[SunnySide]

According to The Washington Post, which has been tracking data, 14 states and Puerto Rico have “recorded their highest-ever seven day average of new coronavirus cases since the pandemic began.” Since the beginning of June, this increase in cases has impacted the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, Mississippi, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Worst of all, The Post reports that “the highest percentage of new cases are coming from places with much smaller populations,” which puts a massive strain on their medical infrastructures. Small towns like the mentioned Lincoln County, Oregon, have fewer hospitals and resources and may not be well-equipped to deal with a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases.

The number of states affected by an increase in cases might even be higher than 14. CNN reports that 22 states have seen an upward trending in virus cases. Florida has reportedly faced the most drastic spike in cases lately. CNN reports that “the number of new cases reported each day has increased an average of roughly 46 percent over the past week, just as most of the state entered a second phase of reopening.”

Another issue that The Post poses is that some states (such as Mississippi, Florida, and South Carolina), have loosened “minor-to moderate” safety restrictions and protocols over the last few weeks, even though “average daily infection rate is rising.” Most states in general have been opening up and allowing many businesses to operate with health rules in place — but experts have maintained their concern that it’s far too early to be reopening the country.

Although many health officials have warned of a second wave, the frightening thing is that this isn’t even the second wave yet — it’s still seemingly the first. According to NPR back in March, rural spots that didn’t see the virus wreak havoc on their towns at first would eventually be affected by the pandemic. “I think it’s just a matter of time,” Andy Pekosz, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health stated — back in March. It looks like we’re currently seeing that prediction unfold.

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Thank goodness Covid isnt deadlier bc that asshole can certainly spread itself around pretty effectively

If schools dont open back up in September ... I might go crazy, the whole country might go crazy.