Leaders Across The U.S. Urge Mask-Wearing Ahead Of July 4th Holiday
Leaders throughout the United States are urging Americans to don face masks as the July 4th holiday weekend approaches amid a surge in coronavirus cases across much of the country.
“The virus does not take a holiday,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said in a statement this week. “The bottom line is be vigilant and stay safe while enjoying some time outside.”
Guidance from state and local leaders is largely the same: The coronavirus crisis is far from over. An even higher spike in cases is at stake if people flock to beaches, pools and July 4th parties without taking precautions, like wearing masks, practice social distancing, keeping gatherings small and holding them outdoors, where the virus is transmitted less easily.
Some are also calling facial coverings “patriotic” ― a response to a minority group of critics who say masks impede their American freedoms.
“As we talk about Fourth of July and independence, it’s important to understand that if we all wear these, we will actually have more independence and more freedom because more places will be able to stay open. We’ll have less spread of the disease,” Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Friday.
“The patriotic thing for us to do is to take care of our fellow Americans,” Washington state Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib said on Twitter.
“Lets help our neighbors and families and remain patriotic by wearing a mask for ourselves and others around us,” Florida Rep. Donna Shalala (D) wrote in a tweet.
As you make your plans for celebrating the 4th of July, just remember — we aren’t even close to out of the woods with #coronavirus.
The patriotic thing for us to do is to take care of our fellow Americans by:
- Staying socially distant &
- Wearing a mask
Stay healthy, WA!— Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib (@waltgov) July 3, 2020
In California, which has rolled back reopenings for bars and restaurants, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) launched a large, multilingual public awareness campaign around masks....
