COVID-19 Cases are Currently Spiking

Even though states are slowly reopening, some may be doing this too fast! As before, please go outside only when necessary.

Reported cases in the US

According to experts, even though cities like New York and Chicago are experiencing a decline in cases and have begun reopening in phases, this trend doesn't hold throughout the rest of the country.

Soaring cases in Arizona have diverted lawmakers' attention from the #blacklivesmatter movement back to the public health crisis.

Other states and territories seeing a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases include SC, FL, AL, AK, CA, KY, NM, NC, MS, OR, TN, UT, and Puerto Rico.

Volunteers at a food donation site in San Antonio, Texas., in May.Credit...

Though experts aren't exactly sure why these states are experiencing an unexpected uptick in cases, they said lifting lockdown restrictions, isolating outbreaks, and the virus catching up to communities previously not impact may each play a role.

One thing to note is that states have all spike since their respective reopening dates. Even though New York's gradual reopening is back by evidence that the disease really has died down enough, it is still like dipping one's toes into unknown waters.

As an example, Florida's first phase began May 8. which reopened restaurants, retail, and museums. They reported a huge increase in cases every single day after reopening. On May 10, just two days later, there were 594 new cases. Just five days later, the number rose to over 800. Thursday morning, May 14, a record 1,698 cases of COVID-19 cases were announced by the Florida Department of Health, marking the largest single-day increase in the state since the pandemic began.

Medical workers transported a patient in El Paso, Texas

Evidently, it is safe to note that the pandemic is still very much alive. Experts are predicting a second spike even as far away as September. Because of an imminent expansion on the amount of time that businesses will be void of regular customers, it is still very necessary to support local businesses, especially those run by poc's.

So, please, unless absolutely necessary, to make sure you are healthy, make sure to not leave the house and effectively put your and your family's health in jeopardy. Stay inside, stay patient, support two initiatives at once by supporting poc-run local businesses, and stay up to date on the news.