'No Mask, No Vaccine' US COVID-19 Infections Reach 110,000 Daily [Correspondent Diary]

Sharp Drop in Vaccination Rates
Fauci: "We Are Going Down the Wrong Path"
Increase in Non-Compliance with Mask-Wearing Mandates

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The number of new COVID-19 cases in the United States has surpassed 100,000 again for the first time in five months, raising concerns about a resurgence of the virus.

According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the daily new COVID-19 cases, which had dropped to 10,000 in mid-June, increased to 118,000 on the 23rd (local time).

CNN pointed out, "Compared to this spring, the vaccination rate has sharply declined, causing a nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases," adding, "Many Americans hoped for a worry-free summer returning to normal life, but the recent rapid increase in COVID-19 cases is quickly creating a different reality."

As COVID-19 cases rise, controversies over quarantine measures are also growing. On the 25th (local time), Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), expressed serious concern over the continued increase in COVID-19 infections among unvaccinated Americans, stating that "the U.S. is heading in the wrong direction."

In an interview with CNN that day, Dr. Fauci said, "COVID-19 is spreading mainly among unvaccinated people," diagnosing that "it is even more problematic because 50% of Americans have not yet been fully vaccinated."

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30 out of the 50 states in the U.S. have not exceeded a 50% full vaccination rate, which includes the second dose. As vaccination rates have significantly dropped, the weekly average of new infections as of the 23rd was about 49,300, an increase of more than 300% compared to a month ago. The weekly COVID-19 incidence rates in Los Angeles (LA) County and San Diego County, California, were the highest since February.

Passengers without masks are boarding a bus heading from New York City to New Jersey. (Photo by Baek Jong-min)

Despite the increase in the Delta variant, many Americans are ignoring mask-wearing mandates. In New York City, concerns are rising as more people are not wearing masks even on public transportation where mask use is mandatory.

On the 24th, it was easy to see people without masks on the New York City subway and buses traveling from New York City to New Jersey. Although mask use is mandatory on U.S. public transportation, the number of people not complying continues to increase, causing concern for the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

The MTA recently held events distributing masks and encouraging their use in subway stations, but these efforts have not been effective.

Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, said, "Vaccines provide a strong opportunity to avoid COVID-19 infection and hospitalization," adding, "Even if breakthrough infections occur in vaccinated individuals, symptoms are likely to be mild or absent."