Coronavirus cases are on the rise in 36 states before the weekend, with California, Arizona, Texas and Florida posting a record number of new infections this week.
Despite the grim milestones, people crave a certain normality They are planning barbecues, lake dives, and fireworks-viewing gatherings. But some find that the beaches in Miami and Los Angeles are closed, that tubes in Texas rivers are banned, and that some of the city’s celebrations are held primarily on live broadcasts.
Without stringent security measures, health experts fear the holiday weekend may bring a wave of new infections that can overwhelm hospitals. To avoid a public health disaster, they are pleading with people to wear masks, jump bars and crowded places, and avoid mixing with people outside their homes.
“What we know is that our behavior is the most powerful tool we have at the moment against the virus,” said Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California surgeon general. “And we really need people to, you know, step forward. I know people are tired, but it’s absolutely important.”
Health workers call on governor
The letter dated Thursday urged the governor to close bars and nightclubs and ban indoor gatherings of more than 25 people, including in places of worship. It also recommends a statewide facial coverage requirement that allows mayors and county officials to set appropriate requirements for their jurisdictions.
“Over the past week, we have seen a sharp increase in cases that cannot be explained by increased testing. We are also seeing a very worrying increase in hospitalizations that, if it continues, will overwhelm our health care infrastructure, not just in the metro Atlanta area but also in rural Georgia, “the letter said.
Dr. Jesse Couk, president of infectious diseases at the Shepherd Center and doctor at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, told CNN that he worked with other doctors and health professionals to create the letter after being frustrated by the lack of action after an increase in cases.
Couk and other medical contacts worked together to create the letter and have other health professionals sign it. She said she wanted to highlight the need for greater social distancing and more restrictions to curb the spread, and spoke as a member of the Georgia Infectious Diseases Society and not as a representative of Piedmont Atlanta.
More states mandate sweeping mask mandates
“We have the ability to keep business open and advance our economy so that Texans can continue to earn a paycheck, but it requires each of us to do our part … and that means wearing a mask in public spaces.” . Governor Greg Abbott said.
Other governors have also issued orders statewide, including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, and Michigan. And in Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee signed an executive order giving mayors in 89 counties the authority to issue mask requirements. It allows local governments to issue mandates if an increase requires more preventive measures.
“While our densely populated urban areas continue to have the highest Covid-19 case rates, our local governments expressed the need for more flexibility to address an increase in cases and that includes setting stronger expectations around masks” Lee said in a statement. “This specific approach ensures that we protect both lives and livelihoods and keep our economy open in Tennessee.”
In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the beaches will be open to thousands of visitors over the holiday weekend, but with a mask requirement to help stop the spread, Mayor Brenda Bethune said.
Of the 36 states whose new cases have increased this week compared to the previous one, nine of them have increased by more than 50%. They are Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alaska, and Delaware.
CNN’s Ray Sanchez, Steve Almasy and Nicole Chavez contributed to this report.
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