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| As Fighting Surges, Yemen Is Hit With 1st Cluster of Covid-19 Infections | As Fighting Surges, Yemen Is Hit With 1st Cluster of Covid-19 Infections |
| (1 day later) | |
| CAIRO — The first confirmed expansion of the coronavirus in Yemen was reported on Wednesday, prompting renewed calls from aid groups and the United Nations for a humanitarian cease-fire to help combat the infection at a time when the country is mired in increased fighting, widespread hunger and a major cholera outbreak. | CAIRO — The first confirmed expansion of the coronavirus in Yemen was reported on Wednesday, prompting renewed calls from aid groups and the United Nations for a humanitarian cease-fire to help combat the infection at a time when the country is mired in increased fighting, widespread hunger and a major cholera outbreak. |
| The authorities in Yemen’s port city of Aden announced a cluster of five cases, up from the previous tally of one, and immediately imposed a two-week lockdown including the closure of shops, mosques and markets selling khat, a mild stimulant used by many Yemenis. | The authorities in Yemen’s port city of Aden announced a cluster of five cases, up from the previous tally of one, and immediately imposed a two-week lockdown including the closure of shops, mosques and markets selling khat, a mild stimulant used by many Yemenis. |
| Although the cluster was tiny in comparison with neighboring countries, it confirmed the worst fears of health workers who have warned for weeks that even a mild coronavirus outbreak could quickly overwhelm Yemen’s devastated health system. | Although the cluster was tiny in comparison with neighboring countries, it confirmed the worst fears of health workers who have warned for weeks that even a mild coronavirus outbreak could quickly overwhelm Yemen’s devastated health system. |
| Already, a spate of torrential rains has exacerbated a cholera outbreak, with 110,000 cases in 290 of Yemen’s 331 districts since January, the United Nations said on Wednesday. Flash floods in the south of the country last week worsened the situation, and now five million children under the age of 5 are at risk, it said. | Already, a spate of torrential rains has exacerbated a cholera outbreak, with 110,000 cases in 290 of Yemen’s 331 districts since January, the United Nations said on Wednesday. Flash floods in the south of the country last week worsened the situation, and now five million children under the age of 5 are at risk, it said. |
| Last month the United Nations secretary general, António Guterres, appealed to Yemen’s warring parties to implement an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to help stave off the threat from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. | Last month the United Nations secretary general, António Guterres, appealed to Yemen’s warring parties to implement an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to help stave off the threat from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. |
| Since then, the fighting has gotten worse. | Since then, the fighting has gotten worse. |
| Airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis in northern Yemen increased by 30 percent last week, according to the Yemen Data Project, which monitors the war. The spike in fighting occurred despite a unilateral cease-fire declared by Saudi Arabia on April 9. | Airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis in northern Yemen increased by 30 percent last week, according to the Yemen Data Project, which monitors the war. The spike in fighting occurred despite a unilateral cease-fire declared by Saudi Arabia on April 9. |
| In recent months, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, has sought to dial back his involvement in the Yemen war that he launched in 2015. But his enemies, the Iran-supported Houthis, have launched a major assault on the oil rich Marib Province in central Yemen. | In recent months, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, has sought to dial back his involvement in the Yemen war that he launched in 2015. But his enemies, the Iran-supported Houthis, have launched a major assault on the oil rich Marib Province in central Yemen. |
| Houthi fighters shelled a prison in Taiz on April 6, killing five women and a child, the United Nations said. | Houthi fighters shelled a prison in Taiz on April 6, killing five women and a child, the United Nations said. |
| Now a major coronavirus outbreak looms with the country’s public health system in ruins, devastated by years of war. Saudi-led airstrikes pummeled schools and hospitals, while United Nations officials publicly accused the Houthis of diverting and manipulating aid. | Now a major coronavirus outbreak looms with the country’s public health system in ruins, devastated by years of war. Saudi-led airstrikes pummeled schools and hospitals, while United Nations officials publicly accused the Houthis of diverting and manipulating aid. |
| Until Wednesday, Yemen’s only declared case was a 60-year-old port worker who later recovered. But on Tuesday the United Nations warned the virus was probably spreading undetected. The cluster of cases in Aden confirmed those suspicions. | Until Wednesday, Yemen’s only declared case was a 60-year-old port worker who later recovered. But on Tuesday the United Nations warned the virus was probably spreading undetected. The cluster of cases in Aden confirmed those suspicions. |
| Aden was also the scene for a twist in the country’s conflict last weekend when the country’s main separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council, declared self-rule and seized control of the city. | Aden was also the scene for a twist in the country’s conflict last weekend when the country’s main separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council, declared self-rule and seized control of the city. |
| The city's woes are multiplying. Last week, flooding killed 21 residents and washed away the homes of hundreds of people. Now it faces a possible coronavirus contagion, even as the separatists threaten to go to war with the forces of the Saudi-backed president, Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Yemen’s weak leader. | The city's woes are multiplying. Last week, flooding killed 21 residents and washed away the homes of hundreds of people. Now it faces a possible coronavirus contagion, even as the separatists threaten to go to war with the forces of the Saudi-backed president, Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Yemen’s weak leader. |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | |
| 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. |
| “Yes, things really can get worse,” wrote Peter Salisbury, a Yemen analyst at the International Crisis Group, on Twitter. | “Yes, things really can get worse,” wrote Peter Salisbury, a Yemen analyst at the International Crisis Group, on Twitter. |
| A coronavirus outbreak, combined with a surge in fighting, could push the country to “the brink of a catastrophe,” warned Tamuna Sabadze, the Yemen director at the International Rescue Committee. | A coronavirus outbreak, combined with a surge in fighting, could push the country to “the brink of a catastrophe,” warned Tamuna Sabadze, the Yemen director at the International Rescue Committee. |
| In a statement, Ms. Sabadze called on the United States, Britain and France to exert more pressure on the antagonists in the conflict to commit to a “nationwide cease-fire and return to political negotiations to end the war.” | In a statement, Ms. Sabadze called on the United States, Britain and France to exert more pressure on the antagonists in the conflict to commit to a “nationwide cease-fire and return to political negotiations to end the war.” |