'Britain to Impose Quarantine on Air Travelers to Fight Coronavirus' diff viewer (3/4)

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Britain to Impose Quarantine on Air Travelers to Fight Coronavirus	Britain to Impose Quarantine on Air Travelers to Fight Coronavirus
2020-06-06 00:32:47 UTC	2020-06-08 16:58:36 UTC (3 days later)
LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Sunday that Britain would soon impose a mandatory quarantine on travelers arriving in the country by air to try to avert a new wave of coronavirus infections, signaling how cautious the country will be in relaxing its seven-week lockdown.	LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Sunday that Britain would soon impose a mandatory quarantine on travelers arriving in the country by air to try to avert a new wave of coronavirus infections, signaling how cautious the country will be in relaxing its seven-week lockdown.
Mr. Johnson offered no details about how the quarantine will work. But with the transmission rate of the virus having declined sharply throughout the country, he made clear the government now views people from abroad as the greatest threat to a country that is already one of the contagion’s hardest hit in Europe.	Mr. Johnson offered no details about how the quarantine will work. But with the transmission rate of the virus having declined sharply throughout the country, he made clear the government now views people from abroad as the greatest threat to a country that is already one of the contagion’s hardest hit in Europe.
In a much-anticipated national address that was meant to serve as a blueprint for the next phase of Britain’s response, Mr. Johnson urged the public to “stay alert,” softening his earlier admonition to “stay home.”	In a much-anticipated national address that was meant to serve as a blueprint for the next phase of Britain’s response, Mr. Johnson urged the public to “stay alert,” softening his earlier admonition to “stay home.”
People, he said, may now exercise outside as much as they want, sunbathe in parks, play golf and return to their workplaces, if they cannot work from home. But other than that, the current restrictions will stay in place.	People, he said, may now exercise outside as much as they want, sunbathe in parks, play golf and return to their workplaces, if they cannot work from home. But other than that, the current restrictions will stay in place.
“This is not the time simply to end the lockdown,” Mr. Johnson said, as he credited social distancing with slowing the spread of the virus. “Instead, we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures.”	“This is not the time simply to end the lockdown,” Mr. Johnson said, as he credited social distancing with slowing the spread of the virus. “Instead, we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures.”
Under a phased lifting of the lockdown, Mr. Johnson said, some shops and schools may reopen as early as June 1. Restaurants and cafes, particularly those with outdoor tables, may follow in July, he said, though that will hinge on keeping low levels of transmission. Pubs will stay closed longer.	Under a phased lifting of the lockdown, Mr. Johnson said, some shops and schools may reopen as early as June 1. Restaurants and cafes, particularly those with outdoor tables, may follow in July, he said, though that will hinge on keeping low levels of transmission. Pubs will stay closed longer.
Details of the quarantine system, and whether it would apply just to airports, have not yet been worked out, officials said. But it is unlikely to be introduced for several weeks, after the transmission rate has been driven down even further.	Details of the quarantine system, and whether it would apply just to airports, have not yet been worked out, officials said. But it is unlikely to be introduced for several weeks, after the transmission rate has been driven down even further.
With so little actually changing now, the prime minister’s speech seemed mostly about adjusting the government’s marketing message. Even before Mr. Johnson spoke, there was a backlash from critics, who said the new guidance to “stay alert” was so vague that it risked confusion.	With so little actually changing now, the prime minister’s speech seemed mostly about adjusting the government’s marketing message. Even before Mr. Johnson spoke, there was a backlash from critics, who said the new guidance to “stay alert” was so vague that it risked confusion.
The shift in tone opened fissures with political leaders in other parts of Britain, which had largely moved in lock step in combating the virus.	The shift in tone opened fissures with political leaders in other parts of Britain, which had largely moved in lock step in combating the virus.
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said that the first she had heard of the new slogan was on the front pages of newspapers on Sunday. She said Scotland would be sticking with the guidance for people to stay at home.	Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said that the first she had heard of the new slogan was on the front pages of newspapers on Sunday. She said Scotland would be sticking with the guidance for people to stay at home.
Mr. Johnson’s tentative approach captured the quandary that many world leaders find themselves in: pressed to restart their comatose economies but deeply worried that doing so will ignite a new wave of infections. At times, those contradictions left Mr. Johnson’s message quite muddled.	Mr. Johnson’s tentative approach captured the quandary that many world leaders find themselves in: pressed to restart their comatose economies but deeply worried that doing so will ignite a new wave of infections. At times, those contradictions left Mr. Johnson’s message quite muddled.
“Anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction and manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work,” Mr. Johnson said. But he added, “You should avoid public transport if at all possible, because we must and will maintain social distancing.”	“Anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction and manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work,” Mr. Johnson said. But he added, “You should avoid public transport if at all possible, because we must and will maintain social distancing.”
The upshot?	The upshot?
“Work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home,” he concluded.	“Work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home,” he concluded.
With 31,855 reported deaths from the virus, Britain has the largest death toll in Europe and the second largest in the world, after the United States. British officials contend that direct comparisons between countries are unreliable, and have cited a prominent statistician at Cambridge University to back up their argument.	With 31,855 reported deaths from the virus, Britain has the largest death toll in Europe and the second largest in the world, after the United States. British officials contend that direct comparisons between countries are unreliable, and have cited a prominent statistician at Cambridge University to back up their argument.
But on Sunday, the scholar, David Spiegelhalter, said the real death toll was likely to be much higher than the government’s public number, and he condemned what he called politically driven “number theater.”	But on Sunday, the scholar, David Spiegelhalter, said the real death toll was likely to be much higher than the government’s public number, and he condemned what he called politically driven “number theater.”
“This is actually not trustworthy communication of statistics,” Professor Spiegelhalter said in a BBC interview.	“This is actually not trustworthy communication of statistics,” Professor Spiegelhalter said in a BBC interview.
For all the bad news, and the question about whether Mr. Johnson waited too long to act, the public has remained generally supportive of the lockdown. The biggest challenge for him may come from inside his Conservative Party, where some lawmakers are frustrated by the lockdown’s huge costs.	For all the bad news, and the question about whether Mr. Johnson waited too long to act, the public has remained generally supportive of the lockdown. The biggest challenge for him may come from inside his Conservative Party, where some lawmakers are frustrated by the lockdown’s huge costs.
Other lawmakers were annoyed that Mr. Johnson opted to make his announcement on TV, rather than to Parliament. Publication of the documents outlining the government’s strategy in detail is expected on Monday, when Mr. Johnson is scheduled to address the House of Commons.	Other lawmakers were annoyed that Mr. Johnson opted to make his announcement on TV, rather than to Parliament. Publication of the documents outlining the government’s strategy in detail is expected on Monday, when Mr. Johnson is scheduled to address the House of Commons.
For several days leading up to the speech, the government’s handling of the next phase of the pandemic had appeared unclear.	For several days leading up to the speech, the government’s handling of the next phase of the pandemic had appeared unclear.
On Wednesday, Mr. Johnson said he hoped to “get going” with changes to some restrictions as soon as Monday. That spurred tabloid headlines like “Happy Monday,” in The Sun, and “Hurrah! Lockdown Freedom Beckons,” in The Daily Mail.	On Wednesday, Mr. Johnson said he hoped to “get going” with changes to some restrictions as soon as Monday. That spurred tabloid headlines like “Happy Monday,” in The Sun, and “Hurrah! Lockdown Freedom Beckons,” in The Daily Mail.
Alarmed, Downing Street sent out the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, on Thursday to say that “any changes in the short term will be modest, small and incremental,” and that they would be monitored closely and reversed if necessary.	Alarmed, Downing Street sent out the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, on Thursday to say that “any changes in the short term will be modest, small and incremental,” and that they would be monitored closely and reversed if necessary.
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.
On Sunday, even as he relaxed limits on outdoor activity, Mr. Johnson warned that people who violated the rules could face increased fines. The police have been far laxer in their enforcement than in France.	On Sunday, even as he relaxed limits on outdoor activity, Mr. Johnson warned that people who violated the rules could face increased fines. The police have been far laxer in their enforcement than in France.
The prime minister did not announce one other measure that had been rumored in the British press in recent weeks: that the government would advise people to wear face masks in public, as other European countries do.	The prime minister did not announce one other measure that had been rumored in the British press in recent weeks: that the government would advise people to wear face masks in public, as other European countries do.
Still, for Mr. Johnson, the speech brought his approach to the crisis full circle: from the nonchalance he showed before the onset of the contagion, through his own nearly fatal experience with the disease, and now, to his reluctance to relax the lockdown too soon for fear that it will kick off new infections.	Still, for Mr. Johnson, the speech brought his approach to the crisis full circle: from the nonchalance he showed before the onset of the contagion, through his own nearly fatal experience with the disease, and now, to his reluctance to relax the lockdown too soon for fear that it will kick off new infections.