A NATIONWIDE mask mandate could spark youths to rebel, US Surgeon General Jerome Adams has said, as he declined to discourage Americans from attending large-scale gatherings this weekend.
Here’s the challenge, if you make something mandatory, particularly for the younger age groups we are talking about, many of them will rebel and do the exact opposite,” Adams said during an interview on NBC’s “Today” show.
Jerome Adams said he wouldn’t support a nationwide mask-wearing mandateAP:Associated Press
“I think it’s more important from a health perspective we help people understand why these are important and we help them understand why they benefit from wearing them.”
When asked if Americans should be attending large gatherings over the July 4 weekend, like the one President Trump held at Mount Rushmore on Friday, Adams answered “it’s not a yes or no”.
“Every single person has to make up their own mind.”
“The most important thing I would say to people is, if you do go out to a gathering or in public, please wear a face covering,” Adams continued.
Alamy Live News People pack La Jolla Beach, San Diego, the day before the Fourth of July[/caption]
Getty Images - Getty Visitors arrive ahead of an event at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota, U.S., on Friday, July 3, 2020[/caption]
U.S. President Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend South Dakota’s U.S. Independence Day Mount Rushmore fireworks celebrations at Mt. Rushmore in South DakotaReuters
“As we talk about Fourth of July and Independence, it is important to understand that if we all wear these [masks] we will actually have more independence and more freedom.”
Adams’ comments came amid a backdrop of surging coronavirus cases – while thousands flocked to beaches to celebrate Independence Day.
Florida reported 11,445 new coronavirus cases on Saturday – a record number – while the US set another daily record on Friday with more than 52,000 new infections.
America now has more than 2.8 million confirmed cases, making up around a quarter of the world’s total infections, and almost 130,000 people in the US have died.The country has been forced to scale back reopening plans, such as in Texas and Los Angeles county, where bars have been ordered to close again due to the spike in cases.Officials across the US attempted to limit crowding over the weekend by shutting down beaches and regional attractions – such as Zoo Miami in Florida – and closing bars.The efforts are in stark contrast with President Trump’s Mount Rushmore gathering, which saw 7,000 people attend.
People walk past a beach closed sign hanging on a lifeguard booth during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Venice, CaliforniaReuters
Revelers enjoy the beach at Coney Island, Saturday, July 4, 2020AP:Associated Press
AP:Associated Press Revelers enjoy the beach at Coney Island, Saturday, July 4, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York[/caption]
Marvin Turcios puts out American flags at Ocean’s 10 restaurant on Miami Beach, Florida’s famed Ocean Drive on South Beach, July 4, 2020.AP:Associated Press
A Salute for America celebration is planned on Saturday evening which includes a presidential speech and a fireworks display in downtown Washington DC which could attract thousands.
In Alabama, another record was set this week, with more than 1,700 confirmed cases recorded on Thursday.
“I’m really, really worried about the Fourth of July,” Dr Don Williamson, a former state health officer who now heads the Alabama Hospital Association, told AP.
“I think that will likely determine the trend for Alabama for the rest of the summer.”
On Thursday, coronavirus expert Dr Anthony Fauci said it is “pretty obvious” the US is “not going in the right direction”.
“What we’ve seen is a very disturbing week,” Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious-disease expert, said in a live stream with the American Medical Association.
Alamy Live News A traditional golf cart and bicycle Independence Day parade is held despite a dramatic rise in COVID-19, coronavirus cases in Charleston County July 4, 2020 in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina[/caption]
AP:Associated Press A packed Coney Island, Saturday[/caption]
“There’s this feeling of an all or none phenomenon, where you’re either on lockdown or you’re just going to say … the devil may care and just let it all go,” he said.
Gilead Sciences announced on Monday that it has “entered into an agreement” with the US and will supply hospitals with the Remdesivir through September.
Remdesivir is the only approved drug in the country to treat coronavirus.
The company will send most of its supply of remdesirvir to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the agency will work with states to manage allocation to hospitals.
However, Fauci has said he wants to share the drug with the rest of the world in a bid to seize the coronavirus pandemic.
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Fauci says it’s ‘pretty obvious’ US not ‘going in the right direction’ with Covid
In an interview with BBC Radio 4 on Thursday, he said: “I’ve always been as a scientist and a public health official one that feels strongly that whenever you get an intervention, you should have a real careful look at the equity of trying to get some reasonable equitable type of distribution, particularly when you get a product that’s limited.”
During the same interview, Fauci warned that America must get the coronavirus under control or face a second wave that will be worse than the first.
Fauci added: “Obviously, it’s a serious situation.”
