Many cautious despite Trump calls to reopen
President Donald Trump played golf at one of his courses yesterday during the Memorial Day weekend as he urged US states to reopen after coronavirus-related lockdowns. Yet many Americans remained cautious as the number of confirmed cases nationwide passed 1.6 million.
In California, where many businesses and recreational activities are reopening, officials in Los Angeles County said they would maintain tight restrictions until July 4. Some religious leaders took issue with Trump’s declaration that houses of worship are ‘‘essential’’ and should resume in-person services.
‘‘Being at the epicentre of this pandemic and in order to protect our flock, we advise that congregations remain closed until more accurate and uniform information is provided,’’ said Bishop Paul Egensteiner, who oversees the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s congregations in the hard-hit New York City region.
Statewide, New York reported its lowest number of daily coronavirus deaths – 84 – in many weeks in what Governor Andrew Cuomo described as a critical benchmark. The daily death tally peaked at 799 on April 8.
Overseas, there was mixed news. New coronavirus cases surged in India and overwhelmed hospitals across Latin America.
Many governments are easing restrictions as they face a political backlash and historic economic recessions. In just a few months, the pandemic has killed at least 340,000 people worldwide and infected about 5.3 million, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.
As the United States closed in on 100,000 confirmed Covid-19 deaths, the New York Times devoted yesterday’s entire, photoless front page to a list of nearly 1000 names of pandemic victims with a few words in memorial for each, culled from obituaries published around the country.
Turkey, which has recorded over 155,000 infections, imposed its toughest lockdown measures yet for the Eid al-fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan. Yemen’s Houthi rebels urged believers to use masks and stay inside. One of the world’s major pilgrimage sites is reopening: the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Latin America is the latest epicentre of the virus, and experts note the limitations of government action in a region where millions have informal jobs and many police forces are unable to enforce restrictions.
Brazil and Mexico reported record numbers of infections and deaths almost daily this week. , fuelling criticism of their presidents for limited lockdowns. But infections also rose and intensive care units were swamped in Peru, Chile and Ecuador.
Concerns are rising in India, where new cases showed another record jump Saturday, topping 6000 for a second consecutive day as a two-month lockdown has eased.
Russia reported more than 9000 new cases Saturday. – AP