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Over 557.000 infected, almost 22.000 deaths. Numbers exceeding Italy and Spain
New Recruit
Fauci says US 'could have saved lives' with earlier action
The US has now overtaken Italy to have the highest death toll from coronavirus in the world
The US "could have saved lives" if it had introduced measures to stop Covid-19 earlier, a top health official says.
"If we had, right from the beginning, shut everything down, it may have been a little bit different," Dr Anthony Fauci told CNN. But he said making that decision was complicated.
The US has over 530,000 virus cases and 21,418 deaths, many in New York.
Dr Fauci also suggested parts of the US could begin returning to normal as early as May.
On 16 March, the Trump administration issued social distancing guidance, which has since been extended through April.
What did Fauci say?
When asked about a New York Times report that Dr Fauci and other officials had suggested aggressive mitigation towards the end of February, Dr Fauci said health officials can only make recommendations from a "pure health standpoint".
"Often, the recommendation is taken. Sometimes, it's not. But it is what it is, we are where we are right now."
Dr Fauci, who is leading the US response to coronavirus, added that "no one is going to deny" that logically, earlier mitigation could have saved lives.
But he said "what goes into those kinds of decisions is complicated".
"There was a lot of pushback about shutting things down back then."
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"We make a recommendation," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, when asked by @JakeTapper about reports that he and other top officials called for social distancing in February. "Often the recommendation is taken. Sometimes it's not. But it is what it is. We are where we are right now."
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9:35 AM - Apr 12, 2020
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The top doctor also acknowledged that multiple factors were involved with the current situation in the US, such as the nation's size and heterogeneity, not just a later start on mitigation.
But he also said parts of the nation might be able to begin a slow return to normalcy "at least in some ways, maybe next month".
"You don't want to do something precipitously," Dr Fauci emphasised, noting that ending virus containment efforts too hastily could lead to a rebound.
"It's going to be depending on where you are in the country, the nature of the outbreak you already experienced and the threat of an outbreak you may not have experienced."
Dr Fauci is leading the US response to coronavirus
Dr Fauci was also hopeful that the US presidential election, slated for 3 November, would still take place - if the nation takes a measured approach to lessening restrictions.
What's the situation in New York?
During a briefing later on Sunday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he wants his state, which has been the epicentre of the outbreak in the US, to open "as soon as possible".
But the governor was cautious, saying there had to be a co-ordinated approach between neighbouring states, more testing availability and additional federal funding.
Mr Cuomo was also sceptical of any forecasting, saying: "Every informed projection by experts, by the way, has not turned out correct."
That was good news, he noted, as it meant policies and social compliance had made a difference in the last few weeks.
"I've said from day one - all these predictions, we're gonna open businesses in May, do this in May, do this in June - I think that's all premature. I don't think anybody can make an informed decision right now."
Will US restrictions be loosened?
The White House remains keen to ease social distancing guidelines, and 1 May is a target date, according to food and drug agency commissioner Dr Stephen Hahn.
Dr Hahn told ABC News on Sunday, "we see light at the end of the tunnel".
He added that the decision to change restrictions would be ultimately driven by safety and welfare considerations.
Experts, including Dr Hahn, say increasing testing will be key to reopening the country, though Mr Trump has minimised the need for widespread testing.
New York's Mr Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy have both called for more tests to stay ahead of the virus.
On Sunday, Mr Cuomo announced an executive order calling for more antibody testing in order to determine who might have Covid-19 immunity and could return to work.
The questions over when the US might relax its containment efforts come as the states continue to grapple with the virus' spread.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere announced President Donald Trump had issued a major disaster declaration for Wyoming on Saturday, meaning all 50 states have those declarations in effect for the first time in history.
This is fake.NEW YORK, NY: EXHAUSTED FUNERAL HOME EMPLOYEE CREMATED BY MISTAKE WHILE TAKING A NAP
Apr 11, 2020
An employee of a New York, Funeral & Cremation Service died yesterday, after being accidentally cremated by one of his coworkers.
According to the Police, 48-year old Michael Jones decided to take a nap one a stretcher after working for sixteen hours straight to the recent influx of dead bodies.
While he was sleeping, another employee mistook him for the corpse of a 52-year old person who died from respiratory issues and moved him to the crematory.
Before anyone could notice the mistake, he had already been exposed to temperatures ranging between 1400 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and reduced to ashes.
Jenna Anderson, one of Mr Jones’s coworkers, says she heard him scream for about 15 seconds after the crematory was activated.
“At first, we didn’t understand where the sound was coming from. When we realized what was happening, it was too late. We shut down the heating system, but he was already dead.”
Ms. Anderson claims that the young coworker who caused the accident was a new employee, and had forgotten to check for the toe tag to make sure he had the right body.
Jenna Anderson says she heard the victim scream in agony as the crematory was reducing him to ashes.
The police has opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding Mr Jone’s death.
Investigators have not ruled out the possibility of filing criminal charges against the employee who caused his death.
The young man could possibly be accused of criminal negligence causing death.