Large gatherings are fueling rising Covid-19 cases, but they keep happening
Instead, governors and experts from coast to coast have urged Americans to keep face masks in indoor public spaces, maintain their distance from others and avoid crowded spaces.
That’s as infections nationwide have climbed past 4.3 million and at least 149,258 have lost their lives — and some experts say the coming months could mean thousands of more deaths.
During a stop in Kentucky over the weekend, White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx urged states who are seeing a concerning increase in cases to downsize their gatherings to less than 10 people, adding many of the young people who are spreading the virus are asymptomatic.
Despite the grim numbers and stern warnings, some Americans have chosen to return to pre-pandemic habits, ditching guidelines and attending parties.
700 party together in New Jersey
“Come on folks! Come on,” Gov. Phil Murphy, said during a news conference Monday. “That’s needlessly putting men and women in uniform and their families at risk.”
His executive order limits indoor gatherings to 100 people and outdoor gatherings to 500.
Health officials say they’re worried the event will lead to more coronavirus cases.
“It’s still too early to determine what to expect but in the meantime it’s crucial to remind residents – especially our young adults – that neglecting to adhere to the mandated safety measures can have serious repercussions on a community,” Brian Lippai, spokesman for the Ocean County Health Department, told CNN.
“We’ve come a long way in the last several weeks and incidents like this can lead to serious setbacks in our efforts to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.”
NY governor ‘appalled’ at Hamptons concert
Cuomo posted a video on Twitter Monday, saying there were “egregious social distancing violations.”
“I am appalled. The Department of Health will conduct an investigation,” the governor said. “We have no tolerance for the illegal & reckless endangerment of public health.”
Non-essential gatherings of more than 50 people are still banned in the state, and fines for violating social distancing protocol could reach up to $1,000.
More than 40 cases linked to Michigan party
Most of the cases were people between the ages of 15 and 25 years old.
Health officials asked anyone who attended the party to self-quarantine and monitor the symptoms for two weeks. Health officials believe more than five dozen others had face-to-face contact with a confirmed case — not including members of the same household as those infected.
Thousands gather at rodeo in protest
“If people would like to come and protest against this ridiculous Government Over Reach, feel free to do so, I will not stand in the way of peoples ‘Right to Assemble,'” wrote Cimarron Pitzen, who hosts the annual event, on Facebook.
CNN’s Anna Sturla contributed to this report.