Don’t ease up, public is warned

As flags flew half-staff around the country in honor of the nearly 100,000 people who have died of coronavirus, a top health official Sunday urged Americans to continue to follow social-distancing requirements during Memorial Day celebrations.

“With the country starting to open up this holiday weekend, I again remind everyone that the coronavirus is not yet contained,” tweeted Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn. “It is up to every individual to protect themselves and their community. Social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks protect us all.”

His remarks came as the U.S. coronavirus death toll neared 100,000; by Sunday afternoon, 97,495 deaths cases were tallied, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Social distancing is especially crucial in light of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s statement that person-toperson contact, rather than contaminated surfaces, is the most facile means of contracting COVID-19.

Other health officials sounded similar warnings, noting that along with an individual’s right to choose comes the need for responsible choices.

“Even as states and some state officials rush to reopen, it’s on us to make smart and safe decisions,” Dr. Seema Yasmin, a former disease detective at the CDC, told CNN.

White House coronavirus coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx voiced similar concerns, saying she was “very concerned” about the closely packed, maskless crowds seen throughout the holiday weekend.

“We really want to be clear all the time that social distancing is absolutely critical,” Birx told “This Week With George Stephanopoulos.”

“And if you can’t socialdistance and you’re outside, you must wear a mask.”