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- Pence named Missouri, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Idaho as states that have submitted plans to lift restrictions meant to stop the spread of the coronavirus, but a full list of all states has yet to be released, according to CNBC.
- The U.S. topped 50,000 coronavirus deaths Friday.
- President Trump said he could potentially extend his administration’s social distancing guidelines into summer.
Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday 16 states have submitted plans to lift coronavirus restrictions and reopen their economies, as the United States has topped more than 50,000 coronavirus-related deaths and has recorded more than 880,000 cases.
“At the present moment, 16 states have released formal reopening plans,” the vice president said during a White House press briefing.
“States are beginning to make those plans and we’re encouraged to see so many states embracing the phased approach to reopening their economies that’s contemplated in our guidelines for opening up America again,” Pence said.
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Pence named Missouri, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Idaho as states that have submitted plans to lift restrictions meant to stop the spread of the coronavirus, but a full list of all states has yet to be released, according to CNBC.
Meanwhile, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has started reopening parts of his state’s economy Friday, allowing businesses such as barber shops, fitness centers, bowling alleys and gyms to open up their doors to patrons. Kemp has faced fierce criticism for the decision, including from President Trump who Thursday said he was “not happy” with the governor’s move.
While Georgia began to reopen some nonessential businesses, the U.S. hit a grim milestone in the pandemic, surpassing 50,000 deaths, a death toll 16 times greater than the number of deaths in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and about 1 ½ times larger than the number of U.S. soldiers who died in the Korean War.
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In Alaska, Indiana, Tennessee and Texas, some nonessential businesses are set to begin reopening in the coming days, while beaches have reopened in parts of Florida and South Carolina, despite warnings from public health officials that reopening too quickly could prolong the outbreak.
Trump Thursday said his administration may extend social distancing guidelines past spring and into early summer, or later, saying “I think people are going to know just out of common sense. At some point, we won’t have to do that. But until we feel safe, we’re going to be extending.”
The guidelines are set to expire April 30.
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