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Three US states USA They have allowed some companies to reopen under the watchful eye of the rest of the country, and other governors weigh their options as the coronavirus epidemic crossed another grimy milestone with deaths exceeding the 50,000 mark and infections approaching a million.
The Trump White House continued on Friday to deal with outrage sparked by President Donald Trump’s suggestion to use household disinfectants to kill the virus inside human bodies as it does outside on surfaces. He himself tried to dismiss it as a “sarcastic question” for journalists, which was not the case.
Although the spread of the virus has slowed with a drop in new cases, hospitalization, the number of infections and deaths continued to rise. The reported confirmed infections rose to 905,364 with 36,188 more in the last 24 hours and deaths to 51,956 with 1,995 more, which is the lowest in weeks.
As the situation has improved, frustration has grown over the blockades and states are under increasing pressure to begin removing the restrictions, either partially or totally. And calls get more intense as the block or its variations expire at the end of the month, around April 30.
Georgia, Alaska and Oklahoma allowed the resumption of some commercial activities on Friday, under the strict obligation to comply with the rules of social distancing. South Carolina reopened department stores and flea markets earlier in the week, and Tennessee has announced that they do not plan to extend the blockade.
The reopening of nail and beauty salons, spas, bowling alleys, gyms and tattoo parlors was allowed on Friday and restaurant restoration is scheduled for next week in Georgia. Oklahoma has allowed pet salons, barbers, and groomers. And Alaska has eased restrictions on restaurants, retail stores, and nonessential businesses, including nail and beauty salons.
Georgia is being seen as a test case by many other states that are also eager to open but are careful not to trigger a resurgence. Governor Brian Kemp, a Republican, is seen as reckless and Trump publicly scolded him for rushing, challenging the three-phase federal reopening guidelines.
New York, the epicenter of the American epidemic, California and Illinois remain under strict closure orders with their governors saying they intend to keep them in place.
New York is improving. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said deaths have decreased, with 422 single-day tolls on Friday being the lowest since the beginning of the month. The state’s toll increased to 21,411 on Saturday; with 16,646 in New York City alone.
Citing a new investigation, the governor said Friday that the virus arrived in New York from Italy, which goes against President Trump and his administration’s efforts to blame China for the epidemic and that could have prevented further spread in the United States by banning China travelers in early February.
