It has been widely noted that the social turmoil unfolding in the wake of George Floyd’s death may worsen the already-acute COVID-19 crisis. But the connection running in the other direction – from the pandemic to the demonstrations – has received far less attention.
BERKELEY – Two weeks of massive, nationwide demonstrations against police violence and racial bias have raised concerns about a second wave of COVID-19 infections in the United States. It’s hard to engage in a collective display of righteous anger over George Floyd’s killing at the hands of the Minneapolis police and remain two meters apart from one’s fellow protesters. And mask wearing is less than universal among the demonstrators, just as it is among the US public generally. This doesn’t bode well for public health or the economy.
BERKELEY – Two weeks of massive, nationwide demonstrations against police violence and racial bias have raised concerns about a second wave of COVID-19 infections in the United States. It’s hard to engage in a collective display of righteous anger over George Floyd’s killing at the hands of the Minneapolis police and remain two meters apart from one’s fellow protesters. And mask wearing is less than universal among the demonstrators, just as it is among the US public generally. This doesn’t bode well for public health or the economy.