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| Hit Hard by Coronavirus, Russia Holds a Mostly Mask-Free Victory Parade | Hit Hard by Coronavirus, Russia Holds a Mostly Mask-Free Victory Parade |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| MOSCOW — Putting to one side Russia’s unfinished battle against the coronavirus, President Vladimir V. Putin on Wednesday celebrated his country’s victory 75 years ago against Nazi Germany, presiding over an enormous military parade through Red Square that featured thousands of soldiers marching shoulder-to-shoulder without face masks. | MOSCOW — Putting to one side Russia’s unfinished battle against the coronavirus, President Vladimir V. Putin on Wednesday celebrated his country’s victory 75 years ago against Nazi Germany, presiding over an enormous military parade through Red Square that featured thousands of soldiers marching shoulder-to-shoulder without face masks. |
| The parade, the largest of several celebrations taking place nationwide, was originally scheduled for May 9, a joyous annual holiday known as Victory Day, but was delayed for six weeks by the coronavirus pandemic. The outbreak continues to grow in Russia — the world’s third hardest hit country, with nearly 600,000 cases — but at a slightly slower pace than before. | The parade, the largest of several celebrations taking place nationwide, was originally scheduled for May 9, a joyous annual holiday known as Victory Day, but was delayed for six weeks by the coronavirus pandemic. The outbreak continues to grow in Russia — the world’s third hardest hit country, with nearly 600,000 cases — but at a slightly slower pace than before. |
| Aging veterans in their 80s and 90s joined Mr. Putin on the reviewing stand, nearly all of them without masks, to watch 14,000 troops march in tight formation to stirring martial music. Tanks, missiles and other military equipment then trundled through the square in front of the Kremlin, followed by a flyover by strategic bombers, fighter jets and helicopters. | Aging veterans in their 80s and 90s joined Mr. Putin on the reviewing stand, nearly all of them without masks, to watch 14,000 troops march in tight formation to stirring martial music. Tanks, missiles and other military equipment then trundled through the square in front of the Kremlin, followed by a flyover by strategic bombers, fighter jets and helicopters. |
| Mr. Putin, who has spent most of the past three months cooped up at his country residence, is hoping that the Moscow parade, one of dozens held across the country on Wednesday, will help lift the gloom that has settled over his rule in recent weeks. The crisis has sent his approval rating to its lowest level since he came to power 20 years ago. | Mr. Putin, who has spent most of the past three months cooped up at his country residence, is hoping that the Moscow parade, one of dozens held across the country on Wednesday, will help lift the gloom that has settled over his rule in recent weeks. The crisis has sent his approval rating to its lowest level since he came to power 20 years ago. |
| Having staked so much of his previous popularity on Russia’s re-emergence as a major global power, Mr. Putin on Wednesday basked in the glory of Russia’s immense role in the defeat of Hitler’s Germany and the liberation of Europe during World War II. | Having staked so much of his previous popularity on Russia’s re-emergence as a major global power, Mr. Putin on Wednesday basked in the glory of Russia’s immense role in the defeat of Hitler’s Germany and the liberation of Europe during World War II. |
| “It is impossible to even imagine what would have happened to the world had it not been for the Red Army that stood up to defend it” against fascism, he said in a speech at the start of the parade. | “It is impossible to even imagine what would have happened to the world had it not been for the Red Army that stood up to defend it” against fascism, he said in a speech at the start of the parade. |
| Few foreign leaders, however, were on hand to hear his message. European leaders stayed away, with a few exceptions: the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and the leaders of Moldova and Belarus, former Soviet republics. President Emmanuel Macron of France and others had planned to attend the previously planned parade in May but skipped the rescheduled event. | |
| China and India, vying for Russia’s support after recent clashes between their armies in a remote border region, sent senior officials and also soldiers, who took part in the parade. China sent the largest foreign contingent. | China and India, vying for Russia’s support after recent clashes between their armies in a remote border region, sent senior officials and also soldiers, who took part in the parade. China sent the largest foreign contingent. |
| The military parades began shortly after midnight Moscow time on Tuesday evening in Kamchatka on the Pacific Ocean and then rolled across the country’s 11 time zones. As the main parade was winding down in Moscow, troops began marching in Kaliningrad, a former German territory known as East Prussia that was seized by the Soviet Union after Hitler’s defeat. | The military parades began shortly after midnight Moscow time on Tuesday evening in Kamchatka on the Pacific Ocean and then rolled across the country’s 11 time zones. As the main parade was winding down in Moscow, troops began marching in Kaliningrad, a former German territory known as East Prussia that was seized by the Soviet Union after Hitler’s defeat. |
| Kremlin critics have accused Mr. Putin of gambling with public health in order to put himself at the center of a gigantic display of Russia’s military might and to rally support ahead of a nationwide vote on his future. Voting on constitutional amendments that would allow Mr. Putin to stay in power until 2036 begins on Thursday. | Kremlin critics have accused Mr. Putin of gambling with public health in order to put himself at the center of a gigantic display of Russia’s military might and to rally support ahead of a nationwide vote on his future. Voting on constitutional amendments that would allow Mr. Putin to stay in power until 2036 begins on Thursday. |
| The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, urged residents to watch the parade on television instead of thronging the streets of the city as they usually do. Thousands of people still went outside to watch, but the crowds were smaller than usual. | The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, urged residents to watch the parade on television instead of thronging the streets of the city as they usually do. Thousands of people still went outside to watch, but the crowds were smaller than usual. |
| Yelena Loginova, a 36-year-old psychologist, who attended the parade said she had ignored the mayor’s advice to watch the events on TV because it was “much more interesting” to see in person. | Yelena Loginova, a 36-year-old psychologist, who attended the parade said she had ignored the mayor’s advice to watch the events on TV because it was “much more interesting” to see in person. |
| “You immediately have totally different emotions than on television,” she said. “You feel it directly when the heavy ones drive by. The asphalt shakes under your feet.” | “You immediately have totally different emotions than on television,” she said. “You feel it directly when the heavy ones drive by. The asphalt shakes under your feet.” |
| She said she had traveled with her son from a Yoshkar-Ola, a town 500 miles east of Moscow, just to see the parade in person. Wearing a mask pulled down to her chin, she said she had not even thought about the possible risks of standing in a crowd of strangers on the street. | She said she had traveled with her son from a Yoshkar-Ola, a town 500 miles east of Moscow, just to see the parade in person. Wearing a mask pulled down to her chin, she said she had not even thought about the possible risks of standing in a crowd of strangers on the street. |
| Russia on Wednesday reported 7,176 new coronavirus cases over the previous 24 hours. The daily increase in infections has dropped from around 10,000 in May, but public health officials have warned that the battle is far from over. | |
| In a sign of the risks involved in holding such a large-scale event, two members of an official delegation that traveled from Kyrgyzstan to attend the Moscow parade tested positive for coronavirus. The Kyrgyz president, who was traveling with them, stayed away from Red Square. | |
| Updated June 24, 2020 | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| Even Mr. Putin, in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday, cautioned that, “the fight against the epidemic continues.” | Even Mr. Putin, in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday, cautioned that, “the fight against the epidemic continues.” |
| With the economy and his ratings slumping, however, Mr. Putin has sought to revive the country’s spirit with proud memories of Russia’s unequivocal triumph over Nazi Germany. | With the economy and his ratings slumping, however, Mr. Putin has sought to revive the country’s spirit with proud memories of Russia’s unequivocal triumph over Nazi Germany. |
| The Soviet Union lost up to 27 million lives during World War II, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War. Mr. Putin has made the victory over fascism the touchstone of Russia’s collective identity, while also using it as a propaganda battering ram against the West or any grievances directed at Moscow from abroad. | The Soviet Union lost up to 27 million lives during World War II, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War. Mr. Putin has made the victory over fascism the touchstone of Russia’s collective identity, while also using it as a propaganda battering ram against the West or any grievances directed at Moscow from abroad. |
| In a lengthy essay published last week, Mr. Putin assailed what he described as Western distortions of history, defending a 1939 pact of friendship between the Kremlin and Hitler as an inevitable consequence of appeasement by Britain, France and others. He also claimed that the Baltic States, seized by the Soviet Union as part of the 1939 pact with Hitler, had freely given up their independence and had no right to complain about Soviet aggression. | In a lengthy essay published last week, Mr. Putin assailed what he described as Western distortions of history, defending a 1939 pact of friendship between the Kremlin and Hitler as an inevitable consequence of appeasement by Britain, France and others. He also claimed that the Baltic States, seized by the Soviet Union as part of the 1939 pact with Hitler, had freely given up their independence and had no right to complain about Soviet aggression. |
| Mr. Putin’s own version of history has infuriated Baltic countries and also Poland, which he accused of conniving with Hitler. But the issue has become so inviolable inside Russia that among the constitutional amendments up for a vote this week is one banning the “distortion” of Russia’s past. | Mr. Putin’s own version of history has infuriated Baltic countries and also Poland, which he accused of conniving with Hitler. But the issue has become so inviolable inside Russia that among the constitutional amendments up for a vote this week is one banning the “distortion” of Russia’s past. |
| Moscow held its first grand victory parade on June 24, 1945, an event presided over by Stalin, and resumed the ritual in 1965 under the Soviet leader Leonid I. Brezhnev. The tradition was halted after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union until President Boris N. Yeltsin revived it in 1995, the 50th anniversary of Hitler’s defeat, with a large display of troops and military hardware in Red Square. | Moscow held its first grand victory parade on June 24, 1945, an event presided over by Stalin, and resumed the ritual in 1965 under the Soviet leader Leonid I. Brezhnev. The tradition was halted after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union until President Boris N. Yeltsin revived it in 1995, the 50th anniversary of Hitler’s defeat, with a large display of troops and military hardware in Red Square. |
| President Clinton and several other Western leaders attended Mr. Yeltsin’s celebration, a display of respect for Russia’s wartime sacrifice that Mr. Putin had hoped would be repeated this year. | President Clinton and several other Western leaders attended Mr. Yeltsin’s celebration, a display of respect for Russia’s wartime sacrifice that Mr. Putin had hoped would be repeated this year. |
| While pledging that Russia “will never forget our allies’ contribution to the common victory,” Mr. Putin had a blunt message for absent Western leaders: | |
| “Remember that the Soviet people shouldered the main burden of the fight against Nazism,” he said. “It was our people who defeated the terrible, total evil, crushed more than 600 divisions, destroyed 75 percent of the total number of Nazi aircraft, tanks, artillery units, and walked their righteous and infinitely sacrificial path to the end, to their victorious destination.” | “Remember that the Soviet people shouldered the main burden of the fight against Nazism,” he said. “It was our people who defeated the terrible, total evil, crushed more than 600 divisions, destroyed 75 percent of the total number of Nazi aircraft, tanks, artillery units, and walked their righteous and infinitely sacrificial path to the end, to their victorious destination.” |
| This, he said, “is the main truth about the war, honest and clear.” | This, he said, “is the main truth about the war, honest and clear.” |
| Sophia Kishkovsky contributed reporting. | Sophia Kishkovsky contributed reporting. |