BUG SURGE FEARED Docs gird for COVID return as people mass in streets

In the weeks before George Floyd’s death, standing within 6 feet of another person was unthinkable to most Americans because of the coronavirus.

But the heart-wrenching video of Floyd’s final moments — screaming he could not breathe as a white Minneapolis cop dug a knee into his neck — set off a visceral reaction across the country that could not be contained.

Suddenly, social distancing was thrown aside, as hundreds of thousands of people flooded city streets to protest the systemic racism they believe underpinned Floyd’s killing. In many cases, protesters and officers alike have been seen shoulder-to-shoulder without face masks.

Public health experts who spoke with the Daily News this week fear that the mass protests are all but certain to trigger a new wave of coronavirus infections — especially given the face mask flouting.

“I will be shocked if we don’t see a rise in cases. We’re all holding our breaths right now,” said Dr. Anne Liu, an infectious disease physician at Stanford University Hospital. “I cheer when I see these protesters, but I cringe when I see so many uncovered noses and mouths.”

Though face masks do not guarantee protection against the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say they are instrumental in preventing asymptomatic individuals from unwittingly spreading it.

All it would take for a so-called “super spreader” event to occur at a protest is for one asymptomatic carrier to show up without a mask, according to Dr. William Hanage, a professor of epidemiology and communicable disease dynamics at Harvard University.

“There’s the case where a man went to a South Korean nightclub that led to an infection of 90 people who then went on to infect 60 more. Given that, it’s very easy to understand that there are likely to be spikes and unexpected flareups from protests that are attracting thousands,” Hanage said.

In the city, thousands of protesters and cops have packed streets and squares every day since the demonstrations began last week.

The same was true for Thursday’s Floyd memorial rally in Brooklyn’s Cadman Plaza, where social distancing was not maintained and some stragglers were seen without masks.

Face mask usage among NYPD officers has been particularly spotty.

At a protest Wednesday outside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, The News counted more than two dozn officers who weren’t earing masks.

They had a range of explaations for why their faces ere bare.

“Honestly, I just ran out,” said an officer with the last name Berald on his nameplate. “There’s been a shortage. I’m sure you know.”

Another officer named Miah claimed the mask was uncomfortable: “It’s too hot. We have a lot of gear on.”

A third cop, Joseph Osolin, said he didn’t need to wear one.

“We put it on whenever we have to,” Osolin said, even though he stood within 6 feet of a group of other maskless officers.

Dr. Barry Bloom, a longtime infectious disease expert who has advised several presidents on public health policy, was dismayed by the justifications offered by the NYPD officers.