Fox News reports that US health officials are concerned about the nationwide protests over the George Floyd death possibly sparking a second wave of the spread of the coronavirus. After many cities reported having the virus under control, many fear that protests might alter this current state of security.
Scott Gottlieb, the preceding Food and Drug Administration commissioner, told CBS News that there are still some parts in communities where the spread of the virus is still evident. Furthermore, he said there had been a recent upward trend in new coronavirus cases at the hotbed of the protests.
On Sunday, Doug Shultz, the Minnesota Health Department Spokesman told the Star Tribune that any spike from the protests wouldn't be evident until six to ten days after the virus' transmission. Furthermore, it was mentioned in the report that Minneapolis provided hundreds of masks for the use of protesters.
Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz expressed concerns about the possibility of having a super-spreader in one of the protests. He says that a spike in COVID-19 is inevitable if it does happen.
George Floyd Protests Around the World
Americans are angry over the injustice that caused George Floyd, an unarmed black man, his life. Derek Chauvin, a former officer, who was caught on video pressing his knee on Floyd's neck despite pleads to stop, was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
However, protesters aren't satisfied and say the charge isn't punitive enough. Furthermore, many are also demanding charges for the other officers involved and present during the incident.
Meanwhile, people from other parts of the world also find Floyd's death absurd and have caused turmoil as well. Scott Morrison, the Australian Prime Minister, said that the scenes in the US were disconcerting, shocking, and cringy.
He has pleaded on Tuesday afternoon with Sydney residents planning to protest in unanimity with US marchers not to "import things from happening overseas to Australia". Moreover, he pointed out that Australia was "fair" and praised police officers and other emergency laborers.
Additionally, many protested outside the US Embassy in Copenhagen on Sunday while crowds also gathered in Berlin carrying signs bearing their angry thoughts against violence and injustice.
Protests Might Bring a Second Wave of Coronavirus
Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan, told CNN on Sunday that it definitely is not healthy when you put hundreds of people in close proximity, with a virus still on the loose.
Numerous reports describe how demonstrators are packed, with many chanting, shouting, or singing. Many are also seen without masks. Since the virus is discharged by microscopic droplets in the air brought about by coughing, sneezing, talking, or singing.
According to the CNN count accumulated with information from Johns Hopkins University, an increase of almost 20,000 COVID-19 cases occurred on Sunday alone.
As of Monday morning, an estimated 1,790,191 Americans have caught the virus, and 104,383 have died. Due to the enormous groups of people protesting, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he foresees a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in his state.
Andrew Cuomo, New York's Governor, said that although citizens have the right to protest, they also have to protect their health and those of others, especially during a pandemic.
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