U.S. divided over masks, schools as coronavirus cases rise by over 70,000 again

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa/u-s-divided-over-masks-schools-as-coronavirus-cases-rise-by-over-70000-again-idUSKCN24I1QW

Daniel Trotta
July 17, 2020 / 8:58 AM

Americans debated mask mandates and the reopening of schools during the coronavirus pandemic on Friday as state and local officials imposed conflicting orders and cases rose by more than 70,000 across the nation for the second day in a row.


The United States recorded a total of at least 70,674 new COVID-19 infections on Friday after climbing by a record 77,499 a day earlier, the largest increase posted by any country since the pandemic started, according to a Reuters tally.

U.S. deaths on Friday rose by at least 912, the fourth day in a row that fatalities have exceeded 900 a day.

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“Everybody saying that (wearing a mask) is a violation of their freedom - no, it’s not. Because a seatbelt is mandated and that’s to save your life,” said Sharon Taylor, 48, a cardiothoracic nurse in Atlanta.

I don't see conservatives protesting over being laws that make people cut their grass, which is not a health hazard.

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The United States has been averaging about 60,000 cases a day in July with cases rising in 41 states on Friday, based on a Reuters analysis. Texas and Arkansas reported a record number of deaths on Friday, while Kansas, Ohio, North Dakota and Puerto Rico reported record numbers of infections.

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