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As Paris Tiptoes Toward Normalcy, Infections Are Sharply Down As Paris Tiptoes Toward Normalcy, Infections Are Sharply Down
(8 days later)
PARIS — Coronavirus infections have dropped sharply in Paris following a strict two-month lockdown and a growing contact tracing effort, health officials say, and they have remained in check since the city began a halting return to life nearly two weeks ago.PARIS — Coronavirus infections have dropped sharply in Paris following a strict two-month lockdown and a growing contact tracing effort, health officials say, and they have remained in check since the city began a halting return to life nearly two weeks ago.
“The drop is pretty spectacular,” said Renaud Piarroux, head of parasitology at one of the main Paris hospitals and organizer of the city’s mobile contact tracing teams. The decline has been sharpest in what were the city’s viral hot spots, in the less affluent northern neighborhoods. “For right now there are very, very few cases,” he said. “It’s just a small number that are testing positive.”“The drop is pretty spectacular,” said Renaud Piarroux, head of parasitology at one of the main Paris hospitals and organizer of the city’s mobile contact tracing teams. The decline has been sharpest in what were the city’s viral hot spots, in the less affluent northern neighborhoods. “For right now there are very, very few cases,” he said. “It’s just a small number that are testing positive.”
But if the initial signs are hopeful, the reopening of Paris has been muted, in keeping with the national mood: fearful of what lies ahead, and angry at the government.But if the initial signs are hopeful, the reopening of Paris has been muted, in keeping with the national mood: fearful of what lies ahead, and angry at the government.
On the streets of Paris, shops have reopened, though many still lack customers. The police no longer check self-signed permits to leave home, yet streets in normally crowded neighborhoods like the Marais remain quiet. Table service at cafes and restaurants remains forbidden, a source of despair for chefs and cafe owners.On the streets of Paris, shops have reopened, though many still lack customers. The police no longer check self-signed permits to leave home, yet streets in normally crowded neighborhoods like the Marais remain quiet. Table service at cafes and restaurants remains forbidden, a source of despair for chefs and cafe owners.
Even the ceaseless infighting of French politics is reclaiming its central spot, an unmistakable harbinger of normality. This week President Emmanuel Macron lost his absolute majority in Parliament as seven of his party’s representatives joined a new parliamentary group, along with others, some of them previous defectors.Even the ceaseless infighting of French politics is reclaiming its central spot, an unmistakable harbinger of normality. This week President Emmanuel Macron lost his absolute majority in Parliament as seven of his party’s representatives joined a new parliamentary group, along with others, some of them previous defectors.
It was a blow to Mr. Macron, symbolizing the erosion of his political standing after three years in office. Still, allies predicted that he would have no trouble passing his bills as affiliated parties continue to back him. But the signs of disenchantment are unmistakable.It was a blow to Mr. Macron, symbolizing the erosion of his political standing after three years in office. Still, allies predicted that he would have no trouble passing his bills as affiliated parties continue to back him. But the signs of disenchantment are unmistakable.
A pensive-looking Mr. Macron was on the cover of the weekly Le Point under the headline, “Will He Really Pull Us Out of This?”A pensive-looking Mr. Macron was on the cover of the weekly Le Point under the headline, “Will He Really Pull Us Out of This?”
New polls suggest that for most French, unreasonably or not, top officials have not met their expectations in the crisis. Sixty-two percent of respondents in a recent poll conducted for BFM television said they were not confident that Mr. Macron was up to the challenge.New polls suggest that for most French, unreasonably or not, top officials have not met their expectations in the crisis. Sixty-two percent of respondents in a recent poll conducted for BFM television said they were not confident that Mr. Macron was up to the challenge.
The French, more critical of their government than other Europeans, mostly disapprove of his handling of the crisis, though it has been no worse, and somewhat better, than that of most other Western leaders.The French, more critical of their government than other Europeans, mostly disapprove of his handling of the crisis, though it has been no worse, and somewhat better, than that of most other Western leaders.
Indeed there are signs that the confinement ordered by Mr. Macron on March 16 was bearing fruit.Indeed there are signs that the confinement ordered by Mr. Macron on March 16 was bearing fruit.
At the height of the epidemic at the end of March, the Paris public hospital system was encountering more than 1,000 infections a day. On Sunday it found a mere 22, and often over the last two weeks the number has been under 100. The dense 18th, 19th, 20th and 13th arrondissements have gone from being large dark blobs on the hospital system’s outbreak map to small light-colored circles.At the height of the epidemic at the end of March, the Paris public hospital system was encountering more than 1,000 infections a day. On Sunday it found a mere 22, and often over the last two weeks the number has been under 100. The dense 18th, 19th, 20th and 13th arrondissements have gone from being large dark blobs on the hospital system’s outbreak map to small light-colored circles.
“We have virtually reached a total halt to the circulation” of the virus, said François Bricaire, an infectious diseases specialist at the National Academy of Medicine.“We have virtually reached a total halt to the circulation” of the virus, said François Bricaire, an infectious diseases specialist at the National Academy of Medicine.
Two factors have contributed, Mr. Piarroux said: the well-observed and enforced lockdown, and the contact tracing effort, where teams have been going to the homes of those infected or suspected of being infected, to help organize confinement and to trace possible chains of transmission.Two factors have contributed, Mr. Piarroux said: the well-observed and enforced lockdown, and the contact tracing effort, where teams have been going to the homes of those infected or suspected of being infected, to help organize confinement and to trace possible chains of transmission.
“Confinement contributed enormously to the progress we’re seeing in the situation,” Mr. Piarroux said.“Confinement contributed enormously to the progress we’re seeing in the situation,” Mr. Piarroux said.
Hospitalizations have continued to drop, as have the overall number of patients in intensive care. With more than 28,000 deaths, France has a per capita death rate lower than that of Britain, Italy and Spain, though higher than that of Germany or the United States.Hospitalizations have continued to drop, as have the overall number of patients in intensive care. With more than 28,000 deaths, France has a per capita death rate lower than that of Britain, Italy and Spain, though higher than that of Germany or the United States.
“The number of risky contacts has diminished, and that’s very good news,” France’s national health director, Jérôme Salomon, told journalists Tuesday evening. “Objectively we’ve got the French very mobilized, and rigorous in applying defensive measures.”“The number of risky contacts has diminished, and that’s very good news,” France’s national health director, Jérôme Salomon, told journalists Tuesday evening. “Objectively we’ve got the French very mobilized, and rigorous in applying defensive measures.”
Mr. Piarroux credited the mobile tracing units. “We’ve got enough teams on the ground to break the chain of transmission, and to reduce the size of the epidemic,” he said. “And that’s what we’re doing.”Mr. Piarroux credited the mobile tracing units. “We’ve got enough teams on the ground to break the chain of transmission, and to reduce the size of the epidemic,” he said. “And that’s what we’re doing.”
Still, all urged caution, saying it was too early to measure the real effects of the end of the lockdown.Still, all urged caution, saying it was too early to measure the real effects of the end of the lockdown.
“We’re not seeing any new growth in the circulation of the virus,” France’s health minister, Olivier Veran, told reporters on Wednesday. “But that doesn’t mean the virus isn’t circulating,” he said. “We’ll see in a few days the impact of deconfinement on the epidemic.”“We’re not seeing any new growth in the circulation of the virus,” France’s health minister, Olivier Veran, told reporters on Wednesday. “But that doesn’t mean the virus isn’t circulating,” he said. “We’ll see in a few days the impact of deconfinement on the epidemic.”
Mr. Bricaire suggested that perhaps just as important as the active measures France has taken is what he characterized as a natural decline in the intensity of the epidemic. “Maybe we are simply seeing a natural drop. It is the intermingling of a natural phenomenon, and the lockdown,” he said.Mr. Bricaire suggested that perhaps just as important as the active measures France has taken is what he characterized as a natural decline in the intensity of the epidemic. “Maybe we are simply seeing a natural drop. It is the intermingling of a natural phenomenon, and the lockdown,” he said.
Still, the poll conducted for BFM television by the ELABE polling firm found 62 percent proclaiming “unease” with the end of confinement. The country both yearned for it and was afraid the government had moved too quickly.Still, the poll conducted for BFM television by the ELABE polling firm found 62 percent proclaiming “unease” with the end of confinement. The country both yearned for it and was afraid the government had moved too quickly.
“People are being very timid,” said Philippe Bonaventure, a leather-work artisan hanging out in the normally buoyant food-shopping neighborhood around the Place d’Aligre. Shoppers crept about timidly as if they didn’t quite believe their new freedom.“People are being very timid,” said Philippe Bonaventure, a leather-work artisan hanging out in the normally buoyant food-shopping neighborhood around the Place d’Aligre. Shoppers crept about timidly as if they didn’t quite believe their new freedom.
“Personally, I find this situation absolutely sketchy,” said Mr. Bonaventure. “Sad. Desperate,” he added, explaining that he remained “pessimistic” about the future. “Half my existence is in the cafes,” he said. And the cafes remained closed.“Personally, I find this situation absolutely sketchy,” said Mr. Bonaventure. “Sad. Desperate,” he added, explaining that he remained “pessimistic” about the future. “Half my existence is in the cafes,” he said. And the cafes remained closed.
Updated June 24, 2020
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
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.
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.
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 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.
Dozens of legal and criminal complaints have been filed alleging administrative negligence. Support for Mr. Macron was already low before the virus hit.Dozens of legal and criminal complaints have been filed alleging administrative negligence. Support for Mr. Macron was already low before the virus hit.
“You can’t ignore the context,” said the political scientist Bruno Cautrès. “This crisis comes after a whole series of other crises,” like the Yellow Vests and the furor over pension reform, which set off months of strikes. “There has been a mixture of pessimism and disappointment in Emmanuel Macron.”“You can’t ignore the context,” said the political scientist Bruno Cautrès. “This crisis comes after a whole series of other crises,” like the Yellow Vests and the furor over pension reform, which set off months of strikes. “There has been a mixture of pessimism and disappointment in Emmanuel Macron.”
Here and there, glimmerings of exuberance have been quickly tamped down by the authorities. To celebrate their liberation, young people congregated joyously on the banks of the Seine and the Canal Saint-Martin with six-packs of beer. In response, officials, worried about crowds, moved to ban alcohol at these gatherings.Here and there, glimmerings of exuberance have been quickly tamped down by the authorities. To celebrate their liberation, young people congregated joyously on the banks of the Seine and the Canal Saint-Martin with six-packs of beer. In response, officials, worried about crowds, moved to ban alcohol at these gatherings.
Just to make sure Parisians didn’t enjoy their new freedom too much, Mr. Macron’s government kept the city’s parks closed, to the fury of the Paris mayor, Anne Hidalgo. “It can be all too tempting, with the sun out,” Mr. Véran, the health minister, explained.Just to make sure Parisians didn’t enjoy their new freedom too much, Mr. Macron’s government kept the city’s parks closed, to the fury of the Paris mayor, Anne Hidalgo. “It can be all too tempting, with the sun out,” Mr. Véran, the health minister, explained.
Ms. Hidalgo insisted that cooped-up Parisians desperately needed the outdoors. “We’ve got to loosen the vise,” she said, pointing out that Paris is one of the world’s densest cities. A doctor’s group agreed with her to no avail.Ms. Hidalgo insisted that cooped-up Parisians desperately needed the outdoors. “We’ve got to loosen the vise,” she said, pointing out that Paris is one of the world’s densest cities. A doctor’s group agreed with her to no avail.
Elsewhere, pessimism was the order of the day, with the restaurant industry, vital to both Paris life and the tourism business, warning of widespread bankruptcies.Elsewhere, pessimism was the order of the day, with the restaurant industry, vital to both Paris life and the tourism business, warning of widespread bankruptcies.
Aimé Cougoureux was slumped in a corner of his cafe’s terrace on the Place des Vosges, lamenting the lost revenue and missing Americans. Normally packed with tourists and Parisians, it was so quiet recently in the iconic early 17th-century square in the Marais you could hear the birds singing in the newly leafed-out trees.Aimé Cougoureux was slumped in a corner of his cafe’s terrace on the Place des Vosges, lamenting the lost revenue and missing Americans. Normally packed with tourists and Parisians, it was so quiet recently in the iconic early 17th-century square in the Marais you could hear the birds singing in the newly leafed-out trees.
In the half-light inside the closed Ma Bourgogne, Mr. Cougoureux’s tables and chairs were stacked up, gathering dust.In the half-light inside the closed Ma Bourgogne, Mr. Cougoureux’s tables and chairs were stacked up, gathering dust.
“It’s only now that people are realizing how important conviviality is,” Mr. Cougoureux said sadly. “We didn’t even realize how good we had it, before,” he said. “Now, the Frenchman, he’s out there in the street, and he’s looking around like a lost cat. And I’m looking around, and I’m saying, ‘Good God, what the hell is going on?’ ”“It’s only now that people are realizing how important conviviality is,” Mr. Cougoureux said sadly. “We didn’t even realize how good we had it, before,” he said. “Now, the Frenchman, he’s out there in the street, and he’s looking around like a lost cat. And I’m looking around, and I’m saying, ‘Good God, what the hell is going on?’ ”
Aurelien Breeden contributed reporting.Aurelien Breeden contributed reporting.