Biden Tweets to Not Drink Bleach, While Outdoor Activities Remain Closed Amid Heat Wave

Confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) have reached 2.8 million globally, while the United States is approaching one million cases, according to John Hopkins University and Medicine. Fatalities have been escalating, now reaching more than 200 thousand worldwide with 53 thousand deaths in the U.S. alone.

According to the COVID Tracking Project, as of April 24 the U.S. has cumulatively doled out more than 4.8 million total tests across the country. The day after these results were announced publicly, President Donald Trump tweeted that “we have now tested more than 5 Million people. That is more than any other country in the World, and even more than all major countries combined!”

In an effort to contain the pandemic and slow down its growth, “Stay at Home” measures are continuing in the U.S., face coverings are strongly encouraged when in public, and testing centers are open for symptomatic individuals.

President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, in Phoenix, Ariz. (Yasamin Jafari Tehrani / The Corsair)

Political Feud

During a press briefing on Thursday, President Trump suggested the possibility of applying an “ultraviolet light” and heat to cure coronavirus, as well as injecting household disinfectants into the body.

“I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning,” said Trump at the briefing.

The following day, former Vice President Joe Biden tweeted, “I can’t believe I have to say this, but please don’t drink bleach.”

The social media political feud continued as President Trump referred to the Democrats as the “do nothing” political party in one of his tweets. He went on to clarify that he never mentioned that COVID-19 was a “hoax,” but that “the Democrats, and the way they lied about it, are a Hoax."

This tweet was a continuation of a comment Trump made at a campaign campaign rally in Charleston, S.C. on Feb 28, where the president said, “now the Democrats are politicizing the Coronavirus,” and that “this is [the Democrat’s] new hoax.” At the time, President Trump was criticized by the Democratic party for using such word to describe the COVID-19 situation.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called Trump out via Twitter on April 24, insisting that he must stop ignoring the facts surrounding this global pandemic.

“Only a focused, whole-of-government response will bring an end to this coronavirus crisis,” said Pelosi via tweet. “The Trump Admin must deliver a concrete, nationwide strategy to expand testing."

With the COVID-19 cases increasing across the country, some citizens are growing worried that the U.S. may not be able to flatten the curve as much as was originally hoped.

“I am scared we might not be able to control it because some states [and] cities want to open up,” said Santa Monica College (SMC) Student Dany Godoy, a Music Therapy major and Tech consultant.

The empty skatepark on Venice Beach in the afternoon of Tuesday, April 22nd 2020, after authorities dumped sand into the skating pools to prevent their use. Restrictions were put in place to combat the coronavirus pandemic, but skaters continued to assemble, prompting the sand dumping. (Marco Pallotti / The Corsair)

Outdoor Activities Remain Closed Amidst Pandemic, Despite Southern California’s Heat Wave

With Southern California temperatures rising upwards of 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the coming weeks, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti confirmed at a news release on Saturday that everything will remain closed, including beaches, recreations, pools, and parks, insisting that Angelenos are still required to stay home.

“I can’t be more clear about this: This weekend, more than ever, you need to stay home,” Mayor Garcetti tweeted. “Unnecessary trips put lives at risk. It’s that simple.”

Cooling centers in Los Angeles were put in place during the weekend of April 24 from noon to 6 p.m., for people who do not have air-conditioning access. Mayor Garcetti clarified in his press release that the cooling centers were meant only for people who needed them in order to survive the heat wave and said, “if you can stay home, please do.” In order to enter these facilities, face coverings were mandatory and physical distancing was strictly enforced. People were screened prior to entering to ensure they were following protocol.

The City of Santa Monica is likewise maintaining strict protocol, as a reminder was released on April 23 to stay home, confirming the continuation of citywide closures. Although walks around local areas while wearing a mask are still allowed, the Santa Monica Police Department guarded the beach zone over this past weekend, and assigned citations if necessary.

“For Angelenos, hot weather is normally beach weather. Right now is not a normal time,” said Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown. “We all have to remember that coronavirus means we must change normal behavior. For your safety, the beach is absolutely closed.”

The West LA Veterans Administration's parking lot 15 transformed into a coronavirus testing drive-thru on Sunday, April 5, 2020, in Los Angeles, Calif. Local cases of COVID-19 have spiked in recent weeks as testing becomes more available to the general public. (Michael Goldsmith / The Corsair)

Revisiting Coronavirus Symptoms, Prevention and What to Do if You are Feeling Sick 

Testing sites are popping up in states across the nation, though testing accessibility and guidelines differ by state. The COVID-19 Test Site Finder offers clarification on each location’s specifics.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention has posted a Self-Checker system on their website, providing individuals with assistance in determining the best approach to aid their particular situation. It is not a diagnosis, but it recommends suitable medical care for the individual.

According to the CDC, the majority of people infected by COVID-19 only endure a mild illness and are able to regain health at home; however, they emphasize the importance of tracking symptoms throughout the recovery process. The official estimate by the CDC is that symptoms appear between two to 14 days after an individual is exposed to the virus and may include: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills or shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell.

The CDC has emphasized particular symptoms that should lead someone to seek medical attention. These include serious difficulty breathing, insistent chest pain or pressure, confusion, and bluish discoloration of lips or face. However, this list is not definitive and consulting with a health care provider is highly suggested if other symptoms are particularly apparent and consistent. If an individual calls 911, CDC protocol insists that the caller must mention that there is a possibility of coronavirus infection.