More than 57,000 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in the United States in the past 24 hours, setting another record for new infections just as the country heads for the July 4 holiday.
Coronavirus cases are on the rise in 37 states, a dramatic turn that is now leading health officials to warn that the outbreak will spiral out of control even further if Americans don’t stay home this weekend.
In many places, parades and picnics have been canceled and even backyard barbecues are discouraged. Miami’s generally crowded beaches are closed, and the county has ordered a curfew.
Nationwide, more than 129,000 people have been killed by the virus, and there are more than 2.7 million cases across the country.
While most of the country’s traditional fireworks have been reduced or canceled, President Trump heads to Mount Rushmore to see a Fireworks show with a crowd that could exceed 7,500 people. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said wearing masks and social distancing will not apply.
In Galveston, Texas, officials feared crowds would come to flee Houston, where 1 in 4 people is now testing positive for COVID-19. “We are primarily seeing an increase in youth who are not really taking the risk of this into account,” said Dr. Philip Keizer of the Galveston County Health Department.
Blocks for this holiday weekend follow an increase in cases and reopens after Memorial Day.
Chris Palone, the owner of the Rail Club in Fort Worth, became a rogue and opened his business in defiance of Governor Gregg Abbott’s order to close bars in the state. “I am responsible for the ability of 15 employees to feed their children,” said Palone.
The Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission said it will have agents statewide this weekend to enforce the governor’s order. Any bar caught violating the order could suspend their alcohol license, CBS Dallas Fort Worth reported.
“The science is clear: wear a mask, practice social distancing, and the outside is generally safer than the inside because there is better ventilation outdoors,” said CBS News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook.
For companies like Abuelitas Taqueria in Gavelston, it won’t be the weekend to make money that it usually is, and owner Sara Asocar agrees with that.
“What do you think about the beaches being closed?” CBS News asked.
“Well, the closed beaches should never have been opened, without offending outsiders or tourists,” said Asocar.
Traditional celebrations look different this year. Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas are among the cities that have canceled fireworks. New York has been doing smaller exhibits all week.
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