America waits, but the virus does not
While Americans are transfixed with the razor’s edge presidential election results, the country’s coronavirus situation has become catastrophically bad — and continues to worsen.
Less than 24 hours after the U.S. broke its daily national case record, it added 121,500 more cases — more than Japan, Egypt or Hungary have recorded during the entire pandemic. Twenty-eight states have added more cases in the last week than in any other period.
It’s hard to imagine a more alarming moment since early April, when 2,000 people were dying a day, and there are few signs that things will improve in the near future. The country has recorded well above 1,000 deaths every day since Election Day, and infection rates in hot spots are accelerating. Governors across the country continue to plead daily with Americans to take the virus seriously.
“Colorado, I love you. This is an intervention,” said Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado. The state recorded more than 3,800 cases yesterday, around 900 more than its previous record, and hospitalizations have risen to their highest level since the beginning of the pandemic.
“Cancel your social plans the next few weeks — avoid interacting with others. Wear a mask. Keep your distance,” Mr. Polis begged.
Hospitals in hard-hit areas around the country are quickly reaching their limit. At Trinity Health in Minot, N.D., the entire floor dedicated to coronavirus patients had no more available beds. Dr. Jeffrey Sather, the chief of staff, called other large hospitals around the state to see if he could transfer some patients, but every facility was also full. Dr. Sather was also worried about his staff members.
“They are witnessing people suffocate to death on a regular basis,” he said. “And it’s a heavy psychological toll.”
The New York Times