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Coronavirus Briefing: Tips for a Safe Fourth of July Coronavirus Briefing: Tips for a Safe Fourth of July
(6 days later)
This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the global outbreak. Sign up here to get the briefing by email.This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the global outbreak. Sign up here to get the briefing by email.
In an abrupt reversal, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas issued a sweeping order requiring nearly all Texans to wear masks in public.
Only 12 states, mostly in the Northeast, have managed to keep new coronavirus case levels flat or declining.
The U.S. added 4.8 million jobs in June, bringing the unemployment rate down to 11.1 percent, but renewed shutdowns could accelerate the continuing layoffs.
Get the latest updates here, plus maps and a tracker for U.S. metro areas.
As the virus continues to ravage the U.S., it’s clear that the Fourth of July has the potential to spawn superspreader events. Many cooped-up Americans are eager to leave home and socialize, but the timing for the country’s biggest summer holiday weekend couldn’t be worse: Infections are surging, with some states setting repeated daily records for new cases.As the virus continues to ravage the U.S., it’s clear that the Fourth of July has the potential to spawn superspreader events. Many cooped-up Americans are eager to leave home and socialize, but the timing for the country’s biggest summer holiday weekend couldn’t be worse: Infections are surging, with some states setting repeated daily records for new cases.
Festivities over Memorial Day weekend, less than a month and a half ago, are thought to have contributed to the dire situation that the country is in now. Mask-free partygoers were seen flouting social-distancing guidelines in places like the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, where it will still be business as usual this weekend, with pool parties and widely sold-out accommodations.Festivities over Memorial Day weekend, less than a month and a half ago, are thought to have contributed to the dire situation that the country is in now. Mask-free partygoers were seen flouting social-distancing guidelines in places like the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, where it will still be business as usual this weekend, with pool parties and widely sold-out accommodations.
But in just one month, the pandemic has spiraled out of control in the U.S. In Florida alone, the tally of new cases ballooned from 667 on June 1 to more than 10,100 today. It is among the 13 states that reported their highest single-day case counts yet this week.But in just one month, the pandemic has spiraled out of control in the U.S. In Florida alone, the tally of new cases ballooned from 667 on June 1 to more than 10,100 today. It is among the 13 states that reported their highest single-day case counts yet this week.
Officials are urging Americans to rethink their holiday plans, and some have taken action to make sure they do so. Los Angeles County has ordered beaches closed and fireworks shows canceled. Nebraska suggested that barbecue hosts should keep guest lists to make contact tracing easier if someone gets sick. In Sacramento County, the health director has worked to stop an annual river-rafting event. “The most patriotic thing they can do this year is to stay at home,” he said.Officials are urging Americans to rethink their holiday plans, and some have taken action to make sure they do so. Los Angeles County has ordered beaches closed and fireworks shows canceled. Nebraska suggested that barbecue hosts should keep guest lists to make contact tracing easier if someone gets sick. In Sacramento County, the health director has worked to stop an annual river-rafting event. “The most patriotic thing they can do this year is to stay at home,” he said.
Even though many events have been canceled or scaled back, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate America’s birthday while staying safe. Here are a few suggestions.Even though many events have been canceled or scaled back, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate America’s birthday while staying safe. Here are a few suggestions.
Watch the fireworks. While around 80 percent of fireworks displays have been canceled this year, you can still ooh and aah plenty at your TV or computer screen. Here are a few shows that are sure to delight: the Macy’s fireworks show in New York City; Washington’s “A Capital Fourth” celebration, with performances by Patti LaBelle and Renée Fleming; and Houston’s “Shell Freedom Over Texas,” featuring fireworks and a musical performance by the country singer Pat Green.Watch the fireworks. While around 80 percent of fireworks displays have been canceled this year, you can still ooh and aah plenty at your TV or computer screen. Here are a few shows that are sure to delight: the Macy’s fireworks show in New York City; Washington’s “A Capital Fourth” celebration, with performances by Patti LaBelle and Renée Fleming; and Houston’s “Shell Freedom Over Texas,” featuring fireworks and a musical performance by the country singer Pat Green.
Watch a movie about the country’s founding. We recommend a live recording of the Broadway musical “Hamilton” on Disney+; “1776,” a 1972 movie that follows the debates at the Second Continental Congress; or the 1939 adventure film “Drums Along the Mohawk,” which follows a settler couple on the frontier during the American Revolution.Watch a movie about the country’s founding. We recommend a live recording of the Broadway musical “Hamilton” on Disney+; “1776,” a 1972 movie that follows the debates at the Second Continental Congress; or the 1939 adventure film “Drums Along the Mohawk,” which follows a settler couple on the frontier during the American Revolution.
Host a small outdoor barbecue. Depending on where you live (and your comfort level), you might be able to gather together. Our food columnist Melissa Clark set out to do just that, and she found that, while it is possible, it involves a lot of planning and some potentially awkward conversations — including a bathroom strategy. Here’s how she did it, with a minimal-fuss menu.Host a small outdoor barbecue. Depending on where you live (and your comfort level), you might be able to gather together. Our food columnist Melissa Clark set out to do just that, and she found that, while it is possible, it involves a lot of planning and some potentially awkward conversations — including a bathroom strategy. Here’s how she did it, with a minimal-fuss menu.
When in doubt, stay home. If all of these precautions feel overwhelming, or the state of the virus has you feeling justifiably nervous, sit this one out. There will be another Fourth of July next year.When in doubt, stay home. If all of these precautions feel overwhelming, or the state of the virus has you feeling justifiably nervous, sit this one out. There will be another Fourth of July next year.
Updated August 27, 2020
Nearly six weeks after Tokyo lifted a state of emergency, new cases have been rising, with many concentrated in the city’s nightlife districts.
Officials rushing to contain a virus cluster tied to a party in Rockland County, a suburb of New York City, turned to an unusual legal strategy: issuing subpoenas to attendees.
McDonald’s announced a three-week pause in its plan to resume dine-in service at thousands of U.S. locations.
In the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, officials have locked down 300,000 people after a spike in cases linked in part to the sharing of a cigarette lighter among hotel security guards.
Days after a wedding in Patna, India, in mid-June, the groom had died and more than 100 guests had tested positive for the virus.
While continuing to refuse to wear a mask in public, President Trump said in an interview on Wednesday: “I’m all for masks. I think masks are good. I would wear one if I were in a group of people and I was close.”
Officials in Alabama found that students have thrown Covid-19 parties where those with the virus were invited and there was a contest over who would get it first, CBS News reported.
Young patients are also dying, particularly those who are overweight, the chief scientist of the World Health Organization said today.
Researchers found evidence that a mutation gave a variant of the virus a “fitness advantage” and helped it spread, but many experts aren’t persuaded.
Officials and companies are buying infrared cameras to help spot people with elevated temperatures in public places, but the technology isn’t likely to detect many asymptomatic cases.
Herman Cain, a former Republican presidential candidate, was hospitalized with the coronavirus less than two weeks after attending Mr. Trump’s indoor rally in Oklahoma.
My family and I do road trips around the U.S. every two years, and each time I keep a journal. So now I am writing my first book, “Road Trips With Kids,” in the hopes of encouraging other people to get outside with their children. This is also helping me remember happy times, and look forward to doing beautiful trips again when all this is over.
— Patricia de Villiers, Dallas
Let us know how you’re dealing with the outbreak. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.Let us know how you’re dealing with the outbreak. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.
Sign up here to get the briefing by email.Sign up here to get the briefing by email.
Remy Tumin contributed to today’s newsletter.Remy Tumin contributed to today’s newsletter.