TRENDING

It seems like just yesterday we were happy to see some doors tentatively open, and now we are hearing rumors about another lockdown? The scary truth is, yes, there has been an increase in reported Covid-19 cases in different regions since states have lifted restrictions.

While this trend is very concerning, as it's a reflection of how susceptible our world still is to this pandemic, with precaution and protective behaviors you can help keep yourself and your family safe and healthy. Here's what we know. 

Why are Covid-19 cases on the rise? 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health officials are imploring young people to wear masks and practice social distancing as coronavirus transmission among younger Americans continues to drive record outbreaks in several states. The pleas come as governors in Texas and Florida instituted new limits on bars and alcohol consumption to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, citing the skyrocketing number of young people who are contracting it. At the White House on Friday, Vice President Pence and other members of the Trump administration’s coronavirus task force, in its first briefing in weeks, urged young people to take the virus more seriously. “Younger Americans have a particular responsibility to make sure that they’re not carrying the coronavirus into settings where they would expose the most vulnerable,” Pence said. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said younger people are often asymptomatic or have mild symptoms but can easily spread the virus to older or immune-compromised patients. Go to the link in our bio to read more.

A post shared by The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) on Jun 28, 2020 at 10:06am PDT

The reopening of businesses and public places simultaneously opened up the opportunity for many to gather in places such as stores, beaches and restaurants. With the addition of people's failure to abide by CDC protective protocols of wearing a mask and diligently washing or sanitizing hands, this proved to be a dangerous mixture. Young adults were eager to get out and therefore have made up an alarmingly high faction of the new cases. Due to the trend, many states have put a hold on or stopped the opening of any further facilities. 

What areas are experiencing the the highest increase of cases? 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least 12 states have hit pause or rolled back plans to reopen, hoping to slow surges in new coronavirus case numbers. In Texas and parts of California, bars were directed to close back down while beaches in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach were ordered off-limits to the public during the upcoming holiday weekend. The announcements come after a devastating week for the US, during which many states broke their records for new cases in a day and the country also recorded a record high of single-day cases with 40,173 reported Friday. The US has the highest confirmed Covid-19 fatality count in the world. (📸: Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images)

A post shared by CNN (@cnn) on Jun 29, 2020 at 10:00am PDT

Florida, Texas, Arizona, Utah, South Carolina, Nevada, Georgia, Missouri, Montana, California, Tennessee and Oklahoma are the twelve states that have reported new record highs of Covid-19 cases. This easy to follow tracker map from The New York Times shows the daily increase or decrease of cases countrywide and on a state-by-state basis so you can stay updated about your specific region  as well.

While the spike may not be as severe in other regions as the aforementioned twelve states, an increase of cases are still being reported throughout the country. Be sure to stay tuned in with your parents and the news to see what your government officials are implementing to prevent further spread of the virus. 

What can I do? 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most effective ways to prevent infection & reduce the spread of #COVID19 is to clean your hands thoroughly.

A post shared by World Health Organization (@who) on Jun 26, 2020 at 2:24pm PDT

It's crucial to remember that the virus is still still a threat, but you also have some of the tools to protect yourself against it. The best thing to do is follow the protocols outlined by the CDC. Social distance (that means six feet apart or more from others), wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when you touch something in a public space and wear a mask whenever possible. Now, this doesn't mean we are completely in quarantine again. You can still safely grab takeout sushi or pick up an ice cream cone with your family, but think twice about having a big gathering with friends or pulling down your mask in a populated area. 

by Cassandra R Lopez | 6/30/2020