Experts urge Americans at barbecues to follow health guidelines

Traditionally the Fourth of July is a day of barbecues, fireworks, boisterous partying and various antics to celebrate Independence Day in the United States. This year, however, with coronavirus cases soaring to all-time highs, medical experts warn that the normal US holiday enthusiasm and high spirits could instead create infection “superspreader” events.

In the context of a human-borne illness, a superspreader is an individual who is more likely to infect others, compared with a typical infected person. Such superspreaders are of particular concern in epidemiology.

Thousands upon thousands of official public celebrations have been canceled in an effort to prevent mass gatherings. Two notable exceptions to this are the fireworks planned by the Trump administration in the center of Washington, and an event on Friday night at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota where the president will attend a fireworks display.

US government sent nearly $1.4b to dead Americans as part of virus response: Watchdog

The US government sent nearly $1.4 billion to deceased Americans as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic, a watchdog says.

This event has managed to upset Native American leaders who, rightfully, consider the location stolen tribal land and to simultaneously irritate those worried about wildfires in the parched landscape, where fireworks have been banned in recent drought years and further divide views on health precautions, with the Republican governor of South Dakota, in true Trumpian science denying form, saying social distancing will not be enforced and anyone who doesn’t like that idea can “stay home”.

Despite the cancellation of most municipal celebration, large groups are still expected in backyards, homes and streets, as Americans strain to celebrate their liberation from British rule in 1776.

Officials are of a mind that the impact of the Independence Day celebrations could be catastrophic considering the record number of new coronavirus cases.

“It’s set up a perfect storm,” Joshua Barocas, an infectious disease physician at Boston Medical Center, said during a briefing by the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

“The combination of travel, the combination of reopening – perhaps in some cases too early – and the combination of people not necessarily following some of these preventive guidelines.”

US reports 55,000 COVID-19 cases in single day, hits new global record

The United States reported more than 55,000 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, a new daily global record for the coronavirus pandemic, as infections rose in a majority of states.

According to Johns Hopkins University figures, the US recorded 52,000 new cases on Wednesday, a new all-time daily high for the US in the outbreak. It was the fifth daily high in the last eight days.

On Thursday morning, infections were rising in up to 40 states, and 14 states reported record daily highs.

About 40% of the US is now doing a u-turn on lifting restrictions in an attempt to quell the unprecedented surge, and states are pleading with people not to engage in group revelry.

The warning in Austin, Texas, came as  an emergency alert to people’s phones, which urged them to celebrate Independence Day responsibly.

“Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in Austin-Travis County,” read the alert, which buzzed up on screens across the city.

“Stay home. Avoid non-household gatherings. Keep six feet apart from there. Wear a face covering. Wash your hands frequently.”

Texas, which was one of the first states to reopen bars, restaurants and hair salons in May, recorded its highest ever number of daily coronavirus cases this week, with several hospitals in Houston running at or near full capacity.

According to Tuscaloosa city councilor Sonya McKinstry, a group of Alabama students held “Covid parties” this week in which wagered over who would become infected.

“They put money in a pot, and they try to get Covid. Whoever gets Covid first gets the pot. It makes no sense,” McKinstry told ABC News. “They’re intentionally doing it.”

‘Choosing country over party,’ more Republicans turn to Biden ahead of US 2020 vote

Hundreds of US officials once working for former Republican President George W. Bush are turning to Democratic presumptive nominee Joe Biden for 2020.

The parties go against advice from the Alabama department of public health, which has asked people to maintain a 6ft distance, and explained the concept of superspreader events in guidance sent out to local governmental officials.

“Asymptomatic spread of Covid-19 is a major risk factor. These ‘superspreaders’ do not know they are carrying the disease,” the health department said.

“It is estimated one in four infected people are ‘superspreaders’. For this reason, we strongly recommend wearing masks in public gatherings.”

California, which had made much progress in getting infections down, is now the new US’s worst hotspot. The Riverside county public health officer, Cameron Kaiser, warned that the effect of people gathering to toast Memorial Day, a public holiday in May, was stark.

“We don’t want any more closures, but our numbers are going through the roof,” Kaiser told the New York Times.

US citizens' concerns about coronavirus jump as cases surge: Poll

Americans’ anxieties over the spread of the novel coronavirus have risen to the highest level in more than a month, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, shut down all recently reopened bars on Wednesday, banned indoor movie theater-going and dining at restaurants.

Arizona’s governor, Doug Ducey, abruptly ordered bars, gyms, movie theaters and water parks to close.

Most beaches in southern Florida will shut down from Friday, as will beaches in Texas and Los Angeles County.

President Donald Trump remains defiant despite the warning regarding the celebrations, insisting the “Salute to America”, a huge firework-laden display of national pride which was started by the president last year, will go ahead in Washington, despite the city’s mayor urging against it.

Trump will speak at the event, which thousands attended last year, and the department of the interior said the display will be “a patriotic tribute to our men and women in uniform”.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir