The pandemic drove many people across the nation outside, some for recreation and others in protest
But as some states loosen or let go of their stay-at-home orders, researchers predict a higher death toll from coronavirus this summer than previously expected.
States such as California have stood firm on their stay-at-home orders — and have been met with protests.
Some of those states let stay-at-home orders expire, with caveats restricting what businesses can open and how. Georgia, for example, still requires the elderly to stay home until June 12.
Other states and counties will ease restrictions this week. In Arkansas, gyms and fitness centers can reopen Monday, and hair salons can open Wednesday.
In Northern California’s Yuba and Sutter counties, restaurants, tattoo parlors and shopping malls will be allowed to open Monday.
Many offices in Colorado will also be allowed to open Monday, though they’ll be limited to 50% capacity.
Elsewhere, residents of New York City and Washington DC, many of whom appeared to be observing social distancing rules, are enjoying warmer weather in parks and open spaces this weekend.
Many Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents were able to take advantage of some state parks, forest facilities and golf courses for the first time this spring.
Fauci: Lifting measures too early could backfire
Fauci warned that lifting measures prematurely could lead to a rebound of the virus that could put the US in the “same boat that we were a few weeks ago.”
Experimental drug approved
But there is hope the nation will be armed with a new tool for the predicted second wave.
Remdesivir received an emergency-use authorization from the FDA for use with Covid-19 patients.
In an emergency-use authorization Friday, the agency said the benefits of using the drug outweighed the risks.
Remdesivir is the first authorized therapy for the virus in the country, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said.
“This is an important clinical advance that showed a statistically significant reduction in time to recovery for patients with Covid-19 and is the first authorized therapy for Covid-19.” Hahn said.
The drug was approved just days after researchers said it might help patients recover more quickly from the infection.
CNN’s Ralph Ellis, Christina Maxouris, Jason Hanna, Cheri Mossburg and Sarah Moon contributed to this report.
