After New York, New Orleans is becoming the center of the corona pandemic. The reason for the skyrocketing number of cases could have been the street carnival. The city is preparing for a nightmare.
By Claudia Sarre, ARD-Studio Washington
The otherwise lively French Quarter is deserted. The jazz clubs and restaurants are not only closed, they are barricaded. TV pictures show it: the situation is serious.
After New York, New Orleans is now developing into the new focus of the coronavirus pandemic. In the state of Louisiana, the case numbers of those who test positive are exploding. In New Orleans alone there are 1,000 cases with 46 deaths so far, says governor John Bel Edwards on local television station WGNO: “The numbers we have got are staggering. I hope all of Louisiana takes these numbers seriously. Nobody should think that he is that is none of your business. “
Street carnival in late February
The many diseases are attributed to Mardi Gras, the street carnival in New Orleans, at which thousands of people celebrated in a very small space at the end of February. The city is preparing for an absolute nightmare, says Dr. Joseph Kanter from the local health department. Since the hospital capacities are nowhere near sufficient, the congress center is now being prepared as a makeshift hospital. “Beds, staff and medical equipment are brought in,” says Kanter – “an exceptionally massive measure.”
Trump wants to relax measures
Almost 93,000 people across the country have tested positive for Covid-19. The United States is now the country with the highest number of reported coronavirus infections worldwide.
At the same time, the US President speaks of wanting to loosen the exit restrictions again soon. They talk about appointments, get advice from experts, according to Donald Trump – America was made to create things. His plan: Depending on the extent to which the coronavirus has spread, the guidelines could be reduced locally – but of course with the greatest possible responsibility, assures Trump’s Vice President Mike Pence.
US economy in decline
The US economy is in a steep decline. A good three million people, more than ever before, have applied for unemployment benefits. Because of this – but also in order not to endanger his re-election – Trump wants work to be done again as soon as possible.
But voices of common sense are also being heard in the United States these days. Dr. Anthony Fauci, immunologist and member of the crisis team, warns: It is not the people but the virus that determines the schedule.
