Coronavirus Upends July 4th: Florida Closes Beaches, Mexico Blocks Border, And Much More
TOPLINE
With new coronavirus cases exploding across the country—the U.S. saw a record 55,000 cases on Thursday alone—state and local officials are scrambling to prevent a public health disaster ahead of the Fourth of July, closing beaches, cancelling celebrations and urging Americans to celebrate the holiday at home.
Beach-goers are seen on the beach after a mandate to wear face masks in public spaces went into … [+]
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KEY FACTS
Popular beaches across Texas are implementing new restrictions this weekend, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also signed an executive order Thursday to mandate masks in counties with 20 or more virus cases—a sharp reversal from his earlier stance on mask wearing.
“Cases surged after Memorial Day,” Oregon state health officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger said as that state urged residents to celebrate at home, adding, “we don’t want the same thing to happen over the Independence Day holiday.”
Florida’s Miami-Dade county will implement a 10 p.m. curfew beginning Friday, with beaches in Miami and several other Florida counties already closed.
Authorities in Mexico have decided to close the country’s Sonora border with Arizona—where new Covid-19 cases are surging at an alarming rate—this weekend, the Arizona Daily Star reported, in order to prevent a flood of U.S. tourists headed to Mexican beaches for the holiday.
Crucial quote
“The Fourth of July holiday weekend typically means large crowds and gatherings to celebrate, a recipe for increased transmission of COVID-19,” Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health for Los Angeles County, said in a statement earlier this week. “We all need to take this virus more seriously and residents and business owners must do their part. Physical distancing isn’t optional, wearing a face covering isn’t optional, spending time only with those you live with isn’t optional.”
Notable Exception
Washington D.C. is going ahead with its massive fireworks display this weekend—against Mayor Muriel Bowser’s objections. “We’ve communicated to them that we do not think this is in keeping with the best CDC and Department of Health guidance. But this event will take place entirely on federal property,” Bowser said.
Further reading
‘We Can’t Let Our Guard Down’: Here’s How To Celebrate July 4th Safely (Forbes)
Texas Mandates Mask Wearing (Forbes)
Actual Number Of Coronavirus Deaths Is Likely Far Higher Than Official Tally, Studies Suggest (Forbes)
Local Officials In Texas Ask For Possible Return To Stay-At-Home Orders (Forbes)
