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Nearly 52,000 Americans have died of the virus so far — a number that increases daily as a result of new fatalities and states reviewing previous deaths that had not been tied to the disease.
New efforts by some states to trace more cases will give officials a better idea of the magnitude of the pandemic in the country. That, in addition to testing — which experts say is still not where it needs to be.
And as health officials race to get the virus under control, state leaders are setting the date they’ll begin reopening their economies — decisions that President Donald Trump has said are entirely up to governors.
Georgia governor opens businesses
Georgia was one of the last states to call for stay-at-home orders and one of the first ones to start easing those restrictions.
According to experts at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, the state should not begin to reopen until at least June 22.
But on Friday, business owners and customers in Georgia donned masks and gloves across the state as they returned to stores ordered shut about two weeks ago by the governor’s stay-at-home order. Theaters and dine-in restaurants will be allowed to reopen Monday.
Some business owners told CNN they felt they had no choice but to reopen. Others said they did so to pay their bills.
“I’m at the point where I have to do something … I’m about to lose my business if I don’t,” Tim Timmons, owner of Salon Gloss in Woodstock, said.
Timmons said there were measures in place to prevent the possible spread of the virus. The business wasn’t running on full staff and employees stood 14 feet apart. Customers had their temperatures taken when they arrived and were also asked whether they’ve come into contact with anyone who’s had the virus. During shampoos, they covered their faces with towels.
But other business owners said attempting to reopen wasn’t in their plan.
“I said, ‘No, absolutely not. Get your hair done for what?'” Sabrina Watkins said of her hair salon in College Park, an Atlanta suburb. “There’s a pandemic, people are dying. As much as I love the business, now is not the time, regardless of who says it is.”
More states partly reopen while others set the date
Georgia isn’t alone.
Salons, barbershops, spas and pet groomers took appointments Friday in Oklahoma. State parks and outdoor recreation areas also reopened.
Alaska allowed salons and restaurants to open in many areas, though restaurants must keep distance between tables and can’t exceed 25% of their normal capacity. The state also strongly encouraged face coverings.
Other governors are setting the date for when their reopening plans will kick into action.
Elective surgeries and farmers markets will begin reopening in Iowa on Monday, the same day Tennessee restaurants can reopen at 50% capacity. Retail stores may reopen Wednesday under that same guideline, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said.
“We are pursuing a careful, measured approach to reopening our economy that does not depend on heavy-handed mandates but instead provides practical tools for businesses of all sizes,” Lee said.
But other leaders have stopped short of setting a timeline.
In San Francisco, which issued the country’s first sweeping stay-at-home order in mid-March, Mayor London Breed said the order is “very likely” to be extended for a few more weeks past May 3.
“How we reopen is going to be important to ensuring that we do it responsibly so that we don’t go backwards,” said Breed, who stressed the importance of having enough PPE, testing and requirements for social distancing.
CDC, Lysol warn not to digest disinfectants after Trump’s remarks
As state leaders weigh the best options for moving forward, many have turned their attention to possible treatments. The World Health Organization recently said the world is “weeks to months” away from knowing which drugs will work against the virus.
Reckitt Benckiser — the company behind Lysol and Dettol — issued a statement Friday after “recent speculation and social media activity.”
“Under no circumstance should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body (through injection, ingestion or any other route),” the company said.
A similar warning came from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Household cleaners and disinfectants can cause health problems when not used properly. Follow the instructions on the product label to ensure safe and effective use,” the CDC tweeted.
CNN’s Tina Burnside, Alexandra Meeks, Rosa Flores and Sara Weisfeldt contributed to this report.
