The US seems to be slowly mastering the corona virus. But the demos in the wake of social grievances could thwart this success. Politicians raise the alarm. But the minorities are in a dilemma.
- In the United States, thousands of demonstrators * take to the streets every day because of social grievances.
- Distance rules and protective measures are ignored.
- This creates the risk of renewed corona spread.
Munich - It is a phenomenon from all areas of life. A problem is only perceived as a real problem until the next one arises and overshadows all previous worries . The grief of yore can be suppressed and forgotten so quickly. Which is of course a huge problem if the previous need is far from being alleviated.
Like the corona pandemic * . This was the dominant topic for weeks in the USA and in much of the rest of the world. Until a white cop pressed his knee on the neck of the African American George Floyd * , who was fixed on the floor, for almost nine minutes, thus taking his breath away. Thanks to a video filmed by a witness , the whole world took part in this, by no means unprecedented, drama.
Corona danger from demos in the USA: Floyd's death reveals social abuses
The defenseless man's death * thus accepted was once again a manifestation of the grievances that minorities in the United States are still exposed to. And overflowed a barrel that was already bursting. Since then, demonstrations have taken place day after day, night after night in many cities in the country - often in a peaceful manner, but sometimes also arson.
The latter is bad enough. Equally devastating is the fact that the demonstrations and demonstrations are not raging and that no other protective measures * are often taken in view of the still raging corona virus . This is why Dr. Jerome Adams, medical specialist and head of the US health agency: "It can be assumed that we will see new clusters and potentially new outbreaks ."
Demo with mask: These protesters resort to one of the numerous protective measures, but come really close.
© AFP / ANGELA WEISS
Corona threat from US demos: "Covid is still a problem"
Andrew Cuomo, governor of the state of New York, which has become a corona hotspot, speaks into the conscience of the protesters mingling with the masses: “I know that many protesters are annoyed by this and don't want to hear anything from Covid as if it were from yesterday. No, Covid is still a problem. Covid is still killing - be aware of that and respect that. ”In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti fears so-called superspreader events when thousands take to the streets together.
According to the New York Times, there is still no scientific knowledge of the extent to which Sars-CoV-2 could be transmitted in the presence of people like demos. But the problem is: Because of the - if at all - late symptoms * , this uncertainty will accompany us for some time.
Corona danger from demos in the USA: Singing or roaring together can accelerate the spread
Experts are currently emphasizing that the risk of infection * in the open air is nowhere near as great as in closed rooms. But singing or shouting slogans together in a crowd of people should give the virus a boost again. "It's stressful when a whole bunch of people gather to scream together, which is known to be an effective way of spreading the virus ," The Times quotes bookseller Jamie Schwesnedl, whose shop is located near a police station on the train the protests were already set on fire.
“ People risk their lives, their health , to show their solidarity with the blacks,” explains Kelli Ann Thomas, who is actively committed to strengthening the community. In doing so, she is not alluding to the risk of escalation, which could result in violent clashes with law enforcement officers , but she also makes it clear: " Police violence against black people - this is also a pandemic."
Corona danger from demos in the USA: "Covid and protests are part of the same discussion"
For many health experts, the connection between the corona crisis and the unrest that is now widespread is already clear: The anger over the social grievances in the USA is also reflected in the relatively larger numbers of corona infected and death victims among African-American citizens. Or as Eleanor Murray, an epidemiology lecturer at Boston University, puts it in the Times : “Last week was all about Covid , this week it was all about the protests . In truth, both are part of the same discussion . "
Because of the background of the riots, but also the possibly devastating consequences. The United States is currently recovering from the pandemic, which has already claimed a six-figure number of lives in the country . However, according to the Times , large cities would continue to report hundreds of new cases every day . In the county around Minneapolis, where Floyd was violently killed, more than 1,000 people had been infected in the past week.
Queuing for disobedience: protesters are gathered after their arrests.
© AFP / MARIO TAMA
Corona risk from demos in the United States: tear gas use provokes coughing fits
The police 's approach to containing the wave of protests is also dangerous. Finally, the use of tear gas provokes coughing fits, the demonstrators are rounded up for better control and people are crammed into buses, vans or mobile cells .
All of this can play into the cards of the corona virus. Also that only a few protesters cover their mouths and noses * . And if so, then more to disguise than to prevent virus spread. So the covers may already be removed in the middle of the crowds. This could be remedied by mass tests * , but they also provide deceptive security: Not every negative result is synonymous with freedom from infection.
Corona risk from demos in the United States: epidemiologist calls for quarantine for protesters
Another solution comes from Dr. Emily Landon comes into play. The epidemiologist from the University of Chicago demands: "People who took part in the protests this weekend should stay at home for 14 days ." Her appeal: "Quarantine you for 14 days * . It will be difficult because more and more will open, but it would be the best for all of us. ”It also becomes clear that it should be done on a voluntary basis. Which is why the implementation will be difficult.
The vast majority of demonstrators and activists are probably not even aware of the danger they face, given the heated atmosphere . Others also accept it. For the big picture.
Corona danger from demos in the USA: "Choosing between death by Covid or death by cops"
Meanwhile, Yolanda Williams sees it pragmatically. The single mother, who gives tips on raising black children in a podcast , stays away from the protests, but encourages others to participate. Because the black community faces a dilemma : "The problem is that we have to choose between death by Covid and death by cops."
In the face of the uprisings in the country, US President Donald Trump is already threatening to deploy the military *. We also offer the two comments: "Trump takes advantage of the tragedy" * and "Trump is unsuitable for his office" *.
* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
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Rubric list image: © dpa / Sean Meagher
