By Dennis Romero - NBC News.
As the United States surpassed 5 million COVID-19 cases this weekend, some school districts have reopened and thousands of people descended on Sturgis, South Dakota, for the world's largest annual gathering of motorcycle lovers.
The country surpassed more than 160,000 deaths on Saturday , according to figures from NBC News, Telemundo's sister network.
Motorcyclists in Sturgis, South Dakota.AP Photo / Stephen Groves
Brazil, the second country with the most COVID-19 cases, passed a grim milestone: more than 100,000 deaths. Despite this, it reported slightly more than half of the figures in the United States: 2,962,442.
But these figures probably do not represent a plateau or peak if the country continues to face the virus without a national strategy on the use of masks and social distancing said Dr. Gabe Kelen director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Johns Hopkins.
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"It seems there is not enough will in various parts of the country to deal with this in the way other countries have," Kelen said.
Tribute in Brazil to the 100,000 people who have died due to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic in the country. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
" We have politicized it tremendously . And a large number of people are incredulous or tired at the idea of standing still."
On Saturday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot criticized people crowding the city's boardwalk without respecting social distancing. "Don't make us take steps backwards," he wrote in a tweet.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered the Department of Water and Power to cut off utilities at party houses where mass parties are held after a woman was shot and killed in a large gathering at a mansion.
"These big parties are unsafe and can cost Los Angeles residents their lives," Garcetti said at a news conference Wednesday.
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In Thousand Oaks, California, a pastor vowed to open his church to 1,500 parishioners on Sunday, violating a court order to remain closed.
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Aug. 9, 202000: 21California has the highest number of cases in the country (553,851) but the state with the most deaths is still New York, with 33,583.
President Donald Trump on Saturday signed four executive orders to defer payroll taxes until the end of the year for those who earn less than $ 100,000 a year and provide unemployment benefits of $ 400 until January 31.
Kelen said it is possible that the pandemic lessens as fall approaches. There is evidence that older Americans are taking mask wear and social distancing more seriously than younger Americans .
"There is a small indication that some of the most vulnerable are handling the threat," he said.
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Aug. 9, 202000: 31In addition, he pointed out, the rapid development of vaccines is cause for optimism.
"This works psychologically," Kelen said. "It certainly gives us hope that somewhere around the corner we are going to have a vaccine."
At this rate, however, it will take about 40 days to reach another milestone in the country: 200,000 deaths.
"Before the year ends, we are almost certain to see 200,000 (deaths)," Kelen emphasized.
"Is the worst over? If it's slightly better than the worst, it's still terrible ."
