When The Two States With The Highest Spike Of COVID-19 In The US Apply Different Rules

Illustrated photo (Vital Sinkevich / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - California and Florida officials are taking a different approach to reopening their regions amid the spike in COVID-19. The two states in the United States (US) are the two regions that have experienced a high spike in COVID-19 cases.

Launching CNN, Wednesday, July 1, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said there was no reason to return to the strict restriction measures activities. Meanwhile, the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, hinted that he would impose stricter restrictions on activities, especially activities on the beach and the US Independence Day celebrations at the end of this weekend.

At least 19 regions have temporarily stopped activities. In fact, some have abandoned their opening plans in response to a surge in new infections. There are 222 thousand cases of COVID-19 in California. On Tuesday, June 30, local authorities announced there were 6,367 new cases, the second highest number in the state since the pandemic began.

As the holiday weekend draws near, the governor of California warns that family gatherings are the biggest problem. Family gatherings, where extended families come together tend to be places where people allow their self-protection to decline.

"It's not just bars, it's not just on the streets with people protesting and such," said Newsom, discussing how the virus could be transmitted later.

Newsom has repeatedly promised to reopen the country but could close it again if needed. Responding to a question about beaches being closed in Los Angeles for Independence Day celebrations, it also hinted that beaches in other areas of California have similar rules.

The rules are looser

Meanwhile, the Governor of Florida assured the public that the relevant authorities can handle the increase in COVID-19 cases well. He also added that there was no need to close shops and restaurants.

"We will not close again. I mean, people do business activities not because there is an impulse. I think when you see a lot of groups of young people, many of them have social interactions and that's normal," said DeSantris.

However, one thing. DeSantis advised Florida residents, especially younger ones, to protect people who are susceptible to contracting COVID-19. The people most vulnerable to COVID-19 are the elderly.

"You have a responsibility not to have close contact with people who are susceptible to infection," he said.

The health organization in the US, the CDC, urges everyone to wear cloth masks in public, especially if the wearer is accidentally infected but has no symptoms. Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the US COVID-19 task force also said there was growing evidence that masks could prevent wearers from catching them.

"Masks are very important," said the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, during a Senate committee hearing.

"People must be able to protect each other. Whatever comes from using masks, whether it be giving free masks or other mechanisms, I fully support," said Fauci.