The vaccination campaign in the United States is reported to be successful, as it has drastically brought down daily COVID infections and fatalities in the country, and also allowed the country to begin to emerge from COVID’s shadow. But, the U.S. death toll from COVID topped 600,000 on Tuesday. Meanwhile, California and New York lifted most of their remaining anti-virus restrictions, marking the gradual return of normalcy to the country.
{SOT}
Cable car bells ringing, minions dancing and restaurant patrons sipping their drinks indoors in California marks the reopening of the state after 15 months of coronavirus restrictions. Many are ecstatic, and expressed their hope that they will be able to enjoy a normal summer vacation.
Dominique Vazquez, Disneyland visitor:
But the no mask, it’s great. It’s great. It was very hard yesterday, walking in the park with a mask on. You’re sweating, you can’t breathe.
Kaylee Morace, Disneyland visitor:
I’m really excited. It’s a fun time finally to go somewhat back to normal, with this past year being difficult.
Voiceover:
And San Francisco’s Mayor was all smiles too. 70 percent of the state’s adults have gotten at least one shot, making the number of cases plunge, and making California among the first U.S. states to reopen.
London Breed, San Francisco’s Mayor:
Let’s live again. Let’s enjoy life again. Let’s enjoy the freedom of finally seeing faces again, in person.
Voiceover:
In New York, feelings are running high either.
Andrew Cuomo, New York Governor:
What New York has done is extraordinary. We went literally from worst to first.
Voiceover:
70 percent of New York’s adult are reported to have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine. New York’s Governor urged people to roll up their sleeves as soon as possible to let the dust settle, thereby averting another outbreak.
But with the U.S.’ death toll from COVID-19 topping 600,000 on Tuesday, notwithstanding the successful vaccination drive, U.S. President Joe Biden acknowledged the approaching milestone during his visit to Europe, saying there’s still too many lives being lost.
More than 50 percent of Americans have had at least one shot of the vaccine, while over 40 percent are fully vaccinated, casting doubt on whether the U.S. will meet Biden’s target of having 70 percent of American adults at least partially vaccinated by July 4.
It stands to reason why the U.S. President said, many Americans think letting COVID take a back seat in the United States is acceptable – it is anything but.
Comments