Coronavirus: US Citizens Came out Massively to Protest Against Lockdown

Groups of Americans, across the US, are protesting against the lockdown, aimed at regaining their freedom.

The United States has the highest case of coronavirus, with over 799,000 cases and more than 42,000 deaths, with cases still rising, though signs have emerged that the rate of spread is slowing down in some states.

Citizens protesting have taken the law into their hands by blocking the road, taken over streets and honking car horns. However, some states are beginning to ease restrictions, re-opening local shops, beaches, workshops, and some businesses, but most parts of the US continue the stay-at-home order.

Protesters say the restriction of movement imposed by state governments to control the spread of COVID-19 is unnecessarily affecting businesses and hurting citizens.

Unfortunately, the total number of unemployment claims in the nation reached over 22 million, and protesters say extending the lockdown too long will cause more unemployment in the country and will overturn decades of US job growth.

Demonstration of this protest has occurred in some states governed by both Republican and Democratic governors. The States includes;
Virginia, North Carolina, Minnesota, Utah, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Maryland, Idaho, Texas, Arizona, Michigan, Washington, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin.

Moreover, the United States President, Donald Trump and his COVID-19 taskforce have revealed new guidance to commence re-opening state economies.

The new guidance recommends three phases of easing down restrictions on businesses, local economies, and social life, with each phase lasting at least two weeks. The recommendations also involve maintaining some social distancing, access to testing, and contact tracing.

“Some of the things that happened are not so appropriate,” Mr. Trump said. “In the end, it’s not going to matter because we’re starting to open up our states. And I think they’re going to open up very well.” And for the protesters, Mr. Trump said: “Their life was taken away from them, these people love our country, they want to get back to work.”

Furthermore, the United States public health experts and some Statemen have continued to emphasize the importance of social distancing, defending the measures protesters have taken.

On the 21st of April, Facebook announced its removal of event listings for anti-lockdown protests in California, New Jersey, and Nebraska as they violated state government orders.

State Leaders have also replied to the protesters and Mr. Trump’s evident support.

Republican Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland told CNN: “I don’t think it’s helpful to encourage demonstrations and encourage people to go against the president’s policy.”

“The president was fomenting domestic rebellion,” Washington state’s Jay Inslee, a Democrat, said.