What a gradual ‘reopening’ looks like

Americans are understandably anxious to get back to normal as soon as possible. But any “reopening” in the foreseeable future may not look the way we imagine.

Instead of a swift return to our pre-coronavirus lives, we’re more likely to see a gradual easing of some restrictions while many others remain in place. It may be less about putting the pandemic behind us and more about learning to live with it, perhaps for a long time.

That is what’s happening in several countries that are farther down the road than the U.S.

A few European nations that were quick to enact strict policies are cautiously relaxing them now: Austria will let some shops reopen next week, and Denmark is reopening day care centers and primary schools on April 15. Both said they would clamp down again if they spotted any signs of a second wave of infections.

In a symbolically important move, China lifted the lockdown of Wuhan on Tuesday. The city of 11 million people had been shut down and sealed off for 10 weeks.

Shops have reopened, but many have set up counters by the street so customers can make purchases while remaining outside. Residents can now leave the city, but only after the authorities review their travel and medical histories. Buses and subway trains are running again, but officials are still telling everyone to stay home as much as possible, and schools remain closed.

Life is creeping back in Wuhan, according to our colleagues Raymond Zhong and Vivian Wang, but the trauma from the epidemic “could linger for decades,” and true normalcy is nowhere in sight.