FORE! … AND FOREBODING
Trump returns to golf course amid push to reopen country, but many remain cautious, concerned about case surges
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump played golf at one of his courses Saturday during the Memorial Day weekend as he urged U. S. 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 this weekend.
“Being at the epicenter 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 Gov. Andrew Cuomo described as a critical benchmark. The daily death tally peaked at 799 on April 8.
“For me, it’s a sign that we’re making real progress,” Cuomo said.
To the south, Trump played golf at one of his private clubs for the first time during the pandemic — the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. He has been pushing for state and local leaders to fully reopen after months of closures and tight restrictions.
Parts of New Orleans stirred to back life, with some restaurants and businesses opening for the first time in over two months. Some remained closed, especially in the French Quarter, which relies largely on tourist dollars.
Some amusement parks, such as Mt. Olympus in the Wisconsin Dells and Lagoon amusement park in Farmington, Utah, opened for the first time in months.
Andrew Young, 29, said Lagoon has been a lifelong summer staple and when he learned the park would be open Saturday, he went online immediately to make a reservation for himself, his wife and 2- year- old daughter. Because a limited number of people were allowed entry, they found short lines and there always seemed to be just one other family on each ride. There were also sanitation stations and other measures to keep people distanced and feeling safe.
“It was a lot of fun,” Young said. “Finally going, having some feeling of normalcy. . . . We had a very enjoyable morning.”
Meanwhile, Humboldt County on California’s North Coast was among the first in the state to get the governor’s green light to open up restaurants and stores after a two- month statewide lockdown.
Soon, though, county officials saw a worrisome trend: nearly 30 new cases in a twoweek period and the first two deaths.
That has prompted officials to take a more cautious approach, in what may be a harbinger of the “toggle switch” local officials are likely to negotiate.
“We have to recognize that due to some pretty serious increases . . . that it’s prudent to take a really careful approach and open up things a little more slowly than we’d really like to,” said Supervisor Virginia Bass, whose district includes Eureka, the county’s biggest city with 27,000 people.
In Alabama, the state’s coronavirus caseload is worsening while casinos, churches and more reopen. That prompted he state’s most recognizable person to issue some stern words about bringing COVID- 19 under control.
“You need to be staying 6 feet away from me, and haven’t I told you you have to wear a mask when you’re in this building?” University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban, himself wearing a mask emblazoned with “Roll Tide,” scolded the school’s elephant mascot in a video released as the state reopened more.
Overseas, there was mixed news. New coronavirus cases reported in China were zero Saturday for the first time since the outbreak began but 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.