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AFP
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1/11
Hardly reopened, countless people visit Florida’s beaches.
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AFP
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2/11
This is despite the fact that the state has high corona infection rates.
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AFP
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3/11
But US President Trump himself is heating up the mood in the country against lockdown measures.
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Keystone
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10/11
Michigan’s governor Gretchen Whitmer is put under pressure by Trump supporters. She only wants to relax lockdown measures when the situation is secure.
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Keystone
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11/11
Clear words from Washington gourmet Jay Inslee: Trump is risking the death of millions.
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Practically the minute Florida released the corona lockdown of beaches on Friday, the beaches were stormed by crowds. Half an hour after the beaches opened, the Florida coast was crowded in many places. This is despite the fact that the southeastern state has seen the highest increase in coronavirus cases since the outbreak began.
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People visibly enjoyed the freedom regained – apparently without fear of the pandemic, while US President Donald Trump (73) publicly supports those who are advocating an end to corona lockdown measures in states. And partly reaped sharp criticism.
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In the series of tweets, Trump called in large letters on Thursday: “Liberate Minnesota”, “Liberate Michigan” and “Liberate Virginia” – with the additional requirement that people stand up for the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution, i.e. the right to owning and carrying weapons. This right is “threatened”, Trump said – which can also be understood as an indirect call for armed resistance.
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Arming Trump triggers the fire in the dispute between supporters and opponents of the protective measures in individual states. It is clear that the criticized states are ruled by hostile Democrats. The fact that numerous people have been taking to the streets there for a few days now to protest against the imposed exit restrictions on Corona fits perfectly into Trump’s worldview.
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People took to the streets in Maryland and – despite careful easing – in Texas. One of the largest protests took place in Michigan, where demonstrators, some of them heavily armed, pulled up to the State Capitol, waving pro-Trump flags and accusing the democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer (48) of “tyranny”. A few dozen demonstrators also gathered in Virginia, and the picture was similar in Minnesota.
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According to his tweet series, Trump explicitly protected these troublemakers. “These are people who express their opinion,” said Trump. “You seem to me to be very reasonable people.”
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“President is derailed”
Exit restrictions apply in more than 40 of the 50 U.S. states. Trump wants these measures to end in order to restart the economy that has stalled in many places. However, the decision-making power rests with the governors of the individual states.
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Michigan’s governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is under discussion as possible vice president under Joe Biden (77), responded to Trump’s Twitter tirade with the hope that the president would “not encourage further protests”. Michigan will not be put under pressure and will only boost the economy “when it is safe”.
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The democratic governor of the State of Washington came up with a much sharper gun. Jay Inslee (69) condemned Trump’s “illegal and dangerous” statements: “He puts millions of people at risk of developing Covid-19. His disturbing tirades and calls for people to ‘free’ states could also lead to violence, ”said Inslee. “The president is derailed,” “off the rails,” said Inslee.
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High unemployment, fewer deaths than feared
The number of corona deaths in the United States rose to just under 38,000 on Saturday, and more than 732,000 people are infected. Unemployment has risen dramatically in the United States since the outbreak of the corona crisis. Around 22 million people have applied for unemployment benefits since mid-March alone.
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According to Fortune magazine, unemployment in the United States has now reached almost 15 percent, the highest level since 1940.
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The White House expects another 60,000 to 65,000 pandemic deaths in the United States – significantly less than feared in previous forecasts that at least 100,000 people died. (kes)
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