we’ll have to stop production, because orders are just not coming.”“A lot of other states are not working fully,” Mr. Zachoval said in a telephone interview. “And we’re an exporter, so we don’t feel the change too much.”If it continues, he said, “in a few weeks I think we’ll have to stop production, because orders are just not coming.”
At a summit meeting in late March, the 27 heads of states in the European Union acknowledged the need for their countries to emerge from their respective lockdowns in a coordinated exit strategy, and called on the bloc’s leadership to create a joint plan.At a summit meeting in late March, the 27 heads of states in the European Union acknowledged the need for their countries to emerge from their respective lockdowns in a coordinated exit strategy, and called on the bloc’s leadership to create a joint plan.
But so far, such a plan has yet to be agreed upon. Last week, the president of the bloc’s administrative arm, Ursula von der Leyen, postponed a news conference at which she had been expected to announce it.But so far, such a plan has yet to be agreed upon. Last week, the president of the bloc’s administrative arm, Ursula von der Leyen, postponed a news conference at which she had been expected to announce it.
The absence of a united approach has long-term implications for Europe’s economic revival, said Derek Beach, an academic who researches European integration at Aarhus University.The absence of a united approach has long-term implications for Europe’s economic revival, said Derek Beach, an academic who researches European integration at Aarhus University.
If Germany, for example, takes a different approach to constraining the virus than its neighbors, the government might not risk fully reopening its borders for fear of undermining its public health efforts. Yet without open borders, the Continent’s economy will not properly function.If Germany, for example, takes a different approach to constraining the virus than its neighbors, the government might not risk fully reopening its borders for fear of undermining its public health efforts. Yet without open borders, the Continent’s economy will not properly function.
“The lack of coordination here is such a big issue,” Professor Beach said. “Unless you have a common strategy, you have to keep the borders closed. But if the borders are closed, then do the supply chains still work over an extended time period?”“The lack of coordination here is such a big issue,” Professor Beach said. “Unless you have a common strategy, you have to keep the borders closed. But if the borders are closed, then do the supply chains still work over an extended time period?”
Even within individual countries, the easing of restrictions has lacked a cohesive approach.Even within individual countries, the easing of restrictions has lacked a cohesive approach.
In Spain, workers could nominally return to factories, but many were not needed because of a lack of demand. And those who did return were sometimes fearful for their health.In Spain, workers could nominally return to factories, but many were not needed because of a lack of demand. And those who did return were sometimes fearful for their health.
Updated June 2, 2020
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.
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.
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.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
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.
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.
“I don’t agree with it, but what else can you do?” said a 52-year-old electrician in Barcelona, who asked to be identified only by his first name, José. “If my bosses call me, and I say no, they won’t call me again.”“I don’t agree with it, but what else can you do?” said a 52-year-old electrician in Barcelona, who asked to be identified only by his first name, José. “If my bosses call me, and I say no, they won’t call me again.”
In Italy, booksellers cited a lack of clarity about whether people could now travel from neighboring towns to visit their shops, or only from the surrounding district.In Italy, booksellers cited a lack of clarity about whether people could now travel from neighboring towns to visit their shops, or only from the surrounding district.
Mauro Marrani, who works at his wife’s bookstore in Florence, said he had written to the president of his region for an answer. Mr. Marrani was also confused by a requirement that the bookshop provide customers with disposable gloves — which are almost impossible to find.Mauro Marrani, who works at his wife’s bookstore in Florence, said he had written to the president of his region for an answer. Mr. Marrani was also confused by a requirement that the bookshop provide customers with disposable gloves — which are almost impossible to find.
Amid this uncertainty, he said, he had made only one sale in five hours.Amid this uncertainty, he said, he had made only one sale in five hours.
“It’s all very vague,” Mr. Marrani said. “If it remains this way, I think we’re better off closing altogether, and waiting until all stores reopen.”“It’s all very vague,” Mr. Marrani said. “If it remains this way, I think we’re better off closing altogether, and waiting until all stores reopen.”
Among economists, there were also questions on Tuesday about whether they wield the right tools to assess Europe’s post-lockdown economy.Among economists, there were also questions on Tuesday about whether they wield the right tools to assess Europe’s post-lockdown economy.
“It’s a new world,” said Carl-Johan Dalgaard, one of four Danish economics professors who form the presidency of the Danish Economic Councils, known informally as the “Wise Men.”“It’s a new world,” said Carl-Johan Dalgaard, one of four Danish economics professors who form the presidency of the Danish Economic Councils, known informally as the “Wise Men.”
Denmark’s decision to reopen some schools and kindergartens makes sense, said Professor Dalgaard, who teaches at the University of Copenhagen, since it should allow parents to be more professionally productive.Denmark’s decision to reopen some schools and kindergartens makes sense, said Professor Dalgaard, who teaches at the University of Copenhagen, since it should allow parents to be more professionally productive.
But in general, the relationship between how the economy functions and how the coronavirus spreads is not yet fully understood, he said.But in general, the relationship between how the economy functions and how the coronavirus spreads is not yet fully understood, he said.
“There will need to be a conversation between epidemiologists and economists to understand this two-way street between the epidemiology and the economics,” said Professor Dalgaard. “These tools are not yet available.”“There will need to be a conversation between epidemiologists and economists to understand this two-way street between the epidemiology and the economics,” said Professor Dalgaard. “These tools are not yet available.”
Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting from Rome, Raphael Minder from Madrid, and Elian Peltier from Barcelona.Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting from Rome, Raphael Minder from Madrid, and Elian Peltier from Barcelona.