'After Closing for the Virus, Is Michelin Moving Too Quickly?' diff viewer (3/4)

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After Closing for the Virus, Is Michelin Moving Too Quickly?	After Closing for the Virus, Is Michelin Moving Too Quickly?
2020-06-06 00:50:55 UTC	2020-06-08 17:18:44 UTC (3 days later)
PARIS — On a recent weekday, while France was still under one of Europe’s tightest lockdowns, mammoth six-foot tractor tires were rolling off the assembly line at a Michelin factory in northeast France. Farther south, other Michelin plants turned out tires for ambulances and fire trucks as fast as small skeleton crews could make them.	PARIS — On a recent weekday, while France was still under one of Europe’s tightest lockdowns, mammoth six-foot tractor tires were rolling off the assembly line at a Michelin factory in northeast France. Farther south, other Michelin plants turned out tires for ambulances and fire trucks as fast as small skeleton crews could make them.
Michelin is an early starter among global manufacturers seeking to revive business safely in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. A gradual reopening is being tested after the outbreak temporarily shuttered plants in China, Europe and the United States, affecting 127,000 employees.	Michelin is an early starter among global manufacturers seeking to revive business safely in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. A gradual reopening is being tested after the outbreak temporarily shuttered plants in China, Europe and the United States, affecting 127,000 employees.
“We can’t stay confined forever,” Florent Menegaux, Michelin’s chief executive, said by telephone recently. “Just after the health crisis, we’re going to have an economic crisis looming which will have huge social consequences. We have to learn how to live with Covid-19.”	“We can’t stay confined forever,” Florent Menegaux, Michelin’s chief executive, said by telephone recently. “Just after the health crisis, we’re going to have an economic crisis looming which will have huge social consequences. We have to learn how to live with Covid-19.”
But in France, where Michelin is based, the piecemeal rollout has ignited tensions with labor unions. They accuse the company of putting investor interests above employees while transmission of the disease is still high and while France remains under quarantine.	But in France, where Michelin is based, the piecemeal rollout has ignited tensions with labor unions. They accuse the company of putting investor interests above employees while transmission of the disease is still high and while France remains under quarantine.
“People don’t have the right to circulate freely, but at the same time we’re told we have the right to work next to one another to make tires,” said Jean-Paul Cognet, who represents the Confédération Générale du Travail union in Clermont-Ferrand, the city in central France where Michelin has its headquarters.	“People don’t have the right to circulate freely, but at the same time we’re told we have the right to work next to one another to make tires,” said Jean-Paul Cognet, who represents the Confédération Générale du Travail union in Clermont-Ferrand, the city in central France where Michelin has its headquarters.
“Michelin is trying to reassure financial markets by showing that they’re capable of producing,” Mr. Cognet added. “But at what cost?”	“Michelin is trying to reassure financial markets by showing that they’re capable of producing,” Mr. Cognet added. “But at what cost?”
The question is echoing worldwide as companies seek to rebound from lockdowns that have exacted a devastating economic toll. In the United States, Europe and China, governments are calling for more emphasis on getting vital industries back on track, forcing executives to strike a balance between keeping their businesses alive and their employees safe.	The question is echoing worldwide as companies seek to rebound from lockdowns that have exacted a devastating economic toll. In the United States, Europe and China, governments are calling for more emphasis on getting vital industries back on track, forcing executives to strike a balance between keeping their businesses alive and their employees safe.
France, where nearly 23,000 have died from the virus, has become a crucible for these tensions. The pandemic spurred organized labor to reassert influence after years of decline. Unions have leveraged the crisis to press companies from Amazon to the auto giant PSA Peugeot Citroën on workers’ rights.	France, where nearly 23,000 have died from the virus, has become a crucible for these tensions. The pandemic spurred organized labor to reassert influence after years of decline. Unions have leveraged the crisis to press companies from Amazon to the auto giant PSA Peugeot Citroën on workers’ rights.
The main employer organization, the Movement of the Enterprises of France, has called for an immediate reboot of France’s “economic machine,” and urged people to “work a little bit more” to make up for lost time, stoking widespread ire.	The main employer organization, the Movement of the Enterprises of France, has called for an immediate reboot of France’s “economic machine,” and urged people to “work a little bit more” to make up for lost time, stoking widespread ire.
Michelin, whose rubbery Michelin Man mascot is well known around the globe, is caught up in the debate. It began calling back some of its 20,000 French employees on April 1, earlier than most big French manufacturers.	Michelin, whose rubbery Michelin Man mascot is well known around the globe, is caught up in the debate. It began calling back some of its 20,000 French employees on April 1, earlier than most big French manufacturers.
The company justifies its early restart by pointing to the trucks, farm machinery, ambulances, fire engines and other essential vehicles still operating despite national quarantines. Michelin is reopening its European plants that produce tires for these vehicles, which make up about half its business.	The company justifies its early restart by pointing to the trucks, farm machinery, ambulances, fire engines and other essential vehicles still operating despite national quarantines. Michelin is reopening its European plants that produce tires for these vehicles, which make up about half its business.
But the company has also resumed the production of molds used to make tires for high-end cars manufactured by the likes of Porsche and Tesla. Michelin is eager to restore passenger car tire production generally, Mr. Menegaux said, and is betting on a surge in people driving, partly to avoid crowded public transportation, when confinement orders are lifted.	But the company has also resumed the production of molds used to make tires for high-end cars manufactured by the likes of Porsche and Tesla. Michelin is eager to restore passenger car tire production generally, Mr. Menegaux said, and is betting on a surge in people driving, partly to avoid crowded public transportation, when confinement orders are lifted.
Unions in France, however, challenged the company’s motives as it began to reactivate employees on a voluntary basis from paid furloughs. The plan calls for the work force to return in gradual increments over several months.	Unions in France, however, challenged the company’s motives as it began to reactivate employees on a voluntary basis from paid furloughs. The plan calls for the work force to return in gradual increments over several months.
“Making tires for luxury cars like Porsches is not essential,” said Jérôme Lorton, the spokesman for the Union Syndicale Solidaires, one of France’s biggest industrial unions. “Protecting workers by keeping them at home during a quarantine is.”	“Making tires for luxury cars like Porsches is not essential,” said Jérôme Lorton, the spokesman for the Union Syndicale Solidaires, one of France’s biggest industrial unions. “Protecting workers by keeping them at home during a quarantine is.”
For Mr. Menegaux, an equally potent danger is the economic risk of not resuming production quickly. “I understand the fear that exists,” he said. “I also have fear about Covid-19.”	For Mr. Menegaux, an equally potent danger is the economic risk of not resuming production quickly. “I understand the fear that exists,” he said. “I also have fear about Covid-19.”
“But making sure that we are in a position to pay the salaries of our people is of vital importance,” he said. “We can’t live with a 50 percent loss of revenue for a long time,” he added. “Customers need tires. And in order to sell tires, we need to produce.”	“But making sure that we are in a position to pay the salaries of our people is of vital importance,” he said. “We can’t live with a 50 percent loss of revenue for a long time,” he added. “Customers need tires. And in order to sell tires, we need to produce.”
A reserved, straight-talking man who spent most of his career at Michelin, Mr. Menegaux, 57, said he was applying lessons learned in China, where its three plants were forced to close through Feb. 10 as the coronavirus bore down.	A reserved, straight-talking man who spent most of his career at Michelin, Mr. Menegaux, 57, said he was applying lessons learned in China, where its three plants were forced to close through Feb. 10 as the coronavirus bore down.
Michelin’s crisis teams determined in late February that the virus would hit Europe hard and ripple to the United States. They closed sites quickly in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Britain, the Nordic countries and Eastern Europe to prepare them to reopen with new safety protocols as early as possible.	Michelin’s crisis teams determined in late February that the virus would hit Europe hard and ripple to the United States. They closed sites quickly in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Britain, the Nordic countries and Eastern Europe to prepare them to reopen with new safety protocols as early as possible.
A new safety regimen for all plants includes adjusted shift schedules to allow extra time for social distancing on arrival and departure at plants, the disinfecting of work stations between shifts, temperature checks and medical screening on arrival, and ample stocks of masks.	A new safety regimen for all plants includes adjusted shift schedules to allow extra time for social distancing on arrival and departure at plants, the disinfecting of work stations between shifts, temperature checks and medical screening on arrival, and ample stocks of masks.
None of Michelin’s 8,000 employees in China has gotten the coronavirus since returning to work, Mr. Menegaux said. Two employees from Michelin’s 69 factories in 17 countries died from the virus, which in both cases was contracted outside its facilities, he added.	None of Michelin’s 8,000 employees in China has gotten the coronavirus since returning to work, Mr. Menegaux said. Two employees from Michelin’s 69 factories in 17 countries died from the virus, which in both cases was contracted outside its facilities, he added.
In the United States and Canada, where some of Michelin’s 19 plants were temporarily shut, sites producing tires for trucks and earth movers have partly reopened. Some others that make passenger car tires remain on standby because of lack of demand, Mr. Menegaux said.	In the United States and Canada, where some of Michelin’s 19 plants were temporarily shut, sites producing tires for trucks and earth movers have partly reopened. Some others that make passenger car tires remain on standby because of lack of demand, Mr. Menegaux said.
Michelin said it wasn’t testing employees for the virus in France because health agencies weren’t recommending it. But the company has moved to secure its own health supplies by adapting some factories to produce 400,000 surgical masks a week and thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer. It also designed a new silicone-based N95 respirator mask for employees that can be reused up to 100 times.	Michelin said it wasn’t testing employees for the virus in France because health agencies weren’t recommending it. But the company has moved to secure its own health supplies by adapting some factories to produce 400,000 surgical masks a week and thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer. It also designed a new silicone-based N95 respirator mask for employees that can be reused up to 100 times.
“I’m telling people they’ll be safer inside our plants than outside,” Mr. Menegaux said.	“I’m telling people they’ll be safer inside our plants than outside,” Mr. Menegaux said.
The unions aren’t so sure. At Michelin’s factory in Cholet, a site in western France where 20 percent of the work force was called back this month, labor leaders filed an internal complaint, saying management was exposing employees to “serious and imminent danger.” They cited a shortage of masks and gloves, the lack of virus tests and an inability to work six feet apart at some machines.	The unions aren’t so sure. At Michelin’s factory in Cholet, a site in western France where 20 percent of the work force was called back this month, labor leaders filed an internal complaint, saying management was exposing employees to “serious and imminent danger.” They cited a shortage of masks and gloves, the lack of virus tests and an inability to work six feet apart at some machines.
“Employees are already reporting difficulties in maintaining social distancing,” said Mr. Lorton of the Union Syndicale Solidaires. As the company brings more workers back, “it’ll be impossible,” he said.	“Employees are already reporting difficulties in maintaining social distancing,” said Mr. Lorton of the Union Syndicale Solidaires. As the company brings more workers back, “it’ll be impossible,” he said.
Updated June 5, 2020	Updated June 5, 2020
	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.