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| Europe’s Museums Begin Reopening, Cautiously, With New Rules | Europe’s Museums Begin Reopening, Cautiously, With New Rules |
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| BERLIN — Elli Gericke, 20, was among the first visitors to the Berlinische Galerie as it reopened on Monday after an eight-week closure. In accordance with the art museum’s new rules, she was wearing a blue cloth mask and keeping at least five feet from other people. | BERLIN — Elli Gericke, 20, was among the first visitors to the Berlinische Galerie as it reopened on Monday after an eight-week closure. In accordance with the art museum’s new rules, she was wearing a blue cloth mask and keeping at least five feet from other people. |
| She said that she liked the main exhibition — a retrospective of Umbo, an avant-garde German photographer — and expressed relief about seeing art in person after months of being mostly indoors. But, she added, she felt restricted by the new regulations. | She said that she liked the main exhibition — a retrospective of Umbo, an avant-garde German photographer — and expressed relief about seeing art in person after months of being mostly indoors. But, she added, she felt restricted by the new regulations. |
| “You can’t relax when you look at the images, you can’t breathe,” she said. “It’s not the same as before.” | “You can’t relax when you look at the images, you can’t breathe,” she said. “It’s not the same as before.” |
| With confirmed coronavirus infections declining across Europe in recent weeks, several countries have announced plans to reopen museums, and Germany is among the earliest. Museum directors have become pioneers in figuring out how to kick-start cultural institutions in the midst of a pandemic, and in reinventing the museum experience for the Covid-19 era. | With confirmed coronavirus infections declining across Europe in recent weeks, several countries have announced plans to reopen museums, and Germany is among the earliest. Museum directors have become pioneers in figuring out how to kick-start cultural institutions in the midst of a pandemic, and in reinventing the museum experience for the Covid-19 era. |
| Germany’s 16 states have set their own timelines for easing the lockdown measures. Museums in Berlin were allowed to reopen on May 4, but many remain closed. Some, like the Berlinische Galerie, took an extra week to sort out logistics and bring in safety procedures, reopening on Monday. Major institutions like the Gemäldegalerie and the Altes Museum reopened on Tuesday. | Germany’s 16 states have set their own timelines for easing the lockdown measures. Museums in Berlin were allowed to reopen on May 4, but many remain closed. Some, like the Berlinische Galerie, took an extra week to sort out logistics and bring in safety procedures, reopening on Monday. Major institutions like the Gemäldegalerie and the Altes Museum reopened on Tuesday. |
| Although the state government in Berlin has mandated ground rules for hygiene and social distancing, it has largely been up to the institutions to iron out the details, including whether to require masks. For museum directors, this involves balancing public safety against the desire to allow people to freely engage with art; for visitors, this means navigating a patchwork of new rules. | Although the state government in Berlin has mandated ground rules for hygiene and social distancing, it has largely been up to the institutions to iron out the details, including whether to require masks. For museum directors, this involves balancing public safety against the desire to allow people to freely engage with art; for visitors, this means navigating a patchwork of new rules. |
| Most, but not all, museums require visitors to wear masks. Some have added signs directing visitors along certain paths, or have instituted online ticketing systems to stagger entry times and prevent crowds. Others have eliminated audio guides, or asked visitors to bring their own earphones. Many locations have installed plexiglass screens to protect staff members, and group tours have been canceled. | Most, but not all, museums require visitors to wear masks. Some have added signs directing visitors along certain paths, or have instituted online ticketing systems to stagger entry times and prevent crowds. Others have eliminated audio guides, or asked visitors to bring their own earphones. Many locations have installed plexiglass screens to protect staff members, and group tours have been canceled. |
| At the Berlinische Galerie, visitors are informed on arrival that they must wear face coverings and abide by social distancing rules, and they are encouraged to use the newly installed hand-sanitizer dispensers. | At the Berlinische Galerie, visitors are informed on arrival that they must wear face coverings and abide by social distancing rules, and they are encouraged to use the newly installed hand-sanitizer dispensers. |
| Thomas Köhler, the director of the Berlinische Galerie, said in a phone interview that the new protocol was “not pleasant, but it is necessary.” He added, “I think the joy that people will get from being back in the museum will be bigger than the inconvenience.” | Thomas Köhler, the director of the Berlinische Galerie, said in a phone interview that the new protocol was “not pleasant, but it is necessary.” He added, “I think the joy that people will get from being back in the museum will be bigger than the inconvenience.” |
| Governments in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece and Italy have all announced dates in May or June by which they hope to have museums open, with similar safety measures to those in Berlin. | Governments in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece and Italy have all announced dates in May or June by which they hope to have museums open, with similar safety measures to those in Berlin. |
| Some museums in the Czech Republic, France, Spain and Switzerland reopened this week or are set to do so in the coming days. In France, some small, local museums were allowed to reopen on Monday, but the government has yet to announce dates for major institutions like the Louvre. | Some museums in the Czech Republic, France, Spain and Switzerland reopened this week or are set to do so in the coming days. In France, some small, local museums were allowed to reopen on Monday, but the government has yet to announce dates for major institutions like the Louvre. |
| As in Germany, many museums did not open their doors on the first day they were allowed; instead, cautious administrators are taking time to make changes and retrain employees before the public is allowed in. | As in Germany, many museums did not open their doors on the first day they were allowed; instead, cautious administrators are taking time to make changes and retrain employees before the public is allowed in. |
| Berlin State Museums, an umbrella group overseeing 17 museums in the city, including some of its largest and most prestigious, decided to start small, reopening just four of the institutions under its control on Tuesday. Christine Haak, the organization’s deputy director general, said in a phone interview that she wanted to observe how visitors behave in the spaces before deciding about the rest. The museum will inevitably feel different to many visitors, she added. | Berlin State Museums, an umbrella group overseeing 17 museums in the city, including some of its largest and most prestigious, decided to start small, reopening just four of the institutions under its control on Tuesday. Christine Haak, the organization’s deputy director general, said in a phone interview that she wanted to observe how visitors behave in the spaces before deciding about the rest. The museum will inevitably feel different to many visitors, she added. |
| “People are aware they cannot be too close to the art, because an alarm will go off,” Ms. Haak said, “but now they also need to keep a distance from one another, and that’s a new experience.” | “People are aware they cannot be too close to the art, because an alarm will go off,” Ms. Haak said, “but now they also need to keep a distance from one another, and that’s a new experience.” |
| With tourism at a standstill, however, many museums are anticipating lower-than-usual visitor numbers. That is likely to help social distancing, but it also means that spaces that depend significantly on international guests face an uncertain financial future. | With tourism at a standstill, however, many museums are anticipating lower-than-usual visitor numbers. That is likely to help social distancing, but it also means that spaces that depend significantly on international guests face an uncertain financial future. |
| In a normal week, the D.D.R. Museum, a private exhibition space providing an interactive experience of life in communist East Germany, attracts as many as 2,000 people a day, the vast majority of them people who do not live in Berlin. Its director, Gordon Freiherr von Godin, estimates that number has dropped to fewer than 50 since the museum reopened on May 4. “We are not making any income,” he said by phone. | In a normal week, the D.D.R. Museum, a private exhibition space providing an interactive experience of life in communist East Germany, attracts as many as 2,000 people a day, the vast majority of them people who do not live in Berlin. Its director, Gordon Freiherr von Godin, estimates that number has dropped to fewer than 50 since the museum reopened on May 4. “We are not making any income,” he said by phone. |
| Admittedly, the D.D.R. Museum’s interactive concept, which invites visitors to handle display items and open cupboards, is a tricky sell during a pandemic. Its slogan, “History You Can Touch,” probably is not helping either. | Admittedly, the D.D.R. Museum’s interactive concept, which invites visitors to handle display items and open cupboards, is a tricky sell during a pandemic. Its slogan, “History You Can Touch,” probably is not helping either. |
| The museum has installed hand-sanitizer stations and suggested, but not mandated, that guests wear masks. A staff member also cleaned surfaces continually with disinfectant spray, Mr. Freiherr von Godin said. | The museum has installed hand-sanitizer stations and suggested, but not mandated, that guests wear masks. A staff member also cleaned surfaces continually with disinfectant spray, Mr. Freiherr von Godin said. |
| Charlie Goldsmith, 26, and Paz Diman, 39, both of Berlin, were the only two visitors to the exhibition Monday afternoon. Ms. Diman said she had been unsure about what protective gear to bring. “We thought we might need to bring gloves,” she said after climbing out of a Trabant, a typical East German car that she had gripped in order to take part in a driving simulation, “but it’s kind of a relief not to have that.” | Charlie Goldsmith, 26, and Paz Diman, 39, both of Berlin, were the only two visitors to the exhibition Monday afternoon. Ms. Diman said she had been unsure about what protective gear to bring. “We thought we might need to bring gloves,” she said after climbing out of a Trabant, a typical East German car that she had gripped in order to take part in a driving simulation, “but it’s kind of a relief not to have that.” |
| 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. |
| Mr. Goldsmith, who was celebrating his birthday, said he was comfortable touching the items with his bare hands: The lack of other visitors made any concerns about the virus irrelevant, he added. | Mr. Goldsmith, who was celebrating his birthday, said he was comfortable touching the items with his bare hands: The lack of other visitors made any concerns about the virus irrelevant, he added. |
| A few blocks away, a line was forming at the door of the German Historical Museum, where a new exhibition about the life and work of the German-American intellectual Hannah Arendt was opening. The show featured personal items belonging to Arendt, as well as numerous video and audio recordings. | A few blocks away, a line was forming at the door of the German Historical Museum, where a new exhibition about the life and work of the German-American intellectual Hannah Arendt was opening. The show featured personal items belonging to Arendt, as well as numerous video and audio recordings. |
| The museum has mandated masks and provided disinfectant wipes to clean the audio stations, but it decided not to institute a guided pathway through the exhibition. “We were nervous, because these measures only work if people follow the rules,” the museum’s vice president, Ulrike Kretzschmar, said at the museum on Monday. “But everyone is being extremely disciplined.” | The museum has mandated masks and provided disinfectant wipes to clean the audio stations, but it decided not to institute a guided pathway through the exhibition. “We were nervous, because these measures only work if people follow the rules,” the museum’s vice president, Ulrike Kretzschmar, said at the museum on Monday. “But everyone is being extremely disciplined.” |
| Although on Monday the space was approaching its reduced capacity of 65 visitors — compared to the regular 200 — people were moving through carefully and calmly. Ms. Kretzschmar said that visitors were spending, on average, two hours in the show. | Although on Monday the space was approaching its reduced capacity of 65 visitors — compared to the regular 200 — people were moving through carefully and calmly. Ms. Kretzschmar said that visitors were spending, on average, two hours in the show. |
| Indeed, for some at the exhibition, the new measures were more of a boon than an inconvenience. Katrin Neuburger, 40, said that other visitors’ newfound awareness of their surroundings had created a more focused, harmonious museum experience. “These days, you feel like everything is slowing down generally, anyway,” she said. “But it’s actually kind of nice.” | Indeed, for some at the exhibition, the new measures were more of a boon than an inconvenience. Katrin Neuburger, 40, said that other visitors’ newfound awareness of their surroundings had created a more focused, harmonious museum experience. “These days, you feel like everything is slowing down generally, anyway,” she said. “But it’s actually kind of nice.” |
| Alex Marshall contributed reporting. | Alex Marshall contributed reporting. |