It has been just over five months since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the United States.

Doesn’t it feel like more than that?

All along, there have been voices trying to downplay the severity of the ongoing crisis — none more recklessly than Donald Trump himself.

And with all we’ve been through, it’s understandable if a numbness to the reality of this era and a craving for what was normal not so long ago are setting in.

But we have to face the truth:

• The United States is one of the few rich countries that has not slowed the spread of the coronavirus within its borders.

• On Wednesday, we set a record for the most new cases in a single day, a full two months since the previous high.

• Then we broke that record yesterday.

• Cases are spiking in 30 states.

• Young people are getting sick at alarmingly rising rates.

• The percentage of tests that come back positive is going up severely in some locales.

• In major cities — like Houston, Texas — world-class hospitals are near or already at full capacity, with hospitalizations expected to increase still more.

• Just yesterday, the CDC said that for every case that has been reported there may be as many as 10 additional cases that went unreported — meaning something like 25 million Americans have already been infected.

• That’s basically 1 out of every 13 people in this country — and counting.

I know. It can feel hopeless.

But it’s not.

And there is work to do.

Individually, we must remain vigilant about doing the right things to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors safe.

Collectively, we have to push for — and win — the public health and economic policies that our country needs if we’re going to get through this.

If we do that — if we let compassion for each other and consideration of the greater good move us — we WILL get through this.

So stay informed.

Stay safe.

And stay tuned.

We’re in this together, you and Public Citizen. And we’re not going anywhere.

In unity,

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen

P.S. Public Citizen — like many nonprofits and other small businesses — is feeling the financial strain of the coronavirus emergency. If you can, please consider donating to support the critical work we’re doing together. Thank you.
 
 
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