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| Temperature Checks at the Shoe Store? Social Distancing While Browsing for Handbags? | Temperature Checks at the Shoe Store? Social Distancing While Browsing for Handbags? |
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| Salespeople taking the temperatures of customers before they can enter stores. Strict limits on the number of shoppers allowed to browse the aisles. Hospital-grade disinfection of any surface on which someone might lay a hand. | Salespeople taking the temperatures of customers before they can enter stores. Strict limits on the number of shoppers allowed to browse the aisles. Hospital-grade disinfection of any surface on which someone might lay a hand. |
| These are some of the measures that Rod Yates envisions for the reopening of his sprawling outlet mall near Omaha, Neb., which he has scheduled, despite criticism, for the end of next week. | These are some of the measures that Rod Yates envisions for the reopening of his sprawling outlet mall near Omaha, Neb., which he has scheduled, despite criticism, for the end of next week. |
| “If you’re feeling good and you’re feeling healthy and you’ve got a little pent-up demand, we’re going to create a really, really safe environment for you,” said Mr. Yates, owner of Nebraska Crossing Outlets, a 376,000-square-foot outdoor complex with Nike, Coach, J.Crew and Kate Spade — 80 stores and restaurants in all. | “If you’re feeling good and you’re feeling healthy and you’ve got a little pent-up demand, we’re going to create a really, really safe environment for you,” said Mr. Yates, owner of Nebraska Crossing Outlets, a 376,000-square-foot outdoor complex with Nike, Coach, J.Crew and Kate Spade — 80 stores and restaurants in all. |
| Across the United States, the coronavirus pandemic has caused considerable grief and suffering with hundreds of thousands of infections and more than 33,600 deaths. Among the many pastimes interrupted in the effort to slow the spread of the virus has been shopping — not the loading of groceries into a cart but the retail therapy that is as much about the browsing as the purchasing. In nearly every part of the country, shops deemed “nonessential” by state and local officials have closed and laid off hundreds of thousands of workers. | Across the United States, the coronavirus pandemic has caused considerable grief and suffering with hundreds of thousands of infections and more than 33,600 deaths. Among the many pastimes interrupted in the effort to slow the spread of the virus has been shopping — not the loading of groceries into a cart but the retail therapy that is as much about the browsing as the purchasing. In nearly every part of the country, shops deemed “nonessential” by state and local officials have closed and laid off hundreds of thousands of workers. |
| Even as coronavirus cases rise in some states and plateau in others, political leaders have begun to talk of turning the much-shuttered economy back on. So far, there has been little agreement on the best way forward. On Thursday, President Trump told governors to “call your own shots” when considering how to go about restarting their economies and offered guidelines for reopening businesses in phases, with strict social distancing plans in place. | Even as coronavirus cases rise in some states and plateau in others, political leaders have begun to talk of turning the much-shuttered economy back on. So far, there has been little agreement on the best way forward. On Thursday, President Trump told governors to “call your own shots” when considering how to go about restarting their economies and offered guidelines for reopening businesses in phases, with strict social distancing plans in place. |
| Some states have announced new policies of their own that will allow businesses to tiptoe back into operation. | Some states have announced new policies of their own that will allow businesses to tiptoe back into operation. |
| In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers said on Thursday that golf courses could open with certain restrictions and that for-hire lawn care could be carried out if it was performed by one person. Stores selling materials to make face masks can open for curbside pickup, he said. | In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers said on Thursday that golf courses could open with certain restrictions and that for-hire lawn care could be carried out if it was performed by one person. Stores selling materials to make face masks can open for curbside pickup, he said. |
| In Idaho, Gov. Brad Little has said some businesses that were once deemed nonessential, such as craft stores, candle shops or dog groomers, could open to allow for curbside or delivery services until at least the end of the month. He noted that they should prepare to reopen altogether in May with social distancing and sanitation rules in place. | In Idaho, Gov. Brad Little has said some businesses that were once deemed nonessential, such as craft stores, candle shops or dog groomers, could open to allow for curbside or delivery services until at least the end of the month. He noted that they should prepare to reopen altogether in May with social distancing and sanitation rules in place. |
| “Rebounding to an economic recovery will require consumer confidence,” Mr. Little said in a statement, noting that shoppers will want assurance their safety is protected until a vaccine or widespread immunity exists. “We can expect to go through phases of loosening and tightening of these measures.” | “Rebounding to an economic recovery will require consumer confidence,” Mr. Little said in a statement, noting that shoppers will want assurance their safety is protected until a vaccine or widespread immunity exists. “We can expect to go through phases of loosening and tightening of these measures.” |
| Gov. Gavin Newsom of California has suggested that restaurant patrons would have to submit to having their temperatures taken before being seated once that state begins a gradual reopening. | Gov. Gavin Newsom of California has suggested that restaurant patrons would have to submit to having their temperatures taken before being seated once that state begins a gradual reopening. |
| Even without any statewide reopening order, a restaurant in Fresno, Calif., called Pismo’s Coastal Grill announced it would reopen for lunch and dinner on May 7, assuring customers it would “practice social distancing to the max.” | Even without any statewide reopening order, a restaurant in Fresno, Calif., called Pismo’s Coastal Grill announced it would reopen for lunch and dinner on May 7, assuring customers it would “practice social distancing to the max.” |
| “We’re going to start taking our first little baby steps back to full service,” the restaurant’s owner, Dave Fansler, said in a video posted to its Facebook page. | “We’re going to start taking our first little baby steps back to full service,” the restaurant’s owner, Dave Fansler, said in a video posted to its Facebook page. |
| In Seattle, the first place in the nation where the outbreak erupted into numerous deaths, Boeing announced it was resuming commercial airline production, putting 27,000 people back to work. Even two farmers’ markets were set to reopen this weekend, with new social distancing rules and a request that shoppers pledge to not touch produce, to wear masks and to stay home if they’re sick, among other things. | In Seattle, the first place in the nation where the outbreak erupted into numerous deaths, Boeing announced it was resuming commercial airline production, putting 27,000 people back to work. Even two farmers’ markets were set to reopen this weekend, with new social distancing rules and a request that shoppers pledge to not touch produce, to wear masks and to stay home if they’re sick, among other things. |
| “I won’t chat up my favorite farmer — I will offer them a smile and a wave,” reads the online pledge the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance is asking shoppers to sign. | “I won’t chat up my favorite farmer — I will offer them a smile and a wave,” reads the online pledge the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance is asking shoppers to sign. |
| Other businesses desperate to get back in operation are struggling to decide when and how they will reopen their doors. | Other businesses desperate to get back in operation are struggling to decide when and how they will reopen their doors. |
| Mr. Yates, whose mall is in one of a handful of states with no sweeping stay-at-home order, decided to be among the first to try. He said conditions in Nebraska, with its relatively low count of about 1,000 coronavirus cases and at least 24 deaths as of Thursday night, are ideal for the mall to be “a case study, a laboratory” for how the United States can resurrect its businesses. | Mr. Yates, whose mall is in one of a handful of states with no sweeping stay-at-home order, decided to be among the first to try. He said conditions in Nebraska, with its relatively low count of about 1,000 coronavirus cases and at least 24 deaths as of Thursday night, are ideal for the mall to be “a case study, a laboratory” for how the United States can resurrect its businesses. |
| “We really felt like here’s a relatively safe community,” he said. “We’ve got to help these stores get open.” | “We really felt like here’s a relatively safe community,” he said. “We’ve got to help these stores get open.” |
| Technically, the Nebraska mall never closed — businesses in Sarpy County, where the mall is, have been permitted to stay open if they could maintain social distancing restrictions. But nearly all of the corporate owners had shut down the mall’s stores, minus a couple of restaurants that stayed open for pickup and a shop that sold medical scrubs. | Technically, the Nebraska mall never closed — businesses in Sarpy County, where the mall is, have been permitted to stay open if they could maintain social distancing restrictions. But nearly all of the corporate owners had shut down the mall’s stores, minus a couple of restaurants that stayed open for pickup and a shop that sold medical scrubs. |
| Mr. Yates said he had not charged store owners rent for April in hopes of helping them have enough cash to keep paying employees. He cited the mall’s contribution to state sales tax revenues as one reason he was eager for stores to reopen. | Mr. Yates said he had not charged store owners rent for April in hopes of helping them have enough cash to keep paying employees. He cited the mall’s contribution to state sales tax revenues as one reason he was eager for stores to reopen. |
| Updated June 16, 2020 | |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| “A lot of people are counting on us,” Mr. Yates said. | “A lot of people are counting on us,” Mr. Yates said. |
| Officials have said infections are expected to peak in the state around the same time as what Mr. Yates calls his “soft opening” of whichever stores want to open their doors on April 24. He plans a broader opening scheduled for May 1. | Officials have said infections are expected to peak in the state around the same time as what Mr. Yates calls his “soft opening” of whichever stores want to open their doors on April 24. He plans a broader opening scheduled for May 1. |
| The plan has stirred controversy in the state. Some commenters on social media have praised him for being a leader on reopening and others have called him “stupid” and “a killer” for putting lives needlessly at risk. One state senator sent Gov. Pete Ricketts a letter asking him to block the mall’s plans, but the governor said on Thursday he would not step in to stop the reopening. | The plan has stirred controversy in the state. Some commenters on social media have praised him for being a leader on reopening and others have called him “stupid” and “a killer” for putting lives needlessly at risk. One state senator sent Gov. Pete Ricketts a letter asking him to block the mall’s plans, but the governor said on Thursday he would not step in to stop the reopening. |
| Mr. Ricketts is one of a handful of governors to reject sweeping orders to close certain businesses. Some public health officials in Nebraska have intervened, shutting down bars and limiting gatherings to 10 people in their jurisdictions. Dr. Adi Pour, public health director for Douglas County, faced death threats for doing so. At a public meeting this week, she called Mr. Yates’s decision disappointing. “If we open things up too soon, we’re going to see outbreaks,” she said. | Mr. Ricketts is one of a handful of governors to reject sweeping orders to close certain businesses. Some public health officials in Nebraska have intervened, shutting down bars and limiting gatherings to 10 people in their jurisdictions. Dr. Adi Pour, public health director for Douglas County, faced death threats for doing so. At a public meeting this week, she called Mr. Yates’s decision disappointing. “If we open things up too soon, we’re going to see outbreaks,” she said. |
| Mr. Yates said he planned to distribute 100 infrared thermometers and plastic shields to help protect workers. But some mall employees — even ones who have been laid off or furloughed — said that would not be enough to ease their worries about contagion. | Mr. Yates said he planned to distribute 100 infrared thermometers and plastic shields to help protect workers. But some mall employees — even ones who have been laid off or furloughed — said that would not be enough to ease their worries about contagion. |
| “We’re all ready to get back to work but we don’t think a mall is the place that should be making the call,” said Nate Chavez, a sales associate at Steve Madden, a shoe store at the mall. “The risk is too high.” | “We’re all ready to get back to work but we don’t think a mall is the place that should be making the call,” said Nate Chavez, a sales associate at Steve Madden, a shoe store at the mall. “The risk is too high.” |
| One Nebraska Crossing store trying to be ready to open by at least May 1 is Vera Bradley, a shop known for its quilted, floral bags. Robert Wallstrom, the chief executive, said his managers were contacting employees to see how they felt about returning to work. | One Nebraska Crossing store trying to be ready to open by at least May 1 is Vera Bradley, a shop known for its quilted, floral bags. Robert Wallstrom, the chief executive, said his managers were contacting employees to see how they felt about returning to work. |
| Mr. Wallstrom said he wanted to put the health of his employees and customers first in the midst of the pandemic. But he also said he was considering the financial health of his workers as well as his company. Rank-and-file employees have been furloughed and managers have taken pay cuts. | Mr. Wallstrom said he wanted to put the health of his employees and customers first in the midst of the pandemic. But he also said he was considering the financial health of his workers as well as his company. Rank-and-file employees have been furloughed and managers have taken pay cuts. |
| Reopening the Vera Bradley store in the Nebraska mall seemed like an opportunity to test out what he hoped would become a broader reopening nationwide. | Reopening the Vera Bradley store in the Nebraska mall seemed like an opportunity to test out what he hoped would become a broader reopening nationwide. |
| “We’re all waiting for a magic day where everything is perfect,” he said. “Well, everything is not going to be perfect.” | “We’re all waiting for a magic day where everything is perfect,” he said. “Well, everything is not going to be perfect.” |
| Mr. Wallstrom said he realized that not all employees would want to come to work immediately — and that they would not be penalized for that. But he likened the ones who do to “the firefighters on 9/11 running into the World Trade Center.” | Mr. Wallstrom said he realized that not all employees would want to come to work immediately — and that they would not be penalized for that. But he likened the ones who do to “the firefighters on 9/11 running into the World Trade Center.” |
| “There are people,” he said, “who want to pave the way.” | “There are people,” he said, “who want to pave the way.” |
| Mike Baker contributed reporting. | Mike Baker contributed reporting. |