A crowd gathers in Downtown Atlanta during a protest against the death in Minneapolis of African-American man George Floyd, in Atlanta, Georgia, May 30. REUTERS/Dustin Chambers
Business Insider/AP: 'If you were out protesting last night, you probably need to go get a COVID test this week': Atlanta Mayor to George Floyd protestors
Officials in US cities engulfed in protests over the police killing of George Floyd are worried the large gatherings of people could spread the coronavirus and lead to a new wave of outbreaks.
"It's not OK that in the middle of a pandemic we have to be out here risking our lives," Spence Ingram said in Atlanta. "But I have to protest for my life and fight for my life all the time."
While many people have been wearing masks and trying to keep physical distance, protesters, law enforcement, and even political leaders have been seen not following public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The massive protests sweeping across US cities following the police killing of a black man in Minnesota have sent shudders through the health community and elevated fears that the huge crowds will lead to a new surge in cases of the coronavirus.
Some leaders appealing for calm in places where people smashed storefronts and destroyed police cars, and police used tear gas to disperse crowds in recent nights have been handing out masks and warning demonstrators they were putting themselves at risk.
"If you were out protesting last night, you probably need to go get a COVID test this week," Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Saturday evening. "There is still a pandemic in America that's killing black and brown people at higher numbers."
Minnesota's governor said too many protesters weren't socially distancing or wearing masks after heeding the call earlier in the week.
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WNU Editor: I doubt that most of these protesters/demonstrators/rioters are going to self-isolate for 14 days. And while this is a disease that does not particular the hit the young, I am sure that many of these individuals have parents and grand parents, and they have now put at high risk.
