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Fauci: 'Extraordinary Risk' of Further COVID Spread If US Reopens Too Soon

Ken Bredemeier

   WASHINGTON - The top U.S. infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci,
   warned Sunday there is an "extraordinary risk" of the further spread of
   the ravaging coronavirus if the United States is reopened to business
   and a sense of normalcy too quickly on May 1, as President Donald Trump
   is considering.

   Fauci told CNN, "It's not going to be a light switch" to regenerate
   U.S. commerce as government recommendations for safe distancing between
   people end on April 30.

   He held out hope that "at least in some ways" the country could return
   to work and routine day-to-day activities next month, but said it is
   likely to be different in various parts of the country.

   That depends, he said, on the number of coronavirus cases in specific
   communities and whether testing has shown that large majorities of
   people are not infected.

   Even with precautions, he said, "We know people will be getting
   infected. That's just reality."

   The U.S. coronavirus death toll has topped 20,000, the highest total of
   any country, with more than 534,000 confirmed cases. Current U.S.
   models predict that 60,000 or more could die in the country by July.

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