On Monday, May 25, many of us learned about the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis, Minn. According to the New York Times, Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin pinned Floyd with his knee on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, which led to Floyd’s death. The situation quickly gained national attention due to a presumed innocent black male being allegedly killed by a white cop. Throw in the fact there was a video of the incident, and it resulted in riots erupting in nearly every major city across the country. Businesses have been looted, landmarks have been vandalized and several buildings and churches have been set on fire. While it has been extremely difficult to watch the destruction taking place in these cities, one of my first thoughts in watching the coverage is what will the effects of these riots be when it comes to the spread of COVID-19? Social distancing is not being practiced, protesters are shoulder to shoulder and causing destruction, most are not wearing masks at all times and major cities that have had a problem controlling its spread may have just lost complete control. In Minnesota on Sunday, that state received 664 more confirmed COVID-19 cases in one day and 14 deaths.
Sadly, the Minnesota Health Department’s spokesman noted that the state may not know the true effects of the riots and the spread of COVID-19 until later this week.
And that’s if those who have the symptoms of the respiratory illness actually get tested. You multiply this by the number of big cities feeling the affects of the riots and mass gatherings and it is scary to think what has happened with the spread of COVID-19. Just when it appeared we were getting near the end of this concern, a second wave appears unavoidable now. May all of us be diligent in prayer.
