22 million Americans lost their jobs due to the epidemic, protests in major cities

(Patria) – The death toll from the coronavirus epidemic in the US rose to 40,565 on Sunday, with confirmed infections now exceeding 765,000, making this country by far the most affected in the world.

In the past month, more than 22 million Americans have applied for unemployment benefits after losing their jobs due to the closure of businesses and schools, as well as travel restrictions.

Governors of the US states most severely affected by the epidemic have clashed with President Trump over his statements that there are enough tests and that the economy should be reactivated soon.

At the same time, Americans are protesting in the streets against the extension of emergency measures. About 2,500 citizens took to the streets of Washington to protest the order to extend home isolation measures, thereby violating the ban on gatherings of more than 50 people. Similar protests have been organized in other major American cities where people affected by the economic crisis want to return to work at all costs.

In New York City, the epicenter of the epidemic, hospitalizations have visibly decreased from 18,000 to 16,000, and the number of patients on ventilators is also slightly declining. In the past 24 hours, another 507 people have died, which is slightly less than the 700 from the previous day.

New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo claims that if this trend continues, it can be considered that the epidemic has passed its peak and is declining. He emphasized that physical distancing must continue in any case.

However, in other parts of the US such as Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland, the number of new infections is increasing. New Jersey reported nearly 3,900 new cases on Sunday alone. Boston and Chicago are almost equally affected, where the numbers continue to rise.

At the same time, some states, including Ohio, Florida, and Texas, intend to reactivate parts of their economies by May 1, but remain cautious.

 

(Source Reuters)