Masks seem to be working to fight the virus, even as some refuse them and US deaths near 100,000 - CNN

Americans wearing masks will keep case counts down, expert says

Even as the number of deaths reaches such a grim milestone, Americans are at odds over whether it's necessary to keep taking protective measures, including wearing a face covering.

A leading researcher says the data is clear: The path ahead in the Covid-19 pandemic is being shaped by masks.

"We now have really clear evidence that wearing masks works -- it's probably a 50% protection against transmission," Dr.

President Donald Trump has foregone face coverings in public while his presumptive rival Joe Biden has worn one, staking their ground in the partisan debate over whether masks are a paranoid restriction or a necessary precaution.

The number of US deaths forecast by August has shifted to 132,000 -- 11,000 fewer than projected a week ago -- according to the IHME's model, one of more than a dozen highlighted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Behavioral changes like wearing masks could be responsible for the reduction, Murray said.

Dr.

Anthony Fauci told CNN that "simple" things like wearing masks and washing hands are crucial.

"Those are the things that everybody should seriously consider doing," said Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert.

Many officials have urged their residents to wear masks.

Mike DeWine said wearing a mask isn't political, it's "about loving your fellow human being."

Still, warmer weather and a holiday weekend drew large crowds from their homes and into public spaces recently, with many faces uncovered.

Fauci said such close gatherings of people without masks were "very troubling.

That's really tempting fate and asking for trouble."

A "second wave" of coronavirus infections is not inevitable, Fauci said, with proper identification, isolation and contract tracing.

How the infection numbers are trending

Infection rates vary from state to state.

Illinois appears to be entering a "downward trend," with the week ending May 16 being the first with a lower number of coronavirus deaths than the week before, Illinois Public Health Director Dr.

More than 3,800 people have died in California.

Hospitalizations have been declining slightly over the past two weeks, and the number of those in ICU beds remains stable, Gov.

She warned that moving into Phase 1 means more people can get exposed as more people are out in the community.

There have been 8,406 cases of the coronavirus in the district, with 445 deaths.

Bowser said the July 4 parade Trump wanted was canceled "several weeks ago." She said that "our big concern would be around how to manage fireworks and we will continue to work with (the Department of the) Interior on that."

Steady numbers spark reopenings

Every state has begun to reopen, lifting restrictions on businesses and public spaces often in phases specific to the needs of the area.

Large gatherings could resume soon in Florida.

Walt Disney World on Wednesday proposed reopening Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11, and EPCOT and Hollywood Studios on July 15, in a presentation by Jim McPhee, senior vice president of operations at Walt Disney World.

Employees and guests would be required to wear face coverings and go through temperature screenings before entering the parks.

Gimenez said lounging on the sand, walking, swimming and jogging will be allowed with restrictions, including social distancing of at least 6 feet and wearing masks when that is not possible.

Hotels will be allowed to reopen at 100% capacity, with common areas held to 50% capacity.