The United States is grappling with a surge in COVID-19 cases, reporting over 217,000 new infections on December 3, a record high, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Public health experts warn that the numbers are expected to continue climbing, posing significant challenges for the coming months.
As the nation prepares for the initial stages of vaccine distribution, Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cautioned that the next few months could be \"the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation.\" While some individuals may begin receiving vaccinations in the coming weeks, a widespread rollout is not anticipated until spring 2021.
Dr. Redfield also forecasted that between 150,000 to 200,000 additional COVID-19 deaths could occur by February, highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing pandemic. Despite expert advice urging people to remain home for the holidays and avoid gatherings, many chose to travel for Thanksgiving, undermining containment efforts.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported screening over one million travelers across four separate days during the holiday period. Additionally, vehicle travel surged on Thanksgiving compared to the rest of November, with an analysis by the Associated Press revealing that Thanksgiving Day vehicle movement was only about 5% less than in 2019.
In a Newsweek interview, Dr. Anthony Fauci expressed his concerns, stating, \"I think January is going to be terrible because you’re going to have the Thanksgiving surge super-imposed upon the Christmas surge.\" Medical journalist Dr. Alok Patel echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for a unified public health message and strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines to help contain the virus.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
