Patriotic fervor across US
Virus cases climb as officials call for restraint
Health officials across the country hope Americans keep their July Fourth celebrations low key to avoid another holiday spike in coronavirus cases. Confirmed cases of COVID-19 are rising in 40 states.
The U.S. headed into the Fourth of July weekend with many parades and fireworks displays canceled, beaches and bars closed, and health authorities warning that this will be a crucial test of Americans’ self-control that could determine the trajectory of the surging coronavirus outbreak.
With confirmed cases climbing in 40 states, governors have ordered the wearing of masks in public, and families were urged to celebrate their independence at home. Even then, they were told to keep their backyard cookouts small.
Health experts agree this will be a pivotal moment in determining whether the nation slides into a deeper mess. The fear is that a weekend of crowded pool parties, picnics and parades will fuel the surge.
“We’re not going to be arresting people for having gatherings, but we’re certainly going to discourage it,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, public health director for Seattle and King County.
Those who decide they must gather with a small group of family members need to be careful, he said: “Don’t share utensils, don’t share objects, don’t pass them back and forth, because you’re passing that virus around as well.”
The warnings were sounded after a Memorial Day weekend that saw many people emerge from stay-at-home orders to go to beaches, restaurants and family gatherings. Since then, conmasks firmed infections per day in the U.S. have rocketed to an all-time high, more than doubling.
Despite it all, there will still be fireworks and community events scattered across the nation, with many taking social distancing into account. In Ohio, Upper Arlington’s July Fourth parade will take a much longer route through its neighborhoods so residents can watch without crowding the streets.
“We’re calling it the ‘front porch parade,’ ” said organizer Sam Porter. “We can’t just not do something.”
President Donald Trump was set to travel to South Dakota on Friday for a fireworks show at Mount Rushmore. He was to return to the nation’s capital for military flyovers Saturday and a milelong pyrotechnics display show on the National Mall. Up to 300,000 face will be given away, but using them is not required.
Beaches that had been open for the traditional start of summer over Memorial Day weekend will be off-limits in many places this time, including South Florida, Southern California and the Texas Gulf Coast.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised Americans who do go to the beach to wear face coverings, though not in the water.
With professional pyrotechnic displays canceled, authorities are bracing for wildfires and injuries caused by Americans shooting off fireworks at home.
Sales of fireworks have been booming in what some sellers say may reflect a desire for a little excitement among people cooped up for so long.