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| Bafflement Greets Boris Johnson’s Plan for Reopening Britain | Bafflement Greets Boris Johnson’s Plan for Reopening Britain |
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| LONDON — When the coronavirus first struck, Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain agonized long and hard before closing stores, pubs and restaurants as part of the country’s fight against the disease. But with the spread of the virus now curbed, easing the lockdown is proving harder still. | LONDON — When the coronavirus first struck, Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain agonized long and hard before closing stores, pubs and restaurants as part of the country’s fight against the disease. But with the spread of the virus now curbed, easing the lockdown is proving harder still. |
| On Monday Mr. Johnson’s long-anticipated blueprint for reopening of the economy ran into a barrage of opposition, as critics pointed to gaps and contradictions in a plan that left many pondering basic questions such as when to return to work and how to get there. | On Monday Mr. Johnson’s long-anticipated blueprint for reopening of the economy ran into a barrage of opposition, as critics pointed to gaps and contradictions in a plan that left many pondering basic questions such as when to return to work and how to get there. |
| “What the country needs is clarity and reassurance, and at the moment both are in short supply,” Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labour Party, told Parliament. | “What the country needs is clarity and reassurance, and at the moment both are in short supply,” Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labour Party, told Parliament. |
| Mr. Starmer accused Mr. Johnson of spreading “considerable confusion” in a country that is among the worst hit in Europe by the pandemic. | Mr. Starmer accused Mr. Johnson of spreading “considerable confusion” in a country that is among the worst hit in Europe by the pandemic. |
| Mr. Johnson, making his first statement to Parliament on the virus, said Monday that the nation’s “shared effort has averted a still worse catastrophe.” He rejected criticism that his proposals were too vague, saying he trusted the public to apply “good, solid British common sense.” | Mr. Johnson, making his first statement to Parliament on the virus, said Monday that the nation’s “shared effort has averted a still worse catastrophe.” He rejected criticism that his proposals were too vague, saying he trusted the public to apply “good, solid British common sense.” |
| But political leaders in Scotland and Wales have been quick to reject parts of the new strategy. And with contradictory official advice over when a return to work should start, even those in some quarters that generally support the government were unforgiving. | But political leaders in Scotland and Wales have been quick to reject parts of the new strategy. And with contradictory official advice over when a return to work should start, even those in some quarters that generally support the government were unforgiving. |
| “Boris Johnson’s big lockdown speech descends into farce” was the headline in MailOnline, the digital edition of The Daily Mail. | “Boris Johnson’s big lockdown speech descends into farce” was the headline in MailOnline, the digital edition of The Daily Mail. |
| Under Mr. Johnson’s new proposals, announced on Sunday and Monday, those unable to work from home will be encouraged to return to workplaces — but also to avoid public transport. | Under Mr. Johnson’s new proposals, announced on Sunday and Monday, those unable to work from home will be encouraged to return to workplaces — but also to avoid public transport. |
| People will be advised to wear face coverings on buses and trains and in some stores — but not obliged to. | People will be advised to wear face coverings on buses and trains and in some stores — but not obliged to. |
| They will be allowed to exercise more and meet with one other person in open spaces like parks — so long as they remain two meters, or roughly six feet, apart. | They will be allowed to exercise more and meet with one other person in open spaces like parks — so long as they remain two meters, or roughly six feet, apart. |
| There is also a vague timetable for the reopening next month of some schools, and the possibility of resuming some sporting events behind closed doors. | There is also a vague timetable for the reopening next month of some schools, and the possibility of resuming some sporting events behind closed doors. |
| Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the Confederation of British Industry, a business lobby group, called the prime minister’s plans “the first glimmer of light for our faltering economy” and said “a phased and careful return to work is the only way to protect jobs and pay for future public services.” | Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the Confederation of British Industry, a business lobby group, called the prime minister’s plans “the first glimmer of light for our faltering economy” and said “a phased and careful return to work is the only way to protect jobs and pay for future public services.” |
| But while the government laid down objectives for easing the lockdown, trade unions said it left many questions unanswered, including some relating to the safety of workplaces and transport networks. | But while the government laid down objectives for easing the lockdown, trade unions said it left many questions unanswered, including some relating to the safety of workplaces and transport networks. |
| Many questions also remained about a plan, likely to be introduced in a few weeks, to quarantine those flying into Britain. | Many questions also remained about a plan, likely to be introduced in a few weeks, to quarantine those flying into Britain. |
| “The government will require all international arrivals not on a short list of exemptions to self-isolate in their accommodation for 14 days on arrival into the U.K.” a government document said. | “The government will require all international arrivals not on a short list of exemptions to self-isolate in their accommodation for 14 days on arrival into the U.K.” a government document said. |
| It said that “where international travelers are unable to demonstrate where they would self-isolate, they will be required to do so in accommodation arranged by the government.” | It said that “where international travelers are unable to demonstrate where they would self-isolate, they will be required to do so in accommodation arranged by the government.” |
| The government said that travelers from Ireland and France would be exempt from the quarantine rules but has not explained how it would make sure that people just transiting through those two countries to Britain would be isolated. | The government said that travelers from Ireland and France would be exempt from the quarantine rules but has not explained how it would make sure that people just transiting through those two countries to Britain would be isolated. |
| Part of Mr. Johnson’s latest troubles relate to poor presentation and media management, perhaps a surprising failing for someone regarded as an effective political communicator. | Part of Mr. Johnson’s latest troubles relate to poor presentation and media management, perhaps a surprising failing for someone regarded as an effective political communicator. |
| Last week he raised expectations of a swift relaxation of some lockdown measures, prompting excited media speculation that had to be dampened. | Last week he raised expectations of a swift relaxation of some lockdown measures, prompting excited media speculation that had to be dampened. |
| Then Mr. Johnson annoyed lawmakers by saying he would announce his new plan on TV on Sunday, not in Parliament, where he has appeared much less frequently than his predecessor, Theresa May. | Then Mr. Johnson annoyed lawmakers by saying he would announce his new plan on TV on Sunday, not in Parliament, where he has appeared much less frequently than his predecessor, Theresa May. |
| As a concession, the prime minister delayed the publication of the official document on the new strategy until he appeared in the House of Commons on Monday. But there followed confusion over differences between what the government said on Sunday and the document made public on Monday. | As a concession, the prime minister delayed the publication of the official document on the new strategy until he appeared in the House of Commons on Monday. But there followed confusion over differences between what the government said on Sunday and the document made public on Monday. |
| Mr. Johnson’s new strategy is notably laissez-faire in its approach to balancing health and economic risks, leaving more to personal judgment. That has struck some critics as reminiscent of the early stages of the pandemic, when halfheartedness characterized Mr. Johnson’s approach at almost every step of the crisis. | Mr. Johnson’s new strategy is notably laissez-faire in its approach to balancing health and economic risks, leaving more to personal judgment. That has struck some critics as reminiscent of the early stages of the pandemic, when halfheartedness characterized Mr. Johnson’s approach at almost every step of the crisis. |
| In early March, he urged people to keep their distance from one another but declined to ban large public gatherings. He implored people to stay away from pubs and restaurants but declined to order them to close. | In early March, he urged people to keep their distance from one another but declined to ban large public gatherings. He implored people to stay away from pubs and restaurants but declined to order them to close. |
| 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. |
| When he switched directions and ordered the lockdown, the government proved more effective in securing compliance than many expected, in part by adopting a clear slogan — “Stay Home” — and urging people to protect the National Health Service and save lives. | When he switched directions and ordered the lockdown, the government proved more effective in securing compliance than many expected, in part by adopting a clear slogan — “Stay Home” — and urging people to protect the National Health Service and save lives. |
| On Monday, Mr. Johnson said Britons had heeded the call to stay home “more thoroughly than many other populations.” | On Monday, Mr. Johnson said Britons had heeded the call to stay home “more thoroughly than many other populations.” |
| That slogan has now been scrapped in favor of the vaguer “Stay Alert.” | That slogan has now been scrapped in favor of the vaguer “Stay Alert.” |
| Mr. Johnson is under pressure from some of his own lawmakers, who want a quick reopening to limit what some experts predict could be the severest damage to the economy in three centuries. | Mr. Johnson is under pressure from some of his own lawmakers, who want a quick reopening to limit what some experts predict could be the severest damage to the economy in three centuries. |
| Yet Mr. Johnson knows from personal experience how grueling the virus can be, having himself been hospitalized with Covid-19. And he wants to avoid a second spike of infections and a renewed lockdown that could destroy business confidence. | Yet Mr. Johnson knows from personal experience how grueling the virus can be, having himself been hospitalized with Covid-19. And he wants to avoid a second spike of infections and a renewed lockdown that could destroy business confidence. |
| The government’s attempt to balance those considerations has frustrated not only politicians but also some public health experts. They lamented the lack of detail in the reopening road map about an integrated program of testing, contact tracing and isolation for people who are infected. | The government’s attempt to balance those considerations has frustrated not only politicians but also some public health experts. They lamented the lack of detail in the reopening road map about an integrated program of testing, contact tracing and isolation for people who are infected. |
| “I think it is a decent starting point and sets out the challenge well,” said Devi Sridhar, director of the global health governance program at Edinburgh University. “But it is lacking in clear communication on what each phase entails and has almost nothing on isolation.” | “I think it is a decent starting point and sets out the challenge well,” said Devi Sridhar, director of the global health governance program at Edinburgh University. “But it is lacking in clear communication on what each phase entails and has almost nothing on isolation.” |
| Even after the government sets up an extensive testing and tracing operation, Dr. Sridhar said, it will have to provide support to households whose members are quarantined. Public-health authorities will have to monitor people to see whether they develop symptoms. | Even after the government sets up an extensive testing and tracing operation, Dr. Sridhar said, it will have to provide support to households whose members are quarantined. Public-health authorities will have to monitor people to see whether they develop symptoms. |
| Others critics pointed to the lack of clarity on whether people should wear face coverings in public places. Scientific advisers initially played down their effectiveness in curbing the spread of the virus and noted that the World Health Organization did not recommend them. But as France and other countries have begun to require their use, Britain has reconsidered. | Others critics pointed to the lack of clarity on whether people should wear face coverings in public places. Scientific advisers initially played down their effectiveness in curbing the spread of the virus and noted that the World Health Organization did not recommend them. But as France and other countries have begun to require their use, Britain has reconsidered. |
| Some of Britain’s reluctance has been the result of an acute shortage of masks and other protective gear for health workers. Officials fear that if they require the public to wear masks, it could siphon off the supply for hospitals and especially nursing homes, where the lack of such gear appears to have aggravated the death toll. | Some of Britain’s reluctance has been the result of an acute shortage of masks and other protective gear for health workers. Officials fear that if they require the public to wear masks, it could siphon off the supply for hospitals and especially nursing homes, where the lack of such gear appears to have aggravated the death toll. |
| So the advice is voluntary, not compulsory, leaving the final decision to those who Mr. Johnson hopes will soon start going back to work. | So the advice is voluntary, not compulsory, leaving the final decision to those who Mr. Johnson hopes will soon start going back to work. |