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| Marking Notre-Dame Fire in a Locked-Down Paris | Marking Notre-Dame Fire in a Locked-Down Paris |
| (1 day later) | |
| PARIS — On the evening of April 15, 2019, the world watched Notre-Dame burn. | PARIS — On the evening of April 15, 2019, the world watched Notre-Dame burn. |
| Confused tourists pointed their smartphones as smoke billowed out of the cathedral’s rooftop. Horrified Parisians watched from the Seine River’s banks as flames tore through the centuries-old attic, sending the spire crashing into the vaults below. President Emmanuel Macron, beamed to television sets around the world, vowed to rebuild by 2024, when Paris will host the Summer Olympic Games. | Confused tourists pointed their smartphones as smoke billowed out of the cathedral’s rooftop. Horrified Parisians watched from the Seine River’s banks as flames tore through the centuries-old attic, sending the spire crashing into the vaults below. President Emmanuel Macron, beamed to television sets around the world, vowed to rebuild by 2024, when Paris will host the Summer Olympic Games. |
| But one year later, all the tourists are gone and the streets are empty. Parisians are confined to their homes, as Mr. Macron tries to prevent the coronavirus pandemic from overwhelming France’s hospitals and tanking its economy. | But one year later, all the tourists are gone and the streets are empty. Parisians are confined to their homes, as Mr. Macron tries to prevent the coronavirus pandemic from overwhelming France’s hospitals and tanking its economy. |
| The world’s attention is elsewhere. | The world’s attention is elsewhere. |
| “Our days, our thoughts, our lives today are monopolized by this terrible crisis that we are going through,” Mr. Macron, referring to the Covid-19 outbreak, said in a short video published on social media as he thanked “those who yesterday saved” the Cathedral of Notre-Dame and “those who today are rebuilding it.” | “Our days, our thoughts, our lives today are monopolized by this terrible crisis that we are going through,” Mr. Macron, referring to the Covid-19 outbreak, said in a short video published on social media as he thanked “those who yesterday saved” the Cathedral of Notre-Dame and “those who today are rebuilding it.” |
| All the tributes initially planned for Wednesday to mark the anniversary were scrapped. They included a reception at the Élysée Palace to honor the workers tending to Notre-Dame; an official ceremony with the cathedral choir; and a performance of a musical about Notre-Dame in front of City Hall. | All the tributes initially planned for Wednesday to mark the anniversary were scrapped. They included a reception at the Élysée Palace to honor the workers tending to Notre-Dame; an official ceremony with the cathedral choir; and a performance of a musical about Notre-Dame in front of City Hall. |
| The construction site itself was shut down last month when France went into lockdown, just as workers were about to start delicately removing thousands of scaffolding tubes, twisted and charred by the fire, that still cling on top of the cathedral. | The construction site itself was shut down last month when France went into lockdown, just as workers were about to start delicately removing thousands of scaffolding tubes, twisted and charred by the fire, that still cling on top of the cathedral. |
| But Gen. Jean-Louis Georgelin, a former army chief of staff named by Mr. Macron to head the Notre-Dame renovation task force, said that despite the pandemic, the “emotional intensity” of the fire “has not died down.” | But Gen. Jean-Louis Georgelin, a former army chief of staff named by Mr. Macron to head the Notre-Dame renovation task force, said that despite the pandemic, the “emotional intensity” of the fire “has not died down.” |
| “Interest in this construction project has not waned,” he said. | “Interest in this construction project has not waned,” he said. |
| The cathedral, where 13 million visitors used to crowd every year, is still closed to the public, and there have been only two religious ceremonies inside since the fire, including one last week for Good Friday. | The cathedral, where 13 million visitors used to crowd every year, is still closed to the public, and there have been only two religious ceremonies inside since the fire, including one last week for Good Friday. |
| “France is now facing two enormous challenges,” General Georgelin said, “rebuilding the cathedral, which in a way is France’s soul,” and confronting a “gigantic sanitary, economic and social crisis.” | “France is now facing two enormous challenges,” General Georgelin said, “rebuilding the cathedral, which in a way is France’s soul,” and confronting a “gigantic sanitary, economic and social crisis.” |
| Still, the virus and its human toll — over 17,000 people have died in France so far — overshadowed commemorations for a fire that killed no one and left most of the cathedral still standing. | Still, the virus and its human toll — over 17,000 people have died in France so far — overshadowed commemorations for a fire that killed no one and left most of the cathedral still standing. |
| Msgr. Benoist de Sinety, the Paris archdiocese vicar general, told Le Figaro last week that after the fire, “we didn’t hesitate to talk about a catastrophe, or a tragedy.” | Msgr. Benoist de Sinety, the Paris archdiocese vicar general, told Le Figaro last week that after the fire, “we didn’t hesitate to talk about a catastrophe, or a tragedy.” |
| “What do those words weigh today?” said Msgr. de Sinety, who represents the archdiocese on the Notre-Dame task force’s board. “It would be a mistake to showcase a monument and a construction project, as important as they may be, when the emergency is now human and social.” | “What do those words weigh today?” said Msgr. de Sinety, who represents the archdiocese on the Notre-Dame task force’s board. “It would be a mistake to showcase a monument and a construction project, as important as they may be, when the emergency is now human and social.” |
| No one denies the differences between the two events. But some see similarities. | No one denies the differences between the two events. But some see similarities. |
| “The question we could ask the good Lord is: Why?” said Msgr. Patrick Chauvet, Notre-Dame’s rector. “That is the question I was asking when I was on the plaza one year ago, that is the question I ask yet again today.” | “The question we could ask the good Lord is: Why?” said Msgr. Patrick Chauvet, Notre-Dame’s rector. “That is the question I was asking when I was on the plaza one year ago, that is the question I ask yet again today.” |
| He added, “This first anniversary, at the height of the pandemic, maybe also signals to the world that this 850-year-old injured lady is close to all those who are injured.” | He added, “This first anniversary, at the height of the pandemic, maybe also signals to the world that this 850-year-old injured lady is close to all those who are injured.” |
| To drive that message home, one tribute did take place on Wednesday. Notre-Dame’s biggest bell — dating from 1683, and made of 13 tons of bronze — rang out at 8 p.m. to “unite” with the thousands of people around France who cheer and clap from their windows every evening to support health workers, General Georgelin said. | To drive that message home, one tribute did take place on Wednesday. Notre-Dame’s biggest bell — dating from 1683, and made of 13 tons of bronze — rang out at 8 p.m. to “unite” with the thousands of people around France who cheer and clap from their windows every evening to support health workers, General Georgelin said. |
| A 200-foot crane still towers above the cathedral, a looming reminder of the work that lies ahead after a string of setbacks. | A 200-foot crane still towers above the cathedral, a looming reminder of the work that lies ahead after a string of setbacks. |
| Workers rushed to shore up the building after the fire, which investigators still believe was accidental, caused perhaps by discarded cigarettes or an electrical short-circuit. The vault is punctured by three gaping holes, and the flying buttresses are propped up by giant wooden blocks. A hundred or so sensors monitor Notre-Dame’s every movement. | Workers rushed to shore up the building after the fire, which investigators still believe was accidental, caused perhaps by discarded cigarettes or an electrical short-circuit. The vault is punctured by three gaping holes, and the flying buttresses are propped up by giant wooden blocks. A hundred or so sensors monitor Notre-Dame’s every movement. |
| But construction was halted for weeks last summer because of concerns over lead contamination from the damaged roof and spire. Work picked up again at a much slower pace, with stringent decontamination protocols for the 80 or so workers, who must wear protective gear and shower upon every entry and exit. | But construction was halted for weeks last summer because of concerns over lead contamination from the damaged roof and spire. Work picked up again at a much slower pace, with stringent decontamination protocols for the 80 or so workers, who must wear protective gear and shower upon every entry and exit. |
| Then, bad fall and winter weather — especially strong winds — delayed the schedule even further. | Then, bad fall and winter weather — especially strong winds — delayed the schedule even further. |
| Mr. Macron said on Wednesday that Notre-Dame’s restoration was a “symbol of our people’s resilience, of its ability to overcome hardships,” and that “we will do everything” to stick to the 2024 goal. | Mr. Macron said on Wednesday that Notre-Dame’s restoration was a “symbol of our people’s resilience, of its ability to overcome hardships,” and that “we will do everything” to stick to the 2024 goal. |
| Critics say that is increasingly unrealistic. | Critics say that is increasingly unrealistic. |
| “I do not believe in it for a minute,” Emmanuel Grégoire, the deputy mayor of Paris, said of the deadline, telling Le Monde this week that legal or public procurement challenges could also delay the project. | “I do not believe in it for a minute,” Emmanuel Grégoire, the deputy mayor of Paris, said of the deadline, telling Le Monde this week that legal or public procurement challenges could also delay the project. |
| But officials like General Georgelin insist that 2024 is an “extremely mobilizing” goal, pointing out that it is a deadline to reopen the cathedral for religious services, not to finish the renovation completely. | But officials like General Georgelin insist that 2024 is an “extremely mobilizing” goal, pointing out that it is a deadline to reopen the cathedral for religious services, not to finish the renovation completely. |
| “Obviously, everything won’t be done, but the inside will,” General Georgelin said, adding that he expected a two-month delay from the lockdown. | “Obviously, everything won’t be done, but the inside will,” General Georgelin said, adding that he expected a two-month delay from the lockdown. |
| “Two months out of 60 doesn’t justify throwing in the towel and saying that the schedule won’t hold,” he said. | “Two months out of 60 doesn’t justify throwing in the towel and saying that the schedule won’t hold,” he said. |
| Once the old scaffolding is removed, workers will be able to ascertain the state of the vaults, which are still covered in charred wood and metal, giving architects a better sense of Notre-Dame’s overall sturdiness. | Once the old scaffolding is removed, workers will be able to ascertain the state of the vaults, which are still covered in charred wood and metal, giving architects a better sense of Notre-Dame’s overall sturdiness. |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | Updated June 5, 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. | |
| 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. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| Actual renovation work — and final decisions on how to rebuild the roof and spire — isn’t expected before 2021. But city authorities say the plaza in front of the cathedral and the crypt underneath it will reopen much sooner, as lead decontamination efforts were just ending when the lockdown started. | Actual renovation work — and final decisions on how to rebuild the roof and spire — isn’t expected before 2021. But city authorities say the plaza in front of the cathedral and the crypt underneath it will reopen much sooner, as lead decontamination efforts were just ending when the lockdown started. |
| Money has not been as much of an issue as time. About 340,000 donors pledged nearly $1 billion after the fire. Only about $200 million have been cashed in so far, but most donations are legally binding. | Money has not been as much of an issue as time. About 340,000 donors pledged nearly $1 billion after the fire. Only about $200 million have been cashed in so far, but most donations are legally binding. |
| When billionaires whipped out their checkbooks last year for Notre-Dame — right after months of Yellow Vest turmoil — it created an intense debate in France about wealth inequality. Some of that debate has played out again in recent weeks, as some argued France’s public health system could have used similar funds. | When billionaires whipped out their checkbooks last year for Notre-Dame — right after months of Yellow Vest turmoil — it created an intense debate in France about wealth inequality. Some of that debate has played out again in recent weeks, as some argued France’s public health system could have used similar funds. |
| When Mr. Macron visited a hospital in Paris in February to discuss the coronavirus crisis, Dr. François Salachas, a neurologist, confronted the president over hospital underfunding. | When Mr. Macron visited a hospital in Paris in February to discuss the coronavirus crisis, Dr. François Salachas, a neurologist, confronted the president over hospital underfunding. |
| “When we had to save Notre-Dame, there was no lack of people who were moved,” Dr. Salachas said, in a clip that was widely circulated on social media. “Now we have to save public hospitals, which are going up in flames at the same speed that Notre-Dame almost did.” | “When we had to save Notre-Dame, there was no lack of people who were moved,” Dr. Salachas said, in a clip that was widely circulated on social media. “Now we have to save public hospitals, which are going up in flames at the same speed that Notre-Dame almost did.” |
| Christophe Girard, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of culture, said that “those who were on the front-lines one year ago were the emergency workers, the Red Cross, the firefighters” — the same ones, he noted, who are now on the front-lines of battling the coronavirus. | Christophe Girard, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of culture, said that “those who were on the front-lines one year ago were the emergency workers, the Red Cross, the firefighters” — the same ones, he noted, who are now on the front-lines of battling the coronavirus. |
| “The biggest entrepreneurs, the biggest patrons, the biggest companies” had not hesitated to give out millions for the cathedral, Mr. Girard added. “What we are able to do for Notre-Dame, we should be able to do for the most essential things.” | “The biggest entrepreneurs, the biggest patrons, the biggest companies” had not hesitated to give out millions for the cathedral, Mr. Girard added. “What we are able to do for Notre-Dame, we should be able to do for the most essential things.” |