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Cyclone Amphan’s Death Toll Rises to 80 in India and Bangladesh Cyclone Amphan’s Death Toll Rises to 80 in India and Bangladesh
(3 days later)
NEW DELHI — More than 80 people were killed by the powerful cyclone that slammed into India and Bangladesh on Wednesday, wiping out thousands of homes and drenching low-lying areas in torrential rain, officials said on Thursday.NEW DELHI — More than 80 people were killed by the powerful cyclone that slammed into India and Bangladesh on Wednesday, wiping out thousands of homes and drenching low-lying areas in torrential rain, officials said on Thursday.
Many of the dead were crushed by falling trees, electrocuted by downed wires or buried inside collapsing buildings as Cyclone Amphan pummeled the region, leaving a wide swath of devastation and grief.Many of the dead were crushed by falling trees, electrocuted by downed wires or buried inside collapsing buildings as Cyclone Amphan pummeled the region, leaving a wide swath of devastation and grief.
The worst damage was reported in the Indian state of West Bengal, which includes the metropolis of Kolkata and many small, coastal villages where people live in shacks made from mud and sticks.The worst damage was reported in the Indian state of West Bengal, which includes the metropolis of Kolkata and many small, coastal villages where people live in shacks made from mud and sticks.
The storm ripped through there, and though many villagers had evacuated beforehand, as the Indian authorities had urged, some had resisting packing into shelters because they feared the coronavirus.The storm ripped through there, and though many villagers had evacuated beforehand, as the Indian authorities had urged, some had resisting packing into shelters because they feared the coronavirus.
The authorities said it was too early to know the full damage or the final death toll. Many areas were still inaccessible because of a dangerous maze of split-open trees and live electricity wires sprawled across the roads.The authorities said it was too early to know the full damage or the final death toll. Many areas were still inaccessible because of a dangerous maze of split-open trees and live electricity wires sprawled across the roads.
Initially, the Indian authorities believed that a combination of an impressive evacuation effort and the weakening of the storm as it swirled onto land had spared more lives.Initially, the Indian authorities believed that a combination of an impressive evacuation effort and the weakening of the storm as it swirled onto land had spared more lives.
But West Bengal’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, one of India’s most powerful women, said she had “never seen such a disaster before.”But West Bengal’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, one of India’s most powerful women, said she had “never seen such a disaster before.”
“At one end there is this small Covid virus that is terrifying people,” she said in a video conference. “This was another virus from the sky.”“At one end there is this small Covid virus that is terrifying people,” she said in a video conference. “This was another virus from the sky.”
On Tuesday and Wednesday, as the storm barreled up the Bay of Bengal, emergency crews plied beach roads, shouting to people through megaphones to leave their homes and go to evacuation shelters. Around three million people in India and Bangladesh heeded the calls and moved to safety.On Tuesday and Wednesday, as the storm barreled up the Bay of Bengal, emergency crews plied beach roads, shouting to people through megaphones to leave their homes and go to evacuation shelters. Around three million people in India and Bangladesh heeded the calls and moved to safety.
But Indian police officers said some villagers resisted, fearful of being stuck in a closed space with thousands of others at a time when India is struggling to contain the coronavirus.But Indian police officers said some villagers resisted, fearful of being stuck in a closed space with thousands of others at a time when India is struggling to contain the coronavirus.
Just this week, the country reported its 100,000th infection; many health experts believe the real numbers are far higher, but hidden because of India’s relatively low rates of testing.On Thursday, as the day wore on, more stories of death flowed in.Just this week, the country reported its 100,000th infection; many health experts believe the real numbers are far higher, but hidden because of India’s relatively low rates of testing.On Thursday, as the day wore on, more stories of death flowed in.
Khanat Begum, a mother in a village in southern Bangladesh, was cooking when a blast of wind uprooted her neighbor’s tree, crashing it through the roof of her home. Her 13-year-old daughter was also inside the house. They both died.Khanat Begum, a mother in a village in southern Bangladesh, was cooking when a blast of wind uprooted her neighbor’s tree, crashing it through the roof of her home. Her 13-year-old daughter was also inside the house. They both died.
Like many homes in Chandpur village, Ms. Begam’s house has been obliterated. The roads leading to the village were still blocked on Thursday.Like many homes in Chandpur village, Ms. Begam’s house has been obliterated. The roads leading to the village were still blocked on Thursday.
“Our village has been reduced to rubble,” said Israar Kamal, a resident of Chandpur.“Our village has been reduced to rubble,” said Israar Kamal, a resident of Chandpur.
The cyclone weakened further as it moved into northeastern India on Thursday, with a wind speed of 37 miles per hour. The skies over many of the cyclone-damaged areas were clear.The cyclone weakened further as it moved into northeastern India on Thursday, with a wind speed of 37 miles per hour. The skies over many of the cyclone-damaged areas were clear.
Many villagers who had fled to cyclone shelters were still inside them; others were beginning to trickle back to their villages, only to find their homes smashed to the ground, scatterings of sticks and clumps of mud.Among the reported deaths, the authorities said 10 people had died in Bangladesh and at least 73 in India.Many villagers who had fled to cyclone shelters were still inside them; others were beginning to trickle back to their villages, only to find their homes smashed to the ground, scatterings of sticks and clumps of mud.Among the reported deaths, the authorities said 10 people had died in Bangladesh and at least 73 in India.
One of the hardest-hit places was the metropolis of Kolkata, a former capital during colonial times and one of India’s biggest cities, with around 15 million people in the greater urban area. The authorities said the cyclone had killed at least 15 people there. On Thursday, its streets were littered with trees, and parked cars bumped into one another as workers struggled to clear the roads.One of the hardest-hit places was the metropolis of Kolkata, a former capital during colonial times and one of India’s biggest cities, with around 15 million people in the greater urban area. The authorities said the cyclone had killed at least 15 people there. On Thursday, its streets were littered with trees, and parked cars bumped into one another as workers struggled to clear the roads.
The cyclone’s eye had passed nearby, bringing with it 100-mile-an-hour winds and nearly nine inches of rain.The cyclone’s eye had passed nearby, bringing with it 100-mile-an-hour winds and nearly nine inches of rain.
Ms. Banerjee, the West Bengal minister, said that the region was in a “warlike” situation, and that the loss of lives could surpass the toll of Covid-19 there so far.Ms. Banerjee, the West Bengal minister, said that the region was in a “warlike” situation, and that the loss of lives could surpass the toll of Covid-19 there so far.
Videos on social media showed uprooted trees blocking roads and water cascading down the stairs of apartment buildings. The runway of Kolkata’s international airport, typically one of India’s busiest, was completely underwater and looked like a long pond.Videos on social media showed uprooted trees blocking roads and water cascading down the stairs of apartment buildings. The runway of Kolkata’s international airport, typically one of India’s busiest, was completely underwater and looked like a long pond.
“I was very scared when water started coming into my flat,” said Anushree Hamirwasia, 22, a student in Kolkata.“I was very scared when water started coming into my flat,” said Anushree Hamirwasia, 22, a student in Kolkata.
Bangladesh seemed to do better at getting people into emergency shelters. The authorities there reported evacuating around 2.4 million people; in India, officials on Wednesday estimated that around 660,000 had been evacuated.Bangladesh seemed to do better at getting people into emergency shelters. The authorities there reported evacuating around 2.4 million people; in India, officials on Wednesday estimated that around 660,000 had been evacuated.
Sankar Halder, who runs a nonprofit organization in West Bengal, said many people in his area did not take the cyclone seriously.Sankar Halder, who runs a nonprofit organization in West Bengal, said many people in his area did not take the cyclone seriously.
Villagers had become complacent, he said, having lived through cyclones before, and this time their biggest fear was coronavirus and crowding into a place where they might get infected.Villagers had become complacent, he said, having lived through cyclones before, and this time their biggest fear was coronavirus and crowding into a place where they might get infected.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
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.
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.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.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.
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.
“Even the local news was focused more on coronavirus than the cyclone,” Mr. Halder said. “When the government finally started evacuating people and people realized the intensity of the storm, it was too late.”“Even the local news was focused more on coronavirus than the cyclone,” Mr. Halder said. “When the government finally started evacuating people and people realized the intensity of the storm, it was too late.”
“The majority of the dead,’’ he said, could have escaped but “died inside their homes.”“The majority of the dead,’’ he said, could have escaped but “died inside their homes.”
Mohammed Salah Uddin, 42, said he and 10 others returned to his village in southern Bangladesh on Thursday after crisscrossing knocked-down trees and electrical poles littering the roads. He said that the shelter he had fled to was very crowded inside, and that people had not maintained a safe distance from one another, despite the threat of the coronavirus.Mohammed Salah Uddin, 42, said he and 10 others returned to his village in southern Bangladesh on Thursday after crisscrossing knocked-down trees and electrical poles littering the roads. He said that the shelter he had fled to was very crowded inside, and that people had not maintained a safe distance from one another, despite the threat of the coronavirus.
“It looked scary,” Mr. Uddin said. “It is better to live in a destroyed home than catch the diseases.”“It looked scary,” Mr. Uddin said. “It is better to live in a destroyed home than catch the diseases.”
Photographs from other shelters in Bangladesh showed huge crowds of people, few of them wearing masks.Photographs from other shelters in Bangladesh showed huge crowds of people, few of them wearing masks.
Another area that got walloped was the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest and a wildlife refuge, home to endangered species including Bengal tigers.Another area that got walloped was the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest and a wildlife refuge, home to endangered species including Bengal tigers.
The cyclone whipped right through the Sundarbans, which stretches across the border of India and Bangladesh along the Bay of Bengal.The cyclone whipped right through the Sundarbans, which stretches across the border of India and Bangladesh along the Bay of Bengal.
Villagers in that area told Belinda Wright, the executive director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India, that there wasn’t “a tree standing.”Villagers in that area told Belinda Wright, the executive director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India, that there wasn’t “a tree standing.”
But the villagers also relayed that no one had been injured in the storm.But the villagers also relayed that no one had been injured in the storm.
“They don’t like leaving their homes,” Ms. Wright said, but most did because they knew how “terribly dangerous” cyclones can be, she added.“They don’t like leaving their homes,” Ms. Wright said, but most did because they knew how “terribly dangerous” cyclones can be, she added.
Rescue operations intensified on Thursday across the entire belt of devastation. Jawhar Sircar, a retired government administrator who lives in Kolkata, said that in his part of the city, the situation was calm. Electricity was back on, though essential supplies like vegetables and fruits were still not available because street vendors were unable to move on the roads.Rescue operations intensified on Thursday across the entire belt of devastation. Jawhar Sircar, a retired government administrator who lives in Kolkata, said that in his part of the city, the situation was calm. Electricity was back on, though essential supplies like vegetables and fruits were still not available because street vendors were unable to move on the roads.
“The mood in Kolkata is like it is all over now,” he said.“The mood in Kolkata is like it is all over now,” he said.
Hari Kumar contributed reporting.Hari Kumar contributed reporting.