Coronavirus Watch: Why experts are feeling hopeful about the future
Health experts are finally feeling hopeful about the future. But is it really time to relax?
There's a few things contributing to that:
Cases have fallen by more than 45% from a week ago and the pace of deaths has dropped nearly 20%. Hospitals have nearly 24% fewer COVID-19 patients than a week earlier.
And today, federal health officials are expected to say most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks in indoor public places, the Associated Press reported.
So, what should you make of this? Paste BN health reporter Karen Weintraub asked several health experts if now is the time to loosen regulations and breathe a sigh of relief. Here's what they said.
It's Friday, and this is the Coronavirus Watch from the Paste BN Network. Here are today's top headlines:
- More than 5.2 million children globally have lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19, according to a study in the Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal.
- In North Carolina, the Democratic governor vetoed a bill that would have allowed students, with their guardians' permission, to opt out of masking requirements in schools.
- In Florida, the Department of Health issued new guidelines to businesses recommending against corporations forcing employees to wear masks.
See our COVID-19 resource guide here. See total reported cases and deaths here.
As always, thank you for trusting the Paste BN Network with this important information.
— Rachel Aretakis, breaking news editor, @raretakis